The Bridge October
2019
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FRANKLINTON
See you at the FAIR! FAIR!
Our Team
Dr. Cody Warren
Rev. Joey Miller
Rev. Cody Thomas
Email: fbc.codywarren@gmail.com
Email: fbc.joeymiller@gmail.com
Email: fbc.codythomas@gmail.com
Article on Page 4
Article on Page 6-7
Article on Page 8
Pastor
Associate Pastor
Contact Us: First Baptist Church 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 Phone: (985) 839-3427 Prayer Line: (985) 839-3337 Fax: (985) 839-3572
2 / The Br idg e
Office E-mail: fbc.natasha@gmail.com Prayer E-mail: fbcfranklinton.prayer@gmail.com Website: www.fbcfranklinton.org Facebook: First-Baptist-Church-Franklinton
Student Pastor
Weekly Classes & Small Groups Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. Men's Community Bible Study Fridays at 8:00 a.m. Ladies Community Bible Study
October 2019 Administrative Staff
Natasha Burris
Office Manager Email: fbc.natasha@gmail.com
Cathy Milner
Financial Manager
Rev. Butch Reviere Minister of Music
Kelly McElveen
Director of Preschool/ C h i l d r e n ’s M i n i s t r i e s
Email: fbc.butch@gmail.com
Email: fbc.kelly@gmail.com
Article on Page 9
Article on Page 10-11
Sunday Worship Services 8:15 a.m.,10:45 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Bible Study Groups Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Discipleship
10:00 a.m. Ladies Bible Study 5:45 p.m. Ladies Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Preschool / Children’s Activities 6:00 p.m. Youth Activities
Email: fbc.cathy@gmail.com
Office Assistant Email:
fbc.officeassistant@gmail.com
Prayer Times
Choir Rehearsals
Sundays
Sundays 4:45 p.m. Praise Team
Tuesdays
Mondays 8:30 a.m. Senior Adult Choir school year only
7:30 a.m. Chapel 5:00 p.m. Senior Adult Center 7:00 a.m. Fireside Room Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. Senior Adult Center
24/7 Prayer Room
Wednesdays 4:00 p.m. Handbell Choir school year only 5:30 p.m. Preschool & Children’s Choirs 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir
Hall behind Sanctuary Rm. #101 T h e Brid g e / 3
...
Prepared for the Fair Dr. Cody Warren
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Colossians 4:5 We are already approaching the month of October, which means it is time for the Washington Parish Free Fair. Our family is excited to encounter all the festivities of the fair. We came to Washington Parish Free Fair a few years ago, but we know this year will be different. We will be able to experience the fair as residents of Washington Parish. While the fair will be a great time for your family to enjoy the festivities, it will also be a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Paul encouraged the Colossians to pray for the advancement of the gospel. He then instructed them to take advantage of the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel. Every day is an opportunity to share the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. How can we, as followers of Jesus, be His witnesses at the fair or on any given day?
4 / The Br idg e
Pray for the Advancement of the Gospel. In Colossians 4:3 Paul asked the church in Colosse to pray that God would open a door for them to declare the gospel. Pray that God would open a door for you to share how Jesus is the meaning of life. Pray also that God would open doors for us as a family of faith to share Christ with our community. Pray for Wisdom. Paul mentioned in Colossians 4:5 to walk with wisdom toward outsiders. We need God’s wisdom in reaching the lost. We need wisdom in what we say as well as in our actions towards others. Take Advantage of the Opportunity. When God provides an opportunity, be faithful to serve Him. We can easily pray for the opportunity to share Christ, but we must be willing to serve when the opportunity arises. Let us prepare for the fair and every day by praying, praying that God would use us for His glory. Let us pray that God would provide opportunities for us to share His goodness and His grace. Then let us be faithful in serving our Father.
