THE MONTHLY MESSAGE
Volume 1, Issue 1 August 2020
In This Issue...
A Message from the Pastor …………………….
Sunday Bible Study Scriptures ………………..
Focus on Local Missions ………………………….
Tom’s Take ……………………………………………..
Prayer List ………………………………………………
Celebrate Recovery News .………………………
A View From the Lighthouse …………….……
Youth and Kids News ………………………………
SOAP Readings ……………………………………….
August Volunteers ………………………………….
August Events & Schedules ……………………..
Birthdays and Anniversaries ……………………
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Reminder: FBCM continues to observe social
distancing and other guidelines
during all services and gatherings at
this time. Please visit
www.fbcmetter.org for more
information.
The Missions and Outreach Team is now accepting donations for Operation Christmas Child through the month of August. For those who wish to give, there are several options for you:
• Fill a shoebox and drop it off at the church (boxes are available at the church, or you may use one of your own).
• Donate items for boxes; members of the team will pack a box or boxes for you.
• Donate funds for items; members of the team will shop for appropriate items and use them to pack a box or to add to boxes that may not be as full as others.
• Donate funds for postage. Each box requires $9 postage; FBCM will cover any boxes not containing postage, but donations are always appreciated to help defray the cost.
Please have any boxes or items to the church by August 30. There is a collection box by the back door, near the church office. If you have questions, feel free to contact a member of the Missions and Outreach Team, or contact the church office. If you aren’t sure an item is acceptable to donate, there are information sheets at the church or you can visit the Samaritan’s Purse website.
Next Newsletter: September 1
Submission deadline: August 24
Our weekly newsletter is now a monthly one. We'll still publish a weekly announcement sheet, but the bulk of the information will be in the monthly edition. Both publications will be available at the church, online, by email, or by mail. Please request a mailed version ONLY if you can’t get them the other ways.
Please feel free to submit items for the newsletter, with the understanding that all submitted information is subject to approval. Submissions will be due to the office around the 20th of each month. The final deadline will be published in the current issue.
The best way to submit information is through a form on our church website, fbcmetter.org. Click on the "All About FBCM" tab, then choose "Newsletter Submission." Follow the instructions, making sure to include any pertinent information. If you prefer, you may call or email the office; please be aware that this may slow the approval process a little, so be sure to get your submission in early.
Please note: Submissions for the Sunday bulletin must be received by Wednesday. Information received after the deadline will be held and published the following week, if still relevant. Announcement slides are complete by Tuesday of each week, so if you’d like your information on a slide please get it to the office by Monday at 5 PM.
www.fbcmetter.org
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SUNDAY BIBLE STUDIES
We are well into summer as the intense heat is upon us! And just like that, school starts. Especially during these days of COVID-19, the church is needed more than ever. We are the church. We are the people of God set apart for His good work. He has invited us to join Him and others as we come alongside and support one another. We learned this past week that Jesus perfectly joins us together with Him with one mind united in thought and purpose. In the coming weeks, we will learn through God’s Word that we need the church and one another as we pray for one another, support one another, encourage one another, and strengthen one another as we stand together in life. We have had several professions of faith in recent days, and I look forward to the time we will celebrate baptism together. Continue to pray for our dearly loved members who are sheltered-in-place as we deal with the current pandemic, and stay connected. For those who are comfortable coming to church and participating in our services as well as our discipleship and ministry activities, I invite you to come. Our multiple services have been well received and supported as we socially distance. If you are still not comfortable being in person, we continue to offer both 9 am and 11 am services live on facebook as well as our local Comcast channel. The movie night has been enjoyable as we have watched Christian-themed movies together along with popcorn and other treats on Sunday nights at Guido Gardens. We have plenty of room there, too, as we continue to socially distance. We enjoyed the final movie last Sunday, and will be back to our weekly Celebrate Recovery services next week. I have also enjoyed our time in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday nights at 6 pm for our Bible study and prayer time. As we continue to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and love each other as the body of Christ through worship, discipleship, and ministry living out our faith and sharing His love as we do life together, I know the best is yet to come!
Why Do I Need the Church?
August 2 We Pray for One Another
Ephesians 3:14-21
August 9 We Support One Another
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16
August 16 We Encourage One Another
Ephesians 4:17-32
August 23 We Strengthen One Another
Ephesians 5:8-21
August 30 We Stand Together in Spiritual Battle
Ephesians 6:10-20
We are thrilled to welcome
Sophia Bowen as a new member of FBCM.
Sophia has been a part of our extended family for a long time,
and has now joined the fellowship by profession of faith.
Welcome Sophia!
