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A weekly update from First Baptist Church of Strafford
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Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life."

The Lord planted our church where we are to help our neighbors discover the light of life. So, we're asking each member of our church to consider becoming a Light to their neighbors and living intentional "pray-care-share" lifestyles.

Becoming a Light is free and confidential. You'll receive a map and list of your closest neighbors, along with emails at the frequency of your choice to pray for your next five neighbors that day. When you get a chance, walk or drive by those homes as you pray for them.

To learn more about this opportunity visit the following link to sign up on the website: 
https://blesseveryhome.com/fbcstrafford

Shoeboxes Due This Sunday!


Through the month of November, we are packing shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child! These boxes, filled with toys and gifts, are delivered to children in need around the world. Each box is an opportunity for a boy or girl to experience the love of God in a tangible way and hear the Gospel.

More information can be found on the 
Operation Christmas Child website. Please bring your filled shoebox back to the church this Sunday, November 20 along with a $10 donation for shipping. If you have any questions, talk with missions coordinator Shannon Peelor or children's minister Brittany Erisman.

Worship With Us This Sunday


We invite you to join us for worship this Sunday, November 20, as Pastor Orvin continues our Philippians series Choose Joy with a message titled "The Joy of Seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Advancing" (Philippians 1:12-18).

We hope to see you and your family for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m. Music will be led by our worship choir and band. You can preview the service plan HERE. The bulletin is available for download HERE.

The work of sprucing up the church for the Christmas season has already begun, but the biggest tasks are putting up and decorating Christmas trees throughout the building. Join us this Sunday, November 20 at 4:30 p.m. (after choir rehearsal) if you can help. Talk with Jane Love if you have any questions.
Our annual church-wide Christmas dinner will be held on Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. The church will provide the meat and drinks. Plan to bring at least one dish per adult/teenage member of your family. Following the meal, we'll move the worship center for our annual business meeting to vote on the 2023 budget as well as new officers and committees.

Copies of the proposed 2023 budget will be distributed on Sunday, November 27. If you have any questions about the budget, talk with treasurer Terry Bruton or finance committee chairman Ryan Flowers.
December
4-11 | Week of Prayer for International Missions and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
4 (Sun) | Missions Sunday in Worship Service + Missionary Guest Speaker
14 (Wed) | KidsNOW Christmas Program – 6:30 p.m. (Dinner @ 6:00 p.m.)
17 (Sat) | Men’s Guided Bird Hunt @ Lockwood
18 (Sun) | Choir Christmas Presentation – “Behold the Lamb of God” @ 10:45 a.m.
22-Jan 2 | Church Office Closed (Christmas Break)
25 (Sun) | Christmas Day Worship @ 10:00 a.m. (No Sunday School)
 
January
1 (Sun) | New Year’s Day Worship @ 10:45 a.m. (No Sunday School)
 
Full calendar available at fbcstrafford.org/events or on the Bridge Element app

SBC Missionary Highlight & Prayer Prompt

When COVID-19 became a global pandemic, many missionaries were forced to return to the U.S. or made the decision to return because it was the best choice for their families. Kelvin and Elizabeth Joseph* made the opposite decision and remained in Poland.

Just after making the decision to stay, God blessed their obedience and a young man Kelvin had been sharing the Gospel with since they arrived in Poland prayed to receive Christ.

Being in Poland gave Kelvin the chance to disciple his friend face-to-face for six additional months. Just before Christmas 2020, the young man organized a Bible study with a mutual friend who also prayed to receive 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 allows missionaries around the world to make a difference for the Gospel no matter the situation or circumstance.

PRAY for God to bless these new disciples and also to continue to open miraculous doors for the Joseph’s ministry.

* Names changed for security

For more about this story, visit: https://www.imb.org/2021/03/15/god-blessed-obedience-stay

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 plate or 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.
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Give Now
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This Week @ FBC Strafford


Thursday, November 17
10:00 a.m. | Painting Class
6:00 p.m. | "Man Up" Men's Group

Friday, November 18
6:00 p.m. | Psalm 119 Club

Saturday, November 19
9:00 a.m. | Men's Breakfast (Skeet Shooting following)
11:00 a.m. | "Our Daily Bread" Food Pantry OPEN (until 1:00 p.m.)

Sunday, November 20
8:45 a.m. | Worship Team Rehearsal
9:30 a.m. | Sunday School
10:45 a.m. | Worship Service
12:15 p.m. | Finance Committee Lunch + Meeting
3:30 p.m. | Choir Rehearsal
4:30 p.m. | Church Christmas Decorating
6:00 p.m. | Community Thanksgiving Service @ Landmark (Youth @ HH)

November 23-25
Church Closed (Thanksgiving Break)
No NOW on November 23


CLICK HERE to view full calendar.

This Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022


ECM | Jenny C. & Neveah B.
Greeters | Dennis & Wenda N.
Information Desk | Jessica Miller
Audio | Jeremy F.
Video | Jesse D.
Security | Larry A. & Steve E.
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 (417) 736-2148 or emailing us
Thank you to all those who serve our church in these important roles each Sunday morning!
Week ending November 13, 2022
Worship Attendance - 86
Sunday School Attendance - 63

Undesignated Giving - $2,387.45
Weekly Budget Goal - $4,961.54
Q4 Giving - $37,908.74
(109.2% of budget through 7 weeks)
YTD Giving - $215,821.13
(94.6% of budget through 46 weeks)

NOW Attendance - 95 (Nov. 16)
Copyright © 2022 First Baptist Church of Strafford, All rights reserved.


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