Fee Fee Baptist Church

Category: Kathy Scott, Senior Adults & Care Ministry Director

All of Gloria Fox’s Forerunner articles for Prime Time.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 61, No. 4

    Aren’t you thankful for a nice warm house and a schedule that allows you to stay home, drink hot chocolate, and read books when we have a snow day? I know I am.

    I’m also thankful that spring is on its way and with the prospect of many of us having had our vaccine shots soon, I feel like we can start planning some adventures. I will be meeting with the senior council in the next few weeks to plan some outings. We will wear our masks, social distance, and enjoy some fellowship.

    If you have a suggestion for an outing, please feel free to email, text, or call with your idea.

    Are you keeping up with your Grounded reading plan? It’s challenging, isn’t it? I find myself digging in a little deeper than I have time for and getting behind. I am thankful for the time to catch up on the weekends.

    Hang in there, hope is on the horizon!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 61, No. 3

    It’s February already, and Phil saw his shadow, so we are going to have 6 more weeks of winter. I hate to tell Phil this, but God already promised us seasons.

    In Genesis 8:22, God tells us that “as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will never cease.”

    So, what season of life are you in? Are you in a season of thanks since God has slowed us down enough that we can see His handiwork in nature, in our families, and in ourselves?

    Today is a bright, sunny cold day. Have you thanked the LORD for the sunshine? For a warm home? For the warmth of love from family and friends? Or are you grumbling about the cold, about having to cook one more meal at home, about having to stay at home?

    Again, the Bible says in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

    I would like to challenge you to embrace this season without grumbling by ending each day with a list of ten good things that happened – and don’t repeat any of them in your list the next day. God makes all things new each day. How has He blessed you today?

  • Prime Time – Vol. 61, No. 2

    I don’t know about you, but I am really enjoying reading through the New Testament with the church. Sometimes I need the time to catch up on the weekend, and I am glad that time is built into our schedule for that. I also love that the Bible App, You Version, will read it aloud to me when I’m on the go. I can listen to it in my car, or when I wake up in the morning or before I go to sleep at night. No excuses, right?

    Today is Tuesday, January 19, and our reading was out of Mark 7-9.  In chapter 6, Jesus fed 5,000 men. In chapter 8, he fed 4,000. In that very same chapter, the disciples were concerned because they had only brought one loaf of bread. Really?

    It’s easy to be hard on the disciples but I see too much of myself in these guys. I’m not really sure how many times I read these accounts before I figured out that Jesus fed a whole bunch of people two times instead of just once. The 5,000 were Jews and the 4,000 were Gentiles. I just blended the accounts together and failed to see the fact that Jesus came for all people, that the 12 baskets of leftovers symbolized the 12 tribes of Israel and the 7 baskets represented the complete number of all nations.

    Scripture is amazing and God will show us something new every time we look at it if we ask Him. I hope you are sharing with your family what God is showing you each day. If you would like to talk with others about it, you can still join a virtual transformation group by contacting me or Pastor Zach.

    I am so ready for us to be able to get together and have some fun again. I am excited about the start of vaccinations and look forward to the day in the near future when we can start enjoying activities and trips. Hope to see you soon!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 61, No. 1

    On a recent Live Prayer time, I was encouraged by the number of you who had accepted the challenge of reading through the New Testament in 90 days together. It is exciting and encouraging to think that God can transform us through the power of His Word.

    I’m sure there will be days when we get behind. Saturdays and Sundays are a great day to catch up since there are no assigned readings on the weekends. If you are like me, some days are just busy. I just finished reading Matthew 5-7 and it is 10:38. That is p.m. – not a.m. As I finished today’s passage, I was struck by what it must have been like to hear Jesus teach the radical concepts He taught His disciples in the sermon in the mount. Yes, I just said the disciples. I think we often think He was teaching a crowd but reread 5:1. He started with just His disciples who He was preparing for the days and mission ahead. It quickly becomes obvious that God’s way of living usually contradicts the worlds. I’m sure by the end of chapter 7, great crowds had gathered to hear the radical way of living that God expects of His followers as He said, “You have heard it said, but I say to you.” Imagine their surprise when He concluded by commanding them to be perfect!

    If you would like to talk with others in the church who are reading through the New Testament, please consider joining a Transformation Group. You can join at any time. A different person will be the leader each weekday and will share their take on the Scripture reading for that day. Others in the group can then comment or just give it a thumbs up. All you need is a smart phone or tablet and the Marco Polo app. Let me know if you are interested.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 25

    Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! As we quickly approach the new year, I want to encourage you to join me in a challenge. Beginning January 4, the entire church family will begin reading the entire New Testament by reading about three chapters a day using the Grounded reading plan. You can find this plan online but if you do not have a computer or a smart phone, we will have copies available in the Welcome Center.

    Our emphasis for 2021 is on discipleship and there is no better way to become more grounded than engaging with Scripture five times per week.

    I am personally challenging each one of you to sign up for our Marco Polo groups, which is a virtual mini discussion group, that will talk about what you read in Scripture Monday through Friday. All you need to do a Marco Polo group is a smart phone. I know that many of you have already stopped reading because you think this is too hard. Please take a minute to talk to a staff member or a deacon, like Bob Foster or Bob Nowlin, about their experience with Marco Polo.  I think they can convince you otherwise. All you have to do is download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and we will give you instructions of what to do next.

