In Everything Give Thanks for This Is the Will of God for You in Christ Jesus

THE FIRST EDITION

In everything Give Thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Dr.Charles J. Thomas The Pastor’s Pen

year whenyear people begin to open their hearts to spiritual things weas approach our Lord. Remember the importance of reaching out to others, especially at this time of Thanks your for love and leadership at FBC and for all that each of you asdoes we serve campuses of FBC~McDonough before they arrive. So buckle up and get ready to ride! The holidays will be here before we know it, but we have much to accomplish at the leaders in our homes! First Baptist McDonough. Don’t miss this inspiring morning as we reclaim our role as spiritual they desire to share with others. Gregg has a powerful message to share with our men at forever have resulted in the practical books, useful digital resources and powerful events crossover Butterfly Kisses by Randy Thomas. Their quests to glorify God by enjoying Him crafted Contemporary Christian Music hits, among them the Grammy Award winning Rebecca St. James; Prince; Shania Twain; and the Temptations. Their writing talent has Allies; Sweet Comfort Band; Ceili Rain; Michael W. Smith; Charlie Peacock; The 77s; Their collective experience musiciansas includes having toured with artists such as: The in the Church; most importantly, they all are committed to growing in faith and practice. Master of Divinity degrees, have served, or are serving, pastors,as elders, and lay leaders believers and true friends. Between the five of them, they hold a groupare of theologically trained, tenured musicians, tried men may benefit from the band members’ personal journeys. They another to pursue biblical manhood. They quickly realized that other of Princeton Revival came withtogether a desire to inspire one Originally filling a spiritual void in their own lives, the members five pastor for the Nashville Gregg is the lead singer and principal spokesman and teaching Hodge Special Guest Speaker Gregg ~ Sunday, November 8a.m. 15, DowntownFBC / Fellowship Hall Event! Breakfast Men’sSpecial Many blessings! Faithfully yours, father/husband to join you! breakfast (which is free, by the way) and invite another called us to be! Men of FBC, don’t miss this important his time mentoring and teaching men to be the men God winning singer/songwriter from Nashville who spends a lot of article below for more details, but Gregg is an award take on the important roles fatheras and husband. Check the Bible study that can fuel a father’s faith and prepare him to their families. focus His will be on intentional times of personal Hodge, will address the needmen for to rise up and lead men’s breakfast Sunday morning, November 15 at 8am family. father’s faith must make the difference in his own life he before can be fit to lead his own “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”. Dads make the difference in their homes and a need for fathers to take the reign of leadership in their homes they as raise their children Lately, there has been some resurgence among sociologists and psychologists about the Saturday, November 14, sadness. Invite someone to join our GriefShare event called S ones this year or the last and may be entering the holiday season with apprehension and Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember to pray for the many, this season, who lost loved Pastor Charles Pastor

and our special guest speaker, Gregg

- based rock group

from 4

- 6 pm at our Downtown FellowshipCampus Hall.

in our downtown fellowship hall, we will a host –

The Princeton Revival

urviving the Holidays .

West Campus West Reach people...Create disciples...Multiply disciples and groups On October 17, from 5pm-7pm, we hosted our annual Fall Festival at our West Campus. We had a great turnout, the weather was fantastic, and it was one of the best Fall Festivals I've experienced. We had 155 people register and we gave away gift cards to Kroger, Walmart, and Toys-R-Us. We served tons of hotdogs, chili, boiled peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, cakes, and of course, candy. Families enjoyed a free event sponsored by a church that wanted to share the love of God with them. During the event we paused our activities and after the last drawing, I had an opportunity to share the gospel using John 3:16 as my text. I honestly thought that it would be a battle to try and keep their attention with all the activities around them. But I can honestly say there was a stillness that came over the crowd as I shared four things from the passage: God loved, God gave, We believe, We receive. People were hanging on to the hope we offered from God's Word. Rev. Tommy Hargrove Seeds of the gospel were planted in many hearts at the Fall Festival. Out of the registration cards we received, eleven people indicated they wanted more information on how to become a Christian. We have followed up with those requests by personal visits giving them a Billy Graham "Living in Christ" inquirer guide. It also comes with a copy of the gospel of John. Thank you FBC for your part in helping us pull this event off. A special shout out goes to Kathy Pipkin from the Family Life team as well. It was a lot of work but so worth it!

