FBC Carthage E-News for January 23, 2012

FBC Carthage E-News

January 23, 2012

Good morning,

It is a beautiful morning in Tennessee, following the bad storm that passed through in the night. It reminds me of the storms and how fierce they can be, especially in the darkness of the night. Then comes the morning, the sun is shining, and the Lord reassures us that He is near. Psalm 30 has been a favorite scripture of mine since a dark and stormy time in my life. One of the familiar passages in this psalm says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” I am thankful that the storms pass. I am thankful that the morning dawns. I am thankful that the sun (Son) shines.

Thank you for the great response to the “Baby Bottle” offering for the Pregnancy Help Center. This center, located at 108 College Avenue West, provides resources and training for ladies during and after their pregnancy. The center shares the sanctity of life with abortion-minded clients, helping them to see their unborn baby as a living human being and choose life. Each lady is also presented the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the transformation He will make in their lives. The center also works with the Youth Resource Network in sharing the message of abstinence in the county schools. If you would like to tour the center or inquire about serving as a volunteer, stop by and meet the Director, Debbie Bernal, on Mondays or Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Thanks again for making a difference in the lives of mothers, children, and families.

If you have not brought your baby bottles, you can drop them off at the church office or take them directly to the Pregnancy Help Center. That would be a good reason to stop by and see the ministry.

This is a great day to celebrate life, physical life and spiritual life.

Have a great week,
Bro. Tim

Here’s the news for the week:


1. A special breakfast reception will be held in honor of Mrs. Helen McCall this Sunday, January 29 at 9:00 AM in the Christian Life Center. Mrs. Helen and her late husband, Ray McCall, have been very involved in our congregation over the past 20+ years, especially during the time Bro. Ray served as our Interim Pastor. Everyone is invited to this reception and the Sunday School classes are coordinating the breakfast refreshments.

2. We will observe the Lord’s Supper during both morning services this Sunday, January 29.

3. Ladies - Women on Mission will meet this Wednesday night, January 25th, at 5:30 PM. Please make plans to join us in Jim Broyles' Sunday School classroom. We have several mission opportunities to discuss (nursing home service, reaching out to our association's missionaries' kid, helping with a missionary home that's being built in Mt. Juliet) and we'll also take time during the meeting to pray for our missionaries by name. Please don't miss this opportunity to serve God with other sisters in Christ.

4. Plans are well underway for the “We Love Smith County Day” on Saturday, February 11. Projects are being planned and coordinated through the Sunday School classes for us to go into the community and express compassion through service. We will meet in the CLC at 8:00 AM for a time of prayer, organization, and training. We will have gospel tracts for every person to share as the Lord gives opportunity. Part of our training will be “How To” share the tract.

5. Donny Coulter, North American Mission Board missionary to the First Nations People group of Canada will be with us Sunday, February 5 in the morning services. Donny is our missionary contact in Canada to the Inuit people. He will share opportunities for our church to work with him and his ministry through his First Nations Camp. After the morning services, we will have lunch together at the Walton Hotel with Donny. You are invited to come and join us for lunch and learn about more of these opportunities.

6. “Unforgettable” will be the theme for our special “Couples’ Date Night” Dinner on Friday, February 10 at 6:00 PM in the Christian Life Center. The cost of the dinner will be $20 per couple, which includes a 5x7 photo. Child care will be provided for the evening. If you would like to help with the planning and preparation, contact Lynn Sharenberger or call the church office at 735-1929.

7. During Super Bowl Sunday night, February 5, we will have evening worship service at 6:00 PM. After the service, we will have a time of fellowship in the Christian Life Center and watch the last of the game.

8. Here are two funnies from our friend Bro. Billie Friel:


A pastor and a bus driver went to heaven. The bus driver got a big beautiful mansion with large rooms. The preacher got only a one-room bungalow. So, the pastor went to St. Peter and said, "How come I got a very small place and the bus driver got that beautiful house? I've preached the good news all my life!" St. Peter replied, "When you preached, the people fell asleep. When the bus driver drove his bus, people prayed!" Ha! I've had people converted in my car, too!

The preacher's small congregation generally sat in the back pews. This Sunday he was delighted to see a stranger sitting in the front pew. When the service ended, the minister asked him why he'd sat in the front. "I'm a bus driver," the stranger explained, "and I came to learn how you get people to move to the rear!"


9. Here is a Focus on the Family video shown last week during an NFL football game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5beoRa_HR8o&sns=em