May, 2015
Volume XI, Issue 5
Extreme Build:
The Missions Committee The Spaghetti Dinner Fund
Raiser for Extreme Build was a great success. We raised
just under $2,000.This is our last year of a ten year commitment to support the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship in
their Extreme Build Project to build a home each year in
McCreary County for a deserving family. FBC contributes
$2,000 for materials and volunteers to help build the
home. FBC also pays the motel room for our volunteers.
If you would like to volunteer please contact Eileen Philpot to reserve your room by May 1st. You may volunteer
one day, several days or the whole week. See the KBF
web page to for more information on volunteering. The
Missions Committee wishes to thank all who attended the
dinner and all who donated generously.
Mother’s Day Mission Project:
In recognition of Mother's Day the Missions Committee
is hosting a diaper collection in the month of May. First
Baptist receives requests for diapers on a regular basis.
We can meet this need by donations of diapers from our
church members. If you would like to donate diapers or
baby wipes, please place your donation on the table in
the preschool hallway. Thank you for your help.
By Charles White
A CRUCIBLE MOMENT
In his book The Road to Character, David Brooks (columnist and news
commentator) discusses the lives of
some people of high moral character (not
necessarily famous) who have made a
positive difference in the world. He found
that their responses in the “crucible moments” of their lives played a major role
in the building of their moral character.
He goes on to discuss the importance of
“crucible moments” in all of our lives.
A crucible is a pot used to heat
elements to extreme temperatures. The
term takes me back to chemistry labs in
high school and college to those little
ceramic pots setting atop a stand over a
Bunsen Burner. Into that crucible we
would place compounds to be separated
into its elements by the heat. At other
times, we would place elements in them
to be combined into a compound by the
heat. Industrial crucibles are much larger
and used to melt metal, glass or other
substances to be poured into molds to
make something useful.
The point is whatever is put into
crucible is changed. Substances can be
united or separated. They can be molded
to something better or let set and become formless. In the right hands they
can become something good and useful,
but wrong hands can make them useless
or even evil.
These past several months have
been and continue to be a “crucible moment” in the life of First Baptist. How we
will be changed is yet to be seen, but we
have been and continue to be changed.
If we place ourselves in the hands of the
benevolent and creative God, glory days
beyond anything we have experienced in
the past await us. If we insist on maintaining control, the dark days some have
predicted may become a reality. I per-
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sonally vote for the first option.
What comes to past depends on
each of us. This crucible moment for the
church has ushered most of us into crucible moments in our own personal and
spiritual lives. Each of us must decide for
ourselves what the outcome will be for
our lives.
In our first Church Council meeting I challenged the members to pick up
the leadership role in the healing process
which has already begun. I encouraged
them to take their focus off of what others have done and are doing during this
crucible moment and focus on their own
actions, words, thoughts and feelings.
To foster this change of focus I
lead them through a self-examination
exercise using I Cor. 13, the love chapter. Prior to starting the exercise I
reminded them that they are not responsible for what others have done or are
doing. Each is responsible only for his or
her own actions including her or his responses to the actions of others. Don’t
rationalize or become defensive. Just let
God speak to you through the scripture.
We then turned our attention to the list
of love’s virtues in I Cor. 4-7. I read each
attribute pausing to allow time for reflection on their actions in light of it. When
we finished, I asked each one to personally commit to practice this discipline
every day for a week and continue once
a week thereafter. They all accepted the
challenge.
I am extending the same challenge to each of you. When healing
comes to First Baptist, it will come by
way of repentance – not by somebody
else but by each of us. It will come when
you begin hearing what God has to say
to (about) you instead of what you have
to say about somebody else.