Pastor Tommy Pastoral Care Pastoral Being Thankful As we approach the holiday season, our lives are so busy with family, church, work and school, and the list goes on and on… We are so busy, we can’t enjoy our time with family and friends. We have other places to go and other things to do. We sometimes need to stop and be still, and focus on what’s really important. The Bible says to be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) We need to look to the Lord and rest in Him. He is our

refuge and strength, ever present in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

When have you and I stopped and rested in the Lord? Relied on His power and strength? I think if we would do that, it would bring glory to God. I believe it also would help us focus on what’s really important and give us liberty to say no. It’s hard to say no, especially during the holiday season. We should be focused on the things He wants us to do and focus on how good and great He has been to us. When we do that, we will have a thankful heart and attitude that will Rev. Tom Bergman show. During this holiday season, let us focus on Christ and think of how good He has been Pastoral Care / to us. I could tell you the things in my life that I’m thankful for, but I want you to start writing Facility Maintenance down what you are thankful for each day of November. It will change the negative things [email protected] in our lives and give us a heart of thanksgiving and praise. The Bible says to be thankful in all things because this is the will of God. (1 Thess 5:18) To do the will of God, we need to be thankful for all He has done and all He’s going to do. God bless you. I’m thankful to be able to minister to you. Your servant, Pastor Tom 3

Benton House: Harold Grace Pace, Autumn Village, 753 Covington St, Jackson, GA Adamson | Betty Caldwell | 30233 Jack & Janet Thomas Barbara Carley, 109 Holland St, Thomasville, GA 31792 Dogwood Forest: Kathleen Madden Golden Retreat: Cee

Moorhead prayer Laurel Park: Rev. Ray Collins Rev. Kim Jenkins, Open Door Community House, Columbus, GA | Campbell & Katie Thames, Church Planting (Live Oak The Palms: Junie Brannen | Louise Helton Church), Myrtle Beach, SC | Chris & Colleen Watts & Westbury: Bonelle Turner family—on mission in India | State, North American & International Missionaries | Pregnancy Resource Center | Helping In His Name Food Pantry | Samaritans Together | Macedonian Call | Marketplace Ministries | Chris “Shep” FBC MEMBERS: Shepherd, Keep the Change Ministries | Julie Haney, Ad Yvonne Rickman-Williams - Congestive Heart Failure | Deum II Dance Jane Sawyer—Health | Larry McWhorter—heart | Joseph Mitchell—Jaw surgery | Susie Minter - recovering from surgery, possibly has Parkinson’s | Natalie Hall— Seizures | Barbara McElroy—Double mastectomy | Janet & Brandon Stallings (Kathy Tucker’s son-in-law) Jack Thomas - strength and comfort as Jack recovers from LCPL Landon Williams (Son of Beth & John Bigham) - MOS surgery | Jim Adams - epidural tumor, radiation treatments School, California | Juanita Fryar—Peace and comfort | Stevi Williams - health issues | Linda Gayle Strawn - Stroke | Penny LCPL Nathan Cupit– Camp LeJeune, NC Stewart - Knee surgery SSGT Brian A. Brannon (son of Terry & Michele) - Afghanistan FBC EXTENDED FAMILY: SFC Tim Hall Gene Thomas (Pastor Charles’ father)- MSA | Barry and SSGT Jason McKinney (son of David & Karel) Joanne Barnhart (Leslie’s parents)-father diagnosed with 2LT Ryan Morris (son-in-law of Tim and Tracy Hall, husband Parkinson’s | Lynn Gibson (Irma Selman’s son) - at La of Alexia) Grange Nursing & Rehab recovering from stroke | Joyce Godwin (Friend of Mike & Tracy Haney) - ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) SFC Michael Pittenger (grandson of Jean Peeler) - Ft. | Venta Lee Parks (Ken Reece’s Sister) - spinal stenosis | Campbell, KY Brenda Mitchell’s Mother—recovering from sepsis and E3 Alex Archer (Nephew of Kevin McGee) pneumonia | Charlotte Walker (Tracy Hall’s mother—stroke, high blood pressure) | Margaret Bond (Mary Mann’s niece) -Throat surgery, looking for rehab in Warm Springs | Allison Brannon— Recovering from stroke | Marvin Andrew Sgroi (Friend of Jim Spayd) - aggressive cancer Griggers (Brenda’s father) - Esophageal Cancer | John Jim Kempf - Back Surgery on 11/2 David (Enid Lloyd’s son) - Cancer | Brian Harris (Joel & Sandi Reece (Marilyn & Scott White’s niece)—brain bleed, Robin’s son) - cornea transplant 6/17 | Chuck Grubbs surgery 10/14 (Franklin & Emma Lou’s Son) - motorcycle accident | Alan Darrell (Friend of Butch Nixon) - general prayers Fincher (Ashely Hall’s brother) - brain aneurism surgery 7/8. Sarah Barr - Cancer Having complications | Julia Baldwin (Brad’s niece) - broken back | Sue Schindler (Cindy Guzik’s mother) - Leukemia

