SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021

Page 2: A Word from Our Pastor, Page 3: Missions and Support, Page 4: Worship Ministry

Page 5: Events, Weekly and Monthly Schedules, Page 6: Discipleship & Education, Reading the Bible

Page 7: Kidzone for Preschool and Children, Day School

Page 8: Student Ministry, Deacon Led Offertory Prayer, Our Ministerial Staff, Monthly Giving Report

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Matt Powell, Senior Pastor

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17

You and I have no control over where we were born, to whom we were born, or when we were born. We enter this world without a single possession; we are at the complete mercy of our parents and the physical and social environments surrounding GOOD FRIDAY us. I think frequently how differently my life would be if “the where,” “to whom,” or “when” of my birth were altered. So much of my thinking: my understanding of April 2 what is good and bad, wise and foolish, beautiful and ugly, and valuable and worth- Church Office Closed less flow from the upbringing I was given. While I love my heritage, my heritage is nothing I have earned, and you have not earned yours either.

For as long as I can remember, I have known the name of Jesus. I do not remember the first time I heard his name. I do remember sitting in my Popa’s lap during an Easter Play when I was 6 years old and being deeply moved by the cross. Even at the age of 6, I was aware of Jesus and faith began to grow in my heart. I knew that Jesus COMMUNION was born, he died, and he rose again. Remember, faith comes by hearing and I have heard the message of Jesus my entire life. Sunday, April 11 during the Morning How that story would be so different if I were born somewhere else, to different Worship services parents, in a different time. Who knows I might be a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, or something else? I think about these things often. What if I had not come into being when I did? Paul provides answers for these speculations in Acts 17:24-28:

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath QUARTERLY and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of BUSINESS MEETING their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Sunday, April 25 him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being;’ as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we 6:00 p.m. in the are indeed his offspring.’” Fellowship Hall

Paul teaches us here that the God of the Bible is no distant God of Deism, He is in- volved in His creation. Not only is He Creator, He is the world and history’s Sustainer and Sovereign Ruler. In the secret will of God, He determined that I would live in my day, in my place, with my family for one glorious purpose: “that they (Matt) should seek God, and perhaps feel their (his) way toward him and find him.” The same is true for you. DECISIONS IN MARCH What this means is the best place for me to know God is right where I am. This is true for every person who has ever lived! While we look on with human reasoning and Letter: say, “what about people who have never heard?” The answer is, there is no shortage of God’s power for Him to reveal Himself to everyone who has ever lived. John Underwood Sheila Underwood My comments in this article should both fill us with thanksgiving and humility. I am thankful because God ordered this broken world in such a way that I could hear the Profession of Faith: Gospel. I am filled with humility in that I have heard the Gospel thousands of times. Finley Baker It did not have to be this way, but it is… Do not feel guilt for having access to the Emerson Smith Gospel message; feel grateful. Then in that gratitude, go and tell your neighbors the same is true for them as well. Faith comes by hearing… so let us go and tell them, Dalton Teeple “He lives.” Nash Ward

Happy Easter!

Matt and Andrea Powell Philippians 1:6

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Missions & Support Lee Allred, Executive Pastor

Mission Plans 2021 (Tentative) The Harvest Please note. For the international journeys a COVID-19 vaccine will most Celebrate God’s Provisions and Blessings likely be required. For travel to Maine, a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel or proof of vaccination is the current requirement. For travel to Hawaii, a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to travel and uploaded to the travel portal is required even with vaccine, at this time.

Hawaii: June 26-July 4: Meeting for The construction continues to and much needed additional space planning will be held on April 14, at progress. You can see the list to our preschool, children and 5:15 p.m. in the North Conference below of ongoing work. student ministry areas. Room.

