First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

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

fbchsv.org

The MessengerfirsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

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

Volume 62 / Week Number 25 / June 23, 2011

First thoughts David hull, Pastor

some passages in the Bible are very comforting to me. Every time that i read Psalm 23 i am assured that our god is a good shepherd who cares for us. When i read Matthew 28:18-20 i am encouraged by the promise that Jesus will always be with us. When i read John 14:1-4 i am comforted by the fact that Jesus goes before me to prepare a place for me. You could add your list of comforting passages to these few that i have mentioned.

some passages in the Bible are very troubling to me. they raise questions and concerns. they force me to wrestle with the meaning of the words. instead of being a warm, cozy blanket that wraps me in reassurance, these passages have rough edges to them. sometimes they rub me the wrong way.

have you ever felt that way about some of the difficult passages in the Bible? the Word of god is intended to “comfort the afflicted.” it is also meant to “afflict the comfortable.” We need to learn from all of these passages – not just the easy ones, but the difficult ones. Preachers are sometimes tempted to shy away from the sections of the Bible that seem to cause more questions than answers. i believe that god wants us to learn from the full revelation of scripture, not just the sections we enjoy.

sunday morning we will be looking at one of the hard passages for me to understand. Maybe you have had questions about this story as well. genesis 22:1-14 is the account of god telling Abraham to take his only son up a mountain to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeys this command of god, right up to the moment that his knife is ready to strike his son. god intervenes and provides a ram for the sacrifice. What does this story say about god? What kind of father was Abraham? have you ever wondered what god wants us to learn from this troubling story?

Bring your questions to church this sunday as we explore the passage together. travel with me to that “wild and windy mountain” and see if we can hear the god who spoke to Abraham also speaking to us.

June 26, 2011

sermon: “Passing the test”genesis 23:1-14

First Fellowship - 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.santuary Chorir Anthem

When i survey the Wondrous Cross - arr. Mallory

Music from Paul and Abbi French

solo by Katie hoppe-McQueen, harp

Worship in the Chapel - 5:00 p.m.“The Hidden Face of God”

Exodus 33:12-23

This Sunday morning we will vote on the recommendation from the Leadership

Council. The recommendation was fully discussed in a Called Business Meeting Wednesday, June 15. The vote will be a written ballot vote following both

worship services.

FBC Deacon Nominations Currently Being Accepted

Deacon Nomination forms are available in the Church Office, Welcome Center, and

Fellowship Hall. Completed forms should be delivered to the Deacon Ballot Boxes

by July 24.

Thank You VBS Food Angels

A special thank you to the VBS Food Angels who braved a heat stroke to come to the church and deliver delightfully delicious sweets, fruits, dips, and everything good

a VBS worker could dream of. Your efforts fed our sweet people and gave them

nourishment for the day. Everyone knows VBS is not for sissies and you all really honored that with what you did and kept

them powered up for their tasks! Thanks so much! Charlotte Davis, VBS Break Room Coordinator and the Break Room workers: Emma Mitchell, Marcia

Newman, Evelyn Rutland, Sue McElyea, Patrick Newman, and Carolyn Miller

School Supplies for Morris Elementary 4th and 5th Grades

During July 10-31 we will collect school supplies for Morris Elementary. We will provide information on supplies that are

needed for their 4th and 5th grade classes. Watch for all the details in your Sunday

School boxes and at the Welcome Centers. This effort will not include backpacks; just

the basic supplies for each student. Debbie Howard and Susan Keene will lead this

effort.

Everyday Generosity Update

Thank you for participating in our Everyday Generosity Sunday! Your gifts totaled

$136,000 on June 5th. We realize many gave sacrificially and hopefully some of you took

this opportunity to try tithing.

Please be reminded that even with our Generosity Sunday offering, our gifts are still

running short of our goal. Your continued generosity is important to the ongoing

ministry needs during these summer months.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

Q: Who is the General Contractor for the project?

A: Lee Builders was the low bidder on this project. Lee is a local company who has done a large amount of work in our area with schools, churches, businesses, and government buildings. They are a well-respected company with a great reputation in our community.

Q: Is the project within our budget?

