Fee Fee Baptist Church

Author: Tara Smith

  • Announcements – Vol. 62, No. 19

    “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

    —Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery

    FFBC Food Pantry

    Ron Burns, Food Pantry Volunteer

    I wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the food pantry as a part of Impact Week. It will be well stocked for awhile. Special thanks to Kevin, Caitlin, and Colton Knepper for helping get all the food donations upstairs to the pantry.

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Karen Zarf on the passing of her husband, Fred Zarf, on September 26.

    “Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted,”     —Jesus.

    Mobile Market

    Our upcoming 2022 dates will be:

    • October 10
    • November 14
    • December 12

    One of our favorite things is partnering with the St. Louis Area Food Bank to get free groceries into the hands of families in need in our community. Anyone is welcome to come get groceries on the second Monday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. (until the food runs out).

     

  • Prime Time – Vol. 62, No. 19

    I love fall! The changing leaves, firepits, s’mores, hot chocolate, long sleeves, and the promise of snow in the near future. I know, I know. Some of you are still stuck on the “s” word I said in the last sentence! But I love the God who created each one of us with our unique personalities and passions. There is never a dull moment in God’s world.  He likes seasons too, and our church is about to enter a new season. While we are sad to see our pastor and his family move on, we must remember that God has called them to a new place to serve and bless a new body of believers.

    At the same time, we know God’s plans for us is also for a hope and a future. If you set your alarm for 9:38 (a.m. or p.m.) as Zach asked us to and you are praying Matthew 9:28, you have already been praying for our new pastor.  God already knows who our next shepherd will be, and he is preparing his heart even today. It’s time to get ready for our next season!

    In the meantime, we have some exciting events coming up that I hope you will join us at and invite some friends along. On the evening of Saturday, October 15 we will meet at the JCCA to listen to story tellers in a program by the St. Louis County Library. There will not be a bus or transportation for this trip, but groups are gathering at 6:00 p.m. to eat together at Bandanas on Dorsett beforehand. The storytelling begins at 7:30 p.m. at the J. Mirowitz Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus. This is a unique opportunity you don’t want to miss.

    Then, on Friday, October 28, we will go to the Economy Museum. Admission is free. We will explore the economy and money in an interactive way. You will learn everything from how people make decisions about money, how the economy affects you, and even have the opportunity to try to lift a 28-pound gold bar. If this doesn’t entice you, we are having lunch at Crown Candy afterward! Enough said!

    Enjoy the change of seasons. God is in control!

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 62, No. 19

    Church Family,

    This is a hard column to write. As you know by now, God is leading my family in a new direction, and I have accepted a call to a church in Texas. I love this church deeply and I am so thankful for my time here. While I know this is still a surprise to many, I want you to be assured that our Deacon body and our Personnel Committee have already set a great plan in place to ensure a smooth transition and to make sure that our church continues to build and pursue for the glory of God.

    As I write in the Forerunner for the last time, I wanted to share parts of the letter that I read at the end of our services on September 25:

    This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. It’s incredibly difficult because I deeply love our church family and the community we have here at Fee Fee. However, even though it is a very difficult decision, I believe that God is opening this door and we want to be faithful and obedient to God’s will for our family.

    This is a very bittersweet time for us. I am beyond grateful that God gave me the honor and privilege to serve as the pastor here at Fee Fee. I love this church and I love how you have loved my family. God has given me the blessings of great friendships, a loving church family, and the opportunity to be a part of God doing great things here.

    I know that all the changes and growth that we have experienced have all been because of God and in spite of me, but I am humbled that God gave me the opportunity to shepherd and serve here. At the same time, my family and I have given God a blank check with our lives and told him that we will go wherever He leads. We believe He is calling, so we want to be obedient to that call and go where He is sending us.

    Know that I will be praying for Fee Fee during this transition, and I ask that you pray for my family as we are relocating and starting a new ministry. I have been praying Philippians 1:3-6 for this great church. In this passage, Paul writes:

    “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

    Thank you for the privilege of serving you as your pastor. I love each and every one of you.

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach Crook

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 19

    Music We Love Based on The Psalms

    This week I am sharing with you a playlist taken from the Psalms. It includes different artists – old and new. The music is beautiful, and I hope you will enjoy it.

