F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H D E C A T U R

2 KOG2DGA

Why did Jesus come into the world?” In Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus says he’s come to declare that the Kingdom of God is way closer than we know. Since last fall, when we began talking about how we can make the Kingdom of God as evident as possible in Decatur, some brilliant initiatives have begun to form, starting with the deacons and other church leaders. On Sunday, April 19, we’ll share the beginnings of a kingdom-focused vision that will capture our hearts and attention for the next three, four, five years at FBCD. Your own unique input and involvement are going to be absolutely essential to this Kingdom of God journey we’re beginning together! In preparation for April 19, please take the spiritual gifts inventory (see below). This

will be a fun discovery process that may help to guide you as you discern how you plan to become part of this church-wide kingdom adventure. Grace and peace,

Pastor Julie

• Combined Worship at 10:30 a.m.• Covered Dish Lunch after worship• Take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment before Launch Day! (see below)• The KOG2DGA vision absolutely needs YOU!

Launch Day: Sunday April 19

Kingdom Of God to Decatur GA

God has already equipped us for this vision.The Kingdom of God is a gift, not an assignment. God has already equipped God’s people here to make the Kingdom of God evident in Decatur, Georgia. Our part is to bring our own particular gifts and abilities to our church and our community. The good news is that just by wholeheartedly being the people God has made each of us to be, we will show our neighbors in Decatur how much God loves and celebrates them. Our deacons have already started discovering their spiritual gifts and the personality types through which those gifts are manifested. Now it’s your turn. Click here to start your own journey of discovery.

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H D E C A T U R

News & Events 3

EASTER

News & EventsPalm SundayPalms and PraiseSunday, March 29Worship at 10:30 a.m., in the SanctuaryCoffee Talk and Learning Groups at 9:15 a.m.

We begin Holy Week together with palms and praise. Pastor Julie will preach.

Pray the LabyrinthA path to one’s spiritual centerand back again into the worldDuring Holy WeekIn Carreker Hall

Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.Good Friday, 9 a.m.–NoonFor more information go here.

Noontime WorshipAt Decatur First UnitedMethodist ChurchMonday-Friday of Holy Week.Noon each day. Everyone is invited.Pastor Julie will speak on Thursday.

Maundy ThursdayLord’s Supper and Foot WashingThursday, April 27 p.m., in the Sanctuary; childcare provided

Good FridayService of ShadowsFriday, April 37 p.m., in the Sanctuary; childcare provided

Easter SundayHe is Risen!Sunday, April 5Flowering of the CrossSaturday, April 4, 3-6 p.m.Fresh Start8:45 a.m., in the SanctuaryLearning Groups and Coffee Talk10:00 a.m.Sanctuary Worship11:15 a.m., in the Sanctuary

For current events at FBCD, visit News & Events on the church website.

Pregnancy Loss Support Group 6:30-8:00 p.m. in S123—Ben and Ashley NealMore space is available.

Support Groups listed here: http://www.fbcdecatur.com/support-groups/

SPRING WEDNESDAY NIGHTSScheduleApril 1There will be no Wednesday Nights dinner or activities on April 1. Plan to attend worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

April 8Spring Break WeekNo FBCD church dinner or activities.

April 15Wednesday Nights resume. Dinner will be served. Groups meet at 6:30.

Holy Week Worship

Easter Bunny arrivesat at 10:30 a.m. Easter Egg Easter Egg Hunt beginsHunt beginsat Hunt beginsHunt beginsat at 11 a.m.at at 11 a.m.(don’t be late!)

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H D E C A T U R

4 News & Events

Kids Wednesdays New Communityfor Kids6:30–7:30 p.m.each Wednesday

Preschool age(3-kindergarten)Can I Pray Too?—Helping children to express their feelings and thoughts about God through non-written prayer disciplines.—E114Grades 1-5Children select from these two courses:Life of Christ CD Rom—Computer Lab Worship and the Arts Through Music— S314

KidsNews & EventsSUMMER DATESVBSJune 15-194 Year olds through 5th gradeMusic Camp Passportfor grades 3-5! for grades 3-5June 22-25 July 18-21UPDATES ONLINEFor more information on all children’s activities, go here. Contact Pastor Dale at ddoud@fbcdecatur.com.

Youth–Holy Week*No Wednesday night dinner orsmall group on April 1 during Holy Week.Maundy Thursday Youth Supper & WorshipMeet in the Youth Room (S320) for supper in Decatur at 5:30 p.m. (Bring $10.00 to cover your meal.)We will walk back in time for worship in the Sanctuary at 7 p.m.Good Friday Service of Shadows7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

YouthNews & EventsSUMMER DATESYouth Mission to Ashevillefor grades 6-12 June 21-26Beach Retreatfor grades 6-12 July 24-27UPDATES ONLINEFor more information on youth activities, contact Leanna Coyle-Carr or go here.

Easter Offering for MissionsGoal: $20,000Give generously to our Easter Offering for Missions during the Easter season (April 5 – May 17)! All gifts will go to our missional partners in the 2015 Ministry Action Plan (general budget).