A: In March we voted that the long-term debt at the conclusion of the Faith Steps to the Future giving period would be no more than $3.5 million. The bid from Lee Builders allows us to stay within this budget as you can see from the figures on the other side of the page.

Q: We heard that the initial bids were over budget. How did we get within our budget limits?

A: The Building Committee worked with the architects and the contractor to change a few features of the building that could save us some money. None of these changes were critical to the building, but were some extras that had been included in the design phase. They were determined not to be necessary for us to move forward. For example, we will no longer have a second floor courtyard, an entry canopy on the St. Clair side of the building, a balcony from the Youth area overlooking the gathering space, and we will only have one skylight instead of two in the gathering space. There were other changes that helped us to get within budget, but these were the things that you would notice as different from the original drawings.

Q: Will we be building the alternates that had been discussed?

A: No. We had each contractor prepare separate bids for finishing out the administrative suite, for widening the hall in front of the Chapel, and for putting a covered entrance on the Governors Drive side of the building. Based on the giving and cost figures that we have now, we cannot do these alternates and stay within our budget. Therefore the recommendation to move forward does not include building these alternates at this time. As funds become available in the future we will be able to complete these items.

Q: When can we begin and how long will this take to build?

A: If we have a positive vote on June 26 we will sign a contract with Lee Builders immediately and plan to break ground on the project in July. The work should take 16 months to complete.

Q: What do I do if I plan to be out of town on June 26?

A: Absentee ballots are available in the church office through June 24. If you are out of town for that entire week, we have made an electronic provision for you to vote with an absentee ballot through our church web site. Please e-mail our Deacon Chair, Paul Allison at allisonpaul@att.net and he will send you a link that you can use for your electronic absentee ballot.

E-Give this summer

E-giving is a great way to make sure your donations make it to church even when you don’t!

Set up automatic payments: Contact alison@fbchsv.org or 256-428-9417

Initiate your own payment and see all giving options: www.fbchsv.org/give

ministry calendar

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

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, June 29

AdultsChicken salad

Cool and Colorful Pasta saladstrawberry Pretzel salad

Poppy seed MuffinCheesecake with Assorted toppings

saladGrilled Chicken Salad

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

stEWArDshiP rEPort

6/19/11

Year-to-Date goal $3,175,200.00

offering

This Week $51,116.54

YTD $2,998,833.03

Debt retirement

This Week $470.00

YTD $44,111.50

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $17,429.00

YTD $1,950,287.55

To Date: $2,136,766.85

www.fbchsv.org/give

AttENDANCE

sunday schoolPreschool 65

Children 77

Students 111

Adults 604

Brookdale 15

Visitors 46

totAL 922

Worship servicesFirst Fellowship 388

Sanctuary Worship 620

totAL 1008

thANK You Thank you notes have been received from Buster Douthit, and Vernice, Keith, and Carol Mitchell and family. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the church

office.

Music Camp

July 11 - 15 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Final Presentation is Sunday, July 17th 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Kindercamp (completed Kindergarteners)

“God Colors My World” - led by Kathryn Hoppe-McQueenOur Kindercampers will be exploring different musical instruments, singing, and

learning about all the wonderful ways that music relates to God’s creation.

Younger Camp (completed 1st and 2nd graders)“...A Small Child Shall Lead Them” - led by Lea Hoppe

Our Younger camp will also engage in music exploration with rhythm games, singing, crafts, etc. and will be preparing for a children-led worship service on

Sunday night, the 17th.

Older Camp (completed 3rd - 6th graders)“Makin’ Room” - led by Terry Taylor

Our Older camp will also participate in all of the above, and will be rehearsing for a musical performance on the 17th. The musical is “Makin’ Room,” which gives a great message about making room in our communities to help those less fortunate and also about makin’ room in our heart for Jesus to enter in.

