Pastoral Reflections by Dr. Tony Lankford

A n early Easter this year means Lent is right around the corner. I

find marking and acknowledging the Christian year, particularly

the holy seasons of Advent and Lent to be a meaningful part of the

Christian spiritual journey. To that, I wanted to expend a few words on

engaging Lent in ways that may deepen your spiritual life.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, marking 40 days, not counting

Sundays, prior to Easter. This year Ash Wednesday will be Feb. 10 and

we will mark Ash Wednesday with a traditional Service of Ashes.

During this service we will acknowledge our sins and shortcomings,

seek forgiveness, and reflect upon the journey of Christ to the cross

through the imposition of ashes. While this sounds dark, if you allow

it, it can be a spiritual enriching time of worship.

Often you hear of someone giving up something for Lent. I encourage

you to reflect upon such a sacrifice. If you do, reflect on what is means

to give up something in order to better someone else. Give up an hour

of television and give your time to your spouse, child, or through

volunteer service. Give up eating out as much and donate money to an

organization doing good work. Be creative and make a difference.

Many of my sermons this Lent will come from the Gospel of Luke,

like they did in Advent. During Lent I plan to read through Luke

during my personal devotion time. You are welcome to read through

the gospel with me. If scripture reading isn’t a part of your regular life,

this is a great time to start. Between Ash Wednesday and Easter,

commit to read one chapter a day. There are only 24 chapters, so if you

miss a day or two, it is ok. If you are committed, read through it twice.

Or, take the opposite route and read and deeply reflect upon half a

chapter each day. Whatever you choose, let us soak in the gospel of

Luke this Lent.

I look forward to the Lenten journey with you.

See You Sunday,

Pastor Tony

Our Vision is to be a family of believers sharing God’s love and grace wi� a� people.

First Baptist Church of St. Simons Island 729 Ocean Boulevard | St. Simons Island, GA 31522 | 912.638.3337| www.fbcssi.org

February 2016 Volume 62 Number 1

SUPER BOWL Youth PARTY

2/7/16

6:00-10:00

AT THE HOME OF

MICHAEL JENNINGS

From the Youth Minister by Rev. Justin Moser

BudgetFundsDesignated

Funds

CaringForThe

CornerstoneTotal

YeartoDate $52,142.00 $3,115.50 $13,475.00 $68,732.50

W hat a great start we’ve had to 2016! This year is going to be chalk full of great

activities for the youth of our church. I do need your help in one area. Part of what I

would like to do this year is have members of our church open up their homes and provide the youth

with dinner once a month on a rotating basis during the school year. We will normally do these on the

first Sunday of every month. If this is something you are interested in doing, please contact me. See

below for a summary of what we have going on in the month of February, but I want to highlight just a

few things we have coming up.

Winter retreat—We will host our winter retreat here on the Island. If anyone is willing to open up their

homes for the youth to stay at on Feb. 19 into Feb. 20, please let me know. Our theme is, “Be

These (i.e Salt and Light)” and our theme verses are Matt 5:13-16. The youth will be encouraged

to live lives that are different from the world. Lives that stand out. Lives that testify to a great

purpose and a deeper reality than the norms found in today’s culture. As we explore our theme

throughout the weekend, we will look specifically at the book of Daniel for examples of people

who were in the thick of Babylonian culture yet stood out because of their commitment to God.

March Mission Madness—This year for March Mission Madness we are taking 8 students and 4 adults

to Forsyth, GA for a weekend getaway to fellowship and worship with other youth groups in GA

and spend a day serving that community.

Passport—I can’t believe that it is already time to get serious about registering for our summer mission

trip. We will be going back to Birmingham, AL from July 10-15 for a week of service in the

Birmingham community. Cost is $200, but we will be having a few fundraisers between now and

then to offset the cost. Initial registration deadline is Feb. 18.

