Sunday, June 28, 2009

Great Day - all day today!

What a blessed and happy day to be present at FBC! We were blessed today with good attendance in Sunday School and Worship; great music in the AM Service; (as always) I had a blast preaching on the Transfiguration of Jesus; and, we celebrated the Lord's Supper together!

Speaking of the Lord's Supper, praise the Lord for raising up from among us eight men willing to serve us as Deacons - and that four of them served us the Lord's Supper for the first time today. Gene Greek has served the Lord's Supper in other churches many, many times; but, it was his first time today as a Deacon of our church. Andy, Craig, and Kelly served the Lord's Supper for the first time ever!

How I thank the Lord for the six men now serving us as Elders and all eight of the men now serving us as Deacons!

And how about "Super Jessica" leading our VBS Team this year! She and Jason are real blessings to our church. How we thank the Lord for bringing them to know Him last year and for leading them to be part of our Church.

Oh, I could go on and on; but, I am in danger of leaving someone out. Thanks to everyone who made this Lord's Day so very special - and to the Lord for blessing us with His anointing presence. Amen!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thanks for Praying!

Last Sunday afternoon, we voted to adopt the new Confession of Faith, Covenant, and Constitution! Then we approved the recommendation of the Executive Committee for our new Officers. We elected Bob Eads, Ron Eagan, Lanny Faulkner, Bill Fleming, David Senseney, and Matt Voyles to serve our church as Elders; and we elected Andy Appleby, Max Beals, Craig Chapman, Kelly Clough, Steve Dietderich, Gene Greek, Doug Walk, and Jim Wilson to serve our church as Deacons.

Bob Fleming and Ralph Hanner retired as Deacons and were honored with the title of "Deacon Emeritus".

Charlotte Kleiss was elected Church Clerk and Caroyln Fleming was re-elected as our Treasurer.

Many, many thanks to everyone who has agreed to serve in all of these vitally important positions!

We will schedule Elder and Deacon training in the very near future, and we are already planning for a "Ministry Fair" to enroll members for our Church Ministry Teams!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven!

This will be (as the Lord allows) a weekend of big decisions for our church! After Sunday School, Worship, and a Fellowship Meal we will have our long anticipated Special Business Meeting to discuss and vote on the proposed new Confession, Covenant, and Constitution for our church. If these are approved, we will be voting on the Executive Committee's recommendation to elect six men to serve as Elders and eight men to serve as Deacons.

The Constitution Revision Committee has been working on this for nearly two years. Much prayer, much reading, much work, and much discussion have gone into their recommendations. They have read over and worked through several Covenants and Constitutions from several great churches. Much of what you will be asked to approve is taken (with permission) from the Covenant and Constitution of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. We are greatly indebted to them for allowing us to use many ideas from their many years of hard work.

So, how do we pray about this? Easy. "O, God, Thy will be done in this matter just as it is in heaven!" This is not about me, or what I want; it is not about the Committee, or what they want; and, in all honesty, it is not about you and what you want! This must be about what the Lord wants and therefore what is best for His church as we move ahead into the 21st Century, and as we seek to fulfill the Tri-County Vision.

Let me encourage you to study over the materials you have been given, pray for wisdom and clarity about God's will, and then vote your conscience. I hope to see you Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!