ON JOURNEY It is the season of Lent, a time in which we intentionally pay attention to our journey of faith as we move towards Easter. Let me offer a suggestion. “The Sabbath was created for you, you were not created for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27. Jesus reminds us that the one who made us also created for us a means by which we can become all that God intended for us. It is called Sabbath. Unfortunately, the church seems to have abandoned this gift many years ago. When I speak of Sabbath, I am not necessarily speaking of a particular day, but of a practice of living every day. Learning to take Sabbath moments, times, and yes, maybe even a day, is important to the health of a Christian’s spiritual life. Another term that is used is learning to practice the presence of God. Recently I heard a story about a man who had decided to dramatically simplify his life. In the process, he made a commitment to walk everywhere he went, and did so, eventually walking across the country. Along the way, he also made a commitment to stop talking for a while. In sharing his experience, he made the following comment: “Not talking was very difficult at first, but as I stayed with the commitment, eventually all of the voices in my head quieted down, and for the first time, I could really listen.” I am not suggesting that you start walking everywhere or that you stop talking, but I am pointing to the fact that until followers of Jesus make a conscious effort to practice Sabbath, we may not really be able to hear the voice of God through all of the noise that is in our heads. How then do we begin to regain Sabbath, a practice that helps us turn loose of overwork and over consuming? Let me offer a few suggestions. There must first be a commitment that Sabbath is a discipline we need. Ask God to begin to give you a hunger for Sabbath, for time in which you do nothing else but listen and watch creation, read scripture, pray, worship, relax, and renew. Second, let me suggest some resources for you to pick up. The following books have been helpful to me as I am attempting to regain this important Christian discipline in my life: Sabbath- Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives- Wayne Muller; The Sabbath- Abraham Joshua Heschel; The Spiritual Art of Creative Silence- Jeanie Miley. There are others, and I will be glad to share them with you if you desire. There are also some daily, practical things we can begin to do. Light a candle or place some other object in your home or work space that is solely for the purpose to remind you of the presence of God with you. Take a five minute break a few times a day and simply observe your environment and ask the question, “What is God doing in this place right now? What is God trying to tell me?” Also during one of these times, simply repeat the Jesus prayer – “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” This is a long standing practice of Sabbath among the followers of Jesus. Attempt to plan a half day in your home in which you intentionally do no work, but maybe read scripture, talk with your spouse, listen to the wind. I hope to be able to come back to this discipline with other suggestions from time to time. Maybe, if there is interest, we could begin a short-term study for small groups and learn other resources to help us regain the Sabbath. Let me know. Remember, the Sabbath was made for you. Do not overlook this gift! Breathe. PRIMETIME YOUTH MISSIONS KID’S KORNER Singin’ @ the Towers Monday, March 16 9:45 a.m. Youth Refuge Grades 7 - 12 Wednesdays Regular Session Monday, March 23 10:00 a.m. Lower Auditorium The Shepherd’s Table Saturday, March 28 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Family Life Center Free Community Meal! Everyone Welcome! Menu: Tacos & Dessert Offerings welcome and volunteers are greatly appreciated. Contact Jessica Zody or Darla Fritts for more information. Youth Ski Trip Holy Week Service Monday, March 30 11:00 a.m. XYZ Singers meet in L.A. to rehearse and walk to St. Mark. SCHOLARSHIPS Applications are available in the church office and are due by Monday, April 20. Ervin and Freddie Queener Scholarship This scholarship is available to any student from First Baptist who is enrolled in a 4 year college or university. This scholarship can be applied for all four years of college enrollment. James and Imogene Cheely Memorial Seminary Scholarship This scholarship is designed to further the seminary education of Christian students, with similar values, attending a moderate Christian seminary and called to church or missions work. The scholarship can be applied for each year they are enrolled in the seminary. Judy Parish Turner Music Scholarship This scholarship is used for students attending a 4 year college or university enrolled in a music curriculum and used to pay for private music lessons. It can be applied for all four years of students college enrollment. SERMON TEXT March 15 Luke 7: 11-16 March 22 Matt 11: 2-11 March 29 Mark 11: 1-11; Psalm 22: 1-5, 11-19; Mark 14: 1-11 Time with Children, Lent Series Sundays in both services. Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 4 10:00 a.m.. - 12:00 p.m. Koelsch Farm Remote Area Medical April 11 &12 Please be in prayer for the doctors, volunteers, and patients, during KFC Schedule Age 3 - Grade 6 this free medical event. Wednesdays RAM-JAM 5:20 p.m. - 7:05 p.m. Radio/Telethon In the Main Church Building Friday, March 27 (No KFC 3/18—Spring Break) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Anderson County RAM Fundraiser Special Music Join us for Food, Fun, & Great Palm Sunday, March 29 Entertainment in the FLC! Ron Meredith will be the emcee 10:40 a.m. The Children’s Choir, grades 3for the event. We encourage you to forward this 6, will be singing in the service. link to folks in the community and help us raise money for this event. Spring Cleaning Day http://www.gofundme.com/ All KFC and Children’s Sunday andersoncountyram School teachers are invited to help clean/organize their rooms. 14th FBC Missions Saturday, March 28 Annual Classic Golf 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Main Church Building Tournament Saturday, April 25 Registration at Noon Parent’s Night Out Awards and Meal at 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 17 Centennial Golf Course, Oak Ridge 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. $75 per person/$300 per team $5.00 per child/$10.00 max. Proceeds will benefit FBClinton Youth Missions. Watch for more Children’s Rehearsal information. Saturday, April 25 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Annie Armstrong (SBC) & Global Missions (CBF) Children’s Choir FBC Missions Goal: $4,000 (goal to be approved at March Business Meeting) Musical “Living In The Light” Sunday, April 26 6:30 p.m. FBC INFORMATION New Members SYLVIE TEMPLE ABRAM TEMPLE Valentine’s Banquet King & Queen Elizabeth Tavenner & Leon May FBC EVENTS FRIENDLY FIGURES Palm Sunday Sunday, March 29 The Children’s Choir, grades 3 - 6, will be singing in the 10:40 a.m. worship service. Sunday School Attendance February Averages Sunday School Enrollment 653 Adults 161 Youth 17 Children 32 Preschool 9 Total 219 Windwood 20 Holy Week Services Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 2 12:00 p.m. St. Mark United Methodist Church The XYZ Singers will be singing on Monday, March 30. Maundy Thursday Service Thursday, April 2 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Lord’s Supper Observance Good Friday The Church Office, WEE Ministry and FLC will be closed on Good Friday, April 3. Easter Sunday Service Sunday, April 5 10:40 a.m. Join us for a combined worship service in the Sanctuary. CHURCH-WIDE SHOWERS Church-wide Bridal Shower Honoring Madison Fritts Christian Sympathy Sympathy is extended to Gloria Robinson, whose mother, Bonnie Bates passed away (2/8), to the family of Roger Ward (2/11), and to Jeff Severs, whose father, Everett William Severs passed away (2/26). Memorial Flowers The flowers that were the altar Sunday, March 1 were in loving memory of Elizabeth Cobb's birthday, which was February 29, given by Beth, Connie and their families. Sunday, March 15 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Family Life Center - Hearth Room Registered at Target. Cash gifts and gift cards are also appreciated since they are unsure where they will be stationed. Madison's fiancé, Jacob is in the Navy. Church Wide Baby Shower Honoring Lydia Pierce Thorpe & Baby Thomas Banks Thorpe Sunday, March 29 Drop In 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Family Life Center - Hearth Room Sponsored by a host of friends. Registered at Babies R Us & Target. 2015 Weekly Budget Req. $ 16,151 Budget Receipts $ 45,009 Budget Receipts/Wkly Avg. $ 11,251 Budget Expense $ 65,435 2013 - 2014 Budget Income $ 111,870 2015 Deficit/Income ($ 20,426) TOTAL January 31 $ 91,444 Complete reports are presented at Business Meeting on the third Wednesday of each month. C.S.C. ANNUAL REPORT During 2014, the Christian Service Center served 2112 clients, an increase of 3% over 2013. The 2112 clients, represented nearly 4900 family members, received 49,500 food and 6600 clothing items. The CSC spent over $27,000 on food and diapers. These numbers include the 276 Thanksgiving and 224 Christmas baskets, which required nearly 11,000 food items. Food distribution increased by 6% while clothing distribution decreased 15% when compared with 2013. The clothing decrease was largely due to weeks when we didn’t distribute clothes due to HVAC renovation in that area of the CSC. We had 470 different clients during the year not counting those that came only for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Of the 470, 71% were female, 39% disabled, and 50% in the 50-70 age range. Thanks again to everyone who donated money, food, clothing and time to the CSC. A special thanks to Food Lion for their grant of $2500 and to Food City for their donation of $1800. Only through your generosity is the CSC able to continue to serve the less fortunate of Clinton. WOMEN’S MINISTRY Women’s Event May 1 - 2, 2015 An area-wide women’s event co-hosted by Second Baptist Church and area churches. Event to be held at Second Baptist Church. Spring Break! There will be no Prayer Service, Youth or Children activities on Wednesday, March 18 due to spring break. Please note Business Meeting has been moved to March 25. MARCH 2015 Remote Area Medical April 11 & 12 RAM-JAM Friday, March 27 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Radio/Telethon Anderson County RAM Fundraiser Join us for Food, Fun, & Great Entertainment in the FLC. Ron Meredith will be the emcee for the event. No Admission, Everyone Welcome! Food available beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to donate to Anderson County RAM, please visit the link below. We encourage you to forward this link to folks in the community and help us raise money for this event. http://www.gofundme.com/andersoncountyram “The 5th Sunday” Sunday, March 29 Please lift up/catch up your giving on this day.
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