Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Heart of Worship – Vol. 62, No. 24

    As we celebrate this season of Advent, I’m reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her as recorded in Luke chapter 1, he told her that God picked her to give birth to a son. She was to name Him Jesus, and He would be the Savior of the world.

    One of my favorite Christmas songs is Breath of Heaven. It gives an account of how Mary might have felt during her journey being pregnant with Jesus and bringing forth the Prince of Peace into this world. Here is a portion of the song:

    Do You wonder as You watch my face
    If a wiser one should have had my place?
    But I offer all I am
    For the mercy of Your plan 

    When the angel told Mary about God’s plan, she could have said no – but she said yes. She said yes to the unknown. She said yes to something bigger than herself. She said yes, even though there was a potential to be rejected by her fiancé and other people. She took a huge risk because she trusted in God. She exchanged all of herself – for God’s plan for her life.

    Let’s look inward for a moment: Do we say yes to God? Do we say yes to His Word? Do we say yes to His plan, even when it’s uncomfortable?

    We can definitely reflect on Mary’s story during this Advent season and allow our heart of worship to say YES to God!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 24

    Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!

    As the song says:

    Have a holly, jolly Christmas,

    And when you walk down the street

    Say “hello” to friends you know 

    and everyone you meet!

    AND

    Invite them to attend our 2022 Fee Fee Christmas Presentation! They will hear some great music and see a beautiful pageant of the Nativity celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

    More importantly the Gospel message will be presented in the music and by our youth pastor, Kyle Baldwin.

    Here are dates and times:

    Friday, December 16 – 7:00 p.m.

    Saturday, December 17 – 3:00 p.m.

    Sunday, December 18 – 3:00 p.m.

    See you there!

    The First Noel – The First Noel, an English carol first published in 1823 as The First Nowell, was written to express excitement and wonder of Christmas. A couple of hundred years ago, the people sang it in the streets to spread hope and joy!

    We sing this song still today as a testament to the fact that no matter how much time passes, the encouraging story of Jesus will always connect with our hearts.

    Listen to this arrangement that pairs The First Noel with a contemporary companion piece.

    Stars Go Dim – The First Noël (Official Music Video): https://bit.ly/3iOX77t

  • Family Front – Vol. 62, No. 24

    It is this most wonderful time of the year! But it can be a stressful and busiest time of the year. Take time to reflect on God’s great love for us and celebrate that gift – JESUS!

    International Mission Study Recap

    Our teachers did a great job teaching our kids the International Missions Study about Philippines and what God is doing there. We look forward to reaching our $30,000.00 goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Encourage your kids to do extra chores to earn money to give. It is important to help them understand that part of worship is giving back God. Consider setting a family goal.

    Parent’s Night Out Recap

    Thanks to all who helped with our Parent’s Night Out on Friday, December 9.  It was a fun night! Thank you to those that donated items for the store in which our kids could shop. It was a highlight of the evening for the kids to be able to shop for their families.

    2022 Christmas Presentation

    Our children will be featured at the Christmas presentation on December 16-18. They have done a wonderful job narrating and acting out the Christmas story. Thank you, Justin Flack, for editing the video. Don’t miss this wonderful part of the Christmas presentation “Hope is Born, Emmanuel.”

    Family Nerf Games

    Add January 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. on your calendar for an EXCITING and FUN-FILLED Family Nerf Games night for all ages, —it’s right around the corner! Invite friends and neighbors. Bring your own Nerf gun; we will supply the foam bullets. Also bring a snack to share. We will provide water and popcorn.

    Thank you for your continued support of our children and family ministries.

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 62, No. 24

    The Big Chill

    The Big Chill is returning on January 13-14, 2023, from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m!! Our annual all-nighter is a night full of fun, and this year will include a worship concert, a trip to The Edge 618, dodgeball, video games, movies, 9 square, gaga ball, open gym time, and all the junk food and soda a teenager could ever want! So, make sure that your student does not miss out on one of our biggest events of the year! This is a perfect event to invite friends too as well. The Big Chill is $15 per person, plus students need to bring a snack and drink to share! We hope to see you all there! Sign up in the Rafters!

    Holiday Schedule

    Just a reminder, there will be no Wednesday Night Small Groups on December 21 & 28 due to the holidays. Likewise, there will be no Bible Study on Sunday, December 25 since we will only be having one service at 11:00 a.m. We hope you enjoy your holiday break and we look forward to seeing you back in January!

  • A Word From Interim Pastor, Derald Harris – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Fee Fee Family,

    I am honored to be one of your Interim Pastors.

