Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Youth Ministry Calendar Update

The Youth Ministry Calendar is moving toward the Spring/Summer time of the year. I have a list of all the upcoming activities for all the participants and their families. Please mark your calendars after reading the list.

Weekly Meetings
Sunday School every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Baptist Academy every Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m.
Youth Ensemble every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.
Youth on Mission every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Monthly Events
February 12- Parent's Night Out, 6:45 p.m. -8:45 p.m.
March 12- Game Night, 6:00 p.m.
April 2 & 9- Lawnmower Service Days (Fundraiser) all day
May 15- Graduation Recognition Day in morning worship service
June 13-17 Vacation Bible School
June 20-24 Theology Camp
July 9-16 Mission Trip to Elgin, Illinois

Just a Few Announcements!

Since I am a professional Minster of Announcements, I have a few reminders from Sunday morning's list. Since we had a technical glitch with the slides advancing on their own, I will slow down this presentation!

Parent's Night Out - Friday, February 12, 6:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. 
Registration for all children age birth to 6th grade will enjoy an evening of activities developed from the Biblical account of Jonah. All of the children will be organized by age and led through a journey of Jonah's life through storytelling, crafts, games, snacks, and the Veggie Tales movie: Jonah! The evening is free, but donations will be accepted to offset the cost of the snacks. All donations collected in excess of the cost for food will be applied to the scholarship accounts of the youth participating. 

Each child will need a sleeping bag or pad to place upon the floor as they view the movie. Any questions concerning the evening can be directed to Autumn Heaton. She has created a wonderful evening for all the kids and has the support of two adults per room in addition to the youth workers.

Men's Breakfast and Bible Study - Saturday, February 13, 7:30 a.m.
The monthly breakfast will be held in the Fellowship Hall for all the men of the church. A donation is collected for the breakfast. Immediately following the breakfast, Dr. Greever will lead the group in a Bible study and prayer time. 

Easter Musical Rehearsals will be increasing as the Drama Group will practice Sunday afternoon, February 14, at 5:00 p.m.  On Saturday, February 20, the Adult Choir and Youth Ensemble will rehearse in the choir room beginning at 9:30 a.m. 

VBS Worker's Planning Meeting - Thursday, February 25, 6:00 p.m.
All VBS volunteers will need to meet with Shannon Sikes, VBS Director, as she conducts an overview of the VBS theme and the teaching stations. Almost all of the teaching assignments have been filled, but Shannon could use a few more helpers for the week of June 13-17. If you can help, contact her soon.

These are a few of the special meetings for the month of February in addition to our weekly schedule. Thanks for reading!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Parent's Night Out Volunteers Are Needed!

We are so blessed with a small group of highly motivated teenage girls! They are always looking for opportunities to serve the church, and this search has led to a Parent's Night Out on Friday evening, February 12.

At the moment, the Youth Council girls, led by Autumn Heaton, are recruiting volunteers for the evening. The volunteer must be either youth or adult, male or female who loves children. For safety and security, they are especially looking for adults of FBCF previously screened with a background security check. This will allow them to operate the event under our child safety guidelines of two adults per room for the night. If you are member of FBCF and have been cleared to work with children according to our policy, then please consider the opportunity to serve.

Autumn has created a wonderful evening of activities for the children in preschool up to sixth grade. Beginning at 6:15 p.m., the children will be grouped according to age and led through craft projects, Bible story time, music, games, movies, and more. Snacks will be provided during the evening as well.

More information will come as we get closer to the date for pre-registration.

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Haiti 2016

It’s been a long time since I took the time to write on my blog. So long, in fact, that one would begin to think if I had fallen off the face of the earth! Well, I have reconsidered the purpose of the blog, and I intend to use it for updating my church members of important events. Since most of my ministry evolves around event planning, it would make sense to me to communicate (in real time) what is happening and how everyone should respond. So, here’s the first entry!

Today, I finalized the mission trip to Z’Orange, Haiti for our group of seven men. We will be working in the community by preaching, teaching, and assisting the staff of Truth Evangelistic Ministries with their work in the surrounding villages. Z’Orange is surrounded by several small villages within walking distance, and each has a church named Jerusalem. Jerusalem One, Two, Three,… You get the picture! Anyway, we will be traveling daily between the villages for training church members and teaching the Gospel to all who wish to hear. 

One of the villages is called, “The Voodoo Village.” We will be visiting and showing the Jesus film in Creole. The leader of the village is receptive to our purpose and is tolerant to visiting groups with our purpose. He shows restraint, but I’ve heard he can be cranky at times. Pray that we will have a good visit, and for the preaching/hearing of the Gospel on that day.

