This Issue
 

Operation Christmas Child
Boxes Collected November 18

This year you have another chance to bring a smile to a child’s face by filling a shoebox with small toys, candy, and hygiene items. The boxes will be delivered to needy children across the globe by Samaritan’s Purse, a project of Franklin Graham.
Pick up an informational brochure and gift list in the front foyer or the Welcome Center. Boxes will be collected in the sanctuary on November 18.

Building 4 Community &
2008 Budget Proposals

Vote This Sunday During Morning Worship

Be sure to be there this Sunday to vote for the first phase of the Building 4 Community Master Plan and 2008 budget! Budget proposals are available in the College Ave foyer, the front office, and the Welcome Center.

Building 4 Community Proposal

Recommendation One

The Building 4 Community Committee recommends adoption of the Master Plan developed by the Committee with the assistance of TurnerBatson Architects as presented to the Church on Sunday, October 21, 2007. The Master Plan, as presented, represents one possibility for the buildout of the facilities, with ultimate design to be determined with the development of each phase of the plan.
Recommendation Two
The Building 4 Community Committee, with the endorsement of the Finance Committee, recommends that the Church proceed with a first phase of the master plan at an estimated cost of $10.7 million dollars. Approval of this item will also affirm the Church’s previous selection of Generis as our stewardship campaign consultant and will allow them to begin working with the Church on a capital campaign.
This first phase includes – (1) complete renovation of the Duval building, (2) construction of a new atrium/connector building to provide improved circulation and gathering space, and (3) installation of a new central mechanical plant (necessary for both renovation and new construction) and (4) new roofing for Adams, Sanctuary, and Duval buildings. The Duval building includes children’s and preschool ministry areas with young adults on the 3rd floor. Renovation includes upgraded mechanical and electrical systems, sprinklers and new restrooms. New construction includes welcoming entrances, reconfigured parking and landscaping, new staircase and elevator, new lobbies/gathering areas, new kitchen and meeting room.

 
 

This Sunday:

The Paradoxical Commandments
September 9 - November 11, 2007

If everything were simple, each day would go so much easier.  But things rarely go that way.  Most of life is complicated and ambiguous.  Fear not; God gives a clear word that speaks to the paradox with wisdom and hope

September 9: “Love Anyway” (Luke 6:32-36)
September 16: “Do Good Anyway” (2 Samuel 16:5-12)
September 23: “Succeed Anyway” (Genesis 26:1-6, 12-22)
September 30: “Obey Anyway” (Exodus 14:10-14)
October 7: Guest Speakers Marty Smith & John Corven
October 14: “Think Big Anyway” (Daniel 6:16-23)
October 21: “Fight for the Underdog Anyway” (Matthew 25:31-46)
October 28: “Build Anyway” (Job 1:18-22)
November 4: “Help People Anyway” (1 Samuel 24:6-13)
November 11: “Give Your Best Anyway” (Genesis 50:15-21)

 

Winter Festival
Saturday, December 1, 3-10 pm; Sign-Up Now!

The Winter Festival is almost here! Once again, First Baptist will be opening its doors to offer restrooms, baby changing areas, and other hospitality services. Volunteers are needed to welcome and direct people to each of these locations. If you would be willing to volunteer, sign up in the Welcome Center, the church office, or your Sunday morning Bible study class, or contact Becky Liner at 591-3654 or beckyliner@comcast.net.

Feed the Homeless
Sunday, November 11, 11:00 am

This Sunday First Baptist will be joining in a community effort to feed the homeless. The group will meet at First Presbyterian at 11 am to prepare the meal. For more information or to volunteer, contact Glen Wright at
893-0042.

Golden Member Recognition
Sunday, November 11, 9:00 am

We annually recognize our Golden Members, special people who have been a part of our church for 50 years. If you are in that category and have not received a letter from the church, please contact Judy at x121.

Military Recognition Service
Sunday, November 11

On Veteran’s Day we want to recognize the men and women who have served our country and continue to fight for our nation’s freedom. If you have a family member who is currently serving in any branch of the military, please contact Judy Morris at judy@fbctlh.org or x121. We will need a picture, information about what branch of the military they are in, where they are currently stationed and the family connection.

