Worship God Equip Believers Build Community Share Christ Volume 119 Number 3 February 4, 2015 Important Dates VBS: Journey Off the Map June 21-25 Reserve the time now and plan to be a part of this great Journey of Faith! CentriKid Camp July 6-10 THE Camp for Kids 2nd-6th grade It s time to get FIT! Faith in Training Dear Church Family, From Our Pastor I appreciate the willingness of this congregation to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Now, claiming that the Holy Spirit is leading is not something to be said lightly. One should use that kind of language carefully, almost sparingly. Actually following the Holy Spirit should be every believer s desire. I mention this subject because I experienced your willingness to follow the Holy Spirit last Sunday during the observance of the Lord s Supper. You see, as I have stated many times, my church experience from childhood on has not included (perhaps even forbidden) the use of written prayers or prayers recited by the entire congregation at once. Last Sunday we did both. And, I believe it was helpful to us in focusing our attention on the Lord s Supper. As far as I am concerned, being in tune with the Spirit and being attentive to His direction is something all of the congregation should practice, not just the leaders. Therefore, my original statement regarding your willingness to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is important to me. Your willingness to do so puts me in a position to consider different ways God is active in our midst, different ways you and I can encounter a Holy God who is seeking those who would worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23). And I love that responsibility, and I appreciate your allowing me to lead you. See you Sunday. In This Issue The Seeking Heart by Fenelon Spicy Support for Student Missions Adult Discipleship Ministry Opportunity New Baby! Note of Appreciation Mission Focus: Adopt-a-Kurd Calendar of Events Church-Wide Valentine Banquet! Friday, February 13 6:30 pm in the CMC Gym Guest Speaker Grove Norwood plus Entertainment by Spare Change Food catered by The Jay Café Tickets $12 per person Purchase from the church office or at the Welcome Center this Sunday, Feb. 8 Youth will serve as wait staff and helpers at the children s party Children s Party for Kindergarten Grade 6 in Kids Korner Childcare for birth age 4 Make plans to be part of this fun fellowship! First Baptist Church, 2321 Avenue F, Bay City, TX 77414 Website: www.fbc-baycity.org
Worship Ministry Spring Music Opportunities Youth Praise Band Sundays 4:00 pm JwC Youth Choir Sundays 5:00 pm Children s Choirs Sundays 6:00 pm Praise Band Mondays 5:00 pm Ladies Ensemble Tuesdays 5:00 pm King s Ringers Tuesdays 5:45 pm Celebration Choir Wednesdays 6:45 pm Jubilaires Thursdays 9:30 am God uses special musical offerings to touch our hearts, give us encouragement, and draw us closer to Him. Would you like to be a part of our special musical offerings on Sunday mornings? I know many who sing and/or play an instrument, and I hope to use you more in the coming months. At the same time, I m guessing there are talented musicians of which I m unaware. If you d like to add to our special music on Sundays, please let me know. Thanks for considering being a part of this ministry! First Kids Children's Ministry Exciting News in the First Kids Office! CentriKid has made a very special delivery! Reserve your spot now with a $50 deposit and be entered to win fun CentriKid prizes! Stop by the church office to sign up the dates are July 6-10! And don t forget about VBS June 21-25! A special thank you to Jaxon and Bryson for taking the trash out after 1st Sunday Breakfast! Your leadership skills ROCK! Let s all continue to learn more about Jesus every day together! See you Sunday! Ms. Jordan Deep & Wide Student Ministry Spicy Support for Student Missions Our church family and three judges were impressed with 13 entries in our Chili Cook-off. You may have noted some surprise ingredients like deer or turkey. Each unique recipe was judged, and the top three scores earned prizes. Winners: 1st place Charlie & Tina Hernandez 2nd place Lori Strachn 3rd place Vanessa Parker Thank you to all who brought chili and to everyone who donated for the lunch. Our World Changers team of 10 youth and 5 adults are so thankful for the generosity of our FBC Family! Please pray for us and for Puerto Rico. Youth Ministry Committee February 8 Our team meeting is scheduled for 4:00pm in PMH. Valentine Banquet Servers February 13 Acquire the Fire Houston May 15-16 Sign up in the Youth Room or FBC Office. Registration cost is $40. We stay overnight at a church in League City. PowerPlus Youth Camp July 20-24 Sign up and make a $50 deposit to reserve your spot. Total registration cost is $245. Talk to Chris about needed scholarships. Watch for opportunities in youth group World Changers Juana Díaz, PR Garage Sale Fundraiser Feb. 27-28 Church family: please bring items in good condition to donate for our sale. No clothing items will be taken. Pray for the People of Puerto Rico In Puerto Rico, Spanish is the main language, although many Puerto Ricans speak English. The island s large cities have freeways, housing, and shopping centers like those in America. Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth of the United States. Most federal laws apply as though it were a state, but they have no electoral votes. The people maintain U. S. citizenship. Puerto Rico has one non-voting representative in Congress: a resident commissioner.
