On Sunday, March 8, we give thanks for 185 years of ministry at FBC Griffin during a special One Church worship service in the sanctuary featuring special guests. A photographer will be on hand to capture these moments on March 8. Following the One Church service, a catered lunch will be served in the Family Life Center. We request that you RSVP for the luncheon no later than February 24 by calling the church office or responding with the button below.

Grace Notes

a weekly blog written by Senior Pastor, Steven Norris

Roller Coasters and Abundant Life

 I remember the first time that I ever rode a rollercoaster. As a kid, we loved to go to Libertyland, a tiny amusement park in Memphis, TN that was a favorite of Elvis Presley. To my seven-year-old self, the “Zippin Pippin” was a huge wooden roller coaster — the biggest one I had ever seen!  

   On my first ride, I didn’t know what to expect when that lap bar came down across my thighs. As the chain pulled the car up the first steep incline, click after click after click, I could feel my pulse rising and my stomach moving northward into my throat. Cresting the summit, we paused for what seemed like an eternity in midair and I stared out over my hometown, overcome with jubilation and terror.  

   Moments later, the ground below came rushing up with terrifying speed, and my little hands gripped onto the bar for dear life. I was certain that I was going to die, so I clamped down on that bar until my knuckles were white as a sheet. We whipped right and left and I slid along that vinyl seat until I crashed into the side of the car. 

   Avoiding sin can feel like the spiritual equivalent of “white knuckling” through life. Should we strive for holiness? Yes, by all means! Should we avoid sin? Absolutely, without a doubt. Should we imitate Christ in everything that we do? Of course, that is what discipleship is all about. In doing so, however, we should not forget the instructions of Jesus: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). 

   I am grieved when I see the abundant life of Jesus exchanged for what Dallas Willard calls the “gospel of sin management.” Avoiding sin is not the same thing as abundant living. Jesus did not come to the world and give his life in order that we may avoid sin or force ourselves into a kind of moralistic Pharisaism. 

   Rather than a list of “thou shalt nots,” abundant life looks a lot more like the reckless, yet courageous plunge of falling in love. It consists of being enamored with the beauty of Christ and drawing near to his heart for others. It looks like creatively finding new ways to build community with our neighbors, forgive shortcomings, and lead with grace in every interaction. It looks like joy regardless of one’s circumstances and contentment regardless of the measure of one’s possessions. Abundant life looks like the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

   St. Irenaeus was an influential theologian in the second century. He articulated the very essence of Christianity when he stated, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive!” God did not create us to be sin-avoiders. God created us to live in communion — with our true selves, with God, with one another, and with all creation. God created us for a contagious generosity of spirit that permeates everything. God created us to love and to be loved. That, my friends, is the abundant life we seek. 

When you give to the regular budget at FBC Griffin, your contribution supports a host of vital ministries throughout the church. Each month, we spotlight the incredible work of one of the ministries your giving supports through an article in the Your Giving in Action series. You can give to our regular budget online at fbcgriffin.org/give. You may also place your gift in the offering plate on Sunday morning, drop it by the church office, or mail it to: FBC Griffin, P.O. Box 908, Griffin, GA 30224.

Below, you will find a deeper dive into the way your giving has supported our Scout Troop 2 through the years and continues to develop young leaders today.

Scouting has had a presence at FBC since the 1920s. Until the 1990s they met behind the Bramblett Building (the Chapel) in a garage. When the church undertook the development of the preschool building, the Scouts had to rethink their meeting space. Thanks to a donation from Bob Harris in memory of his father, who had served as scoutmaster of Troop 2 for many years, Andrew Blake and Ronnie Massey were able to plan for a larger building to suit the needs of Troop 2. With the help of many volunteers, local contractors, and builders, our current Scout Lodge was constructed. The dedication ceremony was held on July 8, 2001.

Troop 2 is active in our community, and its leaders meet weekly to invest their time, talents, and expertise in the lives of the scouts. This year, our Boy Scouts held a successful Chicken Q in January, selling 393 tickets to the community. Then, on  February 1, the Troop participated in Scout Sunday—an annual occurrence where scouts help lead in the Celebration worship service as ushers and readers. The Scouting for Food event that was held this month delivered 282 pounds of canned goods and food to Five Loaves and Two Fish Food Pantry.

Although individuals may remain involved in Scouting beyond their high school years, the highest honor for a Boy Scout is the Eagle Scout award. Our Troop 2 held an Eagle Scout Plaque Recognition ceremony earlier this month that honored our most recent Eagle Scouts, including Miles MacDowell, Jack Joiner, Brad Duffey, Harrison Slye, and Max Jones. In the weeks ahead, the Scouts look forward to seeing Henry Stover earn the Eagle Scout rank as well. Max held his Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at the Bramblett Chapel on February 22. Max had this to say about the role of Scouting in his life:

“For me, being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, and brave doesn’t end today. These values will guide how I lead, how I serve others, and how I make decisions in the future. The leadership, service, and perseverance I learned through Scouting have prepared me not just for this rank, but for life.”

As part of our Your Giving in Action series, at the end of each installment, we report on average attendance and financial information from the previous month.

The Long Sunday School class has taken on a mission project to fund the restoration of water wells in Africa. We will track the progress of these wells as information is available. If your Sunday School class is taking on a mission project locally, domestically, or abroad, won't you let us know? Reach out to Leila at [email protected] with details.

While many of us may have been gasping at the daring maneuvers of skiers at the Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina our students were heading out to the slopes in West Virginia! The annual student ski retreat is now in the books, but the memories will last a lifetime. (photo credit: Leslie Benefield)

Caregivers Clothes Closet

The Clothes Closet is in need of rolling carts, backpacks, belts for men, tennis shoes and dress shoes (in good condition). If you have any of these items in your closet that you are no longer using, please consider bringing them to the Welcome Center at FBC so they can find a new life with someone in need in our community. Thank you!

Benevolence Ministry

Our Benevolence Ministry and Caregivers Clothes Closet serves the public each Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (with the exception of holidays). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, then please contact the church office. The Caregivers Clothes Closet is in need of blue jeans of any size (but especially boys, sizes 4-16 and larger sizes for men), as well as adult-sized book bags. You will find drop boxes in the Welcome Center on the Hill Street side of the church and in the Welcome area on the Family Life Center side of the church. Thank you for supporting this ministry and those who are vulnerable in our community.

Five Loaves & Two Fish Food Pantry

If you would like to be part of this ministry team, or if you would like to donate canned or boxed food goods, please contact Justin Keiser or the church office. Donation boxes are located in the Welcome Center and in the Family Life Center. Our team last served at FLTF on Saturday, February 7 (pictured below).

Rehearsal Schedule

Church Community News

In Case You Missed It...

• A new security light was installed in the Ministry Lot (located across from the Weekday Education Building entrance).

• The Levite Ministry is hard at work building out storage space to meet the needs of the Publications department, Bereavement ministry, and Facilities department.

• Special signage was installed on Friday, February 27, in Richardson Gallery. Be sure to look for it when you are at church.

Around the Neighborhood

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family in the coming weeks, you might consider these local events. (Look for FBC in the program when you attend.)

Griffin Choral Arts: My Life Flows On, March 3, 7:30 p.m., FBC Griffin Sanctuary (Tickets available at https://events.com/r/en_US/tickets/my-life-flows-on-griffin-march-1014886 or at the door)

Griffin Area Concert Association: The Next Generation Leahy, March 17, 7:30 p.m., Griffin Auditorium (Tickets at https://www.griffinconcerts.org/)