VOLUME 7 AUGUST 1, 2014 NUMBER 3

Youth Ministry Fall Kick-off Chi-Rho (6th – 8th grade) and CYF (9th – 12th grade)

Sunday, August 10 - 5:00-7:00pm It’s time for school again and that means we’re ready to get started with Sunday evening fall programing. Youth Ministry (grades 6-12) will begin Sunday, August 10. Come join us as we brainstorm, dream, and grow together!

Children’s Ministry Back to School Cookout Children (age 4K-5th grade)

Sunday, August 24 - 5:00-6:30pm Children and families need to mark their calendars now for our Back to School Family Night. It’s going to be epic: food, games, and fun for everyone. Bring the whole family, and join us as we celebrate together. Regular Bible Buddies (4K-1st grade) and Cool Kids (2nd – 5th grade) will begin September 7.

Children’s Ministry Parent Meeting September 7 - 5:15 pm - 6:45 pm

Please plan to come and meet with Robin Blakemore, our new minister to children and youth!

Vacation Bible School If you were around the church last week you felt the excitement in the air as 70 different children and over 30 volunteers explored and experienced how the ordinary becomes extraordinary with God! This week could not have been possible without the following people who generously gave of their time, energy, talents and resources. We are so blessed to have so many dedicated members and friends who love the Lord and love the church. Our volunteers were Linnea Blakemore, Kallie Blakemore, Karaley Carmichael, Barbara Carpenter, Edith Carreras, Reagan Everling, Billy Farquhar, Annie Franklin, Virginia Guthrie, Tucker Hagood, Carson Hall, Sandy Hamilton, Clarissa Harms, Julie Henderson, Houston Hollis, Shannan Johnson, Thomas Jordan, Alyssa Lamb, Janice Lamb, Ginger Rudd Lee, Gloria McWilliams, Donnette Mee, William Mee, Kassidy Mixon, Sheila Murphy, Virginia Nall, Shirley Naylor, June Pryor, Soren Reitsma, Jacob Rich, Caleb Teeters, Regena Varvoutis, Bill Watts, Ginny White, Olivia Wurner, and Barbara Wyrosdick. Our church staff members also went above and beyond with extra time, effort, and energy; thanks to Robin Blakemore, Chris McCayna, Jennifer Powell, Layla Stern, Lloyd Smith, and Jan Watts. Finally, a special thank you to our extraordinary directors, Deb Carpenter and Leigh Ann Tatum ,who worked so hard at putting this together!! Truly, FCC is a church where children are nurtured and thrive. Thank you All!

2 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

3rd Annual Laura Lang-ley Memorial Blood

Drive Saturday, Aug 23

The 3rd Annual Laura Langley Memorial Blood Drive will occur on Saturday Aug 23, from 10:00 - 4:00 here at FCC! Please mark your calendars. We will soon

have both electronic and hard copy fliers about the event that we hope you will help us distribute to spread the word. Our goal is to exceed the results of our previous blood drives by hosting this year's event at Laura's home church. If you are willing to help by volunteering on Aug 23 and/or by distributing publicity materials, please contact Ann or Jim Langley at 980-1827.

School Supply Drive

What an overwhelming

response to our School supply

drive! 72 backpacks were

picked up and are being filled

with much needed supplies to

help children at Vincent and

C a l e r a e l e m e n t a r y

schools. Please try and have

the backpacks returned to FCC

by this Sunday. School starts on the 7th and we

would like to get these supplies to the schools by

Tuesday.

Steve Pasky, Outreach Mission Chair

News from the Adventure Nook I am very excited about my position as interim director for The Adventure Nook. We have a great staff returning for our new year, which begins, Sept 2, 2014 at 9:30 AM. We have spaces available in some of our classes, so please spread the word! Our phone # is 991-9952. Thanks! Debbie Braswell.

Music Notes Calling all music lovers! The chancel choir would like to invite any-one who loves to sing to join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for about an hour rehearsal. We are an interesting, friendly group who loves to sing. No experience necessary. If you do not sing but still love music and want an outlet for that, join us in the Bell Choir. Our organizational meeting will be Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the choir room. Also, if you play an instrument, get in touch with our music minister, Jan Watts, for opportunities to play during worship. In Christ, Jan

New Website Is Up and Running! After several months of hard work, First Christian Church's new and improved website is up and running. There are still some kinks to be worked out, but all in all we are very, very pleased with the new design. Please say a word of thanks to Jeff Eady and Charles Daniels for shepherding this project. Check it out at www.fcc-bhm.org!