• The exterior sheathing has been Church family, for each dollar Japan: October 2021 will be our focus installed and sealed. given towards “The Harvest” • Rough-in of window openings for travel to Japan. Tentative dates are capital campaign, thank you. If October 8-17, 2021. has been completed. you have not made a commitment • Stud walls on the first and to “The Harvest” campaign now Philippines: We are praying through second floors are 95% is a great time to prayerfully dates for 2021. Dates will most likely be completed. consider how the Lord would lead in the fall of 2021. • Rough-in on electrical and you to give toward the project. Canada: July will most likely be the plumbing is well underway. Perhaps, you have joined the First Baptist Family since the campaign time for teams to travel to Canada to • Retaining walls on the exterior serve alongside our partners at the started and would like more have been completed. Potter’s House Community Church. information to help you be better We are grateful for the work informed. Please contact me at Uganda: This journey has been put on completed and look forward to [email protected] or by calling hold until we know more information. completion in late June/early July the church office at 662-842-1327 of the first phase. The space will and I will be glad to provide Cuba: Our hope is to make a journey to provide a whole new experience resources to you. Cuba in late summer/early fall 2021.

Maine: Our plan would be to serve in Maine during the early part of the Serving with Excellence COVID-19 summer either late May or early June. Thank you, Church Worship Update Church family, during the month of Please carefully read the following Poland: Plans are underway to take a March we had two opportunities to information regarding the updated vision journey alongside Mississippi serve; one serving our community and service format and times. Baptists in 2021. If you are interested the other serving our church family. in Poland, please let Lee know by Thank you, church, for serving so well Seating: The front sections of the contacting him at 662-322-1011 or during Across the Street Around the sanctuary have been opened for full [email protected]. Corner. More than twenty-three seating on the three front sections. projects were completed, and eighty- The back sections will have every five visits were made. Thank you to the other row closed. Baptist Children’s Village 100 plus volunteers who served during Mother’s Day Offering this project. Worship Service Times: The three An offering for the Baptist Children’s Sunday morning services will continue Village will be taken on Sunday May 9, Thank you to the fifty-four volunteers through the end of April. April 25 2021. Gifts given will go directly to who cooked, cleaned, and served help support the work of the Baptist during the BBQ Drive-Thru event on will be the last Sunday for the Children’s Village in our state. Sunday, March 21. 10:00 a.m. worship service.

2020 North America Missions Offering During the month of April, you will have the opportunity to give to the North American Mission offering. The offering helps support the network of missionaries serving through our convention in unreached areas of our country and Canada. You can gift online or through the Sunday offering.

366 MILLION PEOPLE ◾ 350 LANGUAGES ◾ 275 MILLION ESTIMATED TO BE LOST

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Worship Ministry RANDY WOOD, Worship Pastor

“In the waiting, in the searching; In the healing and the hurting; Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces. Every minute, every moment; Of where I’ve been and where I’m going; Even when I didn’t know it, Or couldn’t see it ... .”

After he wrote the worship song, Zach turned to his producer and A few weeks ago, I gave our gigs in 2012, when he heard stated how cool it would be if Dolly congregation an assignment to Redeemed by Big Daddy Parton lent her voice to the track. look up the story of Zach Weave on the radio. In that A few weeks later, Dolly agreed to Williams. If you didn’t, that’s ok. moment, he felt the presence of listen to the song and after just the Here it is … God and his life radically altered. first verse, she knew she wanted to Zach cancelled the next show, in be involved. It’s so incredible to The life of a rock star is often fact cancelled the whole tour, hear these two powerhouse voices marked by mischief, and a quit the band and headed back come together to worship our Lord multitude of vices. Zach home to be with his family. with these beautiful lyrics. Williams, famous for his song “God showed me a glimpse of , was no what my life could be like, if I “For this man who needs exception.Now a Christian would turn from my sin and amazing kind of grace. singer-songwriter, he was once follow him.” For forgiveness at a price I a typical rocker, recording and couldn’t pay. touring for three years with his After that point, Zach’s priorities I’m not perfect so I thank God band & The shifted. Having left the band every day ... Reformation—living life on a behind, the singer made the There was Jesus.” cliff-edge. challenging decision to make God and family his priority. No matter our sins or struggles, “I was a rock-star, and with that He and his family found a church God is always there for us. Even attitude and that lifestyle came a and together they sought to when we may stumble, He will be lot of bad things,” he says. “I was restore their marriage and right by our side to pick us back up miserable, everybody about me family. The story almost sounds again. What a beautiful blessing, could see it, I was so lost.” clichéd, but this was the indeed! predictable power of Jesus at He’d grown up in a Christian work: transformation, from an Thanks to our worship home, but Zach ended up living encounter with the good news. teams for sharing these life far from God. Until, that is, Zach Williams songs. a song on the radio began his Zach Williams rose to fame with journey of redemption. “God his worship anthem, Chain Chain Breaker showed me a glimpse of what Breaker. As Zach looked back on my life could be like, if I would his struggles, he realized that follow him.” On the brink of a Jesus was with him the entire There Was Jesus failed marriage, Zach was in a way. That realization led to the tour bus somewhere between creation of There Was Jesus.

