“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:23

For 2015, I have established seven personal goals for myself. Six of the seven have to do with the primary purpose of the church - missions. Five of the seven require your assistance. Two of these goals include:

To average twenty baptisms per year over the next five years.

To increase small group Bible study attendance by an average of 7% per year over the next five years.

How do I need your assistance in accomplishing these goals? The Parable of the Sower provides the answer. This parable is a powerful reminder to the church that we are to always be planting spiritual seeds in the lives of others. We do so by sharing our testimonies, by living out the teachings of the Word of God, by doing good deeds, by standing for and speaking God’s truth, by being light in a darkening culture, and many more. As seeds are planted, some will find a receptive heart, and those seeds will take root and produce fruit. We can accomplish these goals together by my equipping you for works of service and by all of us planting seeds in the lives of others. May God find all of us obedient to Him, our Lord and Savior.

In Christ, Michael

the First Baptist Church Newsletter

FIRST EditionAT THE HEART OF THINGS DOWNTOWN

The

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5

A note of appreciation has been received from the following:

The Lady Bears Basketball Team

the First Baptist Church Newsletter

Blessings from the LibraryFrom the Shelves

Undaunted! Unstoppable! How I would like for those two words to describe how I feel...but I seldom feel like the first, and never like the second. Motivational speaker Christine Caine's written words in the books represented by those two titles read as she must speak -- quickly. The reader finds himself skimming along, sometimes reading truths known for years, others seeing Scripture stories from a different viewpoint, always impressed with Caine's personal experiences in a variety of places. Caine does not invite us all to walk in her footsteps. She inspires us to walk in our own footsteps...most of us unnoticed by the rest of the world but all able to serve our Savior undaunted and unstoppable if we walk in His strength in the path He choses for us. I can summarize the message. Caine can convince your spirit. Look for 248.4 CAI on the library shelves.

From the Archives

We were blessed recently with a donated picture from 1936. The picture is of a group of young ladies, all dressed in their finest (I’m sure) as they attended a YWA conference in Ridgecrest. Two of the ladies have been identified as being members of FBC: Octa Mae Woodall and Ruby Gist. Another lady is marked as being from FBC but has not yet been identified.

They must have had a wonderful time traveling from MO to Ridgecrest. Did they travel by car, train or bus? Wouldn’t it be great to know what they studied at Ridgecrest and the blessings they brought back to the church?

The archives have many pictures with unidentified persons. For the most part, we have no way of identifying the people in the photos. Occasionally, someone will come along and enlighten us.

On that note, I urge you to write on the backs of your personal pictures. Someone, someday will wonder who they are. And what about those pictures you take with your phones? Are you having some of them printed for those you come after you? I hope so.

Student Ministry UpdateThe first month of 2015 has come and gone and we are off to a great start in the student ministry here at First Baptist! We recently had our (rescheduled!) ugly sweater Christmas party lock-in with 17 participants! We utilized the gym and bowling alley and had a blast hanging out in the CLC!

Our students are currently engaged in the True Love Project study which teaches them the importance of purity before God and purity in their relationships. This study will conclude on Sunday, February 15 when our students will be challenged that day

to make a public commitment to holiness and purity before God and the greater congregation. I hope you’ll be present to take part in this commitment as you have a vital role and investment in this generation of students!

As you’re well aware by now, our new service will kick off on February 8th. I hope you’ll take full advantage of this new opportunity to worship our great God! I hope you’ll come to bring a song of praise to the Lord, to be challenged in His Word through Pastor Michael’s messages, and to pray that God will begin growth through this service that this faith family may continue to build God’s kingdom here in Springfield! To make much of Him, Luke

the First Baptist Church Newsletter

Children’s Ministry UpdateThis month in Sunday School we will be learning from the stories Jesus told, some of His parables. I don’t know about you, but I love a good story; there is something about stories that speak to our hearts and not just to our minds. In looking over the lessons ahead of us in February, I have begun thinking about my story, the story of my life and how that story is affecting the people around me. Is the way I’m telling my story in words and actions telling about the God I love and serve?

This month I want to challenge you to think about your story, your life, and how Christ is evident in the way you tell your story. How will you serve those around you this month? In the Children’s Department we are going to celebrate our annual Children’s Ministry Day on Saturday, February 7, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. We will be working on a project to create birthday bags for Grand Oak Mission and Well of Life. Some of the children who use these ministries may not have access to materials to celebrate their birthdays, and we want to give families the opportunity to celebrate that special day. We are asking for you to bring cake mixes, icing, and anything birthday related for these bags. Please plan on having your children at the CLC on February 7 to take part in this very special project and to let them begin a story of serving Christ and others.

Finally, we are in need of people to help us once a week with our Flip Club program. We meet each Tuesday from 2:30-5:00 in our Multi-Purpose Room to minister to the kids from Campbell School. Currently, we have 40 kids enrolled and need at least 3 more volunteers. We have the need of van drivers, someone to run sound for large group, and helpers for leading games. Please pray and ask God how He might use you to meet these needs. Blessings, Stacy

WE CONTINUE TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN FULFILLING OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PLEDGES. LESS THAN 1% IS ALL THAT WE LACK TO

COMPLETE OUR GOAL. “THE GOD OF HEAVEN WILL GIVE US SUCCESS.”GIVEN TO DATE: $1,386,116

COUNT DOWN TO COMPLETION: $25,034

Aubrey Corbett Feb 3Meredith Gibbs Feb 3Daniel Hall Feb 6Valerie McBride Feb 7Skip Giberson Feb 8Kimberly Harbin Feb 8Herbert Cantrell Feb 9Carolyn Christians Feb 9Peyton Robbins Feb 10Earl Bingham Feb 11Mary Tate Feb 11Doris Demore Feb 12

