First Baptist Church

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fbclaurens.org

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Graduate Recognition

ServiceSunday, May 31st

during Morning Worship

OUR GRADUATESAmanda Addy Grayson Bailes Olivia BishopKailey Cox Braydon O’Connor Lauren Whitmire

May Worship at First Baptist

W hat A Difference A Day Makes…Last Christmas, someone gave our family a piece of personalized artwork that hangs on the wall in our den. You may have one that is similar in your own home. The title at the top of the piece

is What A Difference A Day Makes. In beautiful colors, script and artwork, the rest of the piece lists each of our birthdays and the day Ann Marie and I were married. It is a subtle yet direct reminder that there are some days that change life forever. These are days to remember, and, much of the time they are days to celebrate. Yet, good or bad, they are occasions that remind us that life can quickly take on entirely new dimensions and directions in the blink of an eye.

As a church, the month of May is a four week period full of life changing days. In May, school begins to end for another year and students graduate from High School and College. In May, we celebrate Mother’s Day which reminds us of our birth and of the female figures in our lives who have walked with us through many of life’s most challenging, complex and invigorating moments. In May, we also celebrate Memorial Day and remember those who gave their lives for our country. At First Baptist, we take the Memorial Day Weekend Sunday and use it as a day to reflect on those whom we have lost in the last year. Through doing so, we celebrate the difference that each and every one of these individuals made in our lives and we reflect upon how their passing has altered our life and changed us.

At FBC, every Sunday in May this year will be special. Below you will find information on the focus of worship on each of these Sundays. As you preview what is ahead, I encourage you to prioritize these Sundays as days to be present as we remember, reflect, celebrate and worship… Rickey

May 3: Baptism & A Visit from the LDHS ChoraleIt is always a meaningful day when we are able to celebrate Christian Baptism as new believers affirm their faith. The LDHS Chorale will also help lead us in worship as they sing for us.

May 10: Mother’s Day

On this Sunday we will celebrate both moms and the unique contributions of all women in our lives. We will be taking photos of families in the Rotunda before and after worship and we will have a special gift for all women who are present.

May 17: Celebrating Adair Rogers & Twenty Years of Ministry

This Spring, Adair marks her 20th Anniversary at First Baptist. In worship, we will be thanking her and her family for the difference they have all made in our life together.

May 24: Memorial Day Weekend - Remembering Those We Have Lost

During this holiday weekend, we will give thanks for both those who have given their lives for our country and we will remember those we have lost as a congregation over the past year. This service will also focus on grief and the way that our faith helps us to walk through life’s most difficult and challenging moments.

May 31: Graduate Sunday

A Message From Our Pastor

Senior Adult MinistrySenior Adult NewsSpring is a busy time for all of us at First Baptist, Senior Adults included! We hope you’ll take advantage of these fellowship opportunities in May and June as we enjoy warmer weather and God’s beautiful creation!FBC Fellowship at Martha Franks-Monday, May 11Join us at 3:00 in Cooper Dining Room at Martha Franks for our monthly fellowship time with our First Baptist members who also reside at Martha Franks. This is a great time of fellowship, a wonderful way to keep our Martha Franks members “in-the-know” about things going on at church, and a fabulous opportunity to remind our Martha Franks family of how much we love them and what a valuable part of our church family they are!Gaither Vocal Band and Supper-Friday, May 15The Gaither Vocal Band is coming to Bon Secours Wellness Arena (formerly the Bilo Center) in Greenville on Friday, May 15. We will leave at 4:00 and will stop somewhere for supper along the way.Strawberry Hill-Tuesday, May 19It’s strawberry season so it’s time for a trip to Strawberry Hill USA! We’ll leave at 9:30 and plan to be back around 2:00 or 2:30. Call the church to sign up or sign up on the pew pads Sunday morning!CWA News! (Comfortable With Age)-Tuesday, May 26Our May meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 26, at 11:00am. Our guest will be Russ Burns, a Laurens County Historian, sharing some of his wealth of knowledge about the great town and county in which we live! Meat and drinks will be provided. Bring a dish to add to our covered dish lunch!“Crusade Journey” Hymn Sing at The Cove-Monday, June 1Relive great moments and great songs from Billy Graham’s Crusades. The event is $29 and includes a delicious buffet-style lunch following the program. We will leave at 8:00am and be home around 3:00pm.Fall Senior Adult Retreat-September 14-16Our fall retreat will be held at The Cove (The Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC).The cost of the event is $300. The price includes 2 nights’ lodging, the program fee and all meals. This retreat gets booked very quickly, so the deadline to sign up is June 1.

