Just a few pictures to let you see what is going on at the ROC.

This is the Health Fair that is going on even as I type. Hopefully, many of these folks will come back to visit the ROC and our church. But, even if they don't, this is a great ministry to our 55+ community. Thank you Fred for your vision.

This group is from our Mother's Day Out Program, getting a little exercise. If you've ever worked with this age, you know how important it is to burn off a little energy.

These ladies are taking part in a program called Texercise, a low impact exercise program designed for senior adults that takes place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 am.

These folks are from Our Place, the MHMR center in our community. They come three afternoons a week and get a little exercise and recreation and pass out hugs. This is probably the highlight of my week, pure, untainted love.

This is Upward basketball, where kids learn a little basketball and hear a devotion every workout and they and their families hear a devotion at halftime of every game.

We are seeing a lot of activity at the ROC, including three young men coming to know Christ. This was the vision that God gave us a few years ago. If you want to be a part of what God is doing here come see me and I will find you a place to serve. We are working a skeleton crew at times and could use the help. See you at the ROC.

Mike

Hidden treasures...

God can speak to us in so many ways…if we will just learn to look and listen. Jeannie sent me this insight into what God was speaking to her as she has been spending some time away…



I woke up this morning, after we'd had a big thunderstorm in the night last night, but it was just partially cloudy and a bit windy. I put a fleece on and headed down to the beach for my morning walk with the Lord. The tide had started to go down and had again left a lot of dead sea grass and debris/trash on the beach, but between where the night tide had washed up that stuff and the where the tide was now there was a clean path for me to walk. As I walked along I found a perfect little sea shell just laying at the water’s edge. I picked it up and rinsed it off in the tide and held on to it for a little while. Then as I continued to walk, I noticed a shape in the water, hidden beneath the muddy sand. I reached down and gave it a tug and out came a BIG beautiful conch shell. I pulled it out and rinsed it off with the tide and set it on the shoreline where the resort has a row of such conch shells for decoration. I walked along a little farther and again, saw in the water, hidden underneath the muck and the muddy sand another shape - could it be? Yep - reached down and pulled out another beautiful conch shell. Washed it off and set it by the others. Jesus reminded me that often times as we walk the path of life - our eyes are drawn to the obvious pretty little shells, just sitting out in the open. But don't miss the treasure that's hidden just below the surface. If we just take the time to see... some people may have a muddy murky exterior... sometimes you have to look hard to find it and may need to give a little tug to get it out... may need to rinse it off a little but the extra effort is worth the treasure you find... It's there, you may not be able to see it or recognize it immediately - but it's there and it's beautiful and it's worth it! Don't miss the opportunity; take the time to look for the treasure that's hidden just beneath the surface.

As I reflected on this I had to wonder how often I have walked by, never noticing the hidden treasure. Then I began to think about what happens to the shell if not retrieved, rinsed…rescued. I guess it may be swept out with the receding waves…lost at sea. Or, at best…it continues to take the pounding of the waves that eventually break it down and it becomes the very sands that swallowed it in the first place…seeking to hide it away from ever being noticed.


There are so many people all around us who have ‘buried’…just beneath the surface a great treasure. God sees them as beautifully and wonderfully made! Loved, accepted, chosen, wanted… But the lies of the enemy may have them so bound…without hope…destined to be ‘lost’ forever. Are we looking for the shell that needs a rinsing? Or too easily content with what comes easily…?


The real tragedy is that if the shell is not pulled from the murky water…rinsed and displayed…then the rest of us walking the beach miss out on the beauty it was meant to show, for the glory of The One who created it. This day, may we each have eyes to see those whom God has placed in our path that may need a rinse or a rescue… Jesus offers the ultimate ‘rinse’, making us clean inside and out and unlocking the beauty and treasure buried within as He gives our lives meaning and purpose.


Not sure I will ever walk the beach quite the same again…hoping, praying I can walk out today…somehow changed.


Have a great week!


Brian



January 27, 2012

Good morning FBC Family……….God blessed us with an abundance of rain this week. We are grateful for the way He meets our needs and that He is always faithful to keep His promises. God is good……..all the time!


