www.fbcbigspring.org July 1, 2016

THE PROCLAIMER

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, BIG

SPRING, TEXAS The miss ion of F i r st Bapt ist Church is to evangel ize the unsaved, d isc ip le the saved

The book All The Places To Go by John Ortberg was given in

memory of Helen Stith by Vaughn and Helen Martin.

The book Truly Free by Robert Morris was given in memory of

Helen Stith by the FBC Choir.

The book Divine Collision by Jim Gash was given in memory

of Gyrlee Turner by Kenneth and Joyce Orr.

The book Glory Days by Max Lucado was given in memory of

Gyrlee Turner by Zelda Abbe and Charlie Minchew.

Did you know that the longest book in the Bible is a song book? It is called the book of Psalms, which actually contains 150 individual songs. The Psalms express the full range of human emotion before God, from pain and sorrow to joy and celebration! As such, the Psalms have been a wonderful treasure for Christians through the centuries. Each Sunday morning, beginning June 19, this summer we will explore a different Psalm, looking at its unique themes and finding meaningful ways to connect it to our lives. Join us for a summer in the Psalms!

"Save the Date" September 10, 2016

Fall Kick off for Ladies "Time Out" featuring Caitlin Skidmore, Greater Than Rubies, blogger. Her articles have been featured in the McKinney Image and she writes a monthly column for Prosper Magazine. You will not want to miss this. More information coming soon.

Thanks to everyone that helped and participated in the "Time Out" Painting Party. We had a great time of fellowship and discovering our artistic talent.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Have you ever taken time to step back and looked at how church life has changed over the past 30 years? In the 30 years that I have been in the ministry the changes have been astronomical. The changes in the area of music and worship alone have been staggering. Who could have dreamed that we would see and experience all the changes that have come?

The wonderful thing is that the resources for worshipping our Lord are ever-expanding. But along with that expansion comes a lot of misunderstanding. The role of media and entertainment in our lives often encroach on church life and out of that comes a misguided sense of what the role of music is in worship and church life. So what is the role of music in church life? (I’m so glad you asked!) The role of music in the church: Praise and Worship-music gives us an opportunity to express our love and adoration for our Lord. Christian Education – music helps teach and reinforce the bible and its doctrine. Ministry – hopefully the music we share touches the hearts of people who have spiritual and emotional needs. Evangelism – the gospel must be heard in our music, regardless of the source (i.e. choir, instruments, etc…) the music comes from!

I hope you noticed that nowhere do we see the word “entertainment”. The use of music in the church is not to entertain folks! (Although sometimes that happens…)

The Lord has given us a wonderful gift in music. It is His creation, given to us that we in turn would give it back to Him in the ways listed above. What a great privilege and responsibility is ours to handle this gift wisely and appropriately – for His honor and glory alone!

MEDIA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MISSION CENTER/ FOOD PANTRY

Thursday, July 14th

9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

We are in need of items for the food pantry. If you would like to volunteer, come at 8:30 a.m. and be blessed by

this amazing ministry.

MUSIC MINISTRY

ACTS 1:8 OPPORTUNITIES

FROM THE PASTOR

What a joyous week of Bible School!

Some 130 children enrolled and our average attendance was well over 100 each night. More importantly, 20 responded with a desire to know Jesus Christ as Savior. I am indebted to Justin and Megan Green for their leadership, as well as the host of volunteer workers. Let us continue to pray for these children and their families. Vacation Bible School was just the beginning of building relationships with each of these families. Our task is to continue to reach out to them with the love of Christ.

Each Sunday evening throughout the summer, we are gathering as a church to build the community within our church through worship, fellowship, and the study of Thom Rainer’s book, I Will”. Rainer calls for a revolution – a revolution desperately needed in our church – involving each of us to give our life’s all in commitment to Christ through his church.

We begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center with worship. Following our time of worship, a light meal is served to facilitate fellowship around the tables. Our time together concludes with small groups of youth and adults combined discussing the lessons of “I Will”. During this time, Justin Green will lead our children in the same study in the Good News Garage.

As I indicated in last month’s newsletter, Christ is calling all church members to forsake self and to serve others. In doing so, the church becomes our priority and our focus as demonstrated the New Testament. As the Lord draws you to a deeper commitment to the church, be prepared to respond with two words: I will!

SUMMER IN THE PSALMS Each Sunday morning in the summer, I will focus on the wonderful truths revealed in the Psalms. This songbook teaches of the relationship between a Holy God and those whom he has redeemed. Through our study, you will connect the deepest needs of your life with the abundant resources of the Father’s provision. Get ready to immerse yourself and your family in these wonderful testimonies of faith.

