February 2019 Witness

I’m presently preaching through a series called WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOD’S PEOPLE, and last Sunday I shared that Persian rugs are woven in an unusual way.   The fabric is stretched over a large, vertical rack. The master weaver stands on one side and his helpers, who do the actual weaving, stand on the other. The master weaver, as the artist, gives directions to his helpers on the other side, who pull the woolen yarn through without realizing what they are creating. Only at the end of the day do they get to walk over to the finished side and see the masterpiece that they have helped create.   How much the weaving of that rug is like life for us as believers. There are times in our lives when we don’t understand what God is weaving into our lives – when God doesn’t make sense to us – but He sees the finished side that we can’t see, yet.  B. M. Franklin wrote “The Tapestry Poem” to remind us of that.   My life is but a weaving                                              Not ’til the loom is silent Between my God and me.                                           And the shuttles cease to fly I cannot choose the colors                                          Will God unroll the canvas He weaveth steadily.                                                    And reveal the reason why. Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;                                   The dark threads are as needful And I in foolish pride                                                  In the weaver’s skillful hand Forget He sees the upper                                            As the threads of gold and silver And I the underside.                                                    In the pattern He has planned.   We had a good month in January with 365 in Bible Study. February and early March are filled with some great opportunities:  

  • The A. RACER DERBY is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 3rd, in our C.F.L.C. Weigh-in begins at 1:30 P.M. with the races beginning at 2:00. Thanks to David Bloxham and his crew!
  • UPWARD BASKETBALL & CHEERLEADING continues with games on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of February with their Celebration Banquet on Sunday evening, February 24th, at 6:30 in our C.F.L.C. Thanks to Chuck & Kim Bankston & all those who make Upward happen here at FBC!
  • A ministry of our church is being “renewed” through the efforts of Becky Patterson.   Becky will be leading “GRIEF SHARE,” a weekly class beginning on Sunday evening, February 3rd, at 5:30 in Room D-207 (C.F.L.C.).
  • Kim Wall and our Fund-raising Team are working tirelessly on our capital campaign called “GENERATIONS FOLLOWING” that will kick off on the first Sunday in March!
  • Our Young Adult Ministry will host “THE CANOPY” once again in February on Thursday evening, the 28th, at 7:00 P.M. Thanks to Honey Teal and all who make this event a blessing to our church and community!
  • Our BIBLE EMPHASIS WEEKEND will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Our special guest speaker for the event is Andy Cook, founder of a unique ministry called “Experience Israel Now.”  Andy leads trips to the Holy Land, but he also brings the Land of the Bible home to us in his video presentations through history, geography and archeology.   It will be a Saturday you won’t forget!
     February is going to be a great month!   COME EXPECTANTLY!
 
 
 

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January 2019 Witness

An unknown poet wrote a poem that can be of comfort to us as we approach the new year:
 
He came to my desk, with a quivering lip      
I went to the throne with a trembling heart The lesson was done                                         
The year was done.
Have you a new leaf for me, teacher,           
Have you a new year for me, Father, I have spoiled this one                                     
I have spoiled this one.
I took his leaf, all soiled and blotted             
He took my year, all soiled and blotted
And gave him a new one, all unspotted.       
And gave me a new one, all unspotted
Then into his tired heart I smiled                   
And into my tired heart He smiled, “Do better now, my child.”                             
 “Do better now, my child.”
 
We had a good month in December with an average attendance of 349 in Bible Study. I always enjoy being part of our SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF CHRISTMAS BANQUET.    Russ and his Sunday School officers did a great job! Our Christmas musical, WONDERFUL LOVE, was wonderful on Saturday and Sunday, December 15th and 16th. Thanks to Greg and all our musicians for helping us get into the spirit of the season! And we tried something different this year for our CHRISTMAS FAMILY LORD’S SUPPER.  We did it on Sunday morning, December 23rd, hoping more families could participate with us. Our LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS goal this year is $27,000.  We enjoyed Tim and Charlotte Cearley, former International Mission Board missionaries to Africa and now serving in community ministries at First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, being our guest speakers on December 2nd.     Please continue to pray and give so that we might meet this worthy offering. Our Personnel Team will be gearing up again in our search for a CHILDREN’S MINISTER in the month of January.  Please keep them in your prayers as we seek to find God’s person for this important position. We are planning some KEY DONOR MEETINGS as we begin the new year to prepare for our “GENERATIONS FOLLOWING” capital fund-raising campaign for our new Student/ Young Adult Building.  Please be in prayer for Kim Wall and Fund-raising Team as they get ready to kick off the campaign.   January has, among other things, some great opportunities:
  • Russ Jenkins will be teaching two of our Foundations Classes in January. DISCOVERY 201: Committed to Maturity will be taught from 6:30-8:30 on Wednesday evening, January 9thDISCOVERY 301: Committed to Ministry will be taught from 6:30-8:30 on Wednesday night, January 16th.  Discovery 301 will help you discover your spiritual gift(s)
  • The 23rd ANNUAL BARNESVILLE GAME & FISH BANQUET is scheduled for Thursday evening, January 24th. Our speaker for this year’s banquet is Kyle Woodfin, Director of Legacy Outdoor Ministries in Hawkinsville, Georgia. Kyle will share with us “How to Be a Real Hunter.”
We look forward to a great month in January. We hope you have a blessed New Year! I Love You, Garth
 
 

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