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August 24, 2022

Dear Friends,

Not everyone prefers the spotlight, but we all want to be noticed on occasion. It can be easy to forget that recognition works both ways. Jesus reminds us not to exalt ourselves or those with whom we have close association; rather, we should take notice of and elevate those individuals who do not have a champion. We will hear more about is message this Sunday.

We hope you will get plugged into a small group this week at FBC! Let us know how we can be praying for you!

What joy we shared as we watched our newest members of FBC, Evie Busby, Kate Craig, and Laurel Cullingford proclaim their love of Jesus through baptism during the Celebration service last Sunday (August 21)!

If you have been considering membership or baptism, we invite you to speak to one of our ministers.

We have more important business to discuss in the upcoming called Church Conference on September 11! Following each worship service, we will take nominations for our 2022-2023 nominating committee, nominations for Deacons, and we will discuss the new church van. These nominations are crucial to leadership decisions made in our church, so put your thinking caps on and start praying about those individuals God is calling to serve in 2023.

We are pleased to announce that our new Minister to Children and Families, Lori Welborn, will begin her work at FBC on September 18th. While we wait for her arrival, we invite you to send in cards or messages to welcome Lori and to introduce yourself. You can drop those messages off in Leila's office or send them to her at publications@fbcgriffin.org.

Adult Ministry

Wednesday Small Groups meeting 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

America's Religious History, led by Dr. Jeff Rogers, Heritage Room
Bible Study: Who Is The Holy Spirit? led by Ron Murray, Hardee Hospitality Room
Jesus and Women, led by Women in the Word leaders Carol Baldwin and Susan Hardwick, Cheatham Room
Looking for Lovely, led by Bloom leader Sandra Long, Room 108 (Copeland)
Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family, led by Michelle and Steven Norris, Bramblett Chapel

Note that GriefShare will meet August 24 through November 30 in the Parlor from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. This group has reached capacity for the fall semester. If you would like to speak to someone about the next sessions, please email Ron Murray.

We are pleased to offer another opportunity to meet in small group this semester. Steven Norris will be leading a book discussion over his book, A Community of Grace: Renewing a Vision for FBC Griffin. If you would like to join this group and need a book, please contact us in the church office or email us. The group will meet on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m, September 8 through October 20.

Deep Stretch Yoga Class

Calling all yoga fans! JennaSullivan will be leading an hour-long yoga session in the Hardee Hospitality Room at 4:15 pm on Tuesdays throughout the fall. The cost is $10/person, payable to Jenna at the door.

Camping and Glamping in 2023

We had so much fun last fall that we're scheduling TWO camping/glamping trips for 2023. Don't wait—learn more now about how to secure your best space for both of these trips! Whether it's a cottage, yurt, tent site, or RV site, state park spots book up quickly.

Learn More

Children's Ministry

(Birth-5th Grade)

Music and Missions meets tonight!

Babies through threes can meet in the Nursery room on the Weekday Education hall.

Pre-K through K5 meet Mrs. Jenny, Mrs. Rachel, and Mr. Les on the Weekday Education hall.

Grades 1-5 meet Mrs. Leslie, Ms. Mamre, and Mr. Franklin on the second floor of the Education Building.

Parents, please pick your elementary kids up in the gym at 7:00 p.m.

Parents and Guardians:

During missions lessons, children often get to sample foods that would be typical of cultures we are studying. We would like to ask families to share emergency contact information and any food or environmental allergies that would pose a challenge to their children during these lessons. Please complete the form below for children you bring to church so our leaders can be better prepared to address needs your children may have.

Emergency Information Form

WE'RE GROWING!

Not only are we blessed with healthy children, but we are seeing more of them in our Sunday morning and Wednesday night classes! Please consider volunteering in our Children's Ministry — reach out to us for more information.

Would you like to receive our Children's Ministry Newsletter? Click on the button to let us know you want to subscribe to the newsletter.

Sign Me Up

Student Ministry

(6th-12th grade)

What's going on in YTH?

Students will meet TONIGHT at 6:30 in the Student Center (aka the Basement). Students should be picked up on the FLC side of the church at 800 pm. Sometimes small groups go a little over time, but we have good stuff to talk about! We have free popcorn. Cokes are $0.50 and milkshakes are $1.00.

We are excited to welcome the 6th graders to youth!

Music Ministry

Musicians are always breaking down parts of their music, but over the past week, parts of their practice room have been getting a break down! Bob Long and his team are extending the Instrumental Room, which will allow our growing orchestra to practice comfortably.

Rehearsals

Connexion Musicians

Morgan Hall: vocalists rehearse at 6:30 p.m. and the band rehearses at 7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary Choir

Rehearsals resume TONIGHT (Aug. 10) at 7:00 p.m.