3 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

A Word of Gratitude Our dear church family,

Barry and I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, phone calls, visits, and food during Barry's surgery and recovery. We especially thank those of you who sat with me and my children during the time of his long 5hr surgery. The comfort that it gave to us was immeasurable. We really appreciated your visits to the hospital and since we have been home. Barry is doing great. All of your prayers, love, and support worked; we felt it and it meant so much. Barry's complete recovery will not come without a few more challenges but because of all of you we know we are on the right road. Thank you for the love you've shown in so many ways, for being such special friends, bringing cheer to dismal days. I pray our precious Lord would bless you even more as you keep sharing with gladness the love of the Lord. Barry & Susan Storer

Dear Church Friends, Things are calming down a little at our house now, and I would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks for your visits, phone calls, cards, and prayers. One never knows how much one appreciates friends until illness strikes. Our neighbors, too, have pitched in with food and visits, and it is such a comfort to know they are near. Bob is coming along better than I had feared, and we hope to get a good report from the doctor next week although the cardiologist has already warned Bob that his will be a long, slow recovery. Continue to pray for Bob's recovery and my energy level. We hope to see you all soon. With love to you all, Sheila Coupland

A Word from the Elders By Janet Bonds, Chair of Elders

Dear Friends,

It is rumored that Moses came back down the mountain and said there was a num-

ber 11. All men and boys will have in their possession a ball from birth forward…..Well,

that is how my story of my grandson, Jefferson, should read. It was his very first time to

be an acolyte for his church. As a youngster, their first responsibility is to carry the Bible

to the altar. All excited and dressed in the starched white top, Jefferson and the pastor pro-

ceed into the sanctuary. He is to place the Bible on the altar and open it to the page

marked by the ribbon. All went well until he turned around and dropped the large green

ball that he had clasped in his tight little fist. Before a blink of an eye, Jefferson dove un-

der the pew after his ball, one pew, two, and then a kindly old gentleman kicked it and

back it went three, four, and at the fifth pew and between numerous legs he retrieved his

ball and stood up as tall as he could so that mother’s eye could give him directions.

Heading towards her with his sheepish grin, the pastor called him down front and told him to bring that ball.

The pastor said, “today, our sermon is about this ball; it’s a little lamb, and you are our savior, Jefferson. Jesus goes to

great lengths for those that love Him and will always keep us within arms length to love us.” A short pre-sermon that

Jefferson will never forget nor his proud grandmother.

The artist Alfred Soord has painted a picture of this Lost Sheep (Luke 15: 3-7). It is not a pretty picture of a

pretty man holding a pretty lamb...No, it is a strong shepherd, one of strength, a man in his rough jacket and great club

of oak. Above him are the eagles, just waiting to swoop down above the bottomless pit...is that you and me he is

reaching for? Are we a little too adventuresome or a little too foolish? The situation is desperate but the overall love of

Jesus is there for you and me. Have a good summer dear friends,

Love,

Janet

4 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

Welcome Robin Blakemore!

Earlier this year, the Personnel Committee recommended and the Mission Council approved the creation of a new part-time staff position to guide our ministry with children and youth. Moderator Clarissa Harms appointed a search committee, and on Sunday the Personnel Committee affirmed the search committee’s recommen-dation to hire Robin Blakemore as Minister to Children and Youth. Robin comes to us with a long history of professional ministry experience, most recently serving as Director of High School Ministries at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and as a coach with the Center for Youth Ministry Training. Over the last seventeen years Robin has worked in large, established youth ministries, and has also helped to grow ministries from the ground up. Robin jumped right into her work at Vacation Bible School last week. Please take the time to introduce yourself and welcome Robin to First Christian Church.

Welcome Debbie Braswell!

We also want to welcome a familiar face to a new role. Debbie Braswell began serving as the Interim Director of the Adventure Nook on July 14. Debbie has worked with TAN for over twenty years, most recently serving as Assistant Director. Debbie has been hard at work this first week in her new role, and we are really looking forward to all that her leadership will bring to our wonderful preschool. As you are at the church during the week, please introduce yourself to Debbie and express your apprecia-tion for her leadership and dedication in this new role.

Midyear Financial Update January through June 2014

Budgeted Income: $209,194.04 Actual Income: $195,287.57 Difference: ($13,906.47)

Budgeted Expenses: $203,875.68 Actual Expenses: $201,347.60 Difference: $2,528.08

5 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

Go Ahead...Use Your Phone in Church! In our increasingly digital world, technology provides us with new opportunities for connecting with our neighbors. I really believe evangelism is simply sharing what you love with the people you care about. So, here are a few easy suggestions for sharing your love of God and FCC through social me-dia: Be sure to “like” our Facebook page

(www.facebook.com/fccbhm) and “follow” our Twitter feed (@FCCBirmingham). On Facebook, make sure you select “Get Notifications” under the “Like” button (see picture) so you won’t miss any updates.

When you are on Facebook, make sure you “like”, com-ment, and/or share appropriate posts from FCC’s Face-book page. The more you do this, the more your friends will see and hear about FCC.

If you have a smart phone, you can also “check in” at FCC on Facebook, Four Square, and other platforms. Let your friends know that you are here!

Consider sharing a quote from a sermon or a line from a hymn on Facebook or Twitter...you never know who might need to hear it!

