First Focus: September 2013

Pastor's Corner September 2013

In my article last month, I said that we hoped to be in our new Worship Complex by the end of August. Obviously that did not happen. However, we are very close. The big inspection by the Fire Marshall is scheduled for next Tuesday at 10 a.m. That inspection will go a long way to determining when we get to have our first service in the new building. As it stands right now, we will not be able to be in the new building until at least September 15, 2013. That date is also not a sure thing. We will send out a special newsletter with the date of our first service, whenever we know when that date will be.

Remember that once we know for sure that we can occupy the new building, we will announce it the very next Sunday, and then we will have our first service the Sunday following that. We will have Sunday School as usual on that day. Then after our First Worship in the new building, we will have a Fellowship Meal and Open House from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00p.m. At 2 p.m. we will have our dedication service for the worship complex. More details will be given as we know exactly when our first service will be. This we do know: On the day of the first service you will be asked to bring several covered dishes – hopefully we will have several visitors.

Speaking of the first Worship Service – that’s what we want it to be – Worship! Worship is about God and not a building. What a great opportunity to invite your friends and family to worship with us that day. Wouldn’t it be great to fill our new building on the first service? To do that you are going to have to get busy and invite people to attend. I have already been talking to my children and their families about visiting with us on that day.We are so very proud of our 13 year old Babe Ruth All Stars from Lawrence County TN! They were runners-up at the World Series in North Dakota. At least three of the boys attend FBC, and another is a grandson of one of our members. Congratulations to all the boys and their families!

Bro. Sammy

Youth Ministry Report September 2013

What an amazing Summer! We have had VBS, SPLASH Adventure, and Student Life Camp. But now, it’s back to the real world. School is back in session, vacations are over and youth camps have ended.

Through all of our activities, we have learned:

• How to stand strong for God’s kingdom That we need to get out of our comfort zone
• Through faith we jump into the unknown
• No mater what we are going through, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

As we move into our new worship facility, I pray that you and your family are preparing your hearts for a new chapter in your life. We have so much praise God for. I pray that God will use this building as a avenue to rekindle a fire in our church family. I want us to reach our community and to disciple each other to live surrendered lives for Christ. That is the purpose for building, and that should be the purpose of our lives.

September 23rd is the last day to sign up for the Strength to Stand Conference which will take place January 18-20, 2014. The Deposit is $50 and the total cost is $150. This year’s theme is “Xplicit: No Room for Doubt.” Parents, I want to encourage you to make sure your student is going on this trip. We have seen so many of our youth realize their need for Christ or their need for a deeper relationship with Him. I would love to see all of our youth go on this trip.

In Christ Alone,
Angie and Kenneth

Music and Senior Adults Report September 2013

I’ve been thinking about our first service in the new sanctuary and this Psalm came to mind:

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100

God has allowed us to experience His blessings as we’ve built this new area of worship. We should be filled with praise and thanksgiving for allt hat He has done and for what He will do in the future. Please begin to prepare your heart and mind for our first worship service and let God receive all the Glory for the great things He has done.

Yours in Christ,
Bro. Clayton

Quick Notes September 2013

Deacon Nomination

Deacon nomination will be Sunday, September 22. Please be praying about who you will nominate for deacon.

Children’s Choir

Children’s Choir will meet at 5pm every Sunday evening. This will be for children K-6th grade. Please sign up your child. We will be using the phone tree system to keep parents updated.

Senior Adults

We will be serving dinner to honor Senior Adults on Tuesday night, September 17th in the fellowship hall. We will need to know in advance how many will be here on that night wo that we can plan to have enough food and staff here to server our special guests. The deadline to sighn up will be on Sunday, September 8th. Please make your reservations today. We will be serving your meal restaurant style to mark this special evening. This meal will be for anyone 55 years or older. We’d love to have a great turnout for this evening. you can make your reservation by filling out the form in the bulletin or by calling the church office at 853-7171.

Help Wanted!

We need five more people who would be willing to learn the new sound and video equipment and be avilable to serve during our worship services. Please consider being available for this ministry. Let Bro. Clayton know immediately if you’d be willing to serve.

With Sympathy

First Baptist Loretto and the church family would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the families of:

• Margie Gaines Perry
• Danny McMasters

Please Pray For:

• Our Building Project
• Judgement House

Thank You!

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

• Tammy Luna

Welcome to our Church Family

By Baptism

• Trinidy Springer

Back Page September 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.