First Things Newsletter F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h o f M i d l a n d 9 1 5 E . S u g n e t R o a d , M i d l a n d , M I 4 8 6 4 2 - 3 7 7 7

9 8 9 - 8 3 5 - 6 7 3 1 E - m a i l : f i r s t b a p t i s t c h u r c h @ a m e r i t e c h . n e t

In s i de th i s i s su e :

First Friends 2

Thank You’s 2

Kingdom Assignment Update: House of Mercy

2

Follow The Browns In Ghana!

3 3

Upcoming Capital Campaign Proposal

3

Worship In July 3

Special Business Mtg. 4 Young Adult Ministry Staring

4

Dates To Remember… 5

Ju l y 1 , 2011

Our Vision: “In the spirit of our compassionate Christ, we are a family of growing believers serving all of God’s people in an ever changing world!”

PASTORAL SEARCH UPDATE

As we know, our pastor, John Dick, has shared with our congregation his plan to retire at the end of September. This note comes to share with you some information related to the steps being taken to move forward in light of this news. Our first step is to create a Pastoral Search Committee and this has been set in motion. In keeping with our by-laws, the Leadership Development Team in cooperation with our Moderator, Amy Meilink, has invited ten people to consider serving on this team. They include: Barb Neil, Fred Baker, Harry Steib, Janet Ofori-Darko, Dale Green, Kim Bruce, Janis Smith, Brett Seamster, Louise Bergman, and Peng Fei Fu. How blessed we are to have these wonderful people stand willing to serve in this important way. At the business meeting on July 17 (see details elsewhere in newsletter) five of these candidates will be elected to serve. We hope that as you help to make this important selection you will bear in mind who we are as a congregation and what we stand for. This slate of candidates is representative of our church. We hope as much as possible to embrace the various ethnicities in our church, as well as men and women, as well as the junior and senior members of our congregation. Regarding this important meeting… After consulting the church by-laws and those who have handled voting in the past, it is determined that you must be present to vote. Absentee ballots are not acceptable. The church clerk will check off your name from a list of members and you must sign for your ballot. Thank you for understanding in this regard. On another note, while there is a great deal of discussion and not a little uneasiness over John's eminent departure, we have great expectations for what God holds in the future for First Baptist Church of Midland. And as we move in this direction, we ask you to please be in prayer for John and Paula during this major life transition and especially for our remaining staff. Changes such as these are never easy and place additional pressure on busy people. At the same time, these kinds of transitions have the potential to draw us closer as a church family. During this time of change, in addition to our own local procedures and policies, we will be relying on the services of American Baptists Churches of Michigan - particularly in the person of our State Executive Minister, Mike Williams, who was here not long ago. Mike has taken a special interest in our congregation and has offered his assistance to the First Baptist family. Finally, there is one more important detail we are addressing and it is related to calling an interim pastor. That responsibility is delegated to the Leadership Development Team which will recommend a potential candidate for the approval of the Team Network. This will be a very important person in the life of our congregation. This individual can serve as a guide and a bridge between the departure of our beloved pastor and the arrival of the person God has chosen for us. We hope to have this individual in place by the time of John and Paula's leaving. Hopefully it goes without saying that we welcome your input at every step of this process. We will be careful to take into account all suggestions, comments and questions you may have. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience. We seek to provide you with a process that is absolutely transparent and accessible. We understand this is a time of consternation for all, but we hope everyone will realize as well, that this is a time for great potential spiritual growth for us as a church, both individually and collectively. We ask again that you keep our church in your prayers as we go forward with this effort and as we strive to have a greater influence for the cause of Christ in our community and around the world. Thank you, Your Leadership Development Team and Church Moderator Fred Baker, Allen Ross, Tim King, Amy Meilink

Kingdom Ass ignmen t Upda te : House o f Mer cy

Since beginning in 2008 with 20 comfort bags, we continue to provide comfort bags for women and children staying at the women’s shelter, House of Mercy. In addition other items have been donated. House of Mercy women were so appreciative for the dresser, under bed storage unit, sheets, pillow cases, towels, washcloths and laundry detergent recently donated by our Church family. The money from the Mission Board budget each year has really helped meet their needs.