Handbells

Rehearsals begin in the Instrumental Multipurpose Room

today from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Orchestra

Rehearsals begin in the Sanctuary

tonight from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Ukulele News

Ukulele Ensemble

Rehearsals resume in the

Instrumental Multipurpose Room on August 18 at noon.

Beginner's Ukulele Lessons

If you are interested in learning Ukulele in the spring, then please contact

Ellee Hilley.

Missions Update

Put Your Rewards to Work for Those in Need:

Abundant Life Soup Kitchen

Did you know that FBC Griffin is a ministry partner with Abundant Life Soup Kitchen in Griffin? This vital ministry feeds the hungry a nutritious meal Monday through Friday from noon until 1:00 p.m.

You can put your Kroger Rewards or your Amazon Smile rewards to work for Abundant Life with a few simple steps online. Click on the button to learn more about it.

Learn More

Clothes Closet Needs

Our Caregiver's Clothes Closet provides head-to-toe clothing, hygiene products, linens, and towels to the needy. Your donations are crucial to this ministry. Please bring donations to the Ministry Center on 8th Street (across the street from the Weekday Education Program entrance) on Monday mornings between 8 and 10 a.m.) or to either Welcome Center at the church. The immediate needs are gym or duffel bags, backpacks, small suit cases that roll, and tennis shoes for men & women (all sizes). Thank you for supporting our Clothes Closet!

Church Library News

And a good time was had by all...

This past Saturday morning, August 20, 22 folks gathered in the Church Library for "Coffee and Conversation" with Christian author Kristi Ann Hunter, daughter of Bob and Linda Long. It was a delight to hear of Kristi's writing journey, her development of characters and plots, and her future writing plans. Special thanks go to Jackie Lee for providing delicious scones for our refreshment

Library Hours

Sundays

10:00-11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays (beginning August 17)

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Want to search the Church Library from your phone? Download the Librista app today! Sign in to First Baptist Griffin and you can see our collection. Contact the Church Library for more information.

Other News & Events Around the Church

Learn More

Reserve a Plate

Let's have BBQ pork sandwiches, coleslaw, chips, and dessert tonight at 5:00 p.m. in Morgan Hall before starting our small groups at 6:00 p.m. tonight, shall we? Click on the "Reserve a Plate" button to let us know you're coming. You can find out more about our small groups by clicking on "Learn More."

Book Discussion with Steven Norris

Have you been waiting for the perfect opportunity to read A Community of Grace alongside others in the church?

Steven Norris will host a discussion of his book from September 8 through October 20 in the Cheatham Room from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on the study, to sign up for the study, or to request a copy of the book, contact Steven.

Contact Steven

Dorcas Ministry

Would you like to learn to sew, knit, crochet, or do needlepoint, or perhaps use your gifts to produce clothing and accessories to share with others? We would like to invite you to join the Dorcas Ministry. Meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning September 7 at 3:00 p.m. in the Church Library. For more information, please contact Alice Blake at 678-463-6305.

Upcoming Meetings

X'tra Years of Zest (XYZ), our senior adult ministry, meets on September 13 at 11:30 a.m. in Morgan Hall.

Women on Mission (WOM) meets in the Hardee Hospitality Room on September 13 immediately following XYZ (approximately 1:00 p.m.). All ladies are welcome.

Sunday Morning Safety & Security: Updated Procedures

The security of all people who enter our doors is a top priority for FBC Griffin. After much consideration, the decision has been made to maintain the following schedule for our entry points on Sunday mornings.

All secondary doors to the Sanctuary will be open (unlocked) until 9:30 a.m. These doors are located near the organ, near the piano, and at the front of the building on either side of the main doors facing Taylor St.
After 9:30 a.m., entrance to the Sanctuary will only be available through the front doors that face Taylor Street.
Welcome Center doors on both sides of the church (the Sanctuary side and the Family Life Center side) will be open from 8:15 to 11:40 a.m.
The door on the Cheatham Hall (near the Library) will lock at 10:30 a.m.
The breezeway doors (next to the playground) will lock at 11:30 a.m.
Children's classroom doors will be locked, so parents should knock for entry.
Preschool Entry will be available to families through the Weekday Education main entrance by requesting access through the intercom.

We recognize that you may not want to keep all of these times in your memory at once. If you would like a visual reference for this information, please CLICK HERE.

Thank you for helping us remain welcoming even while we are vigilant about our physical spaces around the campus.

You Are Christ's Ambassadors

by Steven Norris

Can life actually emerge victorious in the face of death? The prophet Ezekiel would certainly nod in affirmation after surveying the army consisting of skeletal remains. The disciples of Jesus would have to agree after witnessing the empty tomb. The experience I had in Rwanda reinforced this conviction in my own life...

Read On...

Floral Arrangements

If you wish to place flowers in the Sanctuary and Morgan Hall in honor or memory of a loved one, then please call Brenda Goolsby (cell: 770-468-3959).