Update Sept. 5th

Greetings, everyone! 


Recent crises brought on by the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Ida, flooding through the midsouth, and the military pullout of Afghanistan have been foremost in our prayers. You may have a good idea of what relief efforts look like for natural disasters. But if you are like most, you don't have as good an idea on what relief efforts for a man-made disaster such as what is taking place in Afghanistan look like. For this reason, I am linking to an e-mail I received from the International Mission Board and North American Board concerning Send Relief. You will find out what efforts are underway and how you can help. Attached to this e-mail is a page entitled "10 Ways to Pray for Afghan Refugees."

Incidentally, our Rheubin South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO) begins promotion tomorrow, and a portion of every dollar given goes to support disaster relief efforts both in Missouri and elsewhere in the US. Our goal for this offering set by our Mission Vision Team is $1500.

THE LORD'S DAY is TOMORROW!
I'm looking forward to being with you on the Lord's Day tomorrow as we start a new series simply entitled "The Church." Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at the subject of the church under the following headings:
1. What is the Nature of the Church of Jesus Christ?
2. What are the Attributes and Marks of the Church?
3. What Does the Bible Say About Leadership in the Church?
4. What Does the Bible Say About the Membership in the Church?
5. What Does the Bible Say About the Ordinances of the Church?
6. What Does the Bible Say About Discipline in the Church?
7. What is the Warfare of the Church?

We'll be singing "O Church, Arise" (Keith & Kristyn Getty; Stuart Townend) across the weeks of this series, so take a few moments to listen to it if you aren't familiar with it.

We will gather for Sunday School/Bible Study for All Ages at 9:30 am, followed by corporate worship at 10:40 am in the Sanctuary. Here are the Scriptures we will be reading in the morning service. Please spend a few moments reading and meditating on them. Click on any of the links to read a printable version of all the selected Scriptures.

Fighter Verses: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Call to Worship: Psalm 146
Old Testament: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
New Testament: James 2:1-10. (11-13), 14-17
Prayer of Confession: Psalm 86: 1-7
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 86: 12-13
Sermon Text: Matthew 16:13-20; 18:15-20
Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26


COMING UP

• Kids' Club Kickoff, Sept. 8, 3:20 - 5:15 pm. This is for children aged kindergarten through 6th grade. Please be in prayer for the children and the workers who will be involved in making this happen.
• Country Harvest, Sept. 10-11. On Saturday morning (Sept. 11) beginning at 9 am, we will be playing games with children, giving away water, popcorn, and other prizes and in general sharing the love of Jesus with those we meet out on our front lawn who are attending Country Harvest. If you can help with setup, execution, or teardown, please call the church office at 449-2731. (SETUP UP WILL BE AT 8 AM SATURDAY MORNING)
• Disaster Relief: Upcoming training events will be Sept. 10-11 in Waynesville, MO and Oct. 8-9 in Blue Springs, MO. The typical format is Friday evening and most of the day Saturday. If you are interested in attending a training, visit mobaptist.org/dr/dr-training. 
• Operation Christmas Child Project Leader Workshop, Sept. 10 at 6 pm, Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph. If you are interested in heading up our Christmas Shoebox effort this year, this workshop is for you. Please contact Mary Morrow if you would be willing to take the lead on this project this fall.
• SUNDAY SCHOOL BREAKFAST, 8:30 am on September 12. Join us for breakfast before Sunday School. Everyone is welcome; contact Ron McElwain for details on what to bring.
• WORSHIP IN THE PARK was postponed last Sunday. We will plan to meet on Sunday, September 25, following the same schedule as initially planned.

SAVE THE DATE 

• SJBA 150th Annual Meeting at FBC Savannah, Sunday, October 3 at 4 pm. This worship and missions gathering will be followed by a fellowship meal. Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) will be our speaker. Some of you may also remember that Dr. Iorg was pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church prior to going to Golden Gate.
• Children's MiniCamp, October 22-23, at Grand Oaks. All those in grades 5 through 7 are invited to register for this overnight event at Grand Oaks. We missed our camp week this year, so we are having an overnight retreat/camp experience. If you are interested in attending as a camper or a sponsor, please contact the church office at 449-2731. To sign up, follow the links in the announcement from the St. Joseph Baptist Association below:
  • Mini-Camp Begins Friday at 5:30pm and Continues until Check Out Saturday at 4:45pm Students currently in 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade / Cost is $25 (Meals, Snacks, and Drinks provided in cost) 
    • Campers Registration https://onrealm.org/frederickboulevard/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OTZhYzRiN2QtNjkzMi00MjQxLTg1YTUtYWQ5NDAxMmY3ZjI4 
    • Staff & Coaches Registration https://onrealm.org/frederickboulevard/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjI1MDA1MGUtYzE5OC00NTAyLThjODItYWQ5NjAxMDcxY2U0   

ICYMI: Last Sunday’s Message Saved By Faith Luke 7:36-50
Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the edited service video. 


READ THROUGH THE BIBLE schedule is attached. We are on Week 36. (That's right, we are 2/3 of the way through 2021).


BONUS: Fear is an emotion which may be legitimate or illegitimate, good or bad, depending on the context. Fear is something we all experience, and some more than others. Looking to the Scriptures and wise counsel from Puritans like John Flavel and Richard Baxter, later churchmen like Charles Spurgeon and J.C. Ryle, and contemporary counselors like Ed Welch and David Powlison, the Just Thinking Podcast team Darrel Harrison and Virgil Walker do a deep dive into the subject "Why Are You Afraid?" Don't be daunted by the nearly 3-hour length. It is worth it. I listened to it in big chunks beginning Monday and finishing up Friday. I heartily recommend their podcast in general and this episode in particular. You will be encouraged and likely challenged in your thinking.
See you in church!


Grace and peace,


Pastor Greg

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