Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Devotional Corner – Vol. 61, No. 25

    Taken from Wycliffe Bible Translators Devotional, “The Weary World Rejoices”

    “Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told,” (Luke 2:17-18 TPT).

    Imagine being on a remote beach in the middle of the night. Walking along the soft, cool sand of the beach, your eyes might need time to adjust to the darkness around you. But then you look at the sky and stand in awe, mesmerized by the beauty and clarity of the numerous stars. Because there’s no artificial light to detract from them, these stars seem brighter and clearer than you’ve ever seen them. Sometimes it takes being in total darkness to see the light that’s been around us the whole time. What had been distant is now startlingly clear.

    Now imagine the shepherds standing in total darkness the night that the angel came to them. They were probably yawning, scanning the dark horizon for predators that could attack their flocks. Their eyes, too, had adjusted to pitch blackness with only the night sky as their source of light. Scripture says that when an angel appeared, “the glory of the Lord shone around [the shepherds]” (Lk. 2:9b). Instantly, the shepherds were terrified. Between the angels themselves and the brilliant light of God’s glory, it’s understandable.

    Typically, these “unclean” outcasts were kept away from society, but now they were suddenly in the spotlight. They were seen. They probably never expected the news of the Messiah’s birth to come to them. Or that God would use shepherds to declare the arrival of the Lamb of God. God spoke to unlikely people. To a lowly virgin girl. To her tradesman betrothed. To untouchable shepherds. These unlikely people were to become His messengers in the most unexpected ways. Years later, more unlikely people of that time—women—were chosen to deliver the news that Jesus had been resurrected. You might feel like an unlikely candidate, but God can use you to declare the Savior this Christmas season! He can use you to bring light that breaks through a weary, dark world.

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 61, No. 25

    Church Family,

    Do you ever read a headline that makes you do a double take? I’ll be honest, when I first saw the headline “Empty Pews are an American Health Crisis,” I thought it was clickbait. And yet, as I dug into the article, I was absolutely shocked with its contents. Two Harvard professors – one a professor of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and the other the associate director of research of the Human Flourishing Program – have done extensive quantitative research that shows the incredible benefit to our physical health when we regularly attend church.

    The statistics are astonishing. When comparing regular attenders of religious services to non-attenders, there are:

    • 33% reduced risk of death
    • 84% reduced risk of suicide
    • 29% reduced risk of depression
    • 50% reduced risk of divorce
    • 68% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for women
    • 33% reduced risk of “deaths of despair” for men
    • 33% reduced risk of adolescent illegal drug use
    • 12% reduced risk of adolescent depression1

    There is something incredibly powerful about gathering together as a local body of believers. There is a benefit not just for your spiritual health, but your physical and mental health as well! I want to encourage you to stay engaged, or reengage, with the church in 2022. God designed us to flourish when we are in community with one another!

    These researchers, Vanderweele and Case, argue that attending religious services help provide a network of social support, offer clear moral guidance, and create relationships of accountability to reinforce positive behaviors. These are all factors that help improve a person’s mental and physical well-being.

    This article was a powerful reminder to me that we need to be in community with one another. Many times, people set goals for the new year about how they want to be healthier. Consider this article and share with friends and family how one legitimate way to get healthier is to go to church!

    We have some great opportunities to invite people in the next few weeks. Our NOEL Christmas Performance or our Christmas Eve service are ideal opportunities. People are more likely to attend a religious service around Christmas than almost any other time. Invite someone to come with you!

    I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you, church family! Let’s pray God moves in a big way!

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

     

    1https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/november/church-empty-pews-are-american-public-health-crisis.html

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 61, No. 25

    Bible Study classes will not meet on Sunday, December 26 at 9:45 a.m. We will all be celebrating together in one service at 11:00 a.m. Men’s and Women’s Wednesday Night Bible Studies will resume on January 12 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 61, No. 25

    One of my favorite aspects of the Christmas season is the spirit of giving, which holds true at Fee Fee. Multiple groups and individuals have said thanks in different ways over the past few weeks that I wanted to share with you.