    1. Psalm 130 – I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) by Shane & Shane

    2. Psalm 34 – Psalm 34 by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

    3. Psalm 8 – How Majestic is Your Name by Sandi Patty

    4. Psalm 113 – Praise the Lord by Russ Taff

    5. Psalm 62 – My Soul Will Rest (Psalm 62) by Matthew Zigenis

    6. Psalm 91 – Psalm 91 (On Eagle’s Wings) by Taryn Harbridge

    7. Psalm 23 – Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) by People and Songs ft. Josh Sherman

    8. Psalm 16:8 – Be Thou My Vision by BYU Vocal Point

    9. Psalm 145:3 – Great is the Lord by Michael W. Smith

    10. Psalm 24:10 – Come, thou Almighty King by Keith & Kristen Getty, Tommy Bailey

    11. Psalm 119:114 – My Defender by Jeremy Camp

    12. Psalm 139 – Find You by Audrey Assad

    13. Psalm 46 – Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts) by Capital City Music

    14. Psalm 66 – Psalm 66 (You Are Great) by Robbie Seay Band

    15. Psalm 42 – Psalm 42 by Tori Kelly

    You can listen to this great music taken from Psalm texts here: https://bit.ly/3xZhqDB

  • Family Front – Vol. 62, No. 19

    HAPPY FALL! 
    Trunk or Treat

    Put Sunday, October 30 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on your calendar for our annual Trunk or Treat event right here in the church parking lot. Be thinking how you want to decorate your trunk. Would you consider representing a Bible story and be willing to tell a brief Bible story at your trunk? We will be collecting candy in the Donation Center starting October 1. Thank you!

    Drama Opportunity for Kids

    This fall we will be producing another kid’s Christmas story video to use in the Christmas production in December. If your child would like to be part of the that, email Kathy: kathy@feefeebc.org. Recording will be on Sunday, October 16 and 23 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.

    International Mission Study

    Sunday, December 4 will be our annual International Mission Study with the children during the Bible School hour and KidsZone (9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). We will be studying what God is doing in the Philippines! This is something you don’t want your kids to miss!

    Save the Date to Save a Life!

    We will have another Blood Drive on Friday, December 2, from12:00-5:00 p.m. Info will be available on our website closer to that time but save the date now! One pint of blood can save THREE lives!

  • Devotional Corner – Vol. 62, No. 19

    From Bob Goff’s “Live In Grace, Walk In Love: A 365-Day Journey”

    “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples,” (Luke 14:33).

    The Bible tells us about an extraordinary practice in ancient Israel called the Year of Jubilee. This came around once every fifty years, and it was a time when all slaves and prisoners were set free and every debt was forgiven. God set it up for the people of Israel because He wanted to communicate in a human way what His mercy was like, and it looked like freedom for everyone no matter their burden or debt.

    Everyone’s debts were different. I bet some were only short fifty dollars and some owed what would be millions. The point of the celebration was to say God’s mercy wipes all our debts clean, whether we’ve blown it in big ways or just failed to show up when it mattered. It’s all the same in God’s economy.

    Each of us starts in a different place when we choose to follow Jesus. The debts we owe reflect the different lives we’ve lived. The cost of discipleship looks different from person to person. Some of us have to give up our need to be the center of attention, and some of us need the courage to find our voices. What feels like a sacrifice to you might come naturally to your neighbor. They’re just facing a different kind of battle.

    Following Jesus costs each of us something different, but mercy looks the same for all of us. It looks like God letting us off the hook for the ways we’ve fallen short and celebration for all of us because Jesus covered the cost.—

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 62, No. 19

    Youth & Family Trip to Eckert’s Millstadt

    Don’t forget to sign up for the Eckert’s trip on October 15! You can sign up you and your family in the Rafters. The trip is from 3:00-10:00 p.m., and the cost is $15/person to cover admission and dinner. See you there!

    2023 Mission Trip Parent Info Meeting – CHANGES

    Sunday, October 16 we will be meeting to discuss our plans for our summer mission trips. This meeting will include information for both the youth trip AND our international trip. We will meet in the Dining Room immediately after the 11:00 a.m. service.

    A Season of Change

    “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19 CSB).