This summer, we are so excited to have Terry Taylor, Associate Pastor of Worship and Music Ministries at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, with us to lead our older music camp! Terry Taylor joined the staff at Shades Crest Baptist Church in January of 2009. From 1980 to 2008, he served the following churches as Minister of Music: Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA; First Baptist Church, Enterprise, AL; First Baptist Church, Norman, OK; and First Baptist Church, Dothan, AL. While pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, Terry served churches in Carthage, TN, Nashville, TN, and Louisville, KY. Terry’s pursuits and interests are varied, but are almost always connected to excellence and innovation related to worship, ministry to youth and children, and to offering a balanced music ministry to a multi-generational church family. He pursues a God-centered worship philosophy that strives to be reverent, relevant, and participatory. Outside the local church, Terry is most widely known for his interest, creativity, and leadership in music ministry to children. He is active as a curriculum writer, conference leader, guest conductor, and music advocate. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Samford University. FBC Music Camps are going to be so much fun this year! I hope you’ll join us! Please contact the Music Ministry Office for more details (256) 428-9421) or

register online at www.fbchsv.org/musiccamp

Upcoming Music and Worship Opportunities

July 3rd ConcertSanctuary Worship on this day will include a Recognition of our Armed Services.Music from the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra— God Bless America Armed Forces Salute Battle Hymn of the Republic

Family Matters

OUR NEWESTHannah Beth Scharber, daughter of Melissa and Justin Scharber. Proud grandparents are Sarah and Bob Funk. Proud great-grandparent is Lois Ethridge.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYEssie Coppock in the loss of her sister-in-law, Barbara Coppock

Ellene Cleveland in the loss of her husband, W. C. “Bill” Cleveland, Jr.

Family and friends of our member, Mary Alna Anderson

sunday, June 26First Fellowship/FH 8:15 AM Sunday School 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship/Sanct. 10:30 AMWorship in Chapel 5:00 PM Monday, June 27Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

tuesday, June 28Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMForum/118 6:30 PM

Wednesday, June 29Supper/FH 4:45 PMPrayer Mtg./FH 5:45 PMOrchestra Reh./Sanct. 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM

FBC

is almost here!

CHURCH VOTE ON THE BUILDING PROGRAM

June 26, 2011

At the end of both worship services on Sunday, June 26 we will vote on the recommendation from our Leadership Council about our building project. We presented and discussed the recommendation in a Called Business Meeting on Wednesday night, June 15.

The Leadership Council recommends that the church move forward with a building program that has a total project cost of $8,756,500. The church will select Lee Builders as the general contractor for the construction phase of the project and will enter into a fixed price bonded contract.

The following numbers were shared at the Called Business Meeting to give further details for the total project cost.

Cost of the Project

Construction $7,868,540

Fees/Furn/Equip 726,611 Sub Total $8,595,151

Capital Campaign 129,349

Closing Costs 32,000 Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Funding for the Project

Projected Income: Pre-pledged Gifts $ 186,500 Pledged Gifts 5,030,000

Total Projected Income $5,216,500

Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Deficit (Long-term Loan Amount) ($3,540,000)

PLEASE TURN TO THE OTHER SIDE FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

ministry calendar

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

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, June 29

AdultsChicken salad

Cool and Colorful Pasta saladstrawberry Pretzel salad

Poppy seed MuffinCheesecake with Assorted toppings

saladGrilled Chicken Salad

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

stEWArDshiP rEPort

6/19/11

Year-to-Date goal $3,175,200.00

offering

This Week $51,116.54

YTD $2,998,833.03

Debt retirement

This Week $470.00

YTD $44,111.50

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $17,429.00

YTD $1,950,287.55

To Date: $2,136,766.85

www.fbchsv.org/give

AttENDANCE

sunday schoolPreschool 65

Children 77

Students 111

Adults 604

Brookdale 15

Visitors 46

totAL 922

Worship servicesFirst Fellowship 388

Sanctuary Worship 620

totAL 1008

thANK You Thank you notes have been received from Buster Douthit, and Vernice, Keith, and Carol Mitchell and family. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the church

office.

Music Camp

July 11 - 15 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Final Presentation is Sunday, July 17th 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Kindercamp (completed Kindergarteners)

“God Colors My World” - led by Kathryn Hoppe-McQueenOur Kindercampers will be exploring different musical instruments, singing, and

learning about all the wonderful ways that music relates to God’s creation.

Younger Camp (completed 1st and 2nd graders)“...A Small Child Shall Lead Them” - led by Lea Hoppe

Our Younger camp will also engage in music exploration with rhythm games, singing, crafts, etc. and will be preparing for a children-led worship service on

Sunday night, the 17th.