Coffee TalkA Space for Newcomers10 a.m. in the Parlor, Sundays in March and AprilIf you are our guest on Sunday morning, please join us for coffee and conversation. Get to know a few people, ask questions about the church and the opportunities for you and your family. Just follow the signs in the first floor hallway.

MOPSMeets in the morning and the afternoonThe Decatur chapter of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a collaborative effort between First Baptist Decatur (308 Clairemont) and First Christian Church of Decatur (601 West Ponce de Leon). Learn more.

Conversations Author EventSandy Tolan, author of Children of the StoneFriday, May 1, in Carreker HallChildren of the Stone chronicles the story of Ramzi Hussein Aburedwan and his journey-from stone thrower to music student to school founder-and shows how through his love of music he created something lasting and beautiful in a land torn by violence and war.

New Adult GroupSunday Mornings beginning April 12 at 10 a.m. in S218You are invited to a new adult Sunday morning learning group—“The Community.” This group is for adults (singles and couples) of all ages and will emphasize the necessity of authentic and honest relationships among Christ followers as we seek to better love Jesus and each other. Theron Stuart will lead the group’s initial study: a look at how and why the “church” began as described in the book of Acts, and how we’re measuring up today. Jess Davis is hospitality coordinator for the group.

Clairmont Oaks 40thAnniversaryInvitation from Clairmont OaksClairmont Oaks celebrates 40 Years of providing Affordable Senior Housing in the City of Decatur. You are invited to the celebration on Saturday May 9, 3-8 p.m. for their Family Fun Day. It will be a day of fun, food and entertainment for the entire family! Support Clairmont Oak’s Super Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit their resident programming.

Special WOM EventWMU Spring Inspirational MeetingMonday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.Guest Speakers: retired missionaries Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Brock. Lunch cost is $7. An Atlanta Metro Baptist Association event. Hosted by FBCD. Everyone is invited.

Easter OfferingEaster Offeringfor Missions

S E Q U O I A C L U B

Outlook insert—March 2015 News & Events

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H O F D E C A T U R

YAH EVENTSAll Senior B’dayMarch 29All Senior Adult Birthday Party!—after 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday worship. Entertainment will be a piano concert presented by Steven Morris, one of our Sanctuary Choir members. Cost: $10.

Lunch ‘n LearnApril 9How to Find Everything You Need to Know on the Church Website—led by Wayne and Lois GrahamCost is $5 for the meal.Please sign up in your Sunday morning group.

Class ResumesWednesdays, April 15, 22 and 296:30 p.m. in S216How Elders Will Save the World (Original class is continuing. New participants are welcome.)

Baltic Sea CruiseAugust 15–25A Baltic Sea Cruise, with option of extra days in Copenhagen. $500 due at sign up. Contact Bob Williamson to sign up or to get more information. Registration is still open.

Announcing OvationsConcert SeriesFor five years our Conversations ministry has partnered with the Georgia Center for the Book to bring internationally-renown authors to First Baptist Decatur. As part of our ongoing commitment to become a spiritual nerve center in Decatur, beginning this spring a new ministry at FBCD—Ovations—will partner with universities and regional talentin Atlanta to bring gifted musicians of all kinds to Decatur.Soprano Shala Whitehead in concert on April 257 pm, Sanctuary, free to the publicSoprano, Shala Whitehead is completing her graduate studies at Georgia State University. Her operatic roles include Mimi in La bohème, Ann Putnam in The Crucible, to name a few. In May 2014, she was the soloist for a concert honoring African American Composers in "The Music of African American Composers concert.” She was guest soloist in the “Go Light Your World” Christmas concert for AIDS and she was one of the soprano soloists in a tribute concert honoring Verdi's 200th birthday with the Musica Sacra Atlanta. In 2005, she premiered the original opera LaRoche, in Atlanta with the Ameri-Color Opera.Clayton Pulzi in concert on May 30Coming May 30, 2015 at 7 p.m. Brazilian tenor, Cleyton Pulzi and pianist, Steven Morris will perform Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe and some of Brazil’s most beautiful art songs.

CBF of Georgia SpringGeneral AssemblyYou are invited to attendFriday-Saturday, April 24-25Hosted by Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Atlanta. Leaders include Pastor Greg DeLoach (FBC Augusta), Dave Odom, former founder and president of the Center for Congregational health, and FBC’s own Devita Parnell, Networks Manager for National CBF. For more information at the CBF Georgia website go here.

Gift of Sermons & LessonsA gift from longtime member and missionary Dr. Charles WhaleySermons & Lessons by Dr. Charles L. Whaley, Jr. have been donatedto the Media Center. These manuscripts include Bible study lessons taught at FBCD as well as sermons offered at various churches in the Atlanta area over the past 15 years. Dr. Whaley served as missionaryto Japan from 1949–1992 and for 50 years called FBCD his stateside church home. Dr. Whaley died in November, 2014 at the age of 92.He attended Fresh Start and Sanctuary worship, and taught Bible study regularly.Please enjoy this new resource for your personal devotions or teaching preparations.