The Seeking Heart by Fenelon From the cover: The name Fenelon has stood for spiritual depth and insight for 300 years. Seeking Christians throughout the years have turned again and again to his writings for guidance and help in their quest for a deeper walk with Christ. From the biography at the beginning of the book p. xi: His letters are generally considered to be the most perfect of their kind to be found in the French language. Many a believer has found solace and benefit in his thoughtful correspondence. They are, truly, spiritual letters and some of the best Christian correspondence dealing with the matter of a deeper walk with Christ which has ever found its way to print. The Cross A Bond of Love I am sorry to hear of your troubles, but I am sure you realize that you must carry the cross with Christ in this life. Soon enough there will come a time when you will no longer suffer. You will reign with God and He will wipe away your tears with His own hand. In His presence, pain and sighing will forever flee away. So while you have the opportunity to experience difficult trials, do not lose the slightest opportunity to embrace the cross. Learn to suffer in humility and peace. Your deep selflove makes the cross too heavy to bear. Learn to suffer with simplicity and a heart full of love. If you do you will not only be happy in spite of the cross, but because of it. Love is pleased to suffer for the Well-Beloved. The cross which conforms you into His image is a consoling bond of love between you and Him. The Seeking Heart by Frances Fenelon; copyright by Christian Books Publishing House in 1992; p. 9 New Baby! To Peggy Wesselski on the birth of her granddaughter! Olivia Grace Soza was born to Justin and Paige Soza on January 20 and weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. Dear Church Family, In Memoriam Virginia Hauff January 29, 2015 With Heartfelt Sympathy The FBC Family extends sympathy to the following member and his family in the loss of his loved one: Carl Townsend Sister Thinking of You and Sharing in Your Sorrow Note of Appreciation I very much appreciate receiving the church newsletter being mailed to me in my absence due to health issues. I continue to pray, trust and expect God s continued strength, restoration and renewal of excellent health spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. God Bless, Geri Henderson Ministry Opportunity Can you pick up church members for church services or help take church members or others to appointments in or out of town? If so, please call the church office. You are needed and will be so appreciated! Breakfast at Diamond S Tuesday, February 10 at 9:00 am Great Breakfast! Great Fellowship! For more information, call Carolyn Hale at 245-5109 This ministry is discussion based upon assigned reading in the book Crazy Busy. Don t worry, it is not a heavy load of reading. It has proven to be both encouraging and enlightening to discuss the topics that emerge from the assigned reading. It is also a powerful, effective way church members can become acquainted with one another beyond the superficial level. Childcare available. Come join us you ll be glad you did!