Older Camp (completed 3rd - 6th graders)“Makin’ Room” - led by Terry Taylor

Our Older camp will also participate in all of the above, and will be rehearsing for a musical performance on the 17th. The musical is “Makin’ Room,” which gives a great message about making room in our communities to help those less fortunate and also about makin’ room in our heart for Jesus to enter in.

This summer, we are so excited to have Terry Taylor, Associate Pastor of Worship and Music Ministries at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, with us to lead our older music camp! Terry Taylor joined the staff at Shades Crest Baptist Church in January of 2009. From 1980 to 2008, he served the following churches as Minister of Music: Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA; First Baptist Church, Enterprise, AL; First Baptist Church, Norman, OK; and First Baptist Church, Dothan, AL. While pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, Terry served churches in Carthage, TN, Nashville, TN, and Louisville, KY. Terry’s pursuits and interests are varied, but are almost always connected to excellence and innovation related to worship, ministry to youth and children, and to offering a balanced music ministry to a multi-generational church family. He pursues a God-centered worship philosophy that strives to be reverent, relevant, and participatory. Outside the local church, Terry is most widely known for his interest, creativity, and leadership in music ministry to children. He is active as a curriculum writer, conference leader, guest conductor, and music advocate. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Samford University. FBC Music Camps are going to be so much fun this year! I hope you’ll join us! Please contact the Music Ministry Office for more details (256) 428-9421) or

register online at www.fbchsv.org/musiccamp

Upcoming Music and Worship Opportunities

July 3rd ConcertSanctuary Worship on this day will include a Recognition of our Armed Services.Music from the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra— God Bless America Armed Forces Salute Battle Hymn of the Republic

Family Matters

OUR NEWESTHannah Beth Scharber, daughter of Melissa and Justin Scharber. Proud grandparents are Sarah and Bob Funk. Proud great-grandparent is Lois Ethridge.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYEssie Coppock in the loss of her sister-in-law, Barbara Coppock

Ellene Cleveland in the loss of her husband, W. C. “Bill” Cleveland, Jr.

Family and friends of our member, Mary Alna Anderson

sunday, June 26First Fellowship/FH 8:15 AM Sunday School 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship/Sanct. 10:30 AMWorship in Chapel 5:00 PM Monday, June 27Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

tuesday, June 28Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMForum/118 6:30 PM

Wednesday, June 29Supper/FH 4:45 PMPrayer Mtg./FH 5:45 PMOrchestra Reh./Sanct. 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM

FBC

is almost here!

CHURCH VOTE ON THE BUILDING PROGRAM

June 26, 2011

At the end of both worship services on Sunday, June 26 we will vote on the recommendation from our Leadership Council about our building project. We presented and discussed the recommendation in a Called Business Meeting on Wednesday night, June 15.

The Leadership Council recommends that the church move forward with a building program that has a total project cost of $8,756,500. The church will select Lee Builders as the general contractor for the construction phase of the project and will enter into a fixed price bonded contract.

The following numbers were shared at the Called Business Meeting to give further details for the total project cost.

Cost of the Project

Construction $7,868,540

Fees/Furn/Equip 726,611 Sub Total $8,595,151

Capital Campaign 129,349

Closing Costs 32,000 Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Funding for the Project

Projected Income: Pre-pledged Gifts $ 186,500 Pledged Gifts 5,030,000

Total Projected Income $5,216,500

Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Deficit (Long-term Loan Amount) ($3,540,000)

PLEASE TURN TO THE OTHER SIDE FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

ministry calendar

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

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, June 29

AdultsChicken salad

Cool and Colorful Pasta saladstrawberry Pretzel salad

Poppy seed MuffinCheesecake with Assorted toppings

saladGrilled Chicken Salad

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

stEWArDshiP rEPort

6/19/11

Year-to-Date goal $3,175,200.00

offering

This Week $51,116.54

YTD $2,998,833.03

Debt retirement

This Week $470.00

YTD $44,111.50

Faith Steps to the Future:

This Week $17,429.00

YTD $1,950,287.55

To Date: $2,136,766.85

www.fbchsv.org/give

AttENDANCE

sunday schoolPreschool 65

Children 77

Students 111

Adults 604

Brookdale 15

Visitors 46

totAL 922

Worship servicesFirst Fellowship 388

Sanctuary Worship 620

totAL 1008

thANK You Thank you notes have been received from Buster Douthit, and Vernice, Keith, and Carol Mitchell and family. They have been placed on the bulletin board across from the church

office.

