Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Derald Harris

  • A Word from Interim Pastor, Matt Easter Vol. 63, No. 12

    We are starting a new series on the Life and Teachings of Jesus on Sunday, December 3. As we’ll see, Jesus always challenges our preconceptions.

    Take, for example, the story of a rich young man who approaches Jesus and asks, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23). Now, if someone were to ask most of us that question, we’d be elated.

    Here’s someone primed to hear the gospel! The hook is set … we just need to reel him in: tell him that he needs to trust in Jesus, repent of his sins, and get baptized. Get this guy in church, put him in a Sunday school class, assign him an offering number, and have him over for dinner – we got ourselves a winner!

    But this isn’t what Jesus does. Instead of sealing the deal, He pushes back: “Why do you call me good?” Perhaps we read this and think, “Cut him some slack Jesus! Can’t you tell he wants to get saved? He’ll learn in time.” Then, before the young man can answer, Jesus digs even further: “Are you keeping the 10 Commandments?”

    Shockingly, the young man claims that he has – and Jesus doesn’t doubt it! Gosh. Now we’re talking about a young, rich, powerful, and good guy! “Reel him in now, Jesus!” But He doesn’t. He keeps asking for more:

    “You need to do one more thing. Sell everything you own and give it away.” That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think? “Jesus, you mean to tell us that you made this guy sell everything before joining us?! What were you thinking?! Since when do we have to sell everything? He could have given his money to the church instead!”

    The Gospels tell us that the young man, who at first seemed so eager to follow Jesus, went away sad.

    For someone who called “fishers of people,” sent 70 people out on mission, and charged His followers to spread the gospel throughout the world, Jesus seems to drop the ball here. How could Jesus miss such an easy opportunity with this rich young man? Maybe Jesus just isn’t missionary material.

    But, then again, maybe I’m the one to blame. Maybe my standard of what a good evangelist looks like is the problem. Maybe Jesus wasn’t such a terrible evangelist after all. Maybe I’m just too happy with mediocre disciples.

    With the fullness of the Gospels in front of us, we see precisely what Jesus was doing with this rich young man. Jesus teaches that being His true follower means abandoning everything for His sake. He wants us to take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Him. This is the necessary step in evangelism as far as Jesus is concerned.

    Jesus won’t be our savior if He is not our lord. This is what He was showing the young man: “are you ready to make me boss?” Maybe we need the perfect evangelist Jesus to evangelize us again.

    Blessings,
    Pastor Matt

     

  • Family Front Vol. 63, No. 12

    Isn’t God good! Several of our children have made the decision to follow Jesus recently and show that commitment through baptism. It’s been great to see our kids growing to love Jesus more. Thank you to all of our teachers and workers and their parents who serve so faithfully so our kids know our awesome God!

    The kids have done another wonderful Christmas story video for the Christmas presentation again this year. You won’t want to miss that and, of course, the rest of the Christmas presentation this year Dec. 15-17.

    January 21, 2024, Derald and I will host a New Member’s Class in the dining room following Sunday service including lunch. Watch for sign-up sheets in the connection Center in January.

    February 9-10 is Super Start event for pre-teens (our 4th and 5th graders) right here in St. Louis. If your preteen is interested, I will need a deposit commitment by January 7. We need to register early for the discounted price of $50. After January 10 the price goes up to $70. I will send out a permission form this month you can turn in with that deposit. Here is the link to see info about the event https://ciy.com/superstart/sup24mo. I have taken our preteens to this for several years and it does not disappoint!

    Praying for you during this holiday season that you and your family will have a fresh peek of Jesus’ wonderful grace.

     

  • Bible Study Corner Vol. 63, No. 12

    We will still be having Bible Study on December 24 and December 31 but the church service on both of those days will be at 11:00. The 24th will be a candlelight service and the service on the 31st will be our opportunity to say goodbye and thank Melissa and Jason Eberts for leading the music in the 11 a.m. service for the last few years. We will also be recognizing Kathy Weber for her service as our Church Hostess. There will be baskets for cards and gifts.

     

  • Music Musings Vol. 63, No. 11

    Our Christmas production will be here before you know it. We will have a dress rehearsal and three performances.

    Rehearsal – Dec. 13, 6:00 – 8:00

    Performances – Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.; Dec. 16, 3:00 p.m. and Dec. 17, 3:00 p.m.

