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MessengerFirst Baptist Church560 E. Broad St. - West Point, MS662-494-4213www.firstbaptistwp.org

Volume XXIV July 29, 2020 No. 22

Not every passage in the Old Testament is addressed to us. However, they all APPLY to us in some way. From every story, historical event, and record holds some application for our lives when filtered through New Testament principles. 2 Cor. 1:20 tells us that all of God’s promises find a “yes” for us in Christ. Jer. 29:11 is a classic example of one of those verses that easily misapplied, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” First, that promise is NOT directly addressed to us. It is not a sweeping promise with blanks where we can fill in what promises we want on our list. In context, the recipients were Babylonian exiles who were pinning their hope and plans on returning soon to the Promised Land. God was saying, “Nope! Your generation should not pin your hopes on coming back, BUT I do have a plan for you, and if you place your faith in me, then you’ll discover I have a different plan, and it’s a good plan”. If you don’t believe me, read the story of Dan-iel. He didn’t go home, but boy!!! The Lord used him in such a powerful way that Daniel could have never known if all he had hoped for was going back. To follow God’s plan most often requires one step at a time, then to wait by faith to know step two. That’s no way to plan and build any earthly project. We usually get the blueprints and understand the end product, at least in concept, before putting our hand to the task. We typically have a start date, an end date, and markers of our progress along the way. However, that is not the way to build with faith. Every mission group is told as they arrive, they must be “fluid” about their plans because they have to change in mission work plans. We take one step at a time and then look to God to know HIS PLAN. The blessing in Jeremiah 29 was not connected with Jerusalem – getting back to the (Continued)

From Your Pastor

(Pastor Continued)Temple – the blessing was found in GOD’S PLAN! God had a plan for them, but it was in Babylon! COVID-19 has taught us one thing – that plans have to be fluid. I know there is frustration. We desire to be back together as a church family. However, If we throw caution to the wind, and defy ALL of the CDC guidelines, the Governor’s orders, the health officials’ wisdom who are advising the President, and go back to full-schedule without regard, then I believe that would be defiant and prideful. So, we will stick to the plan we have prayed about and are ready to move forward and look to God before taking the next step.

HERE’S OUR PLAN – •This Sunday, August 2, we will continue with the 8:30 and 10:15 worship services as we have been.

WE WILL ADD FOR THE 10:15 SERVICE : •A nursery for children from infant – 2-year-olds in the nursery area and …. •First Kids Focus for three-year-olds – 1st Graders in the Children’s Worship Room. THE DOOR TO BRING YOUR CHILD is located at the covered walk-through between the two buildings. The other doors will be locked. A worker will greet you and your children, take the child’s temp, ask you a few general wellness questions, provide and use a hand-sanitizer, and the worker will take the child to the room. You will pick up the child from the same door. We will do everything we can to social-distance children.

•ALSO – STUDENTS (Gr. 7-12) will have a Bible Study gathering at 9:00 AM in the fel-lowship hall. Students should enter the building ONLY through the office door on the East side. •CHOIR – will begin rehearsal Wed. night, August 12, at 6:00 in the Sanctuary. We will rehearse from the pews while practicing social distancing. All are asked to wear a mask until you get to your seat.

We have other plans in the QUE that we can hopefully im-plement soon, but we will move cautiously with faith. There are strong feelings on either side of this circumstance, but please be patient. We are following a plan that has been developed through much prayer. Your Pastor and friend, Dale

Ginger’s Notes

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand. Do you ever feel like you are on shaky ground? Perhaps today, with our current world situation, you feel foundations crumbling. Let’s be reminded of our Solid Rock, Jesus Christ! The writer of this hymn was Edward Mote. He grew up in a godless existence and became the

FFirst irst SStudentstudentsFirst StudentsLet us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering,

since He who promised is faithful.Hebrews 10:24

Promotion Sunday – While this will look differ-ent this year because of the circumstances our society is facing, we will still be promoting our students. If