LOCAL OUTREACH MINISTRIES
COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTION
2nd MONDAY OF EACH MONTH 10:00 AM
TREMOUNT TEMPLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH NORTH TRAPNELL ST, METTER
SPONSORED BY SECOND HARVEST
AND THE BRIDGE
COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN 4TH SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH METTER SPONSORED BY THE GIDEON SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
COMING SOON...CHECK BACK HERE FOR MORE
INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
Pastor Tom Osborne
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Prayer List
Our Church Family
Rose Bonner Wayne Carter Berrien Donaldson Carol Donaldson Larry Hill Leck Montgomery Amy Rash David & Pat Rhoney
Homebound, Nursing Care, Assisted Living
Judy Collins Charlie & Debbie Collum Jean Culbertson Nadeline Edenfield Judith Hirt May Hooks Melba McCoy Sondra Ownbey Donna Pittman Don & Dot Rabitsch Ruth Trapnell Evelyn Warren
Other Family and Friends
Kim Cagel Benilda Craft Dopson Deal Will Donaldson William Donaldson Angie Franklin Virginia Johnson Delores Kornn John & Angie Long Greg Luft Shawn Pittard Don Randall Rabitsch Bruce & Cheryl Rector Nannie Lou Sewell Gloria Sills Larry Williams Peggy Williams
Prayer requests may be submitted during Wednesday night prayer time, by contacting
the office, or by submitting a form via www.fbcmetter.org .
FBCM will review the prayer list periodically; after 60 days without updates, names are
subject to removal from the list. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CARD SENT OR OTHER CONTACT MADE, PLEASE SUBMIT CONTACT
INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE.
THIS
SECTION
REMOVED FOR
PRIVACY
First, let’s talk about our Worship Ministry. I would personally like to thank all of those who make up the gospel ensemble and the praise team that lead worship at 9:00 and 11:00 on Sundays, respectively. These are some of the most dedicated and committed people in our church. The gospel ensemble currently practices at 6:00 PM on Wednesdays, and the praise team practices just after, at 7:00 PM.
On the discipleship front, Sunday school is sort of a “mixed bag of nuts” at this time. We still have classes that are meeting with Zoom as well as at least two classes who are meeting face-to-face on Sunday mornings at 10 AM. Some folks have expressed interest in doing some Zoom classes on Christian Apologetics and revelation prophecy. Let me know if you would like to be a part of either one of those classes.
Celebrate Recovery/Broken Chains has been enjoying our summer Sunday Nights at the Movies. Our final movie night was August 2, with an airing of the hilarious Mom’s Night Out. We’ll be resuming regular meeting times in August. CR/BC meets on Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM at the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens. Anyone is welcome to join us there.
Celebrate Recovery / Broken Chains meets on Sundays at 6:00 PM at the Hamstra Worship Center
at Guido Gardens. This is a time of worship, support, and encouragement, and is open to anyone.
Come as you are; you are welcome here.
The Broken Chains are bikers
and bike enthusiasts with
a passion for Celebrate Recovery.
Celebrate Recovery is a
ministry of and for people
struggling with hurts, habits, and hang ups.
www.fbcmetter.org
A View from the Lighthouse
In Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Moses tells the reader to “Be strong and courageous.” In Joshua
1:9, the Lord told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous”. Solomon, in his wisdom, wrote in
Proverbs 28:1, “The righteous are bold as a Lion.” In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul tells the
reader to “stand firm in the faith, be strong and courageous.” I think you get the point.
Those who put their faith in the Lord God Almighty are called, not to cower in a corner, but
to be bold and courageous! In this season of turmoil in our country, Christians are called to
be a light in the darkness. That kind of faith, that is not a crutch but a sword, and it’s not
developed in a classroom, or exercises on paper. It is not developed through head-
knowledge alone. Our children can memorize the entire bible, but if they don’t live what
they’ve learned, then we have failed to develop a faith that is bold. That kind of faith is
cultivated through action, and through progressive and deliberate attempts to live out
what we say we believe.
We have just started a new school year. Pray with me, that our kids will boldly live out their faith, seeking ways to equip themselves for
works of service. Youth and children are not suddenly able to fulfill the “Great Commission” upon turning 18! That kind of faith must be
developed, stretched, and tested. Starting this Fall, our Sunday school program for 6th-12th graders will teach them the basics of our
faith. Our evening youth ministry time will cause them to think about how we live what we believe. They will have many opportunities
to exercise their faith this fall, from helping with Lighthouse Kids on Wednesday nights to our quarterly service projects. I encourage
you, as parents, to get them involved in all of it. Here’s to a great new school year, filled with possibilities and opportunities.
