Beginning on April 11th at 10am, our next SMS Course will begin. The Course is "Ecclesiology: 9 Marks of a Healthy Church". This will be a ten-week study of Mark Dever's very helpful book on a biblical understanding of the purposes and structure of the local church.
Classes will be held on the second and fourth Saturday mornings of April, May, June, July, and August. Each class session will begin at 10am and continue through Noon. Cost for the Course is $25.00 per person, or $40.00 per couple (if they share a textbook). To be part of this Course, you must sign up and pay the fee by Tuesday, March 31. Registration forms are available in the Church office.
All members of FBC are encouraged to attend, and non-members are also welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Lanny.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
JOY Groups Update!
God continues to richly bless our JOY Groups! We now have three groups actively meeting. Over the past few weeks, these Groups are averaging 55 in attendance, and about 20 of those are people who have never attended our church!
God is using these Groups to allow us to share the gospel with several people who have not yet attended our church. Last night in Tuscola, I had the joy of teaching 10 people including 2 "first timers". Three of these dear folk have not yet attended our church.
We are praying that the Lord will raise up several more people in our church who will host and, or, lead one of these Groups. We have a teacher ready for Atwood right now! Please pray that the Lord will burden one of our local families to host a JOY Group very soon. There is a reason we call them "JOY Groups!" Why not get involved and see for yourself?
God is using these Groups to allow us to share the gospel with several people who have not yet attended our church. Last night in Tuscola, I had the joy of teaching 10 people including 2 "first timers". Three of these dear folk have not yet attended our church.
We are praying that the Lord will raise up several more people in our church who will host and, or, lead one of these Groups. We have a teacher ready for Atwood right now! Please pray that the Lord will burden one of our local families to host a JOY Group very soon. There is a reason we call them "JOY Groups!" Why not get involved and see for yourself?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Where was God?
During the 8am worship service yesterday at FBC Maryville, a gunman walked into the sanctuary and shot and killed the Senior Pastor, Dr. Fred Winters. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cindy, their two daughters, all of their family and friends, and the members of this great Church.
In light of these horrific events, I want to provide biblical answers to two of the theological questions that are on the hearts and minds of many. I hope you will take the time to look up and read these verses carefully and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through them.
First, “Where was God?”
1) God is, of course, everywhere present! Psalm 139:7-12
2) God is always present in the midst of His people! Matthew 18:20
3) God was both in and with Fred Winters! John 14:16-17
4) Because God was with Fred Winters yesterday, we also know that Fred Winters is with God today! 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Second, “If God is both all-powerful and completely good, why does He allow things like this to happen?”
1) God is all-powerful! Jeremiah 32:27; Mark 10:27; 14:36
2) God is completely good! Psalm 119:68; James 1:17
3) God is completely sovereign! Psalm 115:3; 133:5-6; 139:16.
4) God is not the author of evil, but He allows the existence of evil in the world to accomplish His greater purposes! Genesis 50:19-20
5) God tells us in His word that these kinds of things are going to happen to His people! John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12
6) Fred Winters was a Christian man. He was among those who are described as, “those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God does not say that all things are good for those who love Him; but, that He is working “all things together for good.”
Please continue in prayer for these beloved ones who are hurting in ways that most of us cannot imagine. Pray that God will be glorified; His people will be edified; and that lost people will be saved as a result of this heart-breaking tragedy.
In light of these horrific events, I want to provide biblical answers to two of the theological questions that are on the hearts and minds of many. I hope you will take the time to look up and read these verses carefully and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through them.
First, “Where was God?”
1) God is, of course, everywhere present! Psalm 139:7-12
2) God is always present in the midst of His people! Matthew 18:20
3) God was both in and with Fred Winters! John 14:16-17
4) Because God was with Fred Winters yesterday, we also know that Fred Winters is with God today! 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Second, “If God is both all-powerful and completely good, why does He allow things like this to happen?”
1) God is all-powerful! Jeremiah 32:27; Mark 10:27; 14:36
2) God is completely good! Psalm 119:68; James 1:17
3) God is completely sovereign! Psalm 115:3; 133:5-6; 139:16.
4) God is not the author of evil, but He allows the existence of evil in the world to accomplish His greater purposes! Genesis 50:19-20
5) God tells us in His word that these kinds of things are going to happen to His people! John 15:18; 2 Timothy 3:12
6) Fred Winters was a Christian man. He was among those who are described as, “those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God does not say that all things are good for those who love Him; but, that He is working “all things together for good.”
Please continue in prayer for these beloved ones who are hurting in ways that most of us cannot imagine. Pray that God will be glorified; His people will be edified; and that lost people will be saved as a result of this heart-breaking tragedy.
Monday, March 2, 2009
"Baptizing them..."
As the Lord allows, we will be baptizing in both of the next two Sunday AM Services! The Lord has blessed us in recent days with several people who have made professions of faith, and ten of them have presented themselves to the church as candidates for baptism. This coming Sunday we are expecting to baptize five or six, and the following Sunday we are expecting to baptize four or five more.
We thank the Lord for His blessings on our church. Please be in prayer for these new believers. Pray that many of their family and friends who come to witness these special events will come to know the Lord during the service!
We thank the Lord for His blessings on our church. Please be in prayer for these new believers. Pray that many of their family and friends who come to witness these special events will come to know the Lord during the service!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)