Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 10

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Sue (Richard) Wright on the passing of her mother, Gerry Mayer, on April 28.

    Mobile Food Market

    Partnering with the St. Louis Area Food Bank, we will provide opportunities for families in our community to get free groceries for their family every other Monday. The next Mobile Market will be on June 1, at 10:00 a.m. until noon in the church parking lot, this will occur every other Monday. Contact Andrew to volunteer, andrew@feefeebc.org.

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 10

    You’ve probably heard by now that St. Louis County is beginning to reopen starting May 18. With that news, I’m sure you’re wondering what that means for Fee Fee.

    First of all, we are tentatively looking at having worship services on our campus again starting Sunday, June 7. When we reopen, we will be offering our two services at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., but there will be no Bible Study in between and no childcare or KidsZone during this first phase. We will be sending a letter out to all of our members about some of the guidelines that we are putting in place when we reopen.

    If we are allowed to gather starting May 24, why are we waiting until at least June 7? You’ve heard the phrase “out of the abundance of caution” tossed around frequently during this COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve probably used it more than a few times. However, I think that we need to change the narrative with the approach of our church. Yes, we are going to be cautious. But do you know why? It is out of an abundance of love!

    The Bible commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That means that we need to lovingly put others and their needs in front of our own. Out of an abundance of love, we are going to adhere to social distancing on our campus. Out of an abundance of love, we are asking that everyone who comes to worship wear a mask. Out of an abundance of love, we are asking anyone that doesn’t feel well to stay home. Out of an abundance of love, we are asking that we refrain from hugs and handshakes for the time being. It isn’t fear that is going to be what motivates us during this season, but love.

    No matter how you feel personally about the pandemic, I would ask that, out of an abundance of love, we don’t let our opinions cause division in the church. When Jesus prays his High Priestly Prayer in John 17, he asks that God would unite all of his followers. Unity is what Christ prays for his church before he goes to the cross. I am praying that we will love others and be united around the saving truth of the gospel. We might disagree with other believers about how people and churches should be acting during this time. Let’s not allow those disagreements to divide us. Instead, I’m praying we unite under the gospel and make the name of Jesus famous!

    In closing, we are so appreciative of your prayers and support during this season. Your staff believes that God is doing something in and through this uncertain time. Please join us in praying for revival! Also, for those of you who are high risk, don’t feel pressure to return right away. We will continue to livestream our services and will have staff members online during our services to minister to you. Finally, know that we will do our best to communicate any changes in a clear and timely way, as this reopening unfolds. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. Be looking for the letter that will give more details about the different phases Fee Fee Baptist will undergo as we reopen.

    Please join me in praying for our church, our city, our nation, and our world!

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Devotional Corner – Vol. 60, No. 10

    Taken from Mrs. Charles E. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Volume Two

    “This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith,” (1 John 5:4)

    Oh, the wonders of prayer! Abraham’s servant prays…Rebekah appears. Jacob wrestles and prays and prevails with Christ…Esau’s mind is wonderfully turned from the revengeful purpose he has harbored for twenty years. Moses cries to God…the sea divides. Hannah prays…Samuel is born. Asa prays…a victory is gained. Jehoshaphat cries to God…God turns away his foes. Isaiah prays…the dream is revealed. Daniel prays…the lions are muzzled. Nehemiah starts a prayer…the King’s heart is softened in a minute. Elijah prays…a drought of three years succeeds. Elijah prays [again]…rain descends apace. Elisha prays…Jordan is divided. The church prays ardently…Peter is delivered by an angel.

    The weapon of prayer against the forces of evil prevails. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God! There is no power like that of prevailing prayer. Dare to be definite with God; dare to lay hold of the promises and to wait in faith until the answer comes. Victory is through Calvary!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 10

    By the time you read this, we will be in Phase 1 of reopening St. Louis County. Some of you will be cautiously peeping out your door and others will be bursting forth as if you have just been released from prison. However, you choose to approach this new season, remember to love and respect those who might have a different approach from yours. We will once again be walking through uncharted territory and will need to act in agape love to others, the kind of love that puts the needs and well-being of others before ours.

