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. 60, No. 19

    Pack a lunch and join us at Hellebusch Park on Thursday, October 1, for lunch and games. Bring your favorite game. I promise a beautiful day, in a beautiful setting with good friends and good times.

    We will gather at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. Bring a friend or two that needs to get out of the house. We can wear masks and practice social distancing.

    Hellebusch Park is a Bridgeton park just down the street from church off of Fee Fee Road at 11408 Oak Ave.  If you don’t want to play games, there is a small lake for fishing, and a walking path around the park. Hope to see you there!

    I hope you are all well. If you need anything at all, please feel free to contact me by email, gloria@feefeebc.org or text (314) 604-6071. You can also call but please leave a message if I don’t answer. If I can’t do or get you what you need, I will find someone who can. Praying for you all as we navigate these uncharted waters. God is still on His throne and blessing us beyond measure. Look for His movement in your life. Reach out to each other and encourage each other. You are the church and God has called you to be His servants. How can you serve others today?

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 18

    By the time you read this addition of the Forerunner, we will know whether or not my experiment of getting you together for fellowship and a movie at the church has been a great success or a total flop. Judging by the number of you who have contacted me to let me know you are coming; I’m going with the latter.

    During one of our recent prayer times, I talked to you about having real joy in all circumstances based on James 1:2-4. I would like to continue helping us think through how to accomplish this joy by quoting John North’s devotional which is based on one of our favorite verses, Romans 8:28. He writes:

    “God is using every circumstance in our lives to shape us and use us for His purpose! It can be hard to accept the idea of God using ‘all things’ in this way. We know that God uses His word to renew our minds and transform us. We can accept that God uses our fellowship with other believers in this way. His blessings in our lives assure us of His loving care for us. However, there are still those times, when we say to ourselves, ‘but, does God really mean we can find joy in all things’?

    Yes! … He does!

    Now, this doesn’t mean that God is pleased with all things. God does grieve when we bear the brunt of someone else’s sin. He is angry when a drunk driver slams into the car of someone we love. Our God knows, from His own experience on the cross, what the physical and emotional pain we experience feels like. God loves us through all of our experiences. He grieves and groans along with us.

    We know that God is on His throne. He reigns over all things and overrules evil. He has a purpose and He is able to use the fallen, the evil, and even the senseless things to accomplish His good purpose in the world and in our lives.  This means that we can embrace any circumstance we find ourselves in, whether good or bad, as God’s opportunity for us to grow and minister in His name to others!”

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 17

    Well, here we go! It’s time to try a socially distanced Prime Time event! On Wednesday, September 9 at 11:30 a.m., we will be having a Chick-Fil-A box lunch and watch the newly released movie, Doctor Doolittle in the Dining Room. Lunch will be $8 and the movie is free. You must let me know you are coming by noon on Tuesday, September 8 so that I can order the correct number of lunches. You can contact me by email at gloria@feefeebc.org or text (314) 604-6071. If neither of these methods don’t work for you, call the church office!

    I’m hoping you all are participating in our Who’s Your One initiative! Make sure you remember to pray daily for your person (or persons) you have identified and build a relationship so that when the opportunity comes, you can share the love of Jesus with them. Our job is to sow the seed as we follow the Great Commission – not the great suggestion!

     

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 16

    Adult VBS

    I’m so glad some of you came to join me for Adult VBS. What a rich new perspective we now have of Jesus. We had a great study and some awesome fellowship. We even went out to lunch together a few days.

    Upcoming Activities

    Speaking of going out to lunch, I am going to start offering some activities. Transportation will not be provided but we can drive ourselves and/or carpool. I know that many of you will not feel safe yet in joining in activities but for those of you who are, stay tuned for some opportunities. We might start with an in-house movie or games in the Dining Room and venture out from there.

    Impact Week

    As I am writing this, we are in the middle of Impact Week. Many of you have volunteered to serve at the St. Louis Area Foodbank or will having a table at the Free Market. Many of you have given money for the purchase of school supplies. Whatever you have been willing to do, it is much appreciated. Jesus expects us to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, visit the sick and isolated. We bring glory to His name when we are obedient to what we know He expects us to do.

