Did you know "there are three important and interrelated aspects of Sunday School work that contribute to a consistently excellent Bible study experience: Scripture, stories, and shepherding. Sunday School is the time it all comes together." Come and get motivated with us in making that hour count. Learn how to improve and develop a dynamic class experience.

LifeWay's David Francis will be our guest on Sunday, August 24, from noon until 3:00 p.m. We'll gather for lunch and meet with our respective divisions. Childcare will be provided. Watch for a reservation and childcare sign up sheet in your Sunday School records mailbox.

For more information contact Lori Towns at 664-6001, lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org.

An exciting new school year has begun for preschoolers and children at First Baptist Nashville. This year our children will travel the world learning about God through music and missions and will a the Great Commission in new ways. Their excellent travel guides (leaders) will help them grow in their talents and ministries as they discover more about Jesus Christ and how to share His love.

Come on, everybody, let's go!...This is your PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE!

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

Weekly Schedule and Room Assignments

On Sunday, August 24, Ruth Graham will bring the message in the morning worship service. Understanding that growth happens in the most difficult places of life, Ruth's testimony and ministry communicate "real answers for real hope from a real God." She is an author, popular speaker and the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham.

First Baptist Nashville will host Ruth and other workshop leaders for the Get Growing Conference on October 3 - 4. This conference offers help in dealing with life-controlling issues that affect you and the people you care about.

Tickets for the conference are on sale now! Purchase your ticket at our Welcome Center in the foyer following Sunday morning worship services. Tickets for First Baptist Nashville members are $25.00 (while supplies last) and the cost is $40.00 for non-members when purchased through First Baptist Nashville. For more information or to purchase a ticket, contact Cheri Viar at 712-9566 or cheri@viar.org.

SMART Kickoff for students in grades 7 - 12 is at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7.

The Student Ministry Arts and Resource Team offers many opportunities for our students including Chapel Choir plus a variety of other training and ministry options. Join us for a new year beginning September 7.

It is again time to begin the prayerful process of nominating and electing new deacons to join those already faithfully serving at First Baptist Nashville.

The schedule for the process this year has been adjusted slightly from years past:

• August 24--Official "Opening Day" of the nomination process. We will have nomination forms and ballots in strategic locations of our buildings. There will be 6 ballot boxes located in the foyer, near the choir room, the East Building, Fellowship Hall, the main entrance, and the main corridor. Members who have given the church office their email address will be sent an invitation to nominate deacons online after August 24. If you would like to recieve this invitation, please ensure your email address by sending it to amanda.poff@firstbaptistnashville.org.

• September 14--Nomination process ends at 10:30 A.M.

• October 9--Names, biographical sketches and pictures of nominees will be published in The Evangel.

• October 12 and 15--Absentee balloting in Pastor's Office

• October 19--Deacon Election in morning worship service

• November 2--Deacon Ordination Council and Ordination followed by Deacon Recognition in evening worship

Each year we try to improve the process to make it easier for you to nominate up to 15 members you believe should be deacons. We will provide a list of all church members who are 21 years of age or older who have been members at least one year and are not ministerial staff members or active deacons. The committee will further screen nominees using the Qualifications of a Deacon document printed on the back of the nominating form and posted on the web site.

If you have questions, you may contact any member of the Deacon Nominee Selection Committee: Jim Shull, Anne Boling, Nancy Brock, Keith Compton, Kelly Moreland-Jones, Philip Owens, Henrietta Powell, Diane Skelton, or Eleanor Yarborough.

We encourage you to give this important process your prayerful attention.

First Baptist Nashville stood tall Sunday, July 27, contributing $4,329 for the placement of Gideon Bibles worldwide! From the person who gave six one hundred dollar bills to the child that gave $1.30, all the money will help place God's Word in the hands of people who need it. The donations will purchase a total of 37 Bibles for placement in hotels and motels, and 3,188 testaments will be given to middle school, high school, and college students; to medical or military personnel; and to fire and safety personnel in the United States and around the world! Gideons have placed approximately 1.4 billion Bibles in over 100 years of Bible distribution you are part of sharing God's Word through your Gideon gifts! Celebrate!

