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FOCUSFirst Baptist Church , Chico850 Palmetto AvenueChico, CA 95926530-343-3446

Monthly Newsletter Vol. 30, No. 1 - 1/27/11

We are a richly varied church community celebrating the grace of God through worship, through encouraging spiritual growth, and by living as reminders of Gods loving presence in our world.

I

was never a Boy Scout, but Ive always likedtheir motto about being prepared. Another wayof saying the same thing is that its helpful to

have a Plan B just in case Plan A bombs.

As I shared with you last month, the Torres Shelter is in need of a Plan B. Their numbers have beenrunning close to what they can handle. In caseyouve heard that theyre still well under their totalcapacity number of 120, let me explain thesituation.

You may know that the Shelter has beds for men,women and families. The mens room has beds for

70. The womens room has beds for 30. There are5 family rooms with 4 beds in each of those. Thistotals 120 beds.

However, capacity may be reached before the 120figure. For example, last night (the 25 ), thereth

were 73 men. The Shelter put 4 men in a familyroom leaving the mens area with 69 beds filled.Two of the family rooms only had 2 beds filled,

but they were filled with a mother and child or

father and child, and so the other 2 beds couldnt be used. So while the total number wasnt close tothe 120 figure, there was really only one mens bedavailable. They were essentially at capacity.

The Shelter board decided earlier that if theyrethis close to capacity for 3 or 4 days in a row,theyll ask us to take a certain number of men, and

perhaps women, so that theyll have room to accept

those who may come at the last minute on a givennight. If we took 13 men and 7 women, or somesuch combination, for a couple of weeks, we would

pretty much guarantee that those who needed to stayat the Shelter would be able to have a bed.

Should this plan be put into place, guests would be bused to arrive here at 9 pm after theyve checkedin and eaten at the Shelter. They would be bused

back to the Shelter in the morning, somewherearound 5:45 or 6:00 am so they could be on their way at about the same time they usually leave theShelter. The Shelter would provide a staff personduring the night. Our guests would sleep on mats asthey did when we sheltered the homeless a number of years ago. Were attempting to borrow matsfrom the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Wellsupply paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels.

Its still not definite that our Fellowship Hall will beneeded, but as I began, its better to be preparedthan to suddenly find that the Shelter is 4 or 5 or 10

beds short with no place to sleep more individuals.

This is a good contingency plan for all involved.

Ive been very impressed with your support for this plan. It may be that our Fellowship Hall wont beneeded. But were ready to offer our hand of fellowship to these in need. Thank you for your willingness to help us spread Gods love to thesewho are in need.

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First Baptist Church, Chico850 Palmetto AvenueChico, CA 95926530-343-3446www.chicofirstbaptist.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

E-Mail:fbcofficechico@sbcglobal.netEvery Member a Minister

Rev. Ted Sandberg D. Min.

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R

Sunday, February 6 - Communion SundayTuesday, February 8 - Governing Board 7 pm

Wednesday, February 9- CAIC 11:45 amThursday, February 10th/17th/24th - choir 6pm

Saturday, February 12 - ABW Roll Bandages Fellowship HallMonday, February 14 - Valentines Day

Tuesday, February 15 - CirclesSunday, February 20 - Missions/Social Concerns serves evening meal to Torres Shelter

Sunday, February - FOCUS Articles due in officeMonday, February 21 - Presidents Day-Office Closed

Sunday, February 27- Spiritual Practice Class

Expediters: Joyce Shannon, Louise Logue, Evelyn Cash, Marta Torres, Bernice Sherrill

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Focus on Chico First Baptist FamilyWe are continuing to pray for: The War in Iraq and AfghanistanFRIENDS WITH CANCER: CAROL: Catherine Hendrixs neighbor - diagnosed with kidney cancer; PAULMETTLE - Jill Ramseys brother-in-law; FERN MORGAN - Mother of friend of Terre Reynolds; FRANK JAMES - Mary Jane Bowsers friend - esophageal cancer; MARGARET BALLINGERS SISTER - Undergoingchemotherapy for extensive cancer; CHERYL DEAN : Evelyn Cashs cousin has bone cancer

***

J. T. HENDRIX: Now in Hospice care; LILLIAN WENDORF: Doing well; MARY JANE BOWSER: Fluidunder knee cap - dislocated right toe; GEORGE SMITH : Recovering from a knee operation; TIM CLELAND:Margaret Nevins friend - recovering at home and in rehab; SHIRLEY SMITH: Has Parkinsons and Palsy SP;AMY: Ed Hightowers daughter - Parkinsons disease; RICK: Jill Ramseys cousin - has kidney failure; GRACEBLANCHARD: Knee problem.

