August 2018Volume 15, Issue 1

8-2Summerscope Parent Night6:30 p.m., Family Life Center

8-3Final Day of Summerscope

8-5Friendship Sunday Supper

4:00 p.m., Hallock Hall

Clothes Closet4:30 p.m.

8-6SMAK Camp Begins

First Monday Playtime, Adults 55+

12:00 p.m., Family Life Center

Deacon Leadership Meeting6:30 p.m. Media Conference Room

8-10SMAK Camp Performance

7:00 p.m., Sanctuary

AUGUSTEVENTS

Rescued by Jesus! Vacation Bible School was a wonderful week for our church as God blessed us with the opportunity to love and teach more than 200 children

about Jesus and His Kingdom. Thank you to Suzette and the 100-plus volunteers who served as teachers, crew

leaders, and in a variety of other essential ways.And now the work begins. Let us be faithful to follow up and receive these children

and their families as some make the effort to join us on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Be sure to welcome the new faces you see in your LifeGroups and in worship. Instead of saying, “You are sitting in my pew,” introduce yourself and take a seat alongside of them.

Our summer children’s ministries are winding down with the start of school in just a few weeks. A special thanks to Staci Rhea and our SummerScope staff for another significant summer of ministry. SummerScope concludes on August 3.

SMAK takes place August 6-10. Be in prayer for Chad and his team of volunteers as they teach a “Bible-story inspired musical for kids” in only five days. Then, join us on Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m. when they share “Danny & the Shacks” with us during worship.

Promotion Sunday is August 19. I look forward to Suzette Mason, Minister of Discipleship and Children, sharing from the pulpit that Sunday as we begin a new year of LifeGroups. Give thanks to and pray for all our LifeGroup leaders. Then, on August 26, we will present Bibles to our first- and sixth-graders as we mark these two significant milestones in their lives.

The Draw Near worship series begins August 26. Draw Near will explore the depths of Hebrews 10:19-25 and challenge us to Draw Near to God and to each other. Will you make the commitment to be present and to Draw Near to God and to your church family during this season of worship?

I am finishing up this article on the morning my 4th chemo treatment is scheduled. The cards, words of encouragement, and meals you are providing are a tremendous source of strength during this season. Thank you for being a vital part of my journey of healing and Shalom. My doctor indicates that the treatments are working and the cancer is losing the battle. I rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for this great news, but now must finish the course of treatments. At this point it would be easy to declare victory and not complete my last three rounds of chemo. But, I must finish the course and endure the remaining treatments and their side-effects.

I am thankful for a God who is patient and longsuffering. Through the example of Jesus on the cross and the sufferings of the apostles in scripture we know that sacrifice and suffering are an inevitable part of life and faith. I am thankful that Jesus declared “I am finished” and the Apostle Paul wrote that he had “finished the course.”

We all experience seasons of life where we must be patient and longsuffering. Quitting is sometimes the easiest thing to do when things are difficult in life, in relationships and at work. But, we too can carry on. Through the strength of the Holy Spirit in us and the encouragement of the Body of Christ around us, let us also finish the course that is before us. And let us do so for the glory of the Lord!

DR. WADE SMITH

ROY JOEHAM

An evening with Louis Armstrong and jazz

August 17Yellow Rose Dinner Theatre

A church van will depart the FBC parking lot at 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $42

Lunch with Savvy Senior Jim Miller

August 24, 11:30 a.m.Jim will share Great Gadgets

For Easier Aging. We also will honor our July

and August birthdays. Cost is $5 per person, unless

we are celebrating your birthday month, then lunch is free. Register at the Family Life Center

Are you interested in an adventure to the Land of Lincoln — Springfield, Illinois, and more? Contact Vickie or Lisa at the Family Life Center, 360-5300.

Adults 55+ activities announced

COMING IN SEPTEMBERSeptember 7

Senior Seminary with Dr. Mack Roark

SAVE THE DATEJune 4-13, 2019

Rhine River CruiseFor more information, contact Vickie or Lisa at the Family Life

Center, 360-5300

As I write this we are about to begin our Vacation Bible School. All of the arrangements have been made, the decorations are up and we have 200 children pre-registered. My hope is that we have been a faithful praying church to get us in the right place for this to be a God event beyond what we have experienced in quite some time.

