February 2014

518 North 19th StreetBirmingham AL 35203 www.firstchurchbhm.com

ConnectionsFirst Church Newsletter

an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP, GROW, and SERVE

Why Pray?

Let us pray!

A pastor visiting a family in a hospital waiting room offered to pray with the family from his congregation. The church family awkwardly stood up and held hands in the middle of the waiting room. Before the pastor could begin his prayer, a soft voice whispered, “Are you going to pray?” The encircled family lifted their bowed heads to discover a woman outside the circle timidly looking at the pastor. When the pastor affirmed his intention to pray, the woman not only inserted herself into the circle, but also compelled two young children to join them. She then put up a hand to delay the pastor’s beginning the prayer and announced to the waiting room, “This pastor’s going to pray, does anyone else want to join us?” Some of the people displayed intensified focus on their laptops and newspapers, but several more got up and joined the circle. A few others bowed their heads while staying in their seats. Then the pastor, after get-ting the okay from the woman, began to pray. Sometime between “Are you going to pray” and “Amen,” while hands were clasped and heads were bowed, the stiff hospital chairs were transformed into pews, the tinted windows were changed to stained glass, and the strangers in a waiting room became a community of struggling believers.

Why is prayer so vital in the life of a Christian and a church? It is a fair question. Prayer can sometimes seems like words cast into an abyss or a hollow ritual we lean on when we don’t know what else to do. At other times, prayer can seem as vital as oxygen, necessary for life to exist. It can be the very thing that bridges the chasm between isolation and a connection with hope and life. Prayer can feel impotent or frighteningly powerful.

Dr. Roberta Bondi writes that prayer is a profoundly integral part of the enterprise of learning to do that which is most important, to love God and neighbor. Prayer invites us to journey inward, while recognizing life beyond one-self. We have the experience of speaking to the Holy Other, while also overhearing our own heartfelt desires. Prayer is both completely about us, and wholly about the Other.

Why is it important for the Church to pray? When the faithful gather together in prayer, whether in a waiting room, a home, a meeting room, or on the phone, the world within us and the world around us begin to be transformed and that which is utmost in importance becomes possible.

February 2 : Unity

February 9 : Growth

February 16 : Vision

February 23 : Celebration Service

February 2 : Unity

February 9 : Growth

February 16 : Vision

February 23 : Celebration Service

This month we will begin an intentional time of prayer as a community of faith in which we will strive to live into Mark 11:24, “So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” We plan to ask God together in prayer for unity to become more like Christ, grow spiritually as individuals and in our engagement of new people into faith, and for a great vision of the role God desires First Church and each of us to play in God’s Kingdom. For three weeks each of us is encouraged to pray daily about these three things.

On February 2 in worship you will receive a journal that will include instructions, a schedule of daily/weekly opportunities to be in prayer with others, and written prayers by different people throughout our church. We hope this journal will be a valuable tool for you to use during this experience. Our weekly focus in worship will be:

We invite Sunday School classes and small groups to set aside a short time prior to their lesson each week in February to pray together for the church and include these three themes as they pray. We encourage people to attend prayer dinners as a place for old and new friends to gather and pray for each other, our church, and the community/world around us as

we remember that we are taught in Scripture to “Rejoice always, pray with-out ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer Dinner Opportunities:During the month of February you will have the opportunity to take part in

small dinner groups around the city to pray together. All dinners will begin at 6:00pm. You can sign up for a dinner online or at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings.

David Berdeaux and Jason Grace (Crestwood) ............................... Avery Rhodes and Chris Akins (Columbiana) .................................... Thomas and Jennifer Waters (Mountain Brook) ................................ David and Terri Glasgow (Mountain Brook) .......................................... Marion and Henry Lagman (Hoover) ...................................................... Jim and Marnie Brown (Vestavia) ............................................................... Andy and Emily Keith (Caldwell Mill) ........................................................

Sunday, February 2 Tuesday, February 4Thursday, February 6Wednesday, February 12Thursday, February 13Monday, February 17Thursday, February 20

OPPORTUNITIES TO PRAY IN COMMUNITY

Conference Call Morning Prayer Mondays, February 3, 10, and 17, at 7:30am

Join us for a brief time of prayer as we begin a new week of praying together.Call 1-877-311-2008 (Toll Free) / Dial in access code: 215627#

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Chapel Open for PrayerWednesdays, February 5, 12, and 19, from 12:00pm - 12:30pm

Join us in the Chapel for a time of come and go prayer where you are invited to pray in silence, to pray with a pastor, or to simply come and be still.

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Prayer Lunch at Alabama PowerTuesdays, February 4, 11, and 18, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Come downtown and get your lunch at Alabama Power and gather for a time of prayer and fellowship together.