T h e Brid g e / 5
Rev. Joey Miller, Associate Pastor Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You Are the God Who Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” – Genesis 16:13 Hagar was the slave of Abraham and Sarah. When Sarah couldn’t have children, she conceived a plan for them to have children by way of Hagar. The plan backfired, and there was a conflict between the two women. Sarah treated Hagar harshly, causing Hagar to run away. Hagar finds herself by a wellspring all alone and without hope. But she is not alone, for the Lord sees her and speaks to her in her despair. He gives her a promise to claim and a plan to live out. It is then that Hagar calls the name of the Lord El Roi – The Lord God Who Sees. She was not alone and not without hope because the Lord saw her, came to her, and He spoke hope and a future to her. You and I are not alone, and we are certainly not without hope. The same Lord God that saw Hagar in her plight sees you and me. He knows what we’re going through, he knows what we’re facing, and most importantly, He knows the plan He has for us that is crafted by His love and grace. The great song says it well, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” The verse in II Chronicles 16:9 speaks this truth, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” Be assured that, no matter what we face, God knows, God sees, and God has a promise and a plan.
SAM
Senior Adult Ministry Events & Opportunities
BOGALUSA SENIOR ADULT REVIVAL The fall Senior Adult Revival is scheduled for October 7th - 9th at churches in the Bogalusa area. We will leave FBC Franklinton each morning at 9:00 am. The host churches and speakers for the revival are as follows: MONDAY – Mt. Pleasant – Bro. Jason Shawley TUESDAY – Angie – Bro. Mark Morelock WEDNESDAY – Lee’s Creek – Dr. Cody Warren Bro. Jeff Walker will lead the congregational worship. Canned food items will be collected during the revival to help feed those in need.
BRANSON, MISSOURI TRIP NOVEMBER 11th - 15th Excitement is building about our upcoming Branson trip. We have 37 registered currently and have room for three more. Feel free to invite friends or relatives to join us for the trip. For those going to Branson, if you have a balance on your trip account, please continue to make payments. The final payment should be made by Friday, October 11th. Call the church office if you have any questions.
UPCOMING ADULT 55+ LUNCHEONS
OCTOBER NURSING HOME WORSHIP SERVICES
The October Luncheon will be on Friday, October 4th at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. The luncheon speaker will be James Magruder representing the Washington Parish Fair Association. The menu will be pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, and dessert. Door prizes will be mums to decorate for the fair. Mark the date, join the fellowship, and bring a friend.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the birthday party at Heritage Manor. We appreciate our group of volunteers who minister at our nursing homes. The residents are so blessed by your coming to visit and to lead them in worship. We will have our regular worship and ministry time at Good Samaritan and Heritage Manor in October. We will also serve communion.
Our November Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, November 1st and will be our Thanksgiving Luncheon. We will enjoy turkey and dressing with delicious sides added. 6 / The Br idg e
•
Thursday, October 10th at 3:00 p.m. Worship at Good Samaritan
•
Monday, October 21st at 3:00 p.m. Worship at Heritage Manor
FALL LUNCHEONS October 4th
Lunch at FBC in the Family Life Center at 10:30 a.m.
NURSING HOME MINISTRIES We will visit and worship at Good Samaritian on Thursday, October 10th at 3:00 p.m. and Heritage Manor on Monday, October 21st at 3:00 p.m.