Charles
The Connection
Please keep the following people in your daily prayers:
Church Family: Dub & Alice
Armstrong, Bruce & Vickie Betz,
Mary Sue Bleemel, Susan Breckenridge, Bob Conway, Joyce Crigler,
Sug Hardy, Frank Hatfield, Linda
Hobbs, Jim Lucas, Bill Lyle, Jackie
Miller, Bill Newton, Mary Owens,
Roger Phelps, Henry Powell, Joe
Qualls, Carolyn Sweazy, Wendell
Wicker, Wes & Kay Wilkinson
Health Care Facilities:
Bee Hive Homes: Henry and
Lorane Crady
Episcopal Church Home: Ann
Rinehart
Elmcroft: Lyn and Peggy Nutt
Essex: Joyce Mann
Masonic Home: Doris Roosa
Wesley Manor: Lou Middleton
Shut-Ins:
Evalena Hagan, Mary Nusz
Military:
Gerald Braden, Courtney Ferrier, Micah Hyde, Steven Karr, Joseph
Miller, Randall Hampton Minton,
Caleb Peters
Extended family and friends:
Dana (Franke) Baer, Debbie Delaney, Mae Embry, Teagan Ferrier,
Mike Franklin, Heidi Fry, Lori Glass,
Vicky Grimes, Shirley Hale, Courtney
Hall, Gary Hall, Dinah Holbert, Joy
Hoskins, Margaret Johns, John
Kearley, Norman Kulmer, Theresa
McKinley, Trent McKinley, Jinx Messick, Phillip Miller, Karen Patrick, Kim
Powell, Doug Smith, Darline Sulzer,
Larinda Thompson, Karen Wilson
April 26 , 2015
Bible Study:
100
Sunday Worship:
129
Weekend Budget:
2,928.86
Avg. Budget Need
7,655.45
Please remember the family and friends of Milton Wynn (father of Nancy Key)
in prayer. He passed away March 29, 2015.
Please remember the family and friends of Ralph Hall (grandfather-in-law of
Katherine Frantz) in prayer. He passed away April 6, 2015
Please remember the family and friends of Larry Hainy (brother of Cherry
Swanson) in prayer. He passed away April 9, 2015.
Please remember the family and friends of Alan McCutchen (brother of Martha
Schuler) in prayer. He passed away April 11, 2015.
Please remember the family and friends of church member Sarah Ashbaugh
(sister of Linda Hobbs) in prayer. She passed away April 15, 2015.
Volume XI, Issue 2
Page 3
31
Bible Study
9:30a
Worship Service
10:45a
Graduate Recognition
6:00p
7:00p
7:30p
6:00p
7:00p
7:30p
6:00p
7:00p
7:30p
4:00p
6:00p
7:00p
7:30p
Memorial Day
25
Martie’s Kitchen
Cub Scouts
AA/NA Meeting
9:30a
10:45a
24
Bible Study
Worship Service
11
Martie’s Kitchen
Cub Scouts
AA/NA Meeting
18
Martie’s Kitchen
Cub Scouts
AA/NA Meeting
9:30a
10:45a
10
Bible Study
Worship Service
4
Clothing Closet
Martie’s Kitchen
Cub Scouts
AA/NA Meeting
Mon
17
Bible Study
9:30a
Worship Service
10:45a
Preschool Recognition
Church Council
1:00p
9:30a
10:45a
1:30p
3
Bible Study
Worship Service
Deacon Mtg
Sun
26
Emergency Food
19
Emergency Food
12
Book Club
Emergency Food
5
Emergency Food
Tue
1:00p
1:00p
10:00a
1:00p
1:00p
6:00p
7:00p
27
Bible Study
Choir
20
Bible Study
Choir
6:00p
7:00p
6:00p
7:00p
13
Business Meeting 6:00p
Food Box Prep
6:45p
Choir
7:00p
6
Bible Study
Choir
Wed
28
Boy Scouts
21
Boy Scouts
14
Boy Scouts
7
Boy Scouts
Thu
7:00p
7:00p
7:00p
7:00p
29
22
15
Food Pantry
8
1
Fri
9:30a
30
23
16
9
2
Sat
Sunday School Reflections
What do you think about when someone mentions Sunday School? For me, it
is a safe place to study, worship, read
scriptures and discuss God's Word. I
feel it is really the place where you develop relationships with your church
family. To me it is so valuable for everyone - our children, our youth and our
adults. We grow spiritually, emotionally
and socially within these small groups.
