The start of construction for sanctuary renovations at First Baptist Church is just around the corner. For the past year we have planned, prayed and prepared for a project to replace the organ console, re-leather and upgrade the organ instrumentation and sound, upgrade the television and media equipment, expand the sanctuary platform and choir loft and install video monitors. We conducted a successful campaign during which we pledged to pay for these improvements. Already much has been given in response to the campaign.

At long last, the time to perform the work has arrived. Any construction project, and in particular a renovation project, is subject to scheduling changes. With that in mind, I would like to provide you with the latest schedule for construction activities.  For several weeks the television ministry team has been training with the new television audio equipment. The Sanctuary house sound board is installed and has been in use for the past three Sundays. The new sound board for the broadcast room will be installed for the May 31 television broadcast. On Sunday, June 7, 2009, the new television cameras will be installed and in use.

On May 26, 2009, the organ console will be delivered to First Baptist Church. The same day, Johnson & Galyon Construction Company will begin working to install the new organ console and expand the choir loft. One of the first steps will be to remove the old organ console. (If you are interested in acquiring the old organ console after it has been removed, please contact Kely Hatley or Bill Coley.)

During construction, we can anticipate that the organ console will not be in the traditional location in the center of the choir loft. The choir loft expansion and placement of the new organ console is June 26. Beginning on May 26, our contractors will also begin constructing the video monitor lifts and screens and replacing the choir modesty rail. It is anticipated that this part of the project will last three to four weeks, during which we anticipate the temporary removal of certain woodwork in and around the choir loft. We will be able to observe the various stages of construction and finishing of the new video monitor lifts and screens, trim work and the choir modesty rail.

Beginning around June 1, the work to expand the sanctuary platform area will begin. That work should take approximately four weeks and should conclude, absent unexpected interruption, in time for services on June 28. During platform construction, the first row of sanctuary pews will be removed and we will see framing for the expanded platform area. The existing floor on the platform will be removed and new finished flooring installed. While construction is underway in the sanctuary, R.A. Colby, Inc., will be performing behind-the-scenes work on the organ pipes to re-leather and repair that portion of the organ. That work will continue into the fall of 2009, but will largely not be visible to worshipers during Sunday services.

Any construction project, particularly a renovation project, is subject to delays and rescheduling because of unanticipated challenges. However, I am pleased to report that because of the leadership and cooperation provided by Russ Linger on behalf of First Baptist Church; Jim Bush and Johnson & Galyon Construction Company; the architect, McCarty Holsaple McCarty, Inc.; the organ manufacturer, R.A. Colby, Inc.; and the television and sound company, HP Video, this project has been well planned and we anticipate minimal changes or delays.

I would ask that you pray for the following for this project:

• For the television and media crews working the new equipment beginning May 31, 2009
• For the safe delivery of the new organ console on or about May 26, 2009
• For the construction project manager for Johnson & Galyon Construction Company, Chad
      Brewster, and the men and women working under his supervision
• For the timely and accurate delivery of materials for the project
• That there will be no significant surprises during the construction process
• That we as members at First Baptist Church will continue our spirit of cooperation and givin
      during his period of construction.
We are entering a period of anticipation and excitement – I look forward to this experience with you.

Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money
Scholarship Trust Fund
First Baptist Church
Knoxville, TN

The Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund was established in honor of Bob and Sydnor’s thirty-year ministry at First Baptist of Knoxville. This scholarship is for Christians (members and non-members of FBC) whose goal is to enter vocational ministry or who are in vocational ministry and are seeking continuing education.

Continue to the applications by clicking one of these links:

Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund First Baptist Church Knoxville, TN

Purpose
The Robert E. Money and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund was established in honor of Bob and Sydnor’s thirty years of ministry at First Baptist. This scholarship is for Christians whose goal is to enter vocational ministry or who are in vocational ministry and are seeking continuing education. Applicants may include students entering or currently enrolled in seminary, seminary graduates, or college graduates seeking continuing education for ministry.

NOTE: This application packet is for graduating high school seniors and college students. (Students entering or currently enrolled in seminary, and seminary or college graduates seeking continuing education for ministry are also eligible but must complete the Graduate Student Application Packet.)

Selection Process
The selection committee will choose scholarship recipients based on the following:

• Sense of call to ministry as revealed in a personal statement
• Scholastic ability based on GPA for higher education degree(s) earned
• Awards and honors
• Good citizenship as revealed in community service and employment history
• Extracurricular activities
• Financial need
• Three references in the form of recommendation statements
• Personal interview with the selection committee  (Applicants will be contacted regarding date of interview.)

Parameters

• The scholarship will be awarded as a grant to the recipient’s school and must be used for tuition, textbooks, or housing.
• The amount of funding will be determined by the scholarship committee.
• Funding will be disbursed in two payments: one fall term and the other spring term, contingent on academic standing after fall term.
• Student must be enrolled full-time.

