There’s a nip in the air and pumpkins on porches. You know what that means – the holidays are right around the corner! Before your calendar gets booked this season, be sure and leave a spot for our Holiday Brunch! It will be the perfect opportunity to fellowship, enjoy some yummy food, and focus our hearts and minds on what truly matters this holiday season. You won’t want to miss our hilarious guest speaker, Gayle Young, as she brings The Word and some laughs to inspire and encourage us. Gayle is the Women’s and Children’s Minister at First Baptist Church, Ponca City. Plus, talented women in our church will be sharing their holiday decorations on each table—from centerpieces to dishes. Come get ideas for your own holiday decorating!! Tickets are $10 and will go on sale October 18, so be sure to stop by the Crossover to get yours. If you have a season pass, don’t forget to pick up your ticket in the Crossover!
Event News Tara Seitz FIRST Ladies’ Newsletter
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“For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
• Sister 2 Sister
• LAST Word
• Special Projects
• Prayer Clinic
• LOL
In this issue!
FIRST LADIES’
RETREAT
FEB. 26 & 27
2016
Gayle Young
Recently, I began a Bible Study called “The Family of Jesus” by Karen Kingsbury. It looks at the
lives of those earthly influences Jesus had while here as a man. The study takes a look at Joseph,
Zechariah, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, James and Mary. They were all related in some way by
blood or marriage. They influenced Jesus’ story. We know there were many others that influenced
or played a part in Jesus’ life just as there are many people in our lives that influence us. Facebook
just had one of those quizzes that showed the “friends” that are good and bad influences in our
lives. Don’t we wish it was that easy to know which ones are good and bad?
One of the questions in this Bible Study is, “If you were to create a family tree with three to six of
the family members who have had the greatest impact on your life, who would you include and
why?” Take a minute and think about that. You might want to include your church family in that
too. You know we all have a church family tree that started when we received Christ as our Lord;
those people who invested in our spiritual growth and played a part in shaping our beliefs and
seeing us mature in our relationship with God.
Romans 12:10-11 HCSB says, “Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one
another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.” Look around
you and see those in your family who try to help keep you on the right track, encourage you, stand
up for you when no one else does and truly wants what is best for you. Consider taking some time
to thank them for the influence they have had in your life or take the time to encourage someone
that you are investing in today.
Page 2
Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Gwen Coburn
Gwen
Looking for time away from the busyness of life? Time to "stop and smell the roses" as you relax with friends, share laughter and stories, and spend time with God? At Garden Getaway, our 2016 retreat, you'll have the opportunity to experience an in-depth Bible study, an unforgettable worship experience, and an opportunity to walk with God through the various seasons of life. We will see Jesus as the Master Gardener of our lives who wants to walk with us every step of our journey. (This retreat would be a great Christmas gift, - hint now to your family.)
Registration is limited to 50 so sign up as soon as registration begins.
Date: February 26-27, 2016 Place: Tulakogee Conference Center Cost: $65
“For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
Page 3
The LAST Word Kay Calavan
i|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vx Vicki Pack & Cristin Shelby
Joyfully Serving With You,
WOMEN ON MISSION
Challenging Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God.
Women on Mission meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 114,
First Baptist Church
Kay
How would you feel if someone referred to you as a “Gomer Girl”? If you are familiar with the book of Hosea and the story of Hosea and Gomer, you may not feel comfortable with that title. Gomer led a less than stellar life, but she represents all of us at times. According to Jennifer Rothschild in her Bible Study, “Hosea”, Gomer acted out of her Iddiction. That is a word that my autocorrect does not like!! What does that mean? An Iddict is someone who is addicted to herself – her wants, her wisdom, her whims, her way. Ouch!#! If we are honest with ourselves, we all fall into that category more than we would like to admit. Being an Iddict means we haven’t fully identified with our identity in God, therefore, we act out of our Iddiction rather than our identity. Jennifer says, “The end result of our Iddiction is not satisfaction; it’s an empty, unhappy identity crisis. A life pursuing pleasure doesn’t bring happiness, it brings exhaustion.” Then she asks this question, “Is my sense of security and identity in God alone?” That is a question that requires some soul searching, isn’t it?!
The good news is that being a “Gomer Girl” means we are loved, accepted and complete. Being a follower of Christ gives you a new identity:
You are dearly loved You are accepted
You are complete When your Iddiction surfaces, fight back with the reality of who you are and whose you are!
From one “Gomer Girl” to another,
Vicki & Cristin
Jenni & Neva
Prayer Clinic Jenni Dunn & Neva Schoonover
LOL—Loving Our Ladies
The FIRST Ladies’ ministry team, “Loving Our Ladies.”, or LOL, is a ministry that reaches
out to those ladies who have given so much of their lives to our church. Some of these
ladies are unable to attend church any longer because of illness, age or other
circumstances. The purpose of this ministry team is to see that these ladies are visited
on behalf of First Baptist Church and FIRST Ladies. If you have an interest in helping in
this area, please contact Gwen Coburn. These visits will not only be a blessing to the
ladies visited, but also to you — if you choose to be a part of this ministry. We will be
highlighting one of the ladies in our newsletter each quarter so everyone will get a
chance to meet the ones who have left us a legacy of
love, faithfulness and commitment. Gwen Coburn
918-869-7496
111 S. 7th Street
Muskogee, OK 74401
Phone: 918-682-3496
Fax: 918-682-7131
www.fbcmuskogee.org
First Thessalonians 5:18 says “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s
easy to give thanks when everything is going well. What about the times when you feel as though everything
is falling apart, when you are in the midst of the trial? It’s much harder to see the good when you are in the
trenches trying to persevere through, but God wants you to give thanks in everything. Why? He wants your
total dependence to be on Him. Our hope comes from God. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of
God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
Romans 5:2-5. At this time in our church, it would be easy to focus on the negatives of being without a Senior
Pastor, Associate Pastor and Education Minister. Instead, let's take this opportunity to thank God for the
ministers He has sent to us over the past 125 years as well as to thank God for the ministers He has planned
for our future. Our hope comes from God alone and His timing is perfect.
Joining each of you in praising God and thanking Him!
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