Anniversary Reception for FOR FRANK LEWIS (10 YEARS) AND RUS ROACH (20 YEARS)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4

3:30 – 5 P.M.

FELLOWSHIP HALL

Bring a note for each, expressing appreciation or sharing a favorite memory from their years of ministry

My wife Dale and I used to be pretty serious campers and hikers back in the days before we had children. We always knew that someday we would introduce Gigi (6) and Scotty (4) to the joys of pitching a tent in the middle of God’s great outdoors. Last fall we planned our first family camping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We were a little skeptical at first about how they would do; we prepared ourselves for the possibility of a couple of long, sleepless nights. But they actually slept better than we did. Now rarely a week goes by that the kids don’t ask, “When can we go camping again?”

We saw many positive changes in the family dynamic as a result of spending quality time in nature. Our children quickly abandoned the few store-bought toys they brought from home in favor of simple objects of God’s creation which were trans-formed by their imaginations. Smooth rocks scattered near the stream magically transformed into a family of ducks by stacking and balancing them in just the right way. A stick became a pirate ship by simply sticking a leaf to it and tossing it into the water. Camping also allowed us to interact with each other and with other campers when we did have problems. When we had trouble getting our fire started, other campers quickly helped. And our family was able to overlook the fact that none of us had bathed for 3 days!

We’re looking forward to our next family camping trip—not just for the stories by the fireside or the roasted marshmallows—but for the renewal of our spirits which can be hard to find in today’s fast-paced society. Just as Jesus went into the wilderness to pray and be renewed, we also find renewal as a family in going to the mountains, slowing down the pace, spending time with each other, and listening to God in nature.

Each Sunday morning, seminary students that have some connection with First Baptist Nashville are lifted up in prayer as they pursue God’s direction for their lives. Undoubtedly, they greatly appreciate the prayer support they receive from our church. However, though we know God has a plan for these students, we often do not know where their divinity studies ulti-mately lead them. Recently, two of the students we have been praying for have completed their studies and relocated.

Mary Frances Owens has temporarily suspended her studies to accept a job opportunity with the International Mission Board in Richmond, VA, in the office that works with North Africa and the Middle East. She plans to resume her studies through online and extension courses once she is settled in Richmond.

John Cox recently completed his studies at Vanderbilt’s Divinity School and is heading back to Birmingham to work in his dad’s church for one year. After that, he may work toward his own pastorate, a PhD or even a medical degree. Many of First Baptist members recall the sermon in our sanctuary John delivered this past spring while he was serving as an intern for Pastor Frank.
Please remember both Mary Frances and John in your prayers as God continues to work in their lives.

What is your favorite church memory? Mine is easy--several years ago our Sunday School department started helping with Room in the Inn. The RITI program runs from November through March and is a wonderful ministry. Individuals and Sunday School groups provide a hot meal, snacks, shower facilities and laundry service to approximately 30 tired, hun-gry, homeless people each week in our Rec Center. Most of the time the group is all men but there have been times when women and families with small children have come.

At first I will admit I was scared. I had no clue what to expect and did not know if I would be helpful or not. I decided to be as much like Jesus as possible and just love our guests as HE would and try to make them feel welcome. I knew I wanted to show my children it was okay to be around the homeless and not be afraid. With our family in tow (our young-est was just a toddler), we served our first dinner that year at RITI and have been doing so every year since! Last year, as a family, we cooked, prepared and served dinner on Christmas Eve along with several others from the church. It was one of my favorite "mommy" moments--seeing my kids interacting with the guests and talking to them while serving them dinner. It was the highlight of my Christmas season.

Volunteers are still needed to help with RITI this year. I encourage you and your family to get involved. Most classes help out one time and some classes do more. It is worth every minute. You can also volunteer on an individual basis. I promise you there will be some great memories made and lives can be forever changed...mine included.

December 8 AT 7:00 P.M.

NASHVILLE VS. ANAHEIM

We have reserved 50 seats for the December 8 Nashville Predators Hockey game on December 8. For $20 per person, we’ll provide parking, pre-game pizza, and a short lesson on the basics of hockey! This is open to church members and their guests. Please submit payment for the tickets by November 14. You’ll receive confirmation by mail. Reserve your seats by calling Sam at 664-6051 or e-mailing sam.sanders@firstbaptistnashville.org.

