fbcmonroe.com

Vol. 48 Issue 24

First Baptist Monroe

July 1, 2020Newsletter

Just an Almond and Some Tepid Coffee Dr. Greg DeLoachTeaching Pastor

Not only have we as a church gone through a season of “virtual” or online worship, but so has the School of Theology at Mercer University. Each Tuesday during the semester we meet for chapel. That all changed in early March. Like First Baptist, we moved to an online format and met to worship via the teleconferencing platform called Zoom.

For our first service online I invited all the students and faculty to fill a cup and find some bread to join in Holy Communion. After a welcome, scripture reading and a song (all of us viewing by Zoom sung along) Associate Dean Dr. Karen Massey broke the bread and then held up a cup before the camera and offered the usual words of celebration.

It was at that point it occurred to me I had forgotten to bring my own cup and bread. Scrambling I pulled out of my desk drawer a bag of almonds, and reached for my mug of coffee, hoping no one would notice my choice of communion elements. Crunching down on the singular almond while the words “the body of Christ” were spoken and sipping tepid coffee with the words “the blood of Christ” seemed odd and out of place at first. Of course it was also odd to watch all the other “video windows” of participants scattered across my laptop monitor chewing and drinking their elements for the communion.

And yet this was such a genuine experience for sharing Holy Communion. There we all were – weary students, faculty, staff, and friends – looking into our respective computers and participating in one of Christianity’s oldest rituals. An almond and a sip of tepid coffee is hardly a respectable reminder of the body and blood of Christ. And yet it was, because each of us used what we had on hand, sharing in the service together, and experienced the presence of Christ binding us together in this world of uncertainties. It was communion.

You too are sharing in this mystical communion by the simple act of reading this article and remembering that you are a part of this body, this life, this giving up and giving in.

With Christ, we share in the privileged call that has summoned us to serve, to give, to imagine.

With Christ, we share with other servants of other churches who are preaching, caring, loving, and creating community in ways that they never envisioned.

With Christ, we share with those struggling to make ends meet, fretful with concerns for the health and well-being, and exhausted by caring for family.

With Christ, we share with a lonely world, hungering for presence.

All of this from an almond and a sip of tepid coffee.

It is miracle enough for me.

Grateful to serve for such a time as this,

Greg DeLoach

fbcmonroe.com

PRESCHOOL PRESSDarlene ChristieDirector of Preschool Ministries

Bible Lesson: Gideon Obeyed God Based on Judges 6:11-40, 7:1-22

Lesson Introduction: Talk to the children about choices they have made today. What to wear? What to eat? Which toy to play with? We all make choices and we can choose to obey God. The lesson today is about a man who obeyed God

1. Art Activity: Pull the torch patternfrom the July mailed packet. Followthe instructions on the page.

2. Bible Verse Game: Print the wordsof the unit verse, “We will obeyGod.” Joshua 24:24 on a piece ofpaper. Cut and tape one word eachon a building block (Legos are goodfor this) help preschool stack inorder as you read the verse. Fornon-readers keep one page withthe whole verse and see if they canmatch what they see.

3. Bible Story Review Questions:Who did God choose to save theIsraelites from the Midianites?

What did Gideon give each man in his army? When did Gideon’s army surround the Midianites? Did Gideon’s army defeat the Midianites?

4. Song: Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb”I can choose to obey God.Obey God, obey God.I can choose to obey God,Each and every day.

THE WEEKDAY SCHOOL IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANT POSITIONS AND SUBS. WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF PAID CHILD CARE WORKERS ON SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY WHEN WE RETURN. EMAIL DARLENE AT DARLENE@FBCMONROE.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ADULT EDUCATIONShannon RadosevichThe Sunday School lesson is available weekly on our website to view at your convenience. You can view it on fbcmonroe.com/sundayschool.

Preschool, Children, and Student Ministry Picnic

When you call or drop by the office, you'll likely be greeted by Emily Eubanks. Emily is serving as our interim church receptionist. She is no stranger in the office as she worked last summer as a youth ministry intern. Our former receptionist, Jennifer Griner, resigned to pursue other interests. We are thankful for Jennifer's time with us and wish her the best in her new endeavors!

BIRTHDAYS

JULY 5-11

HAPP

Y BI

RTHD

AY Alan BoltonBuddy Leach, Jr.Bill WoodGrant KirbyLauren BrownHilda JonesSydney PettusMadeline WareCaroline ConnerMarge EllisonLucy WalkerCate OwensBillie DentonDanny BrownJaycie DillardCharles CokerKathy TaylorJessica HeadNoah Prather

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Prayer List

LAST WEEKJune 28, 2020

WEEKLY FINANCIAL NUMBERS Weekly Budget RequiredWeekly Budget Receipts

SundayOfferingsOnline GivingStock Gifts

Budget Required to DateBudget Received to DateDesignated GiftsGive to Go GoalGive to Go YTD

$32,511.00

$11,244.32 $5,063.30

$0.00$845,286.00$726,471.08

$350.00$75,000.00$46,450.00

DEACONS OF THE WEEK - JULY 2-8Mike Zupko & Russ Dillard

SHUT-IN OF THE WEEKEdith SmithGREAT OAKS OF MONROE 920 Highway 138Monroe, GA 30655