New! CrossroadsConference RoomHere at FBCD, we focus quite a bit on missions. One of our avenuesfor missions is our building itself. We use it to host many valuableorganizations who are helping better peoples’ lives. With this valuein mind we recently upgraded one of our rooms into a modern conference room (S-206). We are extremely thankful for materialsand furniture that were donated, and for our facilities team who dida lot of hard work cleaning, scrubbing, and painting. Billy Roberts created the wooden artwork titled “Crossroads.” Because the room isa professional conference room, we will also be able to host groups that are in need of rental space. The new conference room looks fabulous, so please stop by and take a look!

YARD SALETime to donate & volunteerOctober 1, 2, 3The FBCD Yard Sale, a Decatur tradition, will be held on the front lawn this year on October 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The sale helps fund the many mission projects supported by First Baptist Church Decatur and provides scholarships to First School families, First Camp participants and Youth missions.Find out all you need to know here:www.fbcdecatur.com/the-yard-sale

In the new conference room, thelarge wooden artwork titled “Crossroads”

was created by Billy Roberts.

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H O F D E C A T U R

6 Sharing in Prayer, By the Numbers, Wednesday Family Dinner, Contact Us

F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H O F D E C A T U R

New Member Welcome!Maggie KennedyJoining on profession of faith and requesting baptism.

Contact UsMain Office—404-373-1653Fax—404-370-7692First School—404-370-7688Activities—404-373-2442Website—www.fbcdecatur.comE-Mail—fbcd@fbcdecatur.com308 Clairemont AvenueDecatur, Georgia 30030

Weekend ContactsTo reach a staff member for weekend pastoral emergencies, please calltheir cell phone number (below).

Pastors on callSharyn Dowd (770) 329-7929Julie P-R (678) 602-7209Bob Williamson (770) 633-4651Deacon on callMar 27–29—Larry ConnellyApr 3-5—Cecil Cannon Apr 10-12—Kathy KinlawApr 17-19—Matthew HicksApr 24-26—Austin Lee

Larry Connelly

CecilCannon

Kathy Kinlaw

Matthew Hicks

AustinLee

Giving OnlineGiving Online

Wednesday DinnerWednesday nights—5:30–6:30 p.m.Carreker Hall

MenuApr 1 —No Family Dinner (Holy Week)Apr 8 —No Family Dinner (spring break)Apr 15—Fried Pork ChopsApr 22—Meat LoafApr 29—Oven Fried Chicken

Meal PricesAdults—$6.50 Students—$5.50Children (10 and under)—$3Family Maximum—$25

Office ScheduleRegular Office HoursMonday–Thursdays—9 a.m.–5 p.m.Fridays—9 a.m.–NoonEaster HolidayChurch offices closedApril 3—Good FridayApril 6—Monday following Easter Sunday

Visit the website Your go-to place for FBCD informationwww.fbcdecatur.comBrowse the site from your computer, your smart phone or tablet. Explore each section to find the information most useful to you. Check out the News & Events section regularly. Need to find something? Enter it in the Search Box in the footer (at the bottom of every page!).

2015 By the NumbersMINISTRY ACTION PLAN (M.A.P.)

Through March 22, 2015

Offerings last week…..$14,301(average needed per week…..$24,519)

Offerings received YTD…..$228,659Offerings YTD (behind) budget…..($65,572)

YTD through February 28, 2015

Offerings + other income received…..$160,200Church expenses…..$195,038Surplus/(Deficit)…..($65,572)

PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF M.A.P.

Through March 22, 2015Special Missions…..$3,467Benevolence Offerings…..$2,452

Sharing in Prayer Christian SympathyTo Karla Riker in the passing of her step-father and grandmother in the past month.To family and friends in the passing of Ida Larson on March 2. To the family and friends in the passing of Rae McKinney on March 12. Remember especially her nephew and his wife, Jeff and Joann Redding, and friends in the Joy Class.To the family and friends in the passing of Ruth Jackson on March 12. Especially remember her husband Bruce and son Thomas, and close friend Eileen Zack.To Joann Hooten in the passing of her brother, James P. Ward on March 22.

Combined WorshipWorship at 10:30 a.m., Bible study at 9:15 a.m.March 29 (Palm Sunday)April 19 (KOG2DGA)May 24 (Pentecost Sunday/Graduates)

Decatur City Church UpdateDecatur City Church (a satellite of North Point Ministries) is still in the process of determining whether or not it will be cost effective for them to rent space at FBCD while they become established in Decatur. Conversations will continue after Easter.

Complete menus online

Welcome to our newest staff memberJamie Steele has joined the staff as our new office administrative assistant. Jamie has a Master of Family Therapy degree from Mercer University, and this part-time position with FBCD is a good fit with her client load. Her office hours are be Monday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m., and Friday mornings from 9 a.m.-noon. We welcome Jamie to First Baptist Church Decatur!