The Bridge - February 2018

A Monthly Newsletter of First Baptist Church

Love One Another Join a

Care Team Ministry and

Love on God’s People

Care Team Ministries Bereavement Ministry This ministry is directed towards grieving families when a church member passes away.

They coordinate with and provide a meal to the family. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Angela McVea or Jean Wales.

Casserole Ministry

Church Usher The service of this ministry group is collecting the offering, handing out bulletins, and counting the attendance. The ushers also assist in locating seats and seating families and responding to special needs of the people.

If interested in this ministry, contact Richard Morgan.

Greeter Ministry Our greeters minister to our guest and church members by greeting them on Sundays in the church foyers. They direct to places, staff, and answer questions visitors may have. If you are interested in this ministry, contact Richard Knight.

Do you enjoy cooking? We need your help! The casserole ministry provides meals for people in times of need. (i.e., families blessed with newborns, members who are sick, or have been Hospitality Ministry hospitalized, etc.) How does it work?

This committee ministers to our church when we You prepare a casserole or soup at home and have special events. They coordinate and plan pack it in a freezer safe bag or container. Please refreshments for the events. If interested in this include the recipe that lists the ingredients and ministry, contact Marsha Newman. cooking instructions. Bring your prepared dish to the church kitchen. A sign-in sheet is located on Nursery Ministry the freezer. Please write the name of the dish, This group of volunteers minister to the babies date donated, and your name. and toddlers of our church and their families by When you hear of someone in need or the Holy volunteering to help in the nursery on a quarterly rotation basis. To help with this ministry, please Spirit lays someone on your heart, go by and contact Kelly McElveen at 985.839.3427. pick up a casserole to deliver to them.

Remember: when you pick up a dish, please Wee Worship Ministry sign the sheet to indicate who you deliver the This group of volunteers ministers to our Wee meal to and the date delivered. This will insure Worshipers (age 3 to Kindergarten) and their one person does not get too many casseroles families by volunteering to teach Wee Worship delivered at one time. two services per year. To help with this ministry, Thanks for your help! Please contact Ms. Susan please contact Kelly McElveen at 985.839.3427.

Barber for more information.

Passing Through Franklinton is an interesting town in many respects. I have lived in several small towns, and small-town life anywhere is characterized by certain common qualities. While there are commonalities amongst all small towns, Franklinton truly stands out in certain characteristics. This is observed in the way the community comes together in tragedy, cultivates community pride through the fair and sporting events, and the neighborly way people generally interact. Another, less easily observed, characteristic of our town and our area is a heightened emphasis on home, family, and deepening the family bonds and relationships. This can be seen in the desire of many to keep their family close by, seeking to be daily support and help in the lives of grandchildren, and sometimes a resistance to grown children moving away. It can even be observed in the number of people who retire to Franklinton after working in another place most of their adult life.

There is simply a quality to Franklinton that makes one want to put down roots.

No one in Franklinton wants to be thought of as just passing through, yet this is what God’s Word tells us we are.

1 Peter is the book we will be studying on Sunday nights beginning January 28 in our winter Bible study. It is a powerful New Testament letter. Peter brings a truth to bear in this letter that was meant to be a comfort to the Christians of His day, but I dare say we might see as a cause for insecurity and fear. Peter was trying to encourage his readers in the knowledge that no matter where they lived or how they suffered, they were temporary residents. The house churches scattered throughout Asia Minor Peter was writing to were mostly of Jewish descent. They had been displaced from the Promised Land (Israel) for different reasons. Some of them would have been dispersed when Judah fell to Babylon, others may have been living there due to work and other economic opportunities, and still others were certainly driven there due to persecution. They were not living where they would like to live, surrounded by people of the same religion or mindset, or under a government that always affirmed their values system. If any Christian had a reason for discontent and sorrow, the Christians of Asia Minor would have a strong case.

had given them new birth into a living hope (1:3). In a world where everything was uncertain and changing, they were to look to an inheritance that was imperishable, uncorrupted, unchanging, and being kept in heaven for them (1:4). In the midst of a world where they were vulnerable to exploitation and danger, they were told they were being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed (1:5). The idea Peter repeatedly expressed throughout his letter focuses on endurance fueled by faith in the eternal hope found in Christ. One day He will come again to receive His own and to judge the world. The faith of God’s people seen through their witness, hope, and perseverance will praise and glorify Jesus Christ when He returns. While we may not understand perfectly how this will occur at the return of Christ, we can appreciate and appropriate this truth in our Christian growth and experience.

