Frank and to the Point

The newly elected Minister of Music Search Committee was introduced to First Baptist Nashville on January 13 at the close of our morning worship service. Committee members include:

• Randy Smith, Chair (Music Committee)
• Lauryn Moody (Music Committee)
• Deidre Carver (Personnel Committee)
• Bob Turner (Personnel Committee)
• Ronnie Boling (Member at Large)
• Nancy Brown (Member at Large)
• Rachel Brown (Member at Large)
• Ray Connor (Member at Large)

The makeup of the committee as specified in the Personnel Manual of First Baptist Nashville calls for two members from the Music Committee, two from the Personnel Committee, and four members from the church at large. The members of this committee represent First Baptist Nashville in many ways. There are senior adults, median adults, a young married adult and a single adult. There are parents who have raised or are presently raising their children in our graded children’s choirs and Chapel Choir. Combined these individuals include members of the Sanctuary Choir, one music educator, a former Minister of Music, the daughter of a Minister of Music, two who have given their lives in career denominational service, a member of the Tennessee Men’s Chorale, a veteran pianist for Chapel Choir, four deacons, a Belmont professor who teaches future student ministers, and by intention, some who do not sing in the choir but are simply active participants in the worship life of our congregation. One has been a member of First Baptist Nashville for nearly fifty years and one joined our church within the past two. It is a diverse group of individuals who love First Baptist Nashville and who join me in their desire to see First Baptist Nashville reach people for Christ. They have been called to help First Baptist Nashville find the person God has in mind to serve as our next Minister of Music, and they deserve to be in our prayers, daily!

In the weeks ahead, you will be invited to participate in one or more listening sessions with the members of this committee and your fellow church members. To quote Chairman Smith, “This is going to be a series of holy conversations.” I believe that this is far more than a traditional search process—it is an opportunity for our congregation to dream together in ways that just might allow us to sense the hand of God in fresh and exciting ways.

In the meantime, I know you are thankful for the wonderful leadership that our Interim Minister of Music Paul Clark is providing for us on Sunday mornings. We are indeed blessed. There is room in the choir for you, so come and join us!

Blessings!

P.S. We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, February 3, in the morning worship service.

Minister of Music ... We Want to Hear From You!

You Are Invited to Participate in
A Holy Conversation
Hosted by the The Minister of Music Search Committee

As we begin a series of Listening Sessions your Minister of Music Search Committee hopes that you will join us to share your hopes and dreams for our congregation.

Please join the groups that you are a part of on the dates indicated below.

Your Minister of Music Search Committee wants to hear from every member of this congregation as we begin the search process. Please join us!

5 Love Languages of Teenagers

During the 4 Sundays in February the CONNECTING Sunday Morning Bible Study will focus on 4 areas important to parents and talk about them in light of their students primary love language.

February 3 - Anger: Breaking Distructive Patterns
February 10 - Independence: Managing the Cry for Freedom
February 17 - Responsibility: Building Personal Boundaries
February 24 - Crisis: Loving During Difficult Times

For Parents of Teens, 9:00 AM, room 120 (East Building)

Cost $8.00/couple for study guide material.

Contact: Jimmy Hester 251-5610

Sunday School Xtravaganza

Task Force 1 Team Leader, Brad Dunn and Tom Crow encourage all Sunday School leaders to attend the February 3 Sunday School Leadership Lunch Xtravaganza in the Fellowship Hall. Our featured speaker is Mr. Terry Turner, longtime Sunday School teacher, Belmont trustee, and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners. Terry will be speaking on the subjects of leadership and growth as they relate to Bible study and church life as a whole.

Division meetings will be held for 15 minutes as part of our mid-year gathering. Lunch is provided by reservation. We will dismiss by 2:00 p.m.
Please make reservations by e-mailing to lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org or calling 664-6001 or (be sure to include reservations for childcare as needed).

Crow's Corner

PRAISE THE LORD...

