"Exploring the 23rd Psalm"

The number of participating artists and entries is growing rapidly for this upcoming event. We need YOU to be a part of solving the logistical challenges presented in receiving and categorizing the works to be judged on April 17 - 18.

Help is needed with several aspects of the exhibit to ensure that each artist and patron receives positive interaction from our volunteers and has a memorable time on our campus. Here are some ways YOU can be part of the excitement!

• Greet and assist artists at receiving stations as entries are delivered on April 12
• Host the artist information tables on April 12
• Distribute artwork to specific locations for judging on April 17
• Construct displays for exhibit and storage units prior to April 12
• Prepare artist packets prior to exhibit on April 24
• Track sales/receipts/ticketing, etc., at exhibit on April 25 - 27
• Host receptions before and after the exhibit on April 24 and 27

Contact Stacy Klein at 353-7964 or stacy.klein@vanderbilt.edu for details.

Don't miss your opportunity to Build Bridges and connect with the arts community!

Click here for more information about the Arts Festival.

Don't you love to hear real life stories about people reaching out to others in Jesus' Name? One of our families was kind enough to share the following story with me--it closely supports our goal with IMPACT CARDS which you should have received Sunday during Bible study.
Mary Grace and I were talking about VBS and discussing how good it would be if she could invite someone that doesn't already go to church this year. She was telling me that she thought most of her friends at school already went to church. I told her how she should pray and ask God to show her someone to ask.

I shared with her that a few years ago, I had prayed for God to show me who He wanted me to minister with. Two days later I got a call from the police asking me to come help a friend of mine. Her husband ended up dying that morning of a heart attack. She didn't have a church family. Although I didn't know her very well at the time, God had placed me in her life at that moment to minister to her.

Mary Grace reminded me of our conversation and said yesterday she went to the guidance counselor with two friends to talk about the death of our dog. In the course of their conversation Mary Grace was discussing that she was a Christian. One of her friends said she didn't go to church and didn't know what a Christian was. Mary Grace was beaming as she told me about how God had answered her prayer from the night before! Guess who we'll be inviting to VBS!
Who is God placing in your life to invite to Bible study & worship Easter Sunday? Or to Vacation Bible School in June? Or to attend church with you on Mother's Day or Father's Day--or any special occasion that will provide a wonderful opportunity of sharing? Ask Him today. Your prayers may be answered in the most incredible way you can imagine!

Who do you know that is searching for Christ or for a church family?

The IMPACT CARD encourages you to Pray, Invite and Tell:

Pray for the people you list on your card. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be working in their life.

Invite them to Bible study and worship with you.

Tell your friends what difference Christ makes in your life.

If you did not receive an Impact Card in Sunday School, extra cards will be available at the front desk and lobby.

Have you seen the news lately and wished there was something you could do to help people in the wake of disasters? SBC Disaster Relief crews comprised of members from First Baptist Nashville and other local churches worked hard this winter in Oklahoma and Middle Tennessee helping storm victims. If you are interested in helping out and receiving training to join the crew, contact Bill Cannady at 781-8467 and get involved !

Pictured below: Bill Cannady, Mary Lou Bryson, Lester Simpson, Bill and Geri Thompson, Walt Burgess, Patricia Carter, Will Davis, and Milton Scott.

Invite a friend on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12, for worship and Bible study. Every woman present will be offered a free devotional book simply for being present and completing a short registration form. It’s another wonderful way to Impact your friends for Christ! This gift book is free to all women attending worship May 12.

The Union University Singers will be our special guests for worship on Sunday morning, April 13. We are excited to welcome this talented choir comprised of 48 singers to lead us in worship. Interim Minister of Music Paul Clark has a personal connection with the group in that his daughter and nephew are both participants.

To help accommodate their travels we will need housing for the singers. If you would be willing to house 2 (or more) of these students in your home on Saturday evening, April 12, please contact Laurie Hall in the music office—laurie.hall@firstbaptistnashville.org or 664-6030. Responsibilities would include picking them up at the church Saturday around 8:00 p.m., providing a place to sleep and a good breakfast, and transportation back to the church on Sunday morning.

We look forward to the blessing that these students will share with us as they continue to learn and move past the recent devastation on their campus. God is using them in a mighty way to spread His Kingdom.

• What? NEW Sunday School class--for New members and those wanting to discover our purpose and reason for being and to allow us to answer questions you may have.
• When? Every 5th Sunday beginning March 30 at 9:00 a.m.
• Where? Fellowship Hall
• Who? New adult members from the preceding six months. Also, for adults considering membership with First Baptist Nashville or just wanting to know more about the church.

Pastor Frank Lewis will facilitate and Brad Dunn will serve as Administrator.

Contact Lori Towns, 664-6001, lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org

Thank you Sam & Barbara for twenty years of ministry. We are so grateful! 

Have you hugged Sam & Barbara and extended your gratitude? If not, do so today.

Thirteen years ago Jim and I were preparing to leave for Russia to adopt our first three children. During prayer meeting on the Wednesday night before we left, Mary Frances Turner stood up and asked the church to pray for us. I will never forget that special time as we entered our journey called parenthood. When we returned to the Nashville airport, we were greeted by a huge number of family and FBC friends. I love looking back at the pictures and seeing how many people have been involved (and still are!) in the lives of our children.

Over the years Maria, Nadia, Nicholas, and Alex have been richly blessed by many people who have generously given of their time, talents, resources, and prayers to help our children develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. From the preschool department to the adult departments, our children have been loved, fed, mentored, and guided by countless people who were willing to spend quality time with them. I am grateful for those role models who have invested in the lives of our children and in us as a family.

Because of the involvement of others within our FBC family, my children are being prepared to go out and build their own bridges in our community and around the world. The African proverb rings true--it does take a village to raise a child. How about you? Would you be willing to step up and invest in the life of a child here in our FBC village?

All our church needs to know how well the Marriage Enrichment team represented their church and their Lord in Oromocto, New Brunswick. After the retreat they led February 22 and 23, I received the following e-mail from Roger Urquhart, pastor of the host church.

Hi Bill:

We just got home from the marriage retreat and I wanted to let you know how it went. It was a resounding success! The team more than blessed and delivered exactly what I had hoped for. Their genuine love and compassion was evident and their delivery of information (ministry) was exceptional. We were in small numbers (nine couples) but I truly believe that God planned it that way. I know and have ministered in some form or other to all couples, and it seemed your people were either reading my mind, or the participant's mind, as they ministered to each couple. It was truly a God thing and I want to say thank you, and thank the people of First Baptist Nashville for their love for us. Your church has accomplished kingdom work through the team you sent us.

Thanks, Bill, and God bless,

Roger

You prayed for the team and for the couples they would minister to. God heard and honored your prayers, First Baptist Nashville. Now, begin praying for those who will go to Fredericton, New Brunswick, to lead a parenting workshop in April.