IN THIS ISSUE Page 2

A Word from Our Pastor“Dave Says” by Dave Ramsey

Page 3 Education Ministry

The Counselor’s Corner Page 4

Cheergivers MinistryStewardship Emphasis

Student Ministry Page 5 Senior Adult Ministry

Children’s Ministry Page 6

“In Touch with the Church Family”

Welcome, New Members Page 7 April Calendar

Ministry Weekend Rotation Page 8

Wednesday Night MealsGeneral Information

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“Becoming Great Commission Christians by Making Much of Jesus”

A Monthly Publication of the First Baptist Church of Pelham

“In the Cross, God descends to bear in his own heart the sins of the world. In Jesus, he atones at unimaginable cost to himself.” —Woodrow Geier

2011

Make your reservations!

“2 A Word From Our Pastor

I don’t ever recall approaching Easter Sunday with more excitement than I am having as we prepare to celebrate our Lord’s visible, victorious resurrection from the grave. We have a lot of “special events” planned for “All

in April” but those are not the reason for my joyful anticipation of Easter. As I write these words (on March 1, 2011), I have helped bury one of my heroes as a young man (Dr. John Bob Riddle), one of my closest friends and loyal church members (Butch Collum), and a precious little baby who bypassed earth and went directly to heaven (Elizabeth Ann Coram). On Thursday, March 3, I will officiate at the funeral of Pam Hughes, a wife and mother who fought as hard to live and was prayed for as much as any person I have ever known. Our church and especially the Sunday school classes have ministered to these families in so many ways and have touched the lives of many of the family members of these dear precious souls. In addition to these FBCP members, many others of our membership have

Looking forward to Easter!suffered the loss of family members during this time. They include Laura Maharrey’s mother (one of our Africa missionaries), Carl Sexton’s sister, Reed Howard’s father, Carol Harrison’s brother, Jeff Berry’s father, Jane White’s sister, Cindy Morris’ uncle, Mary Minor’s uncle, Kyle Davis’ grandfather, and Marsha Yates’ uncle. Easter says death may appear to triumph over us temporarily, but death, the grave, and grief are defeated foes at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday! He is Risen!

I love you, I love you, I love you. God bless you and God bless America!

Bro. Mike

Dr. Mike ShawSenior Pastor

Dear Dave, My wife and I just relocated for my new job. Right now we’re renting an apartment, and we should make about $15,000 on the sale of our old house. Should we use the money from the sale of our house to pay off all our debt, or go ahead and use it as a down payment on a new home now? Brian

Dear Brian, Traditionally, lots of people would tell you to use the money now to help save up for a down payment. The problem is that I’m not traditional at all. I love real estate, and I want you guys to own your own home again. But even more than that, I want to see you two get out of debt and stay out of debt! I know this wouldn’t be a popular plan with some folks, but if you’ve got no debt — along with a decent, inexpensive place to hang your hat for a couple of years — you’ll be able to save money like crazy for a fat down payment. It will also give you time to become familiar with the area and find a place you both really like.

When you lose the debt, Brian, you gain control of your largest wealth-building tool — your income. That’s when the fun begins! Dave

Dear Dave, I’m one of five sisters, and our parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary is just around the corner. My two oldest sisters made plans for a party without consulting the rest of us. Now, they want everyone to chip in $1,000 to help pay for things. I’m trying hard to get out of debt, and I just don’t have that kind of

money right now. How can I be fair about this? Anonymous

Dear Anonymous, A $5,000 party is pretty big stuff. Since you weren’t asked about this ahead of time, and had no say in anything, fair would be for you not to pay a dime! That kind of planning without consulting the people involved and helping pay for the event is way out of line. Don’t let your big sisters lay a guilt trip on you, either. This has nothing to do with how much you love your parents. It has everything to do with communication and consideration, or in this case, a lack of these things on their part. Just let them know, in a firm but loving way, what your situation is right now. Tell them you’d be happy to chip in what you can, but it won’t be anything close to $1,000. And tell them next time to check with their little sisters before hatching up an expensive plan like this! Dave*For more financial advice, you may visit www.davesays.org.

