FBC Carthage E-News for November 3

FBC Carthage E-News
November 3, 2008

Good Morning,
This is the week we have been hearing about and praying about for almost two years, the week we go to the polls and vote for the next President of the United States. Towards the end of this news I have included the Prayer Guide we will distribute during the Prayer for the Nation today in the sanctuary. I encourage you to take it and spend some time today praying for the nation, the election, and our elected officials. Pray for God to be glorified in the outcome and for His will to be done. Then, if you have not already voted early, go to the polls tomorrow and vote. The right to vote is one of our greatest freedoms in the United States. As Christian citizens let us always exercise our responsibility to vote.

Last Wednesday night I shared this list of the top ten predictions no matter who wins the election tomorrow. Those top ten things are:
1. God will still be on the throne.
2. Bible will still have all the answers.
3. Prayer will still work.
4. The Holy Spirit will still move.
5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and preaching.
6. There will still be singing and giving praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

I had a great trip to the universities as I visited with our students. (To view a few pictures go to the church web page www.fbccarthage.com.) We are blessed with a great group of college students. Let’s remember to pray for them as they are away preparing for their life’s work. We also can encourage them with a note and an uplifting word as we see them on Sundays. In addition, the Women on Mission is collecting items for a College Student Goodie Bag to be given the students during the Thanksgiving season as an encouragement during their finals weeks. Boxes are located through the church for items such as Granola Bars, cookies, Peanut butter crackers, nuts, microwave popcorn, candies, etc. This will be a blessing to the students to realize their church is praying for them.

Have a blessed week and remember God is on the throne and Jesus saves.

Your Pastor,
Bro. Tim

Here’s the week’s news:

1. Begin inviting your friends and family to join you for the special Thanksgiving and Christmas services at FBC Carthage. The calendar below gives the November and December dates. People are more open to attending church during the holidays so let’s be faithful to invite them to come. To provide additional space for our guests we are adding a morning service at 8:00 AM beginning November 23 through the end of the year. This is going to be the best Christmas we have ever shared together.

November Dates
5 Senior Adults serving at the Help Center 9:30AM & 1:00 PM
9 Last night for Awana before the holidays
10-12 Tennessee Baptist Convention, FBC Hendersonville
14 Senior Adults to Cumberland County Playhouse
16 Youth Sponsored Dinner to benefit Foster Children Christmas
Community Thanksgiving Service at 6:00 PM – Ag Center
22 Opening Day of Deer Season (Is that still a holiday in
Carthage?)
23 Begin second service at 8:00 AM for the Christmas season
Church Thanksgiving Dinner at 5:30 PM
26 No services Wednesday before Thanksgiving
27-28 Offices closed for Thanksgiving
30 Christmas Services Begin – “Christmas Is Jesus”
World Missions Emphasis and Lottie Moon Offering

December Dates
1 Christmas Parade – Carols on the Steps at 6:30 PM
3 Senior Adult Trip to Watermelon Moon Farm
7 Children’s Christmas Program at 5:30 PM
14 Christmas Choir Presentation “Christmas Is Jesus” 8:00 & 10:45 AM
Christmas Open House at Tim and Fran Frank’s Home 2-4PM
17 Christmas Choir Presentation “Christmas Is Jesus” at 6:30 PM
21 Christmas Ornament Service at 5:30 PM
22 Smith County Schools Christmas Break
24 Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM
24-25 Offices closed for Christmas
31 New Year’s Eve Prayer Service at 6:30 PM

2. Many of you were in the Wednesday evening service when Kenny Stevens shared of their work in Siberia, Russia. Here is a recent letter I received to update you on their work. Because of their situation and location Kenny writes with different words and phrases to reduce difficulties with the government of Russia. If you are not sure what the words mean you can contact me at tfrank@fbccarthage.com. They are supported by our church and the other 40,000 Southern Baptist Churches through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Here’s their recent update:

Dear Friends and Family,
Kenny here,
Welcome to all our new friends who are receiving this for the first time. We are so thankful to add you to our team of supporters! Your uplifted words are a GREAT part of the work we do and a GREAT blessing to us! Feel free to write us and let us know how you are. We love to hear from our friends at home! (Their e-mail address is kstevens33@gmail.com.)

Well, we have been back in our Siberian home for over 6 weeks now. A few weeks ago, we woke to about 3” of snow. Most of it melted by 3pm, but this is a harbinger of what is to come. We are thankful for the recent warm days to finish some outside projects. Soon we will have snow on the ground that will stay until spring. Honestly, I am not looking forward to another Siberian winter. We have been working hard for the past month getting ready for the coming cold. We now have three loads of wood split and stacked. We have linoleum on most of the floors, and we have a new window and door in the basement. We have closed in the front veranda and closed two big openings in the attic. We have a few more projects that we would like to complete before the snow stays and the deep freeze arrives. Many of these projects should be completed this week. PTL! Remember us as we work hard physically to prepare for winter. We have felt exhausted many times over the last month, but we are so happy to have the work done---especially the floors. You can not imagine how great linoleum feels over rough-sawn lumber floors even the spiders have decreased greatly not to mention the cool air!

