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A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford
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The Opposite Attitude


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We are in this sermon series, This Is My Story, that highlights what God did and is doing in lives of His people. All of have faced uncertainty in our journey of life. When the pressures of life seem unbearable, we don’t need to accept the three “Ds:” discouragement, depression, despair. Often circumstances may crowd us until there seems to be no way out, but God has THE WAY!
 
Sooner or later, every one of us will need to personally experience the reality of these verses in Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  
 
How often we are captured by circumstances in our lives. We allow our minds and emotions to become glued to them and we develop a fixation. Many in the world, and too many in the Christian community become victims of this kind of captivity or fixation. There is help! But we must offer more than “mental gymnastics,” we must offer God’s way to victory. In Peter, the Lord’s prayer manual amplifies this thought.  “If we allow our gaze [fixation] to be on our request, it will dominate our prayers. We will tell God what we see and what needs to be done. However, if our gaze [fixation] is upon God, we will ask Him to interpret the situation from His viewpoint (that is, tell us what He sees) and tell us what He wants done.”
 
Here is a story that I read from DeVern Fromke’s book Life's Ultimate Privilege about Dr. F.B. Meyer finding God’s way:
 
This world-famous servant of God confessed that when he was young, he was very irritable. One day an old saint told him how he had found relief from this very thing by looking up the moment he felt the irritation coming, and saying: “Thy sweetness, Lord.” In sharing this with him, that discerning man greatly helped Dr. Meyer, who then began to share it with tens of thousands wherever he went.
 
He explained: Take the opposite attitude. If there has been untruth, plead, "Thy truth, Lord;" Unkindness – "Thy kindness, Lord;" Impatience – "Thy patience, Lord;" Selfishness – "Thy unselfishness, Lord;" Roughness – "Thy gentleness, Lord;" Discourtesy – "Thy courtesy, Lord;" Resentment, inward heat, fuss – "Thy sweetness, Lord, Thy calmness, Thy peacefulness."
 
In referring to this practice of becoming occupied with the Lord, Amy Carmichael confides, “I think that no one who tries this very simple plan will ever give it up.  Will all to whom this is new try it for a day, a week, a month?” It should be very clear to us that God has just one real answer to all our problems. His Son, Jesus, is to be the very center and source of our living. In His own way, as we are rightly occupied with Him, God is at liberty to operate on our problems. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

See you this Sunday morning for "Trevor Thomas LIVE!"

 
Pastor Rick

"Trevor Thomas LIVE!" This Sunday Morning!


Invite your neighbors, friends, and family to join us this Sunday, July 11 at 10:45 a.m. for a very special worship service with music, comedy, drama, and a clear evangelistic message, featuring Trevor, Sawyer, and Claire Thomas! (Come early and join us for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. We have classes for all ages!)

For three decades, actor and entertainer Trevor Thomas has been touring America. He creates characters that people can laugh at, cry with, and learn from. Trevor holds a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in theater performance. He has worked professionally in theater, commercials, television, and film. When schedules allow, he is joined in performance by his wife, Sawyer, and their daughter, Claire. Sawyer holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education and offers a variety of musical styles with her professional and polished voice. Trevor, Sawyer, and Claire record exclusively for Chapel Valley Music on the Sanctuary label.

Trevor keeps up with a schedule of approximately 180 engagements each year. He can be seen at churches, concerts, and various special events. In each appearance, theater, comedy, music, and evangelism collide; and Broadway, Shakespeare, and Carol Burnett meet Billy Graham. Trevor and his family merge their talents in a combination of characters, sketches, songs, and mime. Everything varies from funny to serious; however, all of their material is worshipful, evangelistic, and edifying for the church. It is an unforgettable worship experience for the believer and a picture of salvation for the lost. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is always the theme!

This event is FREE! A freewill love offering will be received. For more information, email the church office or call (417) 736-2148.

