Weekly Update – July 31st, 2025
During our members’ meeting last Sunday, we gave an update on our building remodel. Essentially, we have divided up the remodel of our building into three phases. Phase 1 is the outside, dealing with the front columns, all the windows, the roof and steeple. Phase 2 is the interior, mainly comprising the sanctuary, gym and front entrance. Phase 3, which will likely be a bit down the road, deals with a new entrance, and updates to our educational wing. By God’s grace, phase 1 is complete! In fact, you can see the updates done during phase 1 by watching this video HERE. Now we are on to phase 2.
Phase 2 will be a bit more complicated than phase 1 was. Phase 1 was not easy by any means, but it was paid for by the money received from the sale of the 4 acres of land to the south of our church. We are grateful that the Lord provided this sale, which was just under $400,000, but somewhere around $225,000 or so went to completing phase 1. Phase 2 though is going to cost around $600,000 to complete. This includes around $300,000+ for the interior of the sanctuary, $150,000 for the HVAC system in the gym, and around $50,000+ to reshape the front entrance with better accessibility. We may come in a bit under the $600,000, which I think we all pray that we do, but $600,000 allows us the flexibility to complete this phase in its entirety.
What all this means is that we are going to enter into a time of fundraising for our building. We will formally kick this time off in September as we begin considering our mission as a church here in Grandview and how that connects us to our current location and the need we have to maintain it. Additionally, I hope that this time allows us to consider the impact that the Lord has allowed our church to have on our community over the last 175 years. All of this should remind us of the responsibility that has been entrusted to us as God’s people here at First Baptist Church and the connection that we have to where God has placed us.
We often hear that the church is not a building but a people, and that is 100% correct. At the same time, a church is defined by its gathering together around the word of God at a specific place. This place doesn’t become the focus for the Christian life, but it does provide a base. God has given to us a base here in Grandview out of which to accomplish our mission for him. That mission is to proclaim and display the gospel of Jesus Christ. Can we then sit still in this place and fulfill the mission God has given to us? No! But we do gather in this place at 1416 Main Street, and from this location we serve, and we go as we seek to reach our community, our state, our nation and ultimately our world.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Psalm 34:12-14
Announcements:
Building Remodel: We will officially kick off our building fundraiser in September, but if you would like to start giving, you can do so HERE and select “building repair.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building fund.”
Home Groups: Home groups typically meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We will have sign-ups available in the hall throughout the month of August if you are interested in joining a group.
Ladies’ Conference: On Monday, September 29th, our ladies will be headed to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to attend a conference led by Jen Wilkin. The cost will be $25. There is a sign up sheet out in the hall.
Men’s Retreat: On Friday, October 24th – Saturday, October 25th we will host our 2nd Men’s Retreat at God’s Mountain Camp. The theme will be, “Servanthood.” Cost will be $45. More details and a sign up sheet are to come.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man, takes place. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti noodles and spaghetti sauce, canned soup, canned vegetables, canned tuna, boxes of macaroni and cheese, cereal, and oatmeal. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana is held at 6:30pm on Wednesdays throughout the school year. The Next Awana year begins on September 10th. 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 Isaiah 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.