Marcia Williams continues to make the children’s bags and Emmy Bork makes the women’s bags. Tammy Tomlinson furnishes the Bibles. We could not continue each year to keep this ministry going if it were not for those of you who donate money or items for the comfort bags. We average between 60-70 bags each year. Women’s bags: Body wash, Scrubbies, Shampoo, Razors, Comb, Brush, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Bible and God’s Love Letter and God’s Love Letter. Children’s bags: Pillow, Pillow case, Blanket, Stuffed animal, Book, Coloring book, Crayons, Soap, Comb, Toothbrush, Toothpaste and God’s Love Letter for children. We have exciting news! As soon as the new 1016 House is built on M-20, House of Mercy will be moving to the 1016 House on Eastman Rd. It will give them room to help more women and children. Also, it will be a better location to job hunt in town. They are very excited about making this move. Thanks so much for your support in this ministry! ~ Anne & Elaine Poindexter

F i r s t F r i ends

We extend congratulations to Kendall Kobel. Kendall graduated from the 88th Delta College Basic Police Training Academy and received the MCOLES (Michigan Commission On Law Enforcement Standards) Outstanding

Performance Award… With this writing, we’re happy to report that Mary Poland is making progress in her recovery from a stroke. She is now home and enjoys having visitors. Of course, a call before visiting is always appreciated… Our condolences are expressed to Bob and Jo Clarke. Bob recently lost his mother, Helen, who was a long time member of First Baptist, Midland. And now word has come that Bob’s Uncle just passed so they made another trip back to Iowa…

Our prayers surround Jayden Lamb, the grandson of Judy and Denny Zeiss. Jayden’s cancer has returned and he has entered a special program at the University of Michigan. Please embrace Jayden and his entire family during this very difficult time… Joyce Phillips recently had a fall which is complicated with her MS. Joyce is having a tough time right now. We remember she and Jeff in our prayers… It was a bitter-sweet moment when we said goodbye to Ron and Paula Rogers following worship recently. Ron and Paula are moving to Indiana to be closer to family. They will be missed and we wish them well…

Thank You ’s f rom Members & F r iends

My thanks to all the First Baptist Family for supporting Arlie and myself following Rotator Cuff repair surgery. My physician says it will be a 3 month healing process before he feels the surgery was a success. The FBC plant has been enjoyed and enjoyed. And as ever, John Dick kept Arlie company in the waiting room. All visits were appreciated by us both. We are blessed to have each of you. ~Martha McMahan

Jo and I want to thank the congregation for their expressions of sympathy and concern at the death of my mother, Helen Clarke. ~ Bob and Jo Clarke

PAGE 2 F IRST THINGS

Fo l low The B rowns In Ghan a !

Follow the Brown’s in Ghana by going to http://fbcghana2010.com/blog. There you will learn what we are involved in, and how you can pray for us each day. We are so blessed to have the strong support of First Baptist Midland, and we will remember you in our prayers too. We look forward to sharing lots of stories with you when we get back in August.

Many blessings, --David and Susan Brown

PAGE 3 F IRST THINGS

Upcoming C ap i t a l Campa ign P roposa l

Over the last several months the Stewardship and Finance and Property Management Teams have been compiling a prioritized list of capital improvements and repairs that are needed to keep our place of worship energy efficient, aesthetically pleasing and in general good repair. We anticipate addressing these items in a phased manner and it should be noted that the list is not inclusive of all repairs that are needed but rather our attempt to prioritize the most pressing items, with the estimated cost for each and the overall campaign goal. A more detailed presentation will be shared during the July 17th Special Meeting.

Additionally, Denny Zeiss has agreed to be the Project Manager for this capital campaign. During Denny’s career with Dow Corning he was responsible for managing projects around the globe. Denny will be the “go to” person if anyone in the congregation has questions. He will keep us updated of the progress once the actual work begins and he will work closely with Boyd Green throughout the process.

