Blog Archives

February 12th, 2023

2/12/2023

GREETINGS, FBC FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
Today we will lay to rest Dixie Thornton who passed away last Friday evening. Services are this morning at Turner Funeral Home with visitation at 10 am and funeral service at 11 am and burial to follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery. We remember Dixie as a faithful servant of Christ, committed to missions and missions education in our church and around the world. We extend Christian sympathy to Tommy and his family as they grieve her passing.

MACH 4 Men's Ministry: This evening, MACH 4 will meet at Oak Christian Church at 6 pm for a meal and fellowship. Since it is close to Valentine's Day, men are encouraged to bring their wives for the meal. Please let Barry Kagay know ASAP if you plan to attend at [email protected] so that they can have adequate food prepared.

THE LORD'S DAY (2/12):

Bible Study for All Ages, 9:30 am. Nursery through Senior Adult, we have a group for you!
Worship Together at 10:40 in the Sanctuary. The sermon will focus on Luke 19:1-10, "Today Salvation Has Come to This House," the account of Jesus' meeting with Zacchaeus. Still on the way to Jerusalem but stopping in Jericho, Jesus sees Zacchaeus the tax collector up in a sycamore tree trying to get a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus instructs him to come down because He is coming to Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus is converted that day and gives evidence of his repentance and faith to all those gathered that day. The title of the message is taken from Jesus' pronouncement, "Today, salvation has come to this house."

Scriptures for Sunday. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading that will shape our corporate worship. Take a few moments to read and meditate on them as you prepare for worship tomorrow. Click anywhere on the link to see a printable version of these passages on biblegateway.com

Baptist Catechism Questions are Questions 88-89 "On the Purpose of the Law." For the entire catechism, follow this link.
- Question 88: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
  Answer: No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily falls short of inward and outward perfection.
  Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 1 John 1:8; James 3:2, 8; Romans 3:23; 7:15; Philippians 3:12.
  
  Question 89: What then is the purpose of the law since the fall?
  Answer: The purpose of the law, since the fall, is to reveal the perfect righteousness of God, that his people may know the path of faith that leads to life, and that the ungodly may be convicted of their sin, restrained from evil, and brought to Christ for salvation.
  Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 3:20, 31; 7:7; 8:13; 9:32; 12:2; Titus 2:12-14; Galatians 3:22, 24; 1 Timothy 1:8; Luke 10:25-28.

Super Bowl Sunday. We will have our annual chili cook-off and watch party that evening, Lord willing. Specific times are pending, but those bringing chili for the competition usually need to have them there around 4:00 to allow plenty of time for judging. Soups are also welcome and appreciated, but will not be part of the chili contest. I would also encourage you to bring items for the Living Hope Food Pantry. During the month of February, they would appreciate:

- Deodorant
- Canned Tomatoes
- Tomato Sauce/Pasta Sauce
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Shampoo

MONDAY (2/13)

SEWING CIRCLE at 5 pm. All ladies are invited to attend whether you sew or not. This is a time of fellowship and mutual encouragement.
Monday "Sunday School" online via ZOOM at 7 pm. See Pastor Kyle to join this virtual Bible study group. To join Zoom Meeting, follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09 Meeting ID: 875 7378 9453 Passcode: 478672

WEDNESDAY (2/15)

Women's ZOOM Bible Study is on break until March

Men's Discipleship Group, 10 am in the library/conference room. This group finished up Walking With Ephesians study, but will still be meeting for further study in the book of Ephesians for a couple of weeks.
Kids' Club, 3:30 - 5:15 pm. This after-school ministry is for children, K-6.
Men's Discipleship Group, 6 pm (Robert Kendall, group leader, 816-724-4155). This group isusing the Walking with Ephesians devotional study guide, available on the literature rack in the narthex for $13.
Bible Study and Prayer, 6:30 pm in the Great Room, live and via ZOOM. Join us for a time of prayer and time in God's Word as we study the book of Exodus. We will be in Ex. 12:1-28 (or as far as we can get) this week. This is the passage concerning the establishment of Passover.The ZOOM invite is sent out in the late afternoon on Wednesday, so watch for it in your inbox.

THURSDAY (2/16)

Worship Team rehearsal at 6:30 pm
Men's Discipleship Group in conference room at 7 pm. We will be discussing week six of Walking With Ephesians by Fred Parry. The study guide is available on the literature rack in the narthex (cost: $13).

