First Edition • April 2009

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April 2009 • First Edition

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ADDRESS

Non-Profi t OrgUS Postage

PAIDLawrenceville, GA

Permit #2

Lawrenceville First Baptist Church165 Clayton Street S.E. Lawrenceville, GA 30045Phone 770.963.5121Fax 770.995.0462

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED ED1T1ONED1T1ON

Lawrenceville First Baptist Church’s

April 2009

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS HE HAS RISEN!The arrival of spring promises not only days of warm sunshine, but also windy, stormy weather and the possibility of tornados. Whether it is a tornado, fi re, winter storm, fl ood, or an earthquake, emergencies and disasters can strike at any time. You can prepare your family for emergency disasters by creating a home emergency kit. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffl e bags, or covered trash containers in case you need to evacuate your home. Emergency supplies include:

1) A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Remember to pack a non-electric can opener.

2)A fi rst aid kit that includes any non-prescription medications that you take. Remember to store extra prescription medicine for family members that rely on medication for specifi c health concerns. 3) Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, fl ashlight and plenty of extra batteries. 4) Sanitation supplies such as antiseptic wipes, toilet paper, plastic bags, and household disinfectants. 5) Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.6) An extra set of car keys, and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.7) One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person. 8) Keep important family documents in a waterproof and fi reproof container. 9) A few additional helpful items include basic tools, whistle, signal fl are, and fi re extinguisher.

10) A list of the family’s contact numbers. Choose an out-of-town contact to call if a disaster happens. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster and create a disaster plan. Explain the dangers of fi re, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets. Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off, and keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Preparation can give you confi dence and peace of mind in your ability to weather storms and other events that may force you into an emergency situation. “Do not be a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.” Jeremiah 17:17 NIV Source: “Your Family Disaster Plan”, FEMA and the American Red Cross Diane Granger, RN

First Edition • April 2009

www.lawrencevillefbc.org

April 2009 • First Edition

ED1T1ONED1T1ONF1RSTF1RST

April 2009

LAWRENCEVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PASTORAL STAFF

Senior PastorINMAN HOUSTON

Associate Pastor: Discipleship and AdministrationRAY CRABTREE

Associate Pastor: Music and WorshipED LAWRIE

Associate Pastor: Communications/Student PastorBRUCE MCGEE

Children’s MinisterKEVIN MOORE

Congregational NurseDIANE GRANGER

First Edition is a monthly publication of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church. Th e material contained herein may not be disseminated without permission. All inquiries and comments should be directed to bruce@lawrencevillefbc.org

Editor BRUCE MCGEEProduction AssistantDEBBIE SMITH

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTSbruce@lawrencevillefbc.org770.963.5121

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You may have noticed that in the last several months we have ceased including member personal information in our church publications. You no longer see home addresses or phone numbers listed beside “Circle of Care Members” or “New Members.” Some of you have expressed disappointment with this decision and some of you have expressed thanks for this decision. We have done this for one main reason:

Listing addresses and phone numbers of membership threatens the safety of our people.

For example, a guest in our Sunday morning worship service might notice the name and address of our Circle of Care Member. Th ey could “innocently” ask one of our members about the Circle of Care ministry. Upon fi nding out that this ministry supports elderly, homebound individuals, the guest now has all of the information that he or she needs to take advantage of one of our members. We never want this to happen and desire to protect our membership at all costs. In addition, we previously included pictures, names, addresses, and phone numbers of families and their children in our publications. We are giving a child predator everything that he or she needs to feed his or her addiction.

Let’s face it, the world is an evil place. It is not the same as it was twenty or thirty-plus years ago. As a church we must make wise decisions about keeping our membership safe and secure at all costs. So where do we go from here? How do I send a note of encouragement or a get well card to the new members who just joined the church?

In order to assist members with contacting one another, we have begun printing member directories and making them available to our members. Members ONLY may request a membership directory at any time. Th ey may obtain one in the church offi ce. My Publications Assistant, Debbie Smith has these directories in her offi ce. We print an updated copy each month with new members information, etc. Please stop by the offi ce to get this updated member directory.

Bruce McGeeEditor

LFBC MESSAGE BOARD

NEW!

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Saints Alive! LuncheonApril 10, at 11:00am in the

Fellowship HallThe entertainment for the luncheon

will be Mary Beth Frasier. Call the Church offi ce to make your reservation!

Sunday School Leadership Training

The next Sunday School Leadership Training session will be Monday, April 13. A light meal will be served at 6:00pm. Training will begin at 6:30pm. The topic for the evening will be "Getting Your Class Involved in Outreach.” Put this on your calendar and plan to attend this important session. Remember growth can be accomplished through Sunday School!