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Sundays 8:30 a.m. Morning Worship (S) 9:45 a.m. Group Groups for all ages 10:00 a.m. “Masks Required” Worship (S) 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship (FH)

Mondays 9:00 a.m. ESL (FBCT Campus)

Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. Ladies’ Bible Study (Linda Bowlin GG) 5:00 p.m. Handbell Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 5:30 p.m. Students’ Meal (FH) 6:00 p.m. ESL (FBCT Campus) Students’ Mid-Week (FH) Kingdom Kidz: Children (Youth Rm.) Preschool (GH) If you would like to receive Journey, Stand Firm, “Applause of Heaven” Ladies’ Study (Choir Rm.) Open Windows, Renewdaily, Essential Connection, Book of James Men’s Study (Rm. 110/111/112 Quitud, and or Family Journey, you can download Choir/Worship Team Rehearsal (Choir Rm.) the Devohub app to your IOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) or Kindle Fire device (Amazon Apps). 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday worship services are The next time you come onto the FBCT campus, available at First Baptist Church Tupelo on Facebook and at just open the app, and hit activate. You do not have www.fbctupelo.com online. to connect to the FBCT wifi; it is done within a circle 9:45 a.m. Sunday Grow Groups will continue to be available around our facility. There is no cost and once you at First Baptist Church Tupelo on Facebook and at have activated the app you can access the www.fbctupelo.com online. devotionals from anywhere.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE S Marigene O’Conner Taylor Fund Friday, April 2 The Marigene O’Conner Taylor Scholarship Fund will Good Friday—Church Office Closed provide scholarships for the 2021 Fall Semester. If you have been a member of FBCT for at least two years Sunday, April 4 and will be enrolled in an institution of higher learning Easter Sunday—Regularly Scheduled Services/Grow Groups (a minimum of six hours for the 2021 Fall Semester) you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Wednesday, April 7 5:00 p.m. Student Church Bible Drill (Youth Area) Nursing Scholarships Applicants who are pursuing a four-year nursing Thursday, April 8 degree must be at least a third-year nursing student. 4:30 p.m. Children’s Church Bible Drill (S) Applicants pursuing a two-year or three-year degree must be at least a second year nursing student. Sunday, April 11 If you have been a member of FBCT for at least two Children’s Assoc. Bible Drill (FBCT) years and will be enrolled in an institution of higher learning (a minimum of 12 hours per semester) you Wednesday, 14 are eligible to apply for this scholarship. 5:00 p.m. Student Assoc. Bible Drill (Youth Area) 5:15 p.m. Hawaii Informational Meeting (N-CR) Adult with Dependent Scholarship If you will be enrolled in an institution of higher Thursday, April 15 learning, or have decided to return to school to 2:30 p.m. State Bible Drill (Harrisburg BC) further your education, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must have a dependent, Monday, April 19 and a single parent will be given preference. 5:00 p.m. Birthday Bunch (GH)

M.B. Holmes Memorial Trust Sunday, April 25 This trust is for ministerial students only. 6:00 p.m. Quarterly Business Meeting (FH)

Applications for the above scholarships are in the Friday, April 30 church office. The deadline for receipt of the application 1:00-6:00 p.m. Seniors/Parents Table Set-up (FH) is Sunday, May 23, 2021.