Most of us have never suffered through persecution to the same extent as the early church. In fact, most of us would have to say the deeper our roots go and the larger our families grow here, the more enjoyable this life becomes. I hope during our study of 1 Peter we will Peter called the marginalized Christians remember no matter how blessed or hard of His day to take their eyes from the pressed we are in this life, our eyes are to constantly changing circumstances of be fixed on the eternal. We are to live in earnest expectation of the return of Christ their temporary lives and to fix their eyes on an eternal inheritance. In the midst of a and long to be found faithful in that day to the praise of His glory. world where there was little hope, God

Family Daily Discipleship Contact us 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 Phone: (985) 839-3427 Fax: (985) 839-3572 Prayer Line: (985) 839-3337 Office E-mail: fbc.natasha@gmail.com

Prayer E-mail: fbcfranklinton.prayer@gmail.com

Website:

Delivered:

Answering Critics:

February 4th

February 18th

Memory Verse: “In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35

Memory Verse: “Instead, I preach to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.”

- Acts 26:20

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www.fbcfranklinton.org

1st: Acts 23:19-24 2nd: Acts 23:25-35 3rd: Acts 24:1-9 4th: Acts 24:10-14 5th: Acts 24:15-21 6th: Acts 24:22-27 7th: Acts 25:1-5

Facebook: First-Baptist-Church-Franklinton

Service Times: Sunday Worship Services Sundays at 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study Groups Sundays at 8:15 a.m. & 9:30 a.m.

Wednesdays 5:45 p.m. Ladies Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Preschool/Children’s Activities 6:00 p.m. Youth Activities

Prayer Times 7:30 a.m. Sundays in the Chapel 5:00 p.m. Sundays in the Sanctuary 7:00 a.m. Tuesdays in the Fireside Room 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sanctuary

24/7 Prayer Room

Choir Rehearsals Mondays 8:30 a.m. Senior Singers Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. Preschool & Children’s Choir 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir 7:00 p.m. Praise Team Rehearsal

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The Testimony: February 11th Memory Verse: “Since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard.”

- Acts 22:15       

8th: Acts 25:6-12 9th: Acts 25:13-22 10th: Acts 25:23-27 11th: Acts 26:1-7 12th: Acts 26:8-11 13th: Acts 26:12-18 14th: Acts 26:19-23

15th: Acts 26:24-32 16th: Acts 27:1-6 17th: Acts 27:7-12 18th: Acts 27:13-20 19th: Acts 27:21-26 20th: Acts 27:27-38 21st: Acts 27:39-44

Always on Mission: February 25th Memory Verse: “[He was] proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

- Acts 28:31       

22nd: Acts 28:1-6 23rd: Acts 28:7-10 24th: Acts 28:11-16 25th: Acts 28:17-22 26th: Acts 28:23-24 27th: Acts 28:25-29 28th: Acts 28:30-31

A MOTIVATING MESSAGE

Rev. Joey Miller Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care fbc.joeymiller@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

In I Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the glorious truth of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus and of our being changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. He says, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

This truth is often resounded at the graveside to remind us that the grave is not the final resting place for the believer in the Lord.

However, Paul ends that great chapter with a challenge for every Christian – “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

I am thankful for a group of Senior Adults who abound in the work of the Lord. We have gotten off to a great start with our new year in the work among our Adult 55+ group with our first luncheon of the year. Our January luncheon was a blessing to all with gospel singing by Eddie and Sherry Richards and a fun time of food and fellowship. A group of our adults also participated in the FBC Covington Winter Celebration.

It was a blessing.

ADULT 55+ LUNCHEON – Our next luncheon will be Friday, February 2, at 10:30. Our meal will consist of jambalaya, green beans, salad, and of course dessert – Red Velvet cake. Bring a friend with you to the luncheon.

To help those preparing, please register for the luncheon in your

Sunday School class, or by calling the church office at 839-3427.

DAY TRIP WITH LUNCH: Our S.A.M. Committee has planned a day outing for the group at the Wildlife and Fisheries in Lacombe. This day trip will be Thursday, March 15, and will include a Dutch treat lunch out at a local restaurant.