Deposits for both Middle School and High School Beach Camp are due. All students planning on going, please turn in a $75 deposit ASAP. Balance of $205 is due May 1st.

Youth ChoirFestival by the Sea 2015

The youth choir will be leading in worship on Sunday, May 31, during our Graduate

Recognition Service.

DIVERGE Student Ministry

Parents of 6th graders, I would like for you to consider PASSPORT Kids Camp this summer. Throughout my ministry, 6th graders have gone to kid’s camp during the summer for a couple of reasons. First, there is a lot less rest at youth camp. We get up earlier and go to bed later every day without any time for rest. Second, the worship sessions and small group sessions are a lot longer and really take a lot of sitting in one place for a longer time. I will be at Kids camp this summer, so it will give me a good opportunity to spend time with them there. If you would like to talk to me about this, please don’t hesitate to call. PASSPORT Kids: July 12-15. Cost: $254. Deposit of $100 is due now, with remaining balance due May 15th. Again, I will be at Children’s camp this week. ... Carl

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May 2015 Birthdays1. Bland Roper3. Ray Hawkins Katie Culbertson5. Robert Sherer Cassie Duncan Tommy West6. Joyce Dennis David Coggins Ruth Thompson Lindsay Wilson Matt Strickland7. Sally Hall8. Hugh Stone Amanda Avery Beth White9. Delores Cain Blakely Hall10. Nancy Burden Rhetta Cothran Linda Wessell Taylor Craft Virginia Smith11. Herbert Adams Tony Cassanova Jeff Thompson12. Vickie Shearer Tiffany Hudson Jon Downs

13. Betty Hester Susan Carlay Brad Bryant Ashley Brouillette Colin Harlan

14. Faye Yates Betty Howe Charles Hester Vicki Coleman

15. Sybil Jeffords

16. Pat Meadows Jennifer Davis Van Tumblin

17. Gene Burns James Hall Karen Jacks Andy Bishop18. Bryan Cook

19. BobbyO’Rear CyndeO’Rear Steven Lynch

20. Ami Hardy

21. Betty Templeton Terry Vincent Meagan Marchman

22. Cecil Brown Brenda Garrett Miranda Langston

23. Nancy Todd Luke Kerber

24. Tim Lancaster Tamara Nelson Helen-Grace Hall

26. Margaret Banks Preston Mahon

28. John Dickens Sharon Vincent

29. Jeanne Lindley LoganO’Bryant

30. Pete Angelakos John Avery Walt Bryant

31. Price Kennedy Travis Riddle Rebekah Smith

New Members

Logan Gault Kaitlyn DavisAllie West

Christian Education and Spiritual Growth

Caring for our FacilitiesOver the last several weeks, we have made significant improvements to our facilities that we want you to know about. First, a new stainless steel stove and convection oven were installed in Bobo Hall. These beautiful new appliances are great additions to our kitchen that has also been recently cleaned and reorganized by several very dedicated members of our church.Also, in the April Deacons Meeting, the purchase of new HVAC equipment for both the Cooper & Powers Buildings was approved. This significant expenditure is long overdue as both systems were over 40 years old. The improvement will lead to both buildings being in excellent shape from an HVAC standpoint. Our expectation is that these improvements will also allow us to save significantly on our monthly utilities and give us the capability of monitoring both buildings using computers. The HVAC improvement should be complete by mid May.Tommy Cox, our Minister of Education, is also responsible for our facilities. Tommy works tirelessly to ensure that we are on top of building and maintenance needs. Tommy deserves our thanks for working many hours on both of these projects. Likewise, you are to be thanked as a congregation. Our ability to fund both projects is the result of your faithful and dedicated giving to our church.

