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Dear FBC Friend,
Happy New Year and may God bless you in 2022. We have so much to be thankful for as we look back over 2021. Yes, there were tremendous trials and difficulties related to COVID, but God also blessed our church with over 80 first-time guests, a number of baptisms with amazing testimonies and new members joining with us. God is with us through the pain and the joy. He is sovereign and still in control.
We kick off this new year with a sermon series called "Rediscover Church - Why the Body of Christ is Essential." It answers nine key questions about church and why we should belong, stay committed and be active. Join with us as we Worship, Grow, and Share together.
New Direction - New Resolutions?
 If you are looking for new direction or want to make some resolutions for the the new year - I highly recommend committing to be in God's Word every day and joining with us weekly (or more) at First Baptist. You can find a wide range of Bible reading plans at https://biblestudytogether.com/top-best-bible-reading-plans/
Our Growth Groups will be taking a deeper dive into our Rediscover Church series. Discussion questions and further Bible study into the nine questions about the importance of being part of a local church. There's another great resolution for the new year - try out a Growth Group!
Pick at least one of our groups this month and go check it out. Growth Groups meet in the homes of our church members. We enjoy eating and talking together; a time of bible study or sermon discussion; and a time of prayer. You will get to know people on a deeper level, build more friendships, and benefit from the encouragement.
 Central Christian Academy Update
CCA is our biggest on-going outreach ministry to serve our community. If you would like to help the school grow and reach more families - please give generously to our annual giving drive. Please pray for several of our CCA teachers who are still battling COVID and related illnesses.
We are also looking for a new second grade teacher. Our principal, Cindi Massaro, is teaching the class and doing double duty as administrator. If you know of anyone who loves the Lord and might be interested, please direct them to the school website. We are celebrating CCA's fortieth anniversary this year with the biggest enrollment yet - over 70 students! Praise God for this ministry to our local community!
Sunday Worship
Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in person or online. You can find the service on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe so you will be notified when new content is available.
Sunday School & Bible Studies at 11 am
Sunday School and Adult Bible classes gather at 11 am following the morning worship service. In addition to children's and middle/high school classes we have three adult classes. Cindi Massaro is leading the Ladies class. Mike Szocki is teaching a class called The Case for Heaven and Hell. Pastor Thayne Bodenmiller is teaching Fundamentals of the Faith.
Kid's Church - Children really enjoy Kid's church on Sunday mornings during the worship service. Children from Kindergarten to Grade 4 are dismissed before the message and meet in the children's classroom on the lower level. There is room for distancing and no community snacks will be shared. Talk to Holly Jones if you are interested in teaching or helping in any of these areas.
Youth Group
Our youth group (grades 6-12) gathers on Sunday mornings for Bible study and fun together. Our students also get together for Youth Group two Fridays each month. If you would like to host a monthly youth group event at your home or you would like to help contribute snacks and supplies please contact the church office.
Annual Ministry & Business Meeting - January 26
ALL Members should take part in this meeting. Every January we hold our annual Ministry & Business meeting to review the previous year, share plans and prayer for the new year, vote on officers and ministry leaders, and any other important issues. Please join us Wednesday evening, January 26 at 6:30 pm for this important part of the life of our church. We need a quorum of members for all votes. That means your vote counts and we need you present and involved.
The ministry reports, proposed By-law changes and financial reports will be available at the Welcome Center a week before the meeting. Please take time to review them before the meeting. We will also have a Q&A time Wednesday, January 12 to discuss the changes in our By-laws.
Missionary of the Month
Our missions focus for the month is the Christensen family serving in Bangladesh in the Memorial Hospital and church ministry. Send them a note of encouragement at christensenministry@gmail.com.
 Worship online if you can't attend in-person.
You can join us online every Sunday on Facebook or YouTube for our our weekly worship services. If you need help with connecting please contact a deacon or call the church office. The service will be available after the service on those same places, plus it will be uploaded to our website on the sermons page.
Need Help?
Are you struggling financially? If you need of help with picking up groceries or prescriptions contact a deacon or the church office. If you need help navigating Facebook or YouTube just ask for help. Reach out to your neighbors and offer the same. Let them know you are praying for them. Our monthly Deacons Fund offering is designated for this compassion ministry.
Get behind our Mission: Worship. Grow. Share.
Please stay faithful in prayer and giving so we can continue to provide for our staff, missionaries and on-going ministries. You can give online through PayPal, Faith Life Giving, or mail in your offering weekly. Contact the church office if you need financial assistance or help using PayPal or Faith Life on-line giving.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark Massaro
pastormark@dunkirkbaptist.org
P.S. Will you pray for one or two people you can bring to church with you on a Sunday morning or Growth Group? How can you encourage someone else to take one step towards salvation or towards maturity in Christ?
Share FBC with friends & family
Most people visit a church because someone invited them. They usually want to learn more on Facebook or the website. You can help share our events and sermons on Facebook or by email with friends. Leave comments or write a short review. Click on the links below.
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Special Events in January
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Weekly Worship Service – Sundays at 9:30 am
Sunday School & Bible Studies - Sundays at 11 am
Our worship service begins at 9:30 am. But we are also continuing to live stream the service on-line via our church Facebook page and our YouTube channel. The message is also posted each week as audio and video files on our website.
If you are having any trouble with connecting to these sites please contact the church office for help.
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Wednesday morning Bible studies are on hold until further notice. Join us Monday nights or come to a Growth Group.
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Prayer Meeting – Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
We are meeting together for prayer in the Fellowship Hall (down the ramp on the lower level).
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Pastor Mark Massaro and Cindi Massaro are both available if you or someone you care about needs counseling help from God's Word. Click the image above for more information or contact the church office to set up a time to meet.
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Try the FBC Digital Bulletin available through Faithlife. After creating an account, you will see the weekly announcements, sermon notes, and Scripture right on your phone or tablet during the worship service.
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