FALL TRIP TO PIGEON FORGE Our leadership team is putting together a fall trip to the Pigeon Forge, TN area. We plan to attend several gospel music concerts and shows as well as tour the mountain area for the color change of the leaves in the Smokies. If interested, see any of our committee members.

SENIOR MINISTRIES : Thank you to those involved in ministering to the needs of our Seniors. If you are available to do handyman jobs for needy seniors, please let us know. These simple jobs come up all the time. You may also be interested in ministering to our seniors who cannot get out like others. Mrs. Dora Magee leads our Homebound Ministries and will be glad to help you connect with them.

Twice a month we do worship services at our local nursing homes. No matter if you sing or not, you would be a blessing them. Sometimes just a smile and a handshake can be a much needed blessing to them.

Since we have great hope in the Lord, let us share that hope with others. Since we have been assured of victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, let us always abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain.

“sanctification”) by which we who are saved learn to love God. We love each other as we have been loved by Him, with the ultimate example being Jesus’ willingness to give His life on the cross, even for those who would reject His love for them.

Happy Birthday

to our

February

This love in the believer is a work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… .” If this love were more mature and active in all of us, then our marriages would be healthier. Our churches would be healthier and more unified. Our families would function as God designed them, and our outreach to our communities and the world would be more urgent and consistent.

Our worship would be more passionate. Our desire to live holy and righteously would be the priority every day. Our desire “to get” and “to have” would surrender to the Spirit of giving.

Both individually and as the church corporately, we would be radically devoted to bringing glory to the Father and to the Son.

BIRTHDAYS! Alvin Bailey Benjy Nell Bell Benny Burke Burris Pat Denman A.W. Foy Lynn Fussell Lolly Hamilton Linda Heno Michael Hickman Diane James Nellie Jenkins Marvin Magee Jeannie McCain Sandra McDaniel Karen Miller Keitha Miller Cathy Milner Linda Moak Eathel Seal Danny Smith Everette Sylvest John Larry Sumrall Lou Ann Thomas Kay Waddell

If your birthday is not listed, please let us know!

Rev. Butch Reviere Minister of Music fbc.butch@gmail.com

There is, perhaps, no other word in the English language more misunderstood, misused, and abused than the word “love.” While the cynic in me declares that Valentine’s Day is more about the merchandising of cards, flowers, gifts, candy, and expensive dinners, it does serve as a moment in time to reflect on the true meaning of love. In western culture, we love food; we love cars; we love our dog; we “love” all kinds of stuff.

We love people. He loves her. She loves him.

They love each other. They both “love” to go shopping. You get the idea. Sometimes the word is used genuinely from the heart of deep caring for others, but so very often it is used to declare “what I want” or “what I like.” In our culture, use of the word far too often (and maybe most often) declares what makes me happy, or what makes me feel good, or what makes me feel _____ (you fill in the blank). To be blunt, it is too often purely selfish.

The language of the Bible is much clearer in its use of the word love. For this article, I refer to only one of the Greek words for love: agape. It is used when referring to God’s love for us. It is the I Corinthians kind of love: completely unselfish, focused on the total well-being of another, willing to make personal, costly sacrifice when necessary to benefit another. It is a love foreign to most people and can only be experienced or exercised by those who have been born again.

Even then, there is a process (the Bible word is

May I give you a personal example by way of confession? I believe that the primary reason we Christians do not share our faith consistently is that we just do not love as Christ loved. We know enough Scripture to tell someone how to be saved. If we are true believers, we have a personal story to tell. Fear is a copout. At the very least, we know someone who would go with us to share Christ with a lost person. If I am overstating the case, please feel free to confront me after you read this. The problem is that we are so involved with “us” and “our”, that we do not care enough to sacrifice time, energy, resources, and whatever it takes to reach them. I am looking in the mirror here. I am uncomfortably aware of my own tendency to walk by on the other side, to leave the condemned soul in the ditch of his sinfulness. It is an awareness with which I struggle not enough! There are no excuses.

What I say is irrelevant if it is not married to what I do, and I do not yet love all people, every day, in every situation, as Jesus loves.

Just tonight I heard this statistic: only 2% of Christians will ever share their faith with a stranger.

