Suffering Resources
February 6th, 2012GroupLink
February 6th, 2012“Then the Lord said,” . . .
January 19th, 2012Have you ever read the same Scriptures a hundred-billion (give or take a few) times and then, all of a sudden, noticed something that you have never seen before? That’s what happened to me recently. I was reading through Exodus in preparation for Pastor Ronnie’s sermon on Moses and something stood out like a burning bush to me. (Too cheesy? Church humor…gotta love it.)
I had just finished trying to imagine what it would have been like to be Moses in that well-known moment. To hear the audible voice of God. What it would have been like to know that the God that I had only heard about, decided He had something that He needed to say to me? To see a bush in flames and to know that it was not the same kind of fire that I always knew, but the presence of the Lord.
It was in that moment as I was thinking to myself, “Wow. What a powerful, life-changing experience that must have been”, when, in my gut, I knew that the Lord, the God of Moses, had something He needed (little, ole) me to hear.
This is what I read:
“Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
And some of the words leapt off the page. They were:
“Then the Lord said,
I have seen.
I have heard.
I know.
I have come down.
to deliver.
to bring you out.
into to a good land.
. . .
I will send you.”
And POW! right before me– in the black and white text of the Old Testament– was the Gospel.
We were in our bondage. Slaves to sin. And the Lord saw. He heard. He knew. So he came down, from heaven and took the form of a man and died as a sacrifice. To deliver us– from death and sin. To bring us out of the miry clay and into life abundant and everlasting.
And then he sends us to the world to make this truth known.
I sat silent. Staring at the words that seemed to be staring at me. Sitting in my kitchen, but knowing that I, like Moses, had stumbled onto holy ground.
-Stephanie Cannon
Video from Jan 8, 2012 Vision Meeting
January 15th, 2012Miss last week’s meeting on the church vision, restructuring and this year’s programming? No worries; The video is posted here >>
If you have any questions about the restructuring that is proposed, please contact John Jessup at 770.466.4250. He’d love to sit down and discuss any questions you might have.
Get a copy of the handout with the Jan-June dates on it by clicking here>> (Printed copies are also available in both Welcome Centers.)
Do you have something that you want to share about what was discussed? Send us an email; We’d love to hear from you!
2012 Vision, Structure & Programs (01-08-2012 Evening) from First Baptist Church Loganville on Vimeo.
{An Undivided Heart} Women’s Retreat
January 10th, 2012
A retreat for women to spend time with the Lord, focusing on spritual growth and restoration.
Led by Jennie Jones, Jackie Davis and Tamarra Soto at Woodland Christian Camp in Temple, Georgia.
Cost $100 due before Feb. 12th. Questions? Email Tamarra Soto.
Psalm 86:11 – “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Adult Winter Retreat
January 10th, 2012Adult Winter Retreat
Ridgecrest, NC Jan 26-29
Join us for a time of relaxation, fun & unwinding. This is a great chance to meet people within the church, experience Bible study, worship, laugh a lot, (optional skiing), shop, sightsee and more. For full details, pick up a brochure in the FBCL Welcome Centers. Cost is $186 per couple (plus meals).
Sign-up in the Ed. Building Welcome Center.
Deadline to sign up is Jan. 15th.
Questions? Contact Tony Hewatt at thewatt@fbcloganville.org
Informational Meeting
December 12th, 2011Mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 8th at 6 pm. We will meet in the Worship Center to hear about the plans for 2012, receive a calendar of important dates, learn about the new organizational structure and hear about the upcoming ministries of the church. This will be the most important church meeting of the year!
God-Centered Marriages [upcoming classes & seminars]
December 12th, 2011In January 2012, we are offering 3 new opportunities to help create God-centered marriages:
1. Engaged Couples Class
The most important time to decide to live a God-centered marriage is before it even begins. Braxton & Suzanne Roberts will teach the following curriculum: Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs; The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman: and His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley, Jr. This class is open to all engaged couples. It will meet in room 222 of the Education Building beginning at 9:30 am on January 8th.
2. Young Marrieds Class
Kyle & Paige Harrison will be starting a Young Marrieds & Newlyweds class on January 8th. They will meet in room 206 of the Education Building at 11 am. Their class will deal with how to grow your relationship with God, communication in marriage, finances, parenting, and growing together through God’s Word. They will also help connect young couples to each other to form strong friendships.
3. Successful Marriages Seminars
Beginning January 11th, we will spend five weeks on Wed nights (6:45-8 pm), learning how we can have healthy, God-centered marriages. Topics will include Communication, Intimacy, Finances, Spiritual Guidance and more. There will be big group sessions as well as smaller seminar break-outs. Speakers will include Pastor Ronnie and various couples from within our church. Here are the topics:
Developing an Environment in the Home for Spiritual Growth
1 Peter 3:1-8
Week 1 January 11 Establishing Order
Week 2 January 18 Resolving Conflict
Week 3 January 25 Redefining Perception
Week 4 February 1 Repairing Respect
Week 5 February 8 Praying Together
Christmas at FBCL
December 12th, 2011
There are lots of exciting opportunities going on this Christmas season:
Journey to Bethlehem
Dec. 2nd-4th and Dec. 9th -11th. Tours starting nightly at 6:30 pm.
FBCL’s annual live nativity is an interactive experience that allows you to walk through the city of Bethlehem during the time of Christ’s birth. Come meet the potter, talk with the local carpenter, check into the inn, & visit the stable where Mary & Joseph cuddle their new baby Jesus. See the story of Christmas unfold before your eyes!
FREE ADMISSION-No need for reservations
Remember to dress warmly; event is outdoors.
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Christmas Party for Foster Kids
Fri., Dec. 16th, 6-8 pm
LCMV will host a Christmas party for all foster children in Walton County. If you would like to sponsor a child by providing Christmas gifts, please contact Sharon Cartmill at 770.554.3599 or scartmill@lcmv4families.org. (You may sponsor a child as an individual, family or group.) To learn more about LCMV, visit www.lcmv4families.org.
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Christmas Eve Services
Saturday, Dec. 24 :: 2 pm, 3:30 pm & 5 pm
The Christmas Eve Candlelight service is a special tradition where we are able to be still and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Childcare (birth-5 years) is provided for the 2 pm & 3:30 pm services.
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Christmas Morning Service
Sunday, Dec. 25
For the past two years at Christmas, FBCL has reached out to those in need within our community. This year we will have a special service on Christmas day. We’ll pick up families that need transportation and bring them to the church for a huge Christmas Day brunch and gifts for the children, then we will all worship God together.
If you would like to provide gifts for one of these children, or if you would like to serve on Christmas Day, please contact Penny at 770.466.4250, x231.
Blessing Baskets Update
November 29th, 2011Each year, the Blessing Baskets Meal is a special time for our church to reach out to those in need within our community. People, who might not otherwise have a Thanksgiving dinner, are invited to our church for a meal followed by a service. It is a chance for us to meet people’s physical needs, while sharing with them the good news of Christ.
On Nov. 21, 2011, we fed 510 people and provided bags of food and gift cards to about 330 families.
We shared the Gospel with everyone who attended and there were at least ten people who made the decision to become followers of Christ.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make this an incredible time of ministry to our community!
Please continue to pray as we look for opportunities to serve our neighbors and share with them the truth of Christ.