The Bridge
September 2019
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FRANKLINTON
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
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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
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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
September
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.playschool@gmail.com
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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 Contact Info Phone: (985) 839-3427
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
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Rise to the Challenge Dr. Cody Warren
Have you ever been challenged? I can remember growing up as a kid, and other kids would say, “Hey Cody, I bet you cannot‌â€? and they would name a specific task. Of course, I would accept the challenge. How do you typically respond to challenges? A challenge is an invitation to compete or solve a particular problem; a common response is to avoid any challenges. Individuals may feel inadequate to face the challenge, or they are unwilling to put forth the effort to solve the problem. Others want to face the challenge head-on. They desire to see the obstacle or problem solved. They love the adrenaline of completing a challenge. We have a challenge today. People do not know the saving power of Jesus Christ. They have no clue that Jesus loves them and is the meaning of life. They are living in darkness. They are living in separation from our Father, the very one who created them. Our challenge is to get the good news of the gospel to the lost. Jesus said that we as His followers are to be His witnesses. We are to be His messengers. We are to carry His message to the world. Where are we to take this message of life and hope? We carry it to our Jerusalem and Judea, our community. We share Christ with Franklinton and Washington Parish and the state of Louisiana. We are also to carry the gospel to our Samaria, the United States. Jesus even instructed that we are to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. What a huge challenge.
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 How can we rise to this challenge and carry the gospel message from our community to the ends of the earth? We must unite together. Two ways we can unite together to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ: 1. We unite in our giving to support missions. During September, we focus on missions within the state of Louisiana, the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. The week of prayer will be September 15th -22nd. On Sunday, September 22nd, we will emphasize giving toward the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. I ask that you pray and ask the Lord on how you should give to our state missions offering. 2. We unite to go and share Jesus with our community and to the ends of the earth. Giving to missions is important; however, it does not take the place of going and ministering to the lost in our community. How are you the hands and feet of Jesus? Have you had any gospel conversations with your co-workers, classmates, neighbors, family members, or friends? We face an important challenge. Many have yet to come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. God has chosen to use us as His messengers. Will you rise to the challenge? Will you give to support missions? Will you go and share the good news of the gospel?
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Rev. Joey Miller, Associate Pastor Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; – Isaiah 49:15-16
SAM
Senior Adult Ministry Events & Opportunities
Have you ever been forgotten? Maybe you were forgotten when the party list was made. Maybe you were overlooked when the promotion was given. Or maybe like Jesus, you were forgotten when your parents started for home. In Genesis 40, we find Joseph in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s good with dreams, so he interprets the chief butler’s dream and predicts that the butler will be set free. Three days later, the butler is leaving prison and will once again serve in Pharaoh’s court. Joseph made one request of him – “Please remember me when it is well with you.” But Genesis 40:23 tells the stinging truth – “Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
Remember the words of the preacher spoken long ago – “Never doubt in the dark what God has spoken and revealed in the light.” He’s still on the throne, and He still loves us awesomely.
Yes, life can get us down, and people will let us down. That’s why we put our faith in God, not people. But we find no grumbling and complaining from Joseph. His trust is in the Lord. The lesson for us is that when people fail us, let us down, or forget about us, reach for our faith and three truths that Joseph’s life teaches us:
SEPTEMBER OUTING
1. Joseph still had a dream to cling too, and so do you and I. God still has a purpose and a destiny for our lives and we must cling to it when life lets us down. 2. Joseph had a word from God and so do we. In disappointing times, we dive deeply into the Word of God and find that God loves us, and His grace is sufficient for us. We rediscover that we are special to God. We are loved by Christ, redeemed by Him and seated with Him. We are treasured by God and He has “inscribed you on the palms of His hand.” (Isa. 49:16) 3. Joseph still had the presence of God. When people let us down, we’re often tempted to think that God has checked out on us too. Just as Joseph had the presence of God with him, you and I have the promise of God that He will never leave us or forsake us.
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SEPTEMBER ADULT 55+ LUNCHEON Our September Adult 55+ Luncheon is coming on Friday, September 6th at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Our speaker will be Pastor Cody Warren. We welcome Bro. Cody to our luncheon. The meal will be fried chicken and potluck. Come enjoy the fellowship and fun.
We’re traveling to Houma where Abear’s Café serves all you can eat catfish on Friday Evenings and has a band playing Cajun music. Abear’s was recommended by Warren Cooke and promises to be a lot of fun. Our trip is scheduled for Friday, September 27th. We will leave FBC Franklinton at 2:30 p.m. Sign up in your Sunday School class or call the church office.
BRANSON, MISSOURI TRIP – NOV. 11th-15th We have a few spots left for our trip to Branson. Registration forms are in the church office as well as the itinerary for this great trip. We’ve added a few more stops to the itinerary, but the $685 cost remains the same. Monthly payments can be made with final payment due October 7th.