So what am I to do? Moreover, you? Repent, be cleansed, be filled with the Spirit, and pray fervently that our hearts yield to His heart in a way that teaches us to love our spouses, our families, our church, the people in our community, and beyond and to love Jesus… the way He loves us. “For God so loved the world that He gave…”; as we are fully yielded to Jesus and empowered by His Spirit, may the same be said of you and me.

By the way, lest all you ladies chastise me, I do plan to take my wife to dinner for Valentine’s Day and maybe even buy her a card and a flower!

REACHing In and REACHing Out in Student Ministry

Rev. Cody Thomas Student Pastor fbc.codythomas@gmail.com

Upcoming Student Ministry Events: Youth Committee and Parent Meeting in the Senior Adult Center Sun., February 11th at 5:00 p.m.

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Winter Jam Concert Friday, March 2nd

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Camp Fuego Summer Camp Dates 

June 18th – 22nd – Eunice, LA th

7 – 9th Graders Only (Grade Completed) 

July 23rd – 27th – ETBU Marshall TX 10th – 12th Graders Only (Grade Completed)

Need to Escape?

Recently my Sunday School class and I went to an escape room in Covington.

The whole premise of an escape room is you are “locked” in a room and given clues to escape the room. If you escape the room in the allotted time, you save yourself and your team. To help you escape you are given clues to items, and then you use those items to find more items to help you escape. It is basically a series of puzzles that you must solve to escape from the room.

Back to my Sunday School class outing, we chose to go to this escape room. We selected the only room available at the time we wanted to go (they have different rooms with different stories).

We did not know until we arrived that we chose the hardest room there. Already feeling defeated by the escape room, we attempted the room. I would love to say that we came together as a team and combined our critical thinking skills and set a new record for escaping the hardest room, but I cannot. We did not escape! No matter how hard we tried, we could not escape. The tasks to set us free were too great. Our inability to escape from this escape room got me thinking...

How often do we try to escape the sin in our lives using our abilities? We might face sin head on, but we do so using our abilities. There is a problem with this. The problem with facing sin alone is at the core of who we are; we are

sinners. Thus, our own abilities are tainted by our own sinful nature. Even as Christians, we have been forgiven of our sins past, present, and future, but we have not been made perfect; we still sin! This sin that so easily traps us, we cannot overcome alone; we need Jesus.

No matter how big or small our sin is, we ought to take that sin to Christ and in turn let Him lead us to freedom.

In the escape room there was one way out of the room, solve the puzzles.

Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” If we truly want freedom from our sin, if we truly want to escape from the prison of our sin, we must turn to the way, the truth, and the life, King Jesus!

How does a person come to Jesus for freedom? Admit to God you are a sinner. Believe in your heart that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Confess Jesus as your Lord. How does a Christian come to Jesus for freedom?

Pray “God I know I am Your child, but I have this sin in my life, and I need You. God, I cannot escape this sin on my own. You can free me from this sin so that I will trust You and follow You.” Is there sin in your life that needs to be escaped? Turn to Christ and let Him set you free.

February is our shortest month but also one full of busyness. Please mark your calendars for the following very important dates:

Kelly McElveen Director of Preschool/ Children’s Ministries fbc.playschool@gmail.com

Happy Birthday!

Graham Rhoden – 2nd Jackson LaSalle – 4th Jude James – 5th Andrew Crain – 6th Will McNutt – 6th AnnaBella Walker – 8th Brooke Walle – 9th Barrett Lindsey – 11th Cora Burris – 14th

Harper Spears – 14th Cassidy McNutt – 18th Austin McLain – 19th Layke Lockhart – 20th Landon Creel – 22nd Knox Allen – 23rd Brantley Rome – 23rd Eden Miller – 29th

Perfect Attendance for December Gatlin Casanova Kendal Casanova Parker Casanova Jon-Michael Daniel Alex Ezell Gabe Ezell Tristian Fussell Turner Knight Wyatt Phelps

Alexus Rawls Seryn Rawls Blaize Rogowski Madelyn Schilling Rhett Schilling Briana Walle Brooke Walle Lucas Watts Lydia Watts