The ROC is quickly becoming a very busy place. Every time I go over to the building, I see some folks walking, others playing basketball, and others just enjoying fellowship together. The past two Saturdays, we have had the Upwards Sports basketball games going on and a host of parents, grandparents, and family friends watching their children. The facility is a wonderful tool that God has given us in order to impact lives in a variety of ways. I know of at least three individuals who have prayed to receive Christ as Lord and Savior since we have opened up…..to Him be the Glory! …..Mike Armstrong is very busy coordinating all of the many activities at the ROC and I know he is still seeking volunteers to assist him. Please contact Mike for more details if you can volunteer for even just an hour a week to help.

Every Thursday we have a group of faithful volunteers travelling over to Lakeview Baptist Encampment to work on the new dining facility. The building is very close to being finished and is going to serve the needs of the camp for many years to come. If you can go and help, please contact Gary Hancock, Gene White, or me and we can answer any questions you might have.

Tonight and tomorrow morning, our Pastor will be leading the deacons through a special weekend retreat. Our deacons have been selected by the church body to assist the pastor and to serve the church family. This will be a time of encouragement and training and there will be significant time devoted to prayer. I want to encourage all of us to pray for this weekend. Pray for Pastor Mark as he leads, pray for each man that attends (and for his family); and pray that, through it all, God will be honored and glorified.

God bless you and yours....have a great Friday and weekend and I’ll see you on Sunday…..Come with a sense of expectancy of what God will do among us…….Tommy

Singing in the Rain

Rain! 


Thank you, Lord, for the rain!


The question I posed to the students at One-Eighty this morning is simple, "are we going to sit and sulk in the rain, or are we going to live under His reign?"


For a middle school student, the rain outside signifies constraint, limits, and even confinement as they think about being "stuck inside". I wonder how much that actually translates to the way we live out our lives of faith?


Don't be constrained by the rain of life, but live life to the fullest in His reign.


undignified,

Heath

Being His Heart, Hands and Voice...

As we continue to explore what it would mean to live life 'on mission' we must consider what it would look like to be His Heart, His Hands and His Voice.

Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision (an international aid/relief ministry focused on feeding and educating children) said, "Let my heart break for the things that break the heart of God."  What if we honestly asked God to break our hearts for the things that break His...?  It might be much more difficult to simply walk by someone in need, while we live so extravagantly ourselves.

To be His hands implies that we are willing to serve others...but let's not forget Jesus' hands were pierced.   It may cost us dearly to truly follow The Lord...but if our hearts are broken, we are compelled to action.  (Right?)  What if we asked each morning, "Lord, who do you want me to 'touch' today with your love?" 

Some of us talk too much and say far too little...okay I do!  Being His voice means we speak words of life and Truth and hope.  I know the statistics say men speak so many thousands of words each day while women speak millions...or whatever the stat is.  Without debating the issue (and without stereotyping the genders), I wonder how many words today that come from our mouths will have any real, eternal significance?  How many times will you or I speak to someone of our living, Loving Lord Jesus?  Maybe a presentation of the Gospel...or may simply be a quick word of encouragement to the young lady serving your meal over lunch. 

We must continue to seek to have His heart, seeing the world the way He does...and then take action as our hearts break.  We must continue to seek to serve others, more than ourselves...that would look like Jesus wouldn't it?  We must be ready to speak up and give an answer for the hope that we possess...

This Sunday, we will be having our Mission Trip Information Meeting at 4:30 providing you an opportunity to come and hear more about participating, praying or partnering with the various missions endeavors of FBC from Sulphur Springs to South Asia.  Please prayerfully consider attending and seeing where God would have you GO to be His Heart, His Hands, and His Voice.

Have a wonderful week!

brian

BUILDING THE ROC—A REALITY

     After all the hard work, time and cooperation in building, the ROC (Recreational Outreach Center) has become a reality.  There have been many hours of work by the building committee, staff and church in seeing God use different people with different skills to build the new building.   Today and in the future, there will be different and new ministries developed by staff and members to use the new facility to reach new people with God’s love and care.  We appreciate you and the many others who have prayed, worked, and given to see the building become a reality.