***Courtyard at Little Chico Creek: HELEN WALLACEThe Inn at the Terraces (Apt 12): EDITH MCCONNELL - Phone: 342-4421Roses & Ivy Elder Care Center: DOLLY SKINNER Twin Oaks Care Center: LOU HAYESRoseleaf Senior Care (Humboldt Rd., Chico) : PAULA JOHNSONWindsor Chico Care Center: J. T. HENDRIXFeather River Canyon Home: ELAINE HERRINGTON - Phone: 876-9918

MILITARY: DAN GERFEN: Joan Hannis Gerfens son- Dan deployed to AfghanistanJASON WILLIAMS - Ed Hightowers step grandsonWILL DUNHAM - Doris Arbuckles grandson

Pacific Coast Baptist Association. Remember those who are grieving.*If there are names that can or should be removed please contact Ted or the office at 343-3446*

****************************************************************************ATTENTION!

Save February 12th, at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall - All Circles are invited

to help roll bandages for our White Cross quota. All you need to bring arescissors to trim the strings. Coffee & snacks will be served by the president.

The end of April will be the Womens Conference in Yakima, Washington. We will be getting more information soon that will include the date and prices. This is

a fun time to meet our other sisters from 5 states including ours.Save May 14th for our Yard Sale! Cindy Hightower has offered her yard for this

event as her house is on the corner of two busy streets! More info later

ABW M INISTRIES CIRCLE MEETINGS - Tuesday, February 15

Susan Linderman 10:00 AM Country Waffle 690 Rio Lindo

Hope 7:00 PM Sue Rychtera 1030 Holben Avenue

Lauran Bethell 6:30 PM Mandarin Cuisine 1040 Mangrove

Spiritual Practice: Affirmations of Serenity, Sufficiency and Gratitude Class

Sandi Johns will be teaching a class on prayer practices (or how to pray). The class in entitled Spiritual Practice:Affirmations of Serenity, Sufficiency and Gratitude.

The class will be on Sunday (February 27) beginning around noon. We will fellowship and eat our sack lunchesimmediately following church. Sandi has requested that you bring your prior experiences. She will also want to knowyour expectations/desires. This class will be opened to the public.

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AB Womens Ministries

Bible Book for February: Jonah

News & Updates

LAUREN BETHELL CIRCLEAt our December meeting, we voted to donate $50 to the Sixth Street Drop-in Center, which is a shelter for homelessteen-agers. When we met in January, Cindy Hightower reported that she was able to purchase three new sleeping

bags with those funds, and the shelter was very pleased to receive them. Doris Arbuckle, Reporter

AB Womens Ministries Board MeetingThe American Baptist Women met on January 8 in the library. Those attending were Cheri Sandberg, MartyBrandstatt, Virginia Bolton, Margaret Ballinger, Joyce Shannon, Jackie Long and Louise Logue.

Cheri opened the meeting with a prayer. The Treasurer's report was distributed.

Marty read a thank you for the gift card that we sent for White Cross. She also reported on the White Crossrequirements. They have requested 150 rolled bandages 10 yards long by 2 inches wide. We will be rolling bandages

at the next board meeting on February 12.Cheri reported the results of six phone calls we made to local charities that we have donated to in the past.

We discussed the indoor/outdoor yard sale. The date selected was May 14. We will use two days to set-up andideally we will accept donations up to and including May 12.

There were several suggestions for fund raisers including a Bazaar, a tea-luncheon and a fashion show.

Submitted by Louise Logue

The Susan Linderman CircleThe Susan Linderman Circle met on January 18 at 10:00 A.M. at the Country Waffle restaurant.

Those attending were Evelyn Cash, Ann Clark, Margaret Ballinger, Lena White, Vivian Anderegg, Jackie Long,Betty Hannis, Louise Logue and Virginia Bolton, chairman.

Lena opened the meeting with a prayer. Margaret made a motion to change the name of the circle to Circle of Charity. Ann seconded the motion. After a short discuss, the group voted to change their name to Circle of Charity.The name will become effective on May 1, 2011. A brief report of the recent ABW board meeting was delivered byLouise. There was a period of sharing and fellowship following. Evelyn will continue to be a caller for the Circle.

