September 26, 2013

Church Leadership
Our ministers and lay leaders are available to answer any questions you may have to help you connect with the ministries of First Baptist Church. Rev. Matt Sturtevant Senior Pastor, x. 202 matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com Rev. Dr. Meredith Holladay Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation, x. 204 meredith@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jenny Purvis Office Manager, x.203 jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com Nathan Benfield Volunteer Building Manager, x.201 nathan@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jim Davidson Chancel Choir Director jamesrdavidson@ku.edu Holly Grassy Bookkeeper grassyclan@att.net John Pauls Moderator jphawk@yahoo.com Evelyn Falen Organist Buddy Langford Custodian Church Office: 785/843.0020 office@firstbaptistlawrence.com www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

October Worship Series:

Preparing for Worship September 29, 2013 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Singing our faith this is my fathers world

Matthew 25
Our Call to Mercy and Justice
October 6World Communion Sunday I was hungry and you fed me. Reflections on Sharing a Table October 13Health Care and the Faith I was sick and you cared for me. Moment for Mission with Heartland Medical Clinic Church-wide Tour of Clinic at 1 pm (see page 4) October 20Childrens Sabbath the least of these Beating Swords into Plowshares Micah 4.1-5 (see below for more information) October 27Our Mission with Dezo and Haiti I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Rev. matthew sturtevant

Scripture: Psalm 24

Childrens SabbathOctober 20
Sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund, the National Observance of Children's Sabbaths Celebration is a way for faith communities to celebrate children as sacred gifts of the Divine, and provides the opportunity for houses of worship to renew and live out their moral responsibility to care, protect and advocate for all children. This celebration is a part of a broader children's movement that aims to unite communities and religious congregations of all faiths across the nation in shared concern for children and a common commitment to improving their lives and working for justice on their behalf. In that respect, each action is bigger, more powerful and more inspiring than the efforts of any one celebration. We will celebrate our first Childrens Sabbath as a community, along with other churches, synagogues, and mosques around the nation, on October 20.

Children Matter: Conversations about Faith, Childhood and Parenting

Which would you rather explain to your child: How babies are born, or why are violence and killing so much a part of the biblical stories in the Hebrew Scriptures? How the motor in your car works or what Easter means? Talking to our childrenof any ageabout questions of faith, scripture, belief is one of the biggest challenges of parenting and mentoring children. Parents often do not feel equipped, prepared, or knowledgeable enough to confront their childrens questions with them. This Wednesday a group of us gathered to wonder togetherto wonder about how children grow and develop as people, and how their faith develops along with their intellect, their social skills and identity, and their personhood. We wondered together about our own faith journey and how we might share alongside the journeys of the younger and youngest among us. We shared the anxieties and doubts about finding answers to some of the seemingly-simple, yet quite difficult questions from children. How do we raise our children to have faith? How will we feel confident enough in our own faith to shape theirs? This time was an interesting and thoughtful time to share together insights and doubts, experiences and questions. I hope you will consider joining us next month as we continue the conversation about how to nurture the faith identity and development of our children. Children Matter is specifically for parents of children birth through 5th grade, though anyone who wants to join in the conversation is invited! Pastor Meredith

Children Matter: A Parents Perspective

I know, I know. You all are used to reading my perspectives in the newsletter, so this may not seem like anything new. But I write today not only as a pastor at FBC, but also a parent who has children at the church and one who is trying to make sense of how to accomplish the complex task of parenting. Wednesday night was an incredibly helpful step in that journey. Pastor Meredith graciously suggested that I attend the Children Matter conversation, not as a pastor, but as a parent. Kimberly and I were able to sit together, listen together, and learn together more about the task and call of parenting. Pastor Meredith guided all of us through some insightful teachings about the ways that children learn about God and the world. A few gleanings that I would share: Children change. Of course, it is obvious that the faith of children is going to change over the years. But even my extensive education, training, and experience in the areas of faith development don't necessarily prepare me for that moment when one of my own kids has a question about faith as they are getting ready to jump out of the van for school! While I had stored in my brain a great deal of what we talked about Wednesday, it was good to hear again the theory and tenets of faith development. It was especially meaningful while I was able to sit next to my wife and relate it to our own kids development of the last years and months, and even stories from that morning! Its not just about us. It is helpful to have a reminder that we are not alone. There is so much pressure on parents today that we make sure our kids are perfectly educated, holistically well-rounded, and impeccably behaved. It is nice to be able to sit down with other parents and admit that we don't have all the answers. Nor do we do it right all the time. It was a relief to be reminded that we share the task of parenting with other parents, church leaders, Sunday school teachers and a host of other members of the village that it takes to raise a child. Yet, it is about us. We live in a society in which we tend to farm out most of the aspects of our lives to other experts. Fixing our car. Making our food. Caring for our lawns. It is tempting to believe we just need to find the right experts to make sure our kids get the right theological education and grow up to be good Christian adults. Wednesday night was a good reminder that the task of faith development is first and foremost the responsibility (and opportunity!) of parents. While I cant teach my kids piano or be there for every minute of their school day, I can and should take seriously my responsibility to live my faith at home, honor their faith questions, and demonstrate the love of Christ in the ways we talk and play and grow together. I invite you next month to join us on that adventure! Pastor Matt