4 Christmas Alive is returning to First Baptist McDonough this December!! This drive-through reenactment of the first Christmas was a great success in our inaugural run last year—100’s of people heard and saw the gospel and experienced the wonder of God’s amazing love. We are excited to get started on our 2015 season, but we need many volunteers to make it happen. There are several ways you can help, including Construction (building, repairing, repainting sets), Costumes (sewing, mending or laundering), Cast (acting, recruiting, scheduling or coordinating) and Catering (providing and/or serving refreshments for the workers). Sign up on our website at www.fbcmcdonough.com/christmasalive, or contact Pastor Joel Harris

at 678-794-0233 or [email protected]. Memorial Gifts Memorial In memory of Wesley Thomas from the Bob In memory of Myrtle Glass from Roger & Elliott Bible Class Alice Glass

In memory of David Mills from the Bob Elliott In memory of Pat Warren from: Bible Class  Robert & Cheryl Wilson  Roberta Ferguson In memory of Beverly Williamson from:  Gleaners Sunday School Class  Gleaners SS Class  Ease Ausband

Molly Echols 11/01 Marilyn White 11/12 Anna Lively 11/24 birthday Happy Lileigh Pirtle 11/01 Dan Bishop 11/13 Bailey Bair 11/24 Guy Stiles 11/02 Rachel Frazier 11/13 Norma Hoover 11/25 Brian Spayd 11/02 Samuel Herring 11/13 Scott Renfroe 11/26 Michael Clarke 11/03 Jeremiah Wilson 11/13 Janet Thomas 11/27 Kent Thompson 11/03 Susan Evans 11/14 Billy Copeland 11/28 Mitchell Bishop 11/07 Victoria Goodman 11/17 Christine Price 11/28 Penny Wray 11/08 Allison Ausband 11/20 Naomi Brito 11/28

Terry Brannon 11/09 Willene Bourn 11/21 Mathew Dykes 11/28 Martha O'Kelley 11/09 Stephanie Hawley 11/22 Taylor Mauldin 11/28 Taylor Elliott 11/09 Briana Roberts 11/22 Claudette Brock 11/29 Michael Paul 11/10 Don Selman 11/23 Matthew Taylor 11/29 John Bigham 11/11 Wayne Everett 11/23 Courtney Sacramo 11/29 Natalie Stinnett 11/11 Joy Wilson 11/23 Josh Curry 11/29 Reuben Akipogu 11/11 Gary Hammock 11/24 Forrest Kelley 11/30 5 Our Joyful Bunch Love To “Fellowship” with one Another! The word “Fellowship” is one of the great words of the New Testament. We know that it means more than just having a good time together. It’s a part of the “Glue” that binds the Body of Christ together.