    Each week at our Mobile Market, it is guaranteed someone will show gratitude to our volunteers. I was especially moved by a woman who came through the line recently who was so appreciative for the food we gave her, when she told us her family didn’t have any food in the house to eat for breakfast that morning. I felt so many emotions as I heard that story and I was so glad that our church continues to support a ministry like Mobile Market to help families like that one. I am heartbroken there are people in our neighborhood who deal with that level of food insecurity. I am also more determined than ever to continue that ministry. We also recently had a homeschool family call me and say they have benefited so much from our Mobile Markets in the past that they would like to come and serve one week. So, this mom and her four kids came to serve alongside us to show their gratitude for the blessing we played a part in providing.

    Another expression of thankfulness came from the Girl Scouts. We host multiple Girl Scout troops here at the church through the year. On one night, three different parents come up to me separately to say how truly thankful they were for the church opening its doors allowing them to meet. As the girls were sitting around laughing with each other and learning from their leader, a parent said to me, “I don’t know if we’d be able to meet without the church. Thank you so much.”

    We received a thank you card from Drummond Elementary School this past week. Over the years we have partnered with Drummond in many ways to try and be a blessing. Most recently we provided 13 winter coats for kids in their school that didn’t have them, which we do each winter. The card they gave me said, “Thank you so much for the kind donation of coats to our students. Our partnership is very important to us and we value your dedication in helping our students. We wish you a great holiday season!” As one of the social workers handed me the card, she was gushing with thankfulness for all the different ways we have been a blessing to our community.

    This is just a small sampling of the various ways we pursue the good of our community. Church, I tell you all this not to boost your ego, but to make sure you know that what we do here makes a difference for the kingdom of God and for our community. You can make a difference too, through living out the Gospel and by showing kindness and generosity this Christmas season to those around you.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 61, No. 25

    In case you didn’t know, I’m a big fan of Christmas. I love the decorations, the food, and friend and family get-togethers. There are so many traditions associated with Christmas, some are obvious and others are not.  Have you ever wondered about the origins of some of these traditions?

    Many of our traditions have pagan origins, but God can use pagan symbols making it His own. “December 25” comes from the pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice, which occurs December 21 or 22. From that date on, the days begin to get longer and so does the amount of light. Jesus is the Light of the World who brings light into a dark world.

    It doesn’t take a stretch of imagination to see the significance of an angel tree topper, as the “angels we have heard on high” who proclaimed the birth of Jesus. And the triangular shape of the Christmas tree points to Jesus, representing the Trinity. Even the lights on the tree point to the Light of the world and our joining together to spread the light.

    Did you know candy canes were originally all white, straight, and called a sugar stick?! The curved crook was added by a choirmaster in 1670 to cause it to resemble a shepherd’s staff. Red stripes were added in the early 20th century to represent the blood and purity of Jesus. While some maintain that the shape is a “J” for Jesus, others claim it is a symbol of The Good Shepherd!

    Traditional red and green Christmas colors point us to Jesus – like those found in evergreen wreaths you hang on your door – green symbolizing the eternal life which Jesus gives us, and red represents the blood that He shed to give us eternal life.

    This year as you open Christmas gifts, remember that even the giving of gifts points us to Jesus. God gave us the best gift ever by sending His Son to earth to provide us with salvation and His wonderful grace. Make sure you display His love and grace and shine your light into the darkness this year at Christmas. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 25

    December Playlist – I really think this playlist highlights some of the most beautiful, interesting, diverse Christmas music. Please enjoy and by all means – have a Merry Christmas! Listen here: https://bit.ly/3dz45aL

    Mary, Did You Know?

    One Voice Children’s Choir

     

    Go Tell it on the Mountain

    Zack Williams

     

    What Child is This?

    Lindsey Stirling

     

    Joy to the World

    David Phelps

     

    Children, Go Where I Send Thee

    The Fairfield Four

     

    Messiah

    Vocalocity

     

    O Come All Ye Faithful

    Pentatonix

     

    O Holy Night (Beautiful Saviour)

    The Spirituals (ft. Kaye-Marie & Niiella)

     

    Carol of the Bells (Heavy Metal Version)

    Orion’s Reign

     

    Light of the World

    Lauren Daigle

     

    Angels We Have Heard on High

    The Piano Guys

     

    If Everyone Believed

    David Phelps

     

    Christmas is Coming

    CAIN (ft. Mac Powell)

     

    Little Drummer Boy

    For King & Country

     

    Today Is The Saviour’s Day

    Rend Collective

     

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

    Francesca Batistelli

  • Announcements – Vol. 61, No. 25

    Holiday Schedule

    Thursday, December 23—Offices & Building closes at Noon.