Sharon Enyart Feb 13Dan MacLachlan Feb 13David MacLachlan Feb 13Bryan Murren Feb 15Lisa Philpot Feb 15Cora Thomas Feb 15Dorothy Burbee Feb 16Gerald Jones Feb 16Tevin Lee Feb 16Garrett Rigg Feb 16Debbie Glidewell Feb 17Nicole Lierheimer Feb 17

Deborah Corbett Feb 21Arinn Cruz Feb 21Ada Jane Montgomery Feb 21Brenda Morris Feb 21Carol Morrison Feb 21Patty Pogue Feb 22John Burke Feb 23Mya Rupert Feb 23Mindy Hull Feb 24Vesta Schmiedeke Feb 24Ron Haynes Feb 25Mike Singleton Feb 25

Marilyn Tuck Feb 25Mariah Thieman Feb 26Evelyn Creek Feb 27Shirley Mitchell Feb 27Wanda Smith Feb 27Phyllis Cummins Feb 28Geneva Goodwin Feb 28George Vincel Feb 28

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

the First Baptist Church Newsletter

February 9-15 - WMU Focus Week

February 10 - WMU Roundtable Book Study Group, CLC Fireside Room @ 9:30 am

February 18 - WMU Handwork-Prayer Group, CLC Fireside Room @ 10:00 amWe will meet to discuss and decide on our next project!

February 20 - “Love Around the World” 50+ Banquet, Fellowship Hall @ 6:30 p.m. Catered Dinner, $13.00 per person. Please contact the church office, 866-7202, to make your reservation and payment.

February 26 - NAM Brunch, University Heights, 9:30 – 11:45 am

Events and Opportunities

Sunday, March 1, 2015, 2 p.m., JQH ArenaLady Bears Basketball GameMeet on CLC Parking Lot at 1:30 p.m. and take the People Mover to the game. There are 25 tickets available on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are $4.00 each. Please make your reservation with the church office. Deadline is Wednesday, February 18.

Tuesday, March 17, 11:30 a.m.Incredible Pizza Lunch Join us for lunch and good fellowship at Incredible Pizza on South Campbell. Please make your reservation with the church office so we may reserve a place for you.

Sunday, May 3, Senior Adult DayMore information will be coming soon.

Friday, June 5, Springfield Cardinals GameMore information will be coming soon.

Saturday, April 18, 8:00 a.m.,Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtCome celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Located in the heart of the country in Bentonville, Arkansas, Crystal Bridges explores the unfolding history of America by collecting and exhibiting outstanding works of art that illuminate our artistic heritage and enrich our understanding and appreciation of our nation and ourselves.

During our visit we have an opportunity to visit Van Gogh to Rothko: Masterworks from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The cost for the exhibition is $10 per person. The exhibition features masterpieces by some of the most prominent names in art history including Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Mark Rothko.

Lunch will be on your own at one of their restaurants. We will meet in the CLC parking lot and an additional transportation cost of $3.00 per person will cover gas.

the First Baptist Church New

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the First Baptist Church Newsletter

C H U R C H I N F O R M A T I O N

Worship with us at 10:45 AM & 6:00 PM SundaysOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM - 5PM

Telephone: 417.866.7202, Fax: 417.862.4925Check us out on the web at www.fbcspringfield.com

The First Edition is a monthly publication of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, MO.

FIRST EditionT H E R E C O R D S P E A K S

1/4 1/11 1/18 1/25 ATTENDANCE 256 189 322 292FINANCIAL WEEKLY OFFERINGS $19,184 $11,441 $ 16,071 $ 15,316 MONTHLY TITHES TO DATE ..................................................$62,012 MONTHLY BUDGET TO DATE ........................................... $71,667 MONTHLY NEEDED TO DATE.................................. UNDER $9,655 RECEIVED THRU ....................................................JAN $62,012 BUDGETED THRU .................................................JAN $71,667 YEARLY NEEDED.................................................. UNDER $9,655

www.fbcspringfield.com

525 South AvenueSpringfield, MO 65806

Y O U R C H U R C H S T A F FSENIOR PASTOR --------------------------------------------- MICHAEL OVERTONPASTOR OF WORSHIP & ADMINISTRATION ---------------------- DAVID NOLTECHILDREN’S MINISTER ------------------------------------------- STACY HEATONPRESCHOOL MINISTER ------------------------------------------- VALERIE PFEILSTUDENT MINISTER------------------------------------------------- LUKE TOLLEYACCOUNTING----------------------------------------------------------- RMMC, PCACCOUNTING ------------------------------------------------------ PAULA SPENCEPASTOR’S SECRETARY------------------------------------------- JANE ADAMSONADMINISTRATION SECRETARY------------------------------------ VALERIE PFEILRECEPTIONIST/MUSIC SECRETARY ------------------------ VALERIE MCBRIDE ORGANIST------------------------------------------------------------- BLYE MOOREPIANIST-------------------------------------------------- JANICE BRANDENBURGHMAINTENANCE -------------------------------------------------- DOUG MCKINNEYBUILDING SUPERINTENDENT------------------------------ CHARLES GOODWINCONTRACT CLEANING -------------------------------------------------- JIM SMITH

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5

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