1. family and parenting
2. children

MAGNIFY. MULTIPLY. MINISTER.
First Servant Weekly
Dr. Gil McKee, Senior Pastor
December 18, 2014
Volume 13, Issue 50
Upcoming
Events
December 17: Christmas
in the Chapel with the
PrimeTime Singers,
5:45 p.m.
December 24: Christmas
Eve Service, 5 p.m.
December 28:
One service, 10 a.m.
(No Sunday School or
Worship KidStyle)
Thank You, Stefanie McGuire!
After 4½ years of service to First Baptist Church in Children’s Ministry, Stefanie McGuire is leaving her position as
Children’s Worship Associate.
Stefanie began her work in Children’s Ministry in May of
2010 as Ministry Associate to Preschool, and for the last
two years has focused her complete attention to our kidoriented worship emphasis, Worship Kidstyle. Armed with
a passion to tell children about Jesus and gifted in music,
Stefanie has served our church faithfully as she has led
Worship Kidstyle. Stefanie will conclude her ministry at
the end of 2014. Stefanie is a long-time member of First
Baptist and we look forward to her continued involvement
in Music Ministry and her leadership on Wednesday nights
in Adult DiscipleLife studies.
On behalf of the church, all the Worship Kidstyle volunteers and especially the kids, we
thank you, Stefanie, for your years of dedicated service.
The Church offices will be closed December 24-26 and December 31 - January 2. However, for your convenience the Finance
Office will be open Wednesday, December 31 from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. for receipt of year-end contributions. Any contributions
you wish to have credited to 2014 need to be postmarked by
December 31 or dropped off in the church office by that date.
Our Goal: $65,000
Given to Date: $42,183
The Child Development Program will be closed December 22-26
and January 1-2.
Visit www.imb.org for missionary stories and additional
information about the International Mission Board
page 2
First Servant Weekly
Church Directory Time!
Have you ever seen someone at church and couldn’t remember
his or her name? Or had the name of someone and couldn’t
place their face? A complete directory is invaluable for a
church the size of First Baptist!
In February we will begin taking photos of our families for
a new Church Pictorial Directory. It is vital that we have as
many church members as possible participate in the photography process in order to make the directory a useful tool
for connecting with each other.
Online Sign-up is Quick and Easy
The photography dates are Wednesday, February 11Saturday, Feb. 14; Tuesday, Feb. 17-Saturday, Feb. 21,
Wednesday, Feb. 25-Saturday, Feb. 28 and Friday, March
6-Saturday, March 7. The official start date for making
photography session reservations online is Sunday, December 28. But for those of you who are ready now to choose a
date, click this link to get a head-start: https://www.securedatatrans14.com/ap/firstbaptistchurch140/index.php?page=10. The
scheduling site is secure. You will receive reminders of your
appointment as the date approaches. For those of you who
don’t have computers or who would prefer some assistance, we will have sign-up stations and volunteers available at church on Wednesdays and Sundays beginning
January 7. We will also have a sign-up station set up at the
Triple L meeting on Tuesday, January 6.
Free Photo for Each Family
Everyone (individual or family) who has a photo taken will
receive a free 8x10 photo. Your family will also receive
a free church directory. Watch for information from First
Baptist with additional details for signing up, plus information about pricing for photos (if you wish to purchase them),
and special coupons and offers. There is no obligation to
purchase anything.
Family Movie Night
Featuring: Moms’ Night Out
Sunday, January 11, 2015
5:30 p.m.| Student Building
Free Admission.
Popcorn or chips and
drink available for $2.
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU)
Begin the New Year with Financial Peace! Begins Sunday,
January 25, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Through this 9-session videodriven seminar learn how to get out of debt, stay out of
debt, and build wealth. Led by Ben and Judy Haas. Early
Bird Special EXTENDED: Sign-up and purchase FPU kit by
Sunday, December 21, for $79. After this date FPU kit will
be regular price of $93. See Joe Armour to sign-up and to
purchase FPU kit.