    One thing is certain, through all this, God has been faithful to His church. He has allowed us to minister to many in our community and to those within the church. Your generosity in sharing from your resources has made it possible to meet the needs of others.

    Today is my day at the office (Tuesday). Vance showed me how to access the door camera at the end of March. By April 1, I could neither use nor find that camera. If the doorbell rings, and I am the only one here, my non-technological response is to walk down the hall and see who is at the door.

    When it rang about an hour ago, there was a man about 50 years old on a bicycle. I went to the door to see what he needed. His name was George and he was from Texas. He and his wife’s van broke down and they are living at the Motel 6 on Dorsett. His son has mailed them their stimulus check, but it hasn’t arrived here yet. He has been trying to find odd jobs to pay for their motel until they get their checks and can get back to Texas. He needed $7 to be able to pay for his room tonight and asked if we had any chili for their dinner.  I gave him some microwavable food, breakfast bars, $7 and prayed with him. He thanked Jesus for providing.

    There are more “Georges” all around you. While I have been typing this article, I had a phone call from a woman asking for info about our Mobile Market on May 18. God is using His church to help those in need. Keep your eyes open. Look for opportunities to help. Some needs are physical, some emotional, and some spiritual. Let Jesus use you!

    Hope to see you in person soon!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 10

    Did You Know…

    Many of our popular hymns have interesting backstories.

    The song I Know Whom I Have Believed was written by a Union soldier during the Civil War, who was held as a prisoner of war and became a believer while praying for another dying soldier.

    Hymn writer Fanny Crosby was blind from infancy yet was able to memorize the first five books of the Bible, the four Gospels, the Proverbs, and most of the Psalms.

    But one song in particular, of which many of us have grown to adore, has an inspiring origin.

    Carl Boberg, a newspaper editor, and member of the Swedish Parliament, being inspired by the sound of church bells ringing during a wild thunderstorm, penned the poem, O Great God. When O Great God was published, the poem did not catch on and it seemed destined to be forgotten. However, three years later someone liked it enough to match the words with a Swedish melody. Boberg published the poem again in 1891 – this time in the form of a song.

    A few decades later in the 1930s, English missionary Stuart Hine heard the song while in Poland. He was deeply moved, translated the song to English and took it home with him to England. In English, the song was now called How Great Thou Art. 

    Moving on to the 1940s, an evangelist heard this song being sung by native tribal people in India, of all places! The evangelist, Dr. Edwin Orr, was deeply inspired and brought the song to the United States. In 1954 the song found its way into the hands of George Beverly Shea, who sang it over 100 times in Billy Graham’s 1957 New York crusade. In 1959 it became the theme song for Billy Graham’s weekly radio broadcast.

    The song later became recognized by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) as “The All-Time Outstanding Gospel Song” in America. How Great Thou Art has consistently been listed as one of the greatest hymns ever written, usually falling in second place right behind Amazing Grace, and has been recorded over 1,800 times in the last 50 years. Many of you have no doubt heard the recordings by Elvis Presley and it was also recorded in 2017 by popular country artist Alan Jackson.

    How astonishing that this song started as a poem in a small Swedish town and somehow wound its way around the globe to become a great hymn of the faith.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 09

    Shigionoth – A Musical Term

    Forms of this word appear two times in the Bible.  The singular form of the word is shiggaiom appearing in Psalm 7.  The plural form of the word, shiginoth, is found in Habakkuk 3:1.

    In each case the words are associated with songs and seem to indicate the passionate and strong emotional manner in which the song is to be sung. Both songs paint a picture of dire trouble. Habakkuk 3 speaks of earthquakes, crumbling mountains, pestilence, floods, arrows, spears, and calamity. The song in Psalm 7 describes vicious lions, trampled lives, rage, swords, flaming arrows, and violence. Both songs end with exuberant praise to the Lord for His deliverance from the troubles.

    It is unlikely that I will ever encounter shiginoth or shiggaiom as a directive in a musical composition, however my guess is the Italian directives conpassione or appasionato will get the same point across.

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 09

    So how is everyone out there is quarantine-land? I miss getting together with the kids and seeing families at church! If you need anything, (and that includes prayer), do not hesitate to let us know. Parents, you have a lot on your plate: homeschooling, your own work, keeping family happy and healthy. Know that I am praying for you.