 

Order Poinsettias Now!
It’s time again to order poinsettias to be placed during the Hanging of the Green in honor or memory of your loved ones. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, envelopes will be available in the pews on Sunday morning or you can contact Lenoir at x201, lenoir@fbctlh.org. The cost is $8/plant.

Help Provide Christmas Dinner
for Needy Girls in Guatemala!

Last summer First Baptist embarked on our first mission trip to serve in Guatemala, and you have an opportunity to continue that ministry! By giving this Christmas season, you can provide a special Christmas dinner for the girls we worked with at the Manchen Girls Home. $7 per person will provide food, drinks, and dessert for the 100 girls and 12 caregivers who rarely receive such a treat. Those who contribute can also send a Christmas card and picture to the girls if you wish!
Make checks out to First Baptist Church, and designate them to the Guatemala Christmas Offering. Contributions need to be received by November 18. Contact Bob Pullen at 562-1466 or jobob3118@aol.com for more information.

Student Ministry Fundraisers

Boston Butt Fundraiser
Picked Up Tuesday, November 20

Delivered just in time for Thanksgiving!!! Price will be $21.00 again. You may purchase from any college student on Sunday mornings or Wednesdays. For more information contact Jeffrey at Jmc332983@yahoo.com or Karyn in the Student Ministry office at
222-5470 ext 421.


Thanksgiving Fruit Baskets
Picked Up or Delivered November 19 & 20

Big, beautiful fruit baskets just in time for Thanksgiving! You may purchase from any college student on Sundays or Wednesday or for more information contact Sarah at ICLONDON57@aol.com or Karyn in the Student Ministry Office at 222-5470 ext 421.

Plan Ahead for Your Christmas Shoeboxes!
Purchase your Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox packed, wrapped and ready to go,and help our Bells of Praise buy a much-needed new set of handbells.

This year, there is a simple and convenient way for you to send love to a needy child overseas and support our own FBC Handbell Choir at the same time. Our Bells of Praise choir members are preparing complete Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes, packed, wrapped and ready to go for a total cost to you of $35. This price includes the shipping fee requested by Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes will be ready and available in time for collection day on Sunday, November 18. Proceeds go toward the purchase of a new 5-octave set of handbells to replace our 35 year-old set. Call the music office at 222-5470 x201 to order yours now.

Make a Change with Soup Labels!
For many years First Baptist members have been collecting Campbell’s soup labels to send to our missionaries. The missionaries use these to receive various items for their work from the Campbell’s Soup Company -- after school supplies, games, computers, sports equipment, even much needed buses!
Campbell’s Soup Company still plans to continue this program, but they are now requiring that the UPC Bar Code symbol on the back of the soup label be sent in instead of the front label. Be sure to save your bar codes and give them to Jean Fernald or leave them in the church office. This is such an easy way to make a huge difference!

Florida Baptist Children’s Home
Gingerbread Tree Project

The Gingerbread Tree Project will begin October 22! Christmas gifts are needed for approximately 65 children, and you can help make the holidays special for them by purchasing a requested gift off the gingerbread tree. Gifts are needed in the price range of small ($10-20), medium ($20-50) and large ($50-75). Select a requested gift by stopping by the Children’s Home office, calling 878-1458 or emailing ckellogg@fbchomes.org. Gift cards or monetary donations are also accepted. Gifts are needed no later than December 17.

Florida Baptist Children's Home
NOVEMBER REQUEST: WAX PAPER, ALUMINUM FOIL, AND PLASTIC WRAP

FBC members donate items each month to the Tallahassee campus of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home (fbchomes.org), which has been helping children and families since 1904.
Our request this month is for items needed daily in taking care of food preparation and storage. Wax paper, aluminum foil, and plastic food wrap would all be a great help. We could also use large plastic bags in the 13 and 30 gallon sizes. Collection bins are in the College Avenue foyer, the Welcome Center, and by the elevator on the first floor.

 

DivorceCare
Wednesdays, 6:00 pm, A-315

Find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce. DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. DivorceCare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable DivorceCare resources to help you deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life. For location and/or more information, contact the Singles Ministry office at x221 or email singles@fbctlh.org.