February Mission Focus: Adopt-a-Kurd The Kurds, often described as the world s largest people group without their own country, reside predominantly in four countries: Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Many smaller groups of Kurds exist outside the traditional homelands, with significant populations in Europe, Armenia and the former Soviet Union. In all of these areas, they constitute a minority and are often tolerated at best. A well-known Kurdish proverb states, The Kurds have no friends but the mountains. Many of the Kurds engage in subsistence living by farming and herding. Those in smaller towns and cities may find employment in a wide range of businesses and service industries. The majority of the estimated 30 million Kurds are Sunni Muslims, although a small minority is Yezidi. Precise numbers are virtually impossible to obtain, but a handful of Kurds have come to faith in Jesus. Estimates range anywhere from 500 to several thousand. A few small churches have been established in Kurdish areas. Bible portions, evangelistic videos, and recordings exist in all of the three major Kurdish dialects, although much remains to be done in terms of translation and production. One of the greatest needs among Kurds is for more Christian workers who will share the true message of hope in Jesus. Many Kurds have simply never heard a clear, accurate presentation of the biblical Jesus. Ryan and Susan have asked us to choose a Kurdish person/family to adopt and pray for on a regular basis. Beginning next Sunday, February 15, cards will be at the Welcome Center and the Sanctuary Foyer for you to pick up and take home so you can remember to pray for these that Ryan and Susan are working with. Please be mindful of the security issues: "Do not post these on the internet, especially social media, and please do not share these with others without asking Ryan and Susan first." The plan is to add a few more to this collection over the next couple of months. God alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures. -R.C. Sproul Information Center Sunday School Report Date Enroll Attend January 25 635 231 February 1 639 222 Average Sunday School Att. YTD = 221 (through Week 24) Tithes & Offerings Report Date Given January 25 $15,172.50 February 1 $16,850.25 YTD 2015 Needed: $87,246.35 YTD 2015 Given: $77,869.03 Designated Gifts Benevolence Women s Pregnancy Center Special Gifts In Memory Of: Lynn Quillin Scholarship Memorial Betty Crisp Memorial Church Family Suppers Each week: Extreme Salad Bar, Fruit, Dessert & Drinks February 11 Meatballs with Rice & Gravy, Mac & Cheese, Rolls & Cheesecake Serving: David & Tricia Lewis Cleaning: Terry & Dianne Farrar Ronnie & June Rowland February 18 Mexican Casserole, Corn & Tres Leche Cake Serving: Mary Henderson & Sue Kirby Cleaning: Wendy Duminski, Vicki Jo Horne, Dan Sicking & Wayne Witte Keeping up with FBC Online To listen to Bro. Mike s sermons online, to see a detailed schedule of weekly opportunities for ministry and spiritual growth, and to keep up with other information about FBC, like family supper menus, etc., check out our website: www.fbc-baycity.org And Like Our Pages First Baptist Church, Bay City FBC Bay City Student Ministry First Baptist Children s Ministry
Sunday, February 8 4:00 pm Youth Praise Band Youth Room 6:00 pm Youth Girls Group 3800 Bucks Bayou Monday, February 9 5:00 pm Praise Band Sanctuary 6:00 pm Ladies Bible Study PMH Tuesday, February 10 9:00 am Breakfast Diamond S 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study PMH 4:30 pm CDC Committee Conference Room 5:00 pm Ladies Ensemble Choir Room 5:45 pm King s Ringers B 106 Wednesday, February 11 10:00 am CDC Chapel PMH 5:00 pm Church Family Supper CMC Gym 6:00 pm AWANA CMC Gym 6:00 pm Encounter Youth Room 6:00 pm Intercessory Prayer PMH 6:45 pm Celebration Choir Choir Room Thursday, February 12 9:30 am Jubilaires Choir Room Wednesday, February 18 10:00 am CDC Chapel PMH 5:00 pm Church Family Supper CMC Gym 5:30 pm Finance Committee Conference Room 6:00 pm AWANA CMC Gym 6:00 pm Encounter Youth Room 6:00 pm Intercessory Prayer PMH 6:45 pm Celebration Choir Choir Room Thursday, February 19 9:30 am Jubilaires Choir Room 9:30 am Sewing & Craft Group PMH 10:30 am Jubilaires Ministry Matagorada Rehab Friday, February 20 Saturday, February 21 No Scheduled Activities Sunday, February 22 4:00 pm Youth Praise Band Youth Room 6:00 pm Youth Girls Group 4112 Heatherglen Friday, February 13 6:30 pm Valentine Banquet CMC Gym Saturday, February 14 No scheduled activities Sunday, February 15 6:00 pm Youth Girls Group 4112 Heatherglen Monday, February 16 5:00 pm Praise Band Sanctuary 6:00 pm Ladies Bible Study PMH Tuesday, February 17 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study PMH 10:00 am Jubilaires Matagorda House 5:00 pm Ladies Ensemble Choir Room 5:45 pm King s Ringers B 106 7:00 pm Prayer Gathering PMH