FirstUpdate | January 29, 2020

A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford

View this email in your browser

Choosing To Follow Him

<<First Name>>,

Everyone recalls December 7, 1941, when the Japanese Air Force launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and forced the United States into World War II. Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo led a 33-ship strike force which steamed under cover of darkness to within 200 miles of Oahu. His carriers launched 360 airplanes against the American Pacific fleet. The first bombs fell on Pearl Harbor about 7:55 a.m. Eighteen U.S. ships were sunk or severely damaged, some 170 planes were destroyed, and American forces suffered about 3,700 casualties. President Roosevelt described it as “a day which will live in infamy,” and the motto “Remember Pearl Harbor!” became a rallying cry for the rest of World War II.

In Great Britain, Prime Minister Winston Churchill received the news of Pearl Harbor differently. Though deeply sympathetic with American losses, he understood that this fatal mistake by the Japanese in underestimating American resolve would now force full-scale U.S. involvement in the war. Upon grasping this enormous consequence, Churchill reportedly said, “Now we will win.”

Throughout the course of human events, we find such history-changing moments, decisions which move things in a different direction. Such is the case in the message for this Sunday from Genesis 12:1-9, titled “A New Beginning Is A Choice.” We all have choices in life, but every choice has positive or negative consequences. Abram had choices in his life that affected him and his wife Sarai. He had to choose to leave his birthplace for a strange land called Canaan. Abram’s leaving and following God’s direction placed him right smack in His everlasting plan. Abram, whom we know as Father Abraham, chose to be in God’s will and not his own. Abraham’s choice was a start of something big: the coming of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

God’s plan to take the gospel of Christ west into Europe rather than north into Asia changed the face of global evangelism and march of the church for hundreds of years. God still changes history in directing the efforts of His people. Several years ago, we thought the Berlin Wall impregnable and expected the Cold War to go on forever. Who could have predicted in 1985 a united Germany and frenetic missionary activity all across eastern Europe, and especially throughout the old Soviet Bloc countries?

God’s timing often differs from what we would have planned and often makes little sense to us. Of course, our reasoning, so dimmed by sin and the limitations of mortality, has no way to grasp the historic impact of immediate decisions. Like the Apostle Paul, we must trust the leading of God’s Spirit day by day in living our lives, raising our children, and making decisions for a business or ministry. In every arena of life, we must serve him with a constant alertness to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Pastor Rick

Worship With Us This Sunday!

Join us for worship at First Baptist Church this Super Bowl Sunday, February 2, as Pastor Rick brings a message on Abraham from Genesis 12:1-9, titled "A New Beginning Is A Choice." During the service, we will view a video update from our friends Kolby & Mary Beth King of ThreeThirty Ministries about their family's current mission trip in India.

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 praise team and band. Click HERE to preview the service plan.

Super Bowl Sunday Dress Code

After a 50-year hiatus, the Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV this Sunday, February 2! You're invited to show your support by wearing Chiefs apparel/colors (red, yellow, white) and jeans to church that morning. Not a Chiefs fan? Shame, shame. Just kidding! Wear your favorite team's apparel.

Sunday School Classes

If you are not yet part of a Bible study group, come join us at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday morning. There’s a class for each member of the family! We are currently studying the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy and we will be beginning new topical studies on March 1. For more information, contact Josh Erisman, minister of music and education.

Birth-3 years: Debby Briggs & Emily Evans
PreK-Kindergarten: Karen Gibson
1st-3rd Grade: Melody Bruton
4th-6th Grade: Jackie & Jessica Martindale
7th-12th Grade: Jeff & Brittney Taylor
Young Adults: Colleen Andrews
Adults: Pastor Rick & Belinda Durham
Adults: Jeff & Shannon Peelor / Ryan & Stephanie Flowers
Adults: Jeremy & Ashley French
Adults: Mike & Brenda Manley
Adults: Ray Schnick

Donations for Choices Pregnancy Center

January 19 was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and we want to 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 Sunday, February 9. If you have any questions, talk with Shannon Peelor.

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, January 29
NOW CANCELED (Strafford Schools closed due to winter weather)

Thursday, January 30
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class

Sunday, February 2
Super Bowl Sunday
9:00 a.m. - TA Truck Stop Service
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School
10:45 a.m. - Worship Service
3:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal
No ThreeSixTEENS Rehearsal

Tuesday, February 4
9:30 a.m. - Knitting & Crocheting Group @ Strafford Senior Center
1:00 p.m. - Painting Class

Wednesday, February 5
6:00 p.m. - NOW Free Family Meal
6:30 p.m. - KidsNOW / StudentsNOW
7:00 p.m. - LivingNOW (Adults)

Thursday, February 6
10:00 a.m. - Painting Class

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

CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, February 2

ECM - Courtney E./TBA
Greeters - Sandy S./Clarence B.
Information Desk - Joann B.
Van Driver - Ray S.
Audio - Wayne S.
Video - Jeff P.
Security - Larry A./Steve E.
Children's Church - Ryan & Stephanie F.
Counters - Clarence B./Brenda M.

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!

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Give Now

Tithe.ly App