THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ILLUMINATOR

Transcription

1 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ILLUMINATOR Ye are the LIGHT of the world. Matthew 5:14 VOL. LIV AUGUST 16, 2017, WHITESBURG, KY NO. 32 EVANGELISM PRAYER SERVICE SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 6:00 P.M. DEACON ORDINATION SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 6:00 P.M.

2 FROM THE PASTOR S HEART Evangelism without intercession is like an explosive without a detonator; intercession without evangelism is like a detonator without an explosive. --Reinhart Bonnke I invite you to our evangelism prayer service Sunday night, August 20 th, at 6:00 P.M. We will spend time offering prayer concerns and then praying for the lost. But evangelistic praying is not limited to calling out names of people we want to see saved. It also involves (1) Praying for ourselves the ones sharing Christ, and (2) praying scripture over people we love and care about. Firstly, when I pray for the lost, I start with myself that I will be a godly example and my witness will not be hindered, I ask for opportunity to share, for wisdom to recognize the opportunity, for right words to speak in love. I ask for the ability to recall scriptures, to recognize the person s needs at that time, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Secondly, I pray specifically for people I know who are not saved. I pray specific scriptures over them. Most importantly, I ask that God draw them with His love and assure them that He does love and care for them. I may pray that their eyes will be opened, their hearts will be receptive, Satan will be bound, and all excuses will be taken away. If you have friends and family whom you d like to accept Christ as Savior, you can add power to your witness by praying Scripture over them. Hebrews 4:12 says that God s Word is more powerful and sharper than a doubled-edged sword. By praying Scripture, you re releasing the truth God already spoken and His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:10-11). There s no doubt that God wants people you pray for to come to know Him personally. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 is a dear scripture. I exhort first, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all people; For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. See you Sunday. I love you and pray for you. Bro. Tony Tony.Brown@whitesburgfbc.org On Sunday, August 13, during the Morning Worship Service, the church voted on Albert Ison, Jr. to serve in the capacity of Deacon. We are excited to report that he was approved unanimously and will be ordained on Sunday, August 27, at 6:00 P.M.

3 FAITH AND FAMILY "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 Every member of our congregation is asked to take part in our prayer emphasis on August 20-21, September 17-18, and October We will be having praying meetings each of those Sunday nights at 6:00 P.M., Monday morning/afternoon (watch for times), and Monday evenings at 6:00 P.M. Everyone is asked to take part in fasting during these prayer emphasis days (from 6:00 P.M. the first until 6:00 P.M. the next day). The fasting does not have to involve food, especially if it would be bad for your health, but it could involve media, video games, sports (including practice), dessert, etc. whatever it is you give up, the point is to spend that extra time with God in prayer and studying His word. I invite you to involve your whole family in this prayer emphasis. Come to the prayer meetings together or have your own special time of prayer at home. Talk to your kids about what is going on, the importance of prayer, and the purpose of fasting. Let them help determine how the family will participate in these special days. As a family, agree on what each member will be fasting from and emphasize that you will support and hold each other accountable. Here are some other ideas that you, as a family, could incorporate into these prayer days: Go prayer walking in your neighborhood Read the Bible together Keep a prayer journal, review it in September and October to see how God has responded to your prayers Invite a neighbor, acquaintance, or stranger to dinner on one of the Monday evenings. Talk about the prayer emphasis and ask how you can pray for your guest. If you do fast from food, prepare and deliver a meal to someone who could use some encouragement and help (someone with a new baby, sickness in the family, stressed out due to college, etc.) The list of things you can do together in order to help your family focus on our Lord is endless. I hope you decide to participate in this prayer emphasis and that you include your family in the process. In Christ, Jeremy 2 Timothy 1:6-7

4 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7 What is Joy and why is it important? We often share that we have Joy in our heart, and that we desire to share Joy with others, but what is Joy? Webster s defines Joy as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It appears 88 times in the Old Testament in 22 books; 57 times in the New Testament in 18 books. I found this quote and thought it was very interesting. Joy isn t just a smile or a laugh. Joy is something that is deep within and doesn t leave quickly. When we have the joy of the Lord, we ll know it and so will others. Since joy is given by God and something that He wants us to have, we need to be joyful! Our challenge is how can we channel Joy? How can we let the great pleasure and happiness we have as a child of the One True King radiate from us? One way we can help increase our Joy factor is by singing. One of our favorite songs on mission trip is, I ve Got J-O-Y. Kids love it when we act out and sing this song. The song is silly and kids get a great laugh singing it but what really happens is that the happiness we have in our heart radiates through our song and lets others see our Joy. So sing and let your Joy radiate outward to those around you. Reason #6 When you sing, you walk a God-designed pathway to Joy. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for you. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 I will be glad and rejoin in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:2 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Psalm 51:14 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13 Choir practice every Sunday evening following worship. Please come out and join us! We are learning some new music and getting ready to start our Christmas music. We really need more voices.

