First News

February 2013 Vol.4 No.2

Sunday, March 3rd 4:30 pm A WILD HORSE ILLUSTRATED GOSPEL MESSAGE BY PBRPASTORTODDPIERCE. Additional speakers include: Clyde & Elsie Frost Singing by: LeAn Hart

www.RidingHighMinistries.com

Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Love offering taken at door.

Kingdom Man Conference with Musical Guests

SHANE & SHANE Friday & Saturday, February 15th & 16th Friday - 7:00 pm / Saturday - 9:00 am Sulphur Springs Multi-Purpose Facility

Conference

Tickets $20.00

Available in the church office or on-line @ www.kingdom-tickets.com Tony Evans Kingdom Man book included in ticket price.

From the Pastor... Mark Bryant

It should come as no surprise to us that the God who loves us with an everlasting love has created us to love one another. John 13:34, Romans 13:8, Philippians 2:2, I Thessalonians 4:9, 1 John 2:7, 3:10, 3:23, 4:6-7 and 2 John 1:5-6 all have one truth in common. Each verse speaks to the supernatural work of the life changing work of Jesus in our lives.

John 13:35 is especially close to my heart. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”. That speaks volumes to the body of Christ. We have been loved and we are called to love. Notice that Jesus did not say that we would be known as His followers for our deep thinking or even our spiritual insight. He makes it simple. People will know you walk with Me when you love like I love.

So the question is, who am I supposed to love? According to Jesus, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbor is anyone that we come in contact with in our day to day experience. When we look at His example, the scope widens and includes the totality of humanity. He loves the whole world. (John 3:16) I know it is difficult for finite creations to love like the infinite Creator but that is not an excuse to leave anyone off the list. I was reminded of this love when I read an article by Todd Pierce. (Todd will be with us March 3rd). Todd and a group of volunteers went to Burma to minister to a people who are struggling just to survive. The highlight of the trip was when Todd and some Burmese believers went to an enemy army camp and prayed for the very men who had “burned their homes, raped their women and killed their families”. When they walked into the camp they stopped and prayed for these men. There were two specific prayers that were lifted up to the Lord.

1) Show this enemy of ours mercy and not judgment as you have shown each of us mercy. 2) Help us stop these people from doing wrong. In Jesus’ name! If you ever need a living example of the love of Jesus just consider what kind of love it takes to pray for the people who have harmed your family and friends. If we need another example all we need to do is look to Jesus. His words on the cross are at the top of my list for genuine words of love. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.

I pray that as we look around, we will recognize the possibilities we have to love like Jesus. It is not just a command. It is a way of life for those who have experienced love that is unconditional. Take a moment after you read this article read the passages above and ask the Lord to show you any person or persons that you have chosen not to love for any reason and then ask the Lord to show you how to love like He loves.

First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs...

SSFBC Ministerial Staff Senior Pastor

Mark Bryant [markbryant@ssfbc.org]

With the Bible as our basis and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we exist toINTRODUCE people to Jesus, IMITATE the life of Jesus, and to IMPACT our community and the world for Jesus.

Associate Pastor

Fred Lewis [fredlewis@ssfbc.org]

Worship Pastor

Neal Terwilliger [nealterwilliger@ssfbc.org)

Associate Worship Pastor

Darren Gray [darrengray@ssfbc.org]

Minister of Education

Bruce Welch [brucewelch@ssfbc.org]

Youth Pastor

Heath Anderson [heathanderson@ssfbc.org]

Minister to Children

Brit Fisher [britfisher@ssfbc.org]

Director of Preschool & Kindergarten Tracey Cody [traceycody@ssfbc.org]

First Baptist Church 116 Oak Avenue Sulphur Springs, TX 75482 903.885.0646 ssfbc.org

Women of Faith 2013 BelieveGodCanDoAnythingLuke1:37“ForwithGodnothingshallbeimpossible”

September 20-21, 2013 American Airlines Center 7:00-10:00 p.m. Friday 9:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday

Dynamic speakers and music: Priscilla Shirer, Patsy Clairmont, Lysa TerKeurst, Anita Renfroe, Kari Jobe, Mercy Me and more.

Minister of Recreation & Outreach

Mike Armstrong [mikearmstrong@ssfbc.org]

Director of Technology

Scott Singleton [scottsingleton@ssfbc.org]

La Primera Iglesia Mission Pastor Amadeo Miranda

Business Administrator

Tommy Johnston [tommyjohnston@ssfbc.org]

Premium seating in section 105.

Tickets are $103.00 (hotel not included) Sign up in the church office with $25.00 deposit by February 15th.

Contact Shirley Bland for more information at shirleybland@ssfbc.org.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

4th & 5th Grade Student Life Camp

-Grades 4 and 5Sunday Afternoons at 5:00 pm in Zone 45

Get ready to go and compete!

July 10-13, 2013

Register & pay online or in the church office.

If you have completed 4th or 5th grade, then Student Life Camp is the place you want to be this summer! At camp, you will wake up to Morning Celebration, a high energy worship service; get wet with water and adventure games; and most importantly, learn about God and His Word.

Early Bird Camp Sign Up

Student Life Camp is all about establishing a biblical foundation in the lives of kids. Everyday at camp provides tons of ways for the kids to have a blast and take hold of lifechanging biblical truths. Join Student Life for Kids Camp as we explore the theme, “Hide & Seek.”