Ever get to church without your Bible? Confused about the pronunciation of a Bible name? Need a map of Southern Baptist mission sites? Wish for a good fiction "clean" enough to read? Want easy access to books for preschoolers? The church library is the place for you. Along with an extensive collection of Bible-related reference materials including commentaries, biographies, and history, you can find books on doctrine, Christian life, church history, and other religious subjects plus interpersonal relationships including marriage and the family, parenting, dating, and issues related to the elderly. Baptist history, missions, biography, encyclopedia, large print titles, plus video tapes, cds, and periodicals round out the collection.

Come in and check us out!

This month Jim and I will be taking our older daughter, Abby, to college. It's hard to believe that 18 years have passed since we welcomed our "precious little baby girl" to the world. I still remember the day my mother dropped me off at college, and I couldn't understand why she was crying. Now I know...the dynamics of our home life will never be the same.

Time has flown and I find myself wondering if we've taught her all she needs to know to cope with her new freedom of college life. It's impossible to sum up 18 years of life lessons in a few words, but these are the some of the things I want her to know:

• You can count on God to always be there (Psalm 139).

• Take advantage of opportunities God places before you ask Him to guide your steps (Proverbs 4:11).

• God is faithful and He will always provide a way out when you are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13).

As your parents...

• We believe in you and we know that God has great plans for your life.

• You are loved unconditionally...just the way you are.

• We are proud of you.

• You are always welcome home.

• We are praying for you and thankful that God blessed us with you. "We always thank God...when we pray for you" (Colossians 1:3).

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 summarizes it well. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be (a woman) of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."

The Bridge: Bringing you into God's presence through worship, helping connect you with a growing spiritual community, and move you to serve others.

That's the mission of The Bridge, First Baptist Nashville's new college worship experience, and we are in need of your help. In order to effectively relate and assist our college communities please join us in praying for this ministry on Tuesday, August 19, from 8:15 to 9:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Give thought to how you may help through:

*providing a snack to those in attendance each Tuesday evening (home baked brownies or cookies)

*transporting students to and from the Vanderbilt and Belmont campuses (must be an approved driver)

*serving as host or hostess on Tuesday evenings

*praying diligently for each student, for Pastor Frank, Josh Crosby and Dave Hunt

Help us as we Worship. Connect. Serve.

To volunteer, contact Lori Towns, 664-6001, lori.towns@firstbaptistnashville.org

Saturday & Sunday, August 30 - 31

Linden Valley Conference Center

Elevating our Obedience, Elevating our Focus, Elevating our Lives to the Ultimate Authority, according to Colossians 1:17-18. This retreat for rising 7th 12th graders will feature Tim Morrison and James Tealy, as well as encouraging Bible study, group recreation, family groups, worship, snack shack, and more!! The cost is $100 per student and $80 for each additional student per family.

Sign up online 

It's "Time to Tell the Story" of the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. FBC and other Tennessee Baptist churches are part of the timeless story of the need for prayer and support of state missions.

Just some of the vital ministries the Golden Offering makes possible include Disaster Relief, Christian Women's Job Corps/Christian Men's Job Corps, Collegiate Ministries, WMU scholarships, Special Friends Camp, and ethnic missions and ministries. Golden Offering dollars reach people with the gospel of Christ and provide life-changing assistance to people of all ages touched by these ministries.

FBC's goal this year is $12,000.

FBC's "Time to Tell the Story" luncheon will be held at in Room 150 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 10:30 a.m. For reservations, contact Mary Alice McMains at 373-5492, by Sept. 5.

On Wednesday evening, Sept. 10, Dr. James Porch, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, will present "State Missions: A Pupil's Primer."