Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Featured Article – Vol. 60, No. 03

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

    The Winter Blahs…. Or is it?

    I used to dread this time of year. The holidays were over and there wasn’t much to look forward to except the cold gray skies of winter. January and February were spent dreaming of a warm and sunny spring break location. Now, I appreciate the slower pace winter brings. For some, this pace is an opportunity for self-reflection and renewal. For others, it may be a time of lonely isolation. Gray skies may not only darken our homes but may darken our mood. A certain amount of holiday let down is normal. The festivities are over, and we may start to the feel the effect of our holiday indulgences.

    What’s known as the “winter blues” is normal during this time of year and affects about 25% of the U.S. population. You may notice the winter blues by having less energy and an increased appetite, especially carbs. However, there is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects about 6% of the U.S. population. In addition to the winter blues, there may be an increased desire to be alone, trouble concentrating, irritability, anxiety, depression, weight gain, or a loss of interest in activities. The reduced level of sunlight affects our level of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that affects mood. Melatonin, which is a sleep hormone, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases.

    There is Hope

    Usually the symptoms of SAD can be managed with exercise, increasing the amount of light in your home, meditation, using stress management techniques, spending time outside, or visiting climates with more sun. Should you notice how you are feeling does not improve or gets worse, talk with your family doctor and/or consult with a mental health professional for short term assistance. Spring is on its way!

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 60, No. 03

    Have you taken the challenge to read your Bible at least four times each week? Has it made a difference in your life? It’s hard to have a great relationship with someone you don’t interact with very often.

    Visit the Welcome Center for help getting connected to a Bible Study that is perfect for you, or email Gloria at gloria@feefeebc.org.

    Backpack Ministry

    Our Backpack Ministry shelves are looking a little bare. Immediate needs include: chicken noodle soup, tomato soup, Mac and Cheese, and chewy granola bars (WITHOUT nuts and NOT chocolate-covered). Thank you for your continued support helping hungry kids in our community. Donations can be dropped off in the bin in the breezeway by the Media Center.

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 03

    A Multi-generational Church

    One of the things that I love most about pastoring an established church is the fact that we are truly multi-generational. I love looking out into the congregation each Sunday morning and seeing the wide mix of ages and people in different stages of life. Our diverse mix of age groups is one the core strengths of Fee Fee Baptist. However, it does lead to the question of how do we create a comprehensive plan for spiritual formation that will be effective for each generation in our church?

    We are attempting to tackle that through a couple of different avenues. First, specifically for the start of this year, we are having all our Bible Study classes walk through the same material based around the markers of our church’s mission. We wanted to create a “common conversation” throughout the many generations of our church. Whether you are in our children’s ministry or in a senior adult Bible study class, you will be studying the same thing and be able to talk about it with one another. We are strategically not just trying to drill down deeper into the marks of what it means to “build and pursue,” but also looking for ways to create dialogue and connections between different generations.

    Besides the importance of having common conversations between our different generations here at Fee Fee, we are also going to have targeted, specialized events for spiritual formation for specific generations.

    Here are a just a few things we have coming up over the next few months:

    This month, we are having a Parents’ Boot Camp on February 16 to help disciple and equip our parents to lead tech-wise families to protect their kids from various online dangers.

    The weekend of March 6-8, our youth will be having their Disciple Now event. This event is focused on spiritual formation and we will be challenging our students to wholeheartedly pursue Christ and live boldly for Him.

    On April 19, Dr. Richard Ross, the founder of the True Love Waits movement, will present to us a “Family Connection Sunday.” He is going to be preaching on multi-generational discipleship and will lead a special training time for parents and grandparents.

    In May, we will have Dr. Claude Cone, the former Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, head up our Legacy Weekend for Senior Adults. We will have a Senior Adult banquet that weekend, and Dr. Cone will be preaching and leading our senior adults in how to use the wisdom and experience that God has granted them to make an impact in our church.

    In June, we will be hosting our annual Vacation Bible School, which focuses on spiritual formation for our kids.

    Please join me in praying for our church, that we will have effective discipleship and spiritual formation throughout each and every age group here. Pray that God will use our targeted discipleship events to equip all of us to love God more and serve Him well.