Wednesdays, beginning at 5:30 p.m.: After some craziness with the schedule from holidays and severe weather, we are all back on track! Half Notes choir (PK3 & PK4) meets at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 1st: Everyone who downstairs in the Preschool Dept. in has signed up for CentriKid this summer Room F. At the same time, Kindergarten needs to have their $68 deposit in to through Sixth graders meet upstairs in the office by 4:00 p.m. today. I will be the Children’s Department for their planning our last few fundraisers based Joyful Noise Choir. For the next couple on the number of children who have of months, we will be led by Mrs. paid their deposits & can only hold spots Kristina Seal with worship through sign for those who have turned in this language. Beginning at 6 p.m., our deposit. As a reminder, the camp we Preschoolers head to JAM (Jesus and are planning to attend is Thursday, July Me) with Mrs. Karen and Mrs. Heather 19th through Monday, July 23rd, at in Room A of the Preschool Dept., while Timber Creek Campground in Pulaski, our Kindergarten through Fifth graders MS. Currently, we are on the waiting list enjoy Bible Skills, Drills & Thrills to get into this camp, but Lifeway upstairs in the Children’s Department. expects the spots we need to open up Sixth graders have a more focused time mid-February when the deposits are of discipleship especially for preteens due. Our back-up dates are June 28th with Mrs. Kristina and Mrs. Sierra during through July 2nd at the same location. If Higher Calling. If you have not joined us all goes according to plan, we will take lately, plan to come soon! All age nearly 50 children to CentriKid this groups dismiss at 7:00 p.m. The nursery summer! We will have a parent meeting for children birth through 36 months is mid-March to discuss the remaining open during this time for parents to go fundraisers, pass out paperwork & to Bible Study or Prayer Meeting. answer any questions you may have.

Other opportunities for service: Sunday, February 18th at 5 p.m., in We are currently in need of one the AW Robbins Room: Joint additional nursery volunteer and two committee meetings for the Preschool more Wee Worship volunteers for the and Children’s Committees. We will be 10:45 a.m. service. Nursery workers electing new chairpersons & discussing have approximately three to four shifts upcoming events like the Preschool per calendar year, and Wee Worship Easter Luncheon, camp fundraisers, volunteers are asked to lead in just two and camp, as well as Vacation Bible consecutive services for the calendar School and our annual I Love Tuesday year. All lesson materials are provided outings. Please make every effort to for Wee Worship. The current need is attend (and remember, you need not be for one Wee Worship leader for Sunday, present to be elected chairperson!).

September 2nd & 9th and one Wee Worship leader for Sunday, September 16th Sundays in February: Be on the & 23rd, all during the 10:45 a.m. service. lookout for our promotional video for Please send me an email if you are VBS on Sundays before each of the interested. Volunteers for our Preschool morning services! The VBS Planning Dept. must have a criminal background Committee has some VERY EXCITING check on file or be willing to submit to one and must be a church member, 21 new changes that we cannot wait to years of age or over. Background share with you. If you want to know more about what’s taking place, plan to checks are available in the church join myself, Mrs. Lori, and Bro. Cody as office. we preview some of the exciting changes at a volunteer interest meeting on Sunday, March 4th at 5 p.m. in the Senior Adult Center. Our enthusiasm for this year’s VBS is contagious; come catch it!

,

Happy

Mardi Gras Holidays Monday & Tuesday, February 12th and 13th (No PlaySchool)

February

Valentine Exchange

Birthday to:

Wednesday & Thursday,

Reece – 9th Barrett L. – 11th Graham – 11th Charlee Kate – 17th Hadleigh – 23rd Rustin – 24th Conner – 26th Kamryn – 26th Brynlee – 27th

February 14th and 15th If you would like, please send 20 Valentines for your child to exchange with his/her classmates.

UPDATE FROM HONDURAS Recently a friend said to Margie and me, “I just admire people who can go on mission trips. I could not do it. I would go down there and see all of the poverty and mess, and it would just tear me up.”

It is true that it is hard to listen to someone talking to you when you are physically hungry, and I do not mean to belittle that need.

However, the physical hunger will return in a few hours after they are fed. The hunger of the soul is of a It is true, in America we live in a greater eternal nature and can only land of abundance. We have be filled with Christ. We must reopportunities here that people in member that the greatest need of third world countries only dream of. mankind is Christ and His word.

