Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 07

    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!

     

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 06

    How to be missional and isolated

    I know that in all the chaos and strangeness of the Coronavirus effects, many people are stuck inside on their own. It’s easy in that situation to feel very limited including in our ability to reach people with the Gospel. As I thought about this, I thought about Paul being isolated in prison. But in that state he didn’t say “woe is me” and do nothing. He realized he is still called to proclaim the Gospel and writes letters to churches to encourage them, challenge them, and let them know he was praying for them. He spoke with the guards around him about the Gospel. He still reached people with the Gospel during his isolation. Amid our own isolation we are still called to reach people with the Gospel – we just have to think creatively about how to do it. Here are some ideas: 

    • Pray. No matter what your situation or limitations you can pray. Pray for our world, healing, wisdom for leaders, the lost, healthcare workers, your neighbors…the list could go on forever. Take quality time to pray.
    • Contact those in your life that are on their own or may battle with loneliness. Call them, send a text or an email, Skype them, or write a letter. Let them know you were thinking about them. Continue to check in with the people in your life.
    • If you are younger and physically healthy, provide for your neighbors who aren’t. Ask them if you could go grocery shopping for them or pick up medication. Ask parents who are working if you could watch their kids for a day. Order a dinner to be delivered to the family with the parent whose hours have been cut back at work.

    These are just some quick ideas, but I encourage you to think creatively and find ways to show the love of God to those in our world who are hurting and afraid today. Church, just like Paul, our isolation doesn’t have to keep us from declaring the love of God by loving the people around us.

    Week of Prayer for North American Missions – March 29 – April 4

    During these coming weeks there will be plenty of North American Missionaries that are working extra hard to try and reach people in new ways. They could definitely use our prayers. March 29 through April 4 is a Week of Prayer for North American Missions. You can download the prayer guide on the “Downloads” section of our website. Then Sunday, April 5 we are taking a special offering for the Annie Armstrong Offering – all the money given to this offering goes towards North American Missionaries. Please be praying for our missionaries!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 06

    Praise and Worship Activities for Kids

    Here are some ideas for activities that may fit with worshiping at home during this time of precaution. Enjoy praising God with your kids and create lasting memories in the midst of these trying times.

    Music

    Music is certainly one way a child can worship God.  Read the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25. Even though Paul and Silas were in prison, they still sang songs of praise to God. Point out how songs of praise can lift the spirit no matter what may be going on in our lives. Sing songs with your child. Think of songs you may have sung as a child, (e.g. Deep and Wide, This Little Light of Mine, Jesus Loves Me).

    Dance

    One of King David’s ways of worshiping was dancing. Read the children 2 Samuel 6:14, which talks about David dancing before God as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the city. Play some upbeat praise songs and dance around. To enhance the experience give the kids a piece of ribbon attached to the top of a stick to wave around as they dance.

    Instruments

    King David not only sang and danced when worshiping and praising God, he also played music. Create a few instruments out of household items. To make a kazoo, give each child a toilet paper tube (which you undoubtedly have, haha!), a piece of wax paper, a rubber band, and a pencil. Place the wax paper over one of the open ends of the toilet paper roll and hold it in place by sliding a rubber band over it. Finish the kazoo by poking a few small holes in the wax paper with the point of the pencil. Blowing in the open end will create music. Make a praise shaker out of two paper plates and a handful of beans, rice or popcorn kernels. Turn the second plate upside down over top of the first. Staple the edges or use tape to secure the plates together.  Shake while dancing and/or singing!

  • Featured Article – Vol. 60, No. 06

    by Nina Palumbo, Clinical Social Worker certified in Spiritual Christian Counseling

     Changing Times

    As I was wading through the latest round of COVID-19 work emails and news headlines the 1960s song by Bob Dylan came to mind, “The Times They are a Changin’.” For those not familiar with this classic from the Civil Rights era, many versions can be found on YouTube. Although anticipated to be just a temporary moment in time, everyone is being asked to change, adapt, adjust, and be flexible. Routines are changing. Routines provide us with a sense of predictability and a feeling of safety and security in a world full of unknowns. You’re not alone if all these changes and restrictions leave you feeling anxious and on edge. It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or even angry during a crisis. One of the headlines I came across read: “Keep calm but have an emergency kit; U.S. doctors share tips for coping with the coronavirus.” The most important aspect of preparedness costs nothing at all: Keep Calm. Easier said than done, as I have had to get up from my desk this past week several times to take breaks, get fresh air, and simply remind myself to breathe. So, what is in our control?

     Get your information from reliable sources. Follow the advice and listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and your own personal physician. Being prepared minimizes worry. Take the steps to stay healthy. Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, pray. Stay informed, but one of the best things you can do for your own mental health is to limit your exposure to media and focus more on what is within your immediate control.  Stay involved in your work, your family and friends, hobbies and interests. Social distancing is not social isolation.  Stay connected and better yet reach out to those that may be feeling increased isolation and loneliness. Maintain a routine although an adjusted one. Go for a walk or exercise at home. Use your extra time for a spring cleaning or decluttering projects, to learn something new or take a class online.

    I know that many of you are avid readers. With the libraries closed share your books, magazine, DVDs from your own collections with others. Reach out to others and let your needs be known. For those with mental illness, be sure to continue your treatment regimes. Consider developing a plan for telehealth sessions with your providers.

    As Christ followers we need to remember that our God is a “refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble,” (Psalm 46:1). The scriptures are full of reminders that we are not alone, and that God is our comforter. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,” (2 Corinthians 1:3). As a collective group of believers at Fee Fee, we will get through this together. We may even be the Light that others may so desperately need.