So, go ahead...use your phone in church!

Blessings,

Troy

6 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

Prayers for Health & Healing:

Janet Bonds Bob Coupland Nickey Rudd Haley Rushing Barry Storer Margaret Willis

Dotsy Kennedy

Prayers for Those Receiving Long-Term Medical Care:

Luci Colee David Hamilton Nancy Hubner Susan Smith

Prayers for Those Who Mourn:

The family of Bob Tomlinson

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

August 3 August 10 August 17 August 24 August 31

Elders Earl Strickland Kathey Long

Jill Pasky Steve Pasky

Edith Carreras Joye Taylor

Ross Lange Clarissa Harms

Beverly Baxter Jim Baxter

Deacons Jay Barkley, Lisa Burdette, Wayne Dutt, Donnie Girratono, Virginia Guthrie, Fletcher Hamilton, Sandy Hamilton, Mike Mee,

Donnette Mee, Bob Smith, Darren Williamson, Julia Williamson

Communion Preparation

Rebecca Lange

August 3 August 10 August 17 August 24 August 31

Sunday School Greeters

Jim Baxter Ross Lange Steve Pasky Bruce Moon Jim Baxter

Worship Greeters

Bob & Janice Lamb (Door) Mary Jean Baumgartner (Table)

Acolytes Luke Williamson Aiden Johnson Caleb Jackson Dominic Mirabito Joshua Lee

Children’s Worship & Wonder

Storyteller: Andrew Ford Greeters: Sarah Ford & Jenny Long

Storyteller: Sarah Ford Greeters: Andrew Ford & Jeff Eady

Storyteller: Julie Henderson Greeters: Annie Franklin & Jeff Eady

Storyteller: Julie Henderson Greeters: Annie Franklin & Ashley Chester

Storyteller: Joye Taylor Greeters: Ayana Crosby & Ashley Chester

SUNDAY SERVANTS FOR AUGUST

Church Publication Deadlines

The Bulletin deadline will be each Wednesday at

noon. The Newsletter deadline this month is August

20. Please submit information to the church office by

the appropriate deadline for inclusion in church

publications.

Date Worship Attendance Sunday School

June 29 148 73

July 6 112

July 13 131

July 20 151 85

July 27 141 72

7 • FCC Visitor • August 2014

August 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Jim Baxter

2

Danielle Alderson

3

9 a.m. Sun. School 10:15 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Youth Adult Leaders meet Ron Owens

4

7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 10 a.m. Staff mtg Kim Lawrence Sarah Leaman Allie Eady

5

Michael Hawkins

6

6:30 p.m. Choir Practice Chuchi Marshall

7

6:30 p.m. Advocates Men’s Bible Study Ellis Hill Lois Conwell

8

9

Gary Howard

10

9 a.m. Sun. School 10:15 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Ona/Ruth 5:00 p.m. Youth meet

11

7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 10 a.m. Staff mtg 6:30 p.m. Elders Gathering Paul Penn

12

6:30 Finance Council Shin Lauderdale

13 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice

14

6:30 p.m. Advocates Men’s Bible Study Riley Tatum Brent Beatty

15

Bob Browning

16

Lisa Everling Andrew Brown

17

9 a.m. Sun. School 10:15 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Disciples Class Luncheon Youth Outing

18

7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 10 a.m. Staff mtg 6:30 p.m. Mission Council Reesa Long

19 Scarlett Nicholson

20 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice Evelyn Rubin Layla Stern

21

6:30 p.m. Advocates Men’s Bible Study

22 Jill Pasky Linda Heaton

23

9 a.m.– 5 p.m. Laura Langley Annual Blood Drive Jamey Garrison

24

9 a.m. Sun. School 10:15 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Younger Children (3K—5 grade) Cook-Out! Mike Eubank

25 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 9 a.m. TAN Teacher Work Day 10 a.m. Staff mtg 12:30 TAN Teacher Luncheon Virginia Guthrie Jeff Nicholson

26 9 a.m. TAN Teacher Work Day Julie Henderson Luman Kornegay

27 TAN—Visitation and Open House 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice

28

Chuck McWilliams

29 30

Shirley Naylor Matthew Leaman Leigh Ann Tatum

Birthdays are in italics.

If your birthday is missing, please

call the church office.

31

9 a.m. Sun. School 10:15 a.m. Worship No Evening Meet-ings Ralph Everling Dominic Mirabito

Church Staff

Rev. Troy A. Tatum

Senior Minister

Rev. Jan Watts

Minister of Music

Robin Blakemore

Minister to Children and Youth

David Brasher

Pianist / Organist

Debbie Braswell

Interim TAN Director

Chris McCayna

Office Assistant

Linda McGarr

Finance Assistant

Lloyd Smith

Custodian

Layla Stern

Nursery Coordinator

Jennifer Powell

Nursery Assistant

First Christian Church

4954 Valleydale Road

Birmingham, AL 35242

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