Of course for all the work and planning, it cannot be done without a church full of volunteers. We have been blessed this summer with volunteers painting and updating class rooms, stepping up to fill positions, providing snacks, teaching and offering security for all who are here. Thank you to a church family that will make this week possible. Thank you Suzette for your vision and leadership!

For some of you August will provide a greeting back from a long summer away. We pray that you return refreshed, and ready to take your appropriate place in worship, but also in ministry as a faithful family member. Much has been accomplished but there is so very much more to do.

As we all return and begin looking at a new academic year in Norman Public Schools and the various universities, it is time for a reminder that your faithful generosity is needed and appreciated to support the ministries of First Baptist Church. This could be a reminder to take a look at your giving and make sure you are where God would call you to be at this time of the year.

Many of you have been asking about our next mission trip to South Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey recovery. It was nearly a year ago that the storm hit and so much is left to do. I recently talked with the Carpenter’s Helpers, who assist in coordinating our work there, and they have more than 150 homes that have not been touched to this date. There is another group that has more than 600 homes that need restored.

The next Hands for Harvey trip is scheduled to leave Norman on Sunday, November 4, and return on Saturday the November 10. If you consider going, please contact me so I can add you to the list to receive the regular updates.

As we all know, much of Norman revolves around our seasons of school, so this is a new season for us. I encourage you to seek the face of God and discover what your position needs to be in our ministries at First Baptist.

A new season is upon us

children and Students

will move to their next LifeGroup

PROMOTIONSUNDAY

Loving People

August 19

SMAK Camp performances planned

From August 6-10 the First Baptist Church sanctuary will be the site for children of SMAK Camp to practice a full-length Bible story-inspired musical, Danny & The Shacks. All their hard work will be showcased during two performances that are open to the community.

"The first presentation of Danny & The Shacks will be at 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 10. The children also will lead us in worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 12. Both performances will be in the sanctuary," Rev. Chad E. Smith, Minister of Music and Worship Arts, said.

Children enrolled in SMAK Camp will spend the week learning the music, drama, and choreography of Danny & The Shacks.

"Feel free to invite as many family members and friends you would like to the musical," Chad said.

Friday, August 10 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 1210:30 a.m.

PERFORMANCES

Bible PRESENTATIONS

SUNDAY,AUGUST 26

FIRST- AND SIXTH-GRADERS WILL BE PRESENTED

WITH A BIBLE

SMAK Camp Performance10:30 a.m., Sanctuary12

19Promotion Sunday

Friendship Sunday Supper4:00 p.m., Hallock Hall

Food Pantry and Devotion4:30 p.m.

August Highlights

29Family Dinner5:15 p.m., Hallock Hall

Inflatable Stories: Family Fun7:00 p.m., Family Life Center

15

University LifeGroupSundays at 9:15 a.m.

Room 222

University Lunch in Hallock Hall

Following WorshipAugust 19, August 26

September 2

Wednesday Evening Activities Resume

Family Dinner5:15 p.m., Hallock Hall

24 July, August Birthday Bash11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., FLC

Teaching The Word

22

Yellow Rose Theater: Louie Armstrong 5:30 p.m.17

Friendship International Resumes9:00 a.m.23

SUMMER WEDNESDAY NIGHTSGame Night and Ice Cream

Wednesday, August 15 Dinner at 5:15 p.m. in Hallock Hall

Brats, Coneys, Chips$3 per person or $10 per family

This year marks our 10th year at Lincoln Elementary, partnering with them through our Kids Hope USA mentoring program. Through this ministry we are able to provide one-on-one mentoring to at-risk students.

It has been such a blessing to see the relationships develop between mentors and students. Some are able to stay together for four or five years, while others end after a short time due to school transfers.

Regardless of the length of time together, God is able to shower love on these children. We are able to truly make a difference in their futures through the hour spent each week helping them with math, spelling, reading, and playing

games. By

showing up each week, our mentors show the students that they matter and that someone believes in them.

Please join us in this simple ministry to change lives — we want to cover the school with mentors!

Email me at angelaa@fbcnorman.org to get more details. Information packets are also available in the media racks around the church.

Summer Wednesday Nights Dinner and Game Night5:15 p.m., Hallock Hall

Choir rehearsal resumes6:30 p.m.

Bring your favorite homemade ice cream to share!

