The tremendous book Ablaze with His Glory by Del Fehsenfeld Jr. calls God’s people to return to God’s Word, return to urgent prayer, and return to the eternal intention of God for communal life of His people as a “royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9,10). The absence of the Word of God in our national life is one of the greatest factors for our present decay in society. It seems that America is entering some of its darkest hours in all history.
The message this Sunday, “The Glory Is Departing,” will address this struggle by examining the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and their cries towards the open rebellion against God. “Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: ‘I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding–trough, [but] Israel does not know; My people do not understand’” (Isaiah 1:2-3 HCSB). Isaiah did not flinch at all in proclaiming the backslidden condition of God’s people. “Oh—sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children! They have abandoned the Lord; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they have turned their backs [on Him]...How the faithful city has become a harlot” (Isaiah 1:4, 21a HCSB).
To the undiscerning observers of religion in Israel, religion continued to flourish. The priests maintained the sacrifices and incense that were offered on regular occasions. God constantly eyed the external mask of religiousness and the underlying, ugly reality of sin, idolatry, and rebellion. Isaiah became God’s instrument to lift the deceptive mask that exposed the deep rottenness and filth Israel displayed in her national and religious life. "The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds” (Isaiah 1:5b-6a).
America is following a similar path today that will end in destruction for the people. Israel’s problem was a heart attitude. America and the church today have the same heart attitude of seeking their own glory instead of reflecting the glory of God. Through the messages over the next few weeks, hopefully I can address some of these issues of our day.
I want to close with a quote from Charles Spurgeon, “I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him.” The answer to our woes today is a need of pure holiness in our lives. Pray that our church, God’s people, will stand in the gap for our nation to return to the holiness of God that can only come through receiving the saving grace of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Ablaze with His glory,
Pastor Rick
Sunday School Is Back!
After a 15-week hiatus, Sunday School classes have resumed meeting in-person on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. As we seek to gather for Bible study and fellowship in the safest way possible, here are a few reminders:
We are continuing to encourage physical distancing in classrooms and hallways as much as possible, as well as standard safety practices (handwashing, sanitizer, etc.). We are conducting temperature screenings at the children's check-in desk for all volunteers and children in that hallway (this includes the nursery during worship). We are also asking those who have been sick or are at-risk to continue to stay home. Jeff will continue recording weekly videos and we will share those via Facebook and FreeOnlineChurch on Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m.
We distributed this quarter's personal study guides at the end of May, but we have extra books remaining if anyone still needs one. We can also print resources from LifeWay's website if we run out of printed copies.
We have made a few changes to our classes, some of which were in the works prior to COVID but never got implemented. First, the Peelor/Flowers class and the Durham class have merging into one group, which now meets in the Peelor/Flowers room. Second, we have expanded the nursery/early childhood area into two rooms to separate the babies and toddlers. As a result, all of the children's classes have bumped down a room and the 4th-6th grade class (which Brittany Erisman is now teaching) has moved into the other hallway, taking the place of the Manley class. The Manley class now meets in the fellowship hall (where the Durham class was meeting).
As you have heard announced the past few weeks, the coffee station in the kitchen will remain shut down for the time being and we are asking classes not to bring food to "share." To clarify that, it is fine for folks to bring their own coffee/beverage and breakfast to eat in class or for someone to bring individually-wrapped breakfast items and lay them out for your class to pick up in a sanitary way. What we want to avoid is sharing utensils, dipping food out of a common dish, touching the same coffee pot, etc. Common sense is the key to keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Promotion Sunday for children and youth will still take place on August 2 as originally planned. For this month, everyone will remain in the same classes they were in when we stopped meeting in March.
If you have any questions about Sunday School or need help finding a class, talk with minister of music and education Josh Erisman.
Worship With Us This Sunday!
Join us for worship this Sunday, July 12, as Pastor Rick continues a series based on Del Fehsenfeld's book, Ablaze with His Glory. This week's message, "The Glory Is Departing," is drawn from Chapter 2. The key Scripture passage is 2 Chronicles 36:14-16. You can preview the service plan HERE and download the sermon outline HERE.
If you would like to purchase a copy of the book to read along, there are two versions available from Life Action Ministries (which Fehsenfeld founded and led before his death in 1989):
Digital ePUB ($5.00) - works with Kindle, Apple Books app, etc.
We are continuing to post our services online for those who can't join us in person! The service video will be posted by Sunday evening or Monday morning to our Facebook page. It will also be available at FreeChurchOnline if you do not have a Facebook account. Be sure to comment and let us know that you're watching with us! If you need any technical assistance, email Josh Erisman.
Quarterly Business Meeting
Our next quarterly business meeting will take place this Sunday, July 12, immediately following our worship service (approximately 12:00 noon). Since our April meeting was canceled due to the stay-at-home order, reports will cover the first six months of 2020. We will NOT share a fellowship meal this quarter.
Mom L.I.F.E. July Gathering
Moms of all ages and stages are invited to the next Mom L.I.F.E. gathering on Sunday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. behind First Baptist Church. This outdoor event is "bring your own lawn chair," but dinner will be provided. Speaker and author Carla MacLachlan will share with us that evening, so you don't want to miss it! Contact Brittney Taylor or Brittany Erisman if you have any questions.
Missions Yard Sale Donations
To coincide with Strafford's Citywide Garage Sale, the FBC Missions team will be holding our annual Yard Sale on Saturday, August 8. We are now accepting donations! We cannot accept TVs, computer monitors, beds, hideaway couches, desks, and exercise equipment. Talk with Shannon Peelor if you have any questions.
"FBC Strafford Family" Facebook Group
One way we are staying in touch as a church family is through our “FBC Strafford Family” Facebook group. This group is being used to share live videos, prayer requests, devotionals, and internal announcements through the week.
If you are a regular attender here at FBC and you are not yet a part of the group, click the link, request to join, and start connecting with your church family online!
Giving Options
Even if you aren't joining us for in-person worship on Sunday, please continue to remember your tithes and offerings. The church’s ministries and operational expenses go on in spite of the current situation. We want to be a blessing to our community and it takes resources to do that. Your faithful giving makes it possible!
In addition to dropping cash or checks in the offering box on Sunday morning, there are multiple ways to give your tithes and offerings:
Mail a check to First Baptist Church, PO Box 367, Strafford, MO 65757
Several of our members have begun using online bill pay through their bank to send in their offering. This is a free service that some banks provide. All you have to do is add the church’s name and address as a vendor, just like you would the electric company or any other business.
You can also drop your offering by the church office, but please call ahead to make sure that someone will be in the office.
Thank you again, church family, for your generous and faithful giving! If you need help setting up online giving or have any questions, contact Josh Erisman.
