F B C M A C O M B Monthly Newsletter

2021 June

June Worship Themes Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for our online worship on our YouTube channel.

June 6th Help My Unbelief (Mark 9:14-24) June 13th Non-Existent Gods (Acts 17:16=25) June 20th More Non-Existent Gods (Acts 17:23-34( June 27th Bible Tells Me So God (1st Corinthians 15:12-14)

July 4th In-Justice For All (Luke 18:7-8) July 11th The Theology of Jesus (John 14:7-11) July 18th The God That Does Exist (Romans 5:6-8)

Wednesday Night Online Bible Study Join us at 6:30 p.m. on our Facebook page On our YouTube page at 10:00 a.m. Thursdays or watch anytime June 2nd The Book of Psalms presented by Mary June 9th Discussion of City of Jerusalem presented by King David June 16th Wise King, Foolish King presented by King Solomon June 23rd Wisdom Literature presented by a son of Korah June 30th A Kingdom Divided presented by Rehoboam and Jeroboam Words from Pastor Jon A long time ago in what seems like a galaxy far far away, I served as a minster to students at a church not far away from my hometown. I had started seminary part-time as a fresh faced 20 -year-old. This was interesting time in USA Christian culture. The rise of contemporary Christian music was gaining credibility. Now, it had not reached the level of being the contemporary worship music we have today yet. Back then, contemporary Christian music was marketed and created mainly as an alternative to the popular music of the day. The artists that made the large impact in this way to even eventually being chosen by to help with his crusades was the group . DC Talk created a seismic shift in Christian music and Christian youth culture. Even though the band best known for the song “Jesus Freak” no longer exists, they are still a part of contemporary Christian music today. Band members, Toby McKeenan, , and met as students at . As you may know, TobyMac still tours today as one of the most popular Christian artists, Michael Tait is lead singer of the now, who are also still a popular Christian group. Kevin Max had a solo career and then was lead singer of . Kevin Max has become more well-known recently for his stance as an #exvangelical and saying he is “deconstructing” his faith. Max was adopted and grew up in a supportive though rigid theological family environment. He went off to college at Liberty to experience some disciplinary issues while there. Max has been in and out of the Christian music scene over last 30+ years, He has become another in the growing amount of people of that age group and younger than seem to be “de-converting” from Christianity. He claims that the God he was taught about is not tenable to believe in today. This format is not capable of covering all the reasons for this phenomenon of de- conversions. However, to equip us, we will have the Sunday morning worship theme for about 7 weeks this summer be about a proper thinking response to this phenomenon. Maybe you have a friend who grew up as a Jesus follower but now claims not to believe. Maybe you have a family member who used to confess Jesus but now claims no allegiance to Jesus. Maybe you, like many during this pandemic, have been shaken with your faith. This worship emphasis will be designed to guide us through these often-uncharted waters of beliefs about God that are not helpful. No matter what, all of us are guilty of putting our faith at least for a little while in versions of God that really do not exist. When we put faith in a version of God that does not exist, we will be set up to be let down thus frustrated with our faith much as Kevin Max finds himself. This June and July, we will strive to push away these false versions of God that creep into our culture so we may grow closer to God and to be “…all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1st Corinthians 9:22 NIV). I hope you will join us in person or online.

Jon Self Zoom Prayer Meeting

Join us on Wednesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 at 7:15—7:30 p.m. for a Zoom Prayer Meeting. We will only take about 10-15 minutes of time to pray together. The link to join the zoom meeting will be sent out each week .

2018 Capital Campaign Update

This May we lost another long-time member with the passing of Betty Ingledue. Betty was very active in church life and dedicated much time to FBC with service on several committees and boards. As a member of the Trustees, Betty was often involved with the financial aspect of the church and spent time as a volunteer on the Accounting Team. Betty would arrive early to church and could often be seen at the entrance greeting everyone as they entered the building. Her family has designated memorial gifts be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund.

As of May 31, 2021, $273068.87 has been given toward our 2018 Vision 4 Tomorrow campaign commitment of $307,275.00. The money we donate to the Building Fund goes toward reducing our debt and the completion of Phase 1. Our monthly mortgage payment of $6366.88 includes an additional $459.17 above the required amount which goes directly toward the principal and will reduce the amount of interest owed each month.

There are many ways to contribute whether you are worshipping in person or online. You can continue to support both the church and building fund by dropping your offering in a collection plate, mailing your check to the church, or making arrangements through your bank to do an automatic payment. You may use your regular offering envelopes and designate the amounts on the “Building Fund” line. If you are not using envelopes, just write on the check memo line or include a note how you would like your money divided, i.e. General Expenses or Building Fund.

Judy Hurt Capital Campaign Follow-Up Director Birthdays & Anniversaries

June July 9—Russell Glaue 11—Alan Brown 10—Geemin Glaue 12—Sharon Brown 11—Jane Coplan 14—Allen Walters 15—Keith & Susan Rose (a) 16—Deena Mangalaraj 18—Toby Cale 17—George & Pam Sewell (a) Mike Coplan Rob & Lora Wallace (a) Tayler Richardson 18—Eva Molina 21—Daisy Barr 19—Bennie & Alice Arvin (a) Riley Derry Gerald & Pat Jones (a) 22—Mike & Jane Coplan (a) 25—Russell & Gee Min Glaue (a) Justin & Kenzie Derry (a) 29—Claudia McCain 23—Marilyn Bourn Pat Jones 27—Emily Richardson

Church Board Update

This past month The Board met on May 11. Items discussed/completed this month were:

• Normal financial and church business • Discussed the need to replace computers used by the staff. • Discussed possible uses of memorial funds. Will review the list next year. • Due to COVID the annual business meeting was not held in January. July 11 was set for this meeting at 11 a.m.

The Board would like the continued prayers from all of you as we conduct the business of your church.

Rich Sample Board Chairperson Community Events

Friday, June 4 @ 5:30—8:30 p.m. Park n Cruise Classic cars, live music by Eternity Road, food, raffle and big fun in Historic Chandler Park and Downtown Macomb.

Friday, June 11 @ 8:30—10:30 p.m. Movie in the Park: Black Panther Veterans Park, E. University Drive, Macomb Event is Free

https://macombparkdistrict.com/ events

Thursday, June 24—Saturday, June 26 Macomb Heritage Days

Food-Fun-Carnival Rides-Parade- Car Show-Vendors First Baptist Church 1515 S. Candy Lane Macomb, IL 61455

309-833-2479

Please Join Us! Worship is Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Find us on the web at www.fbcmacomb.com

Online Worship Video links are on our website home page.

Our YouTube Channel can be found by going to www.youtube.com and searching for FBC of Macomb.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ FirstBaptistChurchMacombIL/

Senior Pastor Jon Self

Director of Christian Education Gee Min Glaue

Administrative Assistant Leann Walters

Custodian Lisa Barker