Music Camp

July 11 - 15 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Final Presentation is Sunday, July 17th 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Kindercamp (completed Kindergarteners)

“God Colors My World” - led by Kathryn Hoppe-McQueenOur Kindercampers will be exploring different musical instruments, singing, and

learning about all the wonderful ways that music relates to God’s creation.

Younger Camp (completed 1st and 2nd graders)“...A Small Child Shall Lead Them” - led by Lea Hoppe

Our Younger camp will also engage in music exploration with rhythm games, singing, crafts, etc. and will be preparing for a children-led worship service on

Sunday night, the 17th.

Older Camp (completed 3rd - 6th graders)“Makin’ Room” - led by Terry Taylor

Our Older camp will also participate in all of the above, and will be rehearsing for a musical performance on the 17th. The musical is “Makin’ Room,” which gives a great message about making room in our communities to help those less fortunate and also about makin’ room in our heart for Jesus to enter in.

This summer, we are so excited to have Terry Taylor, Associate Pastor of Worship and Music Ministries at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, with us to lead our older music camp! Terry Taylor joined the staff at Shades Crest Baptist Church in January of 2009. From 1980 to 2008, he served the following churches as Minister of Music: Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA; First Baptist Church, Enterprise, AL; First Baptist Church, Norman, OK; and First Baptist Church, Dothan, AL. While pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, Terry served churches in Carthage, TN, Nashville, TN, and Louisville, KY. Terry’s pursuits and interests are varied, but are almost always connected to excellence and innovation related to worship, ministry to youth and children, and to offering a balanced music ministry to a multi-generational church family. He pursues a God-centered worship philosophy that strives to be reverent, relevant, and participatory. Outside the local church, Terry is most widely known for his interest, creativity, and leadership in music ministry to children. He is active as a curriculum writer, conference leader, guest conductor, and music advocate. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Samford University. FBC Music Camps are going to be so much fun this year! I hope you’ll join us! Please contact the Music Ministry Office for more details (256) 428-9421) or

register online at www.fbchsv.org/musiccamp

Upcoming Music and Worship Opportunities

July 3rd ConcertSanctuary Worship on this day will include a Recognition of our Armed Services.Music from the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra— God Bless America Armed Forces Salute Battle Hymn of the Republic

Family Matters

OUR NEWESTHannah Beth Scharber, daughter of Melissa and Justin Scharber. Proud grandparents are Sarah and Bob Funk. Proud great-grandparent is Lois Ethridge.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYEssie Coppock in the loss of her sister-in-law, Barbara Coppock

Ellene Cleveland in the loss of her husband, W. C. “Bill” Cleveland, Jr.

Family and friends of our member, Mary Alna Anderson

sunday, June 26First Fellowship/FH 8:15 AM Sunday School 9:15 AMSanctuary Worship/Sanct. 10:30 AMWorship in Chapel 5:00 PM Monday, June 27Letter Writing/242 9:00 AM

tuesday, June 28Tues. Morn. Intercess./242 7:00 AMForum/118 6:30 PM

Wednesday, June 29Supper/FH 4:45 PMPrayer Mtg./FH 5:45 PMOrchestra Reh./Sanct. 6:00 PMSanctuary Choir/CR 7:00 PM

FBC

is almost here!

CHURCH VOTE ON THE BUILDING PROGRAM

June 26, 2011

At the end of both worship services on Sunday, June 26 we will vote on the recommendation from our Leadership Council about our building project. We presented and discussed the recommendation in a Called Business Meeting on Wednesday night, June 15.

The Leadership Council recommends that the church move forward with a building program that has a total project cost of $8,756,500. The church will select Lee Builders as the general contractor for the construction phase of the project and will enter into a fixed price bonded contract.

The following numbers were shared at the Called Business Meeting to give further details for the total project cost.

