First Focus: May 2013

Baby Dedication and Mothers Day 2013

Baby Dedication

May 12, 10:30 am

(Call the church office by May 5th if you have not filled out a form.)

Pastors Corner May 2013

May officially begins our “Busy Season” at FBC Loretto. In the month ahead, we will be honoring our Mothers, having Baby Dedications, recognizing our High School Seniors, feeding the seniors and the teachers from South Lawrence, having the SPLASH Believe trip, and having our own church picnic at the park on Sunday evening prior to Memorial Day! All of this doesn’t even include our normal weekly and monthly events. It sounds like “Fun” doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ll be blessed by taking advantage of the opportunities which are applicable to you.

Every day our new worship center and office complex takes more shape. All of the sheetrock is on the walls, and only a few of the walls lack any material on them. in a week or so, things will really take off when we start painting the interior of the building.

The contractors are also in the process of installing the drains and drive in front of the new building. As thy proceed, we will lose a few more of our parking spaces for a short period of time as the old parking and the new parking / drive will be merged together. Just remember you can also park on the drive at my house, or even under the pecan trees if it is not raining (we don’t want you to get stuck!). Until grade work is finished and sidewalks around the new building are poured, we will continue to have water standing in the breezeway between the Nursery Wing and the Fellowship Hall. Just be very careful as you walk (don’t run) through that area.

Let me close with a tribute to Mike Walters. Mike was our church Maintenance Supervisor until his death in early April. Few realized just how much he did for our church. As the Personnel Committee began the process of securing someone for that position, they soon discovered that Mide did so much for the church in the areas of Maintenance, Custodial Care and Grounds Keeper, and that while they might find someone for the job, it is going to be very difficult to “replace” Mike.

(Mike Walters, June 26, 1963 – April 5, 2013)

Youth Ministry Report May 2013

God is good!! He has been with Kennth and I through the last few months. GLORY TO GOD!! that Kenneth’s health is improving. The chest tube is gone and we are home!

We want to thank everyone for your phone calls, texts, messages and gifts. I can honestly say that we have not felt this much love from our church family as we have felt here in Loetto. I also want to thank those that stepped in to thake the children on their trip in March. Kenneth and I really missed being there.

Through it all, I have been reminded of Joshua 1:9 . . .

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Kenneth and I have seen times of strength and courage (that only comes from God) and we have seen times of discouragement and fear (Satan). Through it all, I have seen God at work in every struggle. Let me encourage anyone who may be struggling through a situation: Be strong and courageous! God is with you wherever you go! Even though you can’t see Him . . . He’s there.

In Christ Alone,
Angie & Kenneth Parker

Music and Senior Adults Report May 2013

We often hurriedly go through life with little thought about how things are happening around us at any given moment and what affect they are having on our lives.

This past month I had the privilege of changing my daily routines and learning from God what His purpose and promise was for me in every situation. I’ve met people that have enriched my life and I believe have made me a better person.

Just like in school, we have lessons, we study for tests, we take tests and then . . . we wait. That’s how I feel these last few weeks have been like. But God knows me better than myself and He knew I wouldn’t slow down enough to rest so He slowed me down so I could wait on Him. I was reminded of two passages in scriptures: Psalm 46:10

Be Still and Know that I AM God!

and in Psalm 23:

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; . . .

I’ll admit: I don’t do “still or quiet” very well. God reminded me of one of the most important phrases in Paslm 23, “You are with me“.

I am so thankful that God is always with us, whether we feel His presence or not . . . He IS there!

These lessons have taught me how much I desire Him to be in EVERY situation and allow Him to do His complete work in me. I’m also so thankful that he is always with me . . . We have a great God who gives us strength on a daily basis. He supplies our every need. Amen.

Yours in Christ,
Bro. Clayton

Quick Notes May 2013

Awana – Progress Night May 19th at 6pm

Graduation Breakfast

Graduation breakfast will be May 16th at 8 a.m. If you can help prepare breakfast, please see Connie Odeneal.  Helpers need to be at church at 6:30 a.m. to start.

Teacher Luncheon

We will be feeding South Lawrence Teachers on May 24th at 11:30 a.m. If you can help with this please see Becky.

VBS

Dates: June 3-7, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

If you can help with VBS, please fill out a form (which you can pick up in the back of the worship center) or see Jennifer Short.
VBS Needs:

• Empty water bottles and lids
• Heart shaped cookie cutters
• Heart shaped cookie cutters
• Empty 2-liter bottles and lids

Judgement House

Judgement House dates:

October 18-19 and October 25-26

Senior Adults

Senior Adult lunch will be May 7th, pot luck dining at 11:30am.

Senior Adult supper will be May 9th. Leaving church at 6pm.  Dining at Olive Garden.  Watch for a reservation sheet in your bulletin to turn in and reserve a spot for you.

Thank You!

Thank you cards have been received in the church office from:

Clayton & Donna Wilbanks
Mike Walters family
Carlos Richardson family
Bobby & Barbara Brown Brown
Richardson & Springer family

Please Pray

Please continue to pray for our Building Project.

With Sympathy

First Baptist Loretto and the church family extend our deepest sympathy to the families of:

Carlos Richardson
Mike Walters
Trish Springer
Doris Nell Burch

Welcome to our Church Family

By Statement:

Megan Brown

By Baptism:

Jako Brown

Love your neighbor as yourself

– Luke 10:27

Back Page May 2013

Sunday School starts at 9:15 a.m.
Come out and enjoy a time of Bible study and great fellowship.
Sunday Worship starts at 10:30 a.m.