Dave Says

Dave Ramsey

3 Education Ministry

The Counselor’s Corner

When we ask this question to others or hear it spoken to us individually it is usually referring to the physical well-being of someone. In this case, however, I’m referring to the varying emotions we experience each and every day. What feelings have you experienced lately? For some, it may be feelings of joy, peace, contentment or happiness, while others may be struggling with feelings of sadness, anger, depression or anxiety. Have you ever wondered where our feelings actually come from? I

believe that many of our feelings are certainly inspired by God, while Satan on the other hand works to destroy and influence us with negative thoughts. Our individual body chemistry and everyday life events both play a role in how we feel. I think one of the most overlooked contributors to the feelings we experience is our thought process. We all have hurtful, negative, and even sinful thoughts that periodically enter our minds. It is important to remember that we make a choice which thoughts

we will reject and which thoughts we will choose to entertain. We must battle negative, hurtful thinking if we want to influence our feelings in a positive way. Someone once said, “to have angry or hostile feelings I must first have angry and hostile thoughts.” Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” What thoughts will you choose to entertain? —James Roberts The HOPE Center

How are you feeling?

Thank you!Thank you, church family, for the wonderful acknowledgement of my four year anniversary. It seems like just yesterday that I was beginning ministry here in one sense. Because of the way that you have accepted my family and me, in another sense it seems like we have been here for a long time. Kim, Melanie, Emily, Will and I want to thank you for your love and support. We truly love FBC Pelham.

Rick and Bubba TournamentWe have partnered with Rick and Bubba and Chick-fil-A to bring an evangelistic basketball tournament to Regions Park on April 9. We need volunteers to work with concessions, registrations, parking, tournament operations (court hosts, scorekeepers, etc.), decision follow-up, and in the family fun zone just to name a few. Please visit www.rickandbubba3on3.com or call Robert Heard at 664-0237 to sign up.

Mission Trip InformationOur domestic summer trip to Jackson, MS is June 25-July 1. An informational meeting is scheduled for Sunday evening, May 1 in the annex following our fellowship service. Applications will be available beginning April 3 in the Gathering Area.

Tickets:Some of the events for All in April are ticketed events. These include Priscilla Shirer simulcast, Global Impact Conference (Friday night banquet, Saturday morning men’s prayer breakfast, Saturday ladies’ lun-cheon), and Secret Church simulcast. You can get your tickets in the gathering area on Sunday mornings or in the church office through the week.

Friday, April 15, 6 PM, Missions Banquets and WorshipSaturday, April 16 8:30 AM - Men’s Breakfast 12:00 PM - Ladies LuncheonSunday, April 17 - Dr. Gray Allison in All Morning Worship Services 5:00 PM - Celebration Service

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Student Ministry

Stewardship Emphasis

Cheergivers Ministry

Rick and Bubba Need You!!!3 on 3 BasketballTournament Our church is partnering with Chick-fil-A and Rick and Bubba to help with Connect 3 on 3. It will be in Hoover at Regions Park on Saturday, April 9. We need LOTS of VOLUNTEERS! Actually, we need around 200 to help us facilitate this event. There are many different opportunities to be a part of this evangelistic event. We need: court hosts, scorers, concession workers, Family Fun Zone volun-teers, help with registration, parking, greeting, help with marketing, set-up and clean-up. To volunteer, go to their website and sign up for Connect 3 on 3. www.connect3on3.com/Birmingham-RickandBubba/Volunteer/EventInfo. Each of our staff members has taken leadership as a task team director and we need your help.

Are you graduating from high school or college? If you are, we want to know about it. We are beginning preparation for Graduation Recognition Sunday on May 22. There will be a time set aside in our morning worship services to recognize you. Then you will be invited to a luncheon in the an-nex immediately after the 10:45 service. All high school and college graduates will be included IF we know about you. If you are a part of our youth Sunday school, you will receive information in the mail soon. If you are not part of this group, we have no way of knowing that you are graduating, so please let us know by contacting the church office at 664-0237. Do this as soon as possible.

Please be in prayer for Donnie Sisk while he prepares and preaches for an Easter service at Oak Mountain State Park Campbground at 11:00 AM on Easter Sunday, April 24.

We, the First Baptist Cheergivers, ask you to lift up in prayer one of our homebounds, Mott Gentry. She is going through a difficult time right now and needs our prayers. We added two more homebounds to our list this month, giving us a total of thirty-two homebounds, nursing home friends and assisted living residents. We only have one April birthday. Happy Birthday to Mrs.