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 03

    DNOW 2020 Registration is now OPEN

    This year’s Disciple Now Weekend will be taking place March 6-8. In case you don’t know what DNOW is, it is our weekend long local retreat for 6th-12th graders where they will be split up into small groups for the weekend filled with intense discipleship. We will dive deep into this year’s theme called “Prodigal,” taking us into the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. We will explore the stories of the three main characters and learning how we can always come home. This weekend will be led in worship by a collection of past and present MoBap students including Guy Shaw, and our speaker Leon Douglas. We are also blessed to be joined by students from Chesterfield Community Church and Hazelwood Baptist Church this year. The total cost for the weekend is $40, which covers the housing and food for all our students, our speaker, the band, and a free T-shirt for every attendee! You won’t find a better youth conference deal anywhere! You can sign up either with a paper copy found in the Rafters, or online at dnow.feefeebc.org. The registration deadline is Sunday, February 23, along with a $10 deposit. The remaining balance is due Wednesday, March 4. We hope that you will join us this year and that you will invite your friends! Be praying for our students and leaders as we prepare for this amazing Gospel-filled weekend.

    DNOW Host Homes & Meal Sponsors

    We would not be able to put on this amazing DNOW weekend without your help, Church. How can you volunteer to serve our students? First off, we need Host Homes for our students to stay at over the weekend. If you are interested in housing teenagers for the weekend, please contact Kyle (kyle@feefeebc.org) or Jen Pfeiffer to volunteer. We also need groups to help sponsor meals for our students for the weekend. If you are interested in this, all you need to do is cook two meals – breakfast and dinner – and deliver it to a Host Home. You can team up with your Small Group, Transformation Group, or Bible Study to partner with us. You can either contact Kyle or Laura Paden to sign up to sponsor meals.

     

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 02

    (Announcements including births, baptisms/new members, thank yous, or sympathies.)

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to…Deb Alcorn on the passing of her brother-in-law, Greg Poleski, on January 20.

     

    Thank You

    The church has received a Thank You card from Loaves & Fishes Ministry.

     

    Refrigerator Needed

    The church office is in need of a gently used, full-size, frost-free refrigerator/freezer. If you would like to donate one, please contact the church office. Thank you!

     

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 60, No. 02

    Youth Super Bowl Watch Party

    Come on up to the Rafters with your family on Sunday, February 2, at 5:00 p.m. to watch the big game (or the commercials) and eat some delicious food! Kyle will be providing drinks and a sub sandwich that is over 4 FEET LONG! If you are planning on being there, please bring a side dish or a dessert to share. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors for a night of fun!

    International Food Pantry

    On Saturday, February 8, we will be heading back to serve at the International Food Pantry. This is an amazing opportunity for your students to serve the local community. We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. and will be back around noon. This is also a great opportunity for your students to earn community service hours!

    Winter Jam

    On Sunday, February 9, we are taking students to the biggest concert of the year…Winter Jam 2020! This concert features some of the leading names in Christian Music such as Crowder, Passion, Hillsong Young & Free, Andy Mineo, Building 429, and more! PLUS all of this entertainment is only $15, paid at the door! No tickets needed! We will be leaving church at 2:00 p.m. that day and will return when the concert is over (normally around 10:00 p.m.). Students will also want to bring money for concession dinner that night, as the concert lasts through dinner time. So sign up in the Rafters if you want to go.

  • Family Front – Vol. 60, No. 02

    Family Nerf Games

    On Friday, January 31, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. we will have a family showdown in our gym! Bring your own Nerf gun and Nerf darts. We will also have extra darts for non-stop fun throughout the evening.  Fun for all ages! When we are finished for the night, you will be able to take home the same amount of generic Nerf darts that you brought.

    Mid-Winter Bible Study

    There will be three sessions taking place on Sunday, February 9: during both Sunday worship services and one session in afternoon. There are sign-up sheets for lunch that day, as well as childcare, so make sure to get your name on the list! Childcare will be provided for kids through 3rd grade.  Livewires will be able to sit in on the afternoon Bible Study session with their parents.

    Parent’s Night Out

    Make your reservations for Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Use this time for some much need parents’ time or self-care, and all the while your kiddos will be having a blast! There will be swimming for the K-5th graders at the Bridgeton Community Center indoor pool. Sign-up sheets are available by the Media Center. See Kathy Scott if you want to volunteer that night. Students, this is a great way to volunteer to earn mission trip money!