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Discipleship & Education RICKY YOUNG, Discipleship Pastor

Reading the Bible Together in 2021... April will take us through the rest of 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings and then into Isaiah. The Bible Project reading plan takes us in somewhat chronological order, if you are wondering why it skips to Isaiah. We will go through the Old Testament and then finish with a recap of the story in Chronicles. Most of our Grow Groups are back to meeting in person. We are The books of the Kings pick up at moving classes around to try to make the best use of our space so the story following the death of we can keep everyone safe. Please pray for our teaching team as David and takes us through the we teach, encourage our classes and lead our people in ministry. story of Solomon – the wisest man For all who are still not ready to meet in person, we will continue in the world at the time who makes to offer an online class each week that airs following the 8:30 a.m. some very unwise choices as he service and can be accessed at any time during the week. progresses in life through the division of the Nation of Israel into two nations, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. From there we will witness the kings of each nation that total over 30 and of that number only a couple are Senior Adult News considered good. Except for a We are beginning to make couple of kings and prophets like some plans for restarting our Elijah and Elisha, we will see Israel monthly luncheons and we are spiral down until both the northern working on a trip to Branson in and southern kingdoms are September. It will be exciting conquered. The thing we can to begin getting back to more remember all through the saddest of a normal schedule. part of the story is that God is never not in control of the destiny

of His people. Isaiah will remind us of that truth as well. Enjoy reading and remember that God is always on His throne and that He loves us April Bible Reading: and desires our complete devotion. April 1: 2 Samuel 16-18, Psalm 91; April 2: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalm 92; April 3-4: 2 Samuel 22-1 Kings 4, Psalm 93-94; April 5: 1 Kings 5-7, Psalm 95; April 6: 1 Kings 8-10, Psalm 96; April 7: 1 Kings 11-13, Psalm 97; April 8: 1 Kings 14-16, Psalm 98; April 9: 1 Kings 17-19, Psalm 99; April 10-11: 1 Kings 20-2 Kings 4, New Member Class Psalm 100-101; April 12: 2 Kings 5-7, Psalm 102; April 13: 2 Kings 8-11, Psalm 103; April 14: 2 Kings 12-14, Psalm 104; April 15: 2 Kings 15-17, Psalm 105; April 16: Sunday, April 18 2 Kings 18-19, Psalm 106; April 17-18: 2 Kings 20-25, Psalm 107-108; April 19: Isaiah 3:00-5:00 p.m. 1-4, Psalm 109; April 20: Isaiah 5-8, Psalm 110; April 21: Isaiah 9-12, Psalm 111; in Rooms 110/111/112

April 22: Isaiah 13-17, Psalm 112; April 23: Isaiah 18-22, Psalm 113; April 24-25: For all adults who have Isaiah 23-31, Psalm 114-115; April 26: Isaiah 32-35, Psalm 116; April 27: Isaiah

36-38, Psalm 117; April 28: Isaiah 39-41, Psalm 118; April 29: Isaiah 42-44, Psalm recently joined FBCT. 119:1-32; April 30: Isaiah 45-48, Psalm 119:33-64

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CARRIE DEVENNY, Director of Children’s Ministry KidZone BETSY O’NEAL, Director of Preschool

Birthday Bunch

Meet April 19 at 5:00 p.m. in the church parking lot

We will make a few visits and go out to eat. Vacation Bible School June 7-11

Volunteers are needed! If you would be willing to teach this year, please contact Carrie or Betsy.

