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Announcements
Clarke Shower Pics
I am still trying to find the words to express how grateful I am for the overwhelming shower of gifts for baby girl. I did not expect, or suspect, anything and was completely surprised. COVID-19 has caused this pregnancy to look and feel very different. Where...
Announcing Advent by Candlelight
Join us for our Advent by Candlelight Worship Service in the Sanctuary on Monday, November 30th at 7:00pm. Through readings, prayer, Scripture, and music, this worship service will usher in the season. Come listen to the sounds of the season as instrumentalists play...
Children’s Ministry Offerings Expand Sunday, November 8!
We are excited to continue both worship care for children ages 6 weeks - 3 years and children's worship for children ages 4 through 2nd grade. Both children and volunteers will have temperature checks upon arrival, and volunteers will be masked during the worship...
What Now?
By Steven Norris What now? As I sit down to write this week, the results of the election are still in question. No clear winner has been declared, so we all wait. This interim moment will eventually end, and we will be left with the same...
Search Committee Listening Session
Your Search Committee has become, for now, a Discernment Committee, as we seek to understand the direction we should take in potentially calling an additional staff minister. Please come to this important one-hour listening session Sunday, November 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m....
Friendsgiving 2020 is Here!
FBC Students will once again be gathering for Friendsgiving this year, but since it's 2020, let's change it up a bit. We'll be meeting on the Scout Lodge lawn on November 18 from 6-8pm and The Varsity will bring their food truck for some delicious all-time favorites....
All Saints Day
Join us November 1 in both services as we remember members and attenders who have gone on before us. Families and friends will light candles in remembrance of their loved ones as their names are read.
Unity Over Uniformity
By Steven Norris Ransom Olds is not a household name. His legacy lives on, however, in the company that bears his name: Oldsmobile. Olds was the first to create and patent the assembly line, allowing him to increase production by 500...
Election Day Communion
On November 3, 2020, Election Day, we will exercise our right to choose as members of a democratic republic. During the day, we will make different choices for different reasons, hoping for different results. But that evening, while our nation gathers around its...
2020 Women’s Retreat
What a wonderful Women’s Retreat Weekend! Twenty women ages 37 to 73 participated in an intergenerational Women’s Retreat weekend at Callaway Gardens this past weekend. The weekend included 5 worship services, 5 bible studies, a service project, yoga, fellowship,...
Gratitude Journals
As a part of the current sermon series, Enemies of Gratitude, we distributed Gratitude Journals to the congregation. Week Five began October 25, and is shown here. This is the final week of guided gratitude ques. Prayers continue that participants have felt more...
You Are What You Love
By Steven Norris “I think. Therefore, I am.” So goes the oft-quoted maxim from 17th century mathematician, scientist, and philosopher, Rene Descartes. Most of us merely nod in agreement, not taking the time to think through the...
Truth Be Told: An Afternoon of Art
Create your own masterpiece with an instructor-led art class! For women of all ages, this event originally scheduled in late-March has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 22 at 3:00pm! There is still room for new registrations in the art class. The cost is $30....
Resisting the Binary Lure
By Steven Norris The lure of binary thinking can be unavoidable. Our tendency is to simplify things into two categories: yes and no, right and wrong, good and bad, black and white, start and finish, us and them. There are times that this can be extremely helpful and...
Christmas Eve Surveys
Though your plans may still be taking shape, would you let us know what you hope will be true for you in December so that we can responsibly plan the right number of services to include everyone who plans to be physically present? CLICK HERE to access our brief survey.
Nominating Committee Interest Surveys
The Nominating Committee would like to know your individual areas of interest in church life. The form link below will take you to a short survey where you can view a brief description of our committees, councils, and teams. We would love for you to select any...
A Little Lesson in Fruit Inspection
by Steven Norris A few weeks ago, I was brought to tears by the vulnerability of a friend. In an online post, he shared about an incident with his son. My friend had completely lost his temper and gotten to the point where he recognized fear in his son’s eyes. It was...
Library Curb Service is OPEN!
