February 20, 2014

Church Leadership
Our ministers and lay leaders are available to answer any questions you may have to help you connect with the ministries of First Baptist Church. Rev. Matt Sturtevant Senior Pastor, x. 202 matt@firstbaptistlawrence.com Rev. Dr. Meredith Holladay Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation, x. 204 meredith@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jenny Purvis Office Manager, x.203 jenny@firstbaptistlawrence.com Nathan Benfield Volunteer Building Manager, x.201 nathan@firstbaptistlawrence.com Jim Davidson Chancel Choir Director jamesrdavidson@ku.edu Holly Grassy Bookkeeper grassyclan@att.net John Pauls Moderator jphawk@yahoo.com Evelyn Falen Organist edfal13@gmail.com Buddy Langford Custodian Church Office: 785/843.0020 office@firstbaptistlawrence.com www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Preparing for Worship

Martha Stearns Marshall Month of Preaching

February 23, 2014 Seventh Sunday after epiphany

Since 2007, Baptist Women in Ministry has A Palette of Grays: Finding invited churches to ask a woman to preach during God in Ambiguity February in honor of Aline Silva-Schreiner Martha Stearns Marshall, Scripture: an 18th century Baptist woman who preached John 7.40-49 alongside her husband. This annual event has become a deeply significant source of joy and discovery for many churches as they have celebrated the giftedness of women in ministry. The Sunday is named for Marshall, a Separate Baptist, who preached alongside her husband Daniel, in Baptist churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. First Baptist Church of Lawrence has a long and proud history of supporting Gods gifts for ministry in women. We support women and men seeking to embrace Gods call in preaching, teaching, leading, praying, playing music, and the myriad other ways God works in our lives and congregations. One way we as a church celebrate Gods call on women in ministry is to welcome women outside our own pastoral staff to our pulpit as guest preacher. On February 23, we welcome Aline Silva-Schreiner to share through proclamation. Aline Silva-Schreiner is a CREATE scholar at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Aline, originally from Brazil, has lived in the United States for 10 years. When she moved her intention was to learn English and become a doctor. Those plans changed, however, when she began to experience Gods call upon her life to the ministry. As it was, she changed her major from Human Biology to religious studies during her Sophomore year at KU. At the same time, she met the love of her life, Andy. They have been married for almost 4 years. Aline plans to pastor and her husband plans on doing missionary work. Together they plan on working with missional churches locally and around the globe. Another way our congregation is able to celebrate Martha Stearns Marshall Month is in sending. We join with a larger community of Baptist churches honoring the gifts of women in ministry. Pastor Meredith will be preaching in two other churches this month, as they also celebrate the legacy of Martha Stearns Marshall. We are delighted that we are able to participate in this pulpit exchange of sorts, and join in the greater witness to the gifts of women in ministry. On February 23, Meredith will preach at Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and will return for our 11:00 service.

Affirming Ordination
The ordination of pastors into the ministry of Christ is a historic and profound tradition. Ordination is the setting apart (by the Call of God and the action of the church) one of the many member-ministers in their midst to perform special functions of ministry on behalf of the community of faith. It takes place as congregations affirm that an individual has had a call to setapart ministry and has met the necessary qualifications for carrying it out. It is a practice shared by multiple denominations and faith communities, and is not only an American Baptist practice. In fact, both of our congregations pastors were ordained by churches outside the American Baptist family. Their ordinations recognized and affirmed their gifts for ministry and the calling of God upon their lives for set-apart ministry on behalf of the church. In July 2001, Pastor Matt was ordained by St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, a congregation in partnership with both the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Southern Baptist Convention. In May 2011, Pastor Meredith was ordained by Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, a congregation in partnership with both the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of Baptists. The laying on of hands for Pastor Matt and Pastor Meredith were powerful moments in their individual lives and ministries as they worked from within their own faith communities to respond to Gods call. Sometime later, however, both our pastors were called to service by American Baptist congregations. Both took the necessary steps to ensure their ordinations were recognized by the wider American Baptist family. In so doing our Region Council on the Ministry (RCOM) was able to say to all our ABC churches that the ordinations of Rev. Matt Sturtevant and Rev. Dr. Meredith Holladay meet the same standards as other American Baptist ordinations. Perhaps more importantly, these two exceptionally gifted and called servants of Christ have said to our American Baptist family, We are in ministry together with you. For American Baptists, we have recognized that God calls certain individuals to setapart ministry that serves a constituency wider than the local congregation. Within American Baptist life, we have come to place great value in cooperating in association with other American Baptist churches in the recognition, affirmation and setting apart of those called to ordained ministry. In so doing, that ordination holds a wider recognition within the whole denominational family than one with only local church validation. In order to come together with other American Baptist congregations around the issue of ordination, it became necessary to establish common criteria or standards by which one might be qualified for denominationally recognized ordination. It is that common criteria that has enabled American Baptists to affirm together those God has called to set-apart ministry. But what happens when a minister ordained by a non-ABC church chooses to become a part of the American Baptist family, as both Pastor Matt and Pastor Meredith have done? Is their ordination still valid? Must that person be re-ordained? Are the qualifications for ordination the same as the qualifications for ordination within the American Baptist family? It would be foolish and arrogant to suggest that an ordination conferred by a church outside our tradition is invalid simply because we didnt grant it. It would also be foolish and short-sighted to think the criteria we have established together for denominationally recognized ordination is irrelevant. Therefore a process has been set in place to provide denominational recognition of a non-ABC ordination. Working with Regionally-elected representatives to the Region Council on Ministry, an individual ordained from another communion has the opportunity to make certain the standards for their ordination match the standards we have established and take any steps that may be deemed necessary to meet those standards and thus receive the affirmation of the wider ABC family for their gifts and calling to ordained ministry. The process is not to validate ones ordination but to give wider recognition across denominational lines. Pastor Matt completed this process when he began his ministry at First Baptist Church in Topeka, and Pastor Meredith did the same last December. So, we affirm this ministry together, and affirm all women and men who hear the call to ordained ministry and respond. As we call out and nurture a new generation of those who will hear Gods invitation into the life of ordained ministry, we join with voices of the larger Church in celebrating the faithfulness to such a call. Rev. Dr. John Williams, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of the Central Region