Campaign Goal: $150,000

Phase 1

Sanctuary re-roofing and insulation $60,000 Chapel and North Wing insulation $13,000 Repair and Replacement items $15,000 Dishwasher Replacement $18,000

Phase 1 Subtotal $106,000

Phase 2 Cooling Unit, Ductwork & Subsequent Code Items $26,000

Contingencies (unforeseen items, change orders, etc.) $18,000 Total $150,000

WORSHIP IN JULY During the month of July, our pastor will be in California the weekend of July 4 to perform Chris Seamster’s wedding. And at the end of July, he will be on vacation for ten days. During his absence our Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Joseph Mortensen, will be leading the worship celebrations. How blessed we are to have Joe available and willing to share in this wonderful way. Thank you Joe!

PAGE 4 F IRST THINGS

A SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JULY 17, 2011 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CHURCH SERVICE.

The purpose of this meeting is as follows: 1. To nominate 5 members for the Pastoral Search Committee. Nominees include: Fred Baker Louise Bergman Kim Bruce Peng Fei Fu Dale Green Barb Neil Janet Ofori-Darko Brett Seamster Jan Smith Harry Steib 2. To vote on the Capital Campaign Proposal from Stewardship and Finance Committee/Property Management 3. To vote on the replacement for Special Funds Treasurer. Lanny Robbins has been nominated to replace Jian Wei Wan.

Are you in your 20s or early 30s? Maybe you're in college? We've got a fun, dynamic ministry that we are trying to start!! Our purpose is to grow together, fellowship with each other and have some good, clean fun! We will be star�ng monthly events, and other ou�ngs in the months ahead.

Our first get-together is July 10th right a�er church we will be going to grab a pizza at Pizza Sam's and then onto a photo scavenger hunt! We will end this party with yard games and a bon-fire! Any ques�ons and for more informa�on please contact Lacey Wright 989-513- 6584 or Holley Wright 989-708-0918

Young Adu l t M in is t r y S ta r t in g Up… .

PAGE 5 F IRST THINGS

Date Time Event

July 2 10:00—1:00 PM Organ Practice - John Lastovica (Sanctuary)

July 3 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM

Worship Service Sunday School Midland Chinese School (Narthex, Harmony)

July 4 ALL DAY Office Closed in Observance of Independence Day

July 5 9:30 AM 7:00 PM

Prayer Fellowship (Harmony) Softball: Salv. Army @ FBC (DH): Currie

July 7 7:00 PM Softball: FBC @ Gordonville: Lee

July 9 10:00—1:00 PM Organ Practice - John Lastovica (Sanctuary)

July 10 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM

Worship Service Sunday School Midland Chinese School (Narthex, Harmony) Softball: ALL STAR Game @ Lee

July 11 9:30 AM Prayer Fellowship (Harmony)

July 17 9:30 AM 10:30 AM

Worship Service BUSINESS MEETING (Sanctuary)

July 19 9:30 AM Prayer Fellowship (Harmony)

July 22 ALL DAY Recycle-A-Bicycle (Hearthside)

July 23 ALL DAY 10:00 AM

Recycle-A-Bicycle (Hearthside) Boy Scout Car Wash

July 24 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM

Worship Service Sunday School Midland Chinese (Narthex, Harmony) Boy Scout Car Wash

July 26 9:30 AM Prayer Fellowship (Harmony)

July 27 12:00 PM Article Submission Deadline for August 1 Newsletter

July 30 7:00—12:00 PM 10:00—1:00 PM

Angel Food Pick Up (Hearthside) Organ Practice - John Lastovica (Sanctuary)

FBC Church Services and Functions may be Videotaped for Shut-in distribution and broadcast on MCTV. If you are interested in viewing our services, they will be broadcast on Charter Cable MCTV Channel 99 at 2:00 PM Thursdays,

and on Channel 99 at 8:30 Wednesday evening.