ALSO, I want to say a big “THANK YOU” for giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering last year because the money we used to do many of these repairs came from your gifts.

One raises this month include the fact that we received the correct visa while we were home, we were able to get a THREE YEAR stamp to live in Russia, and we are register in our home. Unfortunately, we could only register for four months (ha, ha, ha). The Russian system is crazy! We have to go back in December to extend the visas that we received in the USA. Hopefully, at that time, they will extend these for the full three year period, and we can register for the full time. Another kink-in-the-chain that could cause us problems next year is the fact that we have to be reviewed by the migrations office. If we do not meet their expectations then our new 3-year visa will be cancelled (that would be a sad day). We will cross that bridge when we have to. No use borrowing tomorrow’s trouble.

Where are the POPS? As you remember, we had people knocking on the door asking about what we were doing and planning to do before we left for the States. Since we have returned and until this week, we had no contact with these folks. We were waiting for them to contact us or for the Father to prompt us to contact them. This week as some of the main outside projects are being completed, people of peace began to show up again. We even had a surprise visit from a couple of European ladies who were here doing a health clinic. They are believers and heard we lived here.

What a treat it was to meet them and hear stories of Father’s provision and protection! Another raise is that a neighbor who said, “If this is what you are going to be teaching, then I want to be your first student!” knows English, Russian, and Altai and is willing to be a translator for me. About eleven years ago, She was one of the first Altai to become a believer. Yesterday, she visited us. We were able to encourage her and minister to her. Also, she agreed to open her home for me to start a group where she will be my interpreter. She already has talked to two other ladies who want to be a part of this group. Lift up this lady in particular! Thank you for yarping for People of Peace.

Along with the great moves of Father comes suffering. As we have seen many wonderful moves this month, we have also seen suffering. Please remember an Altai friend who is being told she has a conflict of interest in her work and faith. She is very concerned that she will not be allowed to continue in her current position. Please ask for wisdom and peace for her during this time.Also, we were asked to follow up on some work that was begun by another couple that had to leave last month. To do this means that Kenny will need to travel back to the villages near the Mongolian / China border. One cool thing is that the lady who is doing much of the translation work will be here in our city on the 1st of November which will save Kenny a trip. These stories need to be recorded, translated to English, and checked for accuracy. Then, Kenny will need to drive south and meet with the people translating the stories and discuss the stories. So far, they have translated six stories. Ask for favor for Kenny as he prepares for meeting here in our city. Ask for favor as he prepare for the journey south to the villages later in November. This will be an INTENSE trip. Also, he needs a MALE traveling companion. Paul had Timothy and Silas. Ask the Lord to help us in this area.Please lift up our displaced friend, Michael. You remember that he is the one who has led 10 people to JC in the past year. He tried to gather these folks into a group. About four people showed up. After the first few meetings, these folks did not want to meet any more. He has a peace for the Lord to start all-over again. His business has not sold anything this month. Ask for mercy and grace that his business will improve greatly this coming month.

One final thought is to say “THANKS” to all of you who gave us such a warm welcome while we were home. Our visit seems like eons ago already, but you all made us feel loved and appreciated. We really needed the encouragement. MGB&KYKenny


3. Use the Prayer Guide below in your time of prayer today, tonight and this week for the election and those who will be elected to office.

Day of Prayer for America
Monday, November 3, 2008

Thank you for joining together in prayer for our country on this day before the 2008 Presidential elections. There is amazing power in united prayer. Please use this Prayer Guide as a resource during this time of prayer.

Joshua 5:13-15 Pray that we will not choose human sides but totally follow after God and His plan for our nation and our lives. God calls us to believe, to submit to Him and to obey His directions. Pray for obedience in your life and the life of the President God would have to serve .

Psalm 33:1-22 Pray that our nation will return to the Lord God and fear Him.

Psalm 32:6-11 Pray that our nation and leaders will faithfully seek their wisdom and understanding from God.

Psalm 16:7-8 - Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His
choice for president in this campaign.

Proverbs 16:13 - Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.

Psalm 86:1-17 - Pray that the next President will seek after the Lord and open his heart and mind to be taught by Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 Pray that the Lord would empower and enable his man/woman in any
area of weakness.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the man of His choice
for president (and his team) and guide them as they serve.

Proverbs 1:5-6 - Pray that God's man will listen with discernment, add to his
knowledge, and receive wise counsel.

Acts 17:30 - Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.

Luke 12:54-57 Pray that God's man and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.

Phil. 4:13 - Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.

Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14: 'If my people who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

4. One last word, congratulations to the Smith County Football Team for their Regional Championship. They will host the first game of the Sate Playoffs this Friday, November 7 at 7:00 PM. We will have a 5th Quarter after the game in the FBC Family Life Center around 9:30 PM. Go Owls!