Preparing for Lent

The Christian season of Lent begins Wednesday, March 5, on Ash Wednesday. That morning, the church will be open early and our pastors will offer the imposition of ashes and a quiet space for meditation. That evening, we will offer a church-wide meal at 6:00 pm, followed by an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 pm. On March 9, the first Sunday of Lent, we will begin a worship series, together exploring the story of Job. As we turn toward a season of inward focus, the ancient story of Job will serve as our guide. As we near this season of preparation and contemplation, let us prepare together for Gods presence.

Remember in Prayer International Ministries Missionaries: Lori & Matt Mann, serving in Southeast Asia and Thailand Regional Minister: ABC of Indiana and Kentucky, Michael Wilson, serving in Indianapolis, IN Local congregation: Christ Evangelical Free Church Share in Joy We rejoice with the Wonnell and Praeger families as Mickis recent surgery was highly successful.

Its Flu Season!

And lots of other bugs are in the air.
If youve been watching the Olympics you know that pink eye is a tenacious infection. So is lice. So is the flu virus. If you have kids you know that these bugs are making the rounds. We ask that if you or your child(ren) have anything contagious that you keep them homejust like you would from school. We want to keep the church building safe and hospitable for other children and for all adults. Thank you for your cooperation.

This week is Quad Noxwe will be joining with other youth groups in Lawrence for a worship service at Lawrence Heights Christian Church. We will return to FBC at 8:45. Chupper Schedule: 2/23: Quad Nox 3/2: Herndon 3/9: Johnson Summer Camp Deposit is due ASAP! Please let Pastor Meredith know if your student(s) will be going. Also please let her know if you need financial assistance. Spring Retreat Sign-Ups Due Soon! The total cost for the Spring Retreat is $25. Dates: May 9-11, Tall Oaks Conference Center

Children Matter Wednesday, February 26 6:45-7:45 Led by Pastor Matt Supper at 6:00

First Baptist Church 1330 Kasold Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66049 785/843-0020 785/843-0021 (fax) www.firstbaptistlawrence.com

Life of the Church

Sunday, Feb. 23 Martha Stearns Marshall Sunday 8:30 a.m.Worship 9:30 a.m.Sunday School 11:00 a.m.Worship Tuesday, Feb. 25 11:00 a.m.Newsletter announcements due Wednesday, Feb. 26 6:00 p.m.Church-wide dinner 6:45 p.m.Children Matter Discussion Thursday, Feb. 27 7:30 p.m.Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday Morning Volunteers

Nursery 9:30 a.m.Jane Miller 11:00 a.m.Amy Munsterman Extended Care Mary Ann Williams

Wednesday Night Supper Feb. 26 6:00 p.m. Roger Williams Room

Central Region Camping 2014

Central Region camping for kids begins June 2. A variety of camp themes and locations is available. Check out the schedule below or pick up a schedule and registration form in the church office. Early bird discounts apply through May 1 (for camps in June) and June 1 (for camps in July) https://abccr-camping.squarespace.com/pdf-form

Looking Ahead: Liturgist Training, March 2 Ash Wednesday, March 5

Liturgist Training March 2, 12:15 pm Roger Williams Room If you are a current liturgist or would like to learn more about worship leadership, you are invited to participate! Lunch will be provided.

By the NumbersFeb. 16, 2014

GENERAL OPERATING Weekly Receipts: YTD Receipts: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Weekly Receipts: Cumulative Giving: $2,716.00 $226,333.00 $5,803.00 $45,749.00

If you would like more detailed financial information, please contact our bookkeeper at grassyclan@att.net. Thank you for your generous giving. Your generosity helps to make our ministries possible.