The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Volume 63 / Week Number 2 / January 12, 2012

January 15, 2012Second Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon“Come and See”

John 1:43-51

First Fellowship Worship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Sanctuary Choir and First Baptist Brass

Thou Art God - Beck

Solo by Sarah Sizemore

Evening ActivitiesFoundations for Life Classes

www.fbchsv.org/foundationsforlife

FirST ThouGhTSDavid hull, Pastor

i opened up the newspaper today and saw the word written in huge letters at the top of the front page – rEDEMPTioN. Now that is a word we talk about in church, it is a word that is central to our faith as followers of Jesus. redemption – it means to “buy back” and it describes what Jesus did for us on the cross. So, was the newspaper reporting on our faith? No – the subtitle to the headline read, “Dominant Defense Powers Tide to Second Title in Three Years.” Alabama had won the National Championship in

football. And yet, there it was, this word that is central to our faith was the headline for the big story.

i turned from the front page past all of the pages in the Sports section that described the game. Then i came to a story about an NFL game from Sunday. But the story was more about a person than the actual game. Tim Tebow was a key player in the Broncos’ overtime win over the Steelers. in fact, social media outlets have been buzzing over the last two days about his achievements. The dramatic 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play in overtime launched a record 9,420 tweets per second on Twitter. Even more interesting were his overall statistics for the game. You see, as a quarterback, Tebow threw for 316 yards in the win. his average for yards per completion was 31.6. Both of those numbers surely do remind us of John 3:16, the verse that he used to etch in his eyeblack when he played football at Florida. right there in the Sports section of the paper is a story about one of the greatest verses in the Bible – a story that tells us why God chose to redeem the world through Jesus Christ.

So what is my point? Where does your faith show up in your life? Is it confined to Sunday mornings, or does it show up in the news story of your life on a Tuesday or a Thursday? Will people at school or work know that you are a follower of Jesus? Do your friends get a chance to hear the good news of redemption from the headlines of your life?

Victories and championships are wonderful! So how are you sharing your “Victory in Jesus” with others this week? how will others see in our lives that we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us?” (romans 8:37) Well . . .

Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor.

A new season of GriefShare begins January 17. All who have experienced

the loss of a loved one are invited.

Sunday, January 22 immediately after the10:30 service. Tickets are $7.00 and are on sale through Sunday,

January 15. Tables will be set up in the East Entrance and Fellowship Hall on Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased in the Adult Ministries Office during the week.

Contact Kimberly Collette at 256-830-8168.

LIVING WELL ALABAMA A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

A free six-week workshop will be offered to adults age 60 and older who want to take charge of their ongoing health problems and learn to manage the effects of

chronic illness. Classes will meet on Mondays from 9-11:30 a.m. in room 118 beginning January 23. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Call 256-428-9403 to register.

January Ladies’ Luncheon

Bible study based on the novel H2O by Austin Boyd and Brannon HollingsworthFacilitated by author Austin Boyd

Wednesday Nights, January 4 - February 15 (6 weeks)Room 1145:45 PM

You are invited to join us January 4th through February 15th for a special look at God's use of water imagery in the Bible, and a unique interpretation of what it means to be "clean," using Austin's most recent novel, H2O. In this six-week study, Austin will lead us through a few of the many verses of the Bible that use water to tell a story of redemption. His novel, the first in The Eternal Elements series, is a fascinating allegorical look at success, sanity, and spiritual redemption in a young woman's relationship with water. Copies of H2O will be available each week for $10, or can be purchased at Jones Valley Barnes and Noble. Weekly review notes will be provided.

Austin Boyd and his wife Cindy have been members of First Baptist since 1998. Austin has served in teaching and deacon

ministries at FBC for 8 years, most recently with his popular course on "Understanding Islam." He is the author of 5 novels. Learn more about his work at www.austinboyd.com

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Celebrating GraceHymnal for Baptist Worship

We have surpassed 1100 hymnals in memorial

and honor gifts! Thank you for your support in providing copies of Celebrating Grace—Hymnal for

Baptist Worship for First Baptist Church. If you have not yet given a hymnal in memory or honor of loved ones, it is not too late to do so. Simply turn in your

contributions to the finance office. Gifts will be accepted throughout January and February.

