Issue 506

Bridge Builders Newsletter

Interim Pastor

Claudia McCain

Director of Christian Education Gee Min Glaue Administrative Assistant Leann Walters

Interim Senior

Pastor’s Article

2

Birthday’s &

Anniversaries

6

General Income

& Expense

Summary

6

Inside this issue:

First Baptist Church of Macomb

2018 February

For the month of January, the pastoral search committee reviewed several candidates, and interviewed a few of them. The committee had several interviews with candidates, and completed the interview process for this round of searching. At the end of January, the committee has been discussing, praying, and discerning what our next steps will be. At this time the committee is moving forward to evaluate a candidate in the neutral pulpit stage. The neutral pulpit is the final evaluation stage of any candidate that is under consideration for being called to pastoral ministry in our church. The committee, and candidates under evaluation, will be making final determinations about this calling after this last stage. If the calling is clear to both the committee and candidate, the search committee will begin making announcements about next steps. If the committee is not led to call any of the current candidates, or the candidates do not feel called, we will begin another round of searching with the ABC region. Please speak with me or any search committee member if you have questions about the process we are following. Please be in prayer for your next pastor. And be in prayer over us, your pastoral search committee. We are in prayer, hoping in God's guidance, and being faithful to follow the pastoral search procedure of the American Baptist Church Great Rivers Region. We know that through our diligent and careful attention to this process, we will be led to the person called to be the next pastor at our church. Let us not forget those leaders of our church, who though have passed, brought us to New Beginnings with their faith, trust, and lay ministry. They allowed God to use them to lay the spiritual foundation, brick by brick. We who are still here will strive on as workers in the field, for the harvest is plentiful. The field of ministry lays before us, and much is to be harvested. We trust God's presence is with us as we endure to share his Glory, person by person, as He leads them into our lives. Your prayers lead the committee, and prepare the church. They clear obstacles, and overcome hurdles. They rain down blessings, and anoint us with clarity. They drive out dissension, and invite unity. They shoo away worry and doubt, and wrap us in confidence and stability. Be in prayer. Be watchful. Train, teach, and love one another, and we will be a pleasing Ephesians 4 church in the sight of God. And He will surely bless us. In His Service, and Ministering with You, Russell Glaue Chair of the FBC Search Committee

Search Committee Update

Interim Pastor’s Article

Page 2 Bridge Builders Newsletter

Candle Lighters

February 4

Mykel Glaue

February 11

Kyler Glaue

February 18

Celena Mangalaraj

February 25

Deena Mangalaraj

March 4

Abigail Wallace

March 11

Tayler Richardson

Opening Prayer

Leaders

February 4

Lora Wallace

February 11

Christina Harman

February 18

Richard Hurt

February 25

Judy Hurt

March 4

Gerald Jones

March 11

Bob Babcock

Beloved

A Word from God

This past weekend I served on the Clergy Team for the Great River Emmaus Men’s Walk. It was an incredible experience. If you have never attended an Emmaus weekend please seriously consider going. There are several of us from FBC who have attended and I’m sure all would welcome an opportunity to discuss their experience with you. Just let your interest be known.

On Friday, during our evening worship, we were asked what one word had God given us in response to our day. As I sat in silence, meditating on the question, the word “beloved” came to mind. Beloved? I thought: “How unusual.” This is not a word I use. It is not a part of my vocabulary. Where did it come from? From the Holy Spirit?” I no sooner had these thoughts when I heard the soft strumming of a guitar and the musician start to sing. What he sang literally took my breath away.

You are my beloved child, rest in me. You are my beloved child, trust in me. Bring your dreams, your hopes and fears here to me. You are my beloved child, walk with me.

There is nothing, there’s no one over shadows my love, You are precious, priceless to me. You are my beloved child, come and see. You are my beloved child come with me.

My beloved you have nothing to fear, In your joy and in your pain, I am here. In your heart is where I always will be. You are my beloved child talk with me.

What an incredible affirmation! What a beautiful song! Do you realize God is singing this song to each of you and to the First Baptist Church of Macomb? You too are His beloved child and we are His beloved church. You are precious, priceless to Him. This church is precious, priceless to Him as well. Nothing can overshadow His love for you nor His love for this, His church. He wants our hopes, dreams, joys, fears, tears and pain. Yes! You are His beloved child; we are His beloved church. Trust in Him.

What a beautiful reminder as we continue our journey searching for the person God has chosen to serve as our pastor. During this season, I am honored and humbled to be called to serve again, this time as your Interim Pastor. I look forward to working, serving and worshiping with each of you. To God be the Glory! Claudia McCain Interim Pastor

Page 3 Issue 506

Sermon Series

TRANSITIONS

The Israelites experienced a sudden and dramatic change – slaves one day, free the next. We’ve all experienced dramatic changes – some good, some not so good – marriage, new baby, new job, new home – divorce, job loss, foreclosure, loss of loved one. Everyone has experienced change. Then comes the adjustment, the transition, which can take weeks, months, even years. For the Israelites, the transition from slavery in Egypt to a free people in the Promised Land took years. During this two-week message series entitled Transitions, we will look at the story of the Israelites transition and how it relates to our personal lives as well as the life of FBC. February 11 Change vs. Transition February 18 The Wilderness