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Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne LamottTuesdays, February 11, 18, and 25, at 6:30pm

Led by Hanna Schock located at the Schock home (2029 Weeping Willow Lane Hoover, AL 35216)

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Enriching Your Prayer Life: Making and Using Prayer BeadsSundays, February 2, 9, and 16, from 5:15pm - 6:45pm

Led by Anne Cain and Fran Early located in the Church Parlor

FIRST CHURCH PRAYER TEAM:Each week a group of 50 or so people receive a list of the prayer requests that are turned in on Sundays as well as any concerns that arise during the week and are designated to go to the Prayer Team. These requests as well as other prayers are communicated via e-mail if that is an option or traditionally mailed weekly. This team is com-posed of a diverse group of people who worship in all 3 of our services or who are homebound. Confidentiality is emphasized. There are no meetings. If you have questions or would like to join this team, please contact Hanna Schock at 205-910-7931 or at hannaschock@bellsouth.net.

FIRST CHURCH PRAYER ROOM:Do you know about the surprisingly inviting little room in the back corner of the Dining Room? You’ll find a beauti-fully decorated space with a couple of comfortable seats, an altar, and some reading material and music options. This is an inviting room for anyone who is in need of a quiet space to be close to God or to read quietly. Anyone is welcome to use it as long as they leave the room as they found it, beautiful and full of possibilities.

PRAY & SERVE IN THE CHURCH NURSERYIn a recent article on the ministry-to-children blog, author Tony Kummer writes, “Your service in the church nursery is a powerful opportunity for prayer. If every nursery worker would spend several minutes praying over the children in their care, imagine how God might begin to change this coming generation. There is no better way to create an environment of spiritual nurture than to pray while you serve in the nursery.”

We are currently gathering new nursery volunteers for 2014! Help is needed to welcome, rock, play, and pray with our littlest angels! Volunteers are needed once a quarter during the 11:00am worship hour. Please contact Weezie Boiles at weeziet@gmail.com or (205) 706-0609 to sign-up!

CHILDREN’S PRAYER FOCUS FOR FEBRUARYThe preschool and elementary children will join the church-wide prayer focus this month. Pray & Play will be used in our preschool area during the Sunday School hour. Preschoolers will engage in Bible stories, creative prayers, songs, and crafts. Praying In Color - Kid’s Edition will be used in the elementary groups. The children will discuss types of prayer, prayer as a conversation with God, and the art of doodling to keep your body busy while your mind is quiet and focused. They will make prayer beads and learn how to use them, modeled after our adult prayer bead class. Make sure your child does not miss out on this Sunday School focus! It will be a great learning experience and a lot of fun. The children’s Sunday School hour is 9:45am – 10:45am.

The Children’s Council has planned several fun preschool events for 2014! Our first event is a Valentine cookie decorating party on Sunday, February 9, at 4:00pm at the church. Please bring your preschoolers and plan to have some Valentine’s fun! For more information, please contact Weezie Boiles at weeziet@gmail.com or (205) 706-0609.

THE TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY provides both the children and youth of the Church of the Reconciler with rides to First Church for weekly Sunday morning and evening activities, as well as seasonal events throughout the year. Ten First Church volunteers work together to coordinate their individual schedules, church vehicle availability, and changing pick-up locations to ensure that the children and youth of COR can participate in worship at First Church. We would LOVE to have YOU join our transportation ministry team on Sundays. You will be part of a two person team, no special driver’s license is required, you can choose to be either a rider or driver, and can help mornings or at noon on as many or as few Sundays as you would like. Please contact Joseph Thorne at josephmthorne@yahoo.com or call (205) 451-2428 to sign-up.

Mark your calendars now for First Church’s Easter Eggstravaganza! This year’s event is scheduled for Satur-day, April 12, from 10:00am-12:00pm. For more informa-tion, contact Renee Driskel at driskel567@yahoo.com or (205) 531-4634.

In addition, be sure to save the dates for Arts Camp 2014! This year’s camp will be held Monday, July 14-Friday, July 18 and we want to be sure you don’t miss out on all the fun.

For more information or to volunteer for either opportuni-ty contact Linda Underwood at linda@firstchurchbhm.com or call 205-254-3186.

Dear First Church,

I would like to encourage you to attend the Discovery Weekend Prayer Service in the Sanctuary on Sat-urday, March 8 at 6:30 PM. The service is a family event - as in church family. It is very important for the success of Discovery that you come to the prayer service to worship and pray with your family. There is nothing more powerful than a praying people and I want that “a praying people” description to apply to our family. We are gathering in Jesus’s name, and He has promised to be present, but the family needs you to be there as well.