     Last weekend, there were many funerals and memorial services at the church and in the community.  Many people have seen the death of family members, friends, and church members and loved ones.  Each person will experience grief, which is a natural human emotion of love and loss.  A man once gave me this saying, “DEEP LOVE….DEEP HURT.”  When you love a person and that person goes into eternity, you do hurt.  There is joy for a Christian in knowing that life on earth is not final, but a transition to our heavenly home.  For individuals experiencing grief, a new course called, “Grief Share” will begin next Wednesday night, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the ROC.  It will be led by Phyllis Roundtree.  Everyone in the church and community is invited to be a part of this group.  We are blessed to have Phyllis Roundtree to lead the course because she has vast training, experience, love of God and love of people.

     Mark your calendar—Tuesday, January 31.  The 55 Plus Ministry will have a Health Fair at the ROC beginning at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Over forty-eight different vendors will have tables with health information and other types of health screening.  Each vendor will provide a door prize to be given away to people that attend the Health Fair. 

     Pastor Mark will be preaching in all services at First Baptist Church on Sunday.  Sunday School will be at 9:45.  Plan to attend and prepare for worship by reading your Bible and praying.  Please pray for our pastor and the worship services.    

     We live in culture where people are not antagonistic to Christians or church, but are apathetic or not concerned about the church or Christian teachings.  New people will come to church only by a personal invitation from a good friend or family member.  Your smile, a personal invitation and a personal relationship with friend or family member can be just the incentive to get a person to visit a church.  Your church staff is presently reading a book called: THE MILLENIALS.  The millennial generation is 78 million people strong, and this generation has very little interest in church.  First Baptist Church and other churches must become interested and involved in reaching our younger generation for Christ.  We must not forget past generations and minister to our older members, too, but we must be a church family of loving, caring, ministering and reaching all ages. 

     We are thankful to have you at First Baptist Church.  We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.  Take time to enjoy your family and enjoy God’s beautiful creation.  We look forward to seeing you at church on Sunday.

God bless you.

Fred W. Lewis    

late blog

I almost forgot that today was my day to do the blog, better late than never, right?
There are lots of things happening here at FBC, the ROC is a very busy place, every time I've been over there I've seen lots of people coming and going, playing basketball, walking on the track, some playing ping-pong or shuffleboard, it's exciting to see the smiles on peoples faces as they use that building.
I've spent my day preparing for Sunday, getting words for the music ready, preparing videos for the sermon and getting the announcement video ready.
If you are wanting to get involved in a ministry here at FBC and have computer skills or are even a little technologically inclined, the media team needs some help, we always need sound, computer and camera operators, if you're interested contact me sometime and we'll find a place to plug you in.
I just realized that I am nearing 6 months on the job here, wow time flies when you enjoy what you do! It's a joy to serve alongside the others here. 
See you on Sunday,


Scott

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Each Wednesday morning 20 something men gather in the Conference Room and pray. They pray for individual needs, our church, our nation and other things that the Lord prompts them to pray for. This is the second Wednesday I've attended this 'prayer meeting'. I am not an early riser. I do not really enjoy getting up before the sun but I have found this time beneficial. I enjoy being with other men who follow Jesus. I like to hear about what they believe is important enough to be up so early to pray about. I am encouraged to hear them pray with sincere hearts. I am humbled to hear the breaks in their voices as they bring their needs and the needs of others, most of the time it is the needs of others, to the only One who can make a difference. I think I'll continue joining these guys for prayer. It's worth it.

This morning I am working on my Sunday School lesson, making phone calls to line up potential speakers for various upcoming events and trying to stay awake (see preceding paragraph about getting up early). For lunch I get to go to the weekly Hopkins County Christian Alliance. This afternoon I'll finish the lesson outline and then prepare for Midway. Midway is the new study that meets in room 109 at 7:00pm. We are currently using material from Chip Ingram called, "Why I Believe". You are welcome to join us.

Sunday is the start of New Life Journey classes. I encourage you to ask the Lord if you should take one of the offered courses. We have a good selection of courses to choose from. New Life Journey brochures are available in the Welcome Center. If you have any questions about any of the courses I'll be glad to talk with you.

I hope to see you here tonight.