Sign Language Classes
Sundays, 4:30 pm, C-2202
Beginner and Intermediate Classes are now being offered! For more information contact Nelda Tedder at 877-4825.

 

College Bible Study Series
Wednesdays, 8:20 pm

Join us for a 4 week study led by Clint Purvis on Jonah, a story not about a BIG FISH but about a BIG GOD!!!
This Wednesday night: "RUNNING TO GOD!"

College Girls Discipleship Group
Thursdays, 7:30 pm, CLC Upper Room

 
A Christmas To Remember

Join us for dinner and dancing,
good friends and good cheer,
and special music by Spectrum
we’ll hear!

Thursday, November 29
6:00pm


University Center Club Ballroom
$15 per person

To make reservations, submit payment to
the Singles Ministry office
on or before Sunday, November 11, 2007.

Attire is semi-formal.
 
Crossroads Christmas Party
Saturday, December 15 6:30-9 pm, Fellowship Hall

All young couples are invited to join us for dinner, fellowship, and plenty of fun! $10 per couple; child care provided. RSVP by December 2 to Melissa Powers at 907-0753.
 

November Group Meetings
Group 1 will meet November 13 at 9:30 am at the home of Gloria Dowden (3237 Tanager Trail).
Group 2 will meet November 13 at 9:30 am at the home of Betty Gardner (3503 Doe Run Dr).
Group 3 will meet November 13 at 10:00 am at the home of Tadako Knight (826 Watt Dr). This will be a covered dish luncheon.
Group 4, Round Table, will meet November 21 at 11:00 am at Cherry Laurel Retirement Center (1009 Concord Rd). Grace Brock will review Great Women in History, 37 Women Who Changed Their World. Lunch will follow at 12:30 pm for $5.


Upcoming Church-Wide Events
Sponsored by Women on Mission

November: Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection, Collecting Christmas cards for Leom County prisoners
December: Week of Prayer for International & Global Missions (December 2-9; Special speaker Richard Phipps, International Mission Board mssionary, will speak Sunday, December 2 during morning worship and on Monday, December 3 at a special luncheon at noon.)

 

Fall Activities at the CLC!
Visit www.fbctlh.org/clc.htm for more information!

Wellness Program:

  • Aerobic Classes
  • Pilates
  • Water Aerobics
  • Strength & Toning Classes
  • Workout Room w/ Nautilus Equipment, Free Weights and Cardio Equipment.

Sports & Leagues:

  • Winter Basketball League
  • Winter Inter-Church Volleyball League
  • Upward Basketball & Cheerleading
  • Basketball for Youth & College
    Thursday Evenings, 6 - 9 pm
  • Coed Volleyball
    Tuesday Evenings, 6 - 9 pm

Aquatics (in season):

  • Water Aerobics

Arts & Crafts:

  • Hobby Ceramics
    Tuesdays, 9 am - 2 pm & 6 - 9 pm
    Thursdays, 9 am - 2 pm
 

Dear First Baptist,
So many of you have been so kind while we were at Broadview in Tallahassee. We looked forward to the deacons coming on Monday, bringing me flowers and praying with us. We also looked forward to the service on TV on Sunday nights. The notes we received from many of you were both kind and uplifting. I just wanted to say thank you for all your thoughtfulness. We will miss Tallahassee, but here in Virginia there are more of our family to help. Again, thank you for so many things.
-Jeanne Norris

Jennifer and Lee join us in expressing our gratefulness to each of you for all the prayers you have prayed for our little Lucy. She is at home now with an apnea monitor. She still has some issues, but we have confidence and faith that they will soon be resolved. We saw the hand of God heal her little body day by day. Please continue to pray for her and ask the “Great Physician” to bring her back to normal.
Stan and Marcia Sheppard

 

 

First Focus
A weekly note from our Pastor

This Week :
"Vote Time!"
Click here to read

 

Fellowship Meal
November 14
Veggie Bar: Macaroni and Cheese, Steamed Cabbage, Fried Okra, Peas, Salad Bar, Corn Muffins, Dessert

Finance Statement
Budget Needs
Year to Date:

$2,391,099.
Budget Receipts
On 11/04/07:
$65,893.
Total Receipts
Year To Date:

$2,082,607.

