June 30, 2023

Weekly Events Snapshot Sunday, July 2 10:00 am   Sunday School 11:00 am   Worship   Tuesday, July 4—Church Office Closed   Wednesday, July 5—No Activities at Church No Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Sunday, July 9  9:00 am   Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship  4:00 pm Meeting of Camp P.R.I.S.M. campers and parents   Tuesday, July 11 - Friday, July 14 3rd-5th graders attend Camp P.R.I.S.M.  8:30 am Group leaves for Camp P.R.I.S.M.   Wednesday, July 12 - No Activities at Church No Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Sunday, July 16 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship   Wednesday, July 19 - No Activities at Church No Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Sunday, July 23 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship  5:30 pm Picnic and Bikes for children , their families, and friends   Wednesday, July 26 - No Activities at Church No Chancel Choir Rehearsal   Sunday, July 30 10:00 am Sunday School Sixth graders will move to Youth Sunday School All other children will remain in their current classes. (They will promote to new classes on August 6) 11:00 am Worship

Full Events Calendar

Click the image to view and download the July Connections Update Newsletter

Faithful Funnies

Morning Worship is streamed live on Facebook and YouTube (http://youtube.com/channel/UCfqoKtyauoSwA0aqhwi-ntw/live) and is archived each week on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@FirstBaptistChurchGWDLive).

July 2 Worship Bulletin

Greeters for June 25 Station 1 (Door C & Narthex): Pat Penn, Ann Skinner, Brecklyn Timmons Station 2 (Door K): Kelly Rhodes, Nina Moore Station 3 (Door H): George and Linda Coleman Station 4 (Doors I & J): Beth Hardage, Chuck Moates

Full Greeter Schedule

Nominations and Lay Leadership Presentation June 18, 2023   The Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee presented an amended version of the Diaconate Selection Process to the congregation during the Sunday School hour last Sunday, June 18. During the presentation, the Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee acknowledged not everyone will agree with the changes presented or the way First Baptist selects individuals for the sacred call of a deacon. The Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee asks the congregation to TRUST the committee to make good decisions for the church.   The presentation introduced the seven step Corporate Discernment Process that the Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee uses consistently in the selection and nominations of individuals to serve on church standing committees as well as individuals to serve in the sacred call of a deacon.   Based on the discernment of the Nominations and Lay Leadership Committee who have used the Corporate Discernment Process in all their meetings, the committee presented ten changes to current documents. These documents are First Baptist Church Bylaws, First Baptist Policy and Procedures Manual, and the Nominations and Lay Leadership Job Description. Three of the changes are associated with the Diaconate Selection    Process, and seven changes are to the Qualifications and Duties of a Deacon.   A printed summary of the presentation to the congregation is located in the Narthex or through this link.

The First Baptist Transitions Team Is Seeking Submissions for the Senior Pastor Search Committee   The Transition Team continues their work through a five focus-point transition process as outlined by Transition Facilitator, Layne Smith in the inside article. As the Transition Team begins work on the fifth focus point which looks at the “future” for First Baptist, the team is ready to begin the process of forming a slate of twelve individuals for the Pastor Search Committee.   While the First Baptist Church Bylaws indicate a few members who are to serve on the search committee (Diaconate Executive Committee and representatives of the Personnel Committee, Worship Committee, and Stewardship Committee), the Transition Team is seeking input from the congregation in naming a twelve member Senior Pastor Search Committee.   With that in mind, the Transition Team is asking the congregation to prayerfully and carefully consider offering the name of a First Baptist Church member that is believed to be: Trusted Respected (no “agenda”) Prayerful Spiritually wise A regular attendee/active supporter of the mission and ministry of First Baptist Able to speak for groups within the church (not representatives, but representative) Willing to listen to all perspectives The Transition Team is asking members of the congregation to return any suggestions to the team no later than July 10. Suggested names may either be emailed to gwdfbc.spsearch@gmail.com, mailed to the church, or dropped off in the church office.   The Transition Team truly needs participation for this investment in First Baptist's future to be successful!   First Baptist Church Transition Team

Wednesday Night Clean Up Crew Needed   The Wednesday Night Catering Crew and the church staff hope you enjoyed the meals offer this spring. Many positive comments have been shared. In order for meals to continue, the Wednesday Night Catering Crew needs a couple of people each week to make sure the food is put into the refrigerator following the meal. So far, three volunteers have signed up. These three people cannot and should not have to put away the food every week. Leftovers that can be frozen and used in future meals are kept. Other leftovers are given to the Pathway House, one of FBC’s missions partners. Food is too expensive to allow usable items to go to waste because no one can help make sure they are stored properly. Volunteers do not have to wash the plates, cups, or silverware. All that is needed is to secure the food. Which Wednesday night can we count on YOUR help? Call the church office (229-5557) or email the church at gfbcsc@gmail.com to sign up.

2023 Connections Class Has Begun This Sunday The 2023 Connection Sunday School Class will continue through July 30. The class meets at 10:00 am in the Youth lounge (Room 102 under the Sanctuary).

July 9: Meeting for Camp P.R.I.S.M. campers and parents July 11-14: Camp Prism July 23: Picnic & Bikes, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm August 6: Potluck Breakfast, 9:15 am  August 6: Promotion Sunday, Blessing of Backpacks, First Grader Bibles   **Rising 6th graders will move up to Youth July 30. All others will begin in their new classes on August 6 on Promotion Sunday.

Volunteer Openings in Children’s Ministry 2023-2024 (beginning August 6)   · Music Maker Choir Leader (4K-1st)   · Sunday School Preschool/K5       [once a month] - 2 spots   · Sunday School 1st-5th helper       [once a month] - 3 spots · CIA leaders       (moving from 3 groups to 4 groups)

Give to FBC General Fund

‌ ‌