Weekly Update – August 28th, 2025
The Christian life is never a solo journey. We need consistent encouragement from each other in order to persevere in faith and live lives characterized by love and obedience to Christ. Here at First Baptist Church, we believe Home Groups are an excellent way to facilitate the mutual encouragement, care, and service that the Bible calls the local church body to practice toward one another. Therefore, as we prepare for another season of home groups, I want to remind you why we do home groups, as well as encourage you, if you have not already, to join one.
First, the reason why we as a church prioritize home groups is because they are avenues of care. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul says that he became like a “nursing mother” who took care of her own children. In other words, he devoted his life to the Thessalonians by giving himself to them because of the love he had for them. The idea here is that Paul let the Thessalonians into his life, sharing with them hardships and struggles, as well as joys and triumphs, where he turned his life upside down for them. Because of this type of relationship, the gospel flourished. In our home groups, we want there to be an atmosphere where those who are committed to meeting with you are there to encourage and build you up, as they share their lives with you.
Second, we prioritize home groups because they are avenues of discipleship. In 1 Thessalonians 2:11, Paul says that he became like a father with his children. In other words, verse 12, he exhorted, encouraged, and charged the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. What this looks like are relationships formed that live side by side with others, as we keep each other from error, push each other away from sin and encourage each other to see God instead of ourselves as our true hope and desire in all things. On our own, we run the risk of giving into the demands and pressures of this world, but together, we help one another endure until the end.
Third, we prioritize home groups because they are avenues of witness. As we care and disciple one another, we do so ultimately for a purpose. That purpose is to be a witness to an unbelieving world. In 1 Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians had become imitators of Paul and his partners, so much so that in 1:8, the Thessalonian’s faith had gone forth everywhere. In other words, their lives together were a display of God’s kingdom and glory (2:12). We gather as a whole together, for the hearing of God’s word proclaimed, allowing ourselves to be united together under the banner of Christ, but when we gather in smaller groups, we also show our unity in the application of God’s word through caring and discipling one another.
We are officially opening up home groups as we look to the Fall. If you are not a part of one, consider joining! You can sign up this Sunday in the hall. They typically meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday afternoon/evenings of the month. My hope as we continue this ministry is that we might have homes filled with those committed to one another in deep and godly friendship with lives lived that care and disciple one another, ultimately showing a witness of the God we serve.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
- Colossians 4:6
Announcements:
Congratulations!: Emily Lucia was born on Sunday, August 24th at 2:20pm to Zach and Gracie Norman. Emmy Lu was 6lbs 7oz and 19 1/2 inches tall.
Congratulations!: Rory Christine was born on Tuesday morning to Matthew and Maddie Blankenship. Rory was 8lbs 8oz and 21 inches tall.
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 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.
Collegiate Impact: As college students prepare to start the fall semester, we have an opportunity to partner with Collegiate Impact in reaching out to them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider praying for this ministry and those they will seek to reach as well as bringing non-perishable, individually wrapped food items to aid in outreach. You can get an idea as to how to pray and what to bring HERE
Worship Jam: No Worship Jam this Friday, August 29th.
Sisters in Service: On Thursday, September 4th at 10:00am or 7:00pm, Sisters in Service will meet in the library. See Sheriann Kessinger for more details.
All Church Work Day: On Saturday, September 6th at 8:00am there will be an all church work day. Come and help us clean, make minor repairs and get our building ready for all of the fall activities that will take place.
Women’s Bible Study: This will be a 8-week study of Proverbs: The Way of Wisdom by various Bible teachers. Morning and evening sessions will be held on Tuesdays, beginning on September 9th. Details are on the bulletin board.
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. Cost will be $45. Sign up in the hall today!
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. The next Awana year begins on Wednesday, September 10th. Dinner will be 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 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.