Weekly Update – March 23rd, 2023
When we think about church attendance, typically we think of it in an individualized sort of way. Perhaps you have heard comments such as, “I am coming to church to get fed” or “I am coming this week to get encouraged.” With many of us being faithful attenders, individualized comments, even if they are motivated by hope in Christ, will still come through. We might say, “I need the Word of God in my life” or “I need to spend more time in prayer.” Either way, much of our thinking is caught up with how we view our likes and dislikes, felt needs, etc. But what if there is more to our attendance at church? What if our attendance actually affects others?
When we think about how our attendance to the main gathering of the church affects us, consider how it first affects the members who gather with you. When you gather with others for a Sunday morning service, it brings together a group of people who are diverse in age, ethnicity and preferences and it fosters an environment where we are all worshipping God together. Through our singing, our attentiveness during preaching and our hearts joined together during prayer, we unite ourselves for the purpose of exalting Jesus Christ and proclaiming His kingdom. The effects that this uniting has on the church is that it presses others who are joined to hold fast to the confession of their faith and it stirs them up to love and good works. (Heb. 10:23-34).
Secondly, consider how attendance affects the unbeliever who might be joined with us. Regular attendance to the main gathering of the church gives unbelievers a clear picture of who Jesus is. It displays a group of diverse people who gather together in love, setting aside everything else in this world that seems to matter for the purpose of exalting Jesus Christ. It allows them to see how Christians care for one another, how Christians defer to one another, and how Christians are committed to one another. Attendance to the main gathering of the church shows the unbelieving world the wisdom and the power of God at work through the effects of our salvation. (Eph. 3:10).
Thirdly, consider how attendance affects the next generation. Children recognize priorities. They can clearly see when actions and words don’t line up. So when we tell our children that Christ is important to us, then our priorities should back up this claim. Regular attendance to the main gathering of the church is the number one way to show that our first priority is Jesus Christ and nothing else. When our children know that we prioritize gathering with God’s people over recreation outings or sporting events, we are telling the next generation that our hope and their hope should be set in God. (Ps. 78:6-7).
We don’t typically think about how the mundane and ordinary activities of our lives might affect others. But through simply attending our main worship service, you are encouraging a whole host of other people. Week in and week out of faithful attendance to the main gathering of our church has the opportunity to encourage the member who you sit next to, or display God to the unbeliever who walks through the door, or even indirectly disciple the next generation as we show our hope is in God and our love is for His people. Be encouraged this next Sunday, as the Lord uses the faithfulness of His church for purposes greater than we might ever know.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! ²Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. ³Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" - Psalm 96:1-3
Announcements:
Good bye Diazes: Following our service on March 26th, we will formally say good bye to the Diaz family. Come join us as we send them off.
Members’ Meeting: Our regular quarterly members’ meeting will be held on Sunday, March 26th. Following the morning service, we will head to the Faith Center for a potluck lunch and then back into the sanctuary for the meeting.
Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on April 2nd at 10:30am. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on April 6th, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on April 9th. That morning we will resume our annual Easter Brunch at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am. Also, during passion week (4/3-4/7) there will be a short daily devotion posted on Facebook and Youtube. These devotions will aim to highlight some of events that occurred the week between Palm Sunday and Easter. More information is available HERE.
Secret Church: On April 21st, beginning 6:00pm at the church, 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. More details to come. You can find out about this study 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, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $8500. 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.
Ladies’ Bible Study: The Ladies’ Bible Study is on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Sheryl Nelson is leading through Jen Wilkin’s study “Abide.” If you are interested, see the signup in the hall.
Prom Dresses: We have several weeks for the prom dress giveaway coming up. Go HERE for more information or contact Amy Blankenship to see how you can help.
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.
0 Comments