July 2014
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The document provides information about First Baptist Church of Franklinton including their address, contact information, service times, and upcoming events. It also includes a newsletter article summarizing their recent mission trip to Honduras and encouraging others to participate in future mission trips.
July 2014
- 1. 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 Phone: (985) 839-3427 Fax: (985) 839-3572 E-mail: [email protected] www.fbcfranklinton.org Sunday Bible Study 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Activities The Bridge July 2014 Monthly Newsletter of First Baptist Church Franklinton 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39
- 2. Paul Watts, Pastor [email protected] Biblical Evangelism The summer is packed with church programs and activities we might label “evangelistic.” Vacation Bible School, Mission Trips, Bogue Chitto State Park services and children’s/youth camps fill the calendar. Each of these events will offer the opportunity for evangelism. I would consider an event evangelistic if the message of salvation through the blood bought forgiveness of Jesus Christ, was shared with an invitation for repentance and commitment. We often measure the results of these evangelistic efforts by the number of outward decisions or baptisms. Decisions and baptisms will certainly be present where the Holy Spirit is moving and the message of Christ is changing hearts. However, a fuller inspection of our evangelistic effectiveness would take place at multiple levels. 1. Faithfulness to the Message: The Gospel is Good News! We were lost and without hope of salvation before Jesus Christ came. We were living under the penalty of death. Our sin made us owe a debt to God that could not be paid by any earthly means. Only God could pay the debt and free us from our death sentence. He did so through sending His Son Jesus. Jesus (God in human flesh) was born and lived His life without sin that He might bear our sin penalty on the cross. God’s wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus. Jesus bore our sin, died in our place, and rose from the dead as the first-born among the dead. If we will turn from our sin and our best efforts and put our faith in (follow) Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will be forgiven and receive new life. God’s Holy Spirit will regenerate us (come to dwell in us) and we can enjoy a relationship with God through His Son that is eternal. THIS IS GOOD NEWS! The world needs to hear it! 2. Faithfulness to the Mandate: We can know the Word and experience the Word, but we only bear fruit when we share the Word. Jesus gave us marching orders that are still incumbent upon us today. Our love for God will always be demonstrated in our love and concern for oth- ers. We are surrounded by a world full of people who are lost, broken, and bound for hell. If we truly love them, how can we keep from sharing the Gospel with them? Acts 1:8 Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that we were to be His witnesses throughout the entire world in. We bear witness to the person and truth of Christ as we share the Gospel with the others. We bear witness to the life changing power of the Gospel as we live out our faith through self-sacrificial, holy living. 3. Faithfulness to the Method: Jesus did not simply tell us what to share and that we must continually share it. He also gave us a plan for how His Kingdom’s agenda would be advanced. We are to make disciples. This involves a great deal beyond the initial decision to follow Jesus. We are to share the message fully, fulfill the mandate to share it always, and share it with the understanding that we are calling people to a relationship that is eternal. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus explained that discipleship entailed passing on all that we know of Jesus to the next generation of disciples. This occurs within the community of the church (Body of Christ). It is within this community that disciples help one another become more mature disciples who are then able to make disciples. Join me in praying the baptisms and other decisions we record and celebrate this summer will bear fruit for the Kingdom of God that is long lasting. Pray we will make every effort, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to help these disciples grow to be disciples that will make disciples. Discipleship 101 Schedule Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. July 6th Senior Adult Choir Performance July 13th Biblical Evangelism: What’s our Target? July 20th Developing a Burden for the Lost July 27th Redeeming the Culture: Thwarting the Devil’s Schemes A Cup with Pastor Paul http://acupwiththepastor.blogspot.com Check out Brother Paul’s Blog for more insightful wisdom throughtout the month!
