February 4, 2016
Transcription
February 4, 2016
G R A N D V I E W First Baptist Church Transforming Lives Through The Gospel 1416 Main St. Grandview, MO 64030 816-763-2200 First Light—February 4, 2016 Grandview MO A Word From Our Pastor As the first day of February came and went, we have quickly found ourselves over a month into the New Year. Many of us set goals and in our minds we perhaps proclaimed that this was going to be the best year yet. But maybe you are like me as I look back at the last few weeks and you notice that the goals you set for this year, are not really being accomplished. Personally, I have already found myself behind on my Bible reading plan, behind on my workout plan and behind in other areas as well. Even bigger though, this concept might expand beyond the New Year. It is easy to look back on our lives and have a goal as to where we would like to be and as we evaluate, we see that we are far from it. This type of introspection can cause a minor degree of disappointment if you think of it only in terms of goals set for the New Year, but it can cause a major degree of anxiety and despair if we continue to evaluate ourselves and see that we have fallen short of life expectations that either we have set or others have set before us. I am currently reading a book titled What’s Best Next written by Matt Perman. It is a book on productivity that I picked up at the end of last year that I hoped to implement into my daily life in this New Year. He said something striking on page 119 that has really stuck with me this week. He says, “The ultimate solution to the dilemma I faced is basing our ultimate peace of mind on something other than our own efforts. Making our peace of mind dependent on what we do is ultimately a law-based approach to the Christian life, just as basing our acceptance by God on our good works is a law-based approach to justification.” For someone like me, who finds a lot of peace based upon being productive and accomplishing tasks, this was extremely enlightening. Like our faith, our peace of mind should not be based upon anything we do, but based upon Jesus Christ and what He has already done for us. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” To experience peace, we are called to lift up our hearts to God in prayer. Then in verse 8, Paul continues, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” So lift your requests, your fears, your despair, your unfulfilled desires and your anxiety to the Lord, but then, fill your mind with truth and excellence based upon Jesus Christ and His gospel. When we are unable to keep up with the tasks and events in our life, or when we fail to reach the goals that we have set before us, we can still take heart. We can take heart through seeking the Lord because we know that our identity is not defined before God in what we do, but through what Jesus did for us. It is true that we should have a sense of satisfaction from our work and in achieving goals, but our peace of mind should never be determined by what we do. Our peace of mind should always be found outside of ourselves. And when it is, that is when we truly find ourselves free to serve God and others the way that God created us to. Serving Him with You, Pastor Michael Nelson Prom is Right Around the Corner And there are many young ladies in need of dresses! We would love to have your gently used prom items including: —Prom appropriate or formal dresses in good condition, cleaned is preferred —Gently worn shoes appropriate for formal dress —Jewelry, handbags, or accessories appropriate for formal wear If you have any of these items to donate to our Prom Exchange or if you would like more information, please contact Amy Blankenship via phone/text at 816-813-1879 or email at [email protected] . The dates for the actual giveaway will be posted after items are organized. Easter Egg Hunt 2 to 4 PM, Saturday March 26 We need small, wrapped candies to fill eggs with. Please bring the candy to the church office or place in the “Bring-It Barrel” in the hall. Thank you! Soup & Chili Supper 6 PM Saturday, February 27 in the Faith Center Everyone is welcome! More information and the sign up sheet will be on the bulletin board soon. ~Mark Your Calendars~ 10 AM Saturday, February 6 First Saturday in L-5 4:30 PM Sunday, February 7 Deacon Meeting 7 PM Thursday, February 18 Sisters in Service Meeting 6:30 PM Tuesday, February 23 Trustees Meeting BLUE BARREL CAMPAIGN Feb. 7-28 Suggested Donations for non-perishable foods Cereal Instant Oatmeal Jelly Fruit Cups/Applesauce Peanut Butter Canned Tuna/Chicken Animal/Grahams/Saltine Crackers The Blue Barrel Campaign helps feed hungry children during the week when they can’t get school lunches. Regular Weekly Schedule Sunday 8:30 AM Traditional Worship 9:45 AM Bible Study 11 AM Contemporary Worship 5:15 PM Awana Meal (for workers and children only) 5:45 PM Awana Club (Sep thru May) 6 PM Worship Service in Sanctuary, Iglesia Pan de Vida Sunday School 7:15 PM Iglesia Pan de Vida Worship Service Wednesday 5:30 PM Praise team practice 6:00 PM Handbell Choir Rehearsal 7 PM Prayer Meeting/Bible Study, GA’s, RA’s, Mission Friends, ESL, and YOUTH for 7th—12th graders in The Warehouse 8 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal Men’s Basketball in Faith Center Preschool Workers and Deacons for Sunday, February 7, 8:30 and 11:00 AM Childcare at 8:30 AM: Mari Spratt and Kalina Smalls Babies-2’s: Pam Parisse and Veronica Dominguez 3’s-K: Mary Wood and Hannah Brizuela Deacons For Sunday Visitation: Clint Blankenship and Martin Hall Preschool Workers and Deacons for Sunday, February 14, 8:30 &11:00 AM Childcare at 8:30 AM: Carolyn Wilson and Sheriann Kessinger Babies-2’s: Cheryl and David Rude 3’s-K: Jerry and Sandi Malone Deacons For Sunday Visitation: Darin Harris and David Hutchison Preschool Workers and Deacons for Sunday, February 21, 8:30 and11:00 AM ~FBC Family Ministry Events 2016~ May 21: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead July 11—15: VBS July 16: KC Zoo July 18—22: CentriKid September 24: Apple/Berry Picking October 15: Pumpkin Patch December 10: Kaleidoscope Deadline to sign-up for CentriKid is February 24 Deposit is due by the same day $50/child CentriKid camp for kids is held in Bolivar MO. This camp is for children completing the 3rd—6th Grades. Please email Adam McCampbell at [email protected] for more information about CentriKid camp or any other family events. Childcare at 8:30 AM: Laura Cornwell and Paretta McMullen Babies-2’s: Betsy Graham and Cindy Jackson 3’s-K: Scott and Trisha Neal Deacons For Sunday Visitation: Charles Kurtz and Scott Neal Preschool Workers and Deacons for Sunday, February 28, 8:30 and 11:00 AM Childcare at 8:30 AM: Jack Jewell and Gail Cheatam Babies-2’s: Rhonda Langley and Donna Martin 3’s-K: Michael Ponnle and Shannon Farris Deacons For Sunday Visitation: Jeff Norman and Donnie Sims