    Many volunteers are needed for this event. There will be a need for actors, mom rustlers, technicians (both sound and lighting), greeters, ushers and parking attendants to list some of the jobs required.

    Music Touches Our Lives

    Music is important to God. Music was created and designed as a language to communicate with God and express our heartfelt emotions and praises to Him. Music is meant to draw our hearts and attention to His glory, His power and His love. Music is ultimately from God and when we sing or play our music for His glory, we are offering our gifts and talents as a dedication and offering to Him.

  • Bible Study Corner Vol. 63, No. 11

    There is a place for you in Bible Study most days of the week. The majority of the church comes together to study on Sunday morning at 9:45 but if this does not work for you, there are also Bible studies on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Talk to Gloria or email her at gloria@feefeebc.org and she will help you get connected.

    Also, we are in our last quarter of reading through the Bible as a church. I know many of you have joined with me to accomplish this over the last 3 years. Starting the first of the year, we will begin again in the New Testament and read one chapter a day until we have read through the entire Bible again. It’s going to take a while!

  • A Word from Interim Pastor, Derald Harris Vol. 63, No. 11

    We are entering the season of the year that is usually the busiest for churches and individuals. Thanksgiving will be here in just a few short weeks and the Christmas season follows immediately after that. There will be numerous family gatherings, huge meals to cook, travel to plan and carry out, parties to plan and attend and shopping to do.

    There will also be Thanksgiving and Christmas activities at church – music to prepare, individuals and families to care for and special opportunities for worship. This is the time of year that more people come to church and think about Jesus Christ.

    These are all good things. They can be exciting. They can be productive. And they can sometimes become almost overwhelming.

    Over the next few weeks, we will be completing the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child; buying gifts for individuals from the Angel Tree and helping to provide for missionaries all around the world through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Please don’t let all these projects stress you. God calls us to experience joy through helping others and not feel burdened by the process.

    The seasons of Thanksgiving and Christmas are meant to be seasons of great joy. They should fill us with gratitude to God for all the many blessings of life – the greatest of which was the incarnation that we celebrate at Christmas. This time of year reminds us that God loves us more than life itself. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and Christmas, remind yourself that God promises us all of the strength and energy we need to serve Him. So, let’s look for ways to let God fill us with His strength.

    As always, I urge you to encourage each other. Look for ways to help each other. Look for the good that God is doing at Fee Fee and not the bad that Satan is trying to do. Pray for your church leaders – your deacons, Sunday school teachers, missions and ministry leaders, support staff, worship teams and others.

    I want to encourage you to find ways to show God’s love to the people in your life. There may be people in our church who will not be able to celebrate with family (for a variety of reasons). Please look for ways to include those wonderful people in your celebrations – invite someone to Thanksgiving Dinner or a Christmas gathering. No one should be alone during those times. Find ways to let God use you to breathe new life and energy into Fee Fee Baptist Church.

    Blessings,
    Pastor Derald

  • Chi Alpha Vol. 63, No. 11

    Exciting News! Please join me in welcoming Tyler Kiefer as our Interim Youth Director. God’s timing is always perfect and this is a great example of His wisdom. Tyler is a student at Missouri Baptist University and comes with high praises from Matt Easter who has had Tyler in some of his classes. Tyler has served as a Youth Ministry Intern and is currently an RA at Missouri Baptist University. Paul Baugher and I along with the staff are looking forward to making this a smooth onboarding for Tyler.

    Do not forget the youth are hosting a Trivia Night on November 4th at 6pm. Doors open at 5:30. We are still looking for you to provide some tasty deserts for auction. The proceeds from this event will help with the cost of summer camp for 2024.

    In our Sunday morning Bible study, we have been covering 1st and 2nd Peter and will wrap up that study in early November, just in time for Tyler to lead our youth into the next study. God is good all the time and so is His timing.

  • Heart of Worship Vol. 63, No. 11

    There’s a song I’d like to share with you that’s been on my heart for a little while now. It’s called Trust in God and it’s by Elevation Worship. Here are the words:

    Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
    He’s been my fourth man in the fire time after time.
    Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
    And what He did for me on calvary is more than enough.

    I trust in God, My Savior
    The one who will never fail, He will never fail.

    Perfect submission, all is at rest.
    I know the author of tomorrow has ordered my steps.
    So this is my story, and this is my song.
    I’m praising my risen King and Savior all the day long.

