March 2015 Newsletter Page

The
F IRST Edition
AT THE HEART OF THINGS DOWNTOWN
March 2015
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5
SEND >> NORTH AMERICA is the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB)
response to bring HOPE to an ever-increasing population. The strategy is to
empower the 45,000 Southern Baptist churches (the largest network of
churches in the U.S.) to reach North America for Christ. During the months of
March and April, we will have the opportunity to pray for and give to this
mission cause as we each “…go and make disciples.” To motivate you to
participate, let me share some numbers with you:
There are an estimated 265 million lost people in North America. The evidence of this
BROKENNESS is all around us. In the past 100 years, Southern Baptists – and evangelicals in
general – have lost significant ground in the church-to-population ratio. For example, in Boston,
home to more than 250,000 college students and a thriving international community – 1 church
for every 42,000 metro Boston residents.
25% of all Christian churches planted in North America each year are planted by Southern
Baptist. 2,300 NAMB missionaries are serving in North America. In 2013, 900 new churches
were planted by Southern Baptist providing HOPE for the broken.
Let me encourage you to pray about how God would have you give to support our goal of
$11,200 to help SEND >> NORTH AMERICA.
In Christ,
Michael
A note of appreciation has been
received from the following:
The Lady Bears
Basketball Team
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, MORE INFO ON PAGE 3
the First Baptist Church Newsletter
Blessings from the Library
From the Shelves
I tend to read non-fiction rather than fiction when reading
Christian literature. In fact, the phrase Christian fiction
makes me think "sloppily sentimental romance with obvious
storyline." Now that I have offended a large portion of the
Christian populace, let me shout "I have found a SUPER
piece of Christian fiction!!!" Check out Randy Singer's two
titles bound as one volume in the church library. The first
title is The Cross Examination of Jesus Christ. As chief counsel of the North American Mission
Board as well as Bible student Singer is well qualified to write that one -- under pen name Judge
Oliver Finney. The second title is The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney. It is not a "who done
it?" It is a "how is he going to do it?"
As a senior citizen who was recently convicted by Michael's sermon of the poverty of her lifetime
attempts to be a witness, I could well understand Judge Finney's concern that cancer would soon
end his opportunity to reach anyone. You've seen reality TV shows. Imagine a reality show
featuring representatives of five major religions in a courtroom setting. Unless your imagination
is a lot better than mine, your ideas are pale compared to Singer's. Talk about being thrown in
the lions' den! But Finney has brains! And even better, he has God!!
From the Archives
Over the years, First Baptist Church members went as missionaries to all parts of the world.
Some of those missionaries blessed us with newsletters, articles from their place of mission as
well as their experiences when they return home.
Many of you know Bill and Kathryn Richardson retired missionaries now living in Springfield. But
did you know they rewarded the archives with newsletters chronicling their 35 year mission and
their life abroad. We have a large book in the archives entitled Tidings from Brazil and Tidings
from Romania.
The book in the archives has a table of contents that include interesting headings such as “Arrival
in Brazil,” “Language School,” “Baptist Church Life,” “An Unusual Association Meeting”
“Observations on Animal Life,” “Down the Amazon,” “Battle Over Pants for Women,” and “In the
Heart of the Jungle.” All these titles have woven reports of their ministry work in Brazil.
Come by the Library to read these encouraging mission reports and tune in next month for more
on the Richardson’s life in Romania.
COUNT DOWN TO COMPLETION: $14,575
WE CONTINUE TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN FULFILLING OUR
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGES. LESS THAN 1% IS ALL THAT WE LACK TO
COMPLETE OUR GOAL. “THE GOD OF HEAVEN WILL GIVE US SUCCESS.”
GIVEN TO DATE: $1,396,575
the First Baptist Church Newsletter
Student Ministry Update
Just because February is over doesn’t mean the season of love is gone! March
Madness is here and for me that means UK…. all the way! I don’t know what color you
bleed but I bleed blue! At the time of writing this the Kentucky Wildcats are 25-0!! It’s an
undefeated season for the ‘cats thus far! Paul tells us that as followers of Christ as we
live in the love of God, there is absolutely nothing that can stand in the way! Our lives
are “undefeated seasons” because of God’s great love! (Romans 8:37-39) What a great
reminder for all of us!
We’ve accomplished quite a bit through the grace of God in February! In our student ministry we
finished our series of the True Love Project and many of our students came forward to make
commitments to purity in their relationships back on the 15th. Numerous visitors have attended our
events and they have also joined us for worship on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. Kaitlyn
and I recently launched a student leadership team with the goal of growing and improving our student
ministry. Finally, we have also launched our new contemporary service on Sunday nights and have seen
a great turnout thus far!
We know and understand that none of this has happened apart from greater support from the church!
Your prayers have worked God’s grace and He has shown His hand in much of what’s happening here
at First Baptist! It’s exciting to say the least! Thank you for being faithful to give, pray, and support! I
hope you’ll continue to pray and support the ministries here! I hope you’ll get plugged in somewhere for
some real “hands on” experience if you’re not already!
Events and Opportunities
Thursday, March 5, 6:30 p.m.
“Love Around the World” Banquet - $13
Please let us know if you are still available for the
new date of the banquet by March 1. Jaimie
Trussell from Convoy of Hope will be our
speaker.
Tuesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m.
Incredible Pizza Lunch
Join us for lunch and good fellowship at
Incredible Pizza on South Campbell. Please
make your reservation with the church office so
we may reserve a place for you.
Crystal Bridges Museum of Art
Saturday, April 18, 8:00 am from CLC Parking Lot
The cost will be lunch on your own at one of their
restaurants and transportation cost of $3.00 per
person. You may bring your lunch if you would
like to take a small cooler under your seat. We
will leave the museum at 5:00 p.m. and arrive
home approximately 7:30-8:00 p.m. Sign up in
Church Office, deadline is April 5.
