Weekly Update – March 21st, 2024
Everything we do when we gather as a church goes back to the word of God. We believe that “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17) this word and that the gospel message spoken by the word of God is the very power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12) and it is profitable for our reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). In short, the word of God is our source for life now and for all eternity. Therefore, we want to structure our main gatherings as a church around the Bible. A common method used throughout the history of the church to ensure that the word of God is central in the main gathering of the church entails 5 basics: Read the Bible, Preach the Bible, Pray the Bible, Sing the Bible, and See the Bible.
Read the Bible. First Timothy 4:13 records the apostle Paul writing this to Timothy: “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture.” The Word of God is clear, even without explanation. It can change and bring new life all through simply reading it or listening to it read. Carving out time every Sunday morning shows our commitment to hear from God in his word and it displays that we are willing to submit ourselves to “every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4).
Preach the Bible. Again Paul writes to Timothy as to how he should lead within the church and he says this: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove; rebuke; exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2). Recently there have been questions about whether or not preaching should take the central focus of a worship service. But we must hold fast to this method, believing that it is God’s ordained means in communicating his truth to us. (Rom. 10:14-17; Acts 8:4; 1 Cor. 1:18).
Pray the Bible. Hearing from the apostle Paul once more, he says in 1 Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men” This verse is the beginning of Paul talking about what the main gathering of the church should look like. We are to devote a portion of time in our gathering to prayer, so that together we might unite in lifting up our adoration, thanksgiving, confession and supplications to God.
Sing the Bible. Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” Singing is about so much more than a personal experience with Jesus. When we sing in our main gathering, we are building up the body of Christ with the truths that come out of our mouths. This is a time of participation as we put the word of God to music, internalize it in our hearts and sing it to one another.
See the Bible. This phrase might sound a little strange, but its meaning is really quite clear. We see the Bible every time the ordinances are practice. What are the ordinances? There are two. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are meant to be dramatic presentations of the Gospel message to us. Baptism displays to us an individual’s participation in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as they publicly profess their hope in Christ before the gathered church. The Lord’s Supper displays the church’s ongoing participation in identifying itself with the work of Christ.
In all things, the word of God must take center stage and function as the foundation of all that we do. This is best accomplished in our main gatherings when we come together to read, preach, pray, sing and see the Bible before us. When this is the case, by God’s grace, we will continue to grow with one another in our mission to proclaim and display the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. - Psalm 100:4-5
Announcements:
Sunday Morning: This Sunday, March 24th, our Equipping Hour will look a bit different. The class downstairs (1 Peter), the youth and our class in the Sanctuary (Foundations) will all be combined and will meet in the Sanctuary. Martin Maharas will be teaching the combined class.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Alexander Granados, president of Calvary University, will be preaching for us this Sunday (3/24). Dr. Granados has been the president of Calvary University since January 2021. He is originally from Bogota, Columbia and has served in numerous capacities in higher education. He and his wife, Dorian, have two daughters. You can go HERE to learn more about Dr. Granados.
Prom Dress Giveaway: If you are interested in volunteering with the prom dress giveaway, please contact Amy Blankenship. More info can be found HERE.
Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study began on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions are offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.
Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.
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.
Easter Schedule: There will be many opportunities to connect with us this Easter season. First, join us on Palm Sunday on March 24th at 10:30am. On this Sunday we will have Dr. Alex Granados from Calvary University with us. Second, Maundy Thursday will be on March 28th, at 7:00pm. Lastly, celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us on March 31st. That morning we will have our annual Easter Breakfast at 9:15am with our Worship Service to follow at 10:30am. Also, during passion week (3/25-3/29) there will be short daily devotions posted on Facebook and YouTube. These devotions will aim to highlight some of the events that occurred the week between Palm Sunday and Easter.
Women’s Craft + Brunch: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, April 13th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Details can be found HERE.
Greeting Team: If you are interested in joining the greeting team, there will be a sign up sheet in the hallway this Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.
Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.
Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter will meets 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.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
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 0-2 and 3-pre-k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1st-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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