FOR YOUR YOUTH CALENDAR: YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES MEET ON
SUNDAYS AT 9:55 AM LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH MEETS SUNDAYS AT 6:00 PM THE YOUTH PRAISE BAND PRACTICES ON SUNDAYS
AT 5:00 PM
YOUTH BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 6:00 PM
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• Kids’ Church has resumed! Children up to 5th grade are welcome to join in at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings.
• Children’s Sunday School Classes will resume on August 9!
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JOURNAL READINGS CURRENT WEEKLY SCHEDULE DEACON OF THE WEEK
1 Isaiah 65, 66; Psalm 62; John 3 SUNDAYS 2 Dustin Vernon
2 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4 9:00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE 9 Jeff Deal
3 Nahum 1-3; John 5 9:55 AM YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL 16 Matt Rash
4 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34; John 6 10:00 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 23 Jordy Carter
5 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7 11:00 AM BLENDED WORSHIP SERVICE 30 Rickey McDaniel
6 Habakkuk 1-3; John 8 SANCTUARY FLOWERS KID’S CHURCH
7 Zephaniah 1-3 John 9 5:00 PM YOUTH PRAISE BAND PRACTICE 2 Wayne & Gail Carter
8 Jeremiah 1, 2; John 10 6:00 PM LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH 9 Ben & Betty Bennett
9 Jeremiah 3, 4; John 11 CELEBRATE RECOVERY/BROKEN CHAINS 16 June Coursey
10 Jeremiah 5, 6; John 12 WEDNESDAYS 23 Juanita McDaniel
11 Jeremiah 7-9; John 13 6:00 PM BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER TIME 30 5th Sunday
12 Jeremiah 10-12; John 14 GOSPEL ENSEMBLE PRACTICE
13 Jeremiah 13-15; John 15 7:00 PM PRAISE TEAM PRACTICE
14 Jeremiah 16, 17; Psalm 96; John 16 1 Tom Osborne
15 Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17 8 Steven Vedder AUGUST
16 2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18 2 NEW YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL 9 Blake Lanier 17 Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19 3 David & Pat Rhoney FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
18 Jeremiah 26, 35, 36; John 20 5 CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PLANNING 10 Brent & Candace Carter
19 Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21 MEETING, 6 PM Louise Ryckewaert
20 Jeremiah 48, 49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1 9 KID’S SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES 11 Sarah Kelley
21 Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; 1 John 2 10 2ND HARVEST FOOD DISTRIBUTION 12 Faith Vedder
22 Jeremiah 28-30; 1 John 3 AT TREMOUNT MISSIONARY BAPTIST 14 Ralph Clifton
23 Jeremiah 31, 32; 1 John 4 16 YOUTH BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH, 6PM 15 Sandi Alderman
24 Jeremiah 33, 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5 22 SOUP KITCHEN 17 Jason & Michelle Kelley 25 Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2 John 20 Mary Buijnarowski 26 Jeremiah 50-51; 3 John 22 Rhonda Rocker 27 Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143, 144 23 Junior McCoy 28 Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2 29 Traci Clifton
29 Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3 30 Wayne & Gail Carter 30 Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4 Ben & Kelley Franklin 31 Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5 31 Emily Franklin
Scan here to
give online. #FBCMMission1:8
PO Box 34 50 South Rountree St. Metter, GA 30439 912.685.2208
Pastor Tom Osborne
Mobile: 912.601.9694
Pastor Tom Alderman, Worship & Discipleship
Mobile: 912.536.5083
Pastor Jason Kelley, Youth & Children
Mobile: 706.372.2066
Jeanna Simons, Ministry Assistant
Kelsea Batson , Music Assistant & Church Pianist
Robin Scott, Nursery Supervisor
Josh Kelley, Children’s Ministry Director
Mobile: (229) 232-9248
VISIT US ONLINE
SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 AM & 11:OO AM
www.fbcmetter.org
www.facebook.com/metterfirst/
YouTube: First Baptist Church Metter
CANDLER SCHOOLS ARE BACK IN SESSION
CANDLER SCHOOLS ARE BACK IN SESSION
We all know that in the “age of Covid-19” things could change quickly, but as of the time of this publication, students have returned to school.
There are many conflicting thoughts and concerns throughout our country about the reopening of schools, and we won’t be answering those questions here. What we are doing is calling on all of our church family and friends to be in prayer for our students, the school administrators, the faculty and staff of all of our schools, and anyone else who is connected with our education system here in Candler County. We trust in God’s faithfulness, and we know that He is always in control. Please take a moment each day to pray for our schools and for a safe and productive 2020-2021 academic year.