During the twenty-four hours leading up to the service, the senior high youth have been mentoring and witnessing to the younger youth to teach them that they are special, unique, important and loved. That Jesus loves them and that they are worthy of that love. That they belong to a church family and are impor-tant to the church family. That their church family loves them, wants them, and needs them. You will have an impact on the lives of these children through your witness either by being present or by being absent.

They need to know and believe that First Church adults care about them, need them, and, most impor-tantly, believe in them. Only we, as First Church adults, can demonstrate this to them.

During the service, there is an opportunity to pray for each child. Their youth mentors, family, friends, and adult leaders will lay hands on them and pray for each of them while we as their church family are praying for them. It is vital that there be a great cloud of witnesses physically present and spiritually surrounding them. I can guarantee you will be moved and spiritually touched by your participation in the service. The Holy Spirit will be present and working in all of us.

In our membership vows, we pledge to support the church family by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Attending the prayer service is a good way to practice all of these in a big way. I hope to see you there.

Love,Chuck Hancock

The Justice and Mercy January planning retreat was filled with great energy, insight, and much prayer. There were more than 15 individuals who processed together dreams and hopes for how we can grow as a church in striving

2014 Justice and Mercy Team

Serve Dinner at Firehouse ShelterFirst Church has an opportunity to serve those with food insecurity right here in Birmingham. Volunteers are invited to serve din-ner at the Firehouse Shelter on Thursday, February 20 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Please contact Larry Caine at L.caine87@gmail.com or 205-585-3808 if you are interested in serving this month or for more information.

Please mark your calendar for after worship on Sunday, March 2, for a luncheon and interactive program. This will be an opportunity for the Justice and Mercy Team to engage the congregation in a thoughtful way about food related issues in our community. We will leave with new insights and opportunities to consider about how to engage in issues surround-ing food insecurity in our city.

City Kids will enjoy their own lunch and a special activity separate from the program and nursery care will also be avail-able. Youth are invited to participate in the Justice and Mercy program.

The cost for the meal is $10 for an adult and $5 for children under 12.

For more information, please contact Allison Dearing at leedearing@msn.com. To make your reservation call (205) 254-3186 or sign-up at www.firstchurchbhm.com

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to fulfill Micah 6:8 by “seeking justice and loving mercy.” Throughout the retreat the team found itself coming back to issues related to food as we asked questions like: What is truly nutritious food? Does everyone have the same access to nutritious food? In our community where are “food deserts” or places where access to food is limited? What does it look like to live on a limited income and battle paying for prescriptions or bills versus buying groceries? Who do we know who struggles with food insecurity? What can we do to help change the systemic issues related to food and what can we do to help those who are hungry right now?

After much thought, the team is pleased to announce its 2014 theme: Good Food FOR ALL. Over the course of the coming year we will explore issues related to food security and hunger in our community.

It is time to build the 2014 Panama Mission Team. We will be heading to Panama, Saturday, June 28 and returning Sunday, July 6. On the trip we will be working with children, doing construction, building friendships with Ngobe Indians, exploring the rain forest, seeing the beaches, and having an opportunity to sightsee in Panama City. The trip costs between $600-$700 per person if you help with all fundraisers. This is an intergenerational trip; however, children and youth under the age of 16 need to have a guardian accompany them. You may complete a mission trip application which can be found on our website under “Serve” or in the front office. Return forms and non-refundable $50 application deposit to Stephanie Arnold or Mary Elizabeth Myatt by Feb-ruary 9. Check out our web page for last year’s video to see what the experience is like and begin getting excited! Please contact Stephanie Arnold at Stephanie@firstchurchbhm.com with any questions or to inquire about possible scholarship assistance.

Christmas Day in Ceinaguita! Gifts for 600 children (including the nail polish and matchbox cars from our First Church family) and 800 plates of rice with chicken served to all who came.

I have found that there is no better way to form a bond be-tween women than coming together for coffee, snacks, and sharing! Every Tuesday morning at Church of the Recon-ciler, we gather at 10:00am for a time of worship, sharing, and peace. We all open our hearts and share joy, laughter, tears, struggles, and concerns. The focus of our group is to support and lift each other up as women and servants of Christ. The walls come down that separate God’s children by culture, race, religion, etc. I am inviting any woman col-lege-age and older, here at First Church or beyond, to be a part of this necessary ministry at Church of the Reconciler. If you feel led to participate

I would love for you to join us! Please feel free to email me at maryelizabeth@firstchurchbhm.com.

