January 01st, 2023

GREETINGS, FBC FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
On this last day of 2022, I want to wish you a Happy New Year as we stand on the cusp of 2023. A few years back, I shared with you a list of questions to ask at the New Year or on your birthday. I am once again sharing these questions with you as an attachment to this e-mail. I will also have printed copies available for you tomorrow. These questions come from Dr. Don Whitney and the Center for Biblical Spirituality, a trusted and trustworthy resource. Don Whitney is both a collector of questions and a composer of questions to help Christians grow in the spiritual life. These and other questions are available at this link.

As we gather tomorrow for worship, we will celebrate the Lord's Supper. What a powerful way to usher in the new year! I pray that you have had the opportunity to  engage in some self-examination in preparation for that service according to 1 Corinthians 11:23-34. The starter questions which I have shared before are also attached to this e-mail.

THE LORD'S DAY (1/1/23): 

• 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. As we observe the Lord's Supper, the sermon will focus on the 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 with the theme "Remember ... Anticipate ... Commune," considering the significance of the Lord's Supper in its past, future, and present attachments. You may choose to meditate on these points:

1. Past Significance: By faith, let us remember the death of Christ (vss. 24-26) Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19:14-20
2. Future Significance: By faith, let us anticipate the return of Christ (vs. 26b) Acts 1:6-11; Rev. 19:11-21; 22:7, 12, 20; 1 Cor. 3:11-13
3. Present Significance: By faith, let us commune with the living Christ (vss. 27-29) 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

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

• Call to Worship: Psalm 148                          Assurance of Pardon: Hebrews 2:14-15
• Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1-28        Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
• Benediction: Hebrews 13:20-21
  
  
• Baptist Catechism Questions are Questions 69-72 "On the Fifth Commandment." For the entire catechism, follow this link.
  • Question 69: Which is the 5th commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee." Scripture: Exodus 20:12.

• Question 70: What is required in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment requires that we preserve the honor and perform the duties which belong to everyone in their various roles as authorities, subordinates or equals. Scripture: Leviticus 19:32; 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10; 13:1; Ephesians 5:21-22; 6:1, 5, 9; Colossians 3:19-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

• Question 71: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment forbids neglecting or offending the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their various places and relations. Scripture: Proverbs 30:17; Romans 13:7, 8.

• Question 72: What is the reason added to the fifth commandment?

Answer: The reason added to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all who keep this commandment. Scripture: Exodus 20:20; Ephesians 6:2, 3.

• Sunset Home Vesper Service, 3 pm. Please join us for an afternoon service of praise and devotion as we minister to the residents of Sunset Home. This is a brief service of approximately 30 minutes in length. This will be our first time back at Sunset since December, 2019. By the way, a former FBC attendee, Nicky Grubb, is now a resident at Sunset Home, and she would love to see old friends. 

MONDAY (1/2)

• 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 (1/4)

• Women's ZOOM Bible Study, 9 am (Jan McElwain, 816-449-0424)  To join Zoom Meeting, use this link (different from the one above):  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3665081666?pwd=N21LSEJaYURhUzZVSmRLcFhPdW8zZz09 Meeting ID: 366 508 1666   Passcode: 844160

• Men's Discipleship Group, 10 am in the library/conference room. "Walking with Ephesians" with Russ Wright, group leader. This group is just starting again, so all men are invited to join.
• Kids' Club will not meet on January 4. We will resume on January 11.
• Bible Study and Prayer, 6:30 pm in the Great Room.  Join us for a time of prayer and time in God's Word as we get back into our Exodus study.

THURSDAY (1/5)

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

SUNDAY (1/8)

• Committee/Ministry Team General Organizational Meeting, Sunday, 4-6 pm. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall to organize for 2023. Each committee will meet to elect a new chairman, go over expectations, and plan for the coming year. The time set aside will be 4-6 pm, but each committee should choose either the 4-5 pm slot or the 5-6 pm slot. This is to help avoiding conflicting times if you serve on more than one committee. If you agreed to serve on a committee in 2023, please make every effort to attend this meeting, especially if you have not served before. We will have pizza from Slice & Swirl for all those in attendance.
• Special Called Member Meeting: At the beginning of our committee organization meeting at 4 pm, we will have a brief meeting to approve some additions to our committees/teams from the Nominating Committee. All members are welcome to attend this brief member meeting, which should take no more than 5 minutes.

COMING UP

• Justin Peters Conference, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, at Journey Baptist Church. On Friday evening, Justin will answer the question, "Why doesn't God heal everyone?" As a person who has cerebral palsy, this question is especially close to Justin's heart. On Saturday morning, he will teach on Penal Substitutionary Atonement. This is a ticketed event, $10 per event or $15 for both. I highly recommend Justin Peters' ministry, and you can see some of his teaching on Youtube. For more info, go to this Facebook link, or contact Pastor Calvin Haynes at calvin@journeystjoe.org 
• Save the Date: 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 before 4:30 to allow plenty of time for judging. I would also encourage you to bring items for the Living Hope Food Pantry. Items are listed on the main bulletin board in the hallway, just across from the Great Room.

ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio on John 1:1-5, 14 "Jesus Christ, the God-Man"

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 Joshua 1:9:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.


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. The 2023 Five Day Bible Reading Plan is attached. This is a chronological reading plan through the entire Bible in one year. As I mentioned in last week's update, I want to encourage you to read the Bible daily this year. Many methods are available to accomplish this goal. Here is a link to Nathan Bingham's article last year on 2022 Bible Reading Plans, most of which are undated so they will work just fine in 2023.

See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg
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