Bruce

the ROC, first week numbers

It is safe to say that people are finding out about the ROC. We started with 22 the first day and grew to 116 by Friday. The total signed in for the week was 394. Now, that's just the ones who signed in, which we don't require of the Upward basketball. With 155 participants coming for workout and a game, and parents, grandparents and siblings watching, we figure as many as 900 more folks walked through the doors (and that's not even ministerially speaking). We are starting to build relationships with people who have never been to our church, and some who have never been to any church. Pray that we would meet them at their greatest need, Jesus. Have a great day.

Mike 

Let it start with me...

Thoughts from afar...a journal entry from my recent trip to Nepal.

Looking out over this city, from the safety and security of the balcony of this guest house...a place most passing by below would consider 'luxurious'.  (Let me clarify...available hot water and consistent electricity would be good qualifiers for 'luxurious accomodations' for most of us...too bad this place doesn't agree)

Yet, sitting here, I seem somehow 'removed'...disconnected.  It is like I have access to the 'riches' while those below continuously go through the motions of daily life, trying to fing their way.  Most of them, not even daring to hope for more...most likely just trying to survive the day or this week...

Then I look out again and see the largest Buddhist temple rising above the city and wonder what, if any, hope is available to those gathering  there.  Lighting butter candles, spinning prayer wheels, circling the stupa while repeating 'prayers' or mantras or mediatations...hoping somehow the breeze might lift their prayers from the colored prayer flags while clanging gongs and bells attempting to 'awaken' or gain the attention of the 'diety' they seek to appease...

They are...going through the motions.

But I have access to riches far beyond the 'luxury' of this guest house.  I have direct access to The King of Heaven!  Through Christ's death...and resurrection, I have hope!  I too may die...to self, and only then...truly live.  I have the hope they are so desperately searching for.

They will likely contonue going through the motions of a 'normal' day...the question is...will I?

Eternity weighs in the balance of that decision.

You don't have to be in South Asia to see the lostness of people who are living, and dying...without the hope of the living, loving Christ.  You don't have to be Bhuddist to simply be going through the motions of 'religion'.  I expect many who gathered in churches like mine and your's yesterday have little more 'hope' than those circling the stupa once again this morning...

May we resolve to live this day on mission!  Seeking to fulfill Jesus' command to be His witnesses in our homes, nation...and to the ends of the earth!

God, break our hearts for the things that break Your's...

Rambling thoughts from the journey...of life-
brian

January 13, 2012

Good morning FBC Family……….Well, as the young folks say, it was “my bad” last Friday. I thought it was my day to do the staff blog and did not realize that Fred had already posted one. I put mine on since I had done it; therefore, you had 2 to read on Friday of last week. Both had to do with the opening of the ROC…..great minds thinking alike, huh?


Last Sunday night was a very exciting time for our church family as we opened up the new building for our people to see and then as we worshiped together. I heard many positive comments from individuals as they just walked through the building for the first time. As we’ve said on numerous occasions, this new facility is a wonderful tool to help us introduce lost people to our Lord. As we dedicated the building during the worship service, I thought of the tremendous potential that we have now to make a difference for the Kingdom long after many of us are no longer here. I was reminded again how we have been blessed through the sacrifices that previous generations made for us and of the responsibility we have to those who come after us. Pray for Mike Armstrong and all of the many volunteers who serve in the ROC that God will use them to bless, to encourage, and to be a witness. If you haven’t had an opportunity to see the ROC, you can stop any day of the week now just for a tour.

Later today, the graveside service for Virginia Collins will be held in Dallas. Virginia was the epitome of what a Christian lady should be. For those who did not know her, she was a faithful and dedicated servant who loved the Lord and loved the church. She was the church Financial Secretary at her previous church prior to moving to Sulphur Springs to retire. Shortly after moving here, our church Financial Secretary left. Somehow, Dr. Redmond found out that Virginia was experienced and he asked her to help until he could find someone. Virginia said she would give him three days a week for six months which turned into four, sometime five days each week for fifteen years. I think the truth is that Dr. Redmond just quit looking and what a blessing that was for FBC. She wore many hats while she was here, quietly serving in a variety of different ministries, and she never paid herself for more than three days a week. For those of us who had the opportunity to work side by side with Virginia, we are the better and the blessed. We loved her and we rejoice that she is now in the very presence of Jesus for all eternity.