1. The two items listed below are to be either emailed as PDF files to scholarship@fbcknox.org  or mailed to:

The Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund
c/oFirst Baptist Church
510 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

and must be received by June 1, 2009:

• Official grade transcript(s)
• FAFSA report or other evidence of need

2. The following materials must be submitted online (copied and pasted into the designated forms) no later than midnight of June 1, 2009:

• Application Form
• Résumé including the following four categories: honors or awards; school activities, extracurricular activities, including religious, community, volunteer; employment history (For the last three categories, include years of participation and description of roles.)
• Personal Statement (300-400 words) This statement should include the following:
  • Your concept of ministry
  • How you became committed to vocational ministry
  • The specific area of ministry you are considering or have chosen and why
  • Why you should be considered for this scholarship
  • What this scholarship would mean to you
  • Any other information you feel would be meaningful to the selection committee
• Recommendation Statements form three non-relatives, such as teacher or professor, advisor, mentor, volunteer-work supervisor, employee, church-staff member, counselor (to be submitted by the individual references).

Applicants will be scheduled for an interview after the selection committee receives all of the application-packet materials identified above. Application materials that are incomplete, not received by the deadline (June 1, 2009), or not submitted as indicated above will result in the applicant being disqualified.

Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund First Baptist Church Knoxville, TN

Purpose
The Robert E. Money and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund was established in honor of Bob and Sydnor’s thirty years of ministry at First Baptist Church of Knoxville. This scholarship is for Christians (both members and non-members of FBC) whose goal is to enter vocational ministry or who are in vocational ministry and are seeking continuing education.

NOTE: This application packet is for students entering or currently enrolled in seminary, or seminary and college graduates seeking continuing education for ministry. (Graduating high school seniors and college students are also eligible but must complete the College Student Application Packet on this website.)

Selection Process

The selection committee will choose a scholarship recipient based on the following:

• Sense of call to ministry as revealed in a personal statement
• Scholastic ability reflected in higher-education degree(s) earned and GPA(s)
• Awards and honors
• Good citizenship as reflected in community service and employment history
• Extracurricular activities
• Financial need
• Three references in the form of recommendation statements
• Interview with the selection committee (Applicants will be contacted regarding date of interview.)

Parameters

• The scholarship will be awarded as a grant to the recipient’s school and must be used for tuition, textbooks, or housing.
• The amount of funding will be determined by the scholarship committee.
• Funding will be disbursed in two payments: one fall term and the other spring term, contingent on academic standing after fall term.

APPLICATION PACKET

1. The two items listed below are to be either emailed as PDF files to scholarship@fbcknox.org  or mailed to:

The Robert E. and Sydnor A. Money Scholarship Trust Fund
c/oFirst Baptist Church
510 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

and must be received by June 1, 2009:

• Official grade transcript(s) for college(s) and if applicable seminary
• FAFSA report or other evidence of need

2. The following materials must be submitted online (copied and pasted into the designated forms) no later than midnight of June 1, 2009:

• Application Form
• Résumé including the following four categories: honors or awards; school activities, extracurricular activities, including religious, community, volunteer; employment history (For the last three categories, include years of participation and description of roles.)
• Personal Statement (400-500 words) This statement should include the following:
  • Your concept of ministry
  • How you became committed to vocational ministry
  • The specific area of ministry you are considering or have chosen and why
  • How you chose the school where you will be studying
  • Experiences in school or the working world that have paved the way
    for this next step in your education
  • Why you should be considered for this scholarship
  • Any other information you feel would be meaningful to the selection committee
• Recommendation Statements from non-relatives, such as teacher or professor, advisor, mentor, volunteer-work supervisor, employee, church-staff member, counselor (to be submitted by the individual references).

Applicants will be scheduled for an interview after the selection committee receives all of the application-packet materials identified above. Application materials that are incomplete, not received by the deadline (June 1, 2009), or not submitted as indicated above will result in the applicant being disqualified.

The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg, describes God’s Spirit opening our hearts in thin places, “where we behold God, experience the one in whom we live, all around us and in us.”

For the First Baptist Church family, our sanctuary as been that thin place since 1924. From the sanctuary  platform, we have worshiped the living God,  welcomed seekers, united believers, observed holy seasons, shared communion, celebrated weddings, grieved losses, dedicated babies, uplifted the community during tragedies, commissioned missionaries, ordained deacons and ministers, and reached beyond the pews to our television audience.

Reaching beyond the 1920s dreams for First Baptist Church, the sanctuary’s platform will be expanded in 2009 to accommodate a new Schantz organ console (replacing the 1955 vintage and complementing the refurbished organ pipes) provide technology and drama space for the 8:42 service seat fifty-one choir members add monitors to raise and lower behind the choir loft (as depicted in this picture).

The media technology will also be updated to enhance the quality of digital television broadcasts facilitate a multi-faceted ministry improve sound quality within the sanctuary.

“Heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but that
distance is even smaller in the thin places, the sacred
places where heaven comes close to touching earth.”
 - Ancient Celtic proverb

Click here to fill out the advanced commitment form.

First Baptist Church of Knoxville is centrally located in downtown Knoxville on Main Street between Locust and Walnut streets. The church is easily accessible from Neyland Drive via Walnut Street, which has a traffic light at the City/County Building and across from Calhoun’s Restaurant. The church office can be accessed by calling (865) 546-9661; hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Click here for a listing of direct dial staff phone numbers and email addresses.

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First Baptist Church, Knoxville
510 W. Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902-2539
(865) 546-9661 phone
(865) 546-3732 fax
(865) 524-8123 TTY
www.fbcknox.org

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