Category: Liz Bishop, Fee Fee Kids’ Director

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.”

We are praying each of you are well and experiencing the goodness of God even during this pandemic. Many of us are finding ourselves with more time on our hands. How are you using that time? Are you spending more time in prayer, reading God’s Word, connecting to others through social media or a good, old-fashioned phone call? I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit guide you by listening to that still small voice as He suggests how you might minister to others during these uncertain times.

I hope you are following along in our reading plan through the book of Acts. As I was writing this it was the second day of the plan, and therefore Chapter 2. Jesus has ascended into heaven in Chapter 1 and in Chapter 2, the Holy Spirit was sent. On that day alone, 3,000 repented and believed and were added to the church. And so, the church began, and the last verses of the chapter give a small glimpse into the early church in action. They practiced unity and generous giving, sharing with those who were in need. They shared the gospel, met together to worship, to partake of the Lord’s Supper, and served the Lord with gladness.

Nothing has changed. We can still do these very same things even though we must do some of them virtually.  We are still the church. Ask God to show you ways to be His hands and feet during this pandemic. This just might be the revival we have been praying for – both in our own hearts as we spend more time with Him and learn to trust Him more – and in the hearts of those who will come to Him through our sharing of the Gospel and showing them His love.

Finally, if you have a need or know of someone who has a need, please notify me at gloria@feefeebc.org or contact the church office and we will help however we can.

Having trouble figuring out what day of the week it is? Me too. I used to mark time by church on Sunday, office hours on Tuesday and Thursday, and Bible Study on Wednesday night. I did not have trouble remembering what day of the week it was. Not true anymore!

It’s hard to imagine that we have just been social distancing, followed by sheltering in place, for merely a few weeks. Life as we knew it has changed radically and I believe, when this is over, it will never be the same.

But the good news is, even in these uncertain times, God is actively working in our lives, refining our character, and making us more like Jesus. He is helping to clarify what is really important to us and what is of true value. I hope you are allowing God to lead you into an even more intimate relationship as you learn to trust Him in all circumstances. Life has no surprises for the Father. He knew you would be living on this day and in this unclear time.

After all, we were made for God’s pleasure and to give Him glory before we were even born! The psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV), “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Let’s praise Him that He knows us and loves us unconditionally. Let’s thank Him for what He is teaching us as we have extended time with Him. Let’s serve Him by loving and serving others and listening as the Spirit leads us in how we can show this love.

I am praying for you all. If you need anything, or just need to talk, you can reach me at (314) 604-6071 or gloria@feefeebc.org.

Don’t forget to be thankful in all things, rejoice evermore and pray without ceasing. If we trust Him, He will give us His perfect peace. Be a peace maker by sharing Jesus today. The world needs our hope!

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.

Don’t forget to sign up at the Info Center for the Churchill Museum trip on Thursday, March 26. The bus will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. We will have lunch at Bek’s, a local favorite.  Admission for the guided tour is $9 and there is a $5 charge for your transportation to and from Fulton, MO. Hope you can join us and bring a friend!

When was the last time you saw a butterfly up close and personal or rode a carousel? If it’s been too long, or never, then now is the perfect time! We will leave at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9 for the Butterfly House at Faust Park.  Admission is $5; it is $2 to ride the historic carousel, for anyone who desires. The St. Louis Carousel is an original 1920s carousel installed at the St. Louis Highlands Amusement Park in 1929. After a fire in 1963 destroyed the park, the carousel was moved to Sylvan Springs Park and operated there until 1979. The St. Louis County Historic Buildings Commission and the Faust Park Foundation raised funds to restore the carousel and bring it to Faust Park. This is a chance to relive your childhood, as I’m sure some of us rode this exact carousel at the Highlands! We will have lunch afterwards at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Chesterfield. Invite your neighbors and friends!

Please sign up for the trip to Casey, IL by April 1; we will then be able to determine a cost per person. This is an overnight trip to see Casey’s attempts to earn themselves a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the biggest…fill in the blank. It will be a fun and leisurely trip and beautiful weather has been ordered!

As always, sign up sheets are at the Info Center, near the Media Center.