SEPTEMBER NURSING HOME WORSHIP SERVICES
Thanks for ministering at our nursing homes. We will have our regular worship and ministry time at Good Samaritan and will have a birthday party at Heritage Manor. Join the fun! •
Thurs., Sept. 12th at 3:00 p.m. – Worship at Good Samaritan
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Mon., Sept. 16th at 3:00 p.m. - Birthday Party at Heritage Manor.
FALL LUNCHEONS September 6th
Lunch at FBC in the Family Life Center at 10:30 a.m.
SEPTEMBER OUTING SEPTEMBER 27th
Trip to Abear's Cafe in Houma, Louisiana for dinner and Cajun music. Bus leaves at 2:30 p.m.
NURSING HOME MINISTRIES We will visit and worship at Good Samaritian on Thursday, September 12th at 3:00 p.m. and Heritage Manor on Monday, September 16th at 3:00 p.m. This is the month we facilitate the Birthday Party for September birthdays! 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. In an effort 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. YES … you read that right, TWO-part bridge article. Of all the years I’ve been on staff at FBC Franklinton, I don’t think I have ever done a TWO-part bridge article, BUT I desire to connect with parents so much that it will take TWO bridge articles. So here are my Top TEN ways of connecting with FBC REACH Student Ministry: 1. The Bridge – This is a great resource to stay connected with the Student Ministry. Most of our monthly activities are listed right here on this page. If you have any questions about anything you read in this article, please let me know. You might be reading this, and you do NOT receive the Bridge every month. If you would like to change that just let me know ,and we can send it to YOU monthly. 2. Facebook – I tend to post Student Ministry updates in several different places on Facebook. I post things on my personal Facebook page, so if we are not Facebook friends, we should be. I post things on the FBC Facebook page. I also post in a “secret” group just for parents in the Student Ministry. If YOU would like to be included in the “secret” group (its “secret” because it CANNOT be seen on other news feeds), please let me know. 3. Bulletin Board by the Coke Machine – Not too many people enter the realm of the Youth Room, so we have a bulletin board in the main church building. Straight across from the glass doors by the coke machine, you will 8 / The Br idg e
find the Student Ministry bulletin board. I pin up some pictures as well as some upcoming activities. Check out our bulletin board by the Coke machine … and if you get a drink from the Coke machine, part of the proceeds go towards the Student Ministry … win win. 4. Email List – To better communicate with parents, I plan to send out a monthly email at the beginning of the month. If YOU would like to be included in the monthly email, send me an email fbc.codythomas@gmail.com and let me know you would like to be included. In the monthly email I’ll let you know of any activities we will doing that month as well as our Bible studies for the month. 5. Text and/or Calling – If you are a parent of a student within the Student Ministry and you do NOT have my cell number, please shoot me an email or call the office and let’s get better connected. You can reach me at the office (985) 839-3427. If I am not at the office when you call, simply leave a message with the office manager. If you do have my cell phone and you have a question about anything Student Ministry related, please feel free to call and/or text me. Next month's Bridge article will include the other five of my top ten. Thanks for reading! Let’s stay connected so that we can better disciple young people all for the glory of the Lord.
September Events Sept. 15th, 11:50 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7th-9th Grade Girls Social • Robin Perez's home • Bring Swimsuit & Towel Sept. 25th See You at the Pole
A Note from Bro. Butch Reviere “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things…” Ps. 98:1 God’s activity among his people has always resulted in songs of praise as they have witnessed and experienced his gracious provision of salvation from their enemies, the greatest of which is eternal death and separation from Him. The earliest mention of singing in the Bible is found in Exodus 15:1: “I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!” Moses and the children of Israel sang over their deliverance from Pharaoh’s army. The last mention of singing in the Bible is found in Revelation 15:3,4: “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Of course, there are many other mentions of singing throughout God’s Word, especially in the Psalms. We are very familiar with Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 where the Apostle Paul refers to “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” and admonishes the churches to “sing to the Lord”. So it continues to this day and will forever as the people of God gather in worship or find themselves alone before Him…singing the “new song” that came along with “new life” in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. If you know Him, you have a song! Let it out! Don’t be shy! Don’t just sit! Raise your voice and join your brothers and sisters in exalting Jesus through the song that can only be sung by the Redeemed of the Lord! Ok, it’s Fall y’all and you know the routine. School has resumed and activities that may have been dormant for the Summer are about to get going again. Please note the following: • FBC BELL CHOIR will resume on Wednesday afternoon, September 11th at 4:00 p.m. Same time, same place. If you have an interest in joining this group to ring bells, please see Bro. Butch. • SENIOR ADULT SINGERS will resume on Monday morning, September 16th. Watch the Bulletin for the time (either 8:30 or 9:00… let me know your preference between now and then). This group is open to any adult who loves to sing and is available on Monday mornings.
