Weekly Snowy Update

"And somewhere it’s snowing – see the soft drifting down as the snowflakes surrender to the hardening ground. Like the good grace of Jesus that now covers our sin, in the kingdom of Heaven, it’s snowing, again."
I always think of those lyrics by David Stearman and Stephanie Boosahda of a generation ago when I see it snowing outside like it is now as I write. These words are reminiscent of what the prophet Isaiah wrote so long ago: "Come now let us reason together, says the LORD; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Is. 1:18, ESV) Enjoy the snow, be careful out there, and stay warm if you can. And listen to this arrangement of "Somewhere It's Snowing."


INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: It is always good to be reminded when we have a big snow of our inclement weather policy.

• Unless otherwise posted on our website or Facebook page or notice given in an e-mail, morning worship services will continue as planned.
• We ask that you use your own judgment as to whether to attend in snowy or icy weather.
• In extreme cases, we may cancel Sunday School only or both Sunday School and in-person worship services. In such instances, we will post on the website and Facebook. Your class teacher or leader will seek to contact you as well. For those not in a class, we will make every effort to alert you personally.
• Check the website, Facebook, your e-mail, and cell phone for messages before starting out in snowy or icy weather.
• We will normally have Facebook Live services even if in-person services are cancelled, provided leadership is able to do so.
• If you have already checked the website, Facebook, e-mail, and phone messages and still have doubts, please do not hesitate to call the church at 816-449-2731 or my cell at 479-238-3772.
• On weekdays, the church will typically follow Maysville R-1 cancellations for weather. Again, when in doubt, please call.

TODAY our Bible Quiz team, "Contagious," competes in St. Joe against 25 other teams from Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas. Please pray for them as they remember what they have hidden in their heart. It is always such an encouragement to see young people learning and sharing the Bible together, and holding one another accountable in friendly competition. If you want to drop in on a quiz today, they began at 12:30 pm and are usually concluded by 4 pm, at Journey Baptist Church, 5708 King Hill Avenue, St. Joseph.

TOMORROW is the LORD’S DAY, "day of every day the best, emblem of eternal rest." We come together as God's people to worship the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in spirit and in truth. The sermon will explore the doctrine of the Trinity, focusing specifically on the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ as revealed in Luke 3:21-38. Take a few moments to read and meditate on the Scriptures which will frame our corporate worship tomorrow. Just click anywhere on the link for a printable electronic version of these passages:
Fighter Verses: Psalm 56:3-4
Call to Worship: Psalm 147:1-11, 20
Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 3:18
Sermon Text: Luke 3:21-38
Benediction: Numbers 6:24-26

TOMORROW NIGHT
2021 Chili Cook-Off 
and Superbowl Watch Party, Feb. 7. 
WEATHER PERMITTING
 (NOTE: WE WILL ASK FOR A SHOW OF HANDS AT THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY TO PLAN FOR)
Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday evening, Feb. 7, for our annual Chili Cook-Off and Superbowl Watch party.
 Our basic schedule will be...
 4:30 pm - Bring chili for competition to Fellowship Hall
 4:45 pm - Sampling and voting on chili begins (also start filling out your just-for-fun "score card" for predictions about the game). Plastic gloves will be supplied to handle the serving spoons.
 5:40 pm - Superbowl LV kickoff, live on the big screen
 Halftime - Praise and Devotional service
 Second Half - Live on the big screen; Awards for the chili voted best will be distributed, of course!
Here are a few more things to remember:

• Bring a canned good with you to donate to Living Hope Food Pantry in Maysville. Or bring the “item of the month” to donate to Living Hope, which is: TRASH BAGS. (Used plastic grocery bags would also be welcome as Living Hope uses these to pack groceries for clients who come into the food pantry)
  
• Don't forget the desserts!
  
• If you don't care to watch the game, bring board games and other activities to play as we enjoy the fellowship together.
  
• All times are approximate and subject to change without notice.
  
• This will be our first time back in the Fellowship Hall with the new floor, so we will need to move tables and chairs to FH and empty items out of the old sanctuary and back to FH, kitchen, and pantry. 
  
• I understand not everyone who would like to be there is able to attend, and that is ok. Come if you can, stay as long as you like, leave when you have to, enjoy Christian fellowship in a wholesome atmosphere as we root on our favorite team!
  

THIS WEEK
Mon., 5-8 pm: Sewing Circle starts back up. All ladies are welcome to attend, even if you don't sew! (in person and ZOOM)
Mon., 7 pm: Monday Evening "Sunday School" started the book of James last Monday (ZOOM only)
Wed., 9 am: Women's Bible Study (ZOOM only)
Wed., 6:30 pm: Midweek Service (in person and via ZOOM). Studies adapted from Francis Schaeffer's "Basic Bible Studies." So far we have looked at "The God of the Bible" and "Creation." This week we look at "God and Man" dealing with the fall of man as seen in Genesis 3.
For all ZOOM meetings log in at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87573789453?pwd=Zjg5ZWZ2N1h5WklxOEFjM3IrVUt1QT09
Thurs., 10 am - 4 pm: Resound Network Church Revitalization Workshop, Jefferson City (I am planning to attend, Lord willing)


COMING UP

• Saturday, Feb. 13, 6 pm: MACH 4 co-ed ministry supper at Oak Christian Church. They would like a head count so they will know how much food to prepare. Men, this would be an excellent way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your wife. Contact Mitch Parkhurst at [email protected] to RSVP.
• Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 pm: Deacon Ordination for Robert Kendall followed by reception in the Fellowship Hall. Ordaining council will convene at 2 pm prior to the service.

SAVE THE DATE

• Builder's Mission Trip to Carrollton, IL, July 5-9, July 12-16. Constructing a church fellowship hall. Contact Ronnie Stahl or the church office. Non-builders needed also.
• SJBA Camps at Grand Oaks: Youth Camp, July 5-9; Children's Camp, August 9-13

ICYMI audio of Last Sunday’s Message from Luke 3:15-20 "Baptism, Salvation, and Judgment"
For video of the services, visit our Youtube Channel


READ THROUGH THE BIBLE
Week 6 of the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. Read through the entire Bible following this plan, or read only the New Testament (in italics).
Day One: Exodus 16-18; Ephesians 4
Day Two: Exodus 19-21; Psalm 33; Ephesians 5
Day Three: Exodus 22-24; Psalm 109; Ephesians 6
Day Four: Exodus 25-27; Psalm 90; Philippians 1
Day Five: Exodus 28-31; Philippians 2

Visit the website for more up-to-date information!


Personal note: I am once again planning a trip to my folks to assist them in some difficult decisions. Planning to leave Monday morning and return Wednesday, but that could change depending on circumstances. Please contact Pastor Kyle or Deacon of the Week Russ Wright for urgent ministry needs. If you need to reach me, my cell phone is almost always on and I will almost always answer.


See you in church!


Grace and peace,


Pastor Greg

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