Has your child been asking questions about faith lately? We are offering a parenting session designed to assist and equip parents as they lead their children through the process of faith development. The one-hour session is designed to provide parents with a framework for their role in this faith development

process, answer questions, and provide resources to assist parents. This class will be particularly helpful for parents of children who are beginning to ask questions about becoming a Christian as well as parents of children who have recently made professions of faith and been baptized.

The class will be held on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00pm in the Conference Room. If you are unable to attend on May 20, we will offer the same class again on Sunday, May 24 at 9:30am in Bobo Hall (during the Sunday School hour). Tommy Cox will lead each of these sessions, and you may sign up by using the pew pad or by contacting the church office.

Attention Adult Sunday School Leaders: Our next meeting will be Sunday, May 24 at 8:45am in the Conference Room.

Do you have carpentry or other related skills that you could use to help out around the church each month? We are in the process of developing a Handyman Team to help with odd jobs around the church each month. These jobs would include such things as mounting flat-screen TV’s, small carpentry projects or electrical projects, and other related tasks. The team would meet, on the average, one day a month to complete projects. If you are interested or need more information, contact Tommy (tommy@fbclaurens.org) , or you can simply sign up on the pew pad on Sunday morning.

Coming this Fall…“The Art of Marriage” Retreat! This retreat is designed to help couples understand God’s plan for relationships. The Art of Marriage weaves together expert teaching, real-life stories, humorous vignettes, and more to portray both the challenges and the beauty of God’s design for marriage. More specific details will be made available soon, so watch THE TIE for further information!

Children’s Night ~ Music & Missions! Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00pm in the SanctuaryYou are invited to come hear what the children (2 years old through 5th grade) have been learning this year on Wednesday nights in Choir & Kids on Missions!

FBC will be a cool place to be for VBS!Sunday, June 21 - Thursday, June 25 5:00pm - 8:00pmEVEREST promises to be mountains of fun for all children ages 3 to 5th grade (child must be potty trained)! You may register online at www.fbclaurens.org. A light supper will be served each night. Your donation of cookies, chips, or a financial contribution for VBS are greatly appreciated! You may place your food donation in the drop box located by the church office. VBS is a church-wide event — not just for children! We hope you will join in on the fun as we transform our church into a wintry wonderland during the hot summer month of June! We need YOUR help! Please let Elizabeth know if you are able to volunteer!

Deadline to register for PASSPORTkids is May 15!Age: Children who have completed 3rd - 6th grade, Dates: July 12 - 15, 2015Location: Converse College, Spartanburg, SC, Total Cost: $254 due by May 15PASSPORTkids! is a 4 day, 3 night children’s camp filled with fun faith-building programming and hands-on missions education for children who have completed 3rd-6th grade. At camp, children discover God’s love and practice being followers of Jesus through a jam-packed schedule of Bible studies, missions education, recreation, and worship. At PASSPORTkids!, children grow in their love for Jesus, learn about missions around the world, and have a blast!

Preschool fun on Wednesday nights in May! (all children through 5-K)• May 13 “Preschool Play Date” at Thomason Shelter from 6-7pm! • May 20 “Fun on the Inflatables” at Thomason Shelter from 6-7pm! • May 27 “Preschool Pottery Night” with Merry & Keri from 6-7pm in the Craft Room! There is no charge for

the pottery.

Important Dates to Remember!• May 1 Children’s Musical Set workday for 4th & 5th graders and their parents, 3:30pm - Until • May 10 Children’s Choir will sing during the worship service • May 13 Children’s Choir Practice from 5:45 - 7pm• May 17 VBS workday for anyone who can help from 2pm - until. Wear your old clothes!• May 20 Children’s Choir Practice from 5:45 - 7pm• May 25 CAMP MCCALL full payment & Background Check Form due• May 27 Children’s Choir Practice from 5:45 - 7pm• May 30 Children’s Choir Dress Rehearsal & Bowling from 9:00am - 2:00pm• May 31 BIG SHOT Children’s Musical at 5pm in the Sanctuary

Children’s Ministry

1st-5th Grade Spring Musical - BIG SHOT!Sunday, May 31, 5:00 pm in the sanctuaryJoin the 1st through 5th graders for a night of great fun, lots of laughs, some unbelievably talented children, fabulous costumes and sets, beautiful music, but most importantly, a valuable reminder that God will help us face our giants! When a hapless band of garden insects face extermination by Goliath, a humongous bug sprayer, it takes the faith and courage of a little spider to listen to God and implement an ingenious plan! Don’t miss it!

