FBC Carthage E-News for July 4, 2011

FBC Carthage E-News

July 4, 2011


Happy 4th of July!


On this day we remember our freedoms as Americans and celebrate the birthdate of our nation. America is a great nation and what makes her great is the foundation on which she is built. Our founding fathers established this nation on a foundation of Judeo-Christian principles. It is true that every leader was not a professing evangelical Christian, however, the principles underlying the nation were Judeo-Christian. In honor of our founders and their strong beliefs, here are some of their own words:


Patrick Henry stated, “It can not be emphasized too much or repeated too strongly that America was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of
Jesus Christ.”


In his Inaugural Address on April 30, 1789, George Washington said, “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”. The Ten Commandments represent those “eternal rules”.


John Adams stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”.


Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have need for masters”.


These and many other statements from the founding fathers remind us today of the religious heritage of our nation. Throughout the centuries since the founding of the United States people have held to these religious principles as the undergirding of this great nation. It is only in the past thirty to forty years that a question has been raised.


The second paragraph in the Declaration of Independence begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.


It is God who endows us with the rights and freedoms we have as Americans. To the signers of the Declaration of Independence America was established as a nation “under God” and this truth was “self-evident”.


Take a few minutes today to thank the Lord for our nation and pray that we may return as a nation to the foundations on which we were built. The Lord says in 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, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.”


Have a safe, joyous holiday,
Bro. Tim




Here’s the news of the week:
1. The Mission Montana team left this morning for Poplar, Montana. Please remember to pray for the team as we travel and work. The major project will be re-roofing the First Baptist Church in Poplar. Other projects of the trip will be a ladies Bible study, a community feast, a movie night, and prayer visits in the community. A special thanks to everyone who came and “saw us off” this morning, especially the coffee and breakfast to go. It was delicious.


2. We reported last week that the offerings were coming in well for the “Raising the Roof” project in Poplar, Montana. Through a special gift received by Meadowbrook Baptist Church from Texas, we were able to more than reach and exceed the $5000 needed for the shingles. Praise the Lord!


3. Remember to pray for the mission teams leaving out next Monday to Hawaii and Rogersville, TN. Be praying for them as they make their preparations.


4. A special thank-you to Shawn Pinson who has served these past 6 weeks as one of our Summer Interns. He begins a month of ministry at Lighthouse Camp as a staff counselor during boy’s week. Pray for Shawn as he shares with the boys and as many accept Jesus as their Savior.


5. Last week was a fantastic week with the youth at Summer Camp. Even with the vehicle repairs, it was a life-changing week for all who attended. One of our youth accepted Christ and one of our leaders felt God’s call into missions! You can see Zeke’s daily blogs on the church web-site at www.fbccarthage.com.


6. Thank you to those who helped with last night’s cook-out. It is always good to fellowship together with the churches of our Baptist association. There were four churches represented at the cook-out.


7. “Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames” is a powerful dramatic service which will be presented by the churches of the Smith County Ministerial Alliance on August 28-30 at the Ag Center. This presentation will have many dramatic parts which members of the churches will fill. Several of the parts are speaking parts and many are non-speaking. You are encouraged to be a part of this dramatic presentation by attending the casting try-outs on July 23& 24.


8. One of our local mission weeks will be July 25-30 as we minister to our community at the Smith County Fair. FBC Carthage will have a ministry booth with face painting, balloon animals, games, and information about the church. The booth will be open from 5:30-8:30 PM each evening .


9. We have had six complete the VBS survey for workers and parents. Take a few minutes to help us evaluate a few of the aspects of this year’s VBS, especially the changes. Log onto http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3SHQ9GV and complete the seven questions. Thanks for helping us prepare for VBS 2011.