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A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford
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"I Won't Let Go!"


<<First Name>>,

Here is a beautiful narrative on building stamina for life’s journey. It is a great introduction to Hebrews 12 and the message for Sunday titled, “Run for Your Life.” 
 
For many years Dr. Jeff Ray served as professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He taught into the 1940s when he was more than 80 years of age. Trouble and tragedy etched their influence on the life of Jeff Ray.
 
Early in his adult life, his first wife died, leaving Dr. Ray to serve as mother and father to his children. His sorrow was compounded when one day in the 1930s, he received the news that a beloved son had died. This calamity, added to life’s other burdens, threatened to drive the vitality out of Jeff Ray. For a time, he quit teaching and preaching in area churches. Dejected and depressed, he was unable to develop interest in anything and was ready to say, “I cannot go on!”
 
Mrs. L. R. Elliott, wife of the seminary librarian, sent her husband to visit Dr. Ray with a scrapbook filled with poems and articles which had encouraged her. After Dr. Elliott’s departure the weary professor listlessly leafed through the pages of the scrapbook. A poem with the engaging title of “I Won’t Let Go!” caught his attention. Realizing that he had been wanting to do just that, Dr. Ray read these words:
 
I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
There are battles to fight,
By day and by night,
For God and the right –
And I’ll never let go.
I’m sick, ‘tis true,
Worried and blue,
And worn through and through,
But I won’t let go.
I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I will never yield!
What! Lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No, I’ll never let go!
I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
May this be my song
Mid legions of wrong –
"Oh, God, keep me strong
That I may never let go!”
(Author Unknown)
 
After reading the poem, Dr. Ray closed the scrapbook, arose from his couch of grief and defeat, and put behind him any thought of giving up and quitting. He returned to the classroom to teach and to pulpits to preach. For many years, he distributed copies of the poem to his students. Many of them found encouragement from Dr. Ray’s testimony and from the poem so that they did not let go. The writer of Hebrews found the same encouragement from following the example of Christ and His faithful servants mentioned in Hebrews 11.
 
Never let go!
 
Pastor Rick

Worship With Us This Sunday!


Join us for worship at First Baptist Church this Sunday, November 10, as Pastor Rick continues our series from the book of Hebrews, Hold Firm. This week's message ("Run For Your Life") comes from Hebrews 12:1-3.

We hope to see you and your family this Sunday morning for Sunday School at 9:30 and worship at 10:45. During the service, we will honor the latest graduates from our Financial Peace University class and honor our veterans for their service and sacrifice. Music will be led by our praise team and band.

Website Update


The new design for our website, fbcstrafford.org, is up and running! It is still a work in progress and more features will be added in the coming weeks, including sermon archives and pages for each of our ministries. Check it out!

Thanksgiving Dinner for Widows & Widowers


The Strafford United Methodist Church (200 E Chestnut) and the SUMC Women invites all widows and widowers to their annual Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, November 11 at 12:00 noon. A program after the meal will be provided by Joyce Domeny Bowen of Rogersville.

Christmas Decorating


If you would like to help decorate the church building for the Christmas season, join us Tuesday, November 12 and/or Tuesday, November 19 at 9:30 a.m., as well as Saturday morning, November 23 (if needed). Sign up at the Information Desk if you can help. Contact Jane Love for details.

Mom L.I.F.E. with Sara Forhetz


All moms are invited to the November gathering of Mom L.I.F.E. on Sunday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Common Grounds Coffee & Café. Our special guest speaker this month will be Sara Forhetz from KY3 News. Sara is a mom, a wife, an award-winning reporter, a fitness fanatic, and a community leader. Most importantly, she is a follower of Jesus Christ who speaks openly about her faith. You will be blessed by her testimony, so plan to be there! Contact Brittney Taylor or Brittany Erisman for more details.

Community Thanksgiving Service


The Strafford Ministerial Alliance invites you to the annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. at Landmark Church. Pastor Chris Bartholomew of Strafford Church of the Nazarene will be preaching. Bring finger foods to share after the service. A youth service will be held here at First Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. Pizza will be served. All 7th-12th graders are welcome.

Christmas Cards for Shut-Ins, etc.


If you know of a shut-in, someone in the nursing home, someone in the military, someone sick or alone, etc., add their name to the list at the Information Desk. Our painting classes would like to send them a beautiful, hand-painted Christmas card for let them know we are praying for them. Contact Martha Ogle or Jane Love for more information.

Pathway Subscriptions


Did you know you can have The Pathway, the official newsjournal of the Missouri Baptist Convention, delivered to your door twice a month for FREE? Sign up at the Information Desk. In the meantime, check out the Pathway website HERE.

This Week @ FBC Strafford


Wednesday, November 6
6:00 p.m. - NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. - KidsNOW/StudentsNOW
6:30 p.m. - Financial Peace University
7:00 p.m. - LivingNOW (Adults)

Thursday, November 7
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class

Saturday, November 9
9:00 a.m. - Men In Service @ Common Grounds Coffee & Cafe

Sunday, November 10
9:00 a.m. - TA Truck Stop Service
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School
10:45 a.m. - Worship Service
2:30 p.m. - Care Center Service
3:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal
5:00 p.m. - ThreeSixTEENS Rehearsal
5:00 p.m. - Pastor Support Team

Tuesday, November 12
9:30 a.m. - Church Christmas Decorating
9:30 a.m. - Knitting & Crocheting Group @ Strafford Senior Center
1:00 p.m. - Painting Class
5:30 p.m. - Finance Committee Meeting


CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, November 10


ECM - Colleen A./Emily E.
Greeters - Dennis & Wenda N.
Information Desk - Wanda G.
Kids Check-In - Belinda D.
Van Driver - Ray S.
Audio - Wayne S.
Video - Chris Ha.

Security - Mike B./Sandy S.
Children's Church - Jameson & Courtney E.
Counters - Randy A./Kenny W.


If you cannot serve on your assigned Sunday, please arrange a substitute and let the church office know by calling 736-2148 or emailing church@fbcstrafford.org. Thank you to all those who serve our church in these important roles each Sunday morning!
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