Senior Adult Fellowship Luncheon
October 4th at 10:30 a.m. Menu: PULLED PORK, BAKED BEANS, POTATO SALAD, AND DESSERT PROGRAM: JAMES MAGRUDER
T h e Brid g e / 7
Rev. Cody Thomas REACHing IN & REACHing OUT
I’ve always felt like there was somewhat of a disconnect between me (the Student Pastor) and parents. This feeling of disconnect is understandable because I am primarily with the Student Ministry, and many adults are doing their adult thing with other adults of the church. To help bridge (no pun intended) the gap between the Student Pastor (that’s me) and the parents of teenagers, I want to do a TWO-part bridge article identifying ways I can better connect with parents. This month’s bridge article is the second part of the TWO-part series. If you missed part number ONE, just let me know, and I can easily send it to you. So here is the second half of my top ten ways to connect with FBC REACH Student Ministry:
6. Instagram – FBC REACH Student Ministry has its own Instagram account. If you have an Instagram account, and you want to stay connected with FBC REACH … consider “following” us on Instagram. Instagram “story” is more for weekly activities, and events and the main Instagram page consist primarily of pictures from the Student Ministry. Find us on Instagram at @fbcreach. 7. Group Text – For big events and activities, I will send out a group text message. If you would like to be in this group text message, let me know. Send me an email OR better yet, let me know in person if YOU would like to be in the group text. 8. Quarterly Calendar – I make a quarterly calendar and hand the calendars out to the students at the beginning of each quarter. If you did not receive one, or if you lost yours, stop by the main church office and ask for one. 9. Weekly Bulletin – Inside our weekly worship bulletin, you will NOT find many Student Ministry announcements. If you turn to the back of the weekly worship bulletin, Student Ministry activities and events are on the weekly calendar. Bonus … before and after our weekly Sunday morning worship service Student Ministry announcements will be seen in the announcement loop. Be on the lookout for weekly activities in the weekly worship bulletin as well as upcoming big activities during the announcement loop. 8 / The Br idg e
10. Mail Outs – I do NOT do a lot of mail outs for the Student Ministry. I typically do mail outs for big events we do each year. I do a mail-out for Camp Fuego and YEC. Camp Fuego happens every June, and YEC happens every November. IF you do NOT receive these mail outs, just let me know, and we’ll add your address. Thanks for reading! Let’s stay connected so that we can better disciple young people all for the glory of the Lord.
FBC REACH Student Ministry Events •• Wednesday, October 16th NO Church Activities •• Sunday, October 27th Great RED Pumpkin Hunt
October 2019:
•• November 24th – 26th - YEC
November 2019:
A Note from Bro. Butch Reviere
In 1996, Todd and Michelle Allen began the journey to follow a call to full-time evangelistic ministry with their four young children, traveling all across North America. Now, after more than 20 years of ministry, The Allens continue to be one of the signature faces of the new Gospel music movement, making an impact for Christ around the world. The power of their music is in the message of truth and hope that radiates throughout their ministry. Defined by a passion for music that ministers through inspiring lyrics, the heartbeat of their ministry is a desire to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2013, the Allens founded their organization, Hope’s Cry International, with an emphasis on Global Missions. Through HCI, the Allens are rescuing children, equipping churches, and transforming communities on the continent of Africa. They will be here at FBC to minister in an evening of gospel music and testimony on Sunday evening, October 13th, at 6:00 pm. Some of you may recall their visit with us back in March when they sang just a song or two on a Sunday evening. We will be blessed and inspired by their ministry through music, so determine to be present on the 13th as the Allens lead us in worship.
On Sunday, October 27th the Joyful Noise Choir (1st - 6th Grade) will present 'Old Church Choir' at the beginning of our 10:45 a.m. service. We will meet in the Family Life Center at 10:15 a.m. T h e Brid g e / 9
