FBC Carthage E-News
January 11, 2016
Good Morning,
It is good to be back in
Carthage after a wonderful week on the cruise ship in the Caribbean, even
though it is 70 degrees colder this morning.
The shorts and flip-flops have been put away until summer. For Sara’s college graduation trip we
enjoyed a cruise to Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico. The weather was warm and the food was
delicious. Those who have been on a
cruise can attest, the number one amenity onboard a ship is the abundance of
food that is served. It seemed like an
unending taste-treat. We had a great
time celebrating this milestone in Sara’s life.
Thank you to many people
who covered the ministry bases for me while I was away. I want to say a special word of appreciate to
Brad Tackett, Marty Dodge, and Jerry Wilmore for filling the pulpit in my
absence. It is a blessing to have these
men of God in our church as they lead and share.
It was a blessing to
worship with Fran’s mom yesterday at Beaver Dam Baptist Church in
Knoxville. It is a joy to visit another
congregation on vacation and experience their flavor of worship to our Savior,
Jesus Christ. Many of you bring me
bulletins from the churches you attend while away on vacation or visiting
family.
This week (Tuesday,
January 12) begins a new semester of GriefShare, our grief-support group which
meets on Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM at the Chamber of Commerce building on Upper
Ferry Road. GriefShare is open to
everyone and is designed to be a support and comfort to those going through the
grief of a loved one. There is no cost
for the group, only a $15 donation toward the cost of the workbook. (Scholarships are available for that cost as
well, if needed.) Many people throughout
our church and community have been blessed through the sessions and group
interactions. Help us spread the word to
people you know who have lost a loved one in death. You don’t have to make the journey of grief
alone.
This month is the Sanctity
of Life month in which we affirm the sanctity and value of every human life
from conception to natural death. Psalm
139:13-14 says, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; Marvelous
are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” God is the giver and creator of every human
life. We honor Him as we stand for the
sacredness of human life. As a tangible
expression of our support for life we receive a special “baby bottles”
offering for the local Pregnancy Help Center in Carthage. Baby bottles are available in the Connection
Point for you to collect your coins, bills, and checks for the center. This is a very positive way we can take a
stand for life, both individually and as a congregation. May this be the largest offering we have ever
received for the work of the Pregnancy Help Center as they share the message of
life, physically and spiritually, with everyone who enters. The Pregnancy Help Center is located one
block from FBC Carthage at 108 College Avenue West.
January is also Make a
Will Month as we are encouraged each year to make, revise, or update our
will. Part of the stewardship of life is
the stewardship of our possessions after our death. A will ensures a distribution of those
possessions according to your priorities, commitments, and beliefs during
life. For example, a will reduces family
in-fighting over the disposal of temporal assets. If your family is a high priority in your
life, the peace and perseverance of your family relationships should be a
priority at your death. For young
families, the designated care-givers for your children in the case of your
death is a major concern of your will.
For every Christian, your commitments to your church, to missions, and
to ministries are areas you can express through your will. No one likes to think about their own death,
however, a willful choice not to make preparations does not lengthen nor
shorten one’s life. To neglect making
and updating a will only serves to add confusion and possible devastation to
your family after your death. Take the
time, give some thought, contact you lawyer, and make a will.
Have you been to see the
new movie, The Masked Saint? It is
produced by Gary Granstaff, member of FBC Carthage, and stars his and Wanda’s
son, Brett. To watch the trailer go to http://themaskedsaint.com/. The Masked
Saint is presently showing at the Regal Cinema Providence 14 at
January is the month we
emphasize life. Jesus came that we might
have life and have more abundantly. May
this be the best year of your life as you live it for Him. Have a blessed week.
Bro. Tim
Here’s the News for the
week:
·
The Young at
Heart group will meet this Tuesday, January 12 at 11:30 AM in the Christian
Life Center for lunch. All adults 55+
are invited to bring a covered dish and join us for this time of fellowship
together.
·
GriefShare, a
12-week grief support group, will begin meeting on Tuesday night, January 12 at
6:00 PM. The sessions are located at the
Smith County Chamber of Commerce Building, 939 Upper Ferry Road. GriefShare is open to everyone, especially
those who have lost loved ones in death.
There is no cost for the sessions and a workbook is available for a
suggested donation of $15. GriefShare is
sponsored by First Baptist Church Carthage, Sanderson Funeral Home, and Bass
Funeral Home. For more information
contact Bro. Tim Frank at 615 735-1929.
·
The monthly
Backpack Ministry will be packing 1000 meal bags for the school children today,
January 11 at 4:30 PM at the Ag Center.
Volunteers are greatly needed for this process.
·
The monthly
church business meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 PM.
·
The Community
Food Distribution is also this week at 11:00 AM at the Ag Center. Volunteers are needed to pack and distribute
boxes of food.
·
The New Salem
Association is joining together for a mission project to Guatemala on July
12-19, 2016. An initial planning and
information meeting will be Sunday, January 17 at 3 pm in the Christian Life
Center. Everyone interested in this mission
project is asked to attend this informational meeting.
·
Membership 101, a
class for new and potential members will be held on Sunday, January 24 at 9:30
AM in the Sanctuary. Those interested in
more information about church membership are encouraged to attend.
·
The
Women on Mission group is collecting glasses frames, with or without lenses. A collection box is located in the Connection
Point for your old glasses.
·
Read
through the Bible in 2016
January 10 Genesis 25-26; Matthew
8:1-17
January 11 Genesis 27-28; Matthew 8:18-34
January 12 Genesis 29-30; Matthew 9:1-17
January 13 Genesis 31-32; Matthew 9:18-38
January 14 Genesis 33-35; Matthew 10:1-20
January 15 Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10:21-42
January
16 Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11
·
Here’s a great
song I heard this week that gets me shouting, “Hallelujah!” It will help to get your praise going today to
the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsa_Z6I4Pc