TAKE THIS TEST AND SEE IF YOU PASS 1. Have you spoken to anyone since our services last Sunday to personally share

JoyfulBunch what Christ and his Church mean to you? Rev. Charlie Kuykendall 2. Do you often speak to someone who has been absent from your Sunday School Class or church services to express your concern for them? 3. Have you invited a newcomer in our area to come visit your Sunday School class, church service or Joyful Bunch activity with you anytime in the past four months? 4. Have you encouraged anyone not attending Sunday School or worship service anywhere else to come here with you? 5. Have you gone out of your way to speak to someone you did not know personally who was visiting in our worship service? 6. Do you take time to greet those who sit next to you in our services even though they are members? The Joyful Bunch Committee 7. Do you ever pray that God would give you opportunities to witness, and would will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 10 you take advantage of those opportunities God gives you? at 9:30. 8. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to burden you for the winning of the lost to Christ  The Joyful Bunch Lunch will be and to meaningful involvement in His Church? a catered Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 12 at Noon. Turkey and Dressing and all the How Did You Score? trimmings.  A score of eight “yes” answers For the Program We ask for means you are spiritually each Sunday School Class to maturing. present a Story or Poem or some remembrance from the past.  Four “Yes” answers means you  A trip is being planned for have some work to do. Thursday, Nov. 19. Watch for  Less than four “Yes” answers more information as plans are mean you need to have your finalized. spiritual pulse taken----You may be dead and not know it.

We do have great times of fellowship in our Joyful Bunch activities but we also need to make sure to spread that “fellowship” out among the rest of the Church and even out of our Church Building! Remember: Grow —> Glow —> GO!!

Charlie

6 Worship The Season of Thanksgiving I love this time of year when the weather turns cooler, the leaves change color, and our hearts turn to attitudes of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude to

someone for something they have done. Thanksgiving may begin as an attitude, but it must inevitably express itself in word and deed. You may be inwardly grateful for something someone did for you, but if you don't express your gratitude, you have not been truly thankful. The Bible instructs us to place great importance on thanksgiving. According to scripture, a spirit of gratitude should come from the deepest part of who we are as Christians. Colossians 2:7 says, “Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing Rev. Charlie Kuykendall with gratitude.” Also Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Our prayer lives must be covered in a spirit of gratitude. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.“ Philippians 4:6 Also, in Colossians 4:2 we read: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Our singing should be from a grateful heart. Colossians 3:16 encourages us with these words, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thanksgiving in your hearts to God.”

Everything we receive should be with gratitude. “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude.” I Timothy 4:4. We should thank God for what He has done, is doing, and will do. As I think about First Baptist Church McDonough and all those who have been a part of this great ministry, I am grateful for how God has used this church in the past, what He is doing now, and how He will use us in the future to reach this community, state, and the world with the Love of Jesus. Yes, we have so much for which to be grateful, but we must stay diligent to press on in following the great commission. God bless you!! Love, Charlie 7 This year marks my 19th year in Student Ministry. In fact, the easiest way for me to remember when this journey started revolves around the Olympic Games in Atlanta (yes that was 19 years ago)! Every year in this 19 year journey, I am personally faced with situations to talk to my students about — some tough topics, or someone else’s children. I felt like I had all the right answers….until I had children of my own. All of the sudden, the un-comfortability

of the topic become almost too much.

