January 08th, 2023

GREETINGS, FBC FAMILY AND FRIENDS! The New Year came in with much milder temperatures than we had the previous week, along with some much-needed rain, and what a blessing it was from the Lord! Thanks especially to all those who came out to Sunset Home for the vesper service. Eleven of our members joined with six residents for a time of prayer, praise, and devotion. it was our first time back since December 2019 (pre-COVID). The residents really seemed to appreciate us being there!

Right at the start, let me mention that the Committee/Ministry Team General Organizational Meeting scheduled for this Sunday is postponed to Sunday, January 15. I deeply apologize for any inconvenience, but earlier this week, I became aware of a direct conflict in my schedule for January 8. So on January 15, 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. 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. Again, my apologies for needing to reschedule this meeting.

Tables will be set up for the following groups to meet. For your convenience, times are suggested to help avoid conflicts, although some couldn't be avoided. Please confer with your other team members to agree on your time to meet. Other ministry teams are welcome to meet at this time, the following are just the ones most likely to need to meet to organize.

4:00 - 5:00 pm

• Stewardship: Russ Wright, Betty Graham, Randy Morrow, Marsha Smith (treas.), Melissa Phillips (asst. treas.), Randy Hardin (trustee rep)
• Personnel: Peggy Harwood, Ron McElwain, Matt Adams, Judy Hardin, Robert Kendall
• Nominating: Melissa Phillips, Kelly Adams, Alice Stahl, Judy Hardin, Mary Morrow
• Youth: Lorie Scott, Jonathan Hackett

5:00 - 6:00 pm

• Trustees: Ronnie Stahl, Randy Hardin, David Ousley, Chet Owen
• Transportation: Jonathan Hackett, Robert Kendall
• Counting: Sharon Carroll, Jan McElwain, Becky Rhea, Judy Hardin, Melissa Phillips, Ruth Albright, Gary Dolan*
• Mission Vision: Dianna Wright, Marry Morrow, Kyle Carroll, Marsha Smith (finance)

*to be added to team in the special called member meeting

Special Called Member Meeting, Jan. 15: At the break of our committee organization meeting at 5 pm, we will have a brief member 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. **NOTE: This is a slight time change to allow for the maximum number of members to attend.


THE LORD'S DAY (1/8/23): 

• 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. The sermon will focus on Luke 18:1-8, Jesus' Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unrighteous Judge. Following the brief parable, Jesus asks three questions: Will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to him day and night? (implicit Yes) Will He delay long over them? (explicit No) When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? (unanswered). Join us as we explore this parable that Jesus gave to encourage His disciples that "they ought always to pray and not lose heart" (18:1). 

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 29 
• Assurance of Pardon: Acts 10:39-43 
• Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:29-41 
• Sermon Text: Luke 18:1-8
• Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26

• Baptist Catechism Questions are Questions 73-75 "On the Sixth Commandment." For the entire catechism, follow this link.
  • Question 73: What is the sixth commandment?
    Answer: The sixth commandment is, "Thou shalt not kill."
    Scripture: Exodus 20:13.
    
    Question 74: What is required in the sixth commandment?
    Answer: The sixth commandment requires all lawful efforts to preserve our own life and the life of others.
    Scripture: Ephesians 5:29, 30; Psalm 82:3, 4; Proverbs 24:11, 12; Acts 16:28.
    
    Question 75: What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
    Answer: The sixth commandment forbids the taking of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, including whatever acts tend to this loss.
    Scripture: Genesis 4:10, 11; 9:6; Matthew 5:21-26.

MONDAY (1/9)

• 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 (1/11)

• 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 RESUMES, 3:30 - 5:15 pm. This after-school ministry is for children, K-6.
• 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. 9:8 and following this week. The ZOOM invite is sent out in the late afternoon on Wednesday, so watch for it in your inbox.

THURSDAY (1/12)

• 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).

FRIDAY (1/13)

• Justin Peters Conference, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13-14, 6:30- 8:30 pm at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph. 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 evening, he will teach on Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Justin lives in Bozeman, MT, and has a nationwide ministry, so we are very blessed to have him in our area. I highly recommend Justin Peters' ministry, and you can see some of his teaching here on Youtube. For more info, go to this Facebook link, or contact Pastor Calvin Haynes at calvin@journeystjoe.org   This is a ticketed event, $10 per event or $15 for both. If you sign up with FBC, the total cost is only $10 for both evenings. Please text or call me at 479-238-3772 if you want to attend and receive the discounted price. As always with a ticketed event, if you want to go, cost will not be an issue. We do not want cost to be a burden especially if multiple family members want to attend. If you need transportation one or both nights, just contact me.

COMING UP

• 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 4:00 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, and include:
  • laundry detergent
  • toilet paper
  • deodorant (men and women)
  • shampoo and conditioner
  • dish detergent
  • toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • paper towels
  • hand lotion
  • kleenex
  • bars of soap
  • baby wipes
  • trash

ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 "Remember, Anticipate, Commune"

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 2 Chronicles 16:9:
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.


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. Many Bible reading plans are available at this link.

MISSIONS: On a personal note, one of our teens (who happens to be Lorrie's and my youngest daughter), Ruth Dixon, is going on a mission trip to Jamaica in the middle of February. The team will be doing Bible-quizzing in the public schools there. For more than 20 years, Lorie Scott coached Bible Quiz teams from our church, so many of you are aware of just how life-changing it can be to memorize large chunks of Scripture then be quizzed in friendly competition over what was learned. Ruth would appreciate your prayers and support. Please contact her directly for more information.
If you or someone you know from our church is planning to take a short-term mission trip, please let the church know so that we might pray for you/them and offer our support for the trip. We encourage you to consider an international mission trip as a way to spread the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe on His name.


BONUS: Take a few moments to visit the literature rack in the foyer this Lord's day. We moved it from the area near the fellowship hall to increase visibility. We also updated the literature to include missionaries for whom we pray as well as several booklets and tracts for your edification.


See you in church!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Greg