Weekly Update – March 30th, 2023
It is easy to neglect to stop and take stock of the evidences of God’s grace upon us as we live in a culture that is prone to complain and criticize. That means that one of the ways that we can live counter cultural to this world is to encourage one another with the faithfulness of God. When we consider the Lord’s work among us, not only does it remind us of his goodness, but it presses us to continue on in the fight for our faith. Therefore, let me highlight six significant evidences of God’s grace that were on display this last week at our church
First, during our service last Sunday morning, we received the largest group of new members we have ever received in at one time. But, what is even more significant is that this is the third of the groups of new members we have received in only 8 months. The Lord in his kindness has brought many new people to us as we continue to live out our mission together to speak and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Second, we voted to install 3 new elders into leadership at our Sunday members’ meeting. In many ways, the biblical concept of elders has been a topic of conversation for a few years before it came to the forefront last summer. Even so, plurality of elders has only been a public discussion for the last 8 months. But in December, we voted to change our constitution to allow for multiple elders. The fruit of which we saw in electing Scott Neal, Clint Blankenship and Dave Hutchison to serve along side of myself as elders of the church.
Third, we finally sold the 4 acre plot of land north of the church. In a conversation that has occurred since I arrived, the land to the north of the church, owned since the 1980s, finally sold on Tuesday. Those who purchased the land, plan to build duplexes and single family homes. With this sale, the Lord has provided a significant down payment to do many needed updates to our building.
Fourth, for the third year in a row (2022), we ended positive on our financial statement. For many years we spent more than we took in as a church. But God has been faithful as we have sought to continue to steward his money the way he has called us to, and we have, again, spent less than we brought in. This may not sound like something worth taking time to thank the Lord about, but by staying within our budget, we are able to pursue ministries and missions with greater fervor as we seek to fulfill our vision of seeing our families, our community and our world transformed by the power of God.
Fifth, our Awana program is having the best year we have had for a while now. Last night, I looked around at a full gym as our Awana kids were getting ready to go to their classroom. Additionally, our Awana kids continue to invite their friends allowing us to seemingly have new faces almost every week. Then, as some of the parents stick around, others have even joined our church. New life has come back to Wednesday nights.
Lastly, our prom dress giveaway has taken over not only our basement, but our Fellowship Hall. We have given away so many prom dresses, that we had to temporarily move Pan de Vida upstairs so that the Fellowship Hall could be used as a large changing room. Multiple nights a week, girls from all over the KC metro are receiving free dresses and being encouraged by our church.
I could go on with the ways that I am thankful for our church. In many ways, it feels like a new day has dawned upon us as we continue to strive to serve the Lord. I want to encourage you to continue to look for these evidences of God’s grace in our church as his work is on display. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36).
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
P.S. In addition to God’s grace at work in our church, this week has also brought a lot of pain and heartache as we mourn the tragedy of the school shooting in Nashville. Unfortunately, shootings have become a sort of way of life to us. Even so, we need to make sure that we are thinking rightly about the events that are around us now. Go HERE if you would like to see some thoughts about how to remember gospel truths in the midst of an evil world.
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens." - Psalm 96:4-5
Announcements:
Easter Special: Practice for a special Easter song will be held at 6pm on April 1st and April 8th. If you would like to participate, please let Martin know. You can listen to the song HERE. The song will be performed in the Sunday morning service on Easter Sunday, April 9th.
Village at Carroll Park: This Sunday (4/2), at 1:00pm, we will conduct a worship service at the Village at Carroll Park located at 5301 Harry S Truman Dr., here in Grandview. Nathan Sharon will be preaching and Kerissa Breisch will be playing the piano. Come serve with us as we seek to proclaim Christ and encourage the residents here.
Maundy Thursday: Come next Thursday (4/6) and remember with us the final night of Jesus’s life before his death and resurrection. We will sing, hear a short message and take the Lord’s Supper together.
Funeral Service for Helen Yoemans: Many of you will remember Helen Yoemans. The visitation and funeral service for Helen will be held on Friday, April 7th, at Longview Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10am with the funeral to follow at 11am.
Easter Schedule: Come celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on April 9th. That morning we will begin with our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am followed by our Worship Service at 10:30am. More information is available HERE.
Passion Week Devotionals: Next week devotionals will be posted, Monday-Friday, as we look forward to remembering the death of Christ and celebrating his resurrection. You can find those videos posted HERE.
Secret Church: On April 21st, beginning 6:00pm, we will join David Platt via simulcast for an intense evening of Bible study and prayer. The study for this year will be over the book of Jonah. Sign up this Sunday if you would like to be a part of this. You can find out more about Secret Church, HERE.
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, First Baptist Church is seeking to raise $8500. We have already received $5,216 towards this goal. 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 “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.
Harry’s Hay Days: On Saturday, May 6th, from 10:00am-4:00pm, First Baptist Church will be participating in the citywide festival called, “Harry’s Hay Days.” We will be hosting carnival games, face painters, balloon artists, Chick-fil-A, and more, right here in our parking lot. Put this date on your calendar and look for a sign up sheet in the weeks ahead.
Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 10th-Friday, July 14th from 5:45-8:00pm. More information to come…
Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.
Awana
Join us for Awana Bible Clubs on Wednesday nights. Dinner is at 6:00pm and Awana Clubs are from 6:30-8:00pm.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. War of Words will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of Joel, Amos, and Obadiah will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament will meet 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.
Facebook live: HERE.
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 0-4 meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
One Comment
Mike Smalley
While in Connecticut this week for work training, I was immediately notified from numerous sources of the tragedy in Nashville. News sources report that we lost three youth and three adults yet we also should think about the loss of the assailant. Of the last four mass shootings in the United States, one identified as “binary,” with the latter three self identifying as “trans.” I feel deeply for the loss of these who were shooters as well, for these appear eternally lost. There is a mental health crisis as well as a spiritual health crisis desperate to be solved. Perhaps you can help. I take this moment to appreciate all of those who stand faithfully beside those battling tremendous internal turmoil, uncertainties, even crises. Your kindness could make all the difference. For it is written “a gentle word turns away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1