NEW!American Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, April 29, 2:30 – 7:30pm on the Bloodmobile in the main church parking lot.

To donate blood, you must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit. Please bring a photo ID. Before donating blood: *Get a good night’s sleep the night before; *Eat a good meal or snack; *Drink extra caffeine-free fl uids 48 hours before

To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or diane@lawrencevillefbc.org, or

call 770-963-5121, ext 210.

Care-A-VanThe Care-a-Van (Digital Mobile Mammography Unit) from Gwinnett Medical Center will be at LFBC on Tuesday, April 28. This low-cost and convenient screening for breast cancer takes only 20 minutes. Fee is $150 and payment may be made by exact cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or by your insurance plan. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

1) Must have a screening mammogram order/prescription from physician2) Women 35 years of age or older3) No previous history of breast cancer, breast surgery in the last 24 months, breast implants or active breast problems. For an appointment, call HealthLine at 678-442-5000

or go to www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.

Relay for Life Garage/Yard Sale

Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4in the Family Life Center

All proceeds go to benefi t the American Cancer Society. If you have items you can donate, please bring them to the Family Life Center on Thursday, April 2. If you need to schedule a pick-up of items, please contact the church offi ce or Roy Mitcham!

First Edition • April 2009

www.lawrencevillefbc.org

April 2009 • First EditionFiFiFiFiFiFiF rsrsrssrr t t tt EdEdEE itititioion n • • ApA ril 2009

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CHR1ST1AN SYMPATHY

Why do we use the term “good” about an occasion that was so painful and sorrowful? When we think of all the suff ering through the physical and verbal abuse Jesus endured, we struggle to fi nd anything to be considered good about that day. Although there are no clear facts regarding the term “Good Friday,” there are two general beliefs that possibly point to its origin. One belief is that the term simply evolved from “God’s Friday.” Other scholars associate it with the German description “Gute Freitag,” which literally means “good” or “holy” Friday. Additionally, in parts of Europe this day is known as “Great Friday” or “Holy Friday.”

In any case, the question remains of why do we call the day Jesus was crucifi ed, good? Most of us would typically associate “good” with something positive or happy. Initially we would not fi nd anything happy or positive about the abuse, pain, and sadness that we associate with the crucifi xion. If we stopped at this point, we could certainly argue that Good Friday doesn’t make any sense. Looking further, however, we discover much goodness that took place on that day. We know that Christ died for our sins and our repentance brings forgiveness (Heb. 9:15). As Christ experienced death to be followed by His resurrection, so must we experience sorrow in our repentance to be followed by true happiness in Christ. Christ’s death is also an expression of God’s love (John 3:16). True happiness and God’s love are indeed two good things to possess.

On this Good Friday, April 10, at 7:30pm, you are invited to join us for worship as we commemorate the death of Christ and refl ect on the goodness and the blessings we receive from God’s love.

- Ed Lawrie

What’s Good about Good Friday?

Mrs. Gertrude L. Gagnon

Congratulations to Clint and Bethany Mayhue on the birth of their son, Hudson Robertson Mayhue. The grandparents are Richard and Mitzi Mayhue and the great grandparents are Robert and Grace Cain.

We extend Christian sympathy to Mrs. Betty Hollon, Terry Hollon and Family and Janet Hollon on the loss of her husband and their father, Mr. Walt Hollon. Walt and Betty had been married for sixty-two years and members of First Baptist Church for thirty-six years. Walt served our church as a Deacon, Teacher of the Walter Alford Sunday School Class, and on several committees. He served in the U. S. Army and Army Air Corps during World War II in the Asiatic and European Th eatres of Operation. He fl ew B-24 missions over Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. Walt was a Mason and a member of the Anne Winn #203, Order of the Easter Star. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed sports, having captained the basketball team while in college. We also extend Christian sympathy to:

Mr. Tom Bailey and Family on the loss of his father, Mr. Robert Bailey, of Jeff erson, GA.

Mr. Richard Batchelor and Family on the loss of his father, Mr. Hollis Batchelor, of Red Springs, NC.

Mr. Bob Moody and Family on the loss of his sister, Mrs. Doris Edwards, of Gasburg, VA.

Michael and Sally DeeseJennifer Deese

WELCOME TO OUR FAM1LY

WELCOME TO TH1S WORLD

DO YOU HAVE SUGGEST1ONS?

If you have suggestions or comments on how we can improve our First Editionmonthly publication please send your correspondance to our Editor, Bruce McGee,

at bruce@lawrencevillefbc.org.

First Edition • April 2009

www.lawrencevillefbc.org

April 2009 • First Edition

“My View of the Square” -Inman J. Houston

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D1D YOU KNOW?