Helen McKinney on April 4th. May you be blessed by our Lord and Savior. As always, remember, if you have immediate family who would like our visits or if you would like to visit, please contact me. Jeanette Owens The Cheergivers 664-9700

5

Children’s Ministry

Dear Senior Adults,

Our Senior Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans is April 3-8. We have 36 senior adults who are eagerly anticipating what God is going to do this year. We will be working with the Senior Centers in New Orleans and also working inside Walter Zschiedrich’s house at 2650 Jasmine Street near the seminary for our construction project. We will be doing painting, along with some wood and repair work. This should get us ready for our Church-wide Mission Trip to Jackson, Mississippi on June 25-July 1. I am looking for several of our seniors to participate this year. Begin planning now! April will be a busy month here at First Baptist with all the activities of ALL IN APRIL. In addition to our mission trip, we have six other major events scheduled for April: the Priscilla Shirer Simulcast, the 3 on 3 basketball event, the Global Impact Celebration, the Secret Church, Maundy service, and the Easter Celebration services. During our Global Impact Celebration week-end, Dr. Gray Allison will be our guest speaker for all services on Sunday morning and on our special Sunday evening worship on April 17. You do not want to miss hearing Dr. Allison. I will be sharing with you what our seniors can do to help with all of these activities. We have a place for you. The Senior Choir will meet at 10:30 AM for rehearsal on April 12 before our luncheon. We only have a couple of months to get ready for Senior Recognition Day on May 1, so I hope to see you at Senior Choir. Please make your reservations for Senior Adult Banquet on Saturday, April 30, at 6:30 PM. We will also get back on schedule with our day trips as soon as possible. Remember the Senior Adult Evangelism Conference in Prattville on Monday, May 2. Details will follow on April 12. For His Glory, Bro. Paul

Senior Adult Ministry

“What About Wednesday” begins on May 18!

Come and enjoy the fun. There are activities for:

Preschool (3 years old through Kindergarten)

and Elementary (Grades 1-5).

Be sure you have your Medical Release form signed.

2011 Vacation Bible School workers are neededIf you have not signed up, please do so today. The forms are in the main Gathering Area.Preschool Craft Needs empty glass baby food jars. You may place them in the blue box beside the exit door in the Blues Clues Area.

There are no PM activities on Easter Sunday!

Secret Church SimulcastFriday, April 22Doors open 5 PMSimulcast begins 6 PM

6 In Touch With the Church Family

Welcome, New Members!

2011 Church Family Giving

(through March 20)

General Fund given to date $ 546,961.38 Year to Date Expenses $ 508,845.88 Debt Retirement given in 2011 $ 13,690.00 Loan Balance as of 3/15/2011 $ 8,757,702.05 Annie Armstrong $ 1,553.55 Annie Armstrong Goal $ 5,000.00

Austin McGill(for baptism)

Congratulations to …Lyssette and Davie Kennemore on the birth of Ella Marie Kennemore on March 6th, weighing 5 lb 12 oz and measuring 20 inches. Proud big sister is Avery. Grandparents are Linda and Wes Kennemore.

Jeremy Tennyson(for baptism)

Thank you so much for the prayers and cards during my recent surgery. They were greatly appreciated. Janelle EnglishDear Church Family, How blessed we are to be a part of Pelham First Baptist “God’s Church”. You have bathed our family in prayer for weeks now and we have been so blessed by our Savior and Lord. On Tuesday after Monday’s surgery, I looked up at Willard and asked him could he believe how well I was doing and he replied, “You should be; you have the whole world praying for you.” You are my world, First Baptist Pelham. Thanks for the prayers, visits, cards and phone calls. They have all meant so much to us. Love, Lou & Willard & Mike [Payne]

Chloe McCann(for baptism)

Dear Church Family, Thank you for the cards, food, prayers and concern shown to our family in 2010 and 2011. Kathy has had several surgeries and we appreciate all of your calls, and just thinking about our family. We lost Kathy’s father on October 10 and Brother Mike, I will never forget your telephone call of comfort. I know Dad would want us to tell our church family to please give up smoking and especially teenagers, you have so much to live for. This habit will kill you over a period of time and my dad was an example of this even though he was 89. Please continue to pray for Kathy and her three sisters as we get Dad’s things in order. Love in Christ, Rick, Kathy and Kim Speorl

…Marsha Yates in the death of her Uncle Conrad.

