1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

THE CALENDAR
Expressing the Mission and Ministry of First Baptist Church
Chippewa Square
Savannah, Georgia
Wednesday Night
Program
Wednesday, April 8
6:00 p.m. in
Lewis Hall
presented by
Amy Nedriga,
Founder and
Executive Director
F
IRST
THOUGHTS
Our Lenten journey is now complete, having taken us through forty days of contemplation and
repentance to the stark reminders of Jesus’ obedient life seen best in the events of Holy Week to the glories of
Easter Sunday. We have considered several of the covenants God made with humankind, proving again that
we worship a God who desires to be in relationship with God’s people. We have “cleared a path” for God this
year, beginning with a deeply moving Ash Wednesday service, and including our own personal devotional
lives, special prayer services led by the Spiritual Formation Committee, as well as a series of Wednesday night
bible studies. And we have shared in several outstanding worship services, especially those on Palm Sunday
and Easter, which brought us into the very presence of God.
As with any major effort in local parish ministry, there are many persons to whom we owe a debt of
gratitude. The members of the Spiritual Formation Committee, ably led by Rev. Lauren Colwell and Gaye
Rountree, have served heroically throughout this season of reflection. Our talented church musicians, under
the direction of Organist and Choir Director Kyle Ballantine, included the Joyful Voices Choir, the Bell Choir,
the Adult Choir, and a number of instrumentalists, all of whom added much to our worship. At least twentyfive of our people gave leadership to our annual Maundy Thursday service of communion and remembrance,
as did a similar number leading us in worship through stirring music and the reading of the passion narrative
on Good Friday. And what more can be said of all those who contributed to our worship experiences on Palm
Sunday and Easter Sunday? They were simply magnificent in every respect. Many thanks to the members of
our staff and the many volunteers who made all of these gifts possible.
And thanks go to all of you, the members of this good congregation, for your support and participation
in this holy season. While it is true that staff would not spare anything and would work just as hard to provide
fine opportunities in teaching and worship even if a handful of persons were present, it is always an
encouragement to enjoy the faithful attendance and vigorous participation of our membership. Thanks to you
and to our God for such wonderful experiences at First Baptist Church during Lent and Easter this year.
Wishing you a blessed Eastertide,
Hospitalizations
We are grateful that as this issue
of The Calendar is being
prepared, no members are known
to be hospitalized.
Hospital Dismissals
Amelia Dreese
to Buckingham South
Nellie Jones
Children’s Time on April 12
Lauren Colwell
Lay Reader on April 12
Tifani Pool
Greeters on April 12
James Cubbedge
Family Night Menu
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
lasagna
tossed salad
Italian bread
peach cobbler
Hospitality Hosts
John and Sara Thomas
Sanctuary Flowers
Sunday, April 12
given to the glory of God
and in memory of
Carol Anne Richardson by
Keith, Emily, and Jacqueline Dion
Ushers Serving in April
Bootsie Swicord, captain
Joan Pusser
Leslie Stull
Barbara Stull
Deacons Serving in April
John Rabun, captain
Thelma Browne
Lynn Hadwin
Margaret Hardy
Curtis Lewis
Richard Lewis
Shannon Willhite
Nursery Volunteer on April 12
Beverly Flanagan
CONGREGATIONS IN SERVICE WEEKEND
Saturday, April 25 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast at First Presbyterian Church | Lunch at First Christian Church
Sunday, April 26 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Lunch at Congregation Mickve Israel
This will be the twenty-first installment of Congregations in Service since its
inception in 2004. A list of projects can be found on the First Baptist Church
website and sign-up sheets will be available in Lewis Hall and the church office.
CHILDREN INSPIRING HOPE
On Wednesday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m., the
adults will hear from Any Nedriga, LCSW, Founder
and Executive Director of Children Inspiring Hope.
Children Inspiring Hope is an international,
non-profit organization bridging students crossculturally through arts and education projects based
on our shared humanity, peace building, and earth
stewardship.
In seven years of programming,
thousands of children
have participated in
Canada, Ghana, and
the United States.
Connecting students
through arts has
served as a catalyst
for other service
projects, and ignited
within each student
the power they have
to contribute to a
more compassionate
and
sustainable
global community.
