Weekly Update – January 1st, 2026
All week I was thinking about ways that I can encourage us as a church to approach the new year. Should there be some major goal that we pursue? Should there be a specific discipline that we should dive in to? Or perhaps we should simply reflect upon the past year? I think addressing all of these questions are good and helpful, but I think even more so, we should simply strive for consistency in the ordinary. We as a people typically like big, grand and new things, but it is the way that we handle the ordinary things in life that shape us into who we are, even as a church. With that being the case, in the same vein as what I encouraged you with last year, here are three encouragements towards consistency that I want us all to pursue this year.
First, I want to encourage you to be in the Word of God. For this, I want to pass along to you a few Bible reading plans:
The first one is called the 5 X 5 X 5 Plan. You can find it HERE.
The second one is called The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. You can find it HERE.
The third one is called Through the Bible in a Year Plan. You can find it HERE.
The final one is called The Two Year Plan. You can find it HERE.
You can also find these plans printed out for you and available on the organ this coming Sunday. In addition to Bible Reading, every week in the update, we post a fighter verse and the order of service for Sunday. I would encourage you to strive to memorize the verse posted and prepare yourself for worship on Sunday.
Second, I want to encourage you to be in prayer. If you struggle to know what to pray for, or want to simply bring a bit of variety to your prayer life, you can find an example of what to pray for HERE. Additionally, you can keep up with our church prayer list HERE. Also, if you are looking for a good resource to help aid your prayer life, there is a short book titled Praying The Bible. You can find it HERE.
Third, I want to encourage you to further connect with the church. Below are seven encouragements for how you can do this:
- Be Present: Make Sunday morning a priority.
- Go Deeper: Connect in an Equipping class, home group, or a Bible study.
- Form Intentional Relationships: Commit to meet with another member one-on-one on a regular basis.
- Serve: Be aware of opportunities and seek to meet needs within the church.
- Give Consistently
- Pray for the church: Pray for the elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, ministry leaders, other members, events, and so on.
- Join: There is no reason to link arms with the church, if you are not a member. Encourage those who have been visiting for a while to consider joining.
As you set your New Year’s resolutions this year, consider doing so with the ordinary in mind. Specifically, consider how you might pursue the above ordinary goals with the church. The aim here is not to heap requirements or additional tasks upon you, but to push you in the ordinary means of growth given to us as Christians. My hope is that in 2026, not only would you grow individually as a Christian, but that together, we as a church might grow in maturity, as we attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:13).
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. [The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.]"
- Revelation 21:5-7
Announcements:
Special Guests: This coming Sunday, January 4th, we will have some special guests talking about their ministry with the International Mission Board overseas.
Congratulations!: Layla Jane was born to Jake and Faith Anne Norman, December 15th. Layla was 8lbs and 19 inches long.
New Equip Class: Starting on January 11th at 9:15am, there will be a new class called Habits of the Household beginning. In Habits of the Household, we will discover simple practices that we can implement around our daily routines and seemingly mundane moments that will lead to a lifetime of growing closer to God—both for parents and their children. Go HERE for more information about this study.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $5,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Building Remodel: We have officially kicked off our fundraiser! There are commitment cards available in the sanctuary as well as in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Hebrews in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.