For all things "Life at First Baptist" click here!
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What's Happening at FBC |
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Editor's Note: If the full email does not display click "View Entire Message" and it will open in your browser to allow you to see all of the content in Life at First Baptist. |
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St. Joseph Baptist Association: Every Tuesday we are commissioning our churches to pray for the DOM/AMS Search Team and process.
Janice Rothganger - Janice is having hip replacement surgery this morning. Please pray all goes well and for a speedy recovery! UPDATE: She was back home before Life at First Baptist was sent out. Everything went well! |
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Child Dedications |
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A couple of weeks ago we dedicated 3 new children to the Lord! What a heritage! |
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Thank you to all who helped pull everything together! Baccalaureate was a hit!! |
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VBS Volunteer Meeting |
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FREE LUNCH! We are asking that all VBS Volunteers are join us THIS Sunday for a meeting around this year's Vacation Bible School. This meeting will be both informative and practical. Even if you have not decided to volunteer this is the meeting for you to plan on attending to learn more information... and let us convince you to pitch in! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall following service! |
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FBC Weston Women's Conference |
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If you have not signed up and intend to come please do so! We need a headcount for both food and shirts!
The FBC Weston Women's Conference will be held June 6, 2025! Our speaker this year is our very own Debbie Slump. Worship will be led by members of the FBC Weston Worship Team with special guest, Kara Kiviranta. Price covers admission, the meal, and a t-shirt! Sign-up by clicking here! |
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Daytime Women's Bible Study |
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The next Daytime Women's Bible Study will begin Wednesday, June 11th at 9:30 a.m. with a movie! We will watch ESTHER to begin our study of the book of Esther. The study is guided by Kelly Minter. You can purchase a book by clicking here or here! Becky will have some on hand if you would rather pick one up at the church. Contact Becky Henkel for more details! |
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Consider the Lilies Book Study |
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The Sands' are hosting a new Book Study beginning June 14th. This study is open to anyone. Children are welcome! They can play with the other kiddos or sit in on the discussion. This will be a 14 week study on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Coffee is on me! Feel free to bring a dish to share for a light breakfast.
The study will take us deeper into consideration of the character of God and how that brings peace amidst our anxious hearts. This study is interactive and how much you give yourself to it is how much you will get out of it. Each week we will read a chapter and be given exercises to keep our minds working throughout the week, opportunities to reflect on the principles, and ways to practice the principles we are learning. This portion of the study will help guide our discussion on Saturday mornings. Week 1 will be a time to overview the study, discuss the "why" behind it, and enjoy fellowship with one another. You can purchase the book below but will receive the workbook for the study at our first gathering.
You can sign up for the study by clicking here!
Purchase the book by clicking here! |
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FBC Youth SDC Trip |
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The FBC Youth SDC trip is being postponed to a later date. We will STILL have a youth gathering that week. Details TBD! |
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Vacation Bible School |
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Dust off your boots and grab your bandanas—it’s time to get your tickets to Wonder Junction! As we look around the West, we see so many things to wonder at—lovely landscapes, created critters, and intriguing inventions. But none of these compares to the grandest wonder of all—our Savior Jesus Christ! Here at Wonder Junction, we know there’s no greater joy than to praise the name of the Lord all day long. But how can yer kids do that if they don’t know who Jesus is or what he’s done for them?
In this Western-themed VBS, kids will learn all about who this amazing Jesus is as we dig into questions such as: What amazing things happened surrounding Jesus’ birth? What was Jesus like as a child and teen? What wonders occurred during Jesus’ ministry years? How were Jesus’ death and resurrection like no other? What should we be doing as we wait for Jesus’ return?
Get yer tickets (sign-up) here!
If you would like to volunteer for please contact Autumn Sands for more information. There is a role for everyone!! |
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Pastor's Pen |
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Brothers & Sisters,
Thank you!
The time you allow for us to be away accomplishes a number of things. 1. It provides an opportunity for rest. Ministry is an interesting vocation. Often times the work is intangible meaning that you don't always have an "end product" or result of your labor. Time away allows for me to slow my body down so my mind can function properly. It allows for me to zoom out a bit and examine my heart. This vacation, in particular, allowed for me to deal with some of my own anxiety. (Perhaps, more on that down the road..) It also allowed for me to at least examine the question that I have had lingering for a while now, "Why am I so tired?" The answer is simple; I have ignored a regular sabbath rest. Don't get me wrong, I take "time off" but I haven't really rested. I must admit that in the busyness of life and ministry I have ignored many of the spiritual disciplines I so often encourage others not to! This is something I have endeavored, by God's grace, to grow in.
2. This time away has allowed time for my family to reconnect. We absolutely love God's calling on our lives. Ministry is not "Dad's Job" but it is truly a calling on our entire family. That means, though, that much of what we do as a family has a ministry focus. Time away allowed for us simply sit around without the pressure of meeting deadlines, waiting for the next ministry event or meeting to start, or unlocking the door of the church so someone else can get in! (I say this tongue in cheek ) We were able to trek around Branson eating the food, riding the rides at SDC, and do something Autumn and I have discovered about ourselves; piddle. Maybe her "old soul" ways are rubbing off on me. We did a lot of piddling around.. and it was great! I hope that our kids look back one day with fondness to these times and can give thanks to their church for allowing it!
3. It allowed for me to refocus. While we were away we visited a church in Forsyth, MO and the Pastor used an analogy of a good plate spinner being able to spin multiple plates. He said that a good one can set the plate in motion and then focus his attention on getting others going. When one plate starts to stop he can refocus his attention on that plate and give it a quick spin while the others keep spinning. I think I'm a mediocre plate spinner! I get the joy and privilege of serving on the Executive Board for our state convention, on the Revitalization Team for our local association, the Search Team for our local association, and even squeezed in a seminary class! All of this has certainly kept me busy but it has been a joy to get to be used of God in some really unique ways. However, I have ignored a conviction for some time now that God has called me to shepherd the flock of God "among" me. This conviction has spurred me on to remember my primary calling; You.
I want to share two things in response to point number 3. First, I want to apologize. I am sure that the reason for the conviction is because the Lord has been trying to communicate to me that I've forgotten my first ministry (outside of my family, of course!) I think I've "baptized" the conviction in "doing other good work for the Lord." It dawned on me that so much of what I encourage other churches to engage in I have grown lax on in my own church. Secondly, I am going to get to get back to intentionally prioritizing my time so that it focuses on FBC Weston, first! What I mean by this is that I am going to get back to my intentionally praying through my Directory, letting you know, checking in, and to stop assuming you don't need a check in (even if you don't!)
It is STILL one of the greatest privileges of my life to get to be one of your Pastors here! Thank you for your patience, grace, and love for my family. |
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