    I trust in God, My Savior
    The one who will never fail
    He will never fail.
    He didn’t fail you then, He won’t fail you now.

    I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered.
    I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered.
    I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered.
    That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him.

    No matter what you’re going through, you can remember that God is faithful! Seek the Lord. As you seek Him, believe that He will speak to you through His Word and His Holy Spirit. As the song says, “He didn’t fail you then, and He won’t fail you now.” I encourage you to listen to this song and let the words wash over you and strengthen your spirit.

    Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord and He answered me. And delivered me from all my fears.”

  • Announcements Vol. 63, No.11

    Sunday Night Connection

    Our next connection is Sunday, November 12, from 5-7 in the gym. It is the Great Chili Cookoff. Bring your best chili or, if your best chili is not the best, bring a topping like Fritos, oyster crackers, cheese or sour cream. The chili will be judged by three connoisseurs of fine chili and a fabulous prize will be awarded. The kids can play in the gym or the play area. Come enjoy getting to know someone who you have never had a real conversation with before. Can’t wait to see you there. There is a signup sheet in the Connection Center.

    Backpack Ministry

    One of the more rewarding ministries at Fee Fee Baptist Church is our Backpack Ministry. This ministry provides a bag of easy-prep foods for school-aged children in our school district. We want to make it as easy as possible for these kids to eat a nutritious and filling meal when they aren’t at school. But we can’t do this without you, Church!

    We need donations of granola bars, snack crackers, macaroni & cheese, fruit cups, applesauce cups, canned pasta, rice cups, single-serve snacks or meals, and other easy-prep meals. You may leave these items in the Donation Center in the section marked “Backpack Ministry.” Alternatively, you can have these items shipped from any big box store to the church:

    Fee Fee Baptist Church, C/O CHURCH OFFICE, 11330 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044

    Thank you so much for your giving hearts!

    Thanksgiving Schedule

    Wednesday, November 22
    No Wednesday Night Activities.

    Thursday, November 23: THANKSGIVING DAY!
    Church office and building closed.
    However, Chapel service will be led by Deacons at 8:00 a.m.

    Friday, November 24
    Church office and building closed.

    Mobile Market

    Our partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank has two more months left this year. Upcoming dates are:

    • Nov 13
    • Dec 11

    Anyone is welcome to come get groceries on the second Monday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. (until the food runs out). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, talk to Kathy Webber and she will make sure you have a spot to serve!

    International Food Pantry

    Food items needed for November include:
    Flour
    Cooking Oil
    Dry Rice
    Dry Beans

    Please bring items by November 15

     

  • Prime Time Vol. 63, No.11

    Can you believe how fast this year is going? While watching a TV program last night, a character commented that the days are long but the years go fast. I personally find both speeding by but I know that this is true for some of you. So, if your days are long, here are a few fun things you can do with Prime Time.

    On Wednesday, November 8, we will have a movie and lunch in the dining room at 11:00. We will eat lunch first (sandwiches, chips and dessert). After that, we will watch the Sight and Sound production of David. This production was recorded on the Lancaster stage on September 2, 2022, so this is a new addition. The story of David is one of the most legendary Bible stories of all time. Hope you will join us for lunch and the movie. The cost for lunch is $7. Sign up in the connection center.

    I trust that those of you who wanted to go on the Branson trip, November 29-December 1 have already contacted me and paid your deposit. We might go to a light display in December if I can find a good one and work out the details.

    Finally, I would like to talk about the deacon recommendation that we go to one service beginning the first of the year. The reasoning behind this is two-fold. Candidates for a pastor have pointed out that Fee Fee has 2 separate services which feels like 2 separate churches. This lack of unity in the church is a division that they were unwilling to address as a new pastor. Because of this, the deacons recommended that we be proactive and go to one unified service with blended music. Also, since our total attendance is about 225 per week, this will encourage us to see a more full church and will naturally build a connection between those who attend.

    We recognize that this will require compromises from all. There is a committee of staff and deacons that is working on decisions about when to have worship service and when to have Bible study. These decisions have not yet been made but whatever the decision is, it will require compromises and flexibility by all for the good of and the unity of the church. Please pray for us to come together for the glory of God. While there are a multitude of verses on unity in the church, I’m going to just remind you of Romans 15:5-6 (NLT): “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.”