Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Upcoming Schedule and Changes

    Since families will be traveling during the holidays, we want to keep our students and church safe moving forward. We will only be holding in-person Sunday Morning Bible Study and Wednesday Night Small Groups up until the Thanksgiving holiday for the rest of 2020. During the holidays, we will continue to have Bible Study on Sundays and Wednesdays, but we will do that over Zoom. Make sure your student attends because we have some great things to talk about! I am looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a group, whether we are together or away!

    Minneapolis Mission Trip Sign Ups

    If your student has not already turned in their forms and deposit for next summer’s mission trip, we need those ASAP! Our deadline to turn in numbers to Praying Pelican is coming up, so don’t miss out on an amazing opportunity to serve in the Twin Cities next summer!

    Regular Weekly Schedule:

    Sunday Morning Bible Study – 10:00-10:30 a.m.

    Tuesday Night Study Night – 5:00-8:00 p.m.

    Wednesday Night Small Groups – 6:00-7:00 p.m.

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    … Sherri Kerbel on the passing of her mother, Lawanda Wideman, on October 21.

    … Family and friends of Jessie Hackley, on her passing on October 23.

    … Family and friends of Angie Huddleston, on her passing on November 9.

    … Mary Zirbas on the passing of her husband, Jim Zirbas, on November 12.

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 22

    2020 has been quite a year. With the pandemic and everything that has been going on this year, it is really easy to only focus on the negatives. However, as Thanksgiving comes closer, it is a good reminder that we need to reflect on the many blessings that God has given our church.  I love 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, “Be joyful always, pray continuously, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

    We need to make sure we are in the habit of giving thanks to God. A few months ago, we had a Sunday where we intentionally celebrated ways that God was moving and working in and through our congregation and community. We talked about the importance of building “Ebenezers” in our church and in our lives to point out how “up to this point, the Lord us helped us.” The idea of an Ebenezer comes from 1 Samuel 7:12. After God miraculously delivered the Israelites a victory over the Philistines, Samuel erected a stone monument that he named Ebenezer. The purpose of the monument was to ensure that the Israelites remembered that it was God who gave them the victory that day. Samuel wanted to make sure that the Lord was the one who got the credit, and the Israelites wouldn’t be celebrating their own strength.

    In that same vein, we want to take time to acknowledge different times that God has moved and worked in powerful ways in our church. We just recently had another such “Ebenezer moment” here at Fee Fee. A few years ago, we took out a loan to help cover the costs of the renovation of our sanctuary. Well, I am so excited to report to you that the note has been paid off and we are debt-free!

    In the midst of a pandemic, you have been faithful in your generosity to the Lord, and it is remarkable that we have been able to so quickly pay off this debt. Thank you for your faithful giving! To be able to pay off our debt during this pandemic is an indication of your generosity and God’s faithfulness. This is definitely an Ebenezer moment for our church!

    Besides that specific instance, I want to challenge you to take a look back over the last few months and count your blessings. What has God done in your life recently? How has He demonstrated His faithfulness to you and your family?

    It is my prayer that we wouldn’t fall into the negativity that seems to surround this year. Instead of just thinking about the pandemic, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus! God is still moving and working in our lives, in our church, and in our community. This month, let’s make sure we give thanks to God for what He is doing and what He has already done!

    Will you join me in counting your blessings and giving glory to God this Thanksgiving season?

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Studies indicate that being engaged with scripture four times a week will be life changing. Find a way to stay involved! If you need direction on where and how to plug in, contact Gloria: gloria@feefeebc.org.

  • Devotional Corner – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Taken from L.B. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Zondervan Updated Edition

    “You have shown your people desperate times,” (Psalm 60:3).

    I have always been glad that the psalmist said to God that certain times are desperate or difficult. Make no mistake about it, there are difficult times in life.

    This summer someone gave me some beautiful pink flowers, and as I took them, I asked, “What kind are they?” My friend answered, “They are rock flowers. They grow and bloom only on rocks where you can see no soil.” Then I thought of God’s flowers growing in desperate times and hard places, and I somehow feel that He may have a certain tenderness for His “rock flowers” that He may not have for His lilies and roses. —Margaret Bottome

    The trials of life are sent to make us, not break us. Financial troubles may destroy a person’s business but build up his character. And a direct blow to the outer person may be the greatest blessing possible to the inner person. So if God places or allows anything difficult in our lives, we can be sure that the real danger or trouble will be what we will lose if we run or rebel against it. —Maltbie D. Babcock

    Heroes are forged on anvils hot with pain,

    And splendid courage comes but with the test.

    Some natures ripen and some natures bloom

    Only on blood-wet soil, some souls prove great

    Only in moments dark with death and doom.