There are programs and organizations that care for our poor There’s also tending that needs to and needy that aren’t available be done. Jesus told Peter to feed elsewhere in the world. So when the lambs and tend the sheep— we leave the comforts of the U.S. that is, give them shepherd-care: and arrive in a place like Honduras, love, protection, guidance, the first thing that grips us is the provision. In modern terms, poverty and the need. Our natural we call this discipleship. inclination is to fix the problem, and that drive to “fix” the problem often Over the past couple of years, I drives mission efforts. have had the opportunity to study some of the old preachers of the However, poverty, hunger, 17th and 18th centuries and their illiteracy, and a host of other ministries. One of the similarities in problems, while they are real, are almost all of them is that they spent not the main issue. The main issue great amounts of time in the is a spiritual darkness that presence of the Lord through pervades the country. Yes, there prayer and study of His word. It is are many religious people in as if they would venture deep into Honduras. However, many do not God’s territory, learning who He is know Christ, and that must be the and what His desires are getting goal of missions. the largest view possible of who God was, and then they would In John 21:15-16, Jesus asked come back to their flock and tell Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you them what they had learned. The love Me…feed My lambs…feed My idea was to instill their love for the sheep….”

Lord into the hearts of their people.

That is what Jesus meant by tendFrom these verses, we see that the ing the sheep. first essential in a Christian missionary/worker is love for Christ As we prepare to go to Honduras in Himself. Sometimes people talk April, please keep our team in your about having a passion for souls, prayers. Pray that our love for but that is not enough. They may Christ abounds. Pray for hunger in talk of a desire for doing mission the souls of the people in Buena work, but that is not enough. They Vista and Guayabo, a hunger for may have a desire to meet the truth and for Christ Himself. Pray physical needs of the people, but that we will be faithful witnesses of that is not enough. Nothing less His life in us as we go. than a passion for Christ will do.

Notice, “Do you love Me?” comes Love in Christ, before, “Feed My lambs.”

We see in these verses that there is also feeding and tending that needs to be done. However, what kind of food do they need? The food Jesus is talking about here is spiritual food, and the way to feed others on Christ is to open up His word that they may see Him and learn to love Him and trust Him and do His will.

Bro. Dale

SANCTUARY FUNDING COMMITTEE UPDATE Spiritual Growth through Sacrificial Giving over $1.6 million each year.

Still a tremendous amount.

However, this equates to a little over $4,000 per church family per year—less than an average new car payment.

That amount is well within reach of many of our member families. In fact, several have already pledged more than that amount.

Of course, not every family can give at that level. That is The numbers are in, and the why this committee is developing multiple strategies cost of construction for a for raising the needed funds. new sanctuary (plus nursery/ pre-K and children’s buildings) is One example would be our more than double the amount Special Events Campaign that will give small groups the originally estimated. A daunting task may now seem opportunity to host utterly impossible. However, fund-raising events. is it totally impossible? Do Many of us can contribute you believe that “with God, all time and effort to raise some things are possible” (Matthew of the funds needed, without 19:26)? Do you believe that impacting personal budgets.

He uses and empowers His The task may be people to do remarkable uncomfortable, and it will things? If so, never despair definitely require sacrifice, for God is still in control. but it is not beyond our Instead of focusing on an capabilities. A new sanctuary $8.5 million price tag, will never be out of reach as consider how the numbers long as we are committed to may look spread out over “press on toward the time and the 400 families that goal” (Phil. 3:14). make up our church. If we say for example, that we can reach our goal in six years, the total cost will be around $9.8 million due to inflation.

That would require us to raise

SANCTUARY FUNDING COMMITTEE UPDATE & SANCTUARY DESIGN COMMITTEE REPORT If you were unable to be with us on Pledge Sunday or if you have not yet turned your Pledge Card in, please know that it is not too late. You may return your Pledge Card in the offering plate or to the church office. Pledge boxes, located in the foyer of the Sanctuary and on the Praying Hands table. Please continue to consider prayerfully how God would have you give.

Funds Raised Thus Far:

$167,673.03

April

For questions and Memory Verses, see the 2017 Family Bible Study Devotion.

Copies are available in the foyers and in the church office.

Ministries of FBC Franklinton

CELEBRATE RECOVERY th

The topics covered in The Journey Begins Step Study are:

On February 4 at 4:30 p.m. we will begin

The Journey Begins

PROVEN starting Wednesday, February 14th at 5:45 p.m. in

the Circle of Joy classroom.

