The First Word a newsletter from... The Pastor s Pen. FBC Eden We re more than just a building We make disciples! Dates to Remember in July

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1 The First Word a newsletter from... FBC Eden We re more than just a building We make disciples! Dates to Remember in July July 2 Celebration Lunch for Curtis Family FBC Eden Family, July 2017 Volume 4 Issue 9 The Pastor s Pen What a mighty God we serve! How blessed our family has been since joining the FBC Eden family almost five years ago. We are truly humbled to reflect back and to see how God has worked in some truly amazing ways. He has seen us through ups and lows, mountains and valleys, and good times and tough times...and through every single instance, God has been found faithful, God is faithful, and God will continue to be faithful. As Gloria and I finish our time of ministry at FBC Eden, we are clinging to His faithfulness. Just this past week, the church that we had been in serious communication as our next possible ministry position informed us that they had decided on the other candidate, and yet, we rejoice because God is faithful. When God had asked Abram to go to the land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1-3), Abram had to leave loved ones and the comforts of home behind. But ultimately, the whole world was blessed by Abram s obedience. While surely I m no Abram, God calls each one of us to obedience, and by becoming obedient to Him, we can be used by God to be a blessing to others. And this call to obedience is not only for the famous Bible personalities and pastors and their families, this call to obedience is the mark of a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the coming days, I m sure that God will ask each believer in His Son to sacrificially be obedient in some area of your life, how will you respond? A church is not about a single pastor or personality but a body (i.e. network) of members. We see that even in the Apostle Paul s own life. In my last message, I will share from God s Word the last passage from the Apostle Paul - 2 Timothy 4:9-22. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, gives us some keen insights on the life of Paul. Timothy was like a son in the faith to him, and Timothy as a young pastor was a kindred spirit with Paul. John Mark was restored with Paul after an initial parting of the ways early in their ministry careers. Titus was another pastor that Paul sent out. Yet, Paul also had folks like Demus and Alexander the coppersmith who had caused Paul much harm and surely much spiritual damage. Any man of God who stands for the Truth of God and His Word will have supporters and attackers...surely, Gloria and I have seen both sorts in our time at FBC Eden. However, just like Paul, we too have found the Lord Jesus Christ is standing with us and propping us up as we look to defend His Name. As FBC Eden looks forward, what type of person in this network of individuals will you be at FBC Eden? May God repay each of you abundantly for your response! To Him be the glory! In Christ, Bro. Chris Curtis July 4 Independence Day July 9 July 14 Mexico Mission Trip July 30 Fifth Sunday Luau

2 Hearts for Homebound Hearts for the Homebound As I thought about this ministry, I thought about its origins a few years ago; we wanted to reach out to seniors and other homebound Christians and friends who might welcome our visits. While the focus has not changed, I think now about just the "home" part: our families, our friends, our church. Before we listen to rumors or criticisms or whispers from the devil, I pray that first we listen to the words of our beliefs. We trust in God for so much guidance, and we need Him more than ever as we face many transitions. If we want God's blessings, should we not also seek His direction in all our paths? Not just what we want or think or feel, but what we believe is guidance through scripture, living out what we know to be the hardest requirements of our faith-trusting Him to be all things to all people. My prayer for many days has been that I do my best for what is necessary for this church and these believers to show up and look up. We cannot fight the world and each other without losing. Society and Satan are diligent and determined to lead us off the Christian path. May we have hearts that are heavy and ready to follow Jesus. Love and later, Claire Rucker Nursery News The Stewardship Board hired Catherine Gomez as the new Nursery Director. She will be in the Nursery every Sunday for Sunday school and Worship service. Catherine is 25, she is a stay at home mother of two little boys, a two year old and an eight month old. Catherine enjoys singing and taking care of her family. You can meet Catherine any Sunday morning before Sunday School or Worship. Contact the office if you have any questions. Fusion We are headed to Eagle Pass the week of July 9th. We are pretty set on clothes as the trailer is almost. The bed of the truck is open for beans and rice. This is a huge help to Frank Banda s Ministry as he feeds hundreds of people weekly before sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Monetary gifts to Frank Banda can be delivered as well. Thank you! Jeffery Bunger Pictured Below: Calvin, Giselle, and Piper during youth s time a Seek week camp Music Ministry PRAISE TEAM REPORT I wish to express my appreciation to the Church body for your support in this time of transition for the Praise Team. I hope that you have noticed that we have made modest changes to our song selection, and we hope that it assists in worshiping The Lord. I would like to thank Dwain Psencik, Barbara Stansbury, Loren Briggs, Devon Moore and Phyllis Ellison for all of their contributions to our praise and worship. Additionally, we could not bring the music and words to you without the invaluable assistance of Rafael and Shay Bocanegra, on the sound board and video system. I also thank God for his marvelous grace, and we ask Him to bless our praise and worship of Him. Bill Campbell Interim Co-Praise Team Leader

3 In Other Words Clearly the Curtis family, FBC Eden, and the City of Eden are all facing seasons of change. For many of us, change is difficult enough to face when the matter is small without going ballistic over the big stuff! I freely confess that I do not want to see the Curtis family leave. They brought friendship, inspiration, life, seal for the Kingdom of God and passion and purity to the teaching of God s word. They have touched this community. It almost seems contradictory for me to then say, yes, I do sense it is God s will for Him to send them elsewhere. In the hours pondering Pastor s announcement I had to decide to find joy in the fact that the lives they model include listening to, listening for and being obedient to God s speaking. How can we who love them not honor and respect that? Besides, God has a plan for FBC Eden and His best plan is always better than the plans we might try to implement. I guess what I am leading up to is that I would encourage ALL of us to send them out in love regardless of any ill feelings that might possibly exist. If such feelings do exist, I would urge that those issues be addressed, forgiven, and hence put a smile in the very heart of God. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to bless God. None of us are perfect but if in joy we can send them according to God s plan, then the better it will be for them, for us individually as well as for the body of Christ at First Baptist Eden. We must allow them to finish well and in doing so, we, too, will finish this season well and be able to move into the next season expecting God s goodness and mercy upon us...leading us to His next shepherd. Jeremiah 29:11..and..PRAY PRAY PRAY! Children s Ministry VBS was a fun week that taught many kids how God created them, is for them, is always with them, will always love them, and made them for a reason. The kids learned songs, Bible events, and Bible verses and participated with excitement. It was a smooth week thanks to all the workers: Patricia Stephens, Barbara Stansbury, Phyllis Ellison, Devin Moore, Trenton Wilder, Florine Atwood, Kathryn Mooney, Shay Bocanegra, Dottie Knudson, Ally Lockett, Johnna Williams, Ivie Spiller, Liliana Gonzalez, Fred Escue, Mary Torres, Renae Rodgers, Stella Taylor, Lin Spiser, Liberty Choate, and Teri Wilder. Thanks to all who helped! Teresa Escue

4 July 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Celebration lunch for Curtis Family 3:30 PM Deacons' Meeting :00 AM-Sunshine Girls Marty Akins Preaching Church Office Closed 12 10:00 AM-Sunshine Girls Church Office Closed Eagle Pass Mission Trip 16 1:30 PM-Nursing Home David Dunn Preaching 17 5:30 PM- Stewardship Board Meeting :00 AM-Sunshine Girls Keith Simpson Preaching 5:30 PM-Stewardship Board Meeting :00 AM-Sunshine Girls Keith Simpson 5th Sunday Luau 31

5 Vacation Bible School!! Set your clocks ahead at bedtime on Saturday March 11

6 Pre-Teen Thrive Camp John 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing Youth Seek Week Camp