We thank the Lord for your faithfulness and generosity in supporting the Lord’s work in and through First Baptist Nashville during 2007 — we exceeded our 2007 budget in gifts (budget goal, $2,900,000... gifts received $2,912,249). Your gifts make a difference - in Nashville, in Tennessee, through disaster relief in the region, and worldwide through missions gifts. Your gifts make a difference right here in our Sunday School ministry, in our music and worship ministry, in our member ministries, in our evangelism and outreach ministries. Thank you! God bless each and every one for contributing faithfully, and now we begin a new budget year with the opportunity to be a blessing to others and be blessed in our giving.

Lottie Moon gifts totaled $59,663 for the season toward our goal of $60,000. — These gifts will be sent immediately to support over 5,000 international missionaries.
Building Bridges gifts in 2007 totaled $184,127. These gifts are the start-up for new, exciting, and innovative ministries, several of which you will notice during 2008.
Should you ever wish to discuss special gift opportunities, please don’t hesitate to contact our church finance office at 615.664.6000.

Thanks!

Souper Sunday Is Here

It has become a tradition that we remember a local group with a food collection on Super Bowl Sunday. This year that’s February 3! In recent years we have donated hundreds of cans of soup and scores of boxes of crackers to residents of the James Robertson Apartments — who live a half mile north of our steeple at
7th and Broadway.

As you come to church on February 3, bring a sack or box of food. It is a small way to show our love for some downtown residents and minister to our community.
Souper Sunday is a nationwide phenomenon that involves thousands of churches. We are glad to be one of them.

Congrats Staff!

Join us in celebrating these milestones among our staff.

February Staff Birthday
9 - Hanan Marcos, cook

February Staff Anniversary
15 - Sam Sanders, minister of recreation/senior adults, 20 years

Extending our Reach

A few years back Donna and I were directing the Adult 2A Sunday School department and wanted to provide an opportunity for increased involvement in local missions for our members and their families. At that time, Tambi Swiney's class was providing and serving dinner once a month at the Safe Haven Family Shelter. We asked about expanding the ministry to the entire department, and they graciously agreed. That's how my family and our Sunday School department got started -- but it's not why.
Faith needs to be lived out by helping others who are in real need. Serving dinner at Safe Haven is an easy way for our family to help other families and to let them know that God cares about them. Jesus said that whenever you have ministered to the least of these you have done it to me. When we reach out to the families temporarily living at the homeless shelter, we are obedient to Christ, and we show the people in the shelter the loving face of God.

A more selfish reason for our involvement is the opportunity it provides for us to teach our children something that cannot be learned in Sunday School, personal Bible study, or even a sermon during worship. It's something learned only by doing. We want to show Katherine and Caroline that obediently living out their faith in Jesus is about "helping others in Jesus name." (To learn more about Safe Haven and how your family or class can be involved, visit www.safehaven.org or call 256-8195).

GAs raise money for Lottie Moon

During our fellowship dinner Wednesday night December 12, 31 of our 1-6 grade GAs found opportunities to help carry trays, refill drinks, deliver dessert, and throw away trash. Many of you were assisted by one of the GAs, and you put a tip in one of our tip boxes. All of the money raised was given to our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Thanks to your generosity, and their excellent efforts, $410.05 was raised for Lottie Moon! We appreciate your giving them the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for being a church that models the importance of missions to our children.

Men’s Night with The Predators

Join other men of First Baptist Nashville for a great Pred’s game, some pizza and time out February 16.

It’s a great opportunity for men to gather, renew old friendships and make some new ones, and just hang out with other guys. Let’s sharpen each other by being together and watching a good fight...err, game.

We’ll have good seats and good pizza. Cost is $25 for each fellow. Bring a friend, your son, and/or your father. Call or email Lori Towns at 664-6001 (lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org) to reserve your spot.

Seating is limited, call today!

Life Change University Coming Soon!!

