Volume XLII
October 1, 2008
Number 40
Staff News Staying Connected
Reasons for Going to Church
As Sunday rolls around each week the question
arises, “Am I going to church?” Hopefully, that question is answered in the
affirmative. But perhaps the next question is, “Why do I go to church?”
Sometimes the answers are spiritual, “I go to church to give thanks to God
for the blessings of my life,” or “I go to church because I am part of the
body of Christ which Jesus commanded to spread the gospel to all nations.”
Sometimes the answers are more practical, “I go to church because that is
where I go to be with my community of friends,” or “I go to church because
it helps me live better and cope with the stresses of life.” In my humble
opinion, all of these are good reasons for attending church. The reality is,
we will always have many different motivating factors that cause us to come
together each week. As I was reflecting on this question, I came across an
article that included a list of “Reasons for going to church” that I thought
were rather insightful.
People come to church on Sunday because, for many, it is the only place they
go during the week where…
· They are asked to ponder matters that are deep, important and demanding.
· They are encouraged to take responsibility for someone beyond the bounds
of their immediate family.
· They are known by their first name; they are missed when they are absent.
· They participate in beautiful music, in a beautiful setting; beauty made
by those simply for the love of it.
· Their children are loved and adopted by people who are not even their
children’s relative.
· They hear talk of a subject that is usually avoided in most of our
everyday speech and daily relationships;
namely, God.
· There is always talk about our individual and social failures, our
culture’s weaknesses and our sin.
· There is intimacy and deep community without the fear of sexual pressure.
· They are treated as valuable worthy human beings, despite their income or
their address.
Pulpit Resources
Vol. 32 No. 2 p. 32
Whatever your reason, I hope to see you this Sunday. Let us rejoice, give
thanks, and worship our God.
Grace and Peace,
Rusty
MUSIC NEWS
ROBERT GAMMON
The Young Musicians will be singing in our special World Communion
celebration service this Sunday, October 5. As a result, their pre-service
rehearsal will take place in the Sunday School Celebration room immediately
after Sunday School. Parents, please encourage your children to participate
and to be on time.
The Music Makers and Young Musicians will be singing in worship on Sunday,
October 19. In addition, the Chancel Ringers will be playing handbells.
The Clemson University Singers will be serving as our service choir on
Sunday, October 26.
KIDS CORNER
THERESA SMITH
Preschoolers & Children mission project...remember to bring in those old
uniforms and soccer balls to send to the children in Zambia!
Those children that signed up to participate in the Helping Hands project
need to meet at the church at 4:30pm so that we can leave at 4:45pm. Parents
need to pick up between 7:30-8:00pm.
We will continue our unit on God’s Love & Care in the Quiet Place. We will
meet again this Sunday beginning with supper at 5:30pm. Can’t wait to see
you there!
Mark the date all CURRENT 3rd – 6th graders!! PASSPORTKids! Camp has been
set for July 12 – 15, 2009. Deposit of $50.00 is due by October 26, 2008.
You will not want to miss this experience!
YOUTH NEWS
TIFFANY HAMILTON
Girl’s Day Out – The youth girls will have their day out on Saturday,
October 4, beginning at 3:00 PM. We will have a day in Greenville with
shopping, dinner and an evening at the Peace Center with Chonda Pierce. Hope
to see all of you there.
Guy’s Day Out coming up on Sunday, October 19. Look for more details in your
calendar.
Look for your October Calendar in the mail this week!
Companions On the Road to Discipleship (CORD)
Our Adult small group studies have begun on
Wednesday nights. Following our family night suppers we will divide into
small groups for the next 8 weeks. You will have the opportunity to choose
between the following offerings:
What’s So Amazing about Grace, Author Philip Yancey
Study Leader: Rusty Brock
The Gospel of Mark
Study Leader: Bob Burks
Fitness For Your Body and Soul
Study Leaders: Andrea Rauch and Suzanne Swedberg
Beyond Ourselves…Being Missional
Study Leader: Theresa Smith
Jesus and Social Justice
Study Leader: Troy Terry
All adults are invited to attend and be a part of
this new educational opportunity.
ALLENDALE FALL WORK DAY 2008
First Baptist will be going to Allendale on
October 4, 2008. Go to www.cbfofsc.org for the various projects or contact
Judith White at 654-2400.
“Clear the Clutter” Ladies Night Out, Saturday, October 4 6:00PM
(FBC Youth Lounge)
It’s time to clear the clutter and have a girls night out, join the gals for
fellowship, games, and food, no doubt. Go through your house and make it
clutter free, and find an item you’d like to swap with a lady from FBC.
While you’re in the cleaning mood, go to your cupboard if you dare, and
bring some food to donate to Clemson Community Care.
WMU Mission Focus Program
Monday, October 6, @ 10:30am
Mark your calendar and plan to join us for our WMU
Mission Focus program on Monday, October 6 at 10:30am in the parlor. We will
begin an exciting year with Christina Whitehouse-Suggs, Associate
Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina,
sharing her message. Christina has been an active participant in missions
and leadership positions and her enthusiasm will certainly set the stage as
we begin our WMU Mission Focus programs for the year. Invite a friend and
join us as we share time with Christina.
Mission Outreach
Each lady is asked to bring items for Clemson
Community Care. The following items are needed: Dry Milk, Spaghetti Sauce,
Jello, Puddings (some Sugar Free), Oatmeal, Grits, Toilet Paper.
Parking Passes will be available under the breezeway in
the back parking lot. You must have a pass to park in the garage. If you do
not have a parking pass displayed in your window, you will receive a parking
ticket. No exceptions!