Tomorrow there is a service at Fellowship Christian Church for Charles Mitchell, father of Rick Mitchell, and we have two memorial services scheduled for Spence Chapel. At 10:00 a.m., the service for Evelyn Glenn will be held and at 2:00 p.m., the service for Raymond McClung will be conducted. This morning we received word that Charles Smith (Mrs. Howard Smith, Charlotte McDowell’s mother) went home to the Lord very early this morning. Arrangements for that service are pending. Please remember the Mitchell family, the Glenn family and the McClung family along with the Collins family, and the Smith family as they all deal with the loss of loved ones. Let us be encouragers as we have the opportunity. God bless you today. See you in God’s house this coming Sunday…….Tommy

Space Available

"When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds that it's former home is all swept and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off then before." Luke 11:24-26 NLT

One thing that strikes a chord from this statement from Christ is the thought of the "space" available for rent in our heart. We all battle "spirits" within that detract us from our walk with our Savior. We must be focused on what fills us.

When we allow the Lord to remove something from our lives that is occupying an area that should be filled with the Holy Spirit, what do we allow to "move in?" The obvious answer should be the Spirit, but I wonder if we leave the space open, get it all cleaned up and shiny, but then just leave it available for something worse to take up residence? Do we make the space appealing and attractive for more evil? 

We must do more than clean up. As we allow the Lord to remove the "bad tenants," we must make an intentional effort to invite and allow the Holy Spirit to move in. We cannot allow space to remain available. Truly, we must be "filled with the Spirit."

 undignified,

Heath

Thank you God for the rain!

It was nice to see puddles in my yard this morning when I left the house. I’m reminded that God always provides for our needs. The kids in 1st-3rd grades learned about God's provision at camp last summer. The kids learned the difference between our wants and our needs. In case you missed Kids camp here it is… “our needs” is anything we need to live, “our wants” is anything else. Often times we want things that we do not need, and wonder why God does not provide.


The ROC opening last Sunday night was great! I'm looking forward to seeing and experiencing all God has planned for us through the use of the building He has provided. May it be used for His glory. Don’t miss out! Volunteer to serve at the ROC by calling Mike Armstrong as we reach out to our community and serve our God. May God be pleased with how we respond to this opportunity He has given us.

The early deadline for the “SuperStart Weekend” for Feb. 3-4 is tomorrow for grades 4-5. It’s a time to travel and spend a quality amount of time focused on God. Last year we took about 34 or so to Grapevine, and we had a blast! We have a limited amount of space due to hotel space available. So you had better act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity for your child to learn and to grow closer to God.

One of our former financial secretaries, Virginia Collins, went home to be with our Lord today. She was also the grandmother of Jamie Michael who grew up in our church. Her husband, Alan, served on staff as children’s minister. Virginia was truly a servant, who quietly served crunching numbers, was WOM president, and went on missions, etc… Virginia was such a lady and a great example of faithfulness. Jamie actually lost both of her grandmothers today, so please lift up this family in your prayers.
 
Enjoy the rain,
Brit

    What a great time of fellowship and worship last night at the ROC! I believe God will do great things with that facility if we stay true to our focus of "Outreach." If you have not already, begin praying for that ministry facility along with Mike Armstrong, Minister of Recreation and Outreach.

    It won't be long and we'll be into the spring season! With that in mind, we are beginning to put together a dramatic musical for April 15 entitled "Love Will Be Our Home." We are looking for more choir members as well as actors for this presentation. We will also be looking for "set builders" to help us with props and backdrop. If you have some acting experience and would like to become a part of this production, please contact the music office for more information. Music rehearsals are each wednesday at the end of choir practice which begins at 7:00. There will be six Sunday rehearsals as well. They are posted in the Music Suite, or you may call the music office for more details. Actors will rehearse once all the roles have been filled and a coordinator selected.
    The family is a design by God from the beginning. He created them "in His own image; male and female. He blessed them and told them to multiply, fill the earth and manage it" (Gen. 1:27-28). Satan attacked the first family and has been at it ever since. This musical is about families. They have joy and laughter, good times and bad, heartach and sorrow. But God still wants the family to be the basis for our society. He wants to help us through our marriages and family life. This musical will show how God can work in any area of life and how important the family really is. I hope to see you all there, April 15 in our 7:00pm presentation!

