Promise Keepers

Okay men, each week we have been encouraged and inspired as we have heard Bro. Buddy share about the upcoming Promise Keepers conference May 16-17 in Jacksonville.

It is time for action!

Why?

Society is crumbling around us. Marriages are collapsing. Pornography is winning the battle for men’s minds. And our children are abandoning the Church. But there is hope.

When a child is the first to attend church, 31⁄2% of the families follow. When a wife/mom is the first to attend church, 17% of the families follow. When a dad/husband is the first to attend church, 93% of the families follow. In the words of Dr. Tony Evans, “As the man goes, so goes the world.” America – and the World – needs men with a renewed passion for obedience to God, and His Word.

HERE is the link for the event.  Tickets are regularly $89.00, but we have worked with Promise Keepers for a discounted group rate.  If you enter in the promotional code line ABC, the tickets will be $69.00.  Hotel expenses will be covered by our Brotherhood ministry. Men, please be in prayer about attending this life and world changing event.  Our families, churches and community need godly men to lead us.  Please let Bro. Buddy know as soon as possible if you will be attending.

OPENING IN THEATERS THIS MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND,

MOMS' NIGHT OUT BRINGS YOUR LIFE TO THE BIG SCREEN!

(AND YES, IT'S A COMEDY!)

All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms' night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? MOMS' NIGHT OUT is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.

Looking for a movie suitable for entertainment without the unsuitable elements?  This movie is endorsed by several in the Christian community.  Check out the website for more information and let's support clean entertainment!

Mom's Night Out

World Missions Conference...This Sunday!!

We will not have evening service on Sunday night, but will be participating with our association churches to support the World Missions Conference.  Hope you will join us!

Associational  World Missions Conference 

April 27th—5 PM 

 First Baptist Church, Live Oak, FL 

Please make plans to join us for an exciting evening of Missions with the Suwannee Baptist Association. We’ve procured the largest venue available in our association, First Baptist Live Oak, because we believe that this will be 

the largest effort ever in our Association of churches. The plans are coming together and thus far we have over twenty mission “vendors” coming to share their ministries and give everyone in our churches an opportunity to see and experience missions at this “one stop” missions extravaganza. The following will be available that evening: 

-Missions Fair 

 Come see what’s going on at home, in our state, nationally and around the world. Visit booths that will 

give you insight into missions AND opportunities to get personally engaged. Want to find out about upcoming 

mission trips? This is the place! And you will have the chance to learn even more specifics on our 

“Missions Live Stage”. Our special guests will include two families currently serving through our 

International Mission Board and at least one representative from the North American Mission Board. 

-Dinner served by the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Unit. 

Come see what it is like to serve those who are hit by disaster. 

-Large group Mission’s Celebration. 

The evening will conclude with music, videos, testimonies and a panel discussion of our missionary guests that will give you great insight into what God is doing as we work together in accomplishing His mission calling. 

-A special missions experience for our preschoolers and early elementary aged children with activities especially designed for them. 

We are asking every church in our association to come together on this special Sunday evening to learn, celebrate and set our sights on God’s calling. This will be a great time for your family, even the kids to see what God is doing and how you can join Him On Mission. 

National Day of Prayer - May 1

As a church, we know well the power that God’s people experience when they PRAY! On the first Thursday in May, our nation pauses to observe a National Day of Prayer, and on that day, we as the church in America, have an opportunity to emphasize the importance of PRAYER as a testimony to who God is, what we believe, and the fact that our Nation was founded upon the truths of God’s Word. We would like to invite you and your congregation to join with thousands of other churches across our nation to participate in this year’s National Day of Prayer!

Our community will have a service held at City Hall at 12:15 PM.  Be encouraged to join if possible, but please spend time in prayer for our nation!

New Ladies Bible Study

 

A new Ladies Bible Study will begin on Wednesday, May 7.  The study will be "Your Divine Design"

 

Here is a quick introduction: "Do you know how God has uniquely wired you? Every believer was created to play a strategic role in the body of Christ, with the gifts God has given them. But many of today's Christians face one difficult question: How do I discover my spiritual gifts and then use them effectively in my church? This series will unpack key passages from Romans, Ephesians, and 1 Corinthians to explore the role of spiritual gifts in the believer's life, while helping you to pinpoint your own. With biblical insight and practical steps, you'll learn how to discover, develop, and deploy your spiritual gifts so you can live a life of greater impact."

 

This study will be an eight week study and we will meet each Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the church.  All ladies are welcome!