• THE SANCTUARY CHOIR continues to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the choir room and is open to any adult willing to commit to being present for practice and worship on Sundays. • FBC PRAISE TEAM will continue (at least, for the present) to rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. There is also an opportunity for anyone who loves Jesus and is willing, in addition to the groups as mentioned above, to sing or play an instrument in our gatherings for worship. If interested, please see Bro. Butch. “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised…” Psalm 96: 1-4a
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FBC Kids News Welcome to September! I have been waiting for this month with great anticipation because we get to introduce LifeWay’s The Gospel Project to your children on Sunday mornings! With little exception, all children from birth to sixth grade will begin this curriculum on Sunday, September 1st. There are several reasons we have made a change to this curriculum, including that we want to be able to communicate to parents, regardless of the grade level of the child, what your child is learning. Not specific to our church, but a growing problem in the ministry is the gap between church and home. Effectively communicating with parents what their children are learning is one way to help bridge that gap. Also, The Gospel Project helps children to see the Bible, not just as a collection of stories, but as one story. It is written specifically and intentionally so that, over a period of time, children begin to see the Bible for what it is, one big story of God’s plan for redemption and how all the stories within it point to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will be picking up with The Gospel Project in Volume 5, which covers Elijah and Elisha, the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. You will find information about what your child has learned each week in the worship bulletin and on our FBC Kids Facebook page. If you are on social media and do not follow FBC Kids, it is a great way to stay connected. It is not a public page, so if you would like to be added, just let me know! Also, a great resource for parents is the Facebook page The Gospel Project for Kids and LifeWay Kids. Those are two social media resources you may find helpful in connecting your home and church. 1 0 / The Br idg e
So, here is what you can look forward to on Sundays, beginning September 1st: 9:30 a.m. – Gospel Project Gathering (“GPGathering”), Room 310, Grades 1st - 6th During this time, all children will come together for a brief time of worship and a lesson introduction before dismissing to their small groups. It is expected to last no more than 10 minutes, so be sure to arrive on time—your kids are not going to want to miss this! Our Preschool and Kindergarten classes will meet in their classrooms in the downstairs Preschool Dept. (from left to right, Kindergarten: Rm. A; PK3-Rm. B; Infant Nursery-Rm. C; Toddler Nursery-Rm. D; and, PK4-Rm. E). Immediately following the “GPGathering,” the FBC Kids Ministry Team will move with the children to their FBC Kids Sunday School classrooms, which vary depending on the grade. 1st & 2nd Grade Girls: Rm. F, Downstairs Preschool Bldg. 1st & 2nd Grade Boys: Rm. 304, Upstairs Children’s Bldg. 3rd & 4th Grade: Rm. 307, Upstairs Children’s Bldg. 5 Grade, Rm. 309, Upstairs Children’s Bldg. th
6th Grade, Rm. 302, Upstairs Children’s Bldg. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., all children who attend classes in the upstairs Children’s Bldg. are dismissed from the bottom of the stairs to a parent or guardian.
Look for a member of the FBC Kids Ministry Team stationed at the bottom of the stairs to call for your child. Children attending class in the downstairs Preschool Department can be picked up by a parent or guardian from their classroom Not plugged into a Sunday School class? Plan to join us! Who's ready for camp? It is Sixth-Grade September! Returning campers have had their opportunity to sign-up for next years camp and this month, and it’s just for 6th graders! Are you in 6th grade and want to join FBC Kids at CentriKid next summer? Sign up today! CentriKid will be help June 29th-July 3rd, 2020 at Timber Creek Camp in Pulaski, MS. Spots are limited, so sign up today! Cost is expected to be $340, but it does not cost a thing to put your name on the list! Next up: Falling for Fifth Grade - October CentriKid sign-ups are just for you! Wednesday, September 15th is the deadline to sign up for Preteen Extreme! Do not let it slip by! Sign-ups are on the bulletin board for 4th-6th graders. The cost is $30. Saturday, September 28th: Preteen Extreme, FBC Ponchatoula FBC Kids is partnering with FBC Covington and FBC Ponchatoula for Preteen Extreme, a one-day event especially for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders on Saturday, September 28th. The cost is $30 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. There will be games and fun things to do, as well as worship led by one of my favorite speakers around (it's Mack!). Join us for a day of focusing on God’s never-ending love!