5 YOUTH HAPPENINGS The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Our youth have been leading our Wednesday night Bible study for the last several weeks and it has been amazing. This past week Hunter Craft led a study on the Trinity. He used Smores as a simple way to explain the importance of the Trinity and shared several scriptures about the Trinity. At the beginning of the study, he asked us what it would feel like if he let us makes Smores, but then we took our first bite found that our Smores was missing something. He presented a very simple but effective way the role of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We kick off AWANA this week and begin having youth at 6:30 again. Buses will run each week, so invite your friends to come out and join us. SUNDAY MORNING SNACKS August 20 Philip & Julie Bentley Summer Bible Study Series - Wednesday Nights at 7:00 P.M. August 23 Makayla House August 30 Abby Bentley September 6 Zach Hall When a young man in Oklahoma City lost his job, he was told about a church that needed someone to maintain the building. He didn t want to be a janitor and maintenance man, but when nothing else came along, he applied for the job. He was hired, and he now feels that the job is the Lord s will for him. It is his venue for ministry. For example, a mission team was being organized for Africa. He set up the room where the mission was planned. He provided everything the team needed to make their plans: tables, chairs, maps, chalk, a board with white paper, markers, etc. He considered his actions to be a small part of the ministry to the mission field. When he cleans the sanctuary, he makes sure it s in the best condition possible. He knows that cleanliness is indeed next to godliness. The pastor of the church took the custodian aside one day. He said that some new members had joined the church in part because the facilities were always well-kept and clean. In a sense, the man had served as an evangelist. When asked about the work he s doing for God and on behalf of God s church he says, I feel blessed. May we all discover blessed opportunities to serve God in everything we do.

6 The WMU is participating in the Kentucky WMU/North American Mission Board Christmas Backpacks Project. We are asked to provide zippered backpacks containing: Aug. 20: Ellis Caudill 22: Nancy Sue Kincer, Jennifer Wright, Richard Wright 23: Reese Caudill, Noah Campbell, David Narramore, Myrel Short, Emily Stone, Sue Thomas 26: Larry Everidge, Nyoka Hall, Brayden Haun FIVE GIFTS FROM GOD Love makes our friends a little dearer, Joy makes our hearts a little lighter, Faith makes our paths a little clearer, Hope makes our lives a little brighter, Peace brings us all a little nearer. Underclothes, socks Toys (small cars, dolls, balls, stuffed animals, toy jewelry, sidewalk chalk, Slinky, etc.) Non-perishable food items (cheese and/or peanut crackers, single-serving macaroni & cheese or pasta cups, fruit cups, granola bars, pop-top entrees (chili, beef stew, lasagna) Optional items: School supplies Hygiene Items Hard candy Each backpack will also include a copy of the Christmas story leaflet and a Mailbox Bible Club postcard. Backpacks need to be turned in no later than October 16 th. For more information, contact the church office or Carol Brown, WMU Director. IT S THAT TIME AGAIN!! The Stewardship Team is requesting that all budgets for 2018 be submitted to the church office no later than September 15 th.

7 EXTENDED SESSION WORKERS August 20 Diane Lewis, Amy Bates August 27 Brandy Wilson **************** Kentucky Baptist Convention Annual Training September 9 8:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. First Baptist, Pikeville Register before August 23 by contacting Jeremy or Brenda Topics: Evangelism, Sunday School, Women s Ministry, Collegiate Ministry, Youth, Worship & Music, Preschool & Children PRESCHOOL WORSHIP August 20 Lee Adams August 27 Allison Combs **************** CHILDREN S CHURCH WORKERS August 20 Amanda & Byron Thomas August 27 Saranell Caudill, Margaret Fisher, Rita Broome The FBC staff and church family extends love and sympathy to JO COMBS and family in the death of her nephew, MARION COMBS BURTON. Church Office Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00-5:00 P.M. Any articles, announcements or items to be placed in The Illuminator must be in the church office no later than noon on Tuesday. Announcements for the bulletin must be in the church office no later than Wednesday.

8 LAST SUNDAY S STATISTICS Sunday School Adults Youth Children Preschool -- 9 Morning Worship SPECIAL MINISTRIES Housing Authority Letcher Manor AWANA / IGNITE Children: Adults: Youth: Adults: ADDITIONS TO DATE (September August) By Baptism By Letter By Statement TOTAL ADDITIONS TOTAL RECEIPTS Budget Receipts $ 6, Budget Requirement $ 7, Family Life Center $ 1, Designated $ Budget Required to Date $233, Budget to Date $211, In the hospital JIMMY BATES, Local ARH VERA CAUDILL, Pikeville ******************* FAMILY LIFE CENTER TOTAL NEEDED PHASE 2 $500, GIVEN TO DATE $423, NEEDED $76, DEACON OF THE WEEK August FRED HALL