Cost of the Project

Construction $7,868,540

Fees/Furn/Equip 726,611 Sub Total $8,595,151

Capital Campaign 129,349

Closing Costs 32,000 Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Funding for the Project

Projected Income: Pre-pledged Gifts $ 186,500 Pledged Gifts 5,030,000

Total Projected Income $5,216,500

Total Project Cost $8,756,500

Deficit (Long-term Loan Amount) ($3,540,000)

PLEASE TURN TO THE OTHER SIDE FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

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

fbchsv.org

The MessengerfirsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

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

Volume 62 / Week Number 25 / June 23, 2011

First thoughts David hull, Pastor

some passages in the Bible are very comforting to me. Every time that i read Psalm 23 i am assured that our god is a good shepherd who cares for us. When i read Matthew 28:18-20 i am encouraged by the promise that Jesus will always be with us. When i read John 14:1-4 i am comforted by the fact that Jesus goes before me to prepare a place for me. You could add your list of comforting passages to these few that i have mentioned.

some passages in the Bible are very troubling to me. they raise questions and concerns. they force me to wrestle with the meaning of the words. instead of being a warm, cozy blanket that wraps me in reassurance, these passages have rough edges to them. sometimes they rub me the wrong way.

have you ever felt that way about some of the difficult passages in the Bible? the Word of god is intended to “comfort the afflicted.” it is also meant to “afflict the comfortable.” We need to learn from all of these passages – not just the easy ones, but the difficult ones. Preachers are sometimes tempted to shy away from the sections of the Bible that seem to cause more questions than answers. i believe that god wants us to learn from the full revelation of scripture, not just the sections we enjoy.

sunday morning we will be looking at one of the hard passages for me to understand. Maybe you have had questions about this story as well. genesis 22:1-14 is the account of god telling Abraham to take his only son up a mountain to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeys this command of god, right up to the moment that his knife is ready to strike his son. god intervenes and provides a ram for the sacrifice. What does this story say about god? What kind of father was Abraham? have you ever wondered what god wants us to learn from this troubling story?

Bring your questions to church this sunday as we explore the passage together. travel with me to that “wild and windy mountain” and see if we can hear the god who spoke to Abraham also speaking to us.

June 26, 2011

sermon: “Passing the test”genesis 23:1-14

First Fellowship - 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.santuary Chorir Anthem

When i survey the Wondrous Cross - arr. Mallory

Music from Paul and Abbi French

solo by Katie hoppe-McQueen, harp

Worship in the Chapel - 5:00 p.m.“The Hidden Face of God”

Exodus 33:12-23

This Sunday morning we will vote on the recommendation from the Leadership

Council. The recommendation was fully discussed in a Called Business Meeting Wednesday, June 15. The vote will be a written ballot vote following both

worship services.

FBC Deacon Nominations Currently Being Accepted

Deacon Nomination forms are available in the Church Office, Welcome Center, and

Fellowship Hall. Completed forms should be delivered to the Deacon Ballot Boxes

by July 24.

Thank You VBS Food Angels

A special thank you to the VBS Food Angels who braved a heat stroke to come to the church and deliver delightfully delicious sweets, fruits, dips, and everything good

a VBS worker could dream of. Your efforts fed our sweet people and gave them

nourishment for the day. Everyone knows VBS is not for sissies and you all really honored that with what you did and kept

them powered up for their tasks! Thanks so much! Charlotte Davis, VBS Break Room Coordinator and the Break Room workers: Emma Mitchell, Marcia

Newman, Evelyn Rutland, Sue McElyea, Patrick Newman, and Carolyn Miller

School Supplies for Morris Elementary 4th and 5th Grades

During July 10-31 we will collect school supplies for Morris Elementary. We will provide information on supplies that are

needed for their 4th and 5th grade classes. Watch for all the details in your Sunday

School boxes and at the Welcome Centers. This effort will not include backpacks; just

the basic supplies for each student. Debbie Howard and Susan Keene will lead this

effort.

Everyday Generosity Update

Thank you for participating in our Everyday Generosity Sunday! Your gifts totaled

$136,000 on June 5th. We realize many gave sacrificially and hopefully some of you took

this opportunity to try tithing.

Please be reminded that even with our Generosity Sunday offering, our gifts are still

running short of our goal. Your continued generosity is important to the ongoing

ministry needs during these summer months.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

Q: Who is the General Contractor for the project?