$185.00 on or before March 27th $235.00 after March 28th

Middle School and High School Camp June 9-15 Student Life Camp at Estes Park, CO “The Kingdom of God” is a primary focus in the Bible and Jesus' teaching.

This summer we will explore the glorious truths and the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Register and pay online or in the church office

Early Bird Camp Sign Up - $275.00 by March 27th...$325.00 after... $75.00 non-refundable deposit required to register.

Middle School

TRUE LOVE WAITS February 8 & 9 Cost: $45

Sign up in the office or online

Speaker: Robbie Robison (There will be a High School “review”session)

IMPACT! DNOW 2013 Cost: $50 February 22-24 7th - 12th Grade

Registrationinformationinthechurchofficeoronlineatssfbc.org

EASTER SUNDAY at

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

March 31

Worship Services 8:30 & 11 am Bible Stidy 9:45 am Lord’s Supper 6:00 pm We are updating our records. If you need to update your home phone number, address or cell phone number, please email Shirley at shirleybland@ssfbc.org

2012 Contribution Statements are available and can be printed by going to our website at ssfbc.org.

Log in and look for “My Giving History”.

Did you know...

You can watch the Sunday Worship Service live online?

Go to www.ssfbc.org/#/watch Streaming at 8:30 am, 11:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Register for most events and activities on-line?

Go to www.ssfbc.org/#/event-registration OR click Connect With Us/My FBC at ssfbc.org to get a password or if you already have a password.

The church calendar can be viewed at Connect with Us/Calendar at www.ssfbc.org We have a Facebook Page?

Like us at facebook.com/ssfirstbaptist

Basketball at the ROC The ROC will be open Sunday nights after church for basketball games.... for High School Students and Adults.

2013 RBA Evangelism Rally

Our Burden, Our Business, Our Blessing!

Luke 15:7 Sunday, February 24 Worship Center 6:30 pm Guest Speaker:

Dr. Richard Jackson

Jackson Center for Evangelism & Encouragement Brownwood, TX Worship Leader:

Mike Parks

Green Acres Baptist Church Tyler, TX

Concert Friday night, February 15th 9:15 pm (Doors open at 8:45 pm) Multi Purpose Facility at SSHS Cost: $10 Tickets available at the door

(If you have purchased a Kingdom Man ticket, the concert price is included)

MISSIONS

HIS HEART HIS HANDS HIS VOICE

2013 Mission Trips

CHICAGO - MAY 18 - 24

Contact Bruce Welch

NEW ORLEANS- February 24 - March 2 Contact Tommy Johnston

DISASTER RECOVERY TRIP - June 30 - July 5 Contact Bruce Welch

Are you looking for somewhere to serve at FBC? Join the FBC Tech Team, learn to run a camera, run computer to show words and videos, and other ways to help.

Contact Scott at scottsingleton@ssfbc.org to learn more.

AUSTIN - June 30 -July 6 Contact Heath Anderson

RISE CHOIR TOUR - July 14-20 Contact Neal Terwilliger

NICARAGUA - July 18-27 Contact Greg Adams

MILWAUKEE - July 22-27 Contact Brit Fisher

40 DAYS IN THE WORD “40 Days in the Word” Make-Up Class led by Eddie Northcutt Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm in Room 109

This class is a great opportunity for anyone who was absent on the previous Sunday or for anyone who is unable to participate in one of the regular “40 Days in the Word” classes offered on Sunday mornings.

UPCOMING EVENTS Rehoboth Evangelism Rally Service...Sunday, February 24...6:30 - 8:00 pm Spring Choir Musical...Sunday, March 24...6:00 pm Service Lord’s Supper...Sunday, March 31...6:00 pm Service

Permanent Loan ROC (May 2012) Original Loan Total Paid Principal Paid Interest Paid Balance on loan (1-11-13)

$2,250,000.00 $403,630.00 $333,052.62 $70,577.38 $1,916,947.38

NEEDS ROC workers are needed....contact Mike Armstrong for more information.

Soccer Balls needed for Dominican Republic....drop off at the ROC. Used eye glasses needed for Nicaragua mission trip....bring to church office.

Egg Cartons....bring to Seeds Preschool.

55+ EVENTS Men’s Coffee Fellowship....Fridays....8:30 am...Room 108 Ladies Coffee Fellowship...Thursdays...9:00 am...Room 116 Game Day...Tuesday, February 12...10:00-11:45 am....Fellowship Hall February Diamond Set...Tuesday, February 26...Fellowship Hall Dinner at A.J.’s...Thursday, February 28...Bus leaves at 5:00 pm

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a painful and agonizing process. Grief Share offers valuable information combined with group discussion to support and encourage those traveling the journey through grief.

Grief Share starts Tuesday, March 5th in the Conference Room at 5:15 pm.

Sign up in the church office. Cost: $10 for book

116 Oak Avenue Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482

Non-Profit Organization U.S Postage Paid Permit No. 174 Sulphur Springs, Texas

Address service requested

Our SS Leaders S

Show your SS leaders some love!

Leader Appreciation Day”

FBC

“Sunday School

Sunday, February 10th