--Mary Elizabeth Myatt

Church of the Reconciler WOMEN’S GROUP

Come be a part of First Church’s team heading to SIFAT in Lineville, Alabama. “Servants in Faith and Technology” provides a unique opportunity to experience what it is like to live in a developing country. Whether learning to cook a meal, living in a slum or a refugee camp, or building a composting latrine, you will leave having challenged yourself to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Anyone 16 and over is welcome to sign-up. We will leave at 3:00pm on a Friday afternoon in April and return Sunday evening. Cost for the two-night trip is around $100. For more information or to sign-up, contact Stephanie Arnold at Stephanie@firstchurchbhm.com. Curious what SIFAT is about? Check out their web page at www.sifat.org.

FEBRUARY DISCUSSION:Thursday, February 13, at the home of Marnie Brown

The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore

MARCH DISCUSSION: Thursday, March 13, at the home of Jill Rogers

Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

APRIL DISCUSSION:Thursday, April 10, at the home of Erica Sellers

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

This is an intergenerational gathering once a month to discuss the spiritual and faith aspects of a book. All are welcome, whether you have attended the first meetings or not, whether you have read the book or not, or even if you just want to drop in for one book that interests you most. For more information, contact Hanna Schock at hannaschock@bellsouth.net.

GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE CHURCH

TO THE MEMORIAL FUND

In Memory of Frances Rabunfrom Lisa and John Taylor and familyfrom Ethel and Marshall Lucius

In Memory of Bernice Ingramfrom Beverly and Chuck Veatch

In Memory of Frank Dominickfrom Ann D. and John Hardin

TO THE BUILDING FUND

In Honor of Brian Garrettfrom Dottie and Raymond Lee

TO THE PANAMA MISSION TRIP

In Honor of Jason Dearingfrom Wanda and Larry Lee

TO THE LIVING CHURCH FUND

In Honor of Virginia McLean on her birthday from Geneva Blackburn

If you would like to have flowers placed at our Sanctuary altar in honor or memory of someone special, please email Lindsay Pitts at lkspitts@aol.com or call 205-586-9203 for more information.

In the English language, the word “PRESENT” has multiple meanings. We have a PRESENT, which refers to a gift. We have PRESENT as a reference to time, i.e. the future, past and PRESENT. We have PRESENT as a ref-erence to attendance, i.e. opposite of absent. We also can change the pronunciation slightly and PRESENT something before the Lord. It is a complex and important word. On Sunday, February 2nd, we ask that you be all of those things by being present in worship. Pick that date in time to be in attendance as a part of your gift offered before the Lord. Be the PRESENT in the PRESENT by presenting yourself as PRESENT.

WEDNESDAYS:12:00pm - Chapel Open for Prayer 4:00pm - Prayer Shawl Knitters 6:00pm - Collision Bible Study 6:30pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6:30pm - Converge Midweek

SUNDAYS: 8:30am - Beginnings 9:45am - Sunday School 11:00am - The Loft & Sanctuary Services 5:00pm - City Kids Sunday Nights 5:00pm - Collision 5:15pm - Enriching Your Prayer Life (Small Group)

THURSDAYS:6:45am - Muffin Men

TUESDAYS:12:00pm - Prayer Lunch (Alabama Power) 6:30pm - 3 Essential Prayers (Small Group)

FRIDAYS: 6:45am - Men’s Prayer Breakfast

MONDAYS:7:30am - Prayer Conference Call 6:30pm - Disciple 1 Bible Study

February - 19TH 11:30am - Garden Club

February - 17TH 12:00pm - Circle 25 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 10TH 6:00pm - Executive Council 6:00pm - Finance Commitee

February - 12TH 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 16TH 12:00pm - Children’s Council

February - 24TH 5:30pm - Trustees Meeting

February - 6TH 6:00pm - Supper Club 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 4TH 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 13TH 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 2nD 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 20TH 6:30pm - Vincent Bernhardt 6:00pm - Prayer Dinner

February - 9TH 12:00pm - College Lunch 12:00pm - Arts Camp team Meeting 4:00pm - Preschool Valentine Party

FEBRUARY CALEnDAR

firstCHURCH

BIRMINGHAM

an OPEN place for ALL to WORSHIP,GROW, and SERVE

518 North 19th Street • Birmingham AL 35203205-254-3186 • www.firstchurchbhm.com

Senior PastorKeith Thompson

PastorStephanie Arnold

FIRST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM STAFF

Choir DirectorJim Cook

Loft Worship Blake Hobbs

Music DirectorMark Hayes

Children’s DirectorLinda Underwood

CDC Executive DirectorRobin Pate

College / Young Adults DirectorKatie Gilbert

Youth DirectorJonathan Goss

Administrative AssistantRobin Baker

Engagement AssistantMary Elizabeth Myatt

Wedding DirectorNonna Tindal

Maintenance Supervisor Kenneth Moore

Financial AssistantPeggy West

Nursery DirectorGinger Gambill