Hymnal Dedication Service February 26 at 5:00 p.m.

Family Matters

OUR NEWESTElliot Virginia Morgan, born December 31, 2011. Son of Jennifer and Patrick Morgan. Proud grandparents are Janice and Bill Whipple.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSMary Tucker307 Marsheutz AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYJohn and Jayne Dunaway in the loss of his cousin, Robert Gisler

Steve Huppenberger in the loss of his father, Michael Huppenberger in the loss of his grandfather, Eugene Nilges

Library hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40-12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, January 18

AdultsGrilled Chicken

Loaded Mashed PotatoesBroccoli and Cheese

rolls

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWArDShiP rEPorT

01/08/12

Year-to-Date Goal $1,433,460.00

offering

This Week $63,075.68

YTD $1,307,433.29

Debt retirement

This Week $630.00

YTD $19,627.00

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $14,299.50

YTD $882,896.53

To Date: $3,289,627.48

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 64

Children 106

Students 140

Adults 686

Brookdale 19

Visitors 17

ToTAL 1035

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 424 Sanctuary Worship 682 Total 1106

ThANK You

A thank you note has been received from Lakewood Elementary School. it has been

placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.

The Sanctuary Choir has begun a new season of singing! Come and join us as we dedicate the new hymnal and move into the powerful music of the Easter Season. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM. Childcare is provided. The annual Sanctuary Choir Mid-Winter Retreat will be on-site at FBC Saturday morning, January 28.

As part of our continuing observance of the Christian Year, our church family has completed the seasons of Advent and Christmas and has moved into the Season After Epiphany. The church now focuses upon the "manifestation" of

Christ to the entire world, the making known of Jesus and His Mission.

We began with the Baptism of Jesus this past Sunday and will end with His Transfiguration, which then carries us into the Season of Lent.

Our choir is wearing new green stoles for the season immediately ahead,signifying growth. Our Savior grew from a baby to a man and our faith grows as we move through these days of living out Christ's Mission in the life of the church. The use of colors to differentiate liturgical seasons became a common practice in the Western church in about the fourth century. The colors are an additional reminder of the various seasons of the Christian Year, built on the Life of Christ.

Sunday, Jan. 15 First Fellowship 8:15 AMMorning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMStephen Ministry/118 3:00 PMChildren’s handbells 4:00 PMMarriage Class/108 4:00 PMLakewood Tutors/141 4:00 PMFinancial Peace/Parlor 4:00 PMChildrens Bible Drill/225-226 5:00 PMChildren’s Classes/227 5:00 PMYouth Choir/Cr 5:00 PMFoundations for Life Classes 5:00 PM Pastor’s Class/FhYouth Choir Snacks/241 6:00 PM

Monday, Jan. 16Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

Tuesday, Jan. 17Student Prayer BreakfastTues. Morn. intercess./242 7:00 AMGrief Share/Parlor 6:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMAdult handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 18Precept Bible St./342 9:00 AMSupper/Fh 4:45 PMMusic & Missions/2nd FL 5:45 PMPrayer Meeting/Fh 5:45 PMh2o Study/114 5:45 PMYoung Ad. Missions and More/229 5:45 PMLift off/309-310 6:00 PMorchestra/Sanct. 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/Cr 7:00 PM

Thursday, Jan. 19Mom’s Bible St./Parlor 11:30 AMBuilders B Coed/118 6:00 PM

Student Ministries

International Mission Trip

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Jesus (Luke 10:2)

Dominican RepublicJune 23 - July 2

Our students will be working with local CBF missionary Jack Wehmiller and the local Dominican churches to help install a water purification system, help build a

chapel, and minister to the community.

fbchsv.org

ministry calendar

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

Celebrating GraceHymnal for Baptist Worship

We have surpassed 1100 hymnals in memorial

and honor gifts! Thank you for your support in providing copies of Celebrating Grace—Hymnal for

Baptist Worship for First Baptist Church. If you have not yet given a hymnal in memory or honor of loved ones, it is not too late to do so. Simply turn in your

contributions to the finance office. Gifts will be accepted throughout January and February.

Hymnal Dedication Service February 26 at 5:00 p.m.