    Change is difficult, even in the life of the church. But we were never promised comfort as Christians. God loves to find ways to challenge us, not because He is unjust and cruel, but because He is strengthening us to continue moving forward. We are going to miss Pastor Zach, Jill, and their kids so much here at Fee Fee, but I know that God has great plans for His church ahead of us! While it is good and healthy to process through the emotions that come with this recent news, I urge you to remain firm in Jesus, because He never changes. Fee Fee will be just fine, in fact, her best days are ahead of her. I can’t wait to see how we as a church body will bond together in this time and continue to build our lives on Jesus, AND pursue the good of our community. We love you church! The work is not done yet, so buckle up!

  • Family Front – Vol. 62, No. 18

    AWANA

    AWANA for our kids is off to a great start. Families were able to help with THRIVE projects during Impact Week. “THRIVE cares about women in our community. Their goal is to have women walking out of the clinic feeling more encouraged and empowered than they did coming in.” If you would like to be part of this group of great AWANA teachers and helpers, talk to Kathy! We need every parent to help us this year by staying the first 10 minutes to work with one child on their memory verses, just listening to them say the verses they are learning each week.  This will help us tremendously in guiding children in learning God’s Word.

    Feed My Starving Children Event

    We have another opportunity to serve as a church at Feed My Starving Children, September 24 at Gateway Christian Church, 9:30-11:45 a.m. (meet there at 9:00 a.m.). Reservations are required. . If you cannot come that day, there are many other 2-hour spots throughout that week. This is a great organization that packs mobile food to send to starving nations. Your efforts in that 2-hour time frame will make a big difference in children’s lives. You can turn hunger into hope with your own hands by packing nutritious meals for hungry children and families around the world. Here is link to help if you are still interested: give.fmsc.org/gateway

    Trunk or Treat

    Put Sunday, October 30 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on your calendar for our annual Trunk or Treat event right here in the church parking lot. Be thinking how you want to decorate your trunk. I’d like everyone to depict a Bible story account with their trunk. We will be collecting candy starting October 1.

    Drama Opportunity for Kids

    This fall we will be producing another kid’s Christmas story video to use in the Christmas production in December. If your child would like to be part of the that, email Kathy: kathy@feefeebc.org.

    Thank you, Church, for your giving and responding to needs! It is a joy to serve with you!

  • College & Outreach – Vol. 62, No. 18

    Thank you for serving Bridgeton during Impact Week! 418 volunteer hours were spent by FFBC making an IMPACT in our community!

    We continued our partnership with the St. Louis Area Food Bank to provide food to families in need through our Mobile Market distribution, and three groups served at the Food Bank itself, boxing food and household essentials to be distributed later. We provided a warm meal for Loaves and Fishes to feed the homeless staying at their shelter. FFBC catered lunch to the Bridgeton Police Department and sent a coffee truck to the Pattonville Early Childhood Center, appreciating those who serve our community. Members also constructed Blessing Bags to give to homeless to provide for their most basic needs. Chi Alpha Students constructed Action Packs with Voice of the Martyrs to provide aide to those in countries hostile to the Gospel. THRIVE held a baby shower, providing necessities to expecting mothers in need. We got out in nature and cleaned up Matthews and Vago Parks, helping to keep our community beautiful. Lifesaving blood was supplied to area hospitals through the Red Cross Blood Drive. Finally, we hosted a food drive for our own Food Pantry to continue serving our neighbors in need.

    Thank you again for your service during Impact Week. We are praying in the weeks to come that this service spread seeds of the Gospel throughout the community, that those seeds would take root, and become a bountiful harvest for the kingdom. Continue praying and pursuing the good of your community with the love of Christ.

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 62, No. 18

    We are back in full swing and have a place for everyone to study God’s Word with other believers. There are classes for everyone on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Gloria will help you get connected if you don’t know where to go!

    Wednesday nights are also in full swing. We have AWANA for our children, small groups for the Youth, Prayer and Bible Study with Pastor Zach in the Dining Room, and a Women’s Bible Study with Gloria in the Fellowship Hall (under the chapel).

    Additionally, we have a Tuesday morning Bible study with Linda Bramstedt at 10:00 a.m. in B4 and a Facebook live Bible Study with Gloria on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. There are also a few small groups and Transformation groups meeting at the church. Contact Gloria (gloria@feefeebc.org) if you want to get connected!