1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Issue 05
May 2015
Pastor Jim Holmes Preaches
Shortest Sermon Ever
Promises to Color Hair
LSU Purple
March 15th was an especially exciting Sunday morning
at Helen First Baptist, as Pastor Jim Holmes preached a 20minute sermon in celebration of the church reaching its
“Count on Me” debt reduction goal of $200,000.00 for
2014. Pastor Jim then upped the ante for this year’s giving,
promising to color his hair “LSU” purple if the church meets
its goal for 2015 (by next March). Congregants’ reactions
were mixed as to whether they thought seeing Pastor Jim's
hair in a purple hue would boost or reduce giving.
Even more shocking than the church reaching its goal
a few weeks ahead of schedule was the brevity of Pastor Jim’s
message on that celebration Sunday. “I can’t believe he
actually pulled it off,” said one church member who declined to be identified in print. Another
church member, who also refused to allow his name to be used, was equally astounded: “For once,
we actually beat the folks from Center Baptist to the La Cabana (Mexican restaurant)!"
Volume 11
Despite its lack of length, Pastor Jim’s message from Matthew 25:14-19 still contained the
requisite three points, which were: (1) I can only give away what I have received. (2) The “what” I
give away is the “what” that I get back. (3) What I give, I receive more back. Pastor Jim challenged
the congregation in their stewardship of the Lord’s money, asking, “What if giving were not what we
do, but who we are?"
Although the church currently has a wide range of ministries, the church’s building debt,
currently at $1,018,888.00, can be an obstacle to ministry, as money that could be used for spreading
the gospel is, instead, wasted on needless interest payments. Repaying the church’s debt over the
next five years rather than over the next 12 years will save $82,000.00!
FUN AT THE RIVER
rd
SUNDAY, May 3 @ 6:00 p.m.
RIVERSIDE PARK PAVILION
(Across from La Cabaña)
MUSIC—FOOD—FUN
† BRING ENOUGH FOOD / DRINKS FOR
YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS + 1 MORE PERSON
† BRING LAWN CHAIRS
† PAPER GOODS PROVIDED
We will eat at 6, so try to arrive a little early. If it rains
we will eat in the fellowship hall at church.
HFBC Men Beautify Church Building and Grounds for Spring
On Tuesday, March 31, several men gathered at Helen FBC for breakfast
and a workday that had been rescheduled from the previous Saturday due
to freezing weather. Under the leadership of Associate Pastor Bill Terry,
men cleared brush, finished removing posts from the old wooden
playground fence, planted grass,
painted exterior doors, and moved
heavy stuff.
Ladies Luncheon to Benefit
Cleveland Care Center
The Women's Ministries of Helen First Baptist will host
a Community Brunch for the Cleveland Care Center on
Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10:30 at Helen First Baptist
Church. IT’S FREE!!!!!
We are encouraging our ladies to use this as an opportunity to bring a friend that may not have a
church home. We are excited to have a person sharing a great testimony of God's grace through trying times.
Our ministry team is praying that the Holy Spirit can use her story to touch the hearts of our members and
our community.
It will be a casual morning with a simple but tasteful meal. We hope to finish by 12:00. We always
want to allow for the Lord's direction. Anyone that may need to leave early is free to do so.
Listed below are the Care Center's needs. Tickets (so that we may know how much food to prepare)
are available in the foyer.
We are all: "Ordinary women living by HIS extraordinary grace!"
Gifts ideas:
**Wish List (Larger Needs of the Care Center):
Diaper bag
Pacifier
Bottle Warmer
Bibs
First Feeder Spoons (rubber coated)
Mittens (2 pack)
Travel Wipes
Sanitizers
Baby Wash
Gift Cards for Formula
High Chair
Diapers (Newborn and Size 1)
Pack and Play
Diaper Wipes
Crib Sheets
Bouncy Seat
New or very gently used infant clothing
Clothing turnstiles
Moving racks on rollers
Wooden lattice
Monetary donations for educational curriculum
Intercom
Cash Register (women earn "money"/points by
taking classes to use toward their infant's
needs)
6 foot counter
2012 or newer desk top computer
Ultra-sound bed
Ultra-sound gel and warmer
Ultra-sound bed paper sheets
Volunteers to help with light construction projects
If you have any questions, please call: Alisa 706-200-6975
From the Mission Ministry:
2015 Tanzania Youth Conference – June 1-3
2015 Kenya Youth Conference – June 12-14
Teaching Schedule for Males
Teaching Schedule for Females
Day 1: God Theme
Day 1: “Who is God Really?” Theme
Session 1: God’s Word a Trustworthy Authority –
Dale Thomas
Session 2: God’s Character – Jeff Ford
Session 3: God’s Salvation – Jeff Ford
Session 1: Overview with Creation to Christ story
– Suzie Houghton
Session 2: Loving God - Samaritan woman –
Natalie Ford
Session 3: Judging God, Saving God - Lazarus and
the Rich Man – Candice Wood
Day 2: Love Theme
Day 2: “Yes, God can use even me!” Theme
Session 1: Love - God’s Greatest Command – Jeff
Ford
Session 2: Woman –Who is She? – Dale Thomas
Session 3: Love your Wife – Dale Thomas
Session 1: David – Rebecca Milhollin
Session 2: Paul – Candice Wood
Session 3: Peter – Suzie Houghton
Day 3: Prosperity Theme
Day 3: “How to live lives that Honor God”
Theme
Session 1: Necessity of Work - Dale Thomas
Session 2: Money – Jeff Ford
Session 3: Spiritual Prosperity – Jeff Ford
Session 1: The Greatest Commandment, Matthew
22:36ff – Candice Wood (These verses help
establish the standard for living lives that honor
God. Discuss what these verses look like in real
life application in their culture.)