This is an opportunity to make friends
for life. We love, care, and pray for
each other during times of stress and
times of joy. What is our future? I'm
very hopeful and optimistic.
We have seven adult classes, two children classes, a class for babies and toddlers and a class for high school. We
are blessed with servant leaders willing
to lead these classes.
The J.O.Y. Class is led by Larry Coy
and uses the Lifeway Bible Studies for
Life which applies Biblical principles to
daily life. The class is primarily composed of couples but all are welcome to
join us. Class members are encouraged
to participate in Martie’s Kitchen on the
first Monday of every month.
Mixed Up Adults is taught by Steve
McKay. We are a group of widely varying ages and interests. We have parents
of young children and a teacher that is
a grandparent. If you're looking for a
class that is informal and conversationally driven, we are right for you.
Working Women for Christ is taught
by Barbara Hardy. Regardless of your
knowledge, wisdom, or age, we welcome all who care to study the words of
God as presented by Smyth and Helwys
literature. These lessons teach us
Volume XI, Issue 2
By Jean Qualls
everyday how to meet our needs. Come
meet with us at 9:30 a.m. in Room 205
(next to elevator on second floor).
The Hannah Class is taught by Barbara Elliott. We are a group of mature
ladies interested in missions and Bible
study. We use Smyth & Helwys materials.
The Naomi Class is taught by Sid
Myers. We are studying Psalms currently. We have an in-depth study
through discussion which only uses the
Bible. This class is for any age, single or
married.
Men's Fellowship is taught by Charles
Hartley. This class is for men of all
ages, but is primarily attended by older
gentlemen who enjoy one another's fellowship. They use Formations (Smyth
and Helwys) materials that focus on living out Biblical principles in your daily
life.
The Esther Class is taught by Jean
Qualls. We enjoy sharing stories and
experiences as we study God's
Word. Please join us as we grow spiritually together. We use the Bible Studies for Life for Seniors.
The High School Class is taught by
Josiah Qualls. They are currently doing
a study on Revelations.
We are having a breakfast at 9 a.m. on
May 17th in the Fellowship Hall. Please
join us for good food and fellowship.
The teachers will be glad to answer any
questions you may have about their
classes. We are very inclusive. If you
would like to visit different classes, that
would be wonderful. We hope you will
join us and get connected with the FBC
church family.
Page 5
254 S. Buckman St., Shepherdsville, Ky. 40165
(502) 543-7721or 955-7372 Fax 543-8261
Deacon Meeting
Sunday, May 3 at 1:30 p.m.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SHEPHERDSVILLE
PERMIT NO. 1
Clothing Closet
Sunday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday School Breakfast
Sunday, May 17 at 9 a.m. Join us for fellowship
and a potluck style breakfast. This would be a
great chance to join or invite a friend to join a
Sunday school class.
Women’s Book Club
Tuesday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m. The women will
be meeting at Wanda Collin’s home to discuss the
book Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.
Preschool Recognition
Sunday, May 17 during Worship Service. We will
recognize this year’s FBC preschool graduates in
the morning service.
Business Meeting
Wednesday, May 13 at 6: p.m.
Memorial Day
May 25. The office will be closed for the holiday.
Food Pantry
Friday, May 15 at 9:30 a.m. We will be preparing
boxes on Wednesday following the business
meeting. Thanks to all our food pantry helpers!
Graduate Recognition
Join us in recognizing this year’s graduates. If
you know of any college or high school graduates
who would like to be a part of this event, please
let the church office or Charles White know.
Church Council Meeting
Sunday, May 17 in the Fellowship Hall. Time TBA.
Page 6
The Connection