    Parents’ Boot Camp: Keeping Kids Safe Online

    On February 16, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Loran Maloney will be leading a class to teach parents how to take the lead in guiding their children and teens in what are appropriate practices when using electronic devices. Lunch and childcare (up through 5th grade) will be provided with a reservation. Sign up by the Media Center for this timely and important class.

    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.

  • Community Connection – Vol. 60, No. 02

    New Ministry: Room at the Inn

    Fee Fee has a new partnership in 2020 with Room at the Inn Homeless Shelter! This is an incredible organization that has been serving women and families in need in St. Louis County since 1988. You can read more about them on their website: roomstl.org. Our partnership with Room at the Inn will include housing some of their guests for a night, every other month, starting in February. We will pick them up on that Friday night, bring them to our church, give them dinner, host some fun games and entertainment, and provide them a warm, clean bed to sleep in for the night. In the morning we will bless them with breakfast and take them back to the Room at the Inn facility. This is going to be an incredible chance for us to “pursue the good of our community,” (our new mission statement). Please be praying for Room at the Inn Shelter, this new ministry partnership, and that the Gospel would be seen through our loving interaction with our guests!

    Tom and Lela Warner Short Term Missions Offering

    On Sunday, February 23, we will have a special offering for our Tom and Lela Warner Short Term Missions Fund. In both worship services that morning we will take a special collection for this fund which supports our members going on mission trips each year. Over the years these funds have been used to send our people all over the country and world to share the Gospel message. This year the fund will be helping our members share God’s love in North Carolina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Missouri.  If you feel led to give towards this fund, simply write on your offering envelope or on the memo line of your check, “Short Term Missions.” Thank you for your continued support of missions both locally and internationally!

     

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 02

    The Levitical Musicians

    If you have ever been curious about Biblical musicians you may find the following information interesting as I did.

    Some fascinating facts surrounding the Levitical Musicians and music of the Temple:

    • There would never be fewer than 12 Levites standing on the Platform to intone songs over an offering. More could be added without limit. The song or chant would be uttered vocally and there would be musicians alongside playing instruments. Some of the instruments used were: 2-6 lyres, 2-12 flutes, 9+ harps, and up to 120 trumpets (WHOA!), and only 1 set of cymbals to keep balance in check – a request from the sound guy!
    • On all festival and New Moon days priests would blow trumpets made of silver as other metals were unfit. Flute pipes were made of a reed because of its sweet sound. A song would always end with the pleasant sound of a lone flute.
    • A Levite did not enter the court to minister until he had been trained for five years.  The entry age would be 25-30.
    • A Levite could be removed from chanting or singing if his voice was impaired due to old age.
    • The Levites were forbidden to perform the service assigned to another Levite with a different assignment.  For instance, a singer must not assist a gate keeper and vice versa. In fact if a Levite assisted in a duty not assigned to him, he incurred the death penalty by Divine judgement. Sounds a little HARSH to me!
    Share the blessing of your musical gift

    It has been such a joy in recent Sundays to have some of our young people bringing musical offerings to our worship. Joey Stuart, J.J. Fisher, Ted Rosen, Christian Baugher, and Natalie Baugher have all come forward to play instruments.

    Please let Ronna or Tara know if you would be willing to use your musical abilities in our worship. I’m sure we have many folks of all ages that could serve in this way; you just need to be identified.

    We could also use more singers in our 8:30 a.m. choir. It is a wonderful group of singers and we would gladly accept others to serve in this capacity. It is a multi-generational choir, so we are not limited by age. Rehearsal is on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Come sit in with us. We would be delighted to welcome you.

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 60, No. 02

    Pastor Zach has challenged us to get connected in a Bible Study group. You can choose from many options, including Sunday morning Bible Study (for men or women), small group, or Transformation Group.  The benefits of any of these groups are numerous. A recent study by the Center for Bible Engagement polled 40,000 individuals from ages 8 to 89 and found the following information. If we read our Bibles at least 4 times a week the following decreases will occur:

    • 30% decrease in feelings of loneliness
    • 32% decrease in anger issues
    • 40% decrease in bitterness
    • 57% decrease in alcoholism
    • 60% decrease on spiritual stagnation
    • 61% decrease on pornography use

    On another positive side, if you read your Bible four times per week, the stats show a:

    • 200% increase in sharing your faith
    • 230% increase in discipling others

    Visit the Welcome Center for help getting connected or email Gloria at gloria@feefeebc.org.