    Consider stretching yourself this year and become a faithful disciple of Jesus!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. It promises fun times with friends and family and the joy that comes from watching the excitement of children. It stirs up memories of long ago when all my cousins and I would load onto a wagon pulled by grandpa’s tractor and ride down the road to spot that perfect cedar tree to chop down. We would then return to the warmth of the wood stove, make construction paper chains, string popcorn and sing Christmas carols accompanied by grandpa’s fiddle and my uncle’s guitar. Even writing that makes me realize that we might be once again living in those simpler times.

    This year, for most of us, Christmas will be a little different. Extended families will probably not be gathering.  People will not be flying or driving across the country to celebrate together. For me personally, this is the first year that I don’t have a place of my own to entertain and decorate as I am living with my daughter and her family until my house is completed. I now live with an Elf on the Shelf who is quarantined in a plastic bag after having come here from the North Pole.

    But some things never change. I always share an Axel nativity story in the Forerunner. He has loved playing with the characters and animals since he was a toddler. He is 6 now. The kids did not have a nativity scene, so I got a small one from Amazon. The characters are tiny and fit well into the back of a toy truck and the kings have been seen driving cars and even doing a little racing. I guess they can get away with it because of their kingly status.

    Last weekend, Hermione the sheep, Stanley the donkey, and Max the cow, (the names were Izabella’s contribution), were riding in the back of a pickup truck. I asked Axel where they were going, and he told me they had to get a gift for baby Jesus since the kings had shown up with gold and a ham. I asked what they were going to get for the baby and where they were going to shop. He said they were going to Sam’s because they had nicer blankets than Jesus was born with. He said baby Jesus needed something better than just some old rags.

    His insights always make me think about the Christmas story in a new light. This year it made me realize that the only gift we have that is good enough to give to Jesus is ourselves. Scripture says that our righteousness is as filthy rags and without faith; that is absolutely all we have to offer! The good news is if you have experienced the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus, you are now clothed in His righteousness and the only thing He wants from you is your love, devotion, service to others and obedience.  Are you willing to give up what you want and expect to wholeheartedly give yourself to Jesus?

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 23

    I am hoping to see some of you on Sunday, December 6, at 2:00 p.m. on Main Street in St. Charles. We will gather in front of the first capital building which is the current Visitor Center. Main Street will host Santas from all countries, carolers, and all the flavors and smells of Christmas. Hopefully, we can drink some hot chocolate and have a cookie. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather since we will be outside, and don’t forget to wear a mask!

    While it is fun to celebrate Christmas with traditions, it is also a great time to reflect on the real first Christmas. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophecy said, and God had to orchestrate a way for Mary and Joseph, from Nazareth, to end up in Bethlehem just as she was about to give birth. God is a planner, so He used a census to require each man to return to his own town.

    It just so happens that Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem, located about 6 miles from Jerusalem, was where the sacrificial lambs for the Temple in Jerusalem were kept. Each lamb used for sacrifice had to be without spot or blemish. To protect the newborn lambs from injury, they were swaddled in cloths and kept in a cave. Again, it was no accident that there was no room at the inn. Instead, Jesus, like the other sacrificial lambs, was born in a cave and swaddled in cloths.

    It’s no wonder that John the Baptist declared when he saw Jesus, “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” I hope that during the month of December, you will focus on the real meaning of Christmas and celebrate the lamb of God who took away your sin with His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave to be our Savior.

    Angel Tree

    Recognizing that some of you might not be able to select an ornament from the Angel Tree this year because you are viewing our services virtually, we wanted to make sure that you still had an opportunity to participate in buying gifts for families this Christmas.

    If you would like to participate, you can email (gloria@feefeebc.org) or call (314) 604-6071, and I will provide you with a gift to buy someone. If you want to participate but don’t feel comfortable going out shopping for the gift, just contact me and I will provide you with a personal shopper to purchase and wrap the gift for you.

    All gifts should be wrapped and the ornament that contained the gift suggestion should be reattached and returned to the church by Sunday, December 20.

    Ministry Need – Christmas Edition

    We are looking for a few people to be personal shoppers for those who would like to purchase a gift(s) for the Angel Tree but don’t want to go out shopping. If you are willing to help with this ministry, please contact Gloria@feefeebc.org or (314) 604-6071.

    Coats for Kids

    If you or someone you know needs a new winter coat, please contact Gloria@feefeebc.org. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can give or mail a check to Steve in the church office.

    A big thank you to Mary and the late Jim Zirbas for their generous support of this ministry over the years.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 20

    Seasons

    Today is another beautiful fall day. Fall truly is my favorite season. The cool breezes, the rustle of leaves as they fall from trees, the beautiful bright fall colors. God is making all this beauty for us to enjoy. Did you wake up this morning thanking Him for His sovereignty in creation and His perfect plan for our salvation?

    Speaking of seasons of life, how are you doing during this unusual season of 2020? Are you still praising and thanking Him for each day? Are you seeing His hands of love seeking you out each day and protecting you? Are you reaching out to others? Are you helping them get through this season with acts of love and prayer?

    Finally, are you praising and thanking Him for the season of life you are in right now or do you long for the days when you were younger, perhaps pain free and able to do whatever you wanted?

    Whatever season we are in – whether it be fall, 2020, or being a senior adult – God still wants us to praise and thank Him in all things and He wants to use us to bring glory to His name. What is He calling you to do today and how will you respond?

    Loaves and Fishes

    We are in need of an individual or group to take and prepare a meal for Loaves and Fishes. Would you be able to meet this need? This ministry happens each month on the third Tuesday. Contact Gloria or Andrew if you are willing to help out!