FBC Kids News The Gospel Project We are currently one month into our new Sunday morning curriculum, LifeWay’s The Gospel Project, and we are loving it! Beginning in October, our study will move from the prophets Elijah and Elisha and into The Northern Kingdom of Israel and The Southern Kingdom of Judah. We’ll be digging deeper into those places and into the prophets God choose to speak to His people. What I love so much about The Gospel Project is that it very intentionally helps children to see the entire Bible as one big story of God’s plan for redemption and how all scripture points us to Christ. If your child isn’t plugged into a Sunday School class, please plan to join us soon! First through Sixth graders meet upstairs in Room 310 at 9:30 a.m. for a brief, but very important, Gospel Project Gathering where we sing and introduce the lesson. Preschool classes meet in their classrooms downstairs in the Preschool Dept. Missions Opportunities for FBC Kids Our primary missions emphasis for October is the Washington Parish Food Bank. During the month of “Oodles of Noodles” October, we will be collecting boxes of macaroni and cheese for our longtime friends over at the food bank. Our goal is 200 boxes of mac and cheese. Look for the yellow collection can by the FBC Kids bulletin board to leave your donation! 1 0 / The Br idg e
After the Fair and through mid-November, we are also encouraging families to put together Operation Christmas Child boxes. Boxes are outside the Family Life Center. While there are multiple ages a family can pack a box for, FBC Kids and their families are encouraged to pack boxes for 10-14-yearold boys. This age group is the most under-represented group that receives boxes. If you aren’t sure what to put in a box for a 10-14-year-old boy, consider a homemade fishing kit; a Phlat ball; a paddle ball; marbles; a whirligig; simple tools like a lightweight hammer and screwdrivers; work or gardening gloves; hygiene items like a toothbrush, soap, and a washcloth; basic school supplies, including a pair of junior or adultsized scissors; and art supplies. Of course, the list is nearly endless, and Pinterest has tons of great ideas! Shipping for one box is $9. For more information or more ideas, check out www.samaritanspurse.org. Update: While the final count for our Socks in September Drive isn’t finalized just yet, I can tell you that we are on target for at least 200 pairs of socks for our friends at Moving Mountains Ministries! Way to go, FBC Kids! CentriKid Sign-Ups Continue Sign-ups have been underway since we returned from camp for returning campers and 6th graders. Now it’s time for “Falling for Fifth Graders”! If your current 5th grader
wants to attend CentriKid camp in 2020, now is the time to sign up! Just contact Mrs. Kelly to have your child’s name added to the list. Sixth graders can also continue to add their names to the list. As a reminder, CentriKid will be held at Timber Creek Camp in Pulaski, MS from June 29th-July 3rd, 2020. Cost is expected to be approximately $340, but the $100 deposits are not due until January 31st. If you are considering being a chaperone, please know that you can sign your child up when you volunteer. We need three more male chaperones and only have one more female chaperone spot available. There will be a minimal cost for chaperones, expected to be approximately $25. Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, October 16th – No Wednesday Evening Activities See you at the Fair! Sunday, October 20th – No Wee Worship & No Sunday Evening Services Several people have inquired about a Trunk-Or-Treat this year. FBC Kids only hosts a Trunk-OrTreat on years when town trickor-treating or Halloween falls on a Sunday or a Wednesday. It will be a couple of years but be on the lookout for more Fall fun on Sunday evening, October 31st, 2021!
Happy Birthday to…
October Volunteers
Zaylee – 6th Bentley W. – 19
th
Gentry – 19th Emery – 27
Toddler Nursery Volunteers October 6th: Sherry Sylvest October 13th: Lacy Burris October 20th: Nicole Wager October 27th: Eva Beahm
th
Miles – 30th Madden – 31st Important Dates to Remember: Tues., October 8th: Scholastic Book Orders Due To order online, please go to www.scholastic.com and use online ordering code LQ9XN. Thursday and Friday, October 10 and 11 : th
th
Franklinton Police Officers Visit PlaySchool Friday, October 11th: Tuition Due Monday – Friday, October 16th – 20th:
Volunteers are reminded that the Sunday School hour the time when our volunteers are heavily relied upon. If you do not teach a Sunday School class, please plan to help our staff during all three service hours.
Wee Worship Volunteers 6th – Kelly McElveen* & Heather Seal** 13th – Cathy Milner* & Brittany Fussell** 20th – No Wee Worship 27th – Kelly McElveen* & Brittany Fussell** *8:15 a.m. **10:45 a.m. ***Both the 8:15 am and 10:45 am services
Washington Parish Free Fair Holidays No PlaySchool
October Birthday
Wednesday and Thursday, October 30 and 31 : th
st
“Whoo-oo” Are You? Costume Days (Children are welcome to wear a friendly costume. No scary costumes, toy weapons, or masks, please.)
Check out some photos on page 12.
Lila Burris – 2nd Easton Rome – 2nd Ella True Warren – 2nd Madelyn Schilling – 7th Addy McLain – 11th Reed Jenkins – 14th Reese Williams – 14th
Frank Caminita – 24th Alex Ezell – 25th Seryn Rawls – 25th Dawson Strahan – 28th Makynin Galloway – 29th Madden Moore – 31st
Don't see your child's birthday listed? Let Mrs. Kelly know so we can update your child's information.
