September 2018 Witness
FROM THE SHEPHERD’S HEART
In speaking of the need for patience amidst persecution or troubles as we serve God, the author of the Book of Hebrews writes in chapter 10, verses 35-37these words: “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need persevering patience so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, He that shall come will come and will not delay.’”
Some of the greatest missionaries of history devotedly spread the Gospel of Christ and yet had to wait long periods before seeing the fruit of their efforts. William Carey,for example, labored 7 years before the first Hindu convert was brought to Christ in India, and Adoniram Judson toiled 7 years before his faithful preaching was rewarded in Burma. In western Africa,it was 14 years before one convert was received into the Christian church. In New Zealand,it took 9 years; and in Tahiti,it was 16 years before the first harvest of souls began.
So, in the midst of a good work, remember the words of Paul from Galatians 6:9which says, “And let us not grow weary in doing what is right: for in due season we shall reap an abundant harvest, if we don’t lose heart and quit!”
We had a good month in August with an average attendance of 356 in Bible Study. Thanks to all those who participated in our annual PRAYER WALK FOR SCHOOLSon August 5th. MISSION FESTwas a great event on August 12thas we heard from those who served the Lord in Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming, Honduras and the Philippines. On our TEAM NIGHTwe gave our committees a first opportunity to meet together in the new year. And the women’s worship event called THE CANOPYbrought lots of ladies from our community together for this quarterly event.
ChairmanSteven Bacon and our STUDENT BUILDING PLANNING TEAM look forward to making a presentation to our church soon. Carson Selph and his Design and Planning Team, have worked tirelessly on a design for this new building. In addition, Chairperson Kim Walland our Fund-raising Teamhave selected a company to help us raise the needed funds. We will be making an initial presentation to our Deacons at their first Deacon’s Meeting of the new year, on September 9th. Following that, we will be bringing a presentation to our entire church family in the days ahead. Please continue to pray for the vital work of all our important teams (i.e.; Joe Andrewsand our Prayer Team; Mark Smithand our Finance Team;and Ryal Siemand our Construction Team).
July has, among other things, some great evening opportunities:
- SPEAKIN’ WITH MY DEACONtakes place on Sunday evening, September 9th, beginning at 6:30 P.M. in our Christian Family Life Center.We’re asking our Deacons to supply finger foods while we supply the tea. Afterwards, we will have our first Deacon Meeting of the new year.
- We are also looking forward to our BUGGY DAYS HOMECOMING on Sunday, September 23rd. Notice that Buggy Days is a little later this year than usual. We look forward to our annual lunch together that day, and to honoring folks who have served First Baptist so well.
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August 2018 Witness
Jesus said in John 15:5:“I am the Vine, and you are the branches; He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth MUCH FRUIT: for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
In 1886, a well-known baseball player was converted to Christ. And when that ball-player was baptized and joined the church, an older Christian put his arm around his shoulder and said,“Billy, there are three simple rules that I can give you, and if you hold to them I can promise you that you will never be a ‘back-slider.’ Take 15 minutes each day to listen to God talking to you through His Word; take 15 minutes each day to talk to God through prayer; and take 15 minutes each day to talk to others about God.”
The young ball player was deeply impressed and determined to make those the three rules of his life. For the first 30 minutes of each day, he allowed nothing to interrupt his time with God. The young ball-player’s name was Billy Sunday,and by the time he died in 1935, he had led 300,000 people to Jesus! What a fruitful life Billy Sunday lived! Jesus promised that all of us can live fruitful lives if we will abide in Him!
We had a good month in July with an average attendance of 343 in Bible Study. As I write, we are in the middle of VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL that will run through July 26th. Thanks to Russ Jenkinsand all who have volunteered to help him put together a great VBS this year! In addition, I want to thank Jason and Honey Tealfor leading our children to CENTRIKID CAMPat Gardener Webb College July 9ththrough the 13th. Both Russ and the Teals went above and beyond the call of duty in taking on assignments normally performed by our children’s minister. Greg Burrell’sannual DINNER THEATERtakes place at the end of VBS, on the evenings of July 27th-28th.
We are also excited about the progress that ChairmanSteven Bacon and our STUDENT BUILDING PLANNING TEAM are making. Carson Selph,Chairperson of the Design and Planning Team is working with his team to finalize the design of our new student facility. In addition, Chairperson Kim Walland our Fundraising Team heard three presentations from potential fund-raising companies during the week before VBS. Please continue to pray for the vital work of these important teams.
July has, among other things, some great evening opportunities:
- PRAYER WALK FOR SCHOOLStakes place on Sunday evening, August 5th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. at the Lamar County Schools Fine Arts Center.We’ll begin with some refreshments and then progress to praying for our schools.
- MISSION FEST will take place on Sunday evening, August 12th, beginning at 6:30 in our C.F.L.C. We’ll hear exciting stories from those involved in Summer missions from our church as well as enjoy a western meal.
- TEAM NIGHT, a chance for our church teams (committees) to get together and plan for what they want to accomplish in the coming year, will take place on Sunday evening August 19th, beginning at 6:30 in our C.F.L.C.
- THE CANOPY, a worship event for women in our church and community, will be held in our C.F.L.C. on Thursday evening, August 23rdbeginning at 7:00 P.M.
We look forward to a great month in August. COME EXPECTANTLY!
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