FirstUpdate | February 5, 2020

A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford

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NOW CANCELED (for the 3rd time in a row!)

Due to the impending winter weather, First Baptist Church is CLOSED today (Wednesday, February 5) and all activities (including NOW) are canceled. We know, we know. We're sad, too...

Stay safe and warm! See you on Sunday morning!

Stay In The Race!

<<First Name>>,

In 1980, a young lady entered the Boston Marathon. She started the race looking great. As the runners approached the finish line, she was leading the pack by a country mile, breaking all kinds of records. The crowd applauded as she crossed the finish line and was crowned champion.

It was suspicious, however, that a woman who had never won a marathon before could win the Boston Marathon—especially by a country mile. Lo and behold, when they examined the situation, they found that the woman started the race, but then left the run and got on the subway, rode the subway for sixteen miles, got off the subway, got back onto the route, and crossed the finish line first! When her cheating was discovered, she was, of course, disqualified from the race.

Some of us have started living the Christian life, but have jumped on the subway and we want to cross the finish line with God saying, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” But when He opens the books and checks the record, He’s going to know that you left the field. He’s going to see that you didn’t keep on until the end, that you didn’t remain an alien and a stranger, and He’s going to say, "You lose the medal, because you didn’t faithfully follow the rules."

The message this coming Lord’s Day, “Life Can Be Difficult!” from Genesis 12:10-13:18, will outline Abraham’s life moving from the blessings, promises, and obedience learned in Genesis 12:1-9 to some major life tests. God uses the tough circumstances of life to build the muscles of your faith and keep you from trusting something other than His Word. Often Christians will try to run away from problems by not considering the consequences. Abraham made this mistake by not remaining in the land and trusting the Lord to help him. Abraham went “down into Egypt” because of the famine in the land.

Abraham and Sarah probably expected to settle down and enjoy their new home, but God would not let them. Instead, God permitted a famine to come to the land. There is no record that Abraham ever faced a famine in Ur or Haran; but now that he was in God’s land, he had to find food for a large company of people, plus flocks and herds. Why did God allow the famine? It was to teach Abraham and Sarah a basic lesson in the “school of faith,” a lesson we must all learn. When circumstances become difficult and you are in the furnace of testing, remain where God has put you until He tells you to move. Faith moves in the direction of peace and hope, but unbelief moves in the direction of restlessness and fear.

In times of testing, the important question is not, “How can I get out of this?” but, “What can I get out of this?” God is at work to build your faith. God alone is in control of circumstances. You are safer in a famine in His will than in a palace out of His will. It has been said, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”

In closing, stay in the race of faithfulness, trustworthiness, honesty, and finish strong in the Lord’s desires for your life in Christ to win the medal of all eternity in heaven.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Rick

Worship With Us This Sunday!

Join us for worship at First Baptist Church this Sunday, February 9, as Pastor Rick continues a series on Abraham with a message titled "Life Can Be Difficult!" from Genesis 12:10-13:18.

We hope to see you and your family for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:45. Music will be led by our worship choir, band, and orchestra. Click HERE to preview the service plan.

Donations for Choices Pregnancy Center

Help us bless the Choices Pregnancy Center in Marshfield this month as they minister to moms, dads, and babies in our area! There are empty baby bottles available in the lobby for you to take home and fill with change, bills, or checks. These funds will be donated to Choices. We are also collecting diapers and wipes. Place these items in the crib in the central hallway by this Sunday, February 9. If you have any questions, talk with Shannon Peelor.

Women's Craft Night

Ladies, join us for a great time of fellowship and fun as we gather on Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. for a craft night! We’ll meet at Jessica Martindale’s home (1945 Grier Branch Rd) and make valentines for residents of the Strafford Care Center. Desserts will be provided. Contact Jessica Martindale, Brittney Taylor, or Brittany Erisman for more information.

New Sunday School Curriculum

For the past 18 months, our Sunday School classes and our children’s church have used the book-by-book “Explore The Bible” curriculum on Sunday mornings. We have enjoyed the in-depth looks at Galatians, James, Genesis 25-50, Mark, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Ephesians, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Beginning on Sunday, March 1, all classes will be making a switch to LifeWay’s “Bible Studies for Life” curriculum. Topics for the spring quarter include “Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith” and “Dealing with Messy Relationships.”

Now is a great time to join a class! For more information, contact Josh Erisman, minister of music and education.

RightNow Media Library

Did you know that access to our RightNow Media subscription is available to our entire church family? If you would like stream thousands of Christian videos and Bible studies on your TV, computer, tablet, or phone, sign the list at the Information Desk (or email Josh Erisman), give us your email address, and we'll send you an invitation. Contact Josh if you have any questions or issues.

This Week @ FBC Strafford

Wednesday, February 5
NOW CANCELED (Strafford Schools closed due to winter weather)

Thursday, February 6
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class
6:00 p.m. - Missions Team Meeting

Saturday, February 8
9:00 a.m. - Men In Service @ Common Grounds Coffee & Cafe

Sunday, February 9
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, February 11
1:00 p.m. - Painting Class
7:00 p.m. - Women's Craft Night @ Jessica Martindale's

Wednesday, February 12
6:00 p.m. - NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. - KidsNOW / StudentsNOW
7:00 p.m. - LivingNOW (Adults)

CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, February 9

ECM - Linda W./Cheyenne R.
Greeters - Brenda M./Louise L.
Information Desk - Denise C.
Van Driver - Gary M.
Audio - Jeremy F.
Video - Gibson D.
Security - Kenny W./Gary J.
Children's Church - Steve & Emily E.
Counters - Colleen A./Ryan F.

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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