you’re student is entering the 7th grade this year, they will now be-gin participating in youth activities. If you’re student graduated this past May, they will now be participating in college activities. Student Sunday Bible Study – Starting this Sunday, August 2, youth will have a time of curriculum-based Bible study at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall. Parents, please drop your student off at the OFFICE DOOR on Court Street between 8:45- 9:00 am. Students will enter the fellowship hall and chairs will be spread out for social distancing. Masks are encouraged as students enter and exit the building. Hand sanitizer will be available for students to use. At the conclusion of bible study, students may be picked up outside of the office door on Court Street if not able to attend the worship service - otherwise students will exit through the office door and enter the sanctuary through the front door. This is for current 7th through 12th grade students. Our Bible study material will be on Family, Commu-nity, and the World. Monday Night Student Worship – On August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, we will continue our Monday night worship time at 6:00 pm. We meet outside in the grass by the Green House and are studying through the ordinary men and women of the Bible who God used to do extraordinary things. Fall Series – In September we will begin a new Bible study series on the greatest sermon ever preached. Fall Events – Questions have been asked about a Big 7 activity, Fall Retreat, etc. At this moment, those events have not yet been planned but a calendar is being worked on for the upcoming year. I ask for your prayers as the Student Ministry Committee and I work to create and plan our upcoming year with all of the uncertainties that we face. The Lord is gracious, and we are trusting in His guiding

Sunday we will begin nursery and children’s worship for babies through 1st grade. (see Bro. Dale’s article for more informa-tion). We will take all pre-cautions that we possibly can to insure the safety of your children. The same

teachers will be with your children each week. We look forward to seeing your children this week! The SPOT will resume on Wednesdays during August. August 5 will be the next session. We will meet on the side of the sanctuary next to the big playground from 3:30-4:30 in the afternoons. All children will come at this one time. We will divide into 2 groups with Morgan leading the 3rd-6th grades and I will lead the PK4, K5, 1st & 2nd grades. We will take them to different areas outside. These groups will take into account their promotion grades, the grades they are currently going into. (So new 7th graders will go with the youth on Monday nights) Please pray for our childcare as we try to adjust to changes made by the school system and Covid requirements. Our teachers and directors are stretched to teaching and decision making in a time when things change overnight. We are in need of childcare teach-ers. If you know of someone, or are interested, please call 494-4114 or call me at 295-3781. We are praying daily that the Lord will send us Godly people to minister to our children and to each other. Working for Him, Thea Kay

(Ginger continued)apprentice of a cabinetmaker. The cabinetmaker took Mote to a worship service and Mote became a Christian (that is a whole other discussion of us taking friends to church!). Later, Mote became a talented craftsman, devoted church member, and…even a Baptist pastor! It seems he knew a lot about foundations!! It’s also clear the cabinetmaker knew the Carpenter well. (copied) We are planning to resume CHOIR REHEARSALS Wednesday night, August 12 at 6:00 in the sanctuary. We will practice social distancing as we rehearse and discuss plans to add the choir to our worship services very soon. We are excited to welcome Madison Johnson as our new music intern! Madison is from Caledonia and is a member of East End Baptist Church in Columbus and a student at MUW. We are looking forward to getting to know Madison better as she serves the Lord with us here at FBC. He keeps me singing.

TITHES & OFFERINGS Deposit July 19, 2020Undesignated 10,742.00Child Care 3,671.82Total Operating 14,413.82Designated 145.00Total Deposit 14,558.82

CONGRATULATIONS to Wesley and Taylor Frost on the birth of their son, Cohen Walker Frost, July 24th. Kay Frost is his proud

grandmother.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to Wayne and Tim Ray and family in the death of their brother, Mike, Saturday; to Lynn Fish-er and family in the death of her mother, Marilyn Coon, Saturday;

also to Thea Kay Tribble and family in the death of her uncle, Joe Lee Doss, July 21.

A THANK YOU NOTE has been received from Greg and Dawn Colbert.

WORSHIP ATTENDANCEJuly 19, 2020 -170July 26, 2020 - 147

TITHES & OFFERINGS Deposit July 26, 2020Undesignated 12,116.00Reimbursements 90.00Child Care 2,222.50Total Operating 14,428.50Designated 375.00Total Deposit 14,803.50

ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE

Thursday, August 273:30-7:00 p.m.Fellowship Hall

If you haven’t donated bloodsince July 2,

please consider giving.Precautions will be taken. Masks will be available if needed.

Vitalent is performing antibody testing on all blood donations through August 31.

The appointment sign up poster will be in the front foyer of the sanctuary Sunday morning.

Only healthy donors should present to donate blood. Your complet-ed blood donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies so we may discover future convalescent plasma donors. Confidential test results (“positive” or “negative”) will be available in your private, online account approximately 2 weeks after your donation. If your blood tested negative for COVID-19 antibodies, your blood donations are still very much needed for patients undergoing surgery, cancer thera-py and other medical treatments. Thank you in advance!

First Baptist ChurchRev. Dale Funderburg, Pastor

Ginger Fowler, Minister of MusicThea Kay Tribble, Minister to Children

Gary Havlin, Student PastorLaura Langford, Early Childhood Ministry Director

Morgan Spotts, Children’s Ministry InternMadison Johnson, Music Ministry Intern