Calling all Book Lovers! And Book Likers! and Book Tolerators! Thank you to those participating in our Curb Side Library service. At the moment, we do not know when the library will be returning to what was routine. Since patrons cannot come in and browse, over the...
State Mission Offerings
Each September we support the two state mission offerings which serve our state and its many needs The CBF/GA mission offering helps support missionaries with Georgia ties. The Andersons in North Carolina and Missy Ward- Angalla in Africa receive such support. They...
When Being Right Isn’t Enough
By Steven Norris I love to be right. I mean, I really love to be right. There are few things that I dislike more than having to admit that I am wrong about something, though it does happen. If I am not careful, however, it is entirely possible to be completely wrong...
An Update from the Search Committee
Charles Dickens' opening words in his novel A Tale of Two Cities are familiar to us all -- "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ...." During this pandemic, we can relate in many ways to this quote. During these months of social distancing and...
CBF/GA Virtual Senior Adult Retreat
CBF of Georgia Virtual Senior Adult Retreat Sunday, September 27 and Monday, September 28 Sunday 4:30 PM ZOOM Fellowship Online 5:00 PM Recorded Worship Online Monday 10:00 AM Breakout Sessions will be launched online. Join us online this year! First...
When To Take It Personally
By Steven Norris “Don’t take it so personally.” How many times have I heard that phrase uttered in my lifetime? Usually, it is followed by something that feels extremely personal, not to mention painful or offensive. Over the past couple of months, I have been...
Ordination of Marcia Henry-Day
On May 3, 2020, FBC Griffin voted in church conference to ordain Marcia Henry-Day to the Gospel ministry. Please make plans to join us on Sunday, September 27, 2020 as we officially celebrate her calling and ordination to the Gospel Ministry. As a community, let us...
Just Breathe
By Steven Norris Have you breathed today? I’m guessing that if you’re still reading, the answer is “Yes.” But, when was the last time that you went outside in the cool of the evening, inhaled deeply, and felt the cool night air hit the back of your throat and expand...
Fall Book Study
The Sermon on the Mount may be the best handbook Christians have for getting through 2020. This Fall, we invite you to join us at First Baptist for a special book study of James Bryan Smith's, The Good and Beautiful Life: Putting on the Character of Christ. In it, we...
Church Conference Results from August 30
The members of the Nominating Committee were approved. Deacon nominees will be announced and voted on at a later time.
Communion and Benevolence Offering this Sunday
9:30 a.m. Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Morgan Hall Please be sure to pick up elements for communion prior to the start of the service. Gluten free options and grapes will also be available in the designated trays. Our tradition at First Baptist is to extend the Lord’s Table...
How to Stop a Feedback Loop
By Steven Norris We’ve all been there. Whether it was a church service, wedding, funeral, or concert. Someone steps up to the microphone, preparing to sing. We sit up on the edge of our seat, anticipating the soothing beauty of the voice that is about to take us on a...
Called Church Conference August 30
On Sunday, August 30, 2020, we will be conducting a called church conference at FBC Griffin. The business for this conference is two-fold: #1. Approve new members of the Nominating Committee While most of our committees begin their work in January of each year, the...
Be a Barnabas
By Steven Norris Once again, that familiar voice on the other end of the line was there right when I needed him. I don’t know that he told me anything novel or that he imparted any great wisdom, but he reminded me of my identity. He reminded me of my calling. He...
Uncovering Hidden Dangers
By Steven Norris Last week, I sat dumbfounded as I watched a 30 second video on social media. Someone had noticed a series of small fires in the port area of Beirut, Lebanon and pulled out their cell phone to record what was happening. All of a sudden, an explosion...
A Spiritual Check Up
By Steven Norris It’s been that time of year around the Norris house this week. As we prepare for the beginning of another school year, it is time for the annual visit to the pediatrician. When it comes to our children, we have always been diligent about regular...
Grace 127 Summer Update
Due to the pandemic, there have been fewer foster care placements this summer. However, Grace 127 has continued to work diligently to improve the lives of foster families and the staff working with them. First, we purchased 28 punch cards for the Rock Ranch, making it...