TheWorkersofGod

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 7

SundayFellowshipVickieCalemine,WandaKimsey,&GenieMcGarvey

SecurityDeaconPaigeBrowning

PrayerDeaconKurtBrowning

8:30amUsherTeam

ThomChapmanLynnChapmanMarkOwensKevinCrotty

10:30amUsherTeam

TeenGirls

WelcomeCenterTom&TrenaSmyth CLCGreeterDuane&KathyMcFarland

SoundTechR.E.Kempf

Multi-MediaTechJoshWhite

Children’sChurchK-2Barbara&SallyAnnHanzalik

3rd-5thJamieYoung&TiffanyLankford

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 14

SundayFellowshipDebbyRichardson

SecurityDeaconJohnBryson

PrayerDeaconPaigeBrowning

8:30amUsherTeamAlSawyerFrankStillCarolynStill

10:30amUsherTeamTeenBoys

WelcomeCenterDebbieStrother CLCGreeterPaigeBrowning

SoundTechCharlieCrumbliss

Multi-MediaTechGarrowAlberson

Children’sChurchK-2ndChristineNorris&AllysonJennings

3rd-5thGayleBrown&KatherineTroutman

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 21

SundayFellowshipLJLClass

SecurityDeaconNancyBryson

PrayerDeaconJohnBryson

8:30amUsherTeamDuaneMcFarland

BruceFlexerKeithRidenour

10:30amUsherTeamChildren

WelcomeCenterPatNatzke CLCGreeterDonnie&ElizabethJordan SoundTech

GarrowAlbersonMulti-MediaTech

JamieYoung

Children’sChurchK-2ndAnnColeman&KatherineLeonard

3rd-5thJoshWhite&DianaPowers

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 28

SundayFellowshipSusanArnold

SecurityDeaconScottColeman

PrayerDeaconNancyBryson

8:30amUsherTeamThomChapmanLynnChapmanMarkOwensKevinCrotty

10:30amUsherTeamChildren

SoundTechLarryWhite

Multi-MediaTechTyePipkin

Children’sChurchK-5thMonicaColquitt&BrentHanson

WelcomeCenterDarrellThaw CLCGreeterKimRichardson

Sign up with our pre-school & childcare coordinator, Ann

Schomber the Wednesday before each event. ann@fbcssi.org

Every 3rd Friday 6:00-8:30pm

$10.00for+irstchild$5.00foreachadditionalchild

Kids Night In Always a variety of fun activities

for the children

Feb 3-707 @ Chick-Fil-a

Feb 6-Youth deliver Hearts & Hands

Feb 7-Super Bowl party @ the home of Michael Jennings 6-10pm.

Feb 10-707 @ Sweet Mama’s

Feb 14-ReGroup @ the church 5-7pm

Feb 17-707 @ Chick-Fil-A

Feb 19-20-Winter Retreat

Feb 21-Game Night @ the Moser’s house 5-7pm

Feb 24-707 @ Sweet Mama’s

Feb. 28-Movie night @ the Youngs’ 5-7:30pm.

F E B R U A R Y E V E N T S – Y o u t h

16 Salt and Light

You t h

Wi n t e r Re t r e at

February 19 & 20

Stay tuned for details.........

From the Children & Family Minister by Rev. Rebekah

A s your Minister to Children and Families I have the incredible responsibility of

overseeing and working alongside our preschool and childcare department staff. And I

can tell you as a minister and moreover as a parent that I am truly humbled by each of their

giftedness and love for God and for our children. Each staff member serves an important

role within the department. I encourage you to meet and pray for this wonderful team of

people as well as the talented and dedicated volunteers who work with them in leading our

children.