SUMMER SUPPERSFor Women

REGISTER AT FBCNORMAN.ORG OR THE CHURCH OFFICE

AUGUST 7GABERINOS

6:00 P.M.

Mentoring program celebrates 10 years

ANGELA ATKINS

Welcome BackUniversity Students

EVERYONE IS INVITED

WEDNESDAY Evenings RETURN!

AUGU

ST 29

5:15 P.M.

DINNER, HALLOCK HALL

6:00 P.M. INFLATABLE STORIES WITH DAN BELLAMY,BLOWN UP STORIES SHARING LIFE'S BIGGEST TRUTHSSANCTUARY

6:45 P.M.

INFLATABLES, FAMILY LIFE CENTER

AT FIRST GLANCE (USPS 008-741) is published monthly by the First Baptist Church, 211 W. Comanche St., Norman, OK (405)321-1753.  Periodical postage paid at Norman, OK.  POSTMASTER:  Send address changes to AT FIRST GLANCE, 211 W. Comanche, Norman, OK 73069-5698.

At FIRST Glance

First Baptist Church211 W

. Comanche St.

Norm

an, OK 73069

Address Service RequestedAugust 1: Tucker PaceAugust 2: Don Adkins, Nancy DeGraff, ChrisKennedyAugust 3: LaDonna Hardesty, Joan ShockleyAugust 4: Judy Addison, Jarred Allen, Camryn James, Anthony PennybakerAugust 5: Sally Elkin, Pearl Haxel, StaciSheldon, Lynne ThompsonAugust 6: Larry Gardner, Gary Knight, Ross PruittAugust 7: Delores Allen, Susan Beam, RoeGraham, Willis Small, Allyson Summers,Graeme WilsonAugust 8: Abbi Gravel, Yvonne Mounce-Royse, Paula SwingAugust 9: Alex Taylor, Patricia WiggsAugust 10: Tom LeonAugust 11: Trudy Martin, Rosemary McCordAugust 12: Amy Arrington, Ellen Deal, Ben Dyson, Erica Griffin, Al McCordAugust 13: Suzie Martin, Kim Milliron, Vinh NguyenAugust 14: Grace Atkins, Cindy Gray, Theresa StrevettAugust 15: Ronald Evans, Asa Haworth, Marty HubbelAugust 16: Isla Bowles, Johnnie Hardage, Mary Eve Summers

August 17: Gavin Cherry, Cara KaoAugust 18: Beverly Bailey, Doris WhineryAugust 19: Jane Close, Jennifer Graham, Anna Lee Hixon, Kathy McNeal, Judy SullivanAugust 20: Philip Crawford, Kelly Nipper, Darlene YouseyAugust 21: Donna Hays, Jack Pinion, Betty Romero-Spaulding, Marla ValentineAugust 22: Riley Beery, Christa Miles,Loyce MorainAugust 23: Laura Chamberlain, Glenda SmithAugust 24: Carol Kinney, Bonnie Penny,Dinny VishanoffAugust 25: Camille PinionAugust 26: Anthony Croft, Victor Grider, Kelly LongAugust 27: Wendy Dunn, Patty Edge, Randy RichisonAugust 28: Larry Brown, Deanna Carter, Betty Goss, Krista Henderson, Sam Knight, Tricia McCarty, Jennifer RobinsonAugust 29: Shannon Atkins, CindyBurchfield, Darlene Cagle, Ruth Gattis,Brasen KaoAugust 30: Kellie Hopkins, Ella Grace LeeAugust 31: Don Hull, Jessie Wong

August Birthdays

Living The Journey

Dear FBC...

Dear FBC Family,Thank you for the very generous

scholarship. I am very appreciative. Your faith in me is gong to help me out. Thank you so much

Sincerely,Chris Knight

Dear FBC, On behalf of the Women's Resource

Center, Inc., thank you for your generous support. Your donation of $250. on May 24 will allow us to continue helping people and to tell the stories of healing and empowerment.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to reduce violence in our families and our community.

Kristy Stewart, Women's Resource Center Executive Officer

The First Baptist Church family wishes to extend sympathies to:

James Griffith and family at the passing of Claudia Griffith

MaryAnn Gardner; Tony and Nancy Gardner at the passing of Tom Gardner

Sympathies

D NNERwith friends SIGN-UP BEGINS

AUGUST 19