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Online

Mail

Text

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PO Box 351

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to 77977

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to 77977

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Text

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W A Y S T O G I V E :

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church office

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PO Box 351

Monroe, GA 30655

Text fbmgiving

to 77977

Online

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Text

Office

W A Y S T O G I V E :

fbcmonroe.com

Click "Give"

Bring your gift by the

church office

Send a check to

PO Box 351

Monroe, GA 30655

Text fbmgiving

to 77977

Online

Mail

Text

Office

W A Y S T O G I V E :

fbcmonroe.com

Click "Give"

Bring your gift by the

church office

Send a check to

PO Box 351

Monroe, GA 30655

Text fbmgiving

to 77977

Online

Mail

Text

Office

W A Y S T O G I V E :

fbcmonroe.com

Click "Give"

Bring your gift by the

church office

Send a check to

PO Box 351

Monroe, GA 30655

Text fbmgiving

to 77977

Online

Mail

Text

Office

W A Y S T O G I V E :

fbcmonroe.com

Click "Give"

Bring your gift by the

church office

Send a check to

PO Box 351

Monroe, GA 30655

Text fbmgiving

to 77977

GIFTSIn Honor of

Royce and Willene McNealGiven by Mrs. Anne Smith

to the LWYL Fund

In Memory of Anita Doster Given by Mrs. Sandra Latimer

to the Mature Adult Fund

In Memory of Marc Marchant

Given by Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Edwardsto the Give to Go Fund

Given by Mrs. Joy Lou Mullisto the General Fund

Given by Dr. and Mrs. Donald Jamesto the General Fund

Given by Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Malcomto the General Fund

Given by Mrs. Myra Smithto the General Fund

Aaron & Daisy Andrews Doris AdamsKaren BarrettDot Blevins Alan Bolton Chuck BradleyBrad BrownlowHarold BurtonPeggy BurtonJane Camp Connie CarrellMike Cash Cody Clay and Parents Jimmy & Ellen (nephew of Peggy Howard)Mary Helen Clement (friend of Claudia Phillips)Harper Collins (granddaughter of Shirley Collins)Dax Conner and Parents Clint & Brittany (friends of Kevin Barrett)Teri Curlew (daughter of BJ Bennett)Bennie DentonTheodore Doss (nephew of Todd & Teri Ware)Marge EllisonMary Fox Buddy GoinsLee Goins Bethany Harwick (friend of Marcy Haymans)Brian, Monik and Lilly Haught (brother of Marcy Haymans)Marcy HaymansEllen Hester Chris HooksDouglas HuffShirlene HuffBlake Hughes & fiance Lindsay Ruis (grandson of Marvin & Donna Reddish)Kathy Ivie (friend of Ron & Debra Smith)Bill King (nephew of Stanley Brown)Chris Kitchens (son of Scarlett Kitchens)

Kiley Ledford (great-neice of Darlene Christie)Rosemary MathewsMargie McElreath (mother of Darlene Christie)Edith McKayRoyce McNealKip Mercer Anthony O'KellyJimmy PayneRichard Peeples (friend of Claudia Phillips)Becky PetersMary Jayne PetersReba PlasterAlan & Michele Pomerleau (friends of Nancy Valentin)Gloria PotterDonna ReddishEmily Salley Susie Searcy (sister in law of Gena Coggins)Sherlene Shiver (mother of Mitch Shiver)Judy South Ron Willingham

SYMPATHY TO:Eleanor Queen at the passing of her nephew Steven Long

July 5Sunday, July 5th • 10:30am One SundayJuly 11 & 12 and following weekends in JulySaturday, July 11th • 5:30pm worship in fellowship hall Sunday, July 12th • 8:30am worship in sanctuary • 10:55am worship in sanctuary

July Worship Schedule

LWYL

J u l y 1 9 - 2 3

• $25 • Register Online

Love Where You Live

202 McDaniel StreetPO Box 351Monroe, Georgia 30655

fbcmonroe.com

OFFICE HOURS 8:30am-5:00pm Monday-Thursday8:30am-1:00pm FridayOffice770-267-5904 Fax 770-207-7383

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

ALEX BOSKOFF 8:30 Worship LeaderGLORIA BRISCOE Minister to StudentsCHRIS BRYAN 11:11 Worship LeaderDARLENE CHRISTIE Director of Preschool Ministries GORDON DAVIDSON Associate Pastor GREG DELOACH Teaching PastorBROOKE GOUGE Family Ministry Assistant

PUBLICATIONSIf you’d like to be added to the distribution list (print or digital) for The Vision, our weekly newsletter, please contact the church office (770-267-5904) or email Brooke at brooke@fbcmonroe.com.

AFTER-HOURSOn-Call Pastor Care Number706-389-9804

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Download the First Baptist

Monroe app today.

CARROL HOLMAN Financial SecretaryROYCE MCNEAL Minister to Senior AdultsCURTIS MURDOCK 10:55 Worship LeaderSHANNON RADOSEVICH Minister to ChildrenTODD WARE Senior Pastor