FBC Revival Services with Thomas Hammond September 8 – 11 7
Transcription
FBC Revival Services with Thomas Hammond September 8 – 11 7
The Challenger FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HARRISON SEPTEMBER, 2013 FBC VOL. 58 NO. 9 Revival Services with Thomas Hammond September 8 – 11 7:00 p.m. Thomas is married to Kerri and has two daughters – Katie, age 19 and Karley, age 16. He is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia. He was recently the Vice President for Convention Advancement of SBC Executive Committee in Nashville, Tennessee. Thomas also served at the North American Mission Board as Director of Church Evangelism for five years; Senior Director of Evangelism for six years and most recently as Team Leader, “GPS”: God’s Plan for Sharing, North American Mission Board’s National Evangelism intuitive. Please be in prayer and fasting in preparation for our REVIVAL! Plan now to attend and invite your family, friends, and neighbors! We are believing that this Revival will be an incredible experience! THE.ROB.BLOG How do you feel about snakes? No, seriously. I can tell you how I feel about snakes by letting you read my car’s bumper sticker which is: “The only good snake is a dead one!” Ok…I don’t have a bumper sticker but I DO have that sentiment. I know that there are people…who want to remind us that the “good” snakes help us get rid of varmints. I say “takes one to know one.” And I know that some people enjoy snakes and keep them as pets. (I just involuntarily shivered!) To these people I say “GET CHECKED!!! THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH YOU!” The Bible has a pretty dim…view of these creatures. I’ll connect the dots for you: Eden, tree, snake, sin. Snakes were in the Israelites camp in the wilderness and killed people – lots of people! Jesus “bruised” (crushed) the head of the serpent (the devil) by His death and resurrection. So, I rest my case. However, Jesus said we should be…wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (i.e. –shrewd & innocent) He wasn’t applauding the snake but saying we should just know how they think and what their tactics are. Why?? ‘Cause that way you can protect yourself (and family and church) from them. You can be one step ahead…WAY ahead I would hope. You can stop it before it does damage. In churches it applies…to just being aware of “snake-y” ways Satan would want to hurt the church. Churches very seldom get in trouble because we are assaulted from without. It’s usually some small and seemingly insignificant “thing” that poisons the people. A snake doesn’t bite your head off. He just makes two small holes in your leg, hand, etc. and then waits until the poison takes its toll. SNEAKY! So, the lesson for us is…to watch out. When a church is doing well – and, bless God, we are – we get comfortable. And when we get comfortable we get lax. And when we get lax little things can get out of hand. And when things get out of hand we lose our spiritual momentum and begin to focus our energies on the wrong things. And we…die. I’ll close for now but…knowing that revival services will be here in a few days makes me a little more nervous about snakes – well THE snake. Help me watch out for him. OK? Thanks. Your ophidiophobic pastor, Rob P.S. This link it just for fun. He gets it from me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayNBWo2JHks MARY PURSELLEY resigned as our Church Organist on Sunday, August 25th Mary has been our Church Organist for over 40 years and has always been involved in the music ministry here at FBC. She began playing the piano and organ at the Mission Church started on Gordon Street. Mary is a shining light in our community and church and ALL the FBC Staff have loved working with her. Mary, THANK YOU for your service each Sunday and also for your ministry of music through the organ to our congregation in times of need. May the Lord continue to use you in many ways as you serve Him. All my love… Dave Hart and the FBC Family I AM A CHURCH MEMBER Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference Church-wide Study every Sunday morning in September at 8:50 a.m. It isn’t often the First Family gets to go through an entire study at the same time. When we do, it promotes discussion, unity, and almost always results in a move forward as a body. This September, all of our adult and youth classes will be going through the book, I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer, current president of Lifeway Christian Resources. This short book is a reminder of the biblical mandate we each have to be actively involved in a local church...as a member, not just an attender. “We who are church In 1st Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that the members are all supposed to function in the church. human body is made up of many parts that work together to accomplish The concept of an inactive whatever an individual may attempt. The body of Christ, especially the church member is an local church, is very much the same. Each person who is a follower of oxymoron. Christ has been spiritually gifted for two tasks: serve God and serve Biblically, no such church others. It is then this humble heart of service and love for one another member really exists.” that causes others to see a difference. This difference is evident when we show the mind of Christ in our attitude of service and our unity. from Chapter 1, “I Will be a Functioning Church Member” The first session will be Sunday, September 1st. Books and leader’s guides are available at the Welcome Desk or in the church office and are free of charge—this is your Sunday School literature for September. It is a small book and an easy read (apart from the personal conviction of the content), and should lead to lively discussion and personal growth for each one who takes part in this study. What’s happening in FBCH Student Ministry…? Our Back 2 School Bash was so much fun this year. About 25 of us enjoyed the afternoon and evening on Bull Shoals Lake swimming and tubing. Then had an intimate time or worship with Caleb’s Crossing and heard the Gospel presented by Isaac, our intern. We ended the day by having an ice cream sundae bar and playing some intense games of capture the flag. Special thanks to the Bowers for letting us use their dock and boat. The normal Wednesday night schedule for student ministry will resume on September 4 th from 6:00-7:30 pm. We will NOT have Wednesday night activities on September 11th due to the Revival services at FBCH. Fall Focus is September 27-29 at Point 11 again. The cost will be $50 and more information is coming soon about that weekend. Bible Study Leaders needed for Student Ministry! Please contact me to discuss this opportunity. ROC Ministry…VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!! Monday: 6:30-8:00 am Wednesday: 10:00-12:00 pm Thursday: 6:30-8:00 am Or let us know if you are willing and able to be on the Sub list If interested please contact me or the church office. Thanks, RYAN fbc@fbcharrison.org FBC Harrison FBCH Students First Baptist Church P.O. Box 996 Harrison, AR 72602 Return Service Requested HARRISON, AR 72601 PERMIT NO. 73 NON-PROFIT ORG. www.fbcharrison.org www.truelife.org Our Purpose: First Baptist Church exists to help people develop loving relationships with God and with others. Our Staff: Rob E. Davis Jr. Senior Pastor Dave Hart Assoc. Pastor Music/Sr. Adults Bob Johnson Assoc. Pastor/Administrator Ryan Puls Assoc. Pastor Youth/Recreation Kim Rosson Dir. of Preschool Ministries Susan Anderson Financial Secretary Betty Johnson Receptionist/Secretary Ron Pittman Facility Supervisor North Arkansas Senior Adult Fall Platinum Branson Conference October 3rd—4th, 2013 All sessions will be held at First Baptist Church Branson 400 S. Sunshine St. Sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. We have invited Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, to bring their senior adult leadership and senior choir to lead as our featured speakers and singers. Dave and Kirsten Hart from First Baptist Harrison will lead us in worship. REGISTER NOW! For costs and additional information, please pick up a brochure at the church office. This will be a wonderful time of fellowship with our sister churches. So RSVP at 741-3415, if you plan to attend.