Neal

ROC oppening this Sunday!

Good morning FBC Family……….Well, things are getting back into a normal rhythm (whatever normal means) around FBC after Christmas and New Year’s. Everything will be pretty much back on schedule next week so be sure to check your bulletin for times, rooms, etc. The Christmas season is always a joyous time that we celebrate with family and friends but it also seems to be a time when we have a lot of funerals. I know that I have been involved in four services since Thanksgiving and Fred Lewis has done even more. Please remember these families that have experienced sadness and sorrow recently.


This coming Sunday will be a very special day for our church family. We have our regular schedule on Sunday morning and then we will gather at the new building, the ROC, on Sunday evening. We will have a time to tour the building and enjoy some light refreshments beginning at 5:00 p.m. Our evening worship service will be held in the new building beginning at 6:00 p.m. This service will be a time of celebration and thanksgiving and will include a special time of prayer and dedication. We have eagerly waited for many months for this day to arrive and we want everyone to come and participate.

I want to thank all of our members who have been so faithful to give to our For His Glory campaign. Throughout our construction we have had systematic, faithful gifts that have allowed us to borrow less in order to complete the building. In a few weeks, we will convert our financing to a permanent loan and we will continue to receive gifts to the For His Glory building campaign until the building is completely debt-free. All of us can have a part in paying for this building which will be instrumental in boys and girls, and men and women coming to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. This new facility is a wonderful tool to help us reach lost people in our community. We must be strategic in our planning to enable us to indeed use the Roc……for HIS glory!

God bless you and have a great weekend. See you in God’s house this coming Lord’s Day!….Tommy

COMPLETING THE ROC

     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

I hope you are having a great New Year. Every New Year has great potential. However, some years have greater potential than others. This is one of those years. There are a couple of reasons for this. This is a presidential election year. Much will rest on the man or woman who be elected to that powerful office. Other officials will also be elected in 2012 adding to the potential of the year. 

You might have heard that 2012 is projected by the Mayan calendar and other prognosticators as the year the world will end. I don't believe their predictions but they certainly add to the year's potential. Perhaps these predictions of doom will cause some to consider the shortness of their own lives and be drawn to Christ. 

On a lesser note, 2012 is the year of the Summer Olympics. London, England has the honor of hosting this year's event. Many International Mission Board missionaries will be there to tell people from around the world of their potential to have an eternal relationship with Jesus. 

On a local note, 2012 has great potential for our church and our impact on the Kingdom of God. The ROC (Recreation and Outreach Center) officially opens this Sunday. The potential is not the building. The potential lies in how we use the building as a tool in and for the Kingdom. Upwards Basketball, pick-up basketball games, weekly youth Sunday School, Zumba, Texercise, use of the Walking Track and other uses have the potential to lead unbelievers to Christ and to deepen the relationship believers already have with the Lord.

I pray we will all live up to our potential in 2012. It has the potential for great things!

I hope to see you at church tonight. All of our regular activities resume this evening.

One more thing... Next Wednesday night, beginning at 7:00pm in room 109 (previously known as Fellowship Hall or A100) I begin a series called "Why I Believe". If you are not in choir or in the Young Men's Late Night with Pastor Mark, I encourage you to come check it out. 

Bruce

Upward off to a good start

A big part of the opening of the ROC is the ministry our church will have with the families involved in the Upward Sports program. We now have 138 boys and girls signed up for playing and another 15 signed up for cheerleading. Each time these kids have a workout they are taught a devotion by their coach and they are given incentives to go online and read more as well as memorize scripture each week. This is a great opportunity to reach the kids in our community who might not hear the gospel otherwise. Please pray for the next two months that kids will come to know Christ or strengthen their walk with Him. The parents are also involved in a halftime devotion each Saturday so pray that the player's family members will respond to the gospel. This is what Jesus meant when He told us to be His witnesses, beginning in Jerusalem. Have a great day.

Mike