Finally, pray for our Denver Mission Team as they minister in Colorado. The team will work alongside the pastor of a new church planted in Lowry. They will be the hands touching the people of Colorado; we are the arms supporting them as we pray, give, and support.

You are my joy!

Bro. Mark

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and

those who are perishing.”

2 Corinthians 2:15

MISSION CENTER

Each month we continue to minister to families in the Big Spring area by meeting their physical need of food as well as their spiritual needs. You can support this ministry in these ways:

Pray. Pray for God to move in the lives of those to whom we minister. Ask the Lord to supply our monthly food needs as well as workers.

Give. Food items can be donated each month through your Sunday School class. Many classes have adopted a food item for which they are responsible. As well, money is always appreciated. Our monthly food bill ranges from $1100-2000.

Serve. There is a place for you to serve. The

pantry is the second Thursday of each month. We meet at Iglesia Bautista Central which is the church behind HEB off of Lancaster. Food is distributed from 9-11 a.m. Workers arrive between 8:30-8:45.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

YES! It is time to think about school supplies. Each year we distribute school supplies through the Mission Center. Also, we provide supplies for Howard College athletes. As you see items begin to be on sale, stock up!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Don’t forget to find sale items and put away for Operation Christmas Child boxes. Suggested items are: toys, school supplies, hygiene items, small clothing items, and hard candy. Pray, asking the Lord to direct your shopping.

EXTENDED SESSION KID’S KORNER

Bed Babies: Sylvia Draper

Toddlers & Three Year Olds:

July 3rd: Melissa & Sara Tarbet

July 10th: George & Elissa Bancroft

July 17th: Mike & Regina Warren

July 24th: Harvey & Rhonda Rothell

July 31st: Garrett & Kelli Wiginton

Vacation Bible School

VBS was a huge success! We had over 100 children in attendance all week. 40 children came from families that had no church affiliation. Over 20 families asked for more information about us. By Friday, over 20 children had indicated that they were interested in learning more about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Many times in church, the ministers are given credit for the success of church events. However, in this case that would be a mistake. More than 60 adult and youth volunteers came every night to make VBS a success. They started working weeks in advance by coming to trainings and planning their week; they decorated their rooms, made connections at the Aquatic Center the following Monday and then topped it all by coming back to visit every family that asked for more information about our church.

I guess, what I am trying to say is Thank You! It took a lot of people a lot of time to do VBS right. This church is an amazing group of people that worked really hard to reach out into Big Spring and to show a lot of lost children an awesome Christ-centered week.

Summerama

Summerama is under way. Children are spending Tuesdays and Thursdays at church learning about heroes in the Bible. They are averaging almost twenty kids each day. Tuesdays are set aside for field trips to get the kids out and about. This is a great way to help kids maximize their summer and to teach them about Christ. If you are interested in getting your kids in on the action, contact the church office.

Wednesday Nights

Over the Summer, families are vacationing and traveling all over the place. Because of this, church attendance can get intermittent. In respect of this fact, we are changing our Wednesday Night schedule for the Summer. We will meet at 6 in the Family Life Center and will have high energy times of fellowship, learning, and games. Every other week will be a Wacky Wednesday with a fun theme. Contact the church office or go to our website, fbcbigspring.org, for the schedule of events. This fun time is a great way to tackle the “I’m bored” of Summer vacation.

Summer Camp

There is still plenty of space left for families to attend Family Camp. It is July 22

nd-24

th. The Friday to Sunday schedule will

allow parents to minimize the amount of work they have to miss to experience this fun time of bonding and worship. The Big Country Baptist Assembly doesn’t have wifi or cell signal. We are going to focus on teamwork and communication within families. Their will be guided devotional and worship times as well as tons of recreation for the whole family. The amenities are hotel style suites for the entire family. If you are interested or just want more information, please contact Justin in the church office.

Grey Owen: July 1st

Caylee Myers: July 4th

Daniel Morgan: July 11th

Logan Henry: July 16th

Kayleigh Daniel: July 16th

I Will

The children are participating in the church-wide Sunday Night study of Thom Rainer’s book “I Will.” They are meeting with everyone in the Family Life Center at 5:30 pm to worship and eat. The children then have their own class where we are learning the same concepts as the adults, but with practical application based on their abilities.