- 3. In her book, Voices of the Faithful, Beth Moore relates the story of Angie, a missionary in South Asia. Here is Angie’s story: “One thing you can count on in Asia is that the electricity will go out. A prudent homemaker has a candle (and matches) in every room for such occasions. One night when the power went out, my husband and a friend stepped out onto the balcony into the pitch darkness: no house light; no streetlights, no lights from cars or motorcycles, just darkness. They faced a hill some distance away, which was peppered with houses. As they watched, one candle was lit, and they saw its small light shine. Two more were lit, then five more, then twenty more. At an increasing rate, the hill became illuminated with small lights. Sometimes, when our family feels overwhelmed at the task before us, especially when we focus on the many lost people in our target group, there just isn’t enough time in each day to impact every life by ourselves. But we have chosen to pour our lives into a few believers who have a strong influence in the community. These few, in turn, are each disciplining several new believers, who will disciple several more and so on, spreading the Light. Even Jesus chose only twelve, knowing that those twelve would impact their own people as well as other nations surrounding them. He knew our human limitations. Using His example of discipleship, many more will be added to the kingdom at an increasing rate. That’s what I hope for - the rapid spread of the gospel, starting with just one: me.” As you read this article, I am in Honduras with 16 other team members. Each day we will do Vacation Bible School, and we will also be doing a Medical/Dental/ Veterinary Ministry, a Women’s Ministry, and a Worship Service on Saturday, July 5th that I hope will reach the men of the villages of Buena Vista and Guayabo. One of the people I long to see in Honduras is Anna Selgado. Anna is in her mid 70’s and lives down the mountain from Guayabo. Anna comes to almost everything we do in her village. It takes her most of the day to walk to the village because of her age and there is no road to her house, only a foot path and very steep terrain. Yet, she still makes the effort to come, and when she arrives we make a big deal out of her arrival, as if she’s our honored guest. For me, Anna is a small light on a dark hillside. We have shared the gospel with her, and she knows Christ as her Lord and Savior. But her faith doesn’t end there. Anna makes sure her grandson and daughter-in- law come, too. (her son was killed in a fire a few years ago). Many times in mission work we wonder if we’re making any difference at all. It’s in those times that God reminds me that the kingdom is built one person at a time. And as long as the “Annas” will make the effort to come, I will make the effort to go. Next year’s team dates are June 29 - July 5. Won’t you consider going with us? God bless, Brother Dale Dale Parker, Minister to Senior Adults & Discipleship Training [email protected]
- 4. Cody Thomas, Student Pastor [email protected] Greetings Church, Many of you have prayed for, contributed to, or helped in some way for our students’ summer camp. From the bottom of my heart … THANK YOU. I tell people all the time what a blessing it is to serve in a church that deeply cares for students. I echo the words of the Apostle Paul writing to the church in Philippi, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all PARTAKERS with me of grace …” Thank you, thank you, thank you for making our student ministry a priority and be- ing “partakers” with me in this journey of reaching students with the gospel. REACHING In & REACHING Out Student Ministry Events Wednesday, July 9th at 7:00 p.m. Basketball vs. Hillcrest Youth Wednesday, July 16th at 7:00 p.m. Wiffleball vs. Memorial Youth Saturday, July 19th Camp Living Waters Ropes Course Please remember our Juniors & Seniors as they are at Camp July 21st - 25th Photos from Fuego 2014
- 5. The walls were broken down. The gates were burned with fire. The survivors were there in “great distress and reproach.” The golden age of David and Solomon were but a memory. The Covenant between God and His people had been forsaken and judgment for sin had been harsh. The prophet Nehemiah, upon hearing a report of conditions in Jerusalem, “sat down and wept, and mourned for many days.” Then, fasting and praying, he said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your Covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open that you may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded….” As he ends his prayer, he says: “O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name…” There is another country which continues to rebel against Almighty God, and the cancer of corruption is devouring its very core. Many of its leaders, exalted in their own arrogance, reject Absolute Truth. This nation is headed for judgment and, perhaps, even destruction if it does not realign itself with the principles