Bible Drill Church Drill: Thursday, April 8, Associational Drill: Sunday,

April 11 at FBCT, State Drill: Thursday, April 15, Harrisburg BC

Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

Children, grades 1-6 meet in the CENTRI-KID SUMMER CAMP: Youth Room (CSC) Children who have completed 5th and 6th grade will attend Preschool, Age 3-Kindergarten th th Centri-Kid at Shocco Springs on July 26 -30 . The cost is Come to check-in at Grand Hall th $300.00. The second payment of $100.00 will be due by April 18 April 7: and the remaining $100.00 will be due June 7th. If you would like Crazy Glasses Night to sponsor a child, please see Carrie. April 14 Kids’ Gym Night YOUNGER KIDS CAMP:

April 21 Children who have completed 2nd-4th grades will be going to April Showers Night for Parkgate Pregnancy Center Kids Camp at Central Hills. This is a 3-day 2-night camp which will be June 24-26. The cost for this camp will be $150. $100 is Grades 1-6: Bring diapers th 3’s-Kindergarten: Bring baby wipes due NOW and the last $50 will be due by April 29 .

Day School Workers

Job opportunities are open for: After-care, 2:00 p.m.- 5:30p.m.

This is a great opportunity for college students. For additional information, please contact Christine Allred, 662-718-0018 or [email protected].

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MATT POWELL, Senior Pastor [email protected]

LEE ALLRED, Executive Pastor [email protected] ANDREW MAYHAN, Student Pastor

RICKY YOUNG, Discipleship Pastor [email protected] Students and Parents,

RANDY WOOD, Worship Pastor We are so excited about this coming summer as it seems we are finally [email protected] getting back to some “normal” summer activities. Below I have a few events

ANDREW MAYHAN, Student Pastor that we have coming up this summer along with some basic information [email protected] about each event. You can find more detailed information in the student

CARRIE DEVENNY, ministry summer packet available in the youth room, and that has also been Director of Children’s Ministry emailed to all students and parents. We look forward to an incredible time together in the coming weeks! [email protected]

BETSY O’NEAL, GRADUATE RECOGNITION WEEKEND: Director of Preschool Ministry May 1st and 2nd: Seniors, check your recognition forms information on senior [email protected] table set up times, senior banquet, and service recognition details.

SUMMER CAMP: We are partnering with FBC Brookhaven and we are going to the beach! Dates: June 21st -25th BUDGET OFFERING Location: Laguna Beach Christian Retreat (Panama City, FL) Annual Budget $2,598,000.00 Cost: $260 Weekly Budget Requirement $49,961.54 Sign up now in the CSC or call Mrs. Kim to get on the list th Budget Received $50 deposit due by April 28 March 7 $68,416.79 March 14 $46,268.00 SUPER SUMMER: March 21 $60,177.49 Dates: July 12th-16th March 28 $46,229.10 Location: Mississippi College (Clinton, MS) Cost: $190 th Required to Date $1,299,000.04 $50 deposit due by May 5 Received to Date $1,652,908.52 We have a lot more in store for Summer 2021! Be sure to check out the BUILDING FUND summer packet to see more information about weekly activities.

March 7 $25,413.00 Much love to you all, March 14 $5,775.76 Bro. Andrew March 21 $111,405.00 March 28 $65,435.10

Balance as of 10/01/17 $10,106.15 COLLEGE GRADUATE: If you are a college graduate or you are the parent Received after 10/01/17 $4,240,752.22 of a college graduate this year, please contact Twila in the church office or Expenses Year to Date $1,963,934.91 email [email protected] with the graduate name, college of graduate Current Balance $2,286,923.46 and the degree. Deadline to receive this information is Wednesday, May 21.

THE EVANGEL (USPS076300) is published Monthly April 4 by First Baptist 8:30 a.m. Danny Dickey Church, 300 N. 11:00 a.m. Jonathan Chaney Church St., Tupelo, MS 38804. April 11 Periodicals 8:30 a.m. Danny Kennedy postage paid at 11:00 a.m. Lee Walker Tupelo, MS 38804.

POSTMASTER: April 18 Send address 8:30 a.m. Phil Daughdrill changes to: 11:00 a.m. Josh West THE EVANGEL April 25 300 N. Church St. 8:30 a.m. Jack McFerrin Tupelo, MS 38804 11:00 a.m. Will Cockrell 662-842-1327