Staff ..................................................................... 984-7500Office 984-7500 ....................Family Life Center 984-0531Email ................................................. fbaptist@prtcnet.comRev. Rickey Letson .....................................Senior MinisterRev. Adair Rogers ............Minister of Music/Senior AdultsRev. Tommy Cox ..............................Minister of EducationRev. Carl Tolbert ...............Minister of Youth & RecreationElizabeth Franklin ........... Director of Children’s MinistriesJoe Greer .................Director of the Martha Franks SingersLucy Crowder .......................... Interim Financial SecretaryTana Adams ......................................... Ministers’ SecretaryHeather Rogers ................................. Kindergarten DirectorKathy Chamlee, Counselor ........................1-888-293-7585

Office HoursMonday-Thursday: 8:30am-4:30pm, Friday: 8:30am-1:00pm

USHERSStan Coleman, Chairman .........Johnnie Bolt, Asst. Chair Randy Garrett, Asst. ChairEd Prescott, Monthly Chair ........................................MayJosh Black .................Richard Coggins .............. Earl CraineDuane Dennie ............Randy Downs............. Kevin FranklinDavid Hardy ..............Craig Little ...................Hugh MaddenJeff Mitchum .............Jeff Parks ........................Bubba Rawl

NURSERY ASSIGNMENTSMay 3, 2015 (1st Sunday)

Alice Brown, Kay Henderson ............................. Bed BabiesMerry Chandler, Jessie McCall ...........................1 Year OldsHeath & Ashley Coggins ....................................2 Year OldsKevin & Elizabeth Franklin ................................3 Year OldsDavid & Susannah Hardy ............................4 & 5 Year Olds

Coordinator: Jeff & Jamie Field 681-0650May 10, 2015 (2nd Sunday)

Vicki Coleman, Sonya Croker ............................ Bed BabiesJanice Wynn, Wanda Strawhorn .........................1 Year OldsJeff & Anna Brink ...............................................2 Year OldsKena & Kailey Cox .............................................3 Year OldsJeff & Marlene Owings ................................4 & 5 Year Olds

Coordinator: Josh & Katie Black 684-9634

May 17, 2015 (3rd Sunday)Cindy Chandler, Nancy Todd .............................. Bed BabiesDavid & Ami Hardy ............................................1 Year OldsNeill & Kimberly Martin ....................................2 Year OldsValerie & Anna Stevenson ..................................3 Year OldsJon & Holly Welch .......................................4 & 5 Year Olds

Coordinator: David & Susannah Hardy 380-7172 May 24, 2015 (4th Sunday)

Brook England, Jennifer Davis ........................... Bed BabiesWill & Blakely Prescott ......................................1 Year OldsDaniel & Allyson Sherer .....................................2 Year OldsJessie McCall, Merry Chandler ...........................3 Year OldsJP & Claire Pratt ..........................................4 & 5 Year Olds

Coordinator: Kris & Robin Hornberger 505-0088

May 31, 2015 (5th Sunday)Stewart & Kelly Jones ........................................ Bed BabiesKevin & Ashley Bragg ........................................1 Year OldsBen & Leigh Little ..............................................2 Year OldsSeth & Melissa Crow ..........................................3 Year OldsGreg & Liz Weaver ......................................4 & 5 Year Olds

Coordinator: Alan & Miranda Langston

MINISTER ON CALL:One of our ministers will be on call every weekend, so if you have a need, please don’t hesitate to call us! The minister on call schedule is:May 4-10 Carl Tolbert 229-798-0620May 11-17 Tommy Cox 864-684-7424May 18-24 Rickey Letson 678-230-8341May 25-31 Adair Rogers 864-923-1631

THE TIE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONFirst Baptist Church U.S. Postage Paid300 West Main St Permit No. 70Laurens, SC 29360 Laurens, SC 29360

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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Offering Totalsas of March 22, 2015 YTD

General Fund Goal $256,267.96General Fund Receipts $256,393.80

DeathsNellie Hill