CONNECT First Baptist Church O’Fallon, Missouri APRIL - JUNE 2019 CONTENTS 5 6 11 3 From the Pastor 8 Academy 4 Worship 9 Children 5 Gospel Proclamation 10 Young Adults 6 Students 11 Event Highlights 7 Education SCHEDULE SUNDAY WEDNESDAY Life Groups Children’s Music 5:50 pm 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am Prayer Meeting 6:00 pm Worship Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm 9:30 & 11:00 am Kairos Student Worship 6:30 pm Kids Worship Awana (age 3 to 5th grade) 6:30 pm 11:00 am Orchestra Rehearsal 6:30 pm First Baptist Church of O’Fallon 8750 Veterans Memorial Parkway O’Fallon, Missouri 63366 636-272-4838, firstofallon.com 2 Dr. Michael Atherton, Senior Pastor From the Pastor am excited to give you a sneak peak at our new Ichurch logo, which will be officially revealed on Easter Sunday (April 21, 2019). There is nothing overly flashy about it. It is not complex, but simple. It is not ornate, but effective. Lest you think that this is just another symbol of faith, let me remind you that the cross has been the cornerstone of humanity’s hope from the very genesis of time. Whether it stood as a greatly anticipated act or as a symbol and representation of a past occurrence, the cross has and will always be a continuing call message was not ornate, but effective. The fact to humanity as it reaches to the depths of depravi- of the matter is, 2000 years later, the cross is still ty and pulls mankind from its grips. effective! The journey to this logo started over 12 months The symbol of splintered wood that stood on a ago. Our media team (Jim Caban, Holly Wallgren, hill so long ago, not only stands as an attractive and Greg Webber, among others) looked at, de- centerfold for Christianity and the love that God signed, and discussed what seemed like hundreds has for humanity, but it also has important impli- of possibilities. Why a cross? The use of a cross is cations and ultimately, crucial ramifications for not an accident, nor an expression of habit. Back all people. Following after the cross demands when we started this journey, I was praying about obedience and allegiance to God, God’s Church what image would best convey who FBCO is and and God’s Word in its absolute totality. The cross what we want to be known for. God led me to 1 of Christ is forever standing as a reminder of the Corinthians 2:1-5. In this text, Paul says that he ministry of reconciliation to which Christ has could certainly come to the church and speak commissioned us. As we enter this Easter season with eloquence and sophistication. But, he didn’t and spend time reflecting on the glories of the find any reason to do that. Rather, he would just cross, let’s not keep the blessings of the cross to proclaim the message of Christ and Him crucified. ourselves. The message was not complex, but simple. The 3 Alan Fath, Associate Pastor of Worship destroys an old pattern and creates hat Jesus accomplished for another. It always dominates. It nev- Wus on the cross is at the very er compromises or surrenders. It is core of why we worship. If not for an effective killing tool. Knowing all Jesus’ blood shed on the cross for of this, Christ said, “If anyone would us, we would have no reason to cel- come after me let him take up his ebrate. This is why, when you come cross and follow me”. So, the cross to church on Sunday, you will never not only ended Christ’s life but it see me frowning or singing a sad also ends the first life, the old life, of song. There’s just way too much to all who would follow after Christ. be happy about. We must do something about the One of my favorite authors is A.W. cross. There are only two decisions Tozer. In his book “The Radical persecuted Christians, to a tender that can be made. We either run Cross”, he talks of how revolutionary from it or die upon it. If you choose the cross of Christ is among men. and devout believer. However, its power departs when it is changed to die upon it then it will bring to an The cross of Roman times didn’t end all of your selfishness. Then God compromise. It won every argument from a symbol of death to a thing of beauty. When men make it a can cultivate a new life that is free by killing its opponent. The cross and full of good works. didn’t spare Christ either but slew symbol to adorn their necks or as a Him the same as the rest. magic sign to ward off evil. If we’re not careful, the cross becomes an When you think of the cross during this Easter season, I pray that you After Christ was risen, the apostles emblem and millions may revere the cross but know nothing of its power. will celebrate with me. Thank you, preached the message of the cross. God, for your sacrifice. May we take The message of the cross trans- The cross wins by destroying. It up our cross willingly every day and formed Saul from being a man who Dr. Brandon Kiesling, Associatefollow Pastoryou. of Young Adults 4 Gospel Proclamation: Dr. Brandon Kiesling he resurrection of Jesus Christ is recorded for us which you can partner with us to carry out the Great Tin all four Gospel accounts. Immediately following Commission: 1) Connecting with first-time visitors of each account of Jesus’ resurrection, we find Jesus FBCO by completing a door-step visit after Sunday commanding His disciples to take the Gospel to the morning worship services, 2) Participating in GROW ends of the earth. In Luke’s account, Jesus explained on Tuesday nights through door-to-door visitation, how He expected this “Great Commission” to begin: 3) Participating in an evangelism training weekend “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on April 12-13 where we will go out inviting peo- on the third day rise from the dead, and that repen- ple to Easter services, 4) Participating in a Saturate tance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed O’Fallon project over the next few months where we in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem will attempt to get the Gospel, in both written and (Luke 24:46-47). In other words, Jesus expected visual form, to every home located in the 63366 zip His disciples to proclaim the Gospel throughout the code, and finally 5) Participating in Engage O’Fallon in entire world, beginning with the town in which they July 2019 where we will dedicate an entire week to currently lived. Jesus’ Commission is still in effect for reaching the city of O’Fallon through various mission Christ-followers today. Therefore, FBC O’Fallon has projects in the mornings and door-to-door visitation an obligation to take the Gospel to the ends of the in the afternoons and evenings. earth, beginning in the city of O’Fallon, MO. I hope that each of you will pray about how you can In order to accomplish this, the staff has been working join us in this effort to get the Gospel out to as many on a comprehensive Gospel proclamation strategy people as possible in 2019. More information about that will equip, enlist, and encourage you to reach these Gospel opportunities will be made available in every home in the city of O’Fallon, and continue the coming weeks, but if you have questions about spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Begin- any of this or would like to find out how to participate, ning in April, we will roll out several new initiatives in call or stop by the church office at any time. 5 Brandon Winkler, Minister to Students f you look cross should serve as a reminder to us of the greatest Iaround you, sacrifice ever made. Where the one and only Son of you’ll notice you God gave up his life as a perfect sacrifice to eradicate can find the im- sin and restore what had been broken. age of the cross everywhere. Not The image of the cross is one that reminds us that just in the church our Savior died the most gruesome death, taking on or on a necklace, the sin of the world that continually turns it’s back but you’ll see it in on Him. And while it reminds of us his death, it also some of the most points us to life. The cross wasn’t the end. Jesus con- average everyday quered death, came back to life and reigns as Savior things. Look at and Lord today and desires a relationship with you. the powerlines that run down the streets. If you have The cross makes that relationship possible. six panel doors in your home, yep, it’s there too. Is your yard fenced in? Check it out! My prayer for you is that you’ll never lose the hope and glory of the cross in your life. As you look around, The problem is, the cross has become just that; an I pray you’ll often be reminded how much God loves image. It should represent so much more for us than you and the great lengths He went to to make that something we hang up or put around our neck.