Frank Conversations About A Pandemic
By Steven Norris “All you have to do is grin and bear it.” This was the advice I received as a child. It was the advice of calloused-handed farmers who had seen more than a few lean harvests. It was the advice of penny-pinching survivors of the Great Depression. It...
Communion and Benevolence Offering August 2
Come partake in the Lord’s Supper with us this Sunday! 9:30 a.m. Celebration Worship 11:00 a.m. Connexion Worship All of our Communion bread is free of wheat, dairy, yeast, eggs, soy, nuts, and corn. Ushers will be at each exit after the service to receive a special...
Weathering the Storm
By Steven Norris In 2018, my family spent fall break at a friend’s condo in Panama City, FL. News about an impending tropical storm had barely registered for us. It wasn’t supposed to be that bad. We arrived on Sunday, enjoying a lazy evening settling in. As the sun...
Best Practices Reminder
For all gatherings inside the church building, we are recommending the following guidelines. Hygiene. Everyone should wash hands regularly and use the hand sanitizing stations upon entering the building. Screening. We are asking everyone to self-screen and stay at...
From These Roots
As we continue to explore the theme “Rooted,” we want to hear your stories of the beliefs that ground you, as well as the experiences and relationships that nurtured those beliefs. Through the end of August, we invite you to reflect on what you believe: What do you...
Words, Words, Words.
By Steven Norris “Over the last few decades we have been inundated by a torrent of words. Wherever we go we are surrounded by words: words softly whispered, loudly proclaimed, or angrily screamed; words spoken, recited, or sung; words on records, in books, on walls,...
library curb service
The weather is showing hints of coolness, the leaves are changing, fall is in the air for sure! It’s close to time for hot apple cider, spiced tea, hot chocolate or pumpkin spiced drinks. It is also time to think about curling up with a good book, a blanket and...
A Message for Weekday Parents from Mrs. Diane…
Dear Parents: Due to the rise in Covid-19 and the decision of the Griffin-Spalding County School System to delay opening schools for this year, First Baptist Church Weekday will not begin school until September 8. This is not what we had planned, but we are...
Freedom For, Not Just Freedom From
By Steven Norris Freedom. It’s been on my mind quite a bit over the past days and weeks. Maybe it was watching the fireworks on the fourth of July from the parking lot of Southern Crescent. Maybe it was joining in the national phenomenon of seeing the musical...
Confronting the Darkness Head On
By Steven Norris “How can two people walk together, unless they are in agreement?” The prophet Amos was onto something here. Shortly after the death of George Floyd, I received a phone call from one of my fellow ministers, asking if I would be willing to attend a...
Plan For Renewing In-Person Gatherings
Over the past few weeks, a COVID Task Force consisting of ministers, deacon officers, and select members of our community have met to review current recommendations and formulate a plan tailored to fit the needs of our congregation. Below, you will find an outline of...
Use of Exercise Facilities in the Family Life Center
Beginning on Monday, June 15, the exercise room and aerobics room will be available for limited use. Before using, we ask that everyone carefully read through the guidelines and follow them completely. Failure to do so may result in loss of building privileges. At...
Truth: An Essential First Step
By Steven Norris Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). When I was a boy, I used to spend an extended period each summer with my Mamaw at her farmhouse in rural...
The Reality of Collective Grief
By Steven Norris In my role as pastor, I get asked to be present in moments of intense grief and loss. These moments may come in the wake of a death, a family dispute, or as counsel in times of personal turmoil and anguish. I have found that one of the most powerful...
A Call to Fast
By Steven Norris Isaiah. Now, there’s a prophet for our day. A man who spoke to a people on the brink of destruction. A man whose call echoed through the wilderness to a people marching headlong toward their own demise. A man who wasn’t afraid to mince words and...
Benevolence Volunteers
As we prepare to resume in-person gatherings at First Baptist, one of our high priorities is reopening our Ministry Center, which includes the Benevolence Ministry and Clothes Closet. This ministry helps us to fulfill our calling of being the hands and feet of Christ...