Weekend of Champions

WEEKEND OF CHAMPIONS 

May 16-17, 2014

Here is an announcement about an exciting event for our youth from our Association Office:

May 16-17th is if full of events for our youth and families. NFL guest speakers will be at the Middle School and High School Friday. Saturday afternoon there will be a football clinic. Saturday night there will be a youth rally. Sunday morning the NFL guest speakers will be speaking in some of our churches.

So if you are one of those who would say, “You can’t talk about God in the schools,” you might want to pay attention. It’s going to happen on May 16th. We’re turning “You can’t into Yes you can” as well follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our target audience that weekend will be reaching the lost folks in our communities with the truth of the Gospel

If you would like to be involved, we can use lots of help AND food...you know kids can eat! Call us to volunteer.

Children's Easter Activity

Just a reminder about the Children's Easter Activity which begins at 10:00 AM tomorrow.  It will still be going on- rain or shine!  Bring the kids out for a time of fun, games, an egg hunt and a time to remember the true meaning of Easter.  Lunch will follow in the fellowship hall.

Easter Activities

This weekend is Easter and we have plenty of opportunities for you to be involved!

Saturday, will be our Children's Easter Activity which begins at 10:00 AM at the church. Activities include a time of sharing the true meaning of Easter, fun and games along with an Easter egg hunt, followed by lunch.  All children are welcome to share in this special celebration.

Easter Sunday will begin with a Sunrise Service beginning at 7:30 AM.  Come early and enjoy Easter Sunday as we celebrate our Risen Savior through songs, prayer and a time of reflecting in God's Word.  A continental breakfast will follow.  During our morning worship service, our choir will be ministering praises through song.  There will be no evening service.  

10 Ways to Worship God Without Music

Worship through music is only a small portion of what true, biblical worship is all about. God designed us to worship Him with our whole lives, and there are actually spiritual habits that we can build into our lives that help us worship God more deeply. Here are ten habits than will build worship into your life on a daily basis.

1. Worship through prayer. When we affirm who God is through our prayers, we put our prayer life in proper perspective. That’s exactly how Jesus taught us to pray. Prayer starts with God (example: “Our Father, which art in heaven”). Consider including in your prayers a time of focused attention on who God is.

2. Get in a regular habit of reading the Bible. The Bible says that we worship God in “spirit and in truth.” How can we ever worship God without a clear understanding of who He is? The truth about God is essential to worship.

3. Obey God. We worship God when we obey Him. We all need to build the habit of obedience into our lives. Whenever you sense God is speaking to you, make it a regular practice to respond immediately.

4. Tithe. If you want to know what in your life you worship, look at your checkbook register. The Bible teaches us this important lesson: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mathew 6:21 NIV)

5. Build deep relationships with other Christians. The Bible teaches that God designed us to live in community with other Christians. We bring God pleasure by getting to know others and being known by them. The primary way we do this is through small groups like Sunday School classes.

6. Share your faith. John Piper made many of us re-look at why we share our faith when he wrote a few years ago: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” God wants every person on the planet to worship him, not because He is an egomaniac who needs our praise, but because worship is how we are designed by God. He wants the best for us.

7. Serve others. Jesus tells us that “when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me!” (Matt. 25:40 NLT) When we serve one another, Jesus tells us we are really serving Him.

8. Build into your life the attitude of thankfulness. When we look through the lens of thankfulness, we see our lives—and everything in it—as all gifts from God. Develop your own spiritual exercise each morning that demonstrates that you are putting on your lens of thankfulness.

9. Begin turning over to God areas of your life that you have never committed to Him. This is the heart of worship — surrender. God won’t settle for 90 percent of your life; He wants all of it. You might have been a follower of Jesus for years, but you still have areas of your life that you are holding back from Him. Allow God to expose those areas and help you release to Him.

10. Live a life of purpose. God has a reason for your existence. In fact, He has five: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and worship. You please God when you live in step with His purposes. God doesn’t want you to waste your life.

You were designed for God’s pleasure. The purpose of worship is the foundation of the other four purposes. Fellowship without the spirit of worship is just “hanging out.” Discipleship without worship is nothing but a fruitless mental exercise. Ministry without worship is called “spinning your wheels.” Evangelism without worship is a misplaced sales pitch.

Worship isn’t simply one area of your life; it is your life. Start right this moment by surrendering your life to God. Then spend the rest of your life learning to worship Him more fully.

