FBC Carthage E-News for July 29, 2013

FBC Carthage E-News

July 29, 2013

Good morning,

Wow!  Last night was a great church picnic and a fantastic fireworks spectacular.  Thank you John and Rhonda Etheridge for opening your home to your church family and for the amazing fireworks.  There were a lot of oohs and aahs in the crowd. 

Yesterday was the debut of our televised services on DTC Channel 3.  If you have DTC check it out each Sunday from 10:30-11:30 AM.  Pass the word, especially to homebound and shut-ins.  I have my DVR set to record each week’s service so I can see how it turns out.  Thanks to Bro. Jeff Hall for the great work in filming, editing, and producing these services.  There are several areas of service open for persons interested in helping with this brand new ministry.  Contact Bro. Jeff if you are interested.

The Fair Booth Ministry begins today at 5:30 PM and goes each evening through Saturday.  Stop by the booth when you go to the fair, or better yet, come and spend some time ministering through the booth.  We will have face painting, balloon animals, beaded bracelets, ice water, and hopefully sno-cones.   In addition, we will be taking pictures of individuals, families, and groups as they come by the booth.  The pictures were a big hit last year.  The booth will be open each evening from 5:30-8:30 PM.  Here is the schedule of classes who are working the booth:

          Monday                Samantha Upchurch’s Class

          Tuesday               Jim Broyles’ Class
          Wednesday           Youth Class
          Thursday              Michael Collins’ Class
          Friday                  Jan Trainham’s Class
          Saturday              Brad Tackett’s Class

We will have our regular Wednesday night services for children and adults, including supper this week.  The youth will be serving at the Fair Booth on Wednesday night, leaving from the church at 5:15 PM.

We will host a luncheon this Wednesday, July 31 at 11:00 AM for the Smith County School Teachers.  They have their combined In-Service that day at the Smith County High School and will come for lunch in the CLC.  We still need volunteers to help in the final preparations and in getting the food served and on the tables.  Our goal is to have the plates on the tables ready for the teachers as they walk in and sit down.  If you can help, come to the CLC at 8:00 AM on Wednesday.

This Sunday, August 4 will be a special day of prayer for our teachers and students as they prepare to begin a new school year.  In addition to prayer in the services, we will have a special “Cover Our School” prayer emphasis at each school at 3:00 PM.  We are asking parents, teachers, students and the community to go to your specific school, meet at the flag pole, and join with others in praying for the teachers, students, and administrators for the coming year.  This state-wide effort was begun last year by a group of Christians in Cookeville who felt the need to do something after the school shooting in Connecticut.  There is no better way to protect our children and cover our schools than through our prayers.

This Sunday is also the beginning of our new AWANA year and promotion Sunday in the preschool, children, and youth Sunday School.  In Sunday School, children go to their regular classes and then those promoting will move up to the next class.  In AWANA, the excitement of a new year begins at 5:30 PM in the Christian Life Center.  There are still opportunities to serve in this ministry.  Contact Michael Collins, our AWANA Commander for more information.

Here is a letter from Michael Collins to parents, sharing the excitement of AWANA for their children:

Dear Parents,
Awana at First Baptist Church, Carthage takes place each Sunday night, beginning at 5:30PM and ending at 7PM.  Children ages 2 years through 12th grade participate in learning and memorizing      scripture which they can apply to their lives as they grow.  They also enjoy recreation in the gym with many favorite games and special Awana Olympics.  A full meal is served each evening to the children and special events occur throughout the year for the whole family.
We are looking forward to sharing with your   children the excitement and joy of Jesus through studying and memorizing special passages in the Bible.
Sincerely,
Michael Collins
Awana Commander

The New Salem Baptist Association (the Baptist churches in Smith County) will host a Mission Block Party in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 10 from 11:00AM-3:00PM.  Bro. Marty Dodge is coordinating this trip and mission effort.  The plan is to go up on Friday afternoon, spend the night at one of the churches, and host the block party.  You may want to come back Saturday evening or stay for the morning services at the church we will be working with in Cincinnati.  Contact Bro. Marty for more information.

We have sent the initial offering which we have received for the Ohana Church start.  Zeke and Layne Tomaselli will move to Hilo, Hawaii on August 7 to begin this new church start.  The offering will be open for you to contribute through FBC Carthage during the year.  Our goal is to support this new church through your gifts with at least $100 per month for their first year.   Please pray for Zeke and Layne as they and their start-up team move to Hawaii. 

Thank you to Mark Dillon for leading the Defeated Creek Campground service on Sunday.  He reported 22 in attendance.

As a reminder, the deacons will meet this Sunday, August 4 at 7:15 PM.

Have a blessed week and remember the ministry and mission opportunities available for you this week,

Bro. Tim