Our church has a presence in Haiti for the last decade as various members have worked in Bombardopolis with Steve and Faith at the hospital. We have another member living in Mare Rouge who assists at the local clinic by keeping all the documentation in order as people are seen by the doctors. Although this will a first journey for all of the members on this trip, we will be among friends for the week. Pray for my team members who are on their first journey for any trip outside of your comfort zone is difficult and the difficulty is compounded in a Third World country.

I am thankful for a church that supports mission work internationally and nationally. We give to mission work weekly and physically participate as often as God allows. Mission work is not something we talk about at Fenton, it’s something we do as a normal part of our life. If you are wanting to find an opportunity to volunteer on local, national, or international projects, talk to me anytime. 

Monday, February 10, 2014

Youth Ministry Calendar Updates

Good Morning!
Today, you are receiving this note for your family calendar! The dates I am sending to you are projected through the mission trip in July, so I am hoping that the majority of you will be able to attend everything planned in the next six months! The only dates I do not have at this time are rehearsals for the youth choir, but Mrs. Greever will be sending out that information in due time.

The weekly schedule will continue into May. This includes Sunday School and Youth AWANA on Sunday; Youth Choir and Youth on Mission for Wednesday. The Sunday night study group leaders would love to see more involvement for their Bible study, so if you can attend, please do!

As most of you are aware, we are sponsoring two monthly Fellowship Dinners for fundraising. This week we have our first dinner for February followed by Wednesday, February 26. We are trying to be consistent with the second Wednesday and fourth Wednesday of each month as the church calendar allows. The opportunities are helping several families cut the cost of retreats, camps, and mission trip each year.

A Game Night has been scheduled by the Youth Council for Saturday, March 1. A flyer created by Jenny Applegate is attached. A head count is needed for us to order pizza, so registration will be conducted soon by Sarah Sikes. Email her if you are able to participate.

The Soul Renewal Retreat is schedule on March 1 and is open to all members of our church including youth. It’s different than a youth retreat, but this should not scare any of you from participating. It’s also free with a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m.! Spending time alone with God is not difficult as all reading material is provided for each person to use. Bring your Bible and pen/pencil with you! Fill out the form located at the Information Desk and return it through the Mail Slot.

The biggest fundraiser on our annual calendar will occur on March 29 and April 5. It’s our Lawnmower Service Day on the lower level parking lot. We are offering two days this year for families to raise funds for the summer events. Some have already indicated they will not be able to attend, but family members can work in behalf the student for the day. This event requires several people for the following:
1. Receiving and Registering each mower
2. Power washing mowers
3. Servicing stations
4. Adults for sharpening blades
5. Final cleaning and inspection
6. Pick-up and Delivery (need trailer receiver and hitch); also parts runner needed.
7. Cash box (receives money from customers and deliver person; coordinates with Receiving Team)

As you can see, we have a system! I will need to have a firm commitment by March 1. This is based on our purchasing of ad space in The Fenton Current along with other PSA’s on radio stations like Joy FM. Please let me hear from you soon.

The Youth Council has placed the 30 Hour Famine on the weekend of May 9 & 10. Details will be passed along as Samantha Gabbert and I work through them. Geyer Rd. Baptist in Kirkwood and FBC, St. John have expressed interest in joining together for the Famine, so we will be meeting to determine how this will work for the weekend.

Theology Camp 2014 will be held June 9 - 13 at Logan Valley Christian Retreat. Please mark your calendars for this awesome week!

Our annual Mission Trip is on the calendar for July 19 - 26 as we return to Charleston, MO this year. Dean Wallace, Shining Light Center Director, is working with me to create a week of VBS and other projects. As many of you learned last summer, there is no shortage of things to do! We are exploring lodging options to create space for VBS this summer, so the cost will rise for the week over last year. As details become available, I will pass them along.

Thank you for reading this message. I am aware of the length, but our church calendar is beginning to bulge with so many opportunities in the upcoming days!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Teens and Porn: 10 Stats You Need To Know

Teens and Porn: 10 Stats You Need To Know

Tim Challies referred to this article Wednesday in his blog. Some of the responses questioned the statistics reported, but it's amazing how Internet porn has permeated the home.

Monday, November 07, 2011

When Is it Time to Join?

During the previous decade, many individuals and families have attended FBCF for upwards to three years before joining the membership of our church. It has been an interesting process of observation and inquiry between prospect and pastoral staff to ascertain the specific reasons and issues for hesitancy on behalf of the prospect for joining a church. Did the prospect have a preset list of questions when they first arrived? Did they walk in with no understanding of our church and its beliefs? Did they connect with other worshippers or did they remain anonymous?

In this article at 9 Marks, we find a list of questions that are helpful for prospective members or inquirers to ask when examining a church for membership. I encourage you to read through them and apply the questions to your situation whether you are an established member or prospect of a local church. Were these or similar questions in mind as you investigated your congregation or the one you are currently visiting?

When Is it Time to Join?