FBC Carthage E-News for March 23, 2009

FBC Carthage E-News
March 23, 2009

Good morning,

Today would have been my mother’s 92nd birthday. Many of you knew my mother as she was a member of First Baptist for almost twenty years. I thank the Lord for a Godly mom and the influence she had on my life. I will always remember her commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. She instilled in me the consistency of a morning quiet time, reading the Bible and praying for the day. I also remember her love for the church and especially the work of missions in the USA and around the world. Most of all I remember her unconditional love for me. Many days at school I would find great comfort in thinking that no matter the outcome of a class or test my momma loved me. It has been fifteen years since my mom went to her heavenly home to be with the Lord Jesus. Being in Carthage brings back many good memories and for this day I think of the memories of my mom.

Thinking of my mom and the impact she made in my life makes me consider the legacy I am leaving for my children and the people around me. Each of us needs to be reminded that in this life we have the opportunity to shape and mold other’s lives. We can be a good influence or a bad influence. How we live our lives affects many people.

I have also been thinking along these lines for several weeks as I have completed a class at Liberty Seminary. For the class I had to consider and write out the overarching goal of my life. That is quite a daunting task to consider what my life goal would be and commit it to paper. For me, the goal of my life is to be a follower and imitator of Jesus Christ to the extent that I live to exalt Christ in every aspect of my life as I establish connections with people around me in a real and personal way through expressing the compassion of Christ to them in word and action.

I share my life goal with you to encourage you to consider what you are striving to achieve in your life. For some it may be possessions, prestige, position or pleasure. Take a few minutes this week to consider what you are striving to be and do in this life. As a follower of Jesus Christ I challenge you to make Jesus the focus of that goal. In the end, our relationship with Him and our relationships with others are all that truly matter. As the saying goes, “When climbing the ladder of success, make sure it is leaning against the right wall.”

Have a great week,
Bro. Tim


Here’s the news for the week:
1. The big news for the week is preparation for the Revival services which will be held the week of April 5-8. I mentioned last week about the Cottage Prayer meetings in the homes but gave incorrect dates. The correct dates will be:
Monday, March 30 @ 6:30 PM South Carthage
Jeremiah and Hailey Wilkerson, Hosts
29 County House Road

Tuesday, March 31 @ 6:30 PM Carthage
Brad and Melody Tackett, Hosts
740 Jackson Avenue

Thursday, April 2 @ 6:30 PM Tanglewood
Tommy and Mary Hight, Hosts
51 Morris Drive

2. Also, this week be praying for your family and friends who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior. There is great power in our prayers for others. Each day you are asked to spend time praying for God to work in their lives, to draw them to Himself and to convict them of their need for salvation. Begin inviting them to come with you to the revival services.

3. On the Sunday of the Spring Revival, April 5 we will begin a second morning worship service at 8:00 AM. Yesterday was another example of the time being right to begin this second service. Some of you sat in places I have never seen you sit before. Others sat on separate pews from your family because of the need for space. The main reason we begin this second service is to provide space for others to come and be in worship at FBC Carthage. It is hard to invite friends and families to join you in worship if you know there is no room for them to sit. Let’s make room by adding this service.

4. All Vacation Bible School workers are reminded to attend the training this Saturday, March 28 from 9AM-3PM at First Baptist Church Gordonsville. Lunch will be provided and a great conference is planned to give you a jump-start for VBS 2009. Even if you have not yet signed up to help in VBS come and join us for the training. There is need for more workers as we prepare for the children who will come and learn about Jesus.

5. All 7th – 12th grade students are reminded about the Youth Connect this Saturday, March 28 at 6:00 PM in the Family Life Center. It will be Game Night with lots of games and refreshments. Invite your friends to join you.

6. A Mission Trip Information Meeting will be held Sunday afternoon, March 29 at 4:30 PM in the Sanctuary for everyone interested in participating in one of the mission trips this Summer. Information will be shared about:
· ReFuel June 10-13
ReFuel is a Community Youth Mission Project that will focus on projects and needs in Smith County. There will be worship, Bible studies, fellowships and mission projects through-out the week. There is no cost to the students participating in this project.

· Mission New York June 28-July 6 (Tentative Date)
We will join with Jim and Karen Wilburn and the members of North Shores Baptist Church in King’s Park, New York for a week of missions and ministry.

· Mission Montana July 14-22
The focus of this project will be ministering in a weekend Pow-Wow on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana. We will distribute water, share the gospel using the EvangelCube, and minister to the thousands of Native Americans attending the three day event.

7. The Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions will continue to be received through March . Your offering makes a difference in the 5,500 Southern Baptist Missionaries serving in the United States and Canada. Our prayers and giving provide the resources needed to reachout in many different places and in many different ways. For more information on the work of the North American Mission Board go to www.namb.net or click on the link of the week on the church website front page www.fbccarthage.com.

8. Yesterday we announced of Bro. Tony Fleenor’s hospitalization with blood clots in his lungs and legs. Take a minute today and write Tony and Karen a note letting them know you are praying for them. Their address is:
Tony and Karen Fleenor
265 Bryant Ave.
Cookeville, TN 38501