COMING UP

Gideon Speaker Dick Anderson will be sharing a 10-minute presentation during the morning service on February 19. If you would like to know more about the Gideons and their ministry of Bible publishing and distribution, visit gideons.org
Carry-in Dinner and Member Meeting will be Sunday, February 19, immediately after morning worship. Church provides table service and drinks, you provide main dishes, sides, and desserts. Plan on staying and enjoying the meal and the meeting. Just as a reminder, all members are expected to attend the bi-monthly member meeting unless providentially hindered from doing so.

Justin Peters' Conference is coming up March 3 & 4 at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Ave., St. Joseph, 6:30 pm each evening. The event is FREE and open to the public. Justin is a nationally known speaker and will be addressing the topic "Why isn't everyone healed?" on Friday evening. Saturday evening he will be speaking on "The Penal Substitutionary Atonement of Christ." This is a central doctrine of Biblical Christianity, but it is being denied by many well-known pastors today, including Brian Zahnd of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph. Justin's message will equip you to understand the importance of this doctrine and help you answer those who have questions about its importance.

ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio on "The Seeing Are Blind, and the Blind See" Luke 18:31-43

Other previous messages are archived here. Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video.

FIGHTER VERSE: Our Fighter Verse this week is Psalm 37:[1-2], 3-4
[Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.]
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE The Five-Day Bible Reading Plan is attached to this e-mail for your convenience. You may want to access additional resources to support your reading available at this website. Daily Bible reading is one of the leading indicators of spiritual growth and vitality in the Christian's life. I want to encourage you to read through the Bible, or ...

...LISTEN THROUGH THE BIBLE As I shared last week, we now have access to multiple ways where you can listen to someone read the Bible to you. If you would like to hear the King James Bible dramatized, you can. If you would like to hear Max McLean read the ESV, you can. If you would like to hear David Suchet read the NIV in Oxford accent, you can. The apostle Peter describes the power of God's word this way in 1 Peter 1:22-25 (quoting from Isaiah 40):
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

BONUS: By now, most of you have heard about what happened at the Grammy Awards last Sunday night. For those who haven't heard, it was basically a musical tribute to Satan. If you want to hear (or read) more about it, I suggest the insightful episode of The Briefing with Al Mohler from last Tuesday. His analysis is spot on as usual.

BONUS BONUS: Keith and Kristyn Getty are coming to Midwestern Seminary on Sunday evening, March 26. You likely associate them with songs such as "In Christ Alone" and "The Power of the Cross." They have been a blessing to the church at large, and they are well worth seeing in concert. Tickets are $25 for general admission. For more information, visit this website.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg

0 Comments

February 08th, 2023

2/8/2023

0 Comments

GREETINGS, FBC FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
On this Saturday, take some time to pause, read Scripture, appreciate God's beautiful creation, and prepare you heart for the Lord's Day tomorrow. As we gather with the people of God, we pray that He will bless the moments we have together as we worship Him, come under the Spirit-empowered teaching of Scripture, and then are sent out to love and serve our neighbor with the love of Christ.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY EXTENDED

To the family of past member Pauline Kolb whose services were held last week. Pauline led the youth choir many years ago at First Baptist. We received a note from Gary and Gae Kolb and family which appears on the main bulletin board for you to read.
To the family of member Cora Fisher, who passed away on Tuesday. Some have asked about details for her service which is not as yet planned. The family will have a memorial service for Cora when the weather is a bit warmer to allow older family members to attend. We will share those details as we know about them.

We received word of another member's passing into eternity just last evening, and more information will be shared tomorrow morning. It is our policy to wait at least 24 hours before giving notice of a church member's death through e-mail, texts, or social media messaging. This allows family members and others close to the deceased to be contacted and reduces the likelihood that someone close to the person will first learn of it through some public source rather than through a personal communication.

THE LORD'S DAY (2/5):

Bible Study for All Ages, 9:30 am. Nursery through Senior Adult, we have a group for you!
Worship Together at 10:40 in the Sanctuary. The sermon will focus on Luke 18:31-43, "The Seeing Are Blind, and the Blind See". On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus foretold his death for a third time to his disciples. But they did not understand; in effect, they were blind to the truth. Then at Jericho, Jesus grants sight to a blind beggar who cries out to Him for mercy. The irony of these two events occurring back-to-back is part of the lesson: Jesus opens the eyes of whom He will, when He will, and how He will. The other part of the lesson is that Jesus brought healing to the blind man as an act of pure grace, but it was in response to the man's desire to be made well and His faith in Christ's ability to do it. This was the occasion for much rejoicing and praise, just as Isaiah 35:5 prophesied: "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped..."

Baptist Catechism Questions are Questions 85-87 "On the Tenth Commandment." For the entire catechism, follow this link.
- Question 85: What is the tenth commandment?
  Answer: The tenth commandment is, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s."
  Scripture: Exodus 20:17.
  