T h e Brid g e / 1 1
Women in God's Service
Memory Verses for
October
Sunday, October 6th 103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
Sunday, October 13th
Sunday, October 20th
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore
my soul keeps them. Psalm 119:129
Sunday, October 27th
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
160 The sum of your word is truth, and every
Psalm 119:125
Psalm 119:160
that I may know your testimonies!
1 2 / The Br idg e
one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Wings - Women in God's Service Women's Ministry Upcoming Events
Books are $15 Class begins on Ocotber 2nd at 5:45 p.m. in the Circle of Joy Classroom
We are planning on taking a group of ladies to this event January 17th - 18th. the event is Friday night 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Please sign up in advance to reserve your ticket and check the hotel box if you would like a room. T h e Brid g e / 1 3
Ministries Sponsored by FBC Franklinton
Local Missions Washington Parish Food Bank & Thrift Shop
Last month we were given the opportunity to order twice from Second Harvest, and even though this meant we had to pay two delivery fees, it did allow us to receive more food for our families. This opportunity was offered after many discussions with Second Harvest personnel regarding ordering but regularly having the items reduced in number or omitted altogether on delivery day, thereby forcing us to limit food amounts because what we had planned to offer, we did not receive. We are praying this system will continue so that the amounts of food our families can choose each month will be more consistent.
We are still certifying new people every Tuesday and are up to about 475 families, averaging about eight new families per week. If this trend continues, we will very soon have to cease once again to take applications. We continue to appreciate many of you who are donating money or bringing food items to us almost monthly. It has really helped us to maintain more consistency of items on our pantry shelves and gives our families more choices in each of the food categories offered. A lot of you are also giving items that are listed as needs each month in this article, and we thank you for
that. Working together can really make a difference and helps us so much in this ministry. Please remember the urgent need for some others to step up and help before my co-director leaves at the end of the year. I can’t stress enough the necessity to fill that position with someone, or a team of folks, to share the duties. Please pray earnestly for this because I do not believe that God wants this ministry to cease to exist. In His Word, we find numerous times when Jesus addressed the physical needs of those who came to Him, so I have I to believe there are those whom He is calling to lend a hand. Please call me if you can help or would like more information on what is needed. Most needed items this month include • • • • • •
tuna ravioli macaroni and cheese regular size jars of peanut butter rice sides diced tomatoes.
Beverly Cooke We are collecting food on Oct. 6th & 13th in an effort to help this ministry. Look for the buggy in the foyer of the chuch.
The Washington Parish Food Bank is located at 2208 Washington Street, Franklinton, LA 70438 & can be reached at (985) 322-2017. 1 4 / The Br idg e
Wednesday Night Supper Menu
October 2nd
Meatballs and Spaghetti
October 9th
Country Fried Steak
October 16th
FAIR - No meal at FBC
October 23rd Chicken Rotel
October 30th Pulled Pork
Sunday Night Supper Groups OCTOBER 6th
-NO EVENING SERVICE ANNUAL MEETING - AT PALESTINE
OCTOBER 13th
COOKE, CREEL, MOBLEY, MORGAN, SYLVEST & LINDSEY
OCTOBER 20TH
NO EVENING SERVICES - FAIR
OCTOBER 27TH
BRANCH, HODGES, KIRBY, KNIGHT, WALES, WALLE, & WASCOM
Note: The library has some of ben Morgan's community bible studies that are available to check out.
Every shoebox gift is an excellent resouce for evangelism and discipleship, which leads to the multiplication of new believers and churches around the world. One shoebox gift has the potential for reaching 7-8 persons with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.' We cannot go into all the places these gifts can go.
T h e Brid g e / 1 5
FBC Franklinton October 2019 Events & Opportunities
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 950 SELF STREET FRANKLINTON, LA 70438
1 6 / The Br idg e
PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 27