    God finds His best soldiers on the mountain of affliction.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 22

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    There are currently 3,535 missionaries serving in the world from the International Mission Board. We are so thankful for these men and women who are willing to faithfully follow the call of God to “go and make disciples of all nations.” A huge portion of their financial support comes from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. As a church, we are setting a goal for ourselves of giving $25,000 towards this offering. Pray about what you and your family might be willing to give towards the Gospel being presented all over the world. Then bring your gifts in December marked for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

    Upcoming Mobile Market Dates

    We are planning to continue our Mobile Markets at least through the end of 2020.  Everyone – you, your friends, your neighbors – are welcome to come to the church on Mondays, November 30 or December 14, from 10:00 a.m. until noon (or whenever we run out of food). Simply drive up, pop your trunk, and have groceries put in your car.  St. Louis Area Foodbank is closed on Monday, December 28 so there will be no Mobile Market on that day.

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 22

    2020 is certainly a year that we will remember well. Here are updates on kids’ activities through the end of the year:

    Wednesdays:

    Last AWANA for 2020 is November 18; we plan to start up again mid-January.

    Sundays:

    November 15 and 22 – Worship with preschool care provided and KidsZone for elementary age kids.

    November 29 and throughout December – children will worship with their parents; preschool care will be provided. There will be no KidsZone in December. We are planning, at this point, to restart preschool and children’s Bible Study, and KidsZone in January. There will be Praise Packs for kids available for you to pick up before going into worship services when there is no KidsZone.

    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 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.

    Advent

    I will be providing each family an Advent box that you can pick up to use at home during December. I hope you will make the time to pick these up by November 29 and use them to lead your family in family devotion times to celebrate our Lord.

    “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen,” (2 Peter 3:18).

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 22

    I have spent a lot of time trying to find a Christmas activity for us this year. Outside would be the best, of course.

    On Sunday afternoon, December 6, we will gather at the First Missouri State Capitol State Visitor Center at 230 S. Main Street in St. Charles at 2:00 p.m. We will see the Santas from other countries, listen to carols, drink a hot chocolate and eat a cookie. Hope you will plan to join us.

    The seniors are a generous and loving group of people. I hope, as usual, you will participate and help this year with Coats for Kids and the Angel Tree. Thanks for all you do for the church.

    Coats for Kids

    We will once again be providing coats for kids. If you or someone you know needs a warm coat, or if you would like to contribute money to buy a new coat, you can turn this money in to Steve or Gloria. If you have gently used coats, please save these for the free market in July to give away.

    Angel Tree

    Our annual Angel Tree will be up at Thanksgiving and loaded with ornaments that indicate a specific need. You can take an ornament, purchase that item, wrap it and reattach the ornament, and placed under the tree by December 18.

    If your family or someone you know could use help for Christmas this year, please let Gloria know: gloria@feefeebc.org.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 22

    God’s People – Musicians

    “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts,” (Colossians 3:16).

    God loves music! Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people are often found singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

    Psalm 150 invites us to celebrate life’s trials and triumphs by making music. There were many musicians at work throughout Scripture. Some were professional musicians hired to lead worship at the temple. Others simply played instruments to bring joy into the lives of the people listening. Music was used to celebrate special religious festivals and to announce important news. Music brought joy at wedding feasts and soothed mourners at funerals. And we all remember the story of David playing music to calm angry King Saul. Music is used to bring hope through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

    Psalms of Hope:

    “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways,” (Psalm 91:11).

    “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more,” (Psalm 17:14).

    Hymn of hope

    Ponder on this song and make it your own testimony in tough times:

    The Solid Rock (originally titled The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope)

    My HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

    I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

     On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

     When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

    In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

     On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

    Spiritual Song of Hope:

    My Hope is in You by Third Day

    My hope is in You.

    Show me Your way

    Guide me in truth

    In all my days.

    My hope is You

    Oh, Lord

    The theme of hope is easy to find in all genres of Christian music. Music taps into the depths of our souls and helps us express the wide range of our emotions. Thank God for music!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 21

    Let’s celebrate Veteran’s Day with a movie about a veteran! On Wednesday, November 11, at 11:30 a.m. we will have a chili lunch followed by the movie Harriet in the Dining Room. The cost is $5.00 for lunch.

    Did you know that Harriet was a scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War? Harriet Tubman was born a slave. She escaped and made 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, mostly by using the Underground Railroad.

    Whether you have seen this movie (released in late 2019) or not, you will want to come to celebrate those brave individuals who have fought for freedom and risked their lives for those they did not even know!

    Hope you all are doing well. Remember to contact me if you have a need so we can help: gloria@feefeebc.org!  Keep on keeping on.