FBC Carthage E-News for February 1, 2010

FBC Carthage E-News
February 1, 2010

Good snowy morning,

This has been an exciting weekend with the big snow fall and all the bad weather. I hope you and your family have been safe during the snow. I know many have been out slipping and sliding. In fact, my family and I joined with several from the church yesterday afternoon for so good old-fashioned sledding on the frozen streets. I had forgotten how fast a sled will go on a snow-covered street.

With all the snow, we postponed the Youth ski trip and will have to get back with a re-scheduled date. Safety concerns are always a priority when it comes to group activities. Thanks to everyone for their understanding.

Speaking of youth, this Sunday we welcome Zeke and Layne Tomaselli. Zeke will be with us in view of a call as our new Minister to Youth and Music. He will also be with us this Wednesday night for the Youth Bible Study and the Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal. Be sure and meet Zeke and Layne. I have included a little biographical sketch on Zeke later in this E-News.

On Sunday, February 7 we will begin a new series in the Morning Worship Services entitled “A More Excellent Way.” This series will be taken from the love chapter of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13. During February, I hope we can focus on the importance of loving one another and how that love is lived out in our everyday lives. Invite someone to join you as we seek to live “A More Excellent Way.”

If you missed the service yesterday I encourage you to listen to the sermon online. Click on the Media page of the church web site at www.fbccarthage.com. The message was entitled “A COVERing for Sin” and provided the basis for the entire Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation, God provides for us a covering for our sins through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. He loves you with a love that goes beyond our understanding. I am reading a book entitled Crazy Love by Francis Chan. In the book he directs the reader to watch the following video which shares the love of Christ. Click on the video and hear a unique presentation of God’s grace and love. After you listen, send the link to someone you know who needs to hear the Good News. It may change their life.

The video link is: http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_stop.html

Have a great week and I will see you on Wednesday and Sunday.

Bro. Tim

Here’s the news for the week:
1. Meet Ezekiel “Zeke” Tomaselli. Zeke was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father was an ordained Pentecostal preacher and my mother was a homemaker. Zeke has 4 sisters and 1 brother. At age 3 his family moved to Hilo, Hawaii where they were a part of a new church plant (His Highest Praise Church). At age 12 Zeke accepted Jesus as his Savior. Zeke writes, “I was aware that my good works were worthless and all God wanted was me.” That same year Zeke began serving the Lord through his talent in music. He writes, “With my new identity and new given passion and drive, there I was in humility leading worship for our congregation. During those days, worship was filled with true, genuine surrender to our King. There were no fancy lights, sound and media to assist us."

During high school years, Zeke’s life took a difficult turn and he made many bad decisions. He shares, “In that time, God sent two godly people into my life; a past football teammate who graduated two years before me and his grandmother. They invited me to a youth service at their church and I went. During that youth service God convicted me of my rebellious ways and revealed to me Himself through the labor of these two special people. I was restored and I never went back to my sinful ways. Today, I keep in contact with my friend’s mother, who became my spiritual adopted grandmother.”

After high school, Zeke moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to live with his sister. In Las Vegas, Zeke met the pastor and several leaders from a new church in the area, Hope Baptist Church. They invested time and ministry in Zeke, taught him to read and study the Bible, and lived out the life of Jesus before him. Through their labor, Zeke sensed God’s called to full time ministry.

For the past seven years, Zeke has served as a youth intern, student worship leader, student interim pastor, tech director and worship pastor. He writes, “I have seen many come to know Jesus and have had the privilege to baptize many as followers of the king. I have seen students called to the mission field as well as full time church ministry.” It was during this time that Zeke met and married Layne, a Tennessee girl from Shelbyville.

Zeke and Layne came back to Shelbyville last year to be closer to Layne’s parents after Layne’s dad had been diagnosed with cancer. We received Zeke’s name and resume from a member of FBC Carthage who grew up with Layne’s parents.

In addition to his experience in leading youth and worship, Zeke has an Associates of Arts Degree in Music from the Community College of Southern Nevada. He is presently working on his Bachelor of Science in Religion Degree and his Masters of Divinity Degree from Liberty Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia.

After several visits together with Bro. Tim and the Personnel Committee, we feel God’s direction in bringing Zeke to the church in view of a call. Please be in prayer for this weekend as Zeke and Layne come and share with the youth and the congregation.

2. Reservations are needed for the Couples Dinner on Saturday, February 13 at 6:00 PM. If you didn’t sign-up on the attendance register yesterday you can send an e-mail back or call the church office. We will need to give a final count to Robbie’s Catering next Monday. The cost will be $20 per couple and we will have child care available.

3. We still have several copies of the Bible Pathways books for February available. Stop by the church office to pick up a copy. There is no cost for these reading guides and the blessings you will receive from reading through God’s Word are priceless.

4. Remember to be filling those baby bottles for the Smith County Crisis Pregnancy Center. We will collect them on Sunday, February 14 in the morning services.