Senator Hank and Mrs. Shelia Erwin(by letter)

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7 All In April

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 7 AM Prayer Team8, 9:15, 10:45 AM Sunday School & Morning Worship 5 PM Handbell Rehearsal F.W. Friends (Preschool) Bible Drills (Elementary) 4:00 PraiseMakeerz Choir (Grades 1-5)5:00 Adult and Student Discipleship Classes6:00 Student Creative Ministries

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE 5 PM Wednesday Night Dinners 6 PM Prayer Meeting (Annex)6:30 Celebration Choir Rehearsal Discipleship Training Refuge (Students) College Bible Study Music Maker (Preschool) The Crew (Elementary)

April Ministry Staff Weekend Hospital RotationApril 2-3 - Jonathan Williams - Home 663-4325, Cell 223-4277 April 16-17 - Donnie Sisk - Home 567-7475, Cell 620-1157April 9-10 - Mike Shaw - Home 663-1788, Cell 283-4749 April 23-24 - Paul Moore - Home 663-0155, Cell 913-5129

April 30-May 1 - Paula Kornegay - 230-8987

6 PMParents Night Out

9 AMJob Search Ministry

1 PM “Crafty Chicks”

9 AMJob Search

1 PM “Crafty Chicks”

7 PMDeacons Meeting

10:30 AMSenior Adult Luncheon

9 AMJob Search Ministry

10 AM - WMU

1 PM “Crafty Chicks”

MOPS

9 AMJob Search Ministry

1 PM “Crafty Chicks”

Scout Day at AL Legislature

6:30 ScoutTroop Meeting

6:30 ScoutTroop Meeting

6:30 ScoutPLC Meeting

Priscilla Shirer Women’s Simulcast

Senior Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans — Sunday Afternoon-Friday

No PM Activities

Men’s Fishing Trip — Thursday-Saturday

MOPS

Stadium Fest w/Scott Dawson@Spain Park HS

Connect 3 on 3Basketball

Tournament w/Rick & Bubbaat Regions Park

AMChildren’s

Department Will Lead Worship

Global Impact Celebration (Missions Conference) Friday-Sunday

6 PM MissionsBanquets &

Worship Service

8:30 AM Men’s Breakfast

12 PM Ladies Luncheon

7 PM Missionaries w/SS in Homes

8, 9:15, 10:45 AMDr. Gray Allison

5 PM - Celebration Service No PM Activities

7 PMMaundy Thursday Service “Jesus in the Passover” by Jews for Jesus

“God so Loved”

6 PM Secret ChurchSimulcast

10:30 AMEggstravanza

in Upper Parking Lot

7 PMProverbs 31 Meeting

6:30 Senior Adult Banquet

6:30 ScoutPLC Meeting

Church Offices Closed

Address Correction Requested

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Non-Profit Org.PERMIT NO. 7

Pelham, AL 35124

Dated Material

Pelham Vision is published one time per month. Items for publication are accepted on a space-available basis and are subject to Post Office regulations for our class of mail. Please submit in writing or email pat@fbcpelham.org. No phone submissions, please. Pelham Vision exists to inform and to show the Good News in action. Check out all our activities and read us online at www.fbcpelham.org. Editor: Pat MacKay

CHURCH STAFFDr. Mike Shaw, PastorRev. Robert Heard, Administrative PastorDr. Paul Moore, Assoc. Pastor: Ministry/Senior AdultsRev. Donnie Sisk, Pastor to Students/ActivitiesRev. Jonathan Williams, Preschool/Children’s DirectorPaula Kornegay, Worship LeaderLinda Kennemore, Administrator

GENERAL INFORMATIONOffice Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00Church Office Phone: 664-0237Children’s Offices: 216-0028Fax: 621-2351HOPE Center: 663-2779School of Fine Arts: 664-2466Sunday School Annex: 664-0237, ext. 5020 (All phones are area code 205)Web Site - www.fbcpelham.org

2867 Pelham ParkwayPelham, Alabama 35124-1728

Monthly publications are subject to change. Please check www.fbcpelham.org for the latest information.

Wednesday Night MealsChurch Family Meal at 5 p.m.Prayer at 6 p.m.

Please check the First Baptist Church of Pelham web site and/or your Sunday bulletinfor current menus.

Prices: Adults - - - - - - - - - - - - $ 4.00 Children (12 and under) - $ 3.00 Family maximum (one household) $15.00Reservations: Before noon on Monday (no exceptions, please) Standing reservations payable in advance monthlyServing time: 5:00-5:45 PMThis is a volunteer, self-supporting ministry (non-profit) from our church cook team. (Complimentary dinner for 1st time visitors by reservation.)

“God expects from [people] that their Easter devotions would in some measure come up to their Easter dress.”

—Robert Smith“Too many people want to have Easter without Calvary.”

—L.P. Jacks