Our fall service projects continue. They began with the Habitat House build in September. Last Sunday (October 21) Hannah Abebe received the keys to her new house. We gave her a clothes washer and dryer as a move-in present. Over 100 of us helped to construct her house.
The Community Medical Mission at the Church of the Messiah continues as you read this (October 25 - 27). You may still have time to participate. It runs from 8 A.M. - 4 P.M. every day and would be worth your seeing, even if you cannot stay long to volunteer. Our relationship with Messiah is three plus decades long. We rejoice in their new building and in the phenomenal growth of their congregation.

Elsewhere in this Evangel is information regarding Room in the Inn which begins next Sunday night. Your class or department needs to get on the host list as soon as possible by contacting the RITI coordinator, Teresa Phillips, via e-mail at smithT@wcschools.com.

Part of the desire of the Missions Committee is for every Sunday School class or department to have an ongoing missions emphasis. You probably need a designated "missions person" to help you plan your projects or partner-ships. Christmas season is approaching and that means Operation Christmas Child (fill a shoe box), Nashville Baptist Association Toy Store, adopt an angel for Salvation Army or a local prison-related family. There are many opportunities for your group or your home to get involved in sharing the love of God with His people in the coming weeks. Do something intentionally to show He and we care.

Place a memorial or honor someone special by donating flowers for worship. Cost for a standard weekly arrangement is $80. Please sign up on the 2008 flower calendar posted outside Fellowship Hall with your name and phone number, or contact Laurie Hall at 664-6030. You may also view available dates and sign up online by clicking here!

Wednesday, October 31
5:30 – 7:30 P.M.

Bring a friend and come enjoy an evening of fun & fellowship (and still have time to visit your neighborhood!)

Dinner will be served in Fellowship Hall, from 4:30-6:30 P.M. We will have activities outside in Parking Lot D (the gated lot behind the church) from 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. There will be games, candy, inflatables, costumes, and much more! Bring a friend, and come enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship, and still have time to visit your neighborhood.

Face Painting • Crafts • Exciting Games • Piñatas • Caramel Apples • Inflatable Games • Candy Treats • Dinner Served in Fellowship Hall from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. ($4 for adults and $2 for children grade 6 & under)

Candy Donations Needed

Please bring any donations of individually wrapped candy to one of the collection bins in the foyer, next to Connie Hartzell’s office, or at the main entrance. We will be collecting candy through October 28.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love! Here are some ways every member and family at First Baptist Nashville can make a difference in the lives of those children:

PRAY. Please pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoe box gift and that He will bring many children and families to faith in Christ.

PACK A GIFT. A shoe box filled with small toys and other gifts can open hurting hearts to God’s love. Information about how to pack your shoe boxes is available on our website—www.firstbaptistnashville.org. You may also pick up boxes and labels in the children’s ministry office.

GIVE. Bring your shoe boxes to worship on Sunday, November 11. We will collect them during the children’s feature and before and after worship!

Even before they came to stay in First Baptist’s missionary home for the first time in 2003, Scott and Valerie Payne probably felt a stronger tie to First Baptist than many missionaries do at first. Although neither had lived in Nashville be-fore, First Baptist was familiar territory to them because they had met each other in our vestibule! The occasion was a state Baptist Student Union convention in 1987, leading to their marriage the following year and a two-year journeyman assignment in Bangkok.

Scott and Valerie are now career missionaries to Northeastern Thailand and the proud parents of Oliver, age 14; Charlotte, age 11; and Elliot, age 6. Both sets of grandparents live in cities near Nashville: Valerie’s family in Wartrace, Scott’s in Manchester. The Paynes are currently furloughing with us for the second time and plan to stay until late March 2008. They can frequently be seen in the balcony on Sunday mornings; and Elliot, Charlotte, and Oliver are active in our children’s and youth ministries!

In Thailand, the Paynes work with students and the Isaan people while homeschooling their three children. The town they live close to is Mahasarakham. Check out their informative web site, www.prayforisaan.com.

Scott and Valerie thank First Baptist for providing a “home away from home” for missionaries and opportunities to be involved in our church. While they are here, pray for the students in Thailand who have been involved in Bible study. There is no church for them to attend yet, so the students must take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Pray that they will stay strong during the Paynes’ absence and that Christians in Thailand will continue to grow and reach out to others.

Don’t miss the blessing of getting to know the Payne family!

Click here for photos from our September 2007 Habitat for Humanity build project!

Click here for photos from Mark Edwards' Retirement Celebration Photos (this link will take you away from the First Baptist Nashville website and onto Scott Schrecker's photography website)