Life Change University (LCU) is coming soon! Join us for a preview on Sunday, February 3, in our Foyer prior to and following morning worship services. We’ll preview again on Wednesday, February 6 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall foyer. Stop by and learn more about these studies:

Beth Moore’s Stepping Up

A 7 week Journey through the Psalms of Ascent explores Psalms 120-134. This Bible Study will help adults gain a new appreciation for the life of faith as a journey to greater fellowship with and worship of God. The remaining 4 sessions walk through Loving Well also by Beth Moore

Audience: Adults
Cost: $13.00 per person, $6.00 for LW journal
Facilitator: Judy Latham
Location: Room 360, 3rd Floor

Building Bridges Through the Centuries: A History of the Church on Mission

From its earliest days, the Christian Church has been at work to connect people with God's love in Christ. At the same time, the Church has always adapted its methods and strategies to its surrounding cultures. In this study, you will gain an understanding of the history of the Christian Church from its earliest days until the present day. We will place a special emphasis on ways that the Church has adapted its evangelistic and benevolent ministries to the world in which it has found itself.

Audience: Adults
Cost: FREE
Facilitator: Andrew Smith
Location: Room 140, 1st Floor

Servant Warriors

A continuation of men’s physical and spiritual fitness every Sunday afternoon. For the first hour participants will work out using the Servant Warrior routines learned in the first semester. We will add a light weight-training routine in this semester. (Bring your own fifteen-pound set of dumbbells.) After a vigorous workout, participants will engage in a Bible study led by our pastor using Dallas Willard and Don Simpson’s book The Revolution of Character: Discovering Christ’s Pattern for Spiritual Transformation. If you do not have a bokken (wooden samurai sword) we will order one for you. Please add $11.00 to your registration fee.

Audience: Men
Cost: $12.00 (plus $11.00 for your Bokken)
Facilitator: Frank Lewis
Location: Fellowship Hall through April, 1st floor

Modern Parables: Living in the Kingdom of God

Modern day examples and discussion regarding the application of the Biblical parables to our every day lives as Christians.

Audience: Adults
Cost: FREE
Facilitator: Ronnie Boling
Location: 150G, 1st Floor

Weight Watchers

Stop Dieting, Start Living. Weight Watchers isn’t a diet because it helps you eat right and live healthy. It works because you’ll learn how to lose weight and keep it off, in a way that fits your life. Join us for an informational session on February 10. Fifteen must commit in order for meetings to begin.

Audience: Adults
Cost: $120 new/returning, $110 current members, $100 lifetime members
Facilitator: Dana Haddock
Location: 150E, 1st Floor

CAREGIVING: Caring for Aging Parents

Addressing the many issues of caring for aging parents. The emotional stresses and conflicts, understanding your role as caregiver and practical how to’s. Discover Biblical principles specific to aging and long-term care.

Audience: Adults
Cost: $14.00
Facilitator: Sam Sanders
Location: Room 150F

Preschool & Children

Babies – 2: Teeny Tots, Preschool Suite
Age 3 – 5: TeamKID, Room 354
1st – 3rd grade: Bible Buddies, Room 452
4th – 6th grade: Bible Drill, Room 451

SMART

SMART (Student Ministry Arts & Resource Team), for students in grades 7 – 12, resumes February 10 beginning at 5 p.m. with Chapel Choir, followed by?snack supper and a variety of training and ministry options. Visit
firstbaptiststudents.org for more information!

Financial Peace

Financial Peace University is a biblically based, video-driven small group study that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth and give like never before! This Program is for you IF... Your credit cards are your emergency fund; Your dog responds to the name “Ebay”; You have to sell your house to put your kids through college; You’re intrigued by the word “plasectomy”; You want to know what God says about money; Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds are friends you haven’t met yet!

Audience: Adults
Cost: $93.00 per family
Facilitator: Mark Brown
Location: Room 370, 3rd Floor

INSIGHT GROUPS

In this nine week course, participants will look at eight objectives from II Peter 1:5-7; faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, kindness and love. Through these qualities, God helps us address potential strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4) which master our life or those around us. Insight groups are for everyone—church member, person seeking Christ, believer or those uninvolved in a local church. Participants will pray, talk and study the Bible to learn about God’s building of these qualities in our lives.

Cost is $13; there are several groups available:

Audience: Adults
Facilitator: Jim Shull
Location: 150B, 1st Floor

Audience: Adult Women
Facilitator: Sharon Herrera
Location: 150A, 1st Floor (begins March 2)

Audience: Women Ages 20’s/30’s
Facilitator: Cheri Viar
Location: off-campus
Time: Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.