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 06

    No Chi Alpha News this week. Stay tuned for next time.

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 06

    The church building will be closed to all events and services through at least April 22.

     To stay up-to-date on all calendar updates, please check our website or download our new app on Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

     

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 06

    Families are now getting the opportunity to practice what Deuteronomy 6:4-7 says! In addition to helping with schoolwork at home, parents will have opportunity to lead worship with their families. I will be emailing you a link that provides a resource of some kids’ worship sessions you can use with your kids at home. Be watching for that! Bible Study teachers will also be mailing home the kids’ activity pages that go with their Bible Study lessons.

    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 FREE! It really is a great resource for kids’ videos as well as Bible study resources for all topics and ages. What an opportunity this is to lead your kids to know Jesus better!

    Daily Prayer – We invite you to involve your kids during our Daily Prayer on Facebook Live every weekday at 7:00 p.m., by having them share prayer requests. What a precious time this will be!

    When we are able to get back together in our church building, I will offer the I’m A Christian Now 4-week class for kids awaiting baptism. Let us know if your child has made the decision to be a follower of Christ and would like to attend the class. At least one parent must join the child for the class.

    Summer Fun Week is coming and will be here before we know it! Vacation Bible School and Sports Crusaders Basketball Camp will be June 22-26. “Wilderness Escape” is the theme for our VBS, and will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon; Basketball Camp will be from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you would like to serve, now is the time to sign up!  See Kathy Scott about how you can get connected, kathy@feefeebc.org.

    Deuteronomy 6:4-7 – The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength. The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up.

     

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 06

    By now, all of us are trying to adjust to a “new normal” for the next few weeks. Social distancing has become a phrase that I don’t think I ever used in my life until a few weeks ago. Now, it is a part of my everyday vocabulary. If I’m honest, I’m not a big fan of it. I love being a pastor and I love getting to meet with people, pray with people, and equip saints for works of ministry. I have the privilege of preaching God’s Word to a great church each and every week. It doesn’t feel the same preaching to a camera.

    And yet, there is a passage that God has been bringing to my mind quite a lot recently as we have worked to establish a new way to minister to our church and our community during this time of social distancing. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul calls all believers to “be joyful always, pray continuously, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

    That passage reminds me to anchor myself in Christ alone. It reminds me to be flexible with these changes over the next few weeks. It reminds me to be joyful, no matter what!

    How do we faithfully adhere to this charge during uncertain times? Paul lays it out for us. First, we have joy. What does that look like? It means we have hope! In a world where people are afraid, living with hope can set us apart. It means that we find security in who we are in Christ and point our friends, neighbors, and relatives towards Him. We realize that joy is not based on our circumstances, but is based on the fact that God loves and He will never abandon us!

    Second, we pray continuously. I encourage you to join in our Daily Prayer live streams on Facebook, Monday-Friday, at 7:00 p.m. We are going to intentionally seek God’s face during that time and offer up our prayers and petitions to Him. We pray for God to eradicate this virus. We pray for wisdom for our leaders. It means that when anxiety grips us, we seek assurance at the throne of grace. It means, in times of confidence, leaving notes at the doors of our neighbors and offering to pray for them. It means that as friends and neighbors share concerns with us, we stop right then and pray. We will be intentional with setting aside time to pray, and we will be in touch with the Spirit and praying spontaneously throughout the day.

    Third, we give thanks in all circumstances. We thank God for His love for us. For always being there for us. For giving us joy and a reason for hope. For me, personally, it means being thankful that we have the technology to live stream our services, even if it is strange preaching in an empty room. It means being thankful that the church is not a building, but a body of believers! It means that, while we don’t take this pandemic lightly, we thank God that He is good, despite the circumstances. We thank God that in the midst of the challenges of social distancing, we have the opportunity to think of new ways to reach out to one another. We thank God that we get to be agents of reconciliation and ambassadors of hope for His name and His glory.

    If I’m honest, these changes and the need for social distancing have been awkward at times. However, I am so grateful to serve a God who isn’t surprised by any of this. I am confident that He who began a good work in us will see it to completion! God’s not done with our church, and I believe that we can honor him by having joy, unceasing prayer, and a heart of thanks through it all.

    Please join with us in praying for the health and safety of our community and our world, and let’s have joy and thanksgiving in the midst of it. We know God can bring beauty from ashes!

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 60, No. 06

    Bible Study leaders will be contacting you to let you know how you can participate remotely in Bible Study.

     

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 06

    As you have probably deduced, our plans for the spring are currently on hold and activities will be rescheduled at a later date. We will re-evaluate our plans after April 4 to determine when we can reschedule.

    While our plans are uncertain, I can assure you that our Mighty God is on His throne and has everything under control. Rest in this promise from Jesus recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” So, what can we do as a church to help others at this time? Phone calls, cards, checking on our neighbors, providing a meal. I believe God is giving His church an opportunity to step up and be the hands and feet of Jesus. What a perfect time to show and tell of His love!

    Since we are in the high-risk group, I encourage you to stay at home. If you need anything, feel free to call, text or Facebook message me and I, or another Fee Fee family member, will do all we can to help. My phone number is (314) 604-6071 or my email is gloria@feefeebc.org.

    The church will be closed for all services and activities until at least April 22, when we will reassess. In the meantime, check the Fee Fee App or our Facebook page for information on Bible Study and services. You can watch Sunday services live at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. If you do not have access to a computer, call the church office and we will provide you with a CD or DVD of the service.