Sometimes I believe the hardest part of the discussion is summing up our feelings into short statements that are easily understandable for a preteen or child. Sometimes, they are uncomfortable because they are so personal that we want to protect the innocence of our children as long as we possibly can. Just recently, a 25 year veteran of youth ministry was Children asking advice about discussing sex with his 10-year old son. “I know the answers, but how do I talk with him to make him understand but also make sure God’s scripture and purpose remains dominant in his life.” These discussions have to happen, but the question is always, “when, where and how.” Luckily there is a great new resource that has become available. Brian Dollar wrote “Talk Now and Later” as a resource for parents to help lead kids through

many difficult conversations. This will be a yearly read for many parents as they discuss life’s tough topics. In Talk Now and Later you will find conversation starters on the following topics: God, Death and Tragedy, Sex, Self-Image, Making Wise Choices, Divorce,

Friendships, Money, Bullying, Restoring Broken Relationships. We will add this book to our Youth FBC Library, but it may be a book that you want to personally invest into your own Rev. Austin Aldridge “parenting library.” Here are the 11 best quotes from “Talk Now and Later.” “Learn to ask great questions and to listen more than you talk.” “Every conversation is a spiritual conversation.” “God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual leaders of their children.” “A heart for God is more often caught than taught.” “Remember that sexual information (like all important topics) is like baggage. Only give young people what they are able (to) carry.” “We have the privilege of speaking God’s truth into the lives of our children.” “Don’t miss an opportunity to intentionally affirm your kids.” “Comparison is a deadly game that’s based on unfair rules.” “We can’t lead our children down a path that we aren’t walking.” “If you want God’s blessings in your finances, follow God’s instructions.” “If we listen to them, they just might listen to us.” And an added bonus segment with questions you can ask your child: “Why do you think that happened?” “What are some positive things that might result from that choice?” “What might be some unforeseen consequences of that decision?” “How do you think God feels about that?” Other questions can start good conversations: “What’s the best thing that happened to you today?” “Who made you laugh?” “When were you totally bored?” “Who did you see being kind to someone today? And sometimes, the best statement to draw out a person isn’t a question at all. It’s simply, “Tell me more about that.” Annual Winter Coat Give Away Mission On We had a blast serving our community on October 17th! Thank you to all who washed coats and served in this ministry effort. Operation Christmas Child The Mission Team has begun packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! The youth group has helped us fold 100 boxes and fill them with the items that have been turned in over the last few months. You can help us meet our goal of 200 boxes in one of two ways: Michele Kuykendall donate individual gifts items, or if you prefer, pick up a box or two from the welcome center, pack it with gifts & goodies, and return it to the church by November 15. Either way let's make Marsha Davis Christmas brighter for children around the world while sharing the Gospel and the love of Jesus. Prayer for the Persecuted Church Join us in praying for the persecuted Church on November 1st and November 8th. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10

Women

The prayer group meets each Tuesday at 9am in the Prayer Room Downtown. Please join us as we pray for the needs of our local church and the Church worldwide.

The Ladies Bible Studies meet at 10am on Tuesdays (Downtown) and Thursdays, (West). Childcare is available with reservation. Contact Leslie Thomas (West—404-216-1227) or Elaine Evans (Downtown—404-226-0290) with questions or if you need childcare. Mary Bergman Women’s Ministry Team Leader [email protected] Meets the 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 pm at the Downtown Campus. Contact Stephanie Sedlar (770-687-9205) or Jane Downey (770-898-7931).

We have two WMU groups that meet to pray for our missionaries around the globe and participate in local mission opportunities. Please join us sometime and see how you can be a part. Susan Pirtle WMU: Meets the 4th Saturday of every month at 7pm in member’s homes. Lila Copeland WMU: Meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 2pm at the Downtown Campus.