A: Lee Builders was the low bidder on this project. Lee is a local company who has done a large amount of work in our area with schools, churches, businesses, and government buildings. They are a well-respected company with a great reputation in our community.

Q: Is the project within our budget?

A: In March we voted that the long-term debt at the conclusion of the Faith Steps to the Future giving period would be no more than $3.5 million. The bid from Lee Builders allows us to stay within this budget as you can see from the figures on the other side of the page.

Q: We heard that the initial bids were over budget. How did we get within our budget limits?

A: The Building Committee worked with the architects and the contractor to change a few features of the building that could save us some money. None of these changes were critical to the building, but were some extras that had been included in the design phase. They were determined not to be necessary for us to move forward. For example, we will no longer have a second floor courtyard, an entry canopy on the St. Clair side of the building, a balcony from the Youth area overlooking the gathering space, and we will only have one skylight instead of two in the gathering space. There were other changes that helped us to get within budget, but these were the things that you would notice as different from the original drawings.

Q: Will we be building the alternates that had been discussed?

A: No. We had each contractor prepare separate bids for finishing out the administrative suite, for widening the hall in front of the Chapel, and for putting a covered entrance on the Governors Drive side of the building. Based on the giving and cost figures that we have now, we cannot do these alternates and stay within our budget. Therefore the recommendation to move forward does not include building these alternates at this time. As funds become available in the future we will be able to complete these items.

Q: When can we begin and how long will this take to build?

A: If we have a positive vote on June 26 we will sign a contract with Lee Builders immediately and plan to break ground on the project in July. The work should take 16 months to complete.

Q: What do I do if I plan to be out of town on June 26?

A: Absentee ballots are available in the church office through June 24. If you are out of town for that entire week, we have made an electronic provision for you to vote with an absentee ballot through our church web site. Please e-mail our Deacon Chair, Paul Allison at allisonpaul@att.net and he will send you a link that you can use for your electronic absentee ballot.

E-Give this summer

E-giving is a great way to make sure your donations make it to church even when you don’t!

Set up automatic payments: Contact alison@fbchsv.org or 256-428-9417

Initiate your own payment and see all giving options: www.fbchsv.org/give

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive

Huntsville, AL 35801

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

fbchsv.org

The MessengerfirsT bapTisT hunTsville

this sunday

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

Volume 62 / Week Number 25 / June 23, 2011

First thoughts David hull, Pastor

some passages in the Bible are very comforting to me. Every time that i read Psalm 23 i am assured that our god is a good shepherd who cares for us. When i read Matthew 28:18-20 i am encouraged by the promise that Jesus will always be with us. When i read John 14:1-4 i am comforted by the fact that Jesus goes before me to prepare a place for me. You could add your list of comforting passages to these few that i have mentioned.

some passages in the Bible are very troubling to me. they raise questions and concerns. they force me to wrestle with the meaning of the words. instead of being a warm, cozy blanket that wraps me in reassurance, these passages have rough edges to them. sometimes they rub me the wrong way.

have you ever felt that way about some of the difficult passages in the Bible? the Word of god is intended to “comfort the afflicted.” it is also meant to “afflict the comfortable.” We need to learn from all of these passages – not just the easy ones, but the difficult ones. Preachers are sometimes tempted to shy away from the sections of the Bible that seem to cause more questions than answers. i believe that god wants us to learn from the full revelation of scripture, not just the sections we enjoy.

sunday morning we will be looking at one of the hard passages for me to understand. Maybe you have had questions about this story as well. genesis 22:1-14 is the account of god telling Abraham to take his only son up a mountain to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeys this command of god, right up to the moment that his knife is ready to strike his son. god intervenes and provides a ram for the sacrifice. What does this story say about god? What kind of father was Abraham? have you ever wondered what god wants us to learn from this troubling story?

Bring your questions to church this sunday as we explore the passage together. travel with me to that “wild and windy mountain” and see if we can hear the god who spoke to Abraham also speaking to us.