World Missions Fair

Associational World Missions Conference

April 27th—5 PM

 First Baptist Church, Live Oak, FL

Please make plans to join us for an exciting evening of Missions with the Suwannee Baptist Association. We've procured the largest venue available in our association, First Baptist Live Oak, because we believe that this will be the largest effort ever in our Association of churches. The plans are coming together and thus far we have over twenty mission “vendors” coming to share their ministries and give everyone in our churches an opportunity to see and experience missions at this “one stop” missions extravaganza. The following will be available that evening:

-Missions Fair

 Come see what’s going on at home, in our state, nationally and around the world. Visit booths that will

give you insight into missions AND opportunities to get personally engaged. Want to find out about upcoming mission trips? This is the place! And you will have the chance to learn even more specifics on our

“Missions Live Stage”. Our special guests will include two families currently serving through our

International Mission Board and at least one representative from the North American Mission Board.

-Dinner served by the Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Unit. Come see what it is like to serve those who are hit by disaster.

-Large group Mission’s Celebration. The evening will conclude with music, videos, testimonies and a panel discussion of our missionary guests that will give you great insight into what God is doing as we work together in accomplishing His mission calling.

-A special missions experience for our preschoolers and early elementary aged children with activities especially designed for them.

We are asking every church in our association to come together on this special Sunday evening to learn, celebrate and set our sights on God’s calling. This will be a great time for your family, even the kids to see what God is doing and how you can join Him On Mission.

In an effort to support this Mission Fair, we will not have evening service this night, but encourage church family to attend this event.

Promise for the Week

Promise #7:  A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) 

Men, don't forget the Promise Keepers Conference May 16-17 in Jacksonville.  See all the details HERE! including the speaker line up and ticket information.

Men, you are a vital part of our church, families and communities. We need you and your godly influence to lead and pave the way.  Please pray about attending this event and see Buddy H. for more information.

"Men are God's method. The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men who the Holy Spirit can use - men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not come on machinery but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer." - Edward McKendree (E. M.) Bounds    

Sermon Series Recap

I was planned for God's pleasure. The Bible word for that is "worship." 

I was planned for God's pleasure.  I was formed for God's family.  And the Bible word for that is "fellowship." 

I was created to become like Christ. And the Bible word for that is "discipleship," becoming like Jesus Christ. 

I was shaped to serve God.  The Bible word for that is "ministry," that’s what God made me for. 

 I was made for a mission.  And the Bible word for that is "evangelism." 

 That's why God put me here.  That's why God put you here, to do those things in our lives and through our lives. 

When I get a hold of God's five purposes for my life, when you get a hold of that for your life, you realize I was put on this earth for God's pleasure. 

My life is not an accident.  I was made.  I was created to live for God. 

Children's Easter Activitiy

There will be a children's Easter Activity on April 19 beginning at 10:00 AM at the church.  All chidlren are welcome to enjoy a great time of celebrating the true meaning of Easter along with some games and an egg hunt.  Lunch will follow.

We are looking for donations of wrapped candy.  

Church Renovation

Our Church Renovation project is getting ready to begin.  The research has been done, hours have been spent by our committee going over the product, design, colors, fabrics etc.  Their hard work and faithfulness is appreciated.

The committee is recommending three color/fabric choices.  Samples of these are on a table by the water fountain hallway.  Please make time to stop by and look over the choices.  A vote will be taken at the next business meeting (April 16) to finalize the choice.  

Be prayerfully involved as we seek to do needed repairs to keep God's house in a good condition.  If you are led by the Lord to contribute towards this project, there is a fund open for donations. Please mark your check - building fund and it will go directly for this project. 

Promise Keepers - Promise #6

Here is #6 of the Promise Keepers Promises.

Men, please continue to pray about the upcoming Promise Keepers Rally on May 16-17 in Jacksonville.  Our families, our churches, our communities and world need men of honor and integrity to stand firm in biblical truths.  This rally will be a time to renew your commitment to the Lord and be refreshed and rejuvenated to be God's man.

A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity. (John 17:20-21) Also see: Genesis 11:1-8, Leviticus 19:32-34, Numbers 25:1-18, Ruth 1:16-17, Proverbs 6:1-35; 22:2, Isaiah 53:1-12, Luke 10:25-37, Acts 10:24-33, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:3-9, Ephesians 2:14; 4:2-3, Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 14:65

Who Do You Follow?

Who Do You Follow? 

What would happen if Christians all across our area would unite, stand together and openly stand 

together to proclaim the truth that “We Follow Jesus!” 

Meet with us on April 19th and find out. 

The walk/ride is planned for Saturday the 19th.. Starting point will be at Langford Stadium at 

10:00 AM proceeding to Ohio/Martin Luther King Ave. Then to US 90/Howard St briefly stopping at the Millennium Park and returning to the Langford Stadium parking lot. 

For more information to involve your church or group please contact Bud Smith at (386)208-5182 or Randy Nobles at (386)590-0765 

The is a prime chance to take the “Opportunity for You to Identify with Christian Unity for Our Community”