Family Matters

OUR NEWESTElliot Virginia Morgan, born December 31, 2011. Son of Jennifer and Patrick Morgan. Proud grandparents are Janice and Bill Whipple.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSMary Tucker307 Marsheutz AvenueHuntsville, AL 35801

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYJohn and Jayne Dunaway in the loss of his cousin, Robert Gisler

Steve Huppenberger in the loss of his father, Michael Huppenberger in the loss of his grandfather, Eugene Nilges

Library hours Sunday 9-9:15 AM | 10:10-10:45 AM | 11:40-12:00 PMTuesday 10:00 AM-12:00 PMWednesday 4:00-5:00 PM

Wednesday Night Dinner MenuWednesday, January 18

AdultsGrilled Chicken

Loaded Mashed PotatoesBroccoli and Cheese

rolls

SaladGrilled Chicken Salad

(reservations for salad must be turned in by noon on Wednesday.)

STEWArDShiP rEPorT

01/08/12

Year-to-Date Goal $1,433,460.00

offering

This Week $63,075.68

YTD $1,307,433.29

Debt retirement

This Week $630.00

YTD $19,627.00

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $14,299.50

YTD $882,896.53

To Date: $3,289,627.48

www.fbchsv.org/give

ATTENDANCE

Sunday SchoolPreschool 64

Children 106

Students 140

Adults 686

Brookdale 19

Visitors 17

ToTAL 1035

Worship ServicesFirst Fellowship 424 Sanctuary Worship 682 Total 1106

ThANK You

A thank you note has been received from Lakewood Elementary School. it has been

placed on the bulletin board across from the church office.

The Sanctuary Choir has begun a new season of singing! Come and join us as we dedicate the new hymnal and move into the powerful music of the Easter Season. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM. Childcare is provided. The annual Sanctuary Choir Mid-Winter Retreat will be on-site at FBC Saturday morning, January 28.

As part of our continuing observance of the Christian Year, our church family has completed the seasons of Advent and Christmas and has moved into the Season After Epiphany. The church now focuses upon the "manifestation" of

Christ to the entire world, the making known of Jesus and His Mission.

We began with the Baptism of Jesus this past Sunday and will end with His Transfiguration, which then carries us into the Season of Lent.

Our choir is wearing new green stoles for the season immediately ahead,signifying growth. Our Savior grew from a baby to a man and our faith grows as we move through these days of living out Christ's Mission in the life of the church. The use of colors to differentiate liturgical seasons became a common practice in the Western church in about the fourth century. The colors are an additional reminder of the various seasons of the Christian Year, built on the Life of Christ.

Sunday, Jan. 15 First Fellowship 8:15 AMMorning Bible Study 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship 10:30 AMStephen Ministry/118 3:00 PMChildren’s handbells 4:00 PMMarriage Class/108 4:00 PMLakewood Tutors/141 4:00 PMFinancial Peace/Parlor 4:00 PMChildrens Bible Drill/225-226 5:00 PMChildren’s Classes/227 5:00 PMYouth Choir/Cr 5:00 PMFoundations for Life Classes 5:00 PM Pastor’s Class/FhYouth Choir Snacks/241 6:00 PM

Monday, Jan. 16Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

Tuesday, Jan. 17Student Prayer BreakfastTues. Morn. intercess./242 7:00 AMGrief Share/Parlor 6:00 PMForum/118 6:30 PMAdult handbells 7:00 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 18Precept Bible St./342 9:00 AMSupper/Fh 4:45 PMMusic & Missions/2nd FL 5:45 PMPrayer Meeting/Fh 5:45 PMh2o Study/114 5:45 PMYoung Ad. Missions and More/229 5:45 PMLift off/309-310 6:00 PMorchestra/Sanct. 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/Cr 7:00 PM

Thursday, Jan. 19Mom’s Bible St./Parlor 11:30 AMBuilders B Coed/118 6:00 PM

Student Ministries

International Mission Trip

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Jesus (Luke 10:2)

Dominican RepublicJune 23 - July 2

Our students will be working with local CBF missionary Jack Wehmiller and the local Dominican churches to help install a water purification system, help build a

chapel, and minister to the community.

