FBC Carthage E-News for March 8, 2010

FBC Carthage E-News
March 8, 2010

Good Morning,

What a blessing to be at FBC Carthage yesterday and sense the excitement in the air. It was great to have Zeke Tomaselli and his wife, Layne, with us officially for their first Sunday. The covered dish luncheon was fabulous and everyone seemed to have a great time being together. God is doing wonderful things in our lives and in our church and for that we are truly grateful. Take time this week to thank God for His presence and work among us.

Speaking of Zeke, this Saturday, March 13 is his birthday. Here is his e-mail address for you to send him an encouraging note: zeketomaselli@gmail.com.

We also had the opportunity to publicly recognize and express our appreciation to those who have provided leadership in the youth and music ministries during this year-long interim. A special thanks to Jerry Wilmore for leading the worship, Steve Dowell for leading the choir and Stephen Russell for teaching the youth on Wednesday nights. Thanks to all who have served faithfully during these days.

Sunday School had another record attendance yesterday with 183 people present for the study of God’s Word. If you are not yet connected in a Sunday School class, I encourage you to come this Sunday at 9:30 AM. A listing of classes can be found on the church web site www.fbccarthage.com under the tab “Get Involved.” Here are some of the benefits you will receive through a Sunday School class:
o Bible study with opportunity for discussion and questions.
o Get connected to people – Sunday School is the place to build lasting friendships.
o Ministry to people in need in the class, church and community.
o Receive encouragement for everyday living.
o Feel support and care during challenges of life.
o You have a group of people who know you.

Have a wonderful week,

Bro. Tim


Here’s the news for the week:
1. We welcome three new members to FBC Carthage:
· George Sensabaugh who was baptized yesterday.
· Zeke and Layne Tomaselli who joined last night by transfer of letter from Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2. Speaking of new members, we will have our next Membership 101 Information meeting on Sunday, March 21 at 4 PM in the Sunday School classroom to the left of the Sanctuary. All new members and those interested in joining FBC Carthage are invited to attend.

3. The Buckets of Hope for Haiti are in and we will be taking them to the Tennessee Baptist collection point on Thursday. If you still have a bucket you can bring it by the church office or call and we’ll come by and pick it up. I have enjoyed hearing the stories of families as they have prayed for the family in Haiti that will receive their bucket and the funny things said as they have joined together in packing, and sometimes repacking, the bucket.

4. The church council met yesterday and discussed the tentative mission trip schedule. You will notice two different dates for the trips to New York and Africa.
June 2-5 Youth ReFuel Community Missions
June 14-18 FBC Carthage - Vacation Bible School
July 12-17 Tennessee Appalachia
July 13-20 Poplar, Montana
July 26-31 Smith County Fair
October 8-15 Long Island, New York
October 8-16 Wiamea, Hawaii
Dec27-Jan 9 Kenya, Africa

5. The youth had a great attendance for Zeke’s first Wednesday night service last week with 27 in attendance. This week he is starting a new series of studies and more fun, interactive games. The excitement begins at 6:00 PM in the newly renovated Youth Room. Bring a friend and come check it out!

6. I want to invite and encourage you to consider being in the choir for Easter celebration. Zeke meets with the choir each Wednesday at 7:00 PM on the second floor of the Education Building. This would be the perfect time for you to come and be a part of the worship ministry through the choir.

7. Zeke will be meeting with parents of the youth this Sunday afternoon, March 14 at 4:00 PM in the Youth Room. He will be sharing his plans and directions for the coming months. This will be a great time for parents to get to know Zeke and get information about the activities for the spring and summer.

8. This month we will be celebrating the work of the North American Mission Board with over 5000 missionaries serving in the United States and Canada. We will also be receiving the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. As Southern Baptists, we are blessed to have two great mission organizations, the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, through whom we reach into the entire world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a web link that will give you more information and understanding of the North American Mission Board and its work in the United States and Canada: http://www.namb.net/

9. Thanks to Marty Dodge, our New Salem Association Director of Missions for this reading. It has a great message on the importance of being with other believers each week in church:

The Fiery Sermon

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening..

The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire...

Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more.. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday.'