    I am enjoying and being inspired by Pastor Matt’s messages on Sunday mornings. My role is more focused on the administrative side of the ministries of the church. I am working with our great staff as they lead in ministering to the community and to our members. I will be leading Bible Study on Wednesday nights. And I am available to assist in ministering to the spiritual needs of our congregation. My time will be somewhat limited until the end of the year when I officially retire from my full-time job at Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.

    It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. For all too many people, this is a season of high stress. We create much of that stress for ourselves by everything we try to do in just a few short weeks.

    During the Christmas season we decide to have more parties in one month than the rest of the year combined. In addition, we say, “let’s write a personal note to every person we’ve ever met in our lives.” If that weren’t enough, we redecorate our houses on the outside and the inside. Then we try to buy a special gift for every person we love. And, as if all of this wasn’t crazy enough, we say, “Let’s let the kids out of school for 2 weeks!”

    It’s crazy what we do to ourselves. No wonder we have stress! Our hectic schedules and the stress they bring often cause us to lose sight of what Christmas is all about.

    The most important thing about Christmas is seeking Christ. Much of the Christmas story is about people seeking Christ – from the lowly shepherds who were told by an angel how to find the baby to wise men who were led by a star.

    But the most important element of the story is not the search for Christ. It is when both the shepherds and the wise men found Jesus. Matthew and Luke tell us that finding Jesus caused the shepherds to glorify and praise God and the wise men to fall on their knees in worship.

    It is my prayer that you enjoy all the activities of Christmas – the various church and school programs, family events, etc. – but that through all of that, you will truly seek Christ. And when you find Him, be sure to share Him with others.

    May you have a blessed Christmas season.

    Pastor Derald Harris

  • Heart of Worship – Vol. 62, No. 23

    With the holidays approaching, a lot of people like to listen to Christmas music. I know when I listen to Christmas music, I can’t help but smile a little bigger! I turn up the volume a few notches. I start singing the words with vigor. Listening to Christmas music really puts me in the “holiday spirit.” I feel the same way when I listen to praise and worship music. Listening to worship music helps me align my thoughts and attitudes with God’s. When I sing the words, I am reminded of His faithful love towards me. When I meditate on the words of the songs, faith rises up in me!

    Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, … I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Our true worship to God is laying down our own ways and adopting His. It is a daily renewing of our mind to the Word of God and allowing His words to change us from the inside out. After our minds are renewed to His Words, the Bible says THEN are we able to “discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”

    Friends, I challenge you to go deeper in your worship with God. When you listen to praise and worship music, really listen to the words, and let them minister to you. If you have held onto certain truths that do not line up with the Word of God, ask that His Spirit help you discard the lies and hold onto His truth. I challenge you to put on your favorite worship song and practice this today!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 62, No. 23

    By the time you read this, we will be marching quickly toward Christmas, my favorite season of the year.  I love the lights, the decorations, and the generosity of God’s people who are willing to give to those they don’t even know. So, my last expression of gratitude for this season of thanksgiving is that I am thankful for God’s perfect gift of Jesus, our Redeemer.

    We have some unique ways to prepare us for the Christmas holidays. On Thursday, December 1, the bus will leave the church at 5:00 p.m., and we will head to Big Joel’s Safari Winter Wonderland in Wright City. This unique venue has lots of animals and lots of lights. There are firepits to get warm, snacks and S’mores kits, and opportunities to feed the animals. I hope you will join me, bring some kids with you and some adults who still have that childlike wonder! The cost of admission is $8. Eat before you come because we will not be stopping for dinner.

    We will also be going to The Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville on Monday, December 19 at 4:00 p.m.  This display is free, but donations are accepted. They no longer have their buffet, so I have chosen Eckert’s restaurant for dinner in Belleville. We will eat first and then go through the light display. We can only take 28 so get your name on the list if you want to go. Sign up in the Connection Center!

  • Family Front – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Shake Up Your Holiday Tradition…and Give Blood!

    We will have another Blood Drive on Friday, December 2, from12:00-5:00 p.m. in the Gym/FLC. You can go to www.feefeebc.org/blooddrive or go to the Red Cross website (www.redcrossblood.org) and use the Sponsor Code “FeeFeeBaptistBridgeton” to find our event and schedule your donation. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you have any questions about this, please contact Kathy Scott, kathy@feefeebc.org.

    International Mission Study

    December 4 will be our annual International Mission Study for K-5th grade kids during the Bible School hour and KidsZone (9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). We will be studying what God is doing in the Philippines! The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal for our church this year is $30,000. Consider setting a family goal!