WeeklyCalendarSunday

8:30am-

9:15am-

9:30am-

10:30am-

5:00pm-

Worship

SundayFellowship

SundaySchool

Worship

HandbellPractice

Monday

5:30pm-YogaFit

Tuesday

7:00am-

9:30am-

Men’sPrayerBreakfast

Sit&GetFit

Wednesday

7:07am-

5:00pm-

5:30pm-

6:00pm-

6:15pm-

6:30pm-

6:50pm-

YouthDevotionBreakfast

HighTideDinner

Childcare

YouthActivities

Children’sChoir

Prayer/Pastor’sBibleStudy

Children’sBibleStudy

AdultChoirRehearsal

ParentPick-Up

Thursday

9:00am-

9:30am-

5:30pm-

YoungWomen’sBreakfast

Sit&GetFit

YogaFit

Grief Support Groups Sponsored by

St. Simons Island Group 2ndThursdayofthemonth

1PMto2PM

St.SimonsPresbyterianChurchChapel

205KingsWay

Brunswick Groups 3rdMondayoftheMonth

5:30PMto6:30PM

HospiceoftheGoldenIsles

1692GlyncoParkway

February Events Thurs4 11:30amStMarksTowers

Sat6 12pm Hearts&Hands-

Allaine Ridenour cooks,

Youth deliver

Sun7 FBC101-

after each worship service

6-10pm YouthSuperBowlParty-

Michael Jennings home

Tues9 10:30amMcGregorGroup

Thurs11 2pm Dorcas

Sat13 9:30am KidsWinterRetreat

12pm Hearts&Hands-

Deacons cook & deliver

Sun14 3:30pm MagnoliaManor–

Rev. Michael Jennings

Fri19 6-8:30pmParentsNightOut

YouthWinterRetreat

Sat20 12pm Hearts&Hands–

Flexer cook & deliver

Fri21 5-7pm YouthGameNight-

Moser’s Home

Mon22 6pm CompassMeeting

Tues23 WOW

6:00pm AdminMeeting

Thurs25 2:00pm Dorcas

Sat27 12:00pmHearts&Hands–

LJL Class cooks,

Wesley UMC delivers

Sun28 11:30amDeaconsMeeting

5-7:30pmYouthMovieNight-

Young’s Home

Wed10 HighTideAshWednesdayService

Kid’s Winter Retreat

February 13 & 14

AHOY MATES! COME ABOARD! SHIP SAILS TO LEGOLAND! AARRGH!

For where your treasure is, there

your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Staying at the new

LEGOLAND RESORT on

the Pirate floor!

Cost: $100 *Must pay $50 non refundable deposit by

Sunday, January 31st, to reserve your spot with the

understanding that if you are unable to attend trip you are still

responsible for your balance. The balance is due by

Wednesday, February 10th. (Cost includes everything except 2

fastfood meals & 1 park meal).

Pictured from back left to right: Brooke Maynard (All Ages),

Chelsea Jarman (Infants), Cassidy O'Connor (All Ages), Ashley

Bandy (Sunday School Teacher for 19 Months to 35 Months),

Rev. Rebekah White (Minister to Children and Families), Ann

Schomber (Preschool and Childcare Coordinator), front left to

right are Caroline Hendrix (19 Months to 4 Years), Madison

Rogers (All Ages), Abby Scott (All Ages)

2016 Tentative Event Dates (Children & Family) Sunday-January 31st, Legoland Winter Retreat Parent Meeting, deposits due.

Saturday-Sunday, February 13th – 14th, Winter Retreat to LEGOLAND

Wednesday-March 23rd, Children Lead Stations of the Cross Experience for Adults and Youth

Sunday-March 20th, Palm Sunday - Easter Egg Hunt and Family Picnic at the Lighthouse

Sunday-April 17th, Family Miniature Golf Tournament

Saturday-Sunday, May 14th – 15th, Grandparent/Grandchild Camping Trip

Monday-Friday, June 6th – 10th, Choir Camp

Monday-Wednesday, June 13th – 15th, 3rd – 5th Grade Kids Summer Camp to Disney World

Mondays-June 20th, 27th & July 11th, Monday Mystery Trips

Monday-Friday, July 18th – 22nd, Vacation Bible School

Sunday-July 24th, Vacation Bible School Worship Service

Sunday-August 7th, Senior Breakfast

Sunday-August 14th, Backpack/Promotion Sunday

Sunday-September 18th, Family Biking on Jekyll

Wednesday-October 26th, Fall Festival

Wednesday-December 7th, Visit from Saint Nicholas

Friday-December 9th, Free Childcare for adults attending Sunday School Christmas Parties

Wednesday-December 14th, Christmas Caroling/Trolley Ride

Sunday-December 25th, Christmas Day

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 729 Ocean Boulevard

St. Simons Island, GA 31522-5018

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dr. Tony Lankford, Senior Pastor | tony@fbcssi.org

Rev. Michael Jennings, Minister of Worship

michael@fbcssi.org Rev. Rebekah White, Minister to Children & Families

rebekah@fbcssi.org Rev. Justin Moser, Minister to Y outh & Mission/Outreach

|justin@fbcssi.org Mrs. Ann Marie Schomber, Preschool & Childcare Coordinator

ann@fbcssi.org Mr. John Harper, Organist

Mrs. Faith Hamilton-Trent, Pianist Mr. Al Brown, Drummer

Dr. Sam Norris, Bass Guitarist Mrs. Angie Wainright, Administrator | angie@fbcssi.org Ms. Barbara Burke, Admin Assistant | barb@fbcssi.org

Ms. Vicki Blackmon, Admin Assistant | vicki@fbcssi.org

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am - noon

Closed Holidays Phone: 912-638-3337 Fax: 912-638-5793

www.fbcssi.org

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID St. Simons Island

Georgia Permit No. 192

Magnolia Manor

February 14th 3:30pm

Rev. Michael Jennings

Sewing Ministry

Every 2nd and 4th

Thursday at 2pm

come join us!

DORCAS

Contact Sandra Huckaby for more information

Church Conference

TherewillbeacalledchurchconferenceonFebruary17thforthepurposeofvotingonthechildcarecenter

proposal.Moreinformationwillbeprovided via email.