Family Promise Founder to Speak

Oct. 3, Family Promise founder, Karen Olson, will speak at the University of Kansas School of Business Deans Executive Lecture Series. She will speak at 7 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium at the Kansas Union. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Remember in Prayer
We express our sympathy to the Vernon Lytle family following his death on Sept. 15. Services were held at Rumsey-Yost on Sept. 21. International Ministries Missionary: Ivy & Emerson Wu, serving in Macau. American Baptist Home Mission Society Missionary: Area Ministers: ABC of the Rocky Mountains, Dr. William Mankin, serving in Laramie, Wyoming. Local congregation: Immanuel Lutheran Church University Student Center

Mason Heilman Henry Mathis Josh Scrivner Sally Don Weinaug Evie Johnston Kaitlyn Lumpkin Linda Lewis Bokhee Lee Nathan Knight Verlin Gilbert Janice Pattinson

October 1 October 1 October 1 October 1 October 2 October 2 October 4 October 5 October 7 October 8 October 9

Dave Thomas Rebekah Johnston Greer Mathis Kristine Druen Clay Weinaug Bob Pattie Linda Warren Hazel Nitcher Sara Breyne Dava Cooper Winston Heilman Shawn Benorden Kelly Johnson Bob Shelley Logan Druen Emma Druen Daniel Hayes

October 10 October 12 October 13 October 15 October 17 October 19 October 19 October 21 October 23 October 23 October 23 October 24 October 25 October 25 October 28 October 28 October 28

Meet & Eat Groups

Sunday, October 20 at 12:00 p.m., immediately following Worship, you are invited to our Meet and Eat Kickoff! For those of you who signed up for our new meet and eat groups, please come on the 20th to find out what your new groups will look like! If you have not signed up, but would like to be a part of a fellowship group designed to build relationships within the church, come on the 20th to sign up. If you are still unsure what this whole Meet and Eat thing is about, come and find out more. We will share a meal together, and then share the groups.

Chupper Schedule: 9/29: Youth TeamQuadNox at Clinton Lake 10/5: Johnson Family 10/13: Eskilson Family

Childrens Corner
Wednesday Evenings:

Mark your calendar for Children Matter - conversations about faith, spirituality, parenting and children. October 23 November 20 5:30-7:30 p.m., childcare provided.
Sunday mornings:

QuadNox (Fourth Night): Okay, technically Septembers QuadNox is happening on the Fifth Night, but we wont split hairs. On September 29, meet at church at 5:00we will be going to Clinton Lake for a cookout and games. The youth of FBC Topeka will be joining us! CROP WALK! Well be walking in the Crop Walk together. Meet at church to ride downtown together! October 20: Following Chupper, the youth will split up into their normal small groups, and parents are invited to stay and join in a conversation about faith and teenagers. Pastor Meredith will lead the conversation, sharing some information and insights, and then allow time to hear from you.

We are slowly working our way back to normal with Sunday School. Thank you for your patience as we continue to figure out what normal is!
Sunday Morning Music has started!!

For 1st-5th graders. Michaela Schenkel and Jesse Dowell will be leading our elementary-age kids in music and movement time immediately following Sunday School, from 10:30-10:50, in room 139.

First Baptist Church 1330 Kasold Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66049 785/843-0020 785/843-0021 (fax) www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

MAILING LABEL HERE

Life of the Church

Sunday, Sept. 29
8:30Worship 9:30Sunday School 11:00Worship 1:00CROP Walk, Trinity Episcopal 5:00ABY & Chupper

Sunday Morning Volunteers

Nursery Extended Care Amy Munsterman Jenny Purvis

Staff Whereabouts
Meredith will be out October 2-5. She will return for worship October 6. Matt will be out October 4-6.

Tuesday, Oct. 1
Announcements due for newsletter

Wednesday, Oct. 2
6:00 On Tap Discussion, 23rd St. Brewery

Thursday, Oct. 3
7:30Choir Rehearsal

Heartland Community Health Clinic Tour

Come one, come all! All are invited to tour Heartland's medical clinic on October 13 at 1 p.m. We will serve a quick lunch from FBC and then drive anyone who is interested in the church van to the clinic for the tour. Come prepared with questions for Heartland as they have been gracious to open their facility to us personally. We are excited to visualize the healing aspect of our missions.

Looking Ahead:
Oct. 6World Wide Communion Sunday If you wish to receive/or not receive this weekly newsletter by postal mail, please contact the church office: 843-0020. Please send your e-mail to Jenny if you wish to be included on the weekly E-mail announcements list. jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com

Womens Group Opportunity Calling all book lovers!

First Baptists Book Club will be starting their 2013-2014 season with M.T Andersons Feed. The club will meet at the Carlsons home, 1905 Crossgate at 7:00 pm on Monday Oct. 14. Copies of the book can be obtained on loan by calling Peggy Keefe at (785) 842-5770 or cell phone (804) 712-9949. Please call for Nov. and Dec. book selections. The First Baptist Book club reads a wide variety of works including fiction, non-fiction, biographies, memoirs, and poetry. Members suggest the books to be read. If you love books, please join us! Friendship Square will meet at 6:15 p.m. in the church parking lot on Tuesday, Oct. 8. At 6:30 p.m. we will carpool to Mary Ann Williams's new home in Olathe. We are looking forward to another fun evening with friends, youll receive a new study book and learn about plans for Oct. 25. Any and all are welcome!

By the NumbersSeptember 15, 2013

Operang: Weekly Capital Campaign: YTD Operang: (Cumulave) Capital Campaign: YTD Operang vs. Expense Decit: $3,611.11 (Needed: 6,923.00/weekly) $375.00 $258,576.04 $144,678.86 -15,577.02 (as of end of Aug.)