    Friday, December 24—Christmas Eve (Church office & building closed). Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 p.m. in Worship Center.

    Saturday, December 25—Christmas Day (Building closed).

    Sunday, December 26—Combined Service at 11:00 a.m. (No Bible Studies meeting)

    Friday, December 31—New Year’s Eve (Church office & building closed).

    Saturday, January 1—New Year’s Day (Building closed).

    Meals On Wheels

    Meals On Wheels is requesting volunteers to help with the bread ministry. Opportunities to volunteer include:

    • Pick up bread on Saturday nights, once a month, from St. Louis Bread Co.
    • Pack bread on Sunday mornings (8:00-8:30 a.m.).

    Volunteers are added to a rotation schedule to equally distribute responsibilities. If you would like to join this ministry, contact Marilynn Wilson at (314) 324-7549.

    Forerunner Changes

    Starting with the January 10, 2022 issue of The Forerunner, physical copies will be available in the Connection Center at the church. And always available online at: https://feefeebc.org/the-forerunner/

     

  • Announcements – Vol. 61, No. 24

    Angel Tree

    Don’t forget to grab an ornament from the Angel Tree to bless someone this Christmas season! Simply purchase the gift listed on it the tag, wrap it, and attach the ornament tag to the gift so we can get it to the right person. Please bring the gifts back by Sunday, December 19. Thanks in advance for helping these families!

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    … Cyndi Monasmith on the passing of her husband, Doug Monasmith, on November 22.

    … Sandra Attey on the passing of her mother, Marilyn Warover, on November 22.

    Holiday Schedule

    Thursday, December 23—Offices & Building closes at Noon.

    Friday, December 24—Christmas Eve (Church office and building closed).

    Christmas Eve Service at 6:00PM in Worship Center.

    Saturday, December 25—Christmas Day (Building closed).

    Friday, December 31—New Year’s Eve (Church office and building closed).

    Saturday, January 1—New Year’s Day (Building closed).

     

  • Devotional Corner – Vol. 61, No. 24

    Taken from Wycliffe Bible Translators Devotional YouVersion Bible Plan, “The Weary World Rejoices”

    “He entered into the world he created, yet the world was unaware. He came to the people he created — to those who should have received him, but they did not recognize him. But those who embraced him and took hold of his name he gave authority to become the children of God! He was not born by the joining of human parents or from natural means, or by a man’s desire, but he was born of God. And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! We gazed upon his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth!” (John 1:10-14 TPT).

    A famous Christmas carol, “O Holy Night,” has a lyric that might resonate with you this year: “A thrill of hope! The weary world rejoices.” As we enter the Advent season, do you feel weary? You’re not alone.

    You could even say that being weary and worn out is an acceptable place to approach this Advent season. Because Advent exists to remind us that, while darkness surrounds us and troubles exist, the hope of Christmas isn’t far away.

    It may seem distant. It may even seem impossible this year for you to feel hopeful. You might have lost your job. Or maybe you’re feeling isolated from those you love. You may have even grieved the loss of a family member or friend.

    Looking around, all you might be able to see right now is darkness. If you try to adjust your eyes, blinking into the night, there seems to be no light. The weight of sickness, death, injustice and pain seems too heavy.

    Or maybe you’re just tired. Numb. Ready to pull the covers over your head and try this whole Christmas cheer thing again next year. Don’t feel guilty. Instead, acknowledge the very real darkness of this world and you’ll have eyes to see Advent through the same lens as the people waiting for a Messiah thousands of years ago.

    For 500 years from their last prophet, Malachi, the people of Israel hadn’t heard anything from God about their redeemer. God’s chosen people must have cried out to Him, asking how long it would be before their hope, their salvation, would arrive. It was too dark, and God seemed to be silent. Has He felt that way to you this year?

    Though He may have felt far away to them, God was so much closer than His people knew—gently planning Jesus’ entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 61, No. 24

    Equip yourself by reading and studying the Bible. We have classes on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. and Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. to help you be a disciple who makes disciples. Join us!