Session 2: Daniel and his friends - Rebecca
Milhollin (Emphasize how they did not conform
to the culture and abandon God - how they did not
eat the food and how they refused to worship the
idol image.)
Session 3: The Good Samaritan - Natalie Ford
(Show we are to minister to everyone. That
includes people from other races, tribes etc. This
will really ring true in a culture where there are so
many tribes.)
Please be in prayer for our safety and God’s blessing as we teach these unmarried
14-30 year olds.
New Members’ Course Dates
Sundays at 9:15 a.m.
May 3, 17, 24, and 31
Please contact the church office at 706 878-2089 to sign up.
According to our Rules of Decorum, “Anyone requesting membership at Helen First Baptist Church will be
required to complete a New Member’s Class before being added to the church membership roll. Persons under 14
years of age will be non-voting members until they reach 14 and complete the New Member’s Class” (Art. IV Para 4) . If
you have already completed Sunday night’s “Building a Healthy Body,” you have fulfilled the new members’ class.
VBS
Coming Soon!
The Coolest Week of the Summer!
June 8th - 12th
Dinner: 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Activities: 5:45 - 8:45 p.m.
New friends- Amazing crafts - Glacier games
Surprising adventures - Incredible music!
ONLINE registration for volunteers and children, please go to
https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/HFBC.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast/Work Day
Saturday, May 23, 2015




Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
Bring yard tools & chainsaws
Men/boys invited
Bring a friend
Bread of Life
Food Distribution
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Parking Attendants please arrive by 7:30 a.m.
All other volunteers please arrive by 7:45 a.m.
Catalyst Christian Learning Center
Hello Catalyst Friends,
Did you know that you can give a portion of your payments toward purchases bought at Amazon.com to
Catalyst? All you need to do is log-in to www.smile.amazon.com using your current username and password for
your amazon account. You choose the charity of your choice -- Catalyst Christian Learning Center -- and .05% of
the price of your purchases will go to CCLC.
This is a great way to GIVE without spending any extra! Please consider using this for future purchases.
Natalie Flake Ford, Director
Catalyst Christian Learning Center
PO Box 1627
Cleveland, GA 30528
(706) 865-0954
Get Involved in Local Missions!!!
“Sleep In Your Own Bed” Mission Trip
(White Co. Baptist Assoc. “Compassion Week”)
July 13 – 17, 2015
Who ??
 Open to all HFBC families – children welcome
 Participation opportunities for all ages
What ??
 Summer Feeding Program – help pack or distribute 750 lunch meals daily
 School Partnership – Mt. Yonah Elementary School: back – to – school teacher
assistance / outdoor improvements projects / prayer walking
 Helen Block Party – games, face painting, music, food prep/serving

Construction Projects – home improvement projects throughout White Co.
(flexible dates)
How ??
 Watch for sign – up forms coming soon
How Much ??
 $15. per person – includes t-shirt and materials / supplies support
Call the church office at (706) 878-2089 to RSVP by May 17th.
r
o
i
n
e
S
t
l
u
Ad
COST PER PERSON
(Includes Conference, Lodging, Transportation, and 3 Meals)
$225 @ (2 per room)



$205 @ (3 per room)
$185 @ (4 per room)
REGISTRATION
$50.00 Non-refundable Deposit by Sunday, June 14th
Balance by August 30th
Contact Bill Terry at (706) 878-2089 for more details
Carol Sprague
Gary Davis
Ben Caston
R. K. Ackerman
Kerry Boone
Chris Dotson
Jean Markussen
John Bryan
Mary Cooper
JR Hurst
Dennis Alvater
5/1
5/4
5/5
5/7
5/7
5/8
5/8
5/11
5/14
5/14
5/15
Jo Hammond
Travis Handte
Mark Houghton
Van King
John Howard
Clay West
Erna Teal
Lisa Durfee
Sandra Elkins
Scott Borchers
Angie Gant
5/16
5/16
5/16
5/18
5/21
5/21
5/22
5/23
5/24
5/25
5/26
Lanny & Tami Britt
Terry & Beth Howard
Nolan & Joan Walden
Scott & Elizabeth Goodman
Jim & Mary Holmes
Carroll & Martha Kennedy
Fred & Casey Bohenek
Ben & Rebecca Caston
Rik & Bethany Cramer
Billy & Becky Mims
Jason & Sonya Chesser
Henry & Pat Garner
Terry Howard
LuAnn Tyndall
David McDowell
Don Ueltschi
Pat Cook
Bruce Cutshall
Matthew Howard
Michael Whitlark
Charity Martin
Asher Turner
Nathan Adams
5/26
5/26
5/27
5/27
5/28
5/28
5/28
5/28
5/29
5/30
5/31
5/5
5/10
5/12
5/15
5/16
5/17
5/19
5/25
5/25
5/25
5/26
5/27
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please contact the church office
at [email protected] to update our records.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Church Office Closed
3
*Regular Sunday
Services
9:15 a.m.
