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A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford
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NOW CANCELED TONIGHT


Per our winter weather policy, when Strafford Schools are closed due to inclement weather, FBC is closed and all activities are canceled. Therefore, NOW will NOT meet tonight (Wednesday, January 27). Please help spread the word. Stay safe and warm and enjoy the beautiful snow!

Into the Storehouse


<<First Name>>,

The message this past Sunday taught the biblical principle of giving the first ten present of our entire income to God through His local church. We have covered in this series:
  • Week 1: God is the Owner of Everything
  • Week 2: We own Absolutely Nothing
  • Week 3: Honor God with at Least the First Ten Percent
  • Week 4: Bring the Full Ten Percent to the Church
In these biblical principles, we have learned more about God and who He is. We have learned hopefully more about ourselves and how we own absolutely nothing. We have learned God wants our best, the first ten percent of everything He gives to us. We also learned in the message on Sunday about the importance of worship and the church.
 
In Malachi 3:8 it says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Here are some questions to ponder: Have you ever been robbed? If so, how did that make you feel? Most likely you felt violated, betrayed, angry, or hurt. Do you believe it is possible to rob God? The Bible is full of promises of God’s blessings for obedience and His curses upon disobedience. Also, Scripture is filled with blessings upon the storehouses such as indicated in Malachi 3:10: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
 
The storehouse was attached to the Temple, the place where the glory of God dwelt. When the gifts were brought to God, it was to the place where His glory was lifted up regularly by those selected to lead the congregation. 
 
During the Mosaic period, the tithes had a threefold purpose: to honor the Lord of glory, to underwrite the ministry of the priests, and to provide for the widows and others who were impoverished in the land. By integrating the Old and New Testaments, the Church, which is the Bride of Christ [His glory], is the place where His gifts are brought. The early church members freely gave to underwrite the ministry needs of the Apostles and serve those in the community who were in need. The believers brought their gifts and laid them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:35). 
 
“The feet of the Apostles” was the place where the congregation gathered for worship, service, ministry, to be mobilized for evangelism, church planting, and missionary service. What is important is the gifts were brought to the place where the congregation gathered, the Lord and His name is worshiped – the church! The people willingly brought the gifts which parallels the instruction in Malachi 3:10, to “bring” the whole tithe to the storehouse.
 
In closing, storehouse tithing or ten percent establishes the floor upon which biblical generosity can expand and grow. Storehouse tithing or ten percent does something to the giver that cannot be explained as God bestows gladness and radiant joy that is visible to all.
 
Giving provides not only for the needs of God’s people and leaders, but also for those who need to come to God and worship Him. Bring the tithe where? Where God’s people worship the Lord.

 
Pastor Rick

Worship With Us This Sunday!


Join us for worship this Sunday, January 31, as Pastor Rick continues our series, "Ten Percent: A Call to Biblical Stewardship," based on the book by Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. You can preview the service plan HERE and download the sermon outline HERE.

Our personal financial security and our church’s financial security are more certain when we follow God’s financial plan as revealed in Scripture. This stewardship focus builds upon biblical financial principles to help you prioritize, elevate, and accelerate generosity.

"Ten Percent: A Call to Biblical Stewardship" focuses on six principles:
  • God is the Owner of Everything (January 3)
  • We Own Absolutely Nothing (January 10)
  • Honor God with at Least the First Ten Percent (January 17)
  • Bring the Full Ten Percent to the Church (January 24)
  • Practice Over and Above Giving (January 31)
  • Focus on the Great Commission Always (February 7)
We hope to see you and your family for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:45. We are also continuing to post our services online for those who can't join us in person. The worship service video will be posted no later than Monday to our Facebook page. It will also be available at FreeChurchOnline if you do not have a Facebook account. Be sure to comment and let us know that you're watching with us! If you need any technical assistance, email Josh Erisman.

Mom LIFE Game Night This Sunday!


Talk with Brittney Taylor or Brittany Erisman for more information!

Donations for Choices Pregnancy Center


January 17 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 at the Information Desk for you to take home and fill with change, bills, or checks (made payable to Choices). We are also collecting diapers and wipes. Place these items in the crib in the central hallway by Sunday, February 14. If you have any questions, talk with Shannon Peelor.

"Man Up" Men's Banquet


All men are invited to our first-ever "Man Up" Men's Banquet on Saturday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. Pastor Rick's uncle, Paul Durham, will share his testimony. Paul will also be speaking in our worship service on Sunday, February 21.

The meal is absolutely free and we want you to bring another man with you, whether from our church or elsewhere. Sign up at the Information Desk if you plan to attend. If you have any questions or need more information, talk with Jeff Peelor.

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 COVENANT AT MT. SINAI (continued)
Thursday, January 28 | Exodus 32-34; Psalm 28
Friday, January 29 | Exodus 35-40; Psalm 29
Saturday, January 30 | Leviticus 1-4 (video); Psalm 30
Sunday, January 31 | Leviticus 5-7; Psalm 31
Monday, February 1 | Leviticus 8-10; Psalm 32
Tuesday, February 2 | Leviticus 11-13; Psalm 33
Wednesday, February 3 | Leviticus 14-15; Psalm 34
Thursday, February 4 | Leviticus 16-18; Psalm 35

You can check out the entire plan by clicking here.

SBC Missionary Highlight

International Mission Board workers Ben and Christy Prater (names changed for security) minister among Jewish communities in Poland and have connected with Polish believers who share the vision of learning the Hebrew language and reaching Jews in Poland.

The combined number of evangelicals in Poland is less than one percent of the population, making Poles an unreached people group. The number of Jews living in Poland continues to be extremely small, but now, 75 years after the Holocaust and World War II, the Jewish population has begun growing. However, both in Poland and around the world, very few Jews have a personal relationship with the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

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 gives the Praters opportunities to form relationships with Polish Jews which allows them to share that the Messiah they are awaiting has already come and is, in fact, coming again.

PRAY for the Praters as they spend time building relationships with the Polish Jews, as well as the large numbers of Jews visiting Poland to better understand their history, and that as they do, Jews will follow Jesus as Messiah.

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


Even if you aren't joining us for in-person worship on Sunday, please continue to remember your tithes and offerings. The church’s ministries and operational expenses go on in spite of the current situation. We want to be a blessing to our community 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 and faithful 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


Thursday, January 28
12:00 noon | Painting Class

Sunday, January 31
8:45 a.m. | Worship Team Rehearsal
9:30 a.m. | Sunday School

10:45 a.m. | Worship Service
3:30 p.m. | Choir Rehearsal
7:00 p.m. | Mom LIFE Game Night @ Common Grounds


Monday, February 1
6:00 p.m. | "Man Up" Men's Group

Wednesday, February 3
6:00 p.m. | NOW Family Meal
6:30 p.m. | KidsNOW (Birth-6th)
6:30 p.m. | M-power Youth (7th-12th)
7:00 p.m. | LivingNOW (Adults)
8:00 p.m. | Orchestra Rehearsal


CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, January 31


ECM | Kirsten C. & Emily E.
Greeters | Dennis & Wenda N.
Information Desk | Wanda G.

Audio | Wayne S.
Video | Jeff P.
Security | Randy C. & Mike M.
Counters | Kenny W. & Sandy S.


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!
Copyright © 2021 First Baptist Church of Strafford, All rights reserved.


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