Security Schedule
Sunday,
November 11

8:30 - 10:00
David Miles
10:00 - 11:15
Jeff Crew
11:15 - 12:30
Max Noblin

Wednesday,
November 14

6:00 - 8:00
Lee Vickery


This Week

Sunday,
November 11


8:00 AM, Median Adult III Bible Study Options, Adams Ground Floor

9:00 AM, Traditional Worship, Sanctuary

10:00 AM, Bible Study Options for All Ages, Churchwide

11:00 AM, ECHO Feed the Homeless, First Presbyterian

11:15 AM, Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary

11:15 AM, Preschool M&M's (Music & Missions), Duval

3:15 PM, Youth Handbells, A-211

3:30 PM, First Ladies' Taste of the Holidays, Angela Gaskins' Home

4:30 PM
, Bells of Praise, A-211

4:30 PM
, Sign Language Classes,
A-200

6:00 PM, Youth Small Groups & Activities, CLC

6:00 PM, Anchor Group Bible Study, Chapel


Monday,
November 12

10:30 AM, First Joy Choir, A-200

5:45 PM, Self Defense Class, CLC Aerobics Room

6:00 PM, Deacons Meeting, Fellowship Hall



Tuesday,
November 13

9:00 AM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

5:30 PM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

5:30 PM, Property Committee, Small Meeting Room

6:00 PM, Open Volleyball, CLC Gym

6:30 PM, Internationals Thanksgiving Banquet, Fellowship Hall




Wednesday,
November 14

9:30 AM, First Ladies "Heart Like His" Study, Away

4:45 PM
, Fellowship Meal, Fellowship Hall

5:15 PM, Youth Snack Rack Opens, CLC

6:00 PM, Adult Prayer & Bible Study, Chapel

6:00 PM, Preschool Childcare & Learning Activities, Duval

6:00 PM, Transformers (Grades 1-5), Duval 2nd Floor

6:00 PM, First Ladies Daniel Bible Study,
A-301

6:00 PM, First Ladies Creative Correction,
A-302

6:00 PM, First Ladies Life Management,
C-2201A

6:00 PM, Youth Choir, A-211

6:00 PM, Youth Games, CLC Gym

6:15 PM, Chamber Players, A-200

7:00 PM, Sanctuary Choir, A-200

7:15 PM, Singles MP Bible Study, A-317

7:25 PM, Youth XTreme, CLC Quad

8:20 PM, CBS! "College Bible Study," Sanctuary


Thursday,
November 15

9:00 AM, Ceramics Classes, CLC Ceramics Room

9:00 AM
, Childcare for English Classes, Duval

9:30 AM, Internationals English Classes, Chason 2nd Floor

6:30 PM,
Youth Boys Basketball & Bible Study, CLC Gym

7:00 PM, Praise Team Rehearsal, Sanctuary

7:00 PM, College Girls Discipleship Group, CLC Upper Room


Friday,
November 16

6:00 PM, College Hoe-Down, Masons Home

Click here for the full weekly schedule!

 

TV Services
WTBC 65/
Comcast Channel 99
Sundays at 6 pm and Wednesdays at 9 pm

FBC Staff
To reach a member of our staff, call
(850) 222-5470
and then dial the extension.

Pastor
J. Douglas Dortch, Jr., Ph,D
x121

Associate Pastor
Fran Buhler
x131

Minister of Music
Michael R. Norris
x201

Associate Minister
of Music

Penny Folsom
x201

Minister of
Christian Life

Preston Odom
x401

Minister to Students
Clint Purvis
x421

Minister to Internationals
Marty Smith
x111

Minister to Children
Rhonda Smith
x501

Interim Minister
to Youth

Jane Wofford
x413

Minister to Singles
Jenna Young
x221

Administrator
Steve Wofford
x140

Communications Coordinator
Mandy Webb
x132


Submissions
Submissions can be dropped off at the church office,
emailed to mwebb@fbctlh.org,
or mailed to:
The VISION,
108 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Deadline for submissions is 10 days before published Sunday date.
All submissions are subject to editorial revision.