March The Challenge

Transcription

1 First Baptist Church PO Box 366 Calvert City KY Return Service Requested Pastor Music Leader Children s Ministry Director Youth Leaders Ministry Assistant Church Organist/Pianist Custodians Dr. Jim Ewing Danny Granstaff Janet Dietsch Lance & Trena Gregory Jan Moore Vicki Madison Marshall & Gail Agent March 2018 The Challenge Our Mission: Encounter Grow Serve Share Our Vision: Becoming Fully Committed Followers of Jesus Christ making a Kingdom Impact on Calvert City Sunday Schedule Wednesday Schedule 9:00 am Sunday School Prayer Meeting 10:15 am Worship Service Youth Ministry 5:30 pm AWANA J.U.M.P. (K-5 th Grade)

2 Prayer Concerns for Our Church Family Maury Dodson back issues, awaiting Dr visit in Nashville Mildred Oliver recovering from broken leg at Calvert Conv Letha Sickling under new chemo regimen June Sewell recovering at home Doris Haley multiple health issues; future apt. with cardioloigst Lowell O Daniel recovering from earlier fall Jackie Prater still experiencing weakness and fatigue Members who are staff and students at MCHS Homebound Linda Terry Carolyn Burt Convalescent Centers/Assisted Living Rivers Capps - living with daughter s family in Benton Polly Norwine - Stilley House, room 418 Military Members Corey Joiner Ben Sewell Stephen Ewing Prayer Concerns for Friends & Loved Ones John Kerr (Ray Tucker s half-brother) stage 4 lung cancer, Jack Wylie (Jan Moore s grandson) born premature home but still on oxygen and now has a G-tube Adam Smith- still recovering from effects of Shingles Families of Bailey Nicole Holt and Preston Ryan Cope fatalities from MCHS shooting Families of Florida High School shooting College Students Allie Owen UK Law School Shelton Owen - University of Alabama Connor Jones MSU MBA Kayla Travis - MSU $$$ FEBRUARY FIGURES $$$ GENERAL BUDGET FUNDS ACTIVITIES BUILDING & SIGN FUNDS Budget Needs Monthly $ 21,385 Budget Receipts (thru Feb 26) $ 19,558 Activities Bldg. Total $ 28,522 YTD Budget Needs $ 42,770 Sign Fund Total $ 13,249 YTD Budget Receipts (thru Feb 26) $ 44,697 Mar 1 Lowell O Daniel Mar 2 Denise Stakey Mar 12 Paula Wayland Mar 18 Sandy Fox Mar 31 Annie Peck Mar 4 Danny & Sandra Sewell Mar 15 Ken & Paula Musgrove

3 From Your Pastor: Jim Ewing In just a few weeks we will be celebrating what I believe is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar: Easter. For good reason we celebrate Christmas... but without Easter, Christmas has no real meaning. Easter is literally the fulfillment of the promise of Christmas. This year we are focusing on the arrival of the Easter season: - Gene Low has begun a class that describes the 7 Feasts of the Lord mentioned in the Old Testament and explains how they all point to Jesus. - Stating Sunday, March 4th, I will begin an Easter sermon series titled: The Great Rescue, which will help us understand why Easter is so important to us as followers of Jesus. - On Sunday, March 25, we will observe the Lord s Supper followed by our Church Family Fellowship Meal. - On Friday, March 30 we will present a church-wide Seder Meal which helps us understand the Jewish celebration of Passover and how it actually points us to the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. - On Sunday, April 1st, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus... the reason why the church exists today. I hope you will make time in your busy schedule to be a part of our Easter emphasis. As we re thinking about Easter, I want to share with you a simple story that helps us understand what it s all about. The story is titled: Stephen s Egg. It was obvious that eight-year-old Stephen s mental retardation was becoming even more severe. His Sunday school teacher did her best to include Stephen in the classroom activities and to avoid situations which might prompt his classmates to make fun of him. In April, she gave each of the eight children in the class an empty L eggs pantyhose container (plastic egg) and instructed them to place inside the container an object that represented new life in spring. Fearing that Stephen might not have caught on, and not wanting to embarrass him, the teacher had the children place all the containers on the desk so that she could open them. The first had a tiny flower in it. What a lovely sign of new life, said the teacher. One of the students couldn t help but erupt, I brought that one! Next came a rock. The teacher assumed this must be Stephen s, since rocks don t symbolize new life. But Billy shouted that his rock had moss on it, and moss represented new life. Very good, Billy, agreed the teacher. A butterfly flew from the third container and another child bragged that her choice was the best of all. The fourth container was empty. This must be Stephen s, thought the teacher, quickly reaching for a different one. Teacher, please don t skip mine, interrupted Stephen. But it s empty, Stephen. said the teacher gently. That s right, said Stephen. The tomb was empty, and that represents new life for everyone. Later that summer, Stephen s condition worsened and he died. At his funeral on his casket, mourners found eight L eggs pantyhose containers one from each of his classmates and all of them empty. The story of Stephen reminds us of the hope we all have because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22). He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter First Baptist Church! Together in Him Bro Jim Music Ministry: Danny Granstaff Below is an article by Bob Kauflin, director of Sovereign Grace Music. He equips pastors and musicians in the theology and practice of congregational worship, and serves as a pastor at Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, Ky. The Three R s: Why Christians Sing Christians sing together during corporate worship gatherings. Colossians 3:16 helps us understand why. Paul tells us that worshiping God together in song is meant to deepen the relationships we enjoy through the gospel. This happens in three ways (or three R s): 1. Singing helps us remember God s Word. Paul says, Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The word of Christ most likely means the word about Christ, or the gospel. Songs whose lyrics expound on the person, work, and glory of Christ tend to stay with us long after we ve walked out of the church building. 2. Singing helps us respond to God s grace. While no one is exactly sure what psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs refers to, we can at least infer some kind of variety in our singing. No singular musical style captures either the manifold glories of God or the appropriate responses from his people. We re also told to sing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Singing is meant to be a whole-hearted activity. Emotionless singing is an oxymoron. God gave us singing to combine objective truth with thankfulness, doctrine with devotion, and intellect with emotion. 3. Singing helps us reflect God s glory. Doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, implies bringing God glory. Worshiping God together in song glorifies God for at least three reasons. First, it expresses the unity Christ died to bring us. Second, because all three persons of the Trinity sing (Zeph. 3;17; Heb.2:12; Eph.5:18-19). Finally, it anticipates the song of heaven when we ll have unlimited time to sing, clearer minds to perceive God s perfections, and glorified bodies that don t grow weary. Worshiping God in song isn t simply a nice idea or only for musically gifted people. The question is not, Has God given me a voice? but Has God given me a song? If you trust in the finished work of Christ, the answer is clear: Yes! So remember His Word, respond to His grace, and reflect on His glory. Worshipping always, Danny