on which it was founded. That which is ungodly is heralded as a legitimate “choice” and that which is Godly is mocked as prejudicial and irrelevant. The present path is perilous and survival is not guaranteed! Because it is the month in which America celebrates her independence, July is certainly a prime time to reflect on the state of the nation. It is not necessary here to list the many ills our country is facing. It is only necessary that we pray. Nehemiah was broken-hearted over what had happened to the nation of Israel, both politically and spiritually, and he realized that it had all happened as a result of sin. God had promised blessing if only they would trust Him and obey Him. They did not, and the price for their rebellion was cataclysmic. We should make no assumptions about the future well-being of the USA. Truth matters. Repentance is necessary. Forgiveness and restoration are available. But we must pray. You know the verse: “If my people…” The future really does depend, not so much on what happens in the White House or in Congress, but on what happens in the Church of the Living God. As you think and pray about the spiritual health of the United States of America, consider this prayer (above) of the very first Commander-in-Chief. Butch Reviere Minister of Music [email protected] Note from Brother Butch “Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” George Washington, April 30th, 1789
- 6. Children’s Ministry Upcoming Events Kelly McElveen Director of Preschool/ Children’s Ministries [email protected] July 1st - Infinity Space Center at stennis space center in Pearlington, MS Cost is $10 July 8th - new Orleans audubon zoo $13 zoo + coolzoo July 15th - Centrikid camp Louisiana college July 22nd - water day at camp living waters $6 July 27th - centrikid camp timber creek Rules: Tuesday activities are available to all children that have completed LA4/Pre-K. Younger children are always welcome to join us but must have their own chaperone and transportation, as car safety seats cannot be accommodated on the church bus. All swimming/water activites require both boys and girls to wear a dark colored t-shirt. If your child needs a ride, please call the church office no later than noon on the day before the event so that transportation can be arranged. To Sign up for text messaging alerts for the Preschool & Children’s Department, text FBCKIDS to 24587. Other upcoming events: Preschool Committee Meeting on Sunday, July 6th at 5:00 p.m. Children’s Committee Meeting on Sunday, July 6th at 7:00 p.m. Preschool & Children’s Department Volunteer Training for all Wednesday Night Programs, Sunday, July 27th at 4:30 p.m. This specifically regards changes to our Wednesday night programs. Please plan to attend if you are a volunteer during the school year, or if you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer. CentriKid Camp July 15th - 19th OR July 28th—August 1st For more detailed info on each event, check the bulletin each week.
- 7. Vacation Bible School 2014 DebriefingTotal Enrollment: 294 Average Attendance: 245
- 8. Leslie Westmoreland WINGS Coordinator [email protected] WINGS Ministry The WINGS Ministry will be hosting a Mugs and Muffins on Saturday, July 26th at 9:00 a.m. This event will take place in the Family Life Center. The guest speaker will be Katie Breland. Mugs and Muffins Mark your calendars now for a Living Proof SIMULCAST EVENT with Beth Moore - September 13, 2014. More info next month. Just a reminder, we have an Intercessory Prayer Room (Located behind the sanctuary) that is available for prayer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can submit a prayer request in 3 ways 1. By e-mail to [email protected] 2. Call (985) 839-3427. 3. Place a prayer request card in the box on the desk just outside the prayer room. To join the Intercessory Prayer Ministry, check out the flyer on the desk outside the prayer room. Our Casserole Ministryis in need of some casseroles!If you could donate a dish or two,please bring them to the freezer inthe kitchen. For more informationon this ministryplease contact Beverly Cooke.
- 9. Children’s Church Month of July Kelli Brumfield & Kristi Crain for ages 3 to Kindergarten Nursery 7/6 Tana Burris & Leslie Westmoreland 7/13 Emily Phelps & Linda Crain 7/20 Kay McElveen & Judy Simmons 7/27 Whitney Crowe & Sandy Morgan Sunday Night Supper 7/6 Morgan, Cooke, Sylvest, Cooke, Morgan & Mobley 7/13 Knight, Branch, Wales, Rester, Kirby, Varnado & Fortenberry 7/20 - McVea, Phelps, Knight, Stokes, Knight, Brown, Knight & Gill 7/27 Waskom, Thomas, Stringfield, Taber, Burris, Driskill & Kennedy 7/6 Howard Gibson & Mike Hickman 7/13 Dennis Wager & George Cowart 7/20 Stephen McElveen & Hunter Knight 7/27 Jeff Driskill & David Sylvest VolunteersforJuly Sound Schedule 7/6 Jordan Dale 7/13 John Burris 7/20 Matt Westmoreland 7/27 Cody Thomas If you are interested in helping with any of these activities, please contact the church office for more details at (985) 839-3427.