MARCH BIRTHDAYS
Bernita Nutt
Grace Francis
Sue Holmes
Haven Ipock
Humphrey Wang
Michael Willoughby
Greg Harbin
Emma Kelley
Lacy Martin
Pat Elliott
McLee Wommack
March 2
March 5
March 5
March 5
March 5
March 5
March 8
March 8
March 8
March 9
March 11
Kathy Carroll
March 12
Frieda Fureigh
Dan Givens
Mason Priest
Dylan Watters
Brian Christians
Don Derryberry
Jim Robertson
Edgar Burks
Betty Killian
March 12
March 13
March 14
March 14
March 16
March 16
March 16
March 17
March 17
Jennifer Cummings March 12
Janet Hudson
Mary Andres
Debbie Goodwin
Edward Pinegar
Paul Thomas
Kaitlyn Tolley
Nick Francis
Carla Cates
Esther Clifton
Ona Renner
Eric Carroll
March 18
March 19
March 19
March 19
March 19
March 19
March 20
March 21
March 24
March 24
March 25
Grant Hagerman
Tom McGraw
Joyce Bingham
Fran Givens
Taylor Givens
Joe Killian
Theora Wommack
Pat Stufflebeam
Eliana Tolley
March 25
March 26
March 28
March 28
March 28
March 28
March 28
March 29
March 30
the First Baptist Church Newsletter
March 1-8 - Week of Prayer for
NAMB, Annie Armstrong Easter
Offering - Who is Annie?
Each year, we honor the life and
advocacy of Annie Walker
Armstrong (1850-1938) when we
give to the Annie Armstrong Easter
Offering®for North American missions. As a
tireless servant of God and a contagious
advocate and supporter of missions efforts
throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led
women to unite in missions endeavors that
ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s
Missionary Union, for which she served as the
first corresponding secretary.
Friday, March 6 - Family Night in CLC, 6 p.m.
Help us kick-off our first Family Night in the
CLC. We will have the CLC open for bowling,
games, and gym activities. Free coffee, hot
chocolate and popcorn will be available. This
is also downtown
Springfield’s First
Friday Art Walk.
Please bring any
artwork you have
& we will display it
in the Multi-Purpose Room.
Tuesday, March 10 - WMU Roundtable Book
Study Group, CLC Fireside Room @ 9:30 am
Veda Locke will review the book Evidence Not
Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose
Wednesday, March 11 - Celebrate Youth Art
Month (YAM), 6-7:00 p.m. (during normal
Wednesday night activities meeting time)
Preschool and Children’s ministries will
combine classes & Each child will create
artwork that will be displayed around the
church for all to enjoy. We are so excited to
participate in this event and to be able to offer
an activity during Spring Break. YAM is an
annual observance each March to emphasize
the value of art education for all children. Some
of YAM’s purposes include directing attention to
the value of art education which develops
divergent and critical thinking and technical,
communication, and expressive skills;
recognizing art is a necessity for the full
development of better quality life for all people,
as well as providing additional opportunities for
individuals of all ages to participate in creative
art learning. If you would like to help during this
event, please see Stacy Heaton or Valerie Pfeil.
Wednesday, March 18 - WMU HandworkPrayer Group, CLC Fireside Room @ 10 a.m.
Sunday, March 22 - Open Gym, 7-8:30 p.m.
(following the evening worship service)
The gym will be open and available for activities
till 8:30pm immediately following the evening
worship service.
Come and take
part in the fun!
the First Baptist Church Newsletter
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March 2015
The
FIRST Edition
THE RECORD SPEAKS
ATTENDANCE
FINANCIAL
2/1
303
2/8
306
2/15
282
2/22
N/A
WEEKLY OFFERINGS $31,218 $17,714 $ 12,204 $ N/A
MONTHLY TITHES TO DATE....................................................$61,136
MONTHLY BUDGET TO DATE ...........................................$80,049
MONTHLY NEEDED TO DATE................................ UNDER $18,913
RECEIVED THRU FEB ..................................................$123,248
BUDGETED THRU FEB ...............................................$151,716
YEARLY NEEDED................................................ UNDER $28,468
Y O U R C H U R C H S TA F F
C H U R C H I N F O R M AT I O N
Worship with us at 10:45 AM & 6:00 PM Sundays
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM - 5PM
Telephone: 417.866.7202, Fax: 417.862.4925
Check us out on the web at www.fbcspringfield.com
The First Edition is a monthly publication of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, MO.
SENIOR PASTOR ---------------------------------------------MICHAEL OVERTON
PASTOR OF WORSHIP & ADMINISTRATION ----------------------DAVID NOLTE
CHILDREN’S MINISTER -------------------------------------------STACY HEATON
PRESCHOOL MINISTER -------------------------------------------VALERIE PFEIL
STUDENT MINISTER -------------------------------------------------LUKE TOLLEY
ACCOUNTING-----------------------------------------------------------RMMC, PC
ACCOUNTING ------------------------------------------------------PAULA SPENCE
PASTOR’S SECRETARY-------------------------------------------JANE ADAMSON
ADMINISTRATION SECRETARY------------------------------------VALERIE PFEIL
RECEPTIONIST/MUSIC SECRETARY ------------------------VALERIE MCBRIDE
ORGANIST-------------------------------------------------------------BLYE MOORE
PIANIST --------------------------------------------------JANICE BRANDENBURGH
MAINTENANCE --------------------------------------------------DOUG MCKINNEY
BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT------------------------------ CHARLES GOODWIN
CONTRACT CLEANING --------------------------------------------------JIM SMITH
www.fbcspringfield.com
525 South Avenue
Springfield, MO 65806
the First Baptist Church Newsletter