Amy will share stories of the journey, and the
challenges of creating understanding crossculturally. She will also have handmade textiles and
recycled glass beads for sale which support local
artisans and programming.
Please join us on Wednesday, April 8 for a
meal beginning at 5:00 p.m., prayer concerns at 5:45
p.m., and Amy’s program at 6:00 p.m.
April Responsibilities
Audio: Bill Roberts
Greeters: Emily Gar rard
Ordinances: Wyc Rountree
and Ashley Williams
Sanctuary: Lem Brawner
Dear Church Family,
I want to express my thanks to everyone
in the church for their kind calls, notes, and
prayers for my family in the loss of my father.
– Chris Hendricks
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN APRIL
We have several exciting programs coming up
in April during the adult study time. On Wednesday,
April 15 Theresa Bayman will present a program on
behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association of Savannah.
She will discuss the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s
and how to interact with those living with
Alzheimer’s. Theresa will also be available to answer
any other questions.
On Wednesday, April 22, Jenni Halpin will
present a Theology 101 program on Forgiveness. This
is part of the ongoing series sponsored by the Spiritual
Formation Committee. Later in May, Bill Heard will
present a program in the same series on Social Justice.
Of course, we continue to have programs for
youth and children as well as bell and adult choir
rehearsals. Our final Wednesday evening of the
semester will be Wednesday, May 20 and we will
conclude with a night of intergenerational fun. We
look forward to seeing you for all.
QUARTERLY CHURCH CONFERENCE
Our next Quarterly Church Conference will be
Sunday, April 19 at 12:45 p.m., following a
congregational luncheon at 12:15 p.m. in Lewis Hall.
Please join us as we discuss the mission and ministry
of First Baptist Church.
TASK FORCES – HISTORY
This week we are highlighting the History
Task Force. Members of the History Task Force assist
the church in making and keeping accurate,
comprehensive records of its current life and work,
serve as custodians of all church historical documents
and artifacts, and help the congregation understand
and learn from its history. If you would like to be a
member of this task force, please contact chair Fran
Arnsdorff or staff liaison John Finley.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
facing Chippewa Square
at 223 Bull Street
Offices located behind the sanctuary
at 102 West McDonough Street
Phone 912-234-2671
Fax 912-236-4493
Email office@fbc-sav.org
Website www.fbc-sav.org
Office hours Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 9551
Savannah, GA 31412-9551
Address service requested
CHURCH STAFF
John M. Finley - Senior Minister
jmfinley@fbc-sav.org
Lauren E. Colwell - Associate Minister
for Spiritual Formation and Families
lauren@fbc-sav.org
Kyle J. Ballantine - Organist and Choir Director
kyle@fbc-sav.org
Faye Anderson - Secretary
faye@fbc-sav.org
Karen Jerald - Secretary
karen@fbc-sav.org
Janice Quarterman - Custodian
Bill Roberts - Custodian
Vol. 81
The Calendar
Lauren Colwell, Editor
April 8, 2015
No. 14
Schedule of Activities
April 12-18, 2015
SUNDAY, April 12
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Morning Worship
12:15 Youth & Children’s Comm.
Conference Room
MONDAY, April 13
10:00 Staff Meeting
Conference Room
5:15 Budget and Finance
Conference Room
5:45 Diaconate
Lewis Hall
TUESDAY, April 14
10:00 Grace and Glory Mission
Group
WEDNESDAY, April 15
5:00 Family Night Activities
7:00 Adult Choir Rehearsal
Room 300
The Worship of God
April 12, 2015
Eleven O’clock
Sermon:
“Thomas, Our Brother”
Family Night Activities
April 15, 2015
5:00
5:30
Howard Pendley
5:45
First Lesson:
Acts 4:32-35
5:45
6:00
Second Lesson:
1 John 1:1-2:2
Gospel Lesson:
John 20:19-31
Anthem:
“Allerseelen”
by Richard Strauss
Andrew Durden, trombone
6:15
6:15
6:15
7:00
Family Night Meal
Lewis Hall
Nursery Opens
Room 201
Prayer Concerns
Lewis Hall
Joyful Voices Choir
Room 300
Adult Gathering:
Theresa Bayman with
The Alzheimer’s
Association of Savannah
Lewis Hall
Children’s Gathering
Room 202
Youth Gathering
Room 402
Bell Choir
Room 305
Adult Choir
Room 300