First Baptist Church of Big Spring

705 W. FM 700

Big Spring, TX 79720

Phone: 432-267-8223

fbcbigspring.org

Wednesday Night Meals Deacons of the Month

Mark Vassar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .816-6966

Steve Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263-4112

Dennis Etheredge. . . . . . . . . . 352-1339

Ron Plumlee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263-7824

Phone Numbers & E-mails

If you have changed to a cell phone, please let the

church office know your new phone

number. We also would like to have

your e-mail address for our church

records.

July 13th Beef Tips Rice Lima Beans Salad Dessert

www.fbcbigspring.org

July 20th Lasagna Salad French Bread Dessert

July 6th Sausage/Onions/Peppers Macaroni/Cheese Salad Dessert

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:50 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. Men’s Ensemble 5:30 p.m. Kids’ Connection 5:30 p.m. Saturate Youth 6:00 p.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Wednesday Night Supper 5:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Adult Choir Practice 6:00 p.m. Real LYF 6:00 p.m. Saturate Youth 6:15 p.m.

July 27th Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Salad Dessert

Please Be In Prayer For:

Food Pantry

“I Will” Book Study on Sunday Evenings

Step Up Camp Youth Camp Family Camp

The Lost Our Congregation

Children from VBS

YOUTH NEWS

Summer Sunday nights, Youth will participate in the Summer Sunday Night Church wide emphasis. Each Sunday night our entire church will be reading and discussing the book "I Will" by Thom Ranier. It is a great book about being a church member. Please make plans to be a part of this. The church needs to hear what teenagers have to say as well as teenagers need to hear what senior adults have to say. This will be a valuable time for all, plus, there will be food! We will not meet on Sunday, July 3rd and we will complete the study on August 28th.

On the youth calendar, we were scheduled to go to another Rockhounds game on July 25th, that game date has been changed to July 18th. Tickets for that game are free if you sign up by July 5th. We will eat at Chick-Fil-A on the way to this game. If you do not sign up by July 5th, you can puchase a ticket at the game on the night of the game.

Please note, there are no church activities on Sunday Night July 3rd. There are also no Youth activities on Wednesday night July 6th or July 13th due to Youth Camp.

July is also our first opportunity to do our annual "City Serve" nights. We have two scheduled in July for the 20th and the 27th. We will meet at the church those nights. The one on the 20th will be here in Big Spring and the 27th is tentatively scheduled to be in Coahoma.

We look forward to a great week of camp, and we ask that the entire church be in prayer for us as we travel to Glorieta, NM for Centrifuge Camp. Parents and students, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Jonathan or Lynda.

Youth Camp - July 10th - July 15th

City Serve Nights

No Church Activities Due to bad weather in June, we have changed our Rockhounds game and picnic originally scheduled for June to July 26th. Students, kids, families, everybody is invited. Signup deadline to guarantee a ticket is July 17th. Cost is $15 and includes a 2 hour all you can eat picnic. We will meet at the church at 4:45 to leave.

Dates To Remember

July 5th: Deadline to Sign Up For RockHounds Game on July 18th

July 29th: Open Gym Night

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

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25 26 27 28 29

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Sunday Schedule 8:00 a.m. VA Ministry

9:15 a.m. Media Center Opens 9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 5:30 p.m. “I Will” Study

Wednesday Schedule 5:00 p.m.—Supper 6:00 p.m.—Adult Bible Study —Adult Choir —Real LYF Schedule varies—Saturate Youth

Extended Session Toddlers July 3rd: Beth Spence & Wanda Driver July 10th: George & Elissa Bancroft July 17th: Mike & Regina Warren July 24th: Harvey & Rhonda Rothell July 31st: Garrett & Kelli Wigington Bed Babies: Sylvia Draper

MDO/SUMMERAMA MDO/SUMMERAMA

MDO/SUMMERAMA MDO/SUMMERAMA

Sausage/Onions/Peppers Macaroni & Cheese

Salad Dessert

Beef Tips & Rice Lima Beans

Salad Dessert

Lasagna Salad

French Bread Dessert

Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes

Gravy Salad

Dessert

MDO/SUMMERAMA

MDO/SUMMERAMA MDO/SUMMERAMA

MDO/SUMMERAMA

Deacons’ Meeting 4:30 p.m.

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Finance Committee Meeting 5:00 p.m.

No “I Will” Study This Evening

Office is C

losed

S T E P U P C A M P JULY 5TH THROUGH 8TH

LLL

Mission Center/ Food Pantry

F U G E C A M P JULY 10TH THROUGH 15TH

FAMILY CAMP JULY 22 - 24

Youth Missions Night

Youth Missions Night

Open Gym Night 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Church Wide—All You Can Eat Picnic Leave at 4:45