IN-PERSON SERVICES & ACTIVITIES CANCELED THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 21
Online Worship Service @ 10:45 a.m.
Over the past 24 hours, we have received notification from a number of individuals in our church who have tested positive for or suspect they may have COVID-19. Close contacts are in the process of being notified.
At this time, we do not believe that widespread exposure occurred at church this past Sunday morning, but we encourage everyone to monitor for symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. If symptoms do develop, seek medical attention.
Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel in-person services and activities at First Baptist Church this Sunday, March 21. Instead, you are invited to join us online at 10:45 a.m. that morning for a virtual worship service, as Pastor Rick kicks off our Easter message series, "Calvary's Love Story." The service will be available through our Facebook page as well as FreeOnlineChurch for those who do not have a Facebook account.
Watch your email and our social media pages for additional updates on any changes to next week's schedule.
Walker Percy stated, “We love those who know the worst of us and don’t turn their faces away.” I believe this is what Jesus felt faced with death one dreadful Friday over 2,000 years ago. The tomblike hill of death glared in the darkness of day. A place only the unlovable were sent in disgrace and without forgiveness to reckon their past and future destiny. A towering skull of demise turned heads and hearts of bystanders with guilt and empty stares of pain and agony. The place was called Calvary. It was a place of execution that resembled a human skull and even skulls were found or could be seen there.“When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left” (Luke 23:33).
The conspicuous site stood unapologetic, revealing the obvious shameless execution to all travelers passing. Travelers with necks bowed and faces shaded with embarrassment glanced at Calvary, quickly turning heads to avoid the anguish-filled moment. Looking for an escape, surveyors ducked through the Damascus Gate a nearby entrance into the Holy City. Hearts that once pounded with anxiousness and indignity hurried through the streets of Jerusalem to distance their accountability to action encompassing Calvary.
Laughter, shouting, and cursing established the background of the Liberator giving nod to a New Day. Hammers striking spike heads powered by hands of blameworthy men. Limestone dust coating innocent spilt blood. Chaos surrounding the log of death melting in the background of a vicious appetite carried out by callous hearts. Humanity filled with satisfaction, endorsement, pride, and with an overflowing gratification of job well done. Then came the smile of man!
Silence on Calvary unshackled fear, anxiety, and apprehension of hearts gone mad. Where was justice? Where was right? Where was reason? Where was integrity? Where was God? Where was love? Then a voice spoke, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Our Easter sermon series begins in our online service this Sunday, “Calvary’s Love Story.” I want to encourage you to invite your unchurched friends and family to worship and learn about the greatest true “story” ever!
Pastor Rick
Worship With Us Online This Sunday!
Join us for online worship this Sunday, March 21, as Pastor Rick begins our Easter 2021 message series, Calvary's Love Story.Sunday's message, "Jesus, The King of Glory" is based on Philippians 2:9-11 and Psalm 24:7-10. You can download the sermon outline HERE. Josh Erisman will lead us in a time of worship through song and our KidsNOW ministry has a special music video to share.
We hope to see you and your family for online worship at 10:45. The service will be available through our Facebook page as well as FreeOnlineChurch for those who do not have a Facebook account.
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering
100% of the funds given to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions are used to support and equip Southern Baptist missionaries throughout North America.
We have received $430.10 toward our 2021 church goal of $2,500. We will receive the Annie Armstrong offering through Easter Sunday, April 4. A special AAEO giving container is located in the back of the worship center or you can give online. For more information, talk with missions team leader Shannon Peelor or click HERE.
The Strafford Ministerial Alliance has decided to cancel this year’s Community Easter Service, slated for Sunday, March 28. The offering taken at this gathering each year is an important source of income for the Ministerial Alliance’s Benevolence Fund, which is used to aid families in need in the Strafford community as well as others passing through our area. In place of the community service, our church will be taking up a special benevolence offering that morning.
VBS 2021 | June 6-11
Mark your calendars! More information and volunteer sign-ups coming soon...
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 RISE AND FALL OF ISRAEL'S KINGDOM Friday, March 19 | 1 Samuel 1-3 (video); Psalm 78 Saturday, March 20 | 1 Samuel 4-8; Psalm 79 Sunday, March 21 | 1 Samuel 9-12; Psalm 80 Monday, March 22 | 1 Samuel 13-14; Psalm 81 Tuesday, March 23 | 1 Samuel 15-17; Psalm 82 Wednesday, March 24 | 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalm 83 Thursday, March 25 | 1 Samuel 21-24; Psalm 84
Joshua Valdez says Farmington, New Mexico, is a place of emotional and spiritual darkness and that many struggle with feelings of despair or worthlessness. It’s also a melting pot of culture and religion. Its residents are mostly Hispanic and Navajo, and the Navajo are very much “a forgotten people,” said Joshua, who also has both heritages.
In addition to serving as a church planter, Joshua also works as an intervention specialist at a local high school. “I see the hopelessness of the youth,” he said. “Most of them are coming from really rough situations.”
But many have grown to trust Joshua and visit his church plant, Higher Ground Church. During youth group gatherings there, he intentionally teaches the Bible verse by verse. Many are hearing it for the first time, and it’s changing their lives.
THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM (CP) is the financial fuel for reaching every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation. Your support of both CP and THE ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING provides Joshua the opportunity to build intentional relationships and share the hope of Jesus with others.
PRAY for more students to join Joshua’s Bible studies and for members of Higher Ground Church to be a light to their community.
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:
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.