Too many of us walk through life feeling as if we don't measure up. We always seem to thirst for more. We think if we could only work harder or be better, we could be enough. But the truth is, we will never be enough. And thankfully, we don’t have to be.

In this 8-session study, Jennie Allen walks through key passages in the Book of John to demonstrate how only Jesus is enough. We don't have to prove anything because Jesus has already proven everything. Discover how our thirsty hearts can only be quenched by the living water.

Stepping Out of Denial into God’s Grace

Step Study for ladies.

The purpose of The Journey Begins Step Study is to help us dig deeper to become free from life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits. By working personally through the eight principles of recovery based on the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes, we will begin to see the true peace and serenity that we have been seeking. By applying biblical principles of conviction, conversion, surrender, confession, restitution, prayer, quiet time, witnessing, and helping one another we will restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God.

Taking an Honest and Spiritual Inventory Getting Right With God, Yourself and Others Growing in Christ While Helping Others If you have any questions, please call Sherry Sylvest at 335-0786

Celebrate Recovery Meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Join us!

Take the first step to moving forward in 2018.

Bring a friend.

Everyone is welcome!

Books Cost $17.00 If interested in this Bible Study, please contact the church office to reserve your book.

"Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty"

Abundance Conference We still have two spots available for $59. We will be leaving the evening of March 16th. The conference is March 17th starting at 9:30 a.m. until 4:15 a.m. in Biloxi, MS. Sign up on the board by the Coke machine and pay the office for your ticket.

12 week Bible Study beginning on Wednesday, February 7th . on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m., and on Wednesday nights starting at 6:00 p.m. In the 12:2 Classroom in the Annex If interested in this Bible Study, please contact the church office to reserve your book.

Books Cost $16.00 Teacher: Dale Parker

Ministries Sponsored by FBC Franklinton

WASHINGTON PARISH FOOD BANK UPDATE Do not grow weary in doing good. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:13 Wow, what a month we have had with the weather all over the place. We went from nice Fall like weather to record low temperatures which brought us snow again, and this gave us flowing water in our building when frozen pipes burst while we had a lot of people present to shop for their food. Praise God for a wonderful landlord who was immediately there to shut off water and start repairs.

Our volunteers began mopping up water, and our families began helping to move items out of the way, while we continued to sign in our shoppers and allow them to get their groceries. In spite of everything, we had 53 families receive food that day, and I heard nobody complaining about the “unusual conditions” of the day. Isn’t God good?

on our roll. Emergency situations of need will still be served, but adding more for monthly shopping will be stopped for now.

Second Harvest food options have improved somewhat, but there are still a few items that we have not been able to order for quite a while now. Thank goodness for the weekly pickups from Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie because they do help us to fill gaps on our food shelves. Items we could use right now include red beans, macaroni and cheese, and rice, so if you feel the urge to help us feed our families, please consider these foods.

You can drop them off at the church and put them in the red can in the drink machine area or bring them to the food bank.

If you come to the food bank, I would love to show you our pantry area. I think you would be surprised at what God has helped us to do with the support of our wonderful pastor and gracious church family.

Thank you for your prayers.

Because of the 600 plus families who are currently certified for the food bank, we have temporarily stopped accepting applications. This was difficult to do but, Beverly Cooke unfortunately, necessary if we were to continue to serve properly those we already have

February is not too early to begin planning Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to be collected in November. After much prayer and careful consideration, it has been decided that this year the emphasis will be on packing shoeboxes and donating shipping costs by individuals instead of having a church-wide packing party.

Parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles are encouraged to get children and teens involved in packing shoeboxes for boys and girls of any of the age groups: 2-4 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years. Although any gaily wrapped shoebox can be used, the OCC red and green boxes will again be made available in September for your use.

Also, Bible study/ Sunday School classes and other ministry groups are encouraged to set goals for packing boxes. Groups who do not wish to purchase items for boxes may collect funds for shipping, or I can purchase gifts online in bulk for them. There is great joy in buying gifts and sending them to children who may never otherwise hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and who may never before have received a gift.

For the past two years, Sandra McDaniel has done a great job of coordinating OCC packing and collection in my absence, but I am happy to again take on the responsibility for 2018. Please prayerfully consider how you can volunteer in this mission to bring joy and Jesus from First Baptist Church Franklinton to children around the world.