June 26, 2011

sermon: “Passing the test”genesis 23:1-14

First Fellowship - 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.santuary Chorir Anthem

When i survey the Wondrous Cross - arr. Mallory

Music from Paul and Abbi French

solo by Katie hoppe-McQueen, harp

Worship in the Chapel - 5:00 p.m.“The Hidden Face of God”

Exodus 33:12-23

This Sunday morning we will vote on the recommendation from the Leadership

Council. The recommendation was fully discussed in a Called Business Meeting Wednesday, June 15. The vote will be a written ballot vote following both

worship services.

FBC Deacon Nominations Currently Being Accepted

Deacon Nomination forms are available in the Church Office, Welcome Center, and

Fellowship Hall. Completed forms should be delivered to the Deacon Ballot Boxes

by July 24.

Thank You VBS Food Angels

A special thank you to the VBS Food Angels who braved a heat stroke to come to the church and deliver delightfully delicious sweets, fruits, dips, and everything good

a VBS worker could dream of. Your efforts fed our sweet people and gave them

nourishment for the day. Everyone knows VBS is not for sissies and you all really honored that with what you did and kept

them powered up for their tasks! Thanks so much! Charlotte Davis, VBS Break Room Coordinator and the Break Room workers: Emma Mitchell, Marcia

Newman, Evelyn Rutland, Sue McElyea, Patrick Newman, and Carolyn Miller

School Supplies for Morris Elementary 4th and 5th Grades

During July 10-31 we will collect school supplies for Morris Elementary. We will provide information on supplies that are

needed for their 4th and 5th grade classes. Watch for all the details in your Sunday

School boxes and at the Welcome Centers. This effort will not include backpacks; just

the basic supplies for each student. Debbie Howard and Susan Keene will lead this

effort.

Everyday Generosity Update

Thank you for participating in our Everyday Generosity Sunday! Your gifts totaled

$136,000 on June 5th. We realize many gave sacrificially and hopefully some of you took

this opportunity to try tithing.

Please be reminded that even with our Generosity Sunday offering, our gifts are still

running short of our goal. Your continued generosity is important to the ongoing

ministry needs during these summer months.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUILDING PROGRAM

Q: Who is the General Contractor for the project?

A: Lee Builders was the low bidder on this project. Lee is a local company who has done a large amount of work in our area with schools, churches, businesses, and government buildings. They are a well-respected company with a great reputation in our community.

Q: Is the project within our budget?

A: In March we voted that the long-term debt at the conclusion of the Faith Steps to the Future giving period would be no more than $3.5 million. The bid from Lee Builders allows us to stay within this budget as you can see from the figures on the other side of the page.

Q: We heard that the initial bids were over budget. How did we get within our budget limits?

A: The Building Committee worked with the architects and the contractor to change a few features of the building that could save us some money. None of these changes were critical to the building, but were some extras that had been included in the design phase. They were determined not to be necessary for us to move forward. For example, we will no longer have a second floor courtyard, an entry canopy on the St. Clair side of the building, a balcony from the Youth area overlooking the gathering space, and we will only have one skylight instead of two in the gathering space. There were other changes that helped us to get within budget, but these were the things that you would notice as different from the original drawings.

Q: Will we be building the alternates that had been discussed?

A: No. We had each contractor prepare separate bids for finishing out the administrative suite, for widening the hall in front of the Chapel, and for putting a covered entrance on the Governors Drive side of the building. Based on the giving and cost figures that we have now, we cannot do these alternates and stay within our budget. Therefore the recommendation to move forward does not include building these alternates at this time. As funds become available in the future we will be able to complete these items.

Q: When can we begin and how long will this take to build?

A: If we have a positive vote on June 26 we will sign a contract with Lee Builders immediately and plan to break ground on the project in July. The work should take 16 months to complete.

Q: What do I do if I plan to be out of town on June 26?

A: Absentee ballots are available in the church office through June 24. If you are out of town for that entire week, we have made an electronic provision for you to vote with an absentee ballot through our church web site. Please e-mail our Deacon Chair, Paul Allison at allisonpaul@att.net and he will send you a link that you can use for your electronic absentee ballot.

E-Give this summer

E-giving is a great way to make sure your donations make it to church even when you don’t!

Set up automatic payments: Contact alison@fbchsv.org or 256-428-9417

Initiate your own payment and see all giving options: www.fbchsv.org/give