    KidsZone

    You will find a weekly KidsZone for preschoolers and children on our website each week. There are also handouts and activities to go along with it. If you do not have a printer at home, please let me know; I would be happy to mail them to you. I hope you choose to worship with your children. There is a worship bulletin that kids can use to follow along with Sunday morning worship services as they sit with you. A video has been posted on the Children’s Ministry Facebook page for parents about “Helping Kids Navigate the Pandemic.”  There are many activities you can enjoy together – some of which you will be hearing about this week!

    FREE Family Resources

    If you need additional resources, you can find many of them through Right Now Media. Just give us permission to put your email into our account and you can access Right Now Media for FREE! It is a great resource for kids’ videos, Bible Study resources for all topics and ages. “What’s in the Bible” by Phil Vischer is a particular favorite of mine. What an opportunity you have right now to lead your kids to know Jesus and to better understand the Bible!

    Daily Prayer

    Don’t miss our Daily Prayer on Facebook Live every weeknight at 7:00 p.m. Get your kids involved by having them share prayer requests, too. What a precious time this has been and will continue to be!

    AWANA

    We will likely have our AWANA Awards Night the first Wednesday night we return to AWANA in the fall. Further information will be posted as details become available.

    Summer Fun Week

    It is with a big sad face that the announcement that Summer Fun Week has been postponed.  We are planning to have Vacation Bible School but are just not sure when that will be. As of right now, we are cancelling Basketball Camp. Watch for more details throughout the summer.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 09

    It is a beautiful day again today – sunshine and breezy. The flowers and trees are blooming and we see evidence of a faithful God everywhere we look. In staff meeting this week, we were challenged to make a one sentence video to post to encourage you guys to answer the statement, “God is…” My response today is: God is faithful, in control, and good, even in the midst of a pandemic. How would you describe God today?

    I am sure most of you are weary of being isolated. Our life has changed a great deal in a month. I heard good news today that we had the lowest number of new cases since late March. I hope you have let God help you examine your walk with Him and your values during this time.

    At one of our last staff meetings, before we had to start meeting on Zoom, Andrew lead a devotional on difficult prayers. He indicated that one of the most difficult was, “LORD, break me.” Those are hard words to say. What will that look like? Will I be okay? Will my family be okay? What will I have to do? Nevertheless, that day I prayed that prayer because I know that God is good and I knew I wanted to be all in, holding nothing back!

    Now, I in no way think that this pandemic is my fault, (I learned Rick Warren’s first sentence in The Purpose Driven Life – it’s not about you!), but I certainly have had an opportunity to let God point out areas of my life that I had not fully committed to him and He has led me to confession, repentance and increased my faith. What is God showing you? Are you willing to pray that difficult prayer?

    Has He increased your faith and asked you to trust Him more? Has He helped you to value His truth? Has He been all that you have needed? Are you full of hope and joy and thankfulness? I pray that you would let Him refine and grow you and make you more and more like Jesus so we can show others the love and grace that you have received.

    I am hopeful that I will be seeing you all soon. As Paul reminds us in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 09

    Youth Online Bible Study

    During this time that we are apart from each other, let’s be sure to be diligent to connect the best that we can. Each Sunday and Wednesday, we will still be having Bible Study together. I will be recording a lesson from a RightNow Media series and posting it to our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. You can find us on all those platforms at Fee Fee Youth. Additionally, I will be posting Daily Devotionals on Facebook and Instagram to give you some encouragement throughout the week. Please reach out to me if you need anything, kyle@feefeebc.org. I am praying for each of you!

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 09

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Dionne (Todd) Curtis-Minner and family on the passing of her uncle, Dennis Curtis, on April 14; and her aunt, Janie Hornsby, on April 23.

    …The family and friends of Alice Hall, on her passing on April 21.

    …Carol Stephens and family on the passing of her husband,  Danny Stephens, on April 24.

    …Jim (Deanna) Gurlen on the passing of his brother, Jerry Gurlen, on April 27.

    …Vicki (Scott) Knepper on the passing of her mother, Karen Clifford, on April 29.