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucifi ed. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead.’”

These words ushered in a new era in human history. We mark time based upon the birth of Christ, but the Christian faith begins in earnest with the empty tomb. As such, we are “Easter people.” My belief in the resurrection of Christ is the primary reason that I offer when someone asks me why I follow Jesus Christ. Yes, I am a Christ follower because I have experienced Christ in a personal way. Yes, I am a Christ follower because I believe that the Scriptures are true. Yes, I am a Christ follower because I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Yes, I am a Christ follower because my commitment to Christ’s teachings helps me be a better husband, father, friend, and pastor. But ultimately, I do not trust Christ because his teachings help me live a better life; I trust Christ because he is truth.

I have read over a dozen books or lengthy articles outlining the historical proof for and against the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and I fi nd the evidence in favor of the resurrection quite convincing. Ultimately, however, I must exercise some measure of faith in order to believe that the resurrection is true. The passage of over 2,000 years ago does not allow us to know with absolute certainty that the resurrection is true.

One needs only to look at recent history to learn that “facts” can be misinterpreted. The use of DNA evidence has led to the release of dozens of men and women who were convicted by a jury of their peers only a few years ago. We will not be able to fi nd DNA evidence to prove or disprove the resurrection. The best we can do is to examine the facts objectively and then make a decision to accept or reject the belief in Christ’s resurrection.

My experience tells me that we must have some rational explanation for our fundamental beliefs. Grief, hardship, persecution and fi nancial pressures challenge our belief in Christ. If the sole basis for our faith is an emotional experience, the realities of life threaten to destroy our faith. If we root our faith in both personal experience and rational belief, we possess a faith that is capable of withstanding great personal diffi culty.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was a man. He walked the earth. He talked. He ate. He laughed. He cried. He worked. He slept. He taught us how to live, and he taught us how to die. He endured shame and suffering on the cross so that we might receive forgiveness. He proved himself victorious over sin and death. He challenged us to make disciples of all nations. As we celebrate this Easter season may we refl ect upon the truth that the resurrection of Christ is not some great historical legend. The resurrection of Christ is a reality that shapes history—past, present and future. This Easter season may we join with the people of faith throughout the ages who have said: “He is risen; He is risen indeed!”

Our Clothing Mission is reaching more and more people each and every month. Please keep the volunteers in your prayers as they seek to meet the needs of the Lawrenceville community. Here is a breakdown of some statistics for the fi rst part of the year:

1) We served 235 clients in January including 17 new clients

2) Collected over 940 bags of clothes3) Sold $223.90 of clothing4) Served over 185 clients in February including 26 new clients

MINISTRY TOUCHESMinistry Touches are contacts that are made through home visits, phone calls, cards/letters, e-mails or text messages. Th ese Touches are to be made to every member and prospect each week. Touches, such as these, provide a ministry to members and an outreach to prospects. Th e results are that members know someone cares and prospects know they are wanted. Both of these will cause the involvement of members to increase, attendance to increase, and members and prospects to become regular in attendance. Make plans now for you and your class to make Ministry Touches every week.

Ray

EASTER WEEKEND ACTIVITIES//Friday, April 107:30pm- Good Friday Service

//Saturday, April 1112:00pm- Children’s activities begin on the Historic Lawrenceville Courthouse lawn including a puppet performance

1:00pm- Children’s Easter Egg Hunt

//Sunday, April 128:45am- Donuts/Juice/Coffee in the Fellowship Hall and Family Life Center

9:15am- Sunday School

10:30am- Easter Worship Service

No Evening Activities

There are several ways you can help the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry

Here are a few examples:Praying: Many are fi ghting illness, job loss, and severe family issues and need the comfort that only prayer can provide. Some fi nd their way to faith or renewed faith through these crises. You can help in a very big way by praying on their behalf.

Donating Money: We need your donations! To make donating money easier for individuals, we offer donations through the secure PayPal - you can make donations online at www.lawrencevilleco-op.org. Please mail donations by check, made payable to the Lawrenceville Co-Op Ministry, to PO Box 1328, Lawrenceville 30046. Donating Food: The Co-Op provides assistance of food and personal items (such as shampoo and soap) once every 30 days per family. We are always in need of food donations! Food deliveries are accepted during all hours of operation as well as Mon,Tue,Thur 9am to 10:30am.

Volunteering: We need volunteers who will commit their time on a regular basis to distribute food, counsel and pray with clients, provide offi ce support, and help organize our center. A Volunteer Orientation Meeting is normally held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7pm. Please email the director, Linda Freund to confi rm the meeting date. Her email address is foodministry@bellsouth.net.