Weekly Update – April 28th, 2022
After over a two-year hiatus, we will open up two new home groups this summer. In the past we have had home groups, and in fact, even now, there is still one currently meeting over zoom. These groups will be intentionally filled with a range of people, from children, to married couples, to singles and senior adults. Our goal is to meet on Sunday evenings over dinner for fellowship, study and prayer. There are many things that I hope and pray to accomplish through home groups this summer but let me give you three basic objectives I hope we can achieve as we meet in homes on Sunday nights this summer.
First, I pray that home groups will provide people the opportunity to get to know others on a deeper level. There is something about visiting with someone in an atmosphere where you are not watching the clock and there is not another activity about to start. Every Sunday morning we have the opportunity to connect with one another during Sunday school and before our church service, but that doesn’t match the type of conversation you might with someone in a more unstructured environment. Home groups will provide the opportunity for many people from diverse backgrounds and demographics, including children, to sit around a table, eat dinner, and get to know others who they may not connect with otherwise.
Second, I pray that home groups will allow for deep discussion around the topic of Christian growth. There are two options of study for this summer’s home groups. One will deal with how the gospel applies to all of life. The other will be a word study through Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Each study is video based with a teaching time of around 10-15 minutes, allowing each group plenty of time for discussion and prayer to follow. The goal is to have an opportunity to discuss aspects of the Christian life in a relaxed environment.
Third, I pray that home groups will provide an opportunity for hospitality. All throughout the Scriptures there are examples of and calls for hospitality. Essentially hospitality is receiving and serving others in your home. We see the clear call in Romans 12:13 to pursue hospitality and even in 1 Peter 4:9 there is a call to pursue hospitality with gladness. Through home groups, this biblical command will be in practice, not just by the host homes, but by everyone who helps in preparing a portion of the dinner for the evening, those who listen and participate in conversation and through everyone who simply interacts with others. Hospitality in a more generalized sense will be displayed by all who make the home a welcoming environment.
Join with us this summer as we seek to fulfill our mission as a church to speak out and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ through forming deeper relationships with each other in home groups. We will start on May 15th. I hope that you will consider signing up to be in one.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"[Therefore,] if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Announcements:
Vacation Bible School: There will be a brief information meeting about Vacation Bible School this Sunday following the service. Plan to stay for a few minutes to learn more about what VBS will look like this year and how you can be involved.
Home Groups: On Sunday evening, May 15th, there will be 2 brand new home groups starting. Each will meet in a different home on Sunday nights from 5:30-7:30pm throughout the summer. One group will meet at the Nelson’s house to go through the study titled, “Gospel in Life” by Tim Keller. The other group will meet at the Bonin’s house to go through the study titled, “Word Study” by Bible Project. Sign up in the hallway to get connected.
Harry’s Hay Days: On Saturday, May 7th, 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, Life 88.5 and more, right here in our parking lot. We need volunteers to help with this event, so sign up in the hallway this Sunday.
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 was to raise $7500. Thank you for your generous support, as we reached our goal last Sunday. Click HERE to see where this money goes and how it is used.
Secret Church: Join on us on Friday, April 29th at 6:00pm, as we listen to David Platt via simulcast for an intense evening of Bible study and prayer. The goal of this event is to simulate the experiences of churches who are persecuted for the Word of God, but yet hungry for it at the same time. We will join with thousands of other people from all over the world as we study the theme, Who Am I? Come and join us, in homes this year, for some or all of this 6 hour night as we study together and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. There is a sign up sheet in the foyer. You can find out more about this study HERE.
Bible Study
Join us in the Sanctuary at 9:15am on Sunday mornings for a study in the book of 1 John. A women’s Bible Study meets at the same time at then end of the hall near the nursery.
First Wednesday Prayer
Join us on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm in the sanctuary for an hour of prayer. More information can be found HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
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 0-3 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Guide for Worship can be found 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.
Pre-K and Kindergarten meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1st – 5th meet upstairs in U-5.
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