    In Matthew 25:35-36, when Jesus tells the sheep that we fed and clothed and visited Him and the people respond, when did we do these things, His response is in vs 40: “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.’”

    Thanks for doing what you can! It is appreciated and seen by the One who has called you to this life.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 15

    I trust you guys are taking good care of one another during this time of quarantine and/or social distancing if you are getting out. I know there are those among the seniors who have not ventured out of their homes since March and others of you are having limited exposure, possibly with family, or the grocery store, and church. At this time, we become painfully aware that we were made for connection with God and with one another and are missing these connections.

    While we truly have more time to spend with the LORD, are we taking care to connect with others? The verse of the day on the Bible App comes from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 CSB, and reads:

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

    Who are you comforting? I ask you to please get outside of your usual social circle and take the time to call someone who is homebound. Yes, a card or letter is good but even better is hearing another’s voice and the genuine care shown when you take the time to listen. Who can you call today? Please make this a priority.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 14

    Adult VBS

    I am so excited that we finally have something on the schedule! Adult VBS will take place from Monday, July 27 – Thursday, July 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We are, of course, still taking safety precautions. We will meet in the dining room and sit at the round tables where it is easy to socially distance. I will be using the podium and microphone so you can hear it loud and clear. Ronna and friends will provide us with music. She has selected some old and familiar hymns, so hymnals won’t be necessary. Since masks are required in public places, you are encouraged to wear a mask. Snacks will be provided but they will be individually wrapped pastries and bottled/canned drinks. You can bring your own coffee, if you choose. Bring your own Bible and join in the fun! The main parking lot will be in use due to the Mobile Market on Monday, so please park on the side by the Children’s Home and enter through the handicap door. The rest of the week, the main parking lot is fine to use. Adults of any age are welcome!

    Impact Week

    It is so important for the church to continue to be missional. Impact Week will be  the first week of August. One of the ways you can help is with our Free Market on Saturday, August 8. I know we have all had ample opportunity to purge our homes of items we no longer need including clothes, furniture, kitchen items, etc.  If you have not participated in blessing our community before by giving away these items for free, this would be a great year to start!

    We will hand out school supplies again to students in our community during the Free Market. If you are out shopping, pick up a backpack and fill it with school supplies, then drop them off at the church. If you don’t get out to shop, monetary donations are gladly welcome – simply designate some money by check or online giving for “School Supplies.” Schools will be reopening August 24, so we hope to be able to help our community in a big way.

    Free Market

    The Free Market will take place on the church parking lot Saturday, August 8 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  We will be giving away items that you have been setting aside after decluttering your home. It is my hope that many of you will participate to aid our community as you have done in the past. You will have a table on which to place clothing, furnishings, kitchen items, baby items, etc. Please let the church know if you plan to participate.

    We will also be handing out backpacks loaded with school supplies. We need both backpacks and school supply items. These can be dropped by the church at your convenience as we will put these supplies into the backpacks.

    Needed School Supplies: backpacks, notebook paper (wide ruled), #2 pencils, erasable markers, colored pencils, 2-pocket folders, ink pens, Kleenex, crayons, Elmer’s school glue, washable markers, spiral notebooks, quart and gallon Ziploc bags, pencil pouches, composition notebooks, and Clorox wipes.

    Praying for You

    I have been praying for all my senior friends. These are unusual times. While I have seen some of you from a distance in church, I am still missing that connection. If you need anything or have a prayer request, please let me know. You can reach me by email at Gloria@feefeebc.org or text/call (314) 604-6071.  While “this too will pass” is not scriptural, it is my hope for each of us.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 13

    These are exciting words – “Mark your calendars!” for Adult Vacation Bible School! We will meet July 27-30 (Monday through Thursday) from 9:00 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. in the Dining Room. We will be sitting at the round tables and social distancing. I’m hoping you will attend but completely understand if you do not yet feel comfortable. I have absolutely no idea