The theme for this year’s Ladies Dinner is “Christmas Memories”. If you haven’t been invited by a table hostess and would like to attend the 2015 Ladies Christmas Celebration Dinner, please contact Mary Bergman at 678-628- 6836 or [email protected]. 9 10 November 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL 5:15pm Finance Team 10am Ladies Bible 9am Prayer Group 5:15 Dinner Study-W Women’s Ministry 10am Ladies Bible 6pm Celebration Choir 6pm Boy Scouts CEC Daylight Saving Team Study 6:30 House of Prayer, 6:30pm Quilting (FH) Time Ends 10:00 Staff Mtg Youth & Children Pray for the 7pm Mary Kay CEC 6pm Grief Share Studies Persecuted 7pm Praise Power Church Choir, FBC Outreach 12:30pm CLT

Youth to Corn Maze / Lock-in 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 12:30pm Town Hall 2pm Lila Copeland 9am Prayer Group 5:15 Youth Chicken 10am Ladies Bible 7:30am Men’s Bible D.T. WMU () 9:30am Joyful Bunch Dinner Fundraiser Study-W Study (FH) 12:30pm Discover Committee 6pm Celebration Choir FBC 7pm Mary Kay CEC 10am Ladies Bible 6:30 House of Prayer, 12 pm Joyful Bunch 4pm Surviving the 4:30pm Deacons Study Youth & Children Thanksgiving Lunch Holidays Meeting 10:00 Staff Mtg Studies (GriefShare) 6pm Praise & 6pm Grief Share 7pm Praise Power Thanksgiving Choir, Service FBC Outreach GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION - 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Men’s Prayer 9am Prayer Group 5:15 Dinner Joyful Bunch Trip Breakfast 7pm Mary Kay CEC 10am Ladies Bible 6pm Celebration Choir 10am Ladies Bible 7pm Ladies Christmas Guest Speaker Study 6:30 House of Prayer, Study-W Celebration 8am Personnel Team 10:00 Staff Mtg Youth & Children 6pm Boy Scouts CEC 12:30pm Town Hall 6pm Grief Share Studies 6:30pm Quilting (FH) WEST 7pm Praise Power 1pm Private Party Choir, 4:30 Mission Team FBC Outreach 6pm McWAM 7:30 Church Conference Christmas Alive Prep

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:30 & 11am 9am Prayer Group Office Closed THANKSGIVING Office Closed 10am Susan Pirtle Downtown Office Closed WMU 7pm Mary Kay CEC Joyful Singers Tour and 11am West 10am Ladies Bible No Evening Activities 6pm Boy Scouts FH Called Study Conference— 10:00 Staff Mtg Budget Vote 6pm Grief Share 9:45 Nursing Home Ministry 6pm McWAM Christmas Alive Prep 29 30 Lottie Moon Speaker? 7pm Mary Kay CEC 11am Family Worship (No Vault) 6pm McWAM

Your First Baptist McDonough Staff We have been described by guests as one of the most unassuming and friendly groups of people they have ever met! Senior Pastor ~ Dr. Charles J. Thomas [email protected] Our church family has been meeting for worship, ministry, and missions since 1825, and the rich Associate Pastor / West Campus Pastor ~ Rev. Tommy Hargrove history and heritage of our growing congregation [email protected] is a grand backdrop for the re-opening of our renovated, century-old worship center. Music & Senior Adults—Rev. Charlie Kuykendall [email protected] In 1904 we consecrated our Downtown Sanctuary to God, and we now welcome a third, Youth & Children—Rev. Austin Aldridge bright century of sharing Christ’s love, one [email protected] person at a time, with our community, our county, and “to the ends of the earth”. Pastoral Care & Building Maintenance—Rev. Tom Bergman [email protected] Small Groups —Rev. Joel Harris If we can tell you more about First Baptist [email protected] McDonough, being a Christian, or how you can be a part of furthering God’s kingdom here on Church Secretary ~ Cathy Baldwin earth, please get in touch! [email protected] Financial Secretary ~ Laura Kent [email protected] 770-957-5828 [email protected] www.fbcmcdonough.com

First Baptist Church of McDonough West Campus: 2176 Jonesboro Road Downtown Campus: 101 Macon Street McDonough, Georgia 30252

Phone: 770-957-5828 Fax: 770-957-7676 E-mail: [email protected]