Seven Last Words from the Cross Lent & Easter Message Series

Seven times Jesus spoke during His final hours on the cross. We’ve read these words many times, yet do we understand the profound benefits and guidance these words give to our lives? During the Sundays leading up to Easter, we will explore these phrases. We will delve into Jesus’ final words as seen and heard through the eyes and ears of those who stood near the cross and we will examine the meaning of his dying words for our lives today. February 25 Forgiveness “Father, Forgive Them…” March 4 Assurance (Jim Richardson Preaching) “Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”

Page 4 Bridge Builders Newsletter

General Income & Expense Summary

March

1—Kathy Brooks

18—Zech Foulk

Don Garlick

Sandra Riggins

19—Richard & Judy Hurt (a)

24—Kay Adair

John Ceder

Jaydn Glaue

Month Income* Expenses

January $12,914.66 $15,841.83

• Includes Tithes, Offerings, Gifts, & Interest

February

1—Marjory Alexander

8—Lauren Surprenant

10—AJ & Marilyn Bourn (a)

14—Eddie Green

17—Jean Simmons

18—Judy Hurt

Pam Sewell

23—Tina Sewell

24—Jo Sanders

25—Celena Mangalaraj

29—Vy Lucas

Welcome Our New Custodian, Lisa Barker

Lisa currently resides in Bushnell. She enjoys spending time with

her boyfriend and her two Boston Terriers. She loves to read, enjoys

listening to various kinds of music, powerwalking and cleaning. She is

looking forward to meeting you in the future and she is very grateful that

she able to serve in this capacity.

Page 5 Issue 506

Volunteers have been working in the back to help complete the east end of the building. Even if you can only spare a couple of hours, come join us on Saturday mornings. Drywall mudding, sanding, cleaning and painting are some of the current tasks. Our New Beginnings Capital Campaign pledge total was $317,350.00. As of January 31, 2018, $250,546.39 has been donated. Even if you have not made an official pledge, you can contribute to the building fund by putting the amount on the line “Building Fund” on an offering envelope. Money designated there will go to our monthly loan payment of $6640.12 and toward completing Phase I of the project. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”--2 Corinthians 9:7. Judy Hurt Capital Campaign Follow-up Director

Building Update

Church Board Summary This past month The Board met on January 16th. Items discussed/completed this

month were:

Normal financial and Staff business

• Members of the board interviewed individuals for custodian. After interviews and

reference checks, Lisa Barker was hired.

• The weather policy for the church was discussed. If Sunday services are cancelled due

to winter weather, the face book page and phone message will be changed to reflect the

closure.

• There were concerns regarding the room temperature during the Sunday services.

Changes to the heating and cooling should eliminate this issue. If there is a concern,

please let me or a member of the board know.

• The Saturday work crew is busy again working on the east end of the building. Come

out on Saturday morning and lend a hand.

We would like the continued prayers from all of you as we discuss monthly business.

Rich Sample

FBC Board Chairperson

Page 6 Bridge Builders Newsletter

New Sunday School Class, Starting February 11, Room 11

Life often doesn’t make sense, and dishes up a lot more questions

than answers. We simply don’t know why things happen the way they do.

But we do know we can experience peace because God is with us and

he loves us.

Loss is inevitable. Bad things happen. When the unexpected

comes your way, your world is instantly turned upside down. You long to

understand why. Why did my husband walk out on me? Why did my wife

die of cancer? Why did I lose my job? Why am I struggling with mental

health issues?

In this groundbreaking study, Pastor Rick and Kay Warren will

help you understand the journey of grief and what to expect along the

way. From the initial shock, to the unbearable sorrow, you struggle with

reality and ultimately surrender on a pathway to peace and service. It’s

not a linear experience but with God’s Word and his ways, he will carry

you through it.

Grief is God’ s tool for you getting through the transitions of life.

You can have hope knowing God is in control, he will bring good

out of bad, and he has a plan to use your pain for a purpose.

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

Session 1: SHOCK When Your World Collapses

Session 2: SORROW Getting Through Life s Losses

Session 3: STRUGGLE When Life Makes No Sense

Session 4: SURRENDER The Path To Peace

Session 5: SANCTIFICATION Transformed by Trouble

Session 6: START SEEING Finding Treasure in Darkness

Session 7: SERVICE Never Waste Your Pain

Page 7 Issue 506

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Page 8 Issue 506

1515 South Candy Lane

Macomb, Illinois 61455

309-833-2479

www.fbcmacomb.com

fbcsecretary2013@comcast.net

First Baptist Church

www.fbcmacomb.com

Please Join Us!

Worship—Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School—Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m.

Find us on the web at www.fbcmacomb.com

Podcasts of the weekly message can be heard or

downloaded by clicking on the Podcast link on the home page.

Our New Worship Center 1515 S. Candy Lane, Macomb, IL

Our Mission Reaching People—Building Believers

Our Vision and Purpose

To encourage and empower changes within ourselves to meet the needs of the congregation,

community and the world Philippians 4:13, James 2:26