The Arts Enrichment Committee invites you to view
the current exhibit in the Education Foyer behind the sanctuary created by
the Chinese Christian Church. Enjoy the illustrated history of this group
which meets in our church. There is a beautiful display of clothes, china,
games, Bibles and a DVD presentation—all a strong message of the Chinese
Christian faith in our midst.
Sunday October 5, all Committee Chairs, Church
Council Members and Stewardship & Finance Committee Members will meet in the
Church Parlor at 5:00pm.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
PREFERENCE FORMS
The nominating committee would like to thank the
congregation for their response to our request for preference forms.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Monday, October 6—Blood Drive—Cancelled
Saturday, October 11—11:00AM MANNA Truck @ Clemson
Community Care
First Baptist Church of Clemson has been asked to
provide 8-10 volunteers to help for about 2 hours on this day. If any
couple, class or group wishes to sponsor a delivery, please contact CCC at
653-4460.
Sunday, October 12—World Hunger Bread Sale (Welcome Area)
The World Hunger Bread Sale is Sunday, October 12.
Please bring your cake, cookies, rolls, or bread to the back lobby of the
church. All money collected will go to world hunger initiatives.
Sunday, October 19—11:30AM Called Business Meeting
(Sanctuary)
There will be a Called Business Meeting on October
19 in the sanctuary, immediately following Worship, to vote on a
recommendation from the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Details on the
resolution will be made available prior to the meeting.
“Change of Date” Monday, October 20—9:30AM Beth Moore
Bible Study (#212)
Saturday, October 25—7:00PM Murder Mystery Fun Night
Benefit for the Clemson Child Development Center
This will be an evening of audience participation,
who-dunits, food, drinks, and many laughs. The Show Offs will present The
Haunting. Costumes are encouraged, but not required, prizes will be awarded.
Tickets are $45 per person. For ticket information call 654-3345 or
643-7497. A limited number of tickets are available. All proceeds will
benefit the Clemson Child Development Center, a non-profit early education
center that serves a diverse population.
Sunday, October 26—8:00AM Boy’s & Men’s Breakfast
(Family Life Center)
Our guest speaker will be Coach Ron Bradley,
Clemson University Basketball. We will meet in the Family Life Center at
8:00AM. Cost is $3.00 per person. Please make your reservations by calling
the church office.
Thursday, November 13—5:30PM Sixth Annual Minister’s Cook-off to benefit
Safe Harbor II
(Daniel High School)
Friday, March 6, 2009—Senior Follies in Anderson
We are coordinating tickets for Senior Follies in
Anderson for Friday, March 6, 2009 and are purchasing reserved seating at
$18 each. Deadline for purchasing tickets in this group is October 29, 2008.
Make checks payable to Dan Ezell. Transportation will be coordinated for
those in need.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Angela Allen
Harriet Benning
Gwen Garwood
Judy McCoy
Charlie Perry (Lila Doyle)
John Rich (An-Med)
Len Barnwell’s sister
Mary Ross’ son, John
LONG TERM
PRAYER CONCERNS
Jane Barnwell
John Graham
Barbara Hash
Melvin Hipps
Grace Maddix
Joe Martin
Florence Meeks
Nancy Strom-Morgan
Norwood Page (Downs HCC)
Jane Pardue
Jim Patterson
Ruby Thompson
Sallie Box’s Nephew
Vivolynn Crandall’s son
Tom & Debbie Hennessy’s
Granddaughter
Davy McDowell’s mother
Sue Nodine’s mother
Helen Stevens’ daughter, Linda
Carole Walsh’s father
and our military personnel
Flowers
The flowers are placed in the sanctuary in loving
memory of Ruby Nettles on what would have been her 100th birthday by Bill
and Jean Nettles.
FELLOWSHIP SUPPER FOR OCTOBER 8:
Taco bar, black beans, fruit, tossed salad and cookies.
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Sunday Receipts for September 28, 2008
Sunday School Attendance 264
General Offering $ 8,897.45
Building Fund Receipts $ 7,725.05
Principal only Receipts $ 0.00
7 Year Challenge Receipts $ 800.00
Other Designated Funds $ 6,604.84
TOTAL RECEIPTS $24,027.34
BUILDING FUND REPORT
Original Loan Amount $4,472,938.00
Balance on Principal, Sept. 21, 2008 $3,389,939.95
Paid on Principal, Sept. 21, 2008 $ 3,015.05
Paid interest Sept. 21, 2008 $ 0.00
Interest required for Quarter 12/05/08 $ 50,700.00
Reserved for interest due 12/05/08 $ 16,210.00
Balance required for Qtr. 12/05/08 $ 34,490.00
Balance on Principal Sept. 29, 2008 $3,386,924.90
Interest required thru 09/14/08 $ -15,600.00
Reserved/Accruals for Qtr. Int. $ 15,600.00
Due 12/05/08
Net Surplus/Deficit Requirement for Int. $ 0.00
THOSE SERVING SUNDAY OCTOBER 5, 2008
DEACON ON CALL
October 4-5
Chuck Lee 654-0284
EXTENDED CARE WORKERS
None Crib
Betty Davis Creeper/Toddler
None 2 Year Olds
Joe & Evelyn Boykin 3 Year Olds
HEAD USHER & UNLOCKING CHURCH
George Bennett
FLOWER COMMITTEE—OCTOBER
Jane Camper
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
Rebecca Bardos
Peggy Cover
ACOLYTE
Katie Feaster