Lost and Found
The Children’s Center staff is cleaning out “Lost & Found”.
If you think you have a lost item (Bible, notebook, clothing
item, etc.), please stop by the Children’s Center office to
check. The Lost & Found will be cleaned out as of January
4, and any items in good condition will be donated to a local charity. Thank you!
New Ministry:
Caring Hearts
Support Group
Interest Meeting is
Wednesday, January
21 at 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, Room 2.
First Meeting: Wednesday, January 28, 3 p.m., FH Room 2
This new ongoing support group for caregivers will meet
weekly to provide encouragement and support to those who
are providing care for aging parents or family/friends who
are facing medical issues.
Winter/Spring Precept Study: 1 Corinthians
“Overcoming Divisions and Difficulties in the Body of Christ”
Orientation Session: Sunday, January 11
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in room MP230
Study Begins: Sunday, January 25
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in room MP230
Join Mike Adams in this 12-lesson study that will begin
January 25 and end May 3. Total cost of the workbook is
$27. Childcare is available. It is required for students new to
the Precept inductive study method attend the training orientation on January 11 where workbook orders will be taken.
Returning students may contact Barbara Smith or Mike Adams
before January 11 to order their workbooks.
First Servant Weekly
December 14, 2014
Ministry Plan Gifts
Weekly Ministry Budget Need
Surplus for Week
page 3
$89,566.39
$76,627.79
$12,938.60
First Baptist Tuscaloosa
721 Greensboro Ave.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Faithful to the Finish$9,699.00
Designated Gifts
$13,910.50
Total Gifts
$113,175.89
205-345-7554
Children’s Center:
205-391-3115
2014 Mission/Ministry Plan Summary
Actual Year-to-Date Gifts
Year-to-Date Need
Difference for Year
$3,423,515.59
$3,831,389.50
($407,873.91)
Gifts given in Memory of:
www.firsttuscaloosa.org
Giving is an Act of Service
Cas Barton, Dorothy Burroughs, Clara
Campbell, Mamie Clark, Robert Crow, Mary This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s
Courtney Hardin, Geraldine (Geri) Ivie, Tom people but also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves,
Marcum, Joe Smith, Marilee Summerville.
men will praise God... 2 Corinthians 9:12-13a
Gifts given in Honor of:
Good Samaritan Class, Marianne Bryan,
In case of an
Roy Howell, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Lang
emergency need during the weekend
please call 535-5988.
and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Lang, Mr.
and Mrs. Shad Lang and family, Dan
Maclemore, Mr. and Mrs. Bob McCoy,
(as of 12/16/14)
Rod McCoy.
Minister on Call
Recently Hospitalized
Sunday School
12/14/14
Enrollment Attendance
Preschool 18683
Children194
88
Students
232127
College 31330
Adults
1294658
Special Education
36
Internationals
80
42
Totals
2299
1064
Mid-Week Devotion
Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m. in the Chapel
December 24: Christmas Eve service in
the Sanctuary (includes Lord’s Supper)
December 31: No evening activities
Called Business Meeting
There will be a brief time of business
on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at
the beginning of Mid-Week Devotion
for the purpose of approving Deacons
and Committee Members with terms
beginning in 2015. Please plan to
attend.
Family Night Meal
No evening meal on
Wednesday, December 24.
Glen Haven Rehab: Claude Wright
Northport Med Center: Doris Dickinson
Forest Manor Rehab: Eleanor Powell
Sympathy to:
Oleta Hayes and family in the death of her
brother, Sam Patterson.
Carol Smith and family in the death of her husband, Joe Smith.
Josie Watts and family in the death of her sister,
Clara Campbell.
Thank You Note
Dear Church Family,
Our extended family wishes to thank you all
so much for the many expressions of love and
sympathy extended to us during the last few
weeks. Before his death, you visited Cas, brought
flowers and goodies, and prayed with him and
our family. After his death you showered us with
love and provided such a wonderful meal for our
family. Many of you visited family or attended
the service in his honor. We love and appreciate
you all. When writing in his journal at age 91, he
listed the five most important lessons he learned
in life as 1) TO HAVE A CHURCH FAMILY, 2) to
love, 3) to forgive, 4) to pray, 5) to help others.