The devotion was brought to us by Betty. It was taken from Romans 12.

Margaret reminded everyone that if they would like to donate any items to Catalyst, she would see that they weredelivered. She read a list of items that they would like to have.

The next meetings devotion will be communicated by Virginia.

The regular offering was $40 and the Love Gift amount was $35.

Virginia adjourned the meeting with prayer.

The Circle of Hope The Circle of Hope met on January 18 at the home of Joan Gerfen. We revealed our Secret Sisters and drew namesfor 2011 season. We collected $28 for our General Offering and $8 for Love Gift. We enjoyed tea and cookies anda wonderful evening of fellowship.

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The All-Committee meeting The All-Committee meeting on January 15 was well attended. We sang a few songs and read the Church Covenantresponsively. The Committees met and prepared goals for 2011. Immediately following the All-Committee meetingwe held our first Governing Board meeting for 2011. After the opening scripture and prayer, we dispensed with theminutes. There were a few changes to the calendars.

Jerry Fogle reminded us that the financial report was posted in the narthex.Sue Rychtera reported that the expenses were approximately $700 more than the donations for last year.

The Pastors report included a comment that Doris Arbuckle and Marty Brandstatt had come to help undecoratethe church, in addition to those who help clean each week. Carol Willette has been hired as the new secretary. TheAnnual meeting will be held on January 23 . The next meeting for the missional group will be held on January 29.rd

Deborah Logue will no longer be maintaining the web site. As of the first of the year, it will be maintained by Caroland Ted. Ted informed us that the Fellowship Hall will possibly be used to house homeless men when the TorresShelter reaches capacity. Under old business, Joan Gerfen reported for the nominating committee. Under new

business, Ted suggested that we continue the ad for the Chico Theater program. Joan will bring forms for the 5Wishes program and explain the program on January 23. We also discussed a new class that Sandi Johns will teach a

class on spirituality on February 27 , immediately after worship. Those attending will be invited to bring a sack th

lunch.

Committee chairs or representatives reported on committee activities.

Ted told us that we needed to obtain a Historian/Photographer.

The next Governing Board will be held on February 8, 2011 and Sue Rychtera will bring the opening scripture and prayer.

Annual MeetingThe Annual Meeting for First Baptist Church was held on January 23 in the Social Hall.

Rev. Ted Sandberg opened the meeting with prayer, and we enjoyed a meal prepared by Andrea and Marc Edson.

Jerry Brandstatt noted that the Committee goals seemed reasonable. He also stated a chairperson is still needed for the Property Management Committee. If you are interested, see Jerry.

Joan Gerfen explained briefly the 5-Wishes program. She distributed the forms and will set-up a meeting soon.

Alice Reed announced a new class that will be held on February 27, immediately following church. Those attendedare invited to bring a sack lunch and meet in the social hall. Rev. Sandi John will teach the class: Spiritual Practice:Affirmations of Serenity, Sufficiency and Gratitude. The class will run about an hour.

Doris Arbuckle reported that she and Ted would be visiting shut-ins beginning next week.Cheri Sandberg suggested that if you would like to be on the Prayer Chain, call the office and leave your name and

phone number.

Marta Torres commented that the Communication Committee would be sending emails to each committee member regarding their meetings.

Ted adjourned the meeting with a prayer

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

February 2011Flowers for the Month -Provided by church members

1

2

Worship 11am

Stewardship 6pm

3

Communications9am

4

Joan Gerfen

Social Hall

5

6 Communion 7

Pastor/Staff 5:30

Evangelism/Membership 6:30

8

ChristianEducation 6pm

Gov. Bd. 7 pm

9

CAIC 11:45 am

10 11

Rose Scott out

12

ABW - roll

bandages 10amfellowship hall

13

ValentinesSunday

Chico HeritageAssoc. Soc Hall1:30 to 4:30pm

14

Valentines Day

15

CIRCLES

16 17 18 19

20

Missions/Social serve evening meal to Torres

Shelter

FOCUS deadline

21

OFFICECLOSED

22

Missions/SocialConcerns 5:15

F.O.R. 7 pm

23 24

Flag Day

25 26

27

Spiritual Practice:Affirmations of Serenity,Sufficiency andGratitude.

12:00 pm

28

*Lock up person