January 14th, 2024

Greetings, Church Family and Friends! 
The sun is finally shining as I write on this Saturday afternoon, and it is a welcome sight. After a week of ice and snow, we are looking at record cold temperatures today and tomorrow. Due to the dangerous cold and uncertain conditions of streets and roads, we (the deacons and I) made the decision to dismiss Sunday School for the day. 
We will have in-person worship for those able to make it safely to the building. BUT, we are encouraging everyone to exercise extreme caution in getting out tomorrow as the temperatures will be in the range of 15-17 below zero, with wind chills in the 40 below range. The service will be streamed on Facebook Live as usual for those not able to attend in person. Again, please use caution in getting out. The parking lot and entrances will be accessible, but please err on the side of caution if you have any doubt about your personal safety. Please let me know if you have any needs that we can help you with due to the extreme weather.

THE LORD'S DAY (1/14) - MODIFIED SCHEDULE

• NO Sunday School due to extreme cold and winter weather conditions. 
• Worship Together at 10:40 am in the Sanctuary.  Acts 4:13-31 will be the focus of our time in God's Word, "Spirit-Filled Boldness." Following Peter and John’s arrest and jailing, they were tried by the Sanhedrin. But in the face of Peter’s stirring testimony, these rulers were unsure what to do with them. After conferring together, they decided to release Peter and John with a strong reprimand not to speak again in the name of Jesus. That is when they encountered the signs and the source of their Spirit-filled boldness.
• 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

• Call to Worship: Psalm 139:1-18 
• Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:19-28 
• Assurance of Pardon: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 
• Sermon Text: Acts 4:13-31
• Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26
  
  

• Baptist Catechism Questions #88-89 "On Man's Ability to Keep God's Law"
• 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.

• SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERS MEETING, scheduled for Jan. 14, will be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

MONDAY (1/15) 

• Monday "Sunday School" online via ZOOM. 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 (1/17)

• Women's Wednesday morning ZOOM Bible Study.  The group is studying Heaven by Randy Alcorn. You will need to secure your own copy of the book. Please see Jan McElwain for further details.  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
• Kids' Club Resumes, 3:30 - 5:15 pm
• 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 walking through the book of Exodus. We will be in Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbor's."  To join Zoom Meeting, follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09    Meeting ID: 875 7378 9453    Passcode: 478672 
• Youth Hangout and Bible Study, 6:30 pm. All students, grades 7-12, are invited. 

COMING UP: 

• CHURCH DIRECTORY PICTURES have arrived back and we will be updating you soon about those. If you did not have your picture taken, please submit a family and/or individual photo to the church office by January 14. If you need assistance, please call me at 479-238-3772, and I will direct you to the right person for help. We want to have as complete a directory as possible. This is to help you know your fellow church family members and friends by face and name. It is especially helpful for our newer members, so please consider their need to put faces and names together.
• PRAYER/SHARE/CARE TEAM MEETING, Sunday, Jan. 21 - Luncheon meeting following morning worship. We will be finished no later than 1:30 pm.
• CHILI COOK OFF, Sunday, Feb. 11 at 4:30 pm. Just before the Super Bowl, we'll gather for a chili supper. Bring your chili entries to the fellowship hall at 4 pm for judging. We will watch the game together at 5:30 pm and have a devotional service during half time. 
• BI-MONTHLY MEMBER MEETING, Feb. 18, following morning worship. There will be a carry-in dinner with church supplying drinks and table service and the members supplying everything else. 
• DISCOVER FBC CLASS will tentatively be held Sunday, Feb. 25, noon to 3:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a luncheon followed by workshop sessions for those exploring membership at First Baptist, or for members seeking a refresher on what church membership is all about. Let me know if you plan to attend so we can make adequate preparations for lunch.

ICYMI: Last Sunday's sermon audio for last Sunday from Hebrews 8 on Jesus, Our Great High Priest.

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


FIGHTER VERSE:Isaiah 43:1-3
..."Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. ³For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."
 
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE The Five-Day Bible Reading Plan for 2024 is attached to this e-mail for your convenience. Plan to make this year a year centered on God's Word. One way to do that is by having a definite plan to read Scripture this year. You may want to access additional resources to support your reading available at this website. If you would like to see other Bible reading plans, visit ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans  .

BONUS: And now, here is that great Stephanie Boosahda classic from 1983, "Somewhere It's Snowing," sung by the writer. Enjoy!

See you in church! (But possibly not tomorrow!)


Grace & Peace,

Pastor Greg