In Christ’s love,

Margie Parker (985) 515-7722

Welcome to the Family Our New Church Members First Baptist Church Shirley Acquah

Mardie Hodges

(Statement)

(Letter)

Office Contact 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 Phone: (985) 839-3427 Fax: (985) 839-3572

Website Malinda Harris

Amanda Knight

(Rededication)

(Letter)

www.fbcfranklinton.org

Office Manager Natasha Burris fbc.natasha@gmail.com

Financial Manager Leslie Varnado Heather Tageant

Robert & Sandy Tageant

(Letter)

(Letter)

fbc.leslie@gmail.com

Office Assistant Sierra Smith fbc.sierra@gmail.com

Church Office Hours Rodney & Virginia Varnado

Donald Vanover

(Letter)

(Letter)

Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

June Westmoreland

(Baptism)

Sunday Night Fellowship

Nursery

Wee Worship

February 4th

February 4th Katelyn Allen* & Kelly McElveen**

Knight, Pope, Varnado, Branch, Wales, Kirby, Rawls & Walle

Sierra Smith & Sherry Sylvest

February 11th

February 11th

Lacy Burris & Gayle Rester

February 11th

February 4th

McVea, Corkern, Knight, Phelps, Knight, Robins & Knight

February 18th Daniel, Kennedy, Stringfield, Taber, Wager, Rawls, McNeal & Wallace

February 25th Cowart, Cruce, Varnado, Westmoreland, Thomas, Miller, Barber, Fortenberry & Thoeny

February 18th Eva Beahm & Sandra McDaniel

February 25th Sara Robins & Nicole Wager *If you would like to volunteer for the Nursery, please contact the church office at 985.839.3427.

Volunteers must be a church member, at least 21 years of age, and willing to submit to a criminal background check.

Whenever possible, nursery volunteers are encouraged to also help in our ever growing 8:15 a.m. service.

Wednesday Night Supper

Sound

Projection

February 4th February 4th Darren Schilling

John Sumrall

Katelyn Allen* & Kelly McElveen**

February 18th Colby Jenkins* & Kelly McElveen**

February 25th Colby Jenkins* & Kelly McElveen** As a reminder, Wee Worship is for children who are over the age of 36 months up to children currently enrolled in Kindergarten.

*8:15 am service **10:45 am service

Deacons February 4th

in our Family Life Center at 5:00 p.m.

February 11th

February 11th

Dennis Wager & George Cowart

February 7th

John Burris

Alicia Morgan

Meatballs & Spaghetti Group C

February 11th

February 18th

February 18th

Stephen McElveen & Hunter Knight

Hazel Varnado

Dick Parish & David Sylvest

February 14th Country Fried Steak Group D

February 21

st

Chicken Rotel Group E

February 28th Pulled Pork Group A

Prices: Adults $4.00 (13+ years old) Children $1.00 (12 & under) Household Max $15.00

Matt Westmoreland

February 25th Warren Cooke

February 25th Marie Varnado

February 18th February 25th Bobby Fortenberry & Charlie Corkern

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 1

Friday 2

5

6

7:00 a.m.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

2:00 p.m.

WMU 5:30 p.m.

Outreach

4:30 p.m.

The Journey Begins Step Study Starts

11

7

6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery

8

3 10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Luncheon for Adults 55+

CentriKid $68 Deposit Due

4

Saturday

9

10

11:00 am. & 6:00 p.m.

Behold Your God Bible Study Begins Wednesday Night Supper ~Meatballs &

9:30 a.m.

Senior Adult Committee Meeting

3:00 p.m.

Good Samaritan Worship Service

Spaghetti

12

13

14

15

16

17

22

23

24

Happy Valentine’s Day

5:00 p.m.

PlaySchool Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery

5:00 p.m.

Youth Committee & Parents Meeting

18

5:45 p.m.

Proven Bible Study Begins

19

20 3:00 p.m.

Hymn Sing at Heritage Manor

5:00 p.m.

Preschool & Children’s Committee Meeting

25

Wednesday Night Supper ~Country Fried Steak

6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery

5:30 p.m.

Outreach

26

4:00 p.m.

Deacons Meeting

First Baptist Church Franklinton 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 www.fbcfranklinton.org

21

27

Wednesday Night Supper ~Chicken Rotel

28 6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery

Wednesday Night Supper ~Pulled Pork

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