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 2 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 3 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 4 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 ... There was Jesus.” 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.