Read Through the Bible in 2021


We are reading through the Bible as a congregation this year, using a plan from the Bible Project. Here are this week's readings:

THE PROPHETS OF THE EXILE
Thursday, July 8 | Ezekiel 13-15 | Psalm 34
Friday, July 9 | Ezekiel 16-18 | Psalm 35
Saturday, July 10 | Ezekiel 19-21 | Psalm 36
Sunday, July 11 | Ezekiel 22-24 | Psalm 37
Monday, July 12 | Ezekiel 25-27 | Psalm 38
Tuesday, July 13 | Ezekiel 28-30 | Psalm 39
Wednesday, July 14 | Ezekiel 31-33 | Psalm 40
Thursday, July 15 | Ezekiel 34-36 (video) | Psalm 41
Friday, July 16 | Ezekiel 37-39 | Psalm 42


You can check out the entire plan by clicking here.

SBC Missionary Highlight & Prayer Prompt

Pittsburgh has been experiencing a renaissance. As the economy shifted in recent decades, blue-collar cities like the Steel City were hit hard, like many other Rust Belt regions. Now, the economy is surging back as technology and medical sectors take root.

More and more people are moving into the city, and church planting missionary Rob Wilton has helped to spearhead a movement that has generated new churches in the area that are proclaiming and sharing the Gospel.

In support of evangelism efforts, a Send Relief Ministry Center has been established in Pittsburgh and assists local churches in outreach to those in poverty. The ministry aims to combat food insecurity, homelessness, and illiteracy, all with a focus on sharing the hope of the Gospel.

THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM is the financial fuel for reaching every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation. Your support through the Cooperative Program advances vital mission work such as church planting and ministry centers as more Gospel outreach is needed to reach those who still need a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

PRAY for the Wilton family as they continue to lead their church and encourage further ministry and outreach in Pittsburgh and beyond.

In every edition of the FirstUpdate, we are highlighting the efforts of the International Mission Board (IMB), the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the six Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) seminaries, and the various Baptist state conventions. Each month, our church and the other 47,000+ churches in the SBC contribute a portion of our undesignated offerings to these important Cooperative Program (CP) ministries. For more information about CP, click HERE.

Giving Options


Church family, we appreciate your ongoing commitment in giving your tithes and offerings. In addition to FBC's ministries and operations, we want to be a blessing to our community and our partner ministries around the world 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:
  • Online through Tithe.ly or the Tithe.ly app
  • 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 giving! If you need help setting up online giving or have any questions, contact Josh Erisman.
Website
Website
Facebook
Facebook
Instagram
Instagram
FB Group
FB Group
Email
Email
Give Now
Give Now
Tithe.ly App
Tithe.ly App

This Week @ FBC Strafford


Saturday, July 10
9:00 a.m. | Men In Service @ Common Grounds
9:00 a.m. | Psalm 119 Club @ Common Grounds

Sunday, July 11
9:30 a.m. | Sunday School
10:45 a.m. | "Trevor Thomas LIVE!"
5:00 p.m. | Pastor Support Team
6:00 p.m. | Quarterly Business Meeting (No Fellowship Meal)

Monday, July 12
6:00 p.m. | "Man Up" Men's Group

Tuesday, July 13
6:00 p.m. | Christian Life & Witness Course @ Doubletree Hotel, Springfield

Wednesday, July 14
No NOW (Summer Break)

Thursday, July 15
12:00 noon | Painting Class
6:00 p.m. | Missions Team Meeting


CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, July 11


ECM | Terry B. & Kenzie W.
Greeters | Sandy S.
Information Desk | Jane L.
Audio | N/A (Trevor Thomas)
Video | N/A (Trevor Thomas)
Security | Mike B. & Steve I.
Counters | Colleen A. & Shannon P.

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.orgThank you to all those who serve our church in these important roles each Sunday morning!

July Song of the Month

"Psalm 150 (Praise the Lord)"
(will be introduced Sunday, July 18)
Copyright © 2021 First Baptist Church of Strafford, All rights reserved.


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