4 Youth Ministry: Lance & Trena Gregory Children s Ministry: Janet Dietsch We are so glad it is starting to warm up a little. Our group has been eager to get outside so we walked about 3 blocks the other night and finished up the night playing games and eating popcorn. We meet every Wednesday at 6pm for a lesson and games or ice cream and Sunday night at 6p for food, games and popcorn when our schedule permits. We are in the youth room while it s cold but just as soon as the weather breaks we will be on the move. So if you know a youth that would like to come join us please let us or one of our girls know so they can get on our app that will keep them updated about what we re doing. We enjoyed the 2018 Roadshow Concert in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. King & Country, Matthew West, and Natalie Grant are just some the few who performed. We are still working our way through Best Year Ever, seems like we have been in it for a while but the youth are really responding to the questions and are interested in learning about Joseph s walk with God. They are seeing that even though your life is tough at times, keep on serving and depending on God, and he will bring you through it - in His own time not ours. Spring is coming! I know the children are ready to get outside to run and play. They are a little restless with staying inside so much. We would like to welcome our new nursery worker, Alison Risher. She is here on Sunday mornings during Sunday School and Worship Services. She is enjoying cuddling with our new babies and playing with our older ones. I have handed out the nursery schedule for the year to our volunteers. If you did not get one, please see me. We are planning a backward Easter Egg hunt with our AWANA clubs. This will be on Sunday evening, March 25 th. It will be an Easter Egg hunt with a purpose of learning about events that led up to the death and resurrection of Christ. is in full swing with Ms. Crystal and Mr. Aaron working with the children and learning about consequences. They are doing a terrific job! We are working on the Grand Prix for AWANA. It will be held on May 20 th. Put it on your calendar and come join us for a night of fun. Children in Christ, Janet Dietsch The Lord is answering our prayers by sending comfort, peace and healing to our students. The Youth have gone back to laughing and talking about school like normal days again. I know they re a long way from being healed from the trauma but at least it is somewhat normal again. Our upcoming events are: April 6 th Friday, Newsboys concert in Evansville, IN May 31 st June 5 th Crossings camp at Johnathan Creek! Deposits of $75.00 were due Wednesday, Feb. 21st and the remaining balance will be due on Wednesday, May 9 th. You can make monthly payments if you wish. Our fundraising will be starting soon and we are looking to do some meals again to help pay for outings. We appreciate all your prayers, love and support!! Together in Christ, Trena and Lance Gregory

5 March 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Come Play Pickleball! Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings 8:30 10:30 a.m. in the gym. Contact Kathy Poague or Darlene Latta for more information AWANA: Sports Night 5 6 Financial Peace University 5:30 pm Prayer Mtg tonight so you won t be late tomorrow! 11 Smith Shower 1:30 3:00 AWANA: Team Colors Night 18 Annie Armstrong campaign begins. Deacon s Mtg. Awana: Wearin of the green night 25 Lord s Supper & Fellowship Meal Awana: Spring has Sprung night! Backwards Easter Egg Hunt 12 Blood Drive at CC Comm. Cntr. Noon till 6:00 pm Prayer Mtg Business Mtg Prayer Mtg. 15 Feast of the Lord Bible Study 9:30 am & 6:30 pm 22 Feast of the Lord Bible Study 9:30 am & 6:30 pm Church-wide Seder meal 6:00 pm Join us and see how it points to Christ. 1 Cor. 5: NURSERY ASSISTANTS USHERS PRAYER ROOM DEACON OF THE WEEK Mar 4 Alison Risher & The Burnhams Les Evans Andrew Pagel Mar 11 Alison Risher & Hadley Pagel Larry Coursey Jo Beth Jones & Karen Howard Brandon Cayton Mar 18 Alison Risher & Trena Gregory Phil Broyles Karen Dodson & Bethany Morton Dale Smith Mar 25 Alison Risher & Jill Pagel Gerry Poague Lord s Supper please pray in your seat Lance Gregory Kids Town Worship Marcella s Drivers Counters Teller Team Tue Mar 6: David Madison Fri Mar 9: Nancy Whitler Mar 5: Rebecca Wilson March Tricia Greer Tue Mar 13: Sam Jones Fri Mar 16: Nancy Whitler Mar 12: Becky Tynes Mark & Julie April Jill Pagel Tue Mar 20: Dale Smith Fri Mar 23: Nancy Whitler Mar 19: Nigel Broyles Noles Tue Mar 27: Jerry Devine Fri Mar 30: Jerry Devine Mar 26: Becky Tynes

6