The MESSENGER (USPS 591-280) is published weekly except the week of Christmas by

First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801. Periodical postage

paid at Huntsville, Alabama 31801-5178. POSTMASTER send change of address to THE

MESSENGER, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

office: 256-428-9400

weekend minister on call: 256-428-9457

24-hour prayer line: 256-428-9460

The Messengerfbchsv.org

firsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

knowing, lov ing, serv ing Christ...together

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

Volume 63 / Week Number 2 / January 12, 2012

January 15, 2012Second Sunday After the Epiphany

Sermon“Come and See”

John 1:43-51

First Fellowship Worship - 8:15 a.m.Music from the First Fellowship Band

Morning Bible Study - 9:15 a.m.Bible Study for all ages

Sanctuary Worship - 10:30 a.m.Sanctuary Choir and First Baptist Brass

Thou Art God - Beck

Solo by Sarah Sizemore

Evening ActivitiesFoundations for Life Classes

www.fbchsv.org/foundationsforlife

FirST ThouGhTSDavid hull, Pastor

i opened up the newspaper today and saw the word written in huge letters at the top of the front page – rEDEMPTioN. Now that is a word we talk about in church, it is a word that is central to our faith as followers of Jesus. redemption – it means to “buy back” and it describes what Jesus did for us on the cross. So, was the newspaper reporting on our faith? No – the subtitle to the headline read, “Dominant Defense Powers Tide to Second Title in Three Years.” Alabama had won the National Championship in

football. And yet, there it was, this word that is central to our faith was the headline for the big story.

i turned from the front page past all of the pages in the Sports section that described the game. Then i came to a story about an NFL game from Sunday. But the story was more about a person than the actual game. Tim Tebow was a key player in the Broncos’ overtime win over the Steelers. in fact, social media outlets have been buzzing over the last two days about his achievements. The dramatic 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play in overtime launched a record 9,420 tweets per second on Twitter. Even more interesting were his overall statistics for the game. You see, as a quarterback, Tebow threw for 316 yards in the win. his average for yards per completion was 31.6. Both of those numbers surely do remind us of John 3:16, the verse that he used to etch in his eyeblack when he played football at Florida. right there in the Sports section of the paper is a story about one of the greatest verses in the Bible – a story that tells us why God chose to redeem the world through Jesus Christ.

So what is my point? Where does your faith show up in your life? Is it confined to Sunday mornings, or does it show up in the news story of your life on a Tuesday or a Thursday? Will people at school or work know that you are a follower of Jesus? Do your friends get a chance to hear the good news of redemption from the headlines of your life?

Victories and championships are wonderful! So how are you sharing your “Victory in Jesus” with others this week? how will others see in our lives that we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us?” (romans 8:37) Well . . .

Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor.

A new season of GriefShare begins January 17. All who have experienced

the loss of a loved one are invited.

Sunday, January 22 immediately after the10:30 service. Tickets are $7.00 and are on sale through Sunday,

January 15. Tables will be set up in the East Entrance and Fellowship Hall on Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased in the Adult Ministries Office during the week.

Contact Kimberly Collette at 256-830-8168.

LIVING WELL ALABAMA A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

A free six-week workshop will be offered to adults age 60 and older who want to take charge of their ongoing health problems and learn to manage the effects of

chronic illness. Classes will meet on Mondays from 9-11:30 a.m. in room 118 beginning January 23. Seating is limited and registration is required.

Call 256-428-9403 to register.

January Ladies’ Luncheon

Bible study based on the novel H2O by Austin Boyd and Brannon HollingsworthFacilitated by author Austin Boyd

Wednesday Nights, January 4 - February 15 (6 weeks)Room 1145:45 PM

You are invited to join us January 4th through February 15th for a special look at God's use of water imagery in the Bible, and a unique interpretation of what it means to be "clean," using Austin's most recent novel, H2O. In this six-week study, Austin will lead us through a few of the many verses of the Bible that use water to tell a story of redemption. His novel, the first in The Eternal Elements series, is a fascinating allegorical look at success, sanity, and spiritual redemption in a young woman's relationship with water. Copies of H2O will be available each week for $10, or can be purchased at Jones Valley Barnes and Noble. Weekly review notes will be provided.

Austin Boyd and his wife Cindy have been members of First Baptist since 1998. Austin has served in teaching and deacon

ministries at FBC for 8 years, most recently with his popular course on "Understanding Islam." He is the author of 5 novels. Learn more about his work at www.austinboyd.com