So you see, he loved you all so much.
Thanks, Ninette Cannon and the Barton family
Gil McKee
Senior Pastor
Gil@fbctuscaloosa.org
Kris Sullivan
Business Administrator
KSullivan@fbctuscaloosa.org
Vial Fontenot
Minister of Missions & Ministry
Vial@fbctuscaloosa.org
Joe Ziegler
Minister of Music & Worship
JZiegler@fbctuscaloosa.org
Jerry Lake
Minister to Senior Adults
JLake@fbctuscaloosa.org
Joe Armour
Minister to Adults & Outreach
JArmour@fbctuscaloosa.org
Beth Yates
Minister to Women
BYates@fbctuscaloosa.org
Tim Simpson Minister to College
Tim@fbctuscaloosa.org
Jody Gambrell Minister to Students
Jody@fbctuscaloosa.org
Jeremy Carroll
Minister to Preschool/Children
JCarroll@fbctuscaloosa.org
Carl Wells Associate Pastor Emeritus
If viewing this online, you may
click on the email addresses
above to send a message.
page 4
Sunday, December 21
8:30 a.m. Worship
8:45
Chinese Prayer Service
9:30-10:45Library open
9:45
Sunday School
9:45
Kids’ Birthday Party for Jesus
11:00
Worship | Worship KidStyle
11:00
Chinese and Spanish Worship
No evening activities.
Monday, December 22
6:00 p.m. Volleyball for adults
6:00
Deacon Prospect Visitation
Wednesday, December 24
Church offices and Children’s Center closed.
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service
Thursday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
Church offices and Children’s Center closed.
Friday, December 26
Church offices and Children’s Center closed.
Sunday, December 28
10:00 a.m. One Worship Service
12:05 p.m. Iglesia Biblica luncheon
First Servant Weekly
DiscipleLife Fair
Wednesday, January 7
4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
As you come for supper on January 7,
visit the tables and displays to learn
about the Winter/Spring adult Bible
studies and other upcoming activities,
events, and service opportunities.
Sunday Night Studies include: 1 Corinthians (Precept study), led by Mike Adams; He
Has Spoken: The Worldview of Scripture, led by Joey Falgout; Dave Ramsey’s Financial
Peace University, led by Judy and Ben Haas; The Family of Jesus, led by Robin Ford
(women’s study); and Stronger, led by Beth Yates (women’s study), and GriefShare,
led by Carolyn and Robert McNutt.
Wednesday Nights: Does God Exist?, led by Joe Armour; Parenting is Heart Work,
led by Jeremy Carroll; It Could Happen Tomorrow: Understanding Future Events that
Will Shake the World, led by Stefanie and Michael McGuire; The Red Sea Rules, led
by Lisa Skelton (women’s study); a small group for Stepmoms led by Lori White;
DivorceCare, led by Jimmy Duren; and Caring Hearts, a new support group for
Caregivers, led by Carolyn McNutt.
Since being a disciple is about more than studying, there will also be displays for
mission trips and other areas to serve.
Save the Date!
Women’s Ministry
R&R Weekend
Saturday, February 28
Children’s Ministry
Birthday Party for Jesus
Sunday, December 21 during
Sunday School and Worship KidStyle
First Baptist Church
721 Greensboro Avenue | Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
205.345.7554 | Fax 205.391.3108 | www.firsttuscaloosa.org
First Servant Weekly
December 18, 2014
First Servant Weekly (USPS 020629) is published weekly (except the weeks of Christmas and New
Year’s Day) by The First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 721 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL
35401. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Postmaster: Send address changes to
The First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, 721 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Our Worship Service is
broadcast at 11:00 a.m.
every Sunday on WVUA-TV.
Mission Statement: First Baptist Church meets to magnify Jesus Christ and multiply His
Kingdom, to mature believers into effective Christ-followers, and to minister to others in Jesus’ name.