- 10. Please be in prayer for our church members and others as they embark on their mission to Honduras. They will be leaving Monday, June 30th and returning on Sunday, July 6th. While in Honduras, the team will be hosting a Vacation Bible School for the village children. Please be in prayer for the hearts of the children as volunteers share the love of God with them. This year a new dental mission was added. This team will be helping with dental issues and with overall dental health. There will also be a vet mission team going out in the village helping the farmers with their livestock. Please be in prayer for the vet team as they minister by helping the farmers with their livelihood. There will also be a group of ladies reaching out to the women and their children while they are there. Please be in prayer for these ladies and the women to whom they will share God’s love during the week. The team members going on this years Mission Trip are: Jennifer Beason Whitney Crowe Hunter Knight Mallory Knight Denia McMillian Dale Parker Margie Parker Chris Pender Bailey Pender Darren Schilling Tracey Schilling Alan Stafford Bruce Thomas Phyllis Thomas Terry Thompson Paul Watts Titus Watts Announcements Pray for Honduras Mission Trip COLORADO FLOOD RECOVERY Volunteers from across the country came to Colorado in the fall of 2013 to help help homeowners along the Northern Colorado Front Range clean out their flooded homes. Now Colorado Baptists invite you to come help them help residents complete the recov- ery process and share the love of Christ with their neighbors. Registrations are now being accepted for Estes Park Baptist Church in Estes Park, Colorado. If you are interested, contact Ben Fussell for more information. We have a group going August 8th - 16th! IT’S NOT TOO EARLY... to start planning for Operation Christmas Child. Last year FBC blessed 408 children with shoe box gifts and opportunities to learn about Jesus. Can’t we double our number this year? We will have a PACKING PARTY in late October or early November to fill at least 500 boxes. Children donated toys at Vacation Bible School this year, and Sunday School classes will be asked to contribute specific items to complete the boxes. Also, individuals and families can fill their own boxes to help meet our goal. Boxes and labels have been ordered and will arrive soon. Please be a part of this mission effort to impact children and their families around the world for the cause of Christ. More information to follow.
- 11. Birth Announcements Congratulations to ........................ Carolyn & Wayne McElveen on the birth of their granddaughter, Mabree Elizabeth McElveen. Proud Parents are Bruce & Kayla Crawford of Shreveport, LA Mabree was born May 27th and was 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long. Her big brothers are Bryce 8, and Brayden 4. ........................ Ryan and Sierra Smith on the birth of their daughter, Madison Leigh Smith. Proud Aunt is Sharon Lambremont. Madison was born May 21st and was 7 lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long. Welcoming her home were brother Blaize and grandparents R.T. and Jennifer Jackson of Folsom, LA, and Randy and Cindy Welch of Franklinton, LA. ........................ Jimmy & Jean Wales on the birth of their granddaughter, Sophia Grace Wales. Proud Parents are Stephen & Desiree’ Wales Sophia was born May 21st and was 6 lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long. Welcoming her home were siblings Michael, Rachel, Joshua, and Andrew and grandparents Earnest & Janie Fontenot. Kerri & Mike Cross Walt Smith Pierson Whitten Brandon Stafford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stafford, is this year’s recipient of the Charles and Jan Montgomery Memorial Scholarship. Brandon, an active member of FBC, plans to attend LSU this fall, majoring in Wetlands Ecology. Because of his outstanding grade point average and overall achievements, he was chosen over many applicants by the scholarship selection committee as this year’s deserving student. For those of you new to FBC, this scholarship has been in existence since 1985 and is managed and distributed by FBC. It is awarded each year to a deserving, college-bound, high school senior who meets certain qualifications. Applications and guidelines for eligibility can be obtained through the church office or through the schools near the end of the school year. If you are looking for a meaningful honorarium or memorial gift, please keep in mind a donation to the scholarship fund. You will not only be helping perpetuate the scholarship, but also helping a worthy student with student with his or her college expenses. Charles & Jan Montgomery Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- 12. PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 27 950 Self Street Franklinton, LA 70438 www.fbcfranklinton.org First Baptist Church Franklinton July 2014 For Discipleship 101 Schedule See Page 2