Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 25

    2021 is right around the corner. After what we have endured this year, I know many of us our ready to put 2020 in our rearview mirrors! With the new year coming, it is always a great time to set some goals for the new year. While we often talk about losing weight or exercising more, I’d love for you to consider what spiritual goals you would like to set for the next year.

    How would you like to have 228% higher odds of sharing your faith in 2021? How about having 231% better odds in discipling others? Or how about 407% better odds in memorizing Scripture this year?

    What if I told you that academic research has been done and has shown that those percentages to be true, based on one particular factor: reading Scripture at least four days a week!

    The Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) calls it the “power of 4.” The study they conducted found that reading your Bible at least four days a week increased your chances of sharing your faith and discipling others and memorizing Scripture by those incredible percentages!

    Also, when it comes to changing negative behaviors, reading Scripture at least four days a week made a huge difference as well. It lowered the odds of getting drunk (by 57%), sex outside of marriage (by 68%), pornography (by 61%), and gambling (by 74%).

    However, and this is key, they found there was NO statistical difference in behaviors between Christians who read or listen to the Bible two to three days a week and those who do not engage Scripture at all or only once a week. In other words, there is astronomical change at 4 days a week, but not much change at all if you read the Bible any less than that.

    This study is a reminder to all of us about the importance of reading God’s Word! It is going to be a major emphasis for our church in 2021. We are having a special initiative to kick off 2021. We are calling it Grounded: A Study through the New Testament. We have developed a reading plan where we will read through the New Testament together over 18 weeks. There will be daily readings every weekday (Monday-Friday), and the weekends will be a grace period where you can catch up on your reading. What better goal is there to set for 2021 than to read through the New Testament with your church?!

    We are committed to providing resources and accountability to help as we take this challenge together. We have a free digital devotion that goes along with the daily reading that we can send to you. We are starting virtual transformation groups where you can have accountability and share what God is teaching you. We are providing weekly family devotions so discipleship can happen easier in the home. I will be preaching through the New Testament as we read through it together as well.

    The key is engaging with Scripture at least 4 days a week. The studies show how that can revolutionize your spiritual life. Would you commit to joining with your church in doing that this year?

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 25

    I hope you enjoyed using your Advent Boxes to lead your family in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas this year! Continue to enjoy and celebrate together the coming of our Lord, even into the new year!

    Make it a New Year’s resolution to have Family devotions.

    Why? It’s God’s Command (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Ephesians 6:4, and Proverbs 22:6). Beginning January 1, 2021, we will provide you with Grounded Family Devotions to help you with daily devotional time and to lead your family closer to Jesus. Grounded is a reading plan the whole church will be going through to read the New Testament in 90 days.

    But why wait? We all want to help our children to come to love and believe in the one True God. Setting time aside each day will show our children that God is the center and priority of our lives. If you need some devotional materials in the meantime, your child receives a devotion booklet each month. Preschoolers receive a page each week. Those are a good place to begin!

    Upcoming Kids’ Activities:

    Wednesdays: AWANA plans to start up again mid-January, with the hope that the virus does not escalate after Christmas. We will keep you updated.

    Sundays: Preschool care is provided for birth through Pre-K during 11:00 a.m. worship. Through at least January 3, elementary children will worship with their parents, as there will be no KidsZone; however, PraizPaks will be provided for both worship services. We hope to start preschool and children’s Bible study in January, as well as KidsZone.

    Wishing you a very blessed new year and praying we will ALL be able to join together again in person very soon for Bible Study and worship!

    “(Mary) is going to have a son. You must give Him the name Jesus. That is because He will save his people from their sins.  All of this took place to bring about what the Lord said would happen,” (Matthew 1:22).

    Isn’t it wonderful that we can trust and depend on what God says! What a great way to start the New Year!

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all plan to have a wonderful time celebrating the holidays this year, but please remember to stay safe and be wise this season! I want you all to return back to us happy and healthy. Just a reminder, we are still having Sunday and Wednesday Bible Studies on Zoom over the holiday season. There are a couple days that we have off, so parents please check your schedules that were emailed to you after Thanksgiving. Stay tuned, because we will be announcing our return to in-person activities soon and we want you to be there for all of them! So until then, stay safe, finish your semesters strong, and have a very Merry Christmas!

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 24

    As I write this, I think about how many things are going to be so different with Christmas this year at our church. Every time I walk into the sanctuary, there is a stark reminder of how different things are just based on what isn’t there…we don’t have our massive Christmas tree and we won’t have our Singing Tree performance this year. It’s going to be a big change.

