This Sunday
night, January 8, at 6:00 p.m. the church will mark the completion of the
building phase of the ROC and the start of a new beginning in the history and
ministry of First Baptist Church. There
are just a few more finishing touches on the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center),
and the new building will be open for operation each day. There will be a daily schedule for different
events and activities. This Sunday will
be a big day in the history of the church.
Open House and light refreshments will be served beginning at 5:00
p.m. A special dedication service will
begin at 6:00 p.m. Please plan to be
here for this special and significant event in the history of First Baptist
Church.
Pastor Mark will
be preaching in the two morning services at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. We will have regular Sunday School beginning
at 9:45 a.m. Pastor Mark will continue
his message series on mission and the 2012 theme: “I SURENDER!”
Please continue
praying for two different mission trips.
Brian Brewer and his family are in Nepal. Cooper Welch is in Mexico with a group of
students. They are doing well and would
appreciate your prayers.
The church staff,
deacon officers, and the ordained ministers of First Baptist Church are reading
a book called: The Millennials
by Thom S. and Jess W. Rainer. It is a
very important book that discusses the role of ministry in reaching the young
generation of people that are 18 years old through thirty years old. Many of these young adults do not go to
church anywhere and therefore are a mission field. They are not antagonistic or opposed to the
church or Bible, but just have no interest them. This millennial generation is the largest
generation that was ever born in America and is two million more
people than the boomer generation. Most
of these young adults will only enter a church in future years if given a
personal invitation from a friend or relative.
A copy of this book is in the church media library and can be checked
out to read.
Thinking about
books, anyone that is 50 years of age or older should read Billy Graham’s new
book: Nearing Home. A good quote from the book: “Instead the
Bible says that God has a reason for keeping us here; if He didn’t He would
take us to Heaven far sooner. But what
is His purpose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it? How can we not only learn to cope with the
fears and struggles and growing limitation we face but also actually grow
stronger inwardly in the midst of these difficulties? How can we face the future with hope instead
of despair? These are some of the
questions I have been forced to deal with as I have grown older; perhaps the
same is true of you as well. This book,
however, isn’t written just for old people.
It is written for people at every stage of life—even those who never
have thought much about growing older.
The reason is simple: the best
way to meet the challenges of old age is to prepare for them now, before they arrive. No, old age is not for sissies.”
We are having
some beautiful days of wonderful weather, and this weekend looks super. Take time out of your busy hectic life
schedule and enjoy the day. It is not
wrong just to slow down to smell the roses.
Take time to just be with your family.
As you come and go this weekend at home or play—share your beautiful
smile and a word of encouragement to a family member or friend. Invite someone to worship with you this
Sunday. Come prepared with prayer and
your Bible in hand on Sunday to worship and study God’s Word.
God bless you,
Fred W. Lewis