September Volunteers Toddler Nursery Volunteers Sept. 1– Carolyn McElveen Sept. 8 – Carolyn Daniel Sept. 15 – Kathy McElveen Sept. 22 – Susan Barber Sept. 29 – Hallene Magee 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 Sept. 1 – Cathy Milner* & Brenna Rawls** Sept. 8 – Cathy Milner* & Brenna Rawls** Sept. 15 – Cindy Knight* & Kirby Barber** Sept. 22 – Cindy Knight* & Kirby Barber** Sept. 29 – Cindy Knight* & Heather Seal**
September Birthday Gavin Bell – 8th Beau Brown – 9th Emma Hill – 11th Madelyn Seal – 12th Owen O’Keefe – 13th
Cooper Casanova – 14th Caleb Wright – 16th Ava Robins – 25th Colton McNeal – 26th
Don't see your child's birthday listed? Let Mrs. Kelly know so we can update your child's information.
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Wings - Women in God's Service Women's Ministry Upcoming Events In this twelve-session video Bible study, some of today’s best-loved authors and speakers look at the spiritual lessons learned from twelve women in the Bible and what they mean for you today. As you look at each of these women’s lives, you will discover how to: • • • • •
Apply biblical lessons to your own modern-day struggles Live through your failures as well as your successes Draw near to God in a world filled with trials Find lasting contentment in every situation Overcome rejection and insecurity . . . and much more
Book Cost is $7.00 Class will meet Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. beginning on September 4th, 2019 in the 12:2 Classroom in the Annex
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Tammy Martin and her family recently visted Nakuru, Kenya, for the offical dedication of the Emily Martin Rescue Centre. Join us to hear the story of her daughter and their trip to the Rescue Centre named in her memory.
Congratulations To our families with new littlein bundles of joy Women God's Service
at FBC Picayune 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Get you own ticket by registering at fbcpic.org/bethmoore/ Tickets are $15 (includes lunch) Please contact Leslie Westmoreland 985-515-2210 if you plan to attend. We will carpool to this event and will leave the church at 7:20 a.m. T h e Brid g e / 1 3
Ministries Sponsored by FBC Franklinton
Local Missions Washington Parish Food Bank & Thrift Shop
We have been struggling with food needs for too long now but were blessed with two extra deliveries from Second Harvest on two Saturdays in August. This has allowed us to, at least temporarily, return two food categories to the original two choices per month. We certainly pray this will continue.
Still needed in the food bank and thrift shop are more volunteers, especially since we have had several regulars go down with illness and surgery. Also, because of the extreme heat, more food bank help is needed for volunteers to get regular breaks. Those in the thrift shop will enjoy air conditioning all the time, and that might be your We also received a large amount place of service. Give me a call of food from Enon Baptist Church or stop by and see our ministry who has promised to continue this firsthand. I would love to show you regularly. With school reopening, we around. also hope some regular food drives will soon begin from teachers and Please continue to pray earnestly clubs who have supported us in the for a replacement co-director or past. I believe that everyone can several others who can do some of do something to combat the hunger those duties. Thank you. needs in our parish; and when we join together, we can have an Most needed food items even greater impact. Individuals or this month are tuna, ravioli, Sunday School classes can collect dry beans, instant grits and food or even donate money, and I oatmeal, Hamburger Helper, rice will go purchase needed food items. sides, and always any canned The red can by the TV in the break vegetables. area has been empty a lot lately and would welcome some donations. Beverly Cooke Please consider what you can do to help our food bank families.
Wednesday Night Supper Menu
September 4th
Country Fried Steak
September 11th Chicken Rotel
September 18th Pulled Pork
September 25th Fried Chicken
Sunday Night Supper Groups September 1st
-Corkern, Garbo, Knight, Knight, Knight, McVea & Phelps
September 8th
- Daniel, Kennedy, McNeal, Rawls, Stringfield, Taber, Wager & Wallace
September 15th
- Barber, Cowart, Cruce, Fortenberry, Miller, Thoeny, Thomas, Varnado & Westmoreland
September 22nd
- Bell, jenkins, Keaton, McElveen, Schilling, Thomas, Varnado & Warren
September 29th
- Bankston, Burris, Galloway, Knight, McElveen, Sandifer, Schilling & Waskom
Fall Food Round-up Deadline is: Sunday, September 15th 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
Items we are collecting are: Cleaning supplies, Pastas, Peanut Butter, Potatoes (boxed), Rice, Soups, and Spaghetti Sauce
Sunday, September 15th
Memory Verses for September 2019
"Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart." - Psalm 119:34
Sunday, September 1st
Sunday, September 22nd
"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:11
"For I find my delight in your commandments." - Psalm 119:47
Sunday, September 8th
Sunday, September 29th
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." - Psalm 119:18
Maicee Bateman - Baptism
"I remember your name in the night, O Lord and keep your law." - Psalm 119:55
Lauren Burris- Baptism
Jordan & Callie Moore- Letter
Debra McElveen- Letter
Madia Thomas- Letter
Betsy Simmons- Statement T h e Brid g e / 1 5
FBC Franklinton September 2019 Events & Opportunities
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 950 SELF STREET FRANKLINTON, LA 70438
PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 27 1 6 / The Br idg e