    Parent’s Night Out

    Parents’ Night Out is coming up on Friday, December 9 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Signup sheets are in the Connection Center. Reservations are required and due by December 4! Kids will have a safe and fun place to do their own Christmas shopping in our little store, as well as dinner. We are requesting new items (or very gently used items). Items should be things that kids would want to pick out for their siblings and parents to give them for Christmas. Items can be dropped off in the box in the Welcome Center.

    Volunteers: We will also need adults and students to help with various areas that evening. So, mark your calendars and come talk to Kathy to sign up to help!

    Parents Connect

    Once a month, families with kids are invited to attend our Parents Connect event for potluck and fellowship. Info and signup sheets are in the Connection Center. The kids will be able to have supervised play in the play area, and parents can get to know each other and have some quality grown-up time! The next one is Sunday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m. in the FLC/Play Area.

    2022 Christmas Presentation

    Our children will be featured in our Christmas presentation on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. and December 17 and 18, both at 3:00 p.m. They have done a wonderful job acting out the Christmas story. Thank you, Justin Flack, for editing the video. Don’t miss this wonderful presentation during the Christmas Presentation, Hope is Born, Emmanuel!

  • Announcements – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Sunday Night Connection

    Our next Sunday Night Connection is December 11 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet in the FLC/Gym and will have a Chili Cookoff! Bring a crockpot of your best recipe – mild, medium, or hot! Sign up in the Connection Center to register for the competition! But, if you just want to come and enjoy the night, and just eat a bowl of chili, sign up on a separate signup sheet in the Connection Center so we know how many to expect! We will have crackers, Fritos, hot dogs, and other items to round out the menu. There will be games and firepits on the back parking lot for S’mores, weather permitting. Bring your lawn chair and have a great church multi-generational experience as we connect. Our firepit/cornhole night had an age range from pre-K to senior adults. Put this on your calendar and make connecting with your church a priority!

    Angel Tree

    Did you notice the tree with the handmade ornaments in the Welcome Center? Each ornament represents an individual gift for someone in our church or community who could be blessed by you this Christmas. To participate, take an ornament off the tree, buy the gift listed on it, wrap the gift, attach that ornament tag to the wrapped gift and place your gift under the tree by Sunday, December 18. Gifts will be distributed during the week before Christmas. “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17).

    First Impressions & Bereavement Dinners

    Do you like to smile and greet people with a friendly word? Then you are exactly who we are looking for! Join the First Impressions team as a greeter for Sunday worship services. Contact Kathy Webber to get in the rotation for January: kathyw@feefeebc.org. Or maybe you have a gift for hospitality, we are looking to expand our team who prepares Bereavement meals for church members/families. Food can be made yourself or store-bought. Talk to Kathy Webber (kathyw@feefeebc.org) about this additional opportunity to serve!

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Loretta and Nanette Tipton on the passing of their son and brother, respectively, Gary Tipton, on November 11.

    Mobile Market

    The last Mobile Market of the year will be:

    • December 12

    Anyone is welcome to come get groceries on the second Monday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. (until the food runs out).

    Operation Christmas Child

    Thank you Church! Because of your generosity, we were able to pack 166 Operation Christmas Child boxes for this holiday season! There will be so many children excited to receive the surprises you have picked out for them, making this a bright Christmas for them. Thank you once again for your continued support of missions and your heart for giving.

    Holiday Schedule

    Friday, December 23 — Office & Building open till Noon, by appt only.

    Saturday, December 24 — Christmas Eve (Building closed). Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m. in Worship Center.

    Sunday, December 25 — Christmas Day. Combined Service 11:00 a.m. (No Bible Studies).

    Monday, December 26 — Christmas Day Observed. (Church office & building closed).

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

    Sunday, January 1 — New Year’s Day – Regular Services and Bible Studies.

    Monday, January 2 — New Year’s Day Observed – (Church office & building closed).

     

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Christmas Luau Party

    Our annual Christmas party is coming up soon, and this year, we are having a luau theme! So, combine your best Christmas attire with your finest luau wear, and come hang out with us for a fun night! This will be our last Wednesday night for 2022 and then we will take a break for the holidays. See you on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Rafters!

    Thank You Church!

    I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who came to our annual Trivia Night Fundraiser to help support our students going to camp and on mission trips next summer! Because of your generosity, we raised over $1,700 for our students! I also want to say a huge thank you to Justin Flack for running and creating the game. I am so thankful to serve in a church that prioritizes missions and loves on students so well. I already can’t wait for next year’s event, and you won’t want to miss it!

    Youth Group will not meet for the following dates due to the holidays:
    • Wednesday, November 23
    • Wednesday, December 21
    • Sunday, December 25
    • Wednesday, December 28