    However, rather than lamenting what we can’t have, I want to take a second to praise our staff and volunteers for their adaptability. Sure, the Singing Tree is quite conspicuous in its absence. But we are still going to have an incredible Christmas performance. I am so thankful for all of the hard work that has been put into our Christmas presentation which will have a combination of virtual and live elements. Our staff and volunteers have worked really hard to get things prepared for this performance. I am confident that whether you are watching here, in person, or tuning in online, you are going to be entertained by this year’s performance.

    What is much more important than being entertained, however, is the reminder that God loved us enough to send His Son to rescue us! The cradle has so much meaning because it led to the cross. God made a way for us to be in right relationship with Him!

    I want to invite you to join us for our Christmas performance. It’s called Christmas: Night of Angels, and it will be on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20. On both dates, the performance will start at 3:00 p.m. There are two ways that you can watch the performances. First, you can go online to our website and reserve your spot. Since we are at 25% capacity, we need everyone who is planning on being here physically to make a reservation. It doesn’t cost anything, but we need to make sure we stay within the county’s guidelines. Or, you can always watch the performance online. It will be shown on our website and also streamed on our church’s Facebook page.

    Besides our Christmas performance, we will also have a Christmas Eve service. You will need to reserve your spot for this special service as well if you are coming in person. However, we will also stream this service online. Finally, our deacon body is leading a Christmas morning service in our chapel. We’d love to have you come to this as well.

    Finally, as we are on the subject of Christmas, I want to remind you to prayerfully give to our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Our church has set a goal of $25,000 for this special offering. 100% of your gift will go directly to supporting missionaries around the world. Please pray for our missionaries and that God will use them to reach the lost with the truth of the Gospel!

    For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

    John 3:16

    Christmas might be different this year, but the message is the same: God loves us and sent His Son! Let’s praise Him for that! I’m praying you have a great Christmas!

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Donna (Dave) Potts on the passing of her mother, Norma Morrison, on November 29.

    … Aizhen Hood on the passing of her husband, Joe Dean Hood, on December 1.

    … Family and friends of Mildred Pedroley, on her passing on December 2.

    … Family and friends of Laura Jo Jones, on her passing on December 6.

     

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Christmas Program 2020

    Our Christmas program will look a little different this year, but will nonetheless, still capture the joys of our Savior’s birth. No doubt you will enjoy a mini movie by our kids and will agree that there is stardom in their future. Many thanks to Vance Stewart and Justin Flack who have used their uniquely creative skills to produce the Christmas Nativity story as told by our wonderful kids.

    Following the children’s Nativity will be our musical, Christmas, Night of Angels, told from the viewpoint of Mary and Joseph as they remember the events leading to the miraculous birth of Jesus, our Savior. The music will be presented by our virtual Christmas choir and live ensembles. You may view this program live or online.  If attending in person you will need to go to our website to get a free ticket for performances on Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20, both at 3:00 p.m.  We hope you will plan to celebrate with us!

    The Animals of the Nativity

    The animals of the Nativity have been featured in various poems and songs. One of the most famous poems/songs starring the Christmas animals is a carol entitled The Friendly Beasts.  The text of the piece focuses on the humble contributions of the stable animals assumed present at the birth of Christ. It is sung from the perspective of the donkey who lovingly carried Mary on her long journey to Bethlehem, the cow who donated the manger in which Christ lay, the sheep who gave up his wool for the swaddling clothes, and the dove who gently sang the Christ child to sleep on the night of His birth. Each verse begins with the refrain “I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown,” or “I, said the sheep with the curly horn,” and the carol’s last verse runs as follows:

    Thus every beast by some glad spell,

    in the stable dark was glad to tell

    Of the gift he gave Emmanuel.

    The gift he gave Emmanuel.

    Another poem that gives perspective from the eyes of the animals is The Nativity by C.S. Lewis. Lewis cites the various virtues of the animals in response to the presence of the Christ child – wishing to be able to respond to Christ’s presence with the virtues which symbolically belong to these same animals.

    Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)

    I see a glory in the stable grow

    Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length

    Give me an ox’s strength.

    Among the asses (stubborn I as they)

    I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;

    So may my beastlike folly learn at least

    The patience of a beast.

    Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)

    I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;

    Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence

    Some woolly innocence!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. It promises fun times with friends and family and the joy that comes from watching the excitement of children. It stirs up memories of long ago when all my cousins and I would load onto a wagon pulled by grandpa’s tractor and ride down the road to spot that perfect cedar tree to chop down. We would then return to the warmth of the wood stove, make construction paper chains, string popcorn and sing Christmas carols accompanied by grandpa’s fiddle and my uncle’s guitar. Even writing that makes me realize that we might be once again living in those simpler times.

    This year, for most of us, Christmas will be a little different. Extended families will probably not be gathering.  People will not be flying or driving across the country to celebrate together. For me personally, this is the first year that I don’t have a place of my own to entertain and decorate as I am living with my daughter and her family until my house is completed. I now live with an Elf on the Shelf who is quarantined in a plastic bag after having come here from the North Pole.

    But some things never change. I always share an Axel nativity story in the Forerunner. He has loved playing with the characters and animals since he was a toddler. He is 6 now. The kids did not have a nativity scene, so I got a small one from Amazon. The characters are tiny and fit well into the back of a toy truck and the kings have been seen driving cars and even doing a little racing. I guess they can get away with it because of their kingly status.

    Last weekend, Hermione the sheep, Stanley the donkey, and Max the cow, (the names were Izabella’s contribution), were riding in the back of a pickup truck. I asked Axel where they were going, and he told me they had to get a gift for baby Jesus since the kings had shown up with gold and a ham. I asked what they were going to get for the baby and where they were going to shop. He said they were going to Sam’s because they had nicer blankets than Jesus was born with. He said baby Jesus needed something better than just some old rags.

    His insights always make me think about the Christmas story in a new light. This year it made me realize that the only gift we have that is good enough to give to Jesus is ourselves. Scripture says that our righteousness is as filthy rags and without faith; that is absolutely all we have to offer! The good news is if you have experienced the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus, you are now clothed in His righteousness and the only thing He wants from you is your love, devotion, service to others and obedience.  Are you willing to give up what you want and expect to wholeheartedly give yourself to Jesus?

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    We have a big goal for our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: $25,000. Why did we set such a high goal? Because we believe in the utmost importance of declaring the Gospel through all the earth and want to support the missionaries who are doing this work. All the money raised for Lottie Moon goes to support missionaries all over the world. Have you given yet? You can give in person on Sunday morning, online through the church website, or mail in your check.

    No Mobile Market on December 28

    St. Louis Area Foodbank is closed on Monday, December 28, so there will not be a Mobile Market on that day. However, we are going to continue to host Mobile Markets in 2021! Our January dates are January 11 and 25. If you would like to serve in this ministry, please contact Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

    Wheels for the World Mission Trip, April 5-12, 2021

    Each year Wheels for the World works all over the globe to provide the gift of mobility to those in need while also sharing the Gospel love of Jesus with them. We have a team going from Fee Fee to serve in Mexico on one of these trips next April 5-12. If you are interested in serving on this trip you can get more info on the Joni and Friends website, or talk to Andrew (andrew@feefeebc.org).

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Most Blessed Christmas Season Families! I hope you are using your ADVENT BOX to lead your family in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas! Enjoy and celebrate together the coming of our Lord!

    Make it a New Year’s resolution to have Family devotions.

    Why? It’s God’s Command (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Ephesians 6:4, and Proverbs 22:6). Beginning January 1, 2021, we will put some resources into your hands to help you with daily devotional time and to lead your family closer to Jesus. But why wait? We all want to help our children to come to love and believe in the one True God. Setting time aside each day will show our children that God is the center and priority of our lives. If you need some devotional materials, your child receives a devotion booklet each month. Preschoolers receive a page each week. Those are a good place to begin.

    Here are updates on kids’ activities:

    Wednesdays: AWANA plans to start up again mid January, with the hope that the virus does not escalate after Christmas. We will keep you updated.

    Sundays: Preschool care is provided for birth through Pre-k during 11:00 a.m. worship. Through at least January 3, elementary children will worship with their parents, as there will be no KidsZone; however, PraizPaks will be provided for both worship services. We hope to start preschool and children’s Bible study in January as well as KidsZone.

    “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised,” (Psalm 113:2-3).

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Are you ready to go on an adventure together? Starting January 4, the entire church will be reading all of the New Testament together using a reading plan entitled Grounded. I hope you will join us. You can either read along on your own or you can join a virtual discussion group via Marco Polo. More details to come!