  Question 86: What is required in the tenth commandment?
  Answer: The tenth commandment requires contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbor, and all that is his.
  Scripture: Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Leviticus 19:18.
  
  Question 87: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
  Answer: The tenth commandment forbids all murmuring over our own condition and all envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate affections for anything that is his.
  Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:10; James 5:9; Galatians 5:26; Colossians 3:5.

MONDAY (2/6)

Seeds & Pizza, 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. For those interested in exchanging seeds and all things gardening. See Ron McElwain for more information. The public is welcome. Visit this facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/749218362818352
Monday "Sunday School" online via ZOOM at 7 pm. See Pastor Kyle to join this virtual Bible study group. To join Zoom Meeting, follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09 Meeting ID: 875 7378 9453 Passcode: 478672

WEDNESDAY (2/8)

Women's ZOOM Bible Study is on break until March

Men's Discipleship Group, 10 am in the library/conference room. Walking with Ephesians with Russ Wright, group leader. Study guides are available on the literature rack in the narthex, $13.
Kids' Club, 3:30 - 5:15 pm. This after-school ministry is for children, K-6.
Men's Discipleship Group, 6 pm (Robert Kendall, group leader, 816-724-4155). This group is just resuming and will be using the Walking with Ephesians devotional study guide, available on the literature rack in the narthex for $13.
Bible Study and Prayer, 6:30 pm in the Great Room, live and via ZOOM. Join us for a time of prayer and time in God's Word as we study the book of Exodus. We will be in Ex. 11:1-10 this week. The ZOOM invite is sent out in the late afternoon on Wednesday, so watch for it in your inbox.

THURSDAY (2/9)

Worship Team rehearsal at 6:30 pm
Men's Discipleship Group in conference room at 7 pm. We will be discussing weeks two and three of Walking With Ephesians by Fred Parry. The study guide is available on the literature rack in the narthex (cost: $13).

SATURDAY (2/11)

MACH 4 Men's Ministry will meet at Oak Christian Church at 6 pm. Since this is close to Valentine's Day, our wives are also invited to this dinner and meeting. Please RSVP to me if you are planning on attending and the number so that we can let Oak know how many to prepare for. The earlier the better!

COMING UP

Sunday, February 12, is Super Bowl Sunday. We will have our annual chili cook-off and watch party that evening, Lord willing. Specific times are pending, but those bringing chili for the competition usually need to have them there around 4:00 to allow plenty of time for judging. I would also encourage you to bring items for the Living Hope Food Pantry. During the month of February, they would appreciate:
- Deodorant
- Canned Tomatoes
- Tomato Sauce/Pasta Sauce
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Shampoo

Gideon Speaker will be sharing a 10-minute presentation during the morning service on February 19. If you would like to know more about the Gideons and their ministry of Bible publishing and distribution, visit gideons.org
Carry-in Dinner and Member Meeting will be Sunday, February 19, immediately after morning worship.

Justin Peters' Conference has been postponed to March 3 & 4 at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Ave., St. Joseph, with the same schedule as previously advertised. The event is FREE, and if you are interested in attending, let me know so we can coordinate transportation to and from the location.

ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio on Luke 18:18-30 "What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?"

Other previous messages are archived here. Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video.

FIGHTER VERSE: Our Fighter Verse this week is 1 Corinthians 1:18:For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE The Five-Day Bible Reading Plan is attached to this e-mail for your convenience. You may want to access additional resources to support your reading available at this website. Whether or not you read the Bible through in a year, I encourage you to pick a book of the Bible and commit to reading it straight through, regardless of how long it takes you. Then when you are finished, pick another and do the same thing.
I encourage you to read the Bible every day, no matter how much or how little you read. A pastor friend of mine challenged his church to read at least seven verses a day. That takes less than one minute to do. You may not have one hour to read the Bible, but you do have one minute (and you likely have five minutes!).

LISTEN THROUGH THE BIBLE One of the miracles of modern technology is that, if you have a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone, you can listen to someone else read the Bible to you. If you would like to hear the King James Bible dramatized, you can. If you would like to hear Max McLean read the ESV, you can. If you would like to hear David Suchet read the NIV in Oxford accent, you can. The point is, there is literally more opportunity now than ever before to listen to the Bible. Many people find this easier or more convenient for any number of reasons. We have this truth about the value of hearing God's Word, that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). While this is primarily concerned with the preaching of Scripture, it secondarily may be applied to simply hearing the Bible read. However you do it, take the Bible into your life.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg

0 Comments

February 12th, 2023

February 08th, 2023

Author

Archives

Categories