New Members’
Course
College Graduate
Recognition
10
4
*Regular Sunday
Services
9:15 a.m.
New Members’
Course
High School
Graduate
Recognition
24
AWANA
Commencement
Ceremony
11
12
10:30 a.m.
W.O.M.
*Regular Sunday
Services
9:15 a.m.
New Members’
Course
7
8
National Day of
Prayer
Church Office Closed
6:30 p.m.
H.O.P.E. Prayer
Meeting
13
*Regular
Wednesday Night
Services
14
7:00 p.m.
ESL Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Deacon’s
Meeting
18
19
25
May 7th
National Day of Prayer
20
21
*Regular
Wednesday Night
Services
10:30 a.m.
Gateway Nursing
Home
*Regular Sunday
Memorial Day
Services
10:30 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
Friendship Nursing
New Members’
Home
Course
2:00 p.m.
WC Jail Ministry
31
6
*Regular
Wednesday Night
Services
10:30 a.m.
Gateway Nursing
Home
10:30 a.m.
Mother’s Day
*Regular Sunday Friendship Nursing
Home
Services
NO Evening
Activities
2:00 p.m.
WC Jail Ministry
17
5
26
27
10:30 a.m.
Women’s
Ministry
Brunch
15
Church Office Closed
5:00 p.m.
Relay For Life
16
7:45 a.m.
Bread of Life
TMC Graduation
22
Church Office Closed
28
9
23
8:30 a.m.
Men’s Prayer
Breakfast
29
30
Last Wednesday
Night Activities until
Fall
Kenya/ Tanzania Mission Trip 05/28 - 06/17
May 10th
May 25th
Regular Worship Services
Sundays
8:15 am.................Praise Team Rehearsal
9:15 am.................Sunday School
10:30 am ..............Worship Service
Children’s Church
4:45 -5:50 pm ....Adult Choir Rehearsal
Instrumental Ensemble
*Wednesday (School Year Schedule)
5:15 -5:45 pm ...... Family Meal
6:00 -6:15 pm ...... Adults Gather in Sanctuary
6:00- 7:45 pm ...... English As A Second Language
6:15 -7:45 pm ...... Prayer Groups
AWANA
Youth Ministry
7:45 - 8:45 pm ..... College Ministry
New Members’
Course Dates
Sundays at 9:15 a.m.
Tentative Dates:
May 3, 17, 24, and 31
September 6, 13, 20, and 27
November 1, 8, 15, and 22
Please contact the church office at
706 878-2089 to sign up.
According to our Rules of Decorum, “Anyone requesting
membership at Helen First Baptist Church will be required
to complete a New Member’s Class before being added to
the church membership roll. Persons under 14 years of age
will be non-voting members until they reach 14 and complete
the New Member’s Class” (Art. IV Para 4) . If you have
already completed Sunday night’s “Building a Healthy
Body,” you have fulfilled the new members’ class
requirement.
By the Numbers...
Through 04/19/2015
General Budget
Jim Holmes, Senior Pastor
Chris Barnard, Associate Pastor
Students & College
Ben Caston, Associate Pastor
Music
Jim Gant, Associate Pastor
Education & Pastoral Care
Bill Terry, Associate Pastor
Administration & Senior Adults
Dale Thomas, Associate Pastor
Missions
53 Edelweiss Strasse
P.O. Box 626
Helen, Georgia 30545
Church Office: (706) 878-2089
Church Fax: (706) 878-3706
Web page: www.helenfbc.com
E-Mail: [email protected]
Annual Budget ....................................... 753, 984.00
Weekly Requirement ............................... 14,500.00
YTD Budget Required .......................... 232,000.00
YTD Received ........................................... 209,241.19
YTD Actual Expenses ............................ 209,069.82
“Count On Me” Debt Retirement
Beg. Loan balance (May 2013) ...... 1,230,000.00
Current Loan Principal ..................... 1,018,887.92
Yearly Requirement ............................. 104,168.64
Weekly Requirement .................................. 2,003.25
YTD Requirement Thru 04/19/15 ... 32,052.00
YTD Paid ....................................................... 74,722.88
YTD Received ............................................. 33,082.52
HFBC Annie Armstrong ............................ 4,872.00