First Word
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June 11, 2014
Next Generation of CROSS-Training...
coming this August
In the spring of this year, 12 families from 6 different countries participated in our inaugural group of CROSS-Training, a cross generational, cross cultural group gathering around the CROSS of Jesus Christ. This 8 week study provided opportunities to understand each other's background as well as forge friendships for the furtherance of gospel causes.
We are now registering for the second generation of CROSS-Training. Every group will be cross-cultural with at least 3 different culture groups represented, and every group will be cross-generational with at least 30 years difference between the oldest and the youngest participants. Groups will meet once a week for 8 weeks beginning the week of August 10 and running through the end of September. Currently we have volunteers to lead groups on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening. If you would like to host a group in your home on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday evenings for 8 weeks, please let us know in the church office.
Becky Akana is volunteering as registrar for these classes. Please let her know which week night you can attend. Space is limited and you want to reserve your spot asap. In 34 years of pastoring, this is one of the most meaningful things that I have ever participated in. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. Enroll in a CROSS-Training class today!
One Initiative Update
Thank you to everyone who has turned in their pledge cards
and committed to the One Initiative. These pledges go from May 2014 through April 2016 and as you give we are able to do more projects both in our community and within our congregation. We are off to a great start and look forward to seeing what all gets accomplished as we join together as "one" to make a difference in our community.
We had 115 families commit to the One Initiative and 80% indicated that they are either tithing or giving extravagantly. At least 50 families took at least one step up the giving ladder indicating their growth in discipleship.
The total of these giving pledges equals an estimated $4 million dollars over the next two years, which is $600,000 over our budget and $871,000 over actual giving when compared to 2012 - 2013.
So what is next for us? The Stewardship Finance Committee has formed an One Initiative Implementation Team that will work to prioritize projects to ensure that we stay focused on our One Initiative priorities. Their will be periodic updates to the congregation about what has been accomplished and what is upcoming.
On behalf of Pastor Mark, the staff, our deacons, the vision and generosity teams, we want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for helping make our One Initiative a reality and for participating in doing your part. We are so excited to be a part what God is doing in our church, in our community, and around the world. Together, we can and will be a united community of faith that loves, reaches, and disciples all people for Jesus Christ.
Summer Sermon Series
Wake Up America! A Call to National Repentance
Lessons from the Prophet Amos
June 15- The Blame Game Amos 1:1-2:8
June 22- A Declaration of Dependence Amos 2:9-16
June 29- Spiritually A.D.D.
Amos 3:1-8
July 6- If it Does Fit...You Must Convict
Amos 4:1-13
July 13- In Search of ...Forgiveness
Amos 5:1-15
July 20- Too Comfortable to Care
Amos 6:1-14
July 27- The "Isness" of Things
Amos 8:1-14
August 3- A Hungry World Amos 8:1-14
August 10- Time to Shake Things Up Amos 9:1-15
Student Ministry
High School Seniors @ Stone Mountain
Tuesday, June 24th @ 4:00 PM
Bring money for food or a picnic.
Braves game with ALL students
Tuesday, July 1 @ 4:00 PM
Cost: $20.00
VBS 2014
What a great week we had at Agency D3, Vacation Bible School! We registered 226 children for the week, had 44 teachers, 48 youth, and 25 other volunteers (greeters, kitchen staff, hospitality volunteers). It took the combined effort of the congregation to make this a successful outreach. The blessing we all receive is knowing that 15 children committed their lives to Christ! Thank you to everyone for an awesome week!
Did you know children are the greatest mission field? Stats show that 85% of people who come to Christ do so before the age of 18. We must invest our time and resources where we will see the biggest harvest!
As you enjoy these summer days, Kids Ministry is looking ahead to the Fall and looking forward to new kids classes for Wednesday nights and new curriculum for Sunday School and Kids Worship. It's going to be an exciting time! Do you have a "sweet spot" for kids? Can you see yourself leading a fun game with kids on Sunday mornings or helping them understand a biblical point through an object lesson? Pray now where God would have you invest your time on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings! The blessing is all yours.
Many children in our area receive free or reduced lunches during the school year. These children still need meals during the summer. Karen Greer is working through the Missions Committee to provide these lunches. Will you join us to help erase hunger?
What can you do?
-Buy items for lunch bags. We need 100 of the following items each week: Bags of chips, pretzel, applesauce or fruit cups, brown lunch bags, bottled water and Ziploc bags. Bring all items to Room 138 near the Family Life Center.
-Come serve on Wednesday mornings in the Family Life Center from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and help make sandwiches and pack bags.
-Give money to help purchase the items needed for these lunches. Make checks payable to First Baptist Duluth and write SLSK in the memo line.
For registration, see Karen in the Bridge Foyer following Sundays worship service orfor more information, contact Karen at [email protected]
On June 29, we will have a very special service, which will feature a presentation entitled "Prayer for America". We will celebrate all the ways that God has blessed us and be challenged to a deeper, more committed prayer life for our country. We are hoping to have a full choir loft for this presentation. If you would like to be a part of this special service we will be looking for singers, flag bearers, student narrators, and folks who would be interested in sharing a word of testimony of how blessed they are to live in America.
The special choir will rehearse each Wednesday in June at 7:00 PM. The music is very easy to learn and you do not have to have choir experience to be a part of this. If you would like to sing with us or serve in another capacity, please let Karen Johnson or Travis Boyd know.
Street Grace is a ministry partner of First Baptist Duluth, whose mission
is to fight child sexual exploitation in our community. This
Father's Day, Sunday June 15th, they are launching a special initiative called Father's Against Child Exploitation (FACE) for men to join in the fight. Can you join take one minute to email your name and email address to [email protected] so that they can send you opportunities to get involved in the fight against child sex trafficking? Now is the time for good men to stand up and speak out against a system that allows our children to be bought and sold for sex. Street Grace is calling on these good men to sign the FACE pledge online and begin a conversation that will ultimately save the lives of thousands of children.
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Family Life Summer Schedule
June, 2014
1 Student VBS Training following the worship service
2-6 VBS (K-5th completed)
5 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @1:30 PM
8 VBS Family Luncheon, FLC @12:30 PM
9-13 Student IMPACT at Toccoa
10 LLL Luncheon
15 Father's Day
11 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
18 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
25 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
July, 2014
4 Independence Day- Office Closed
9 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
14-18 CentriKid Camp (3rd-5th grade) in Anderson, SC
16 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
23 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
27 Rising 6th Graders & Parents Luncheon after church service
August, 2014
3 Volunteer Banquet
4-5 Student "GO" Ministry, 3rd floor @10:30 AM
5 LLL Luncheon
6 First Day of School (Gwinnett)
8 Student Lock In at Dave & Busters ($35)
10 Promotion Sunday
13 Wednesday Night Activities Resume
16 India Independence Day Celebration
17 Children's Back to School Bash
29-Sept. 1 Fall Retreat at Travelers Rest, SC
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Norma Day joined by Letter. 05/25/2014
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First Baptist Church Duluth gratefully recognizes the following Memorial Gifts:
FBCD recognizes a special gift to the library in memory of Grace Woodard's father, Bill Weldon, from the Dustin Perdue family.
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2908 Highway 120, Duluth GA 30096
770.476.3788
www.duluthbaptist.org
Dr. Mark Hearn, Senior Pastor
Keith Murdock, Minister of Adults
Jeremy Greer, Minister of Administration
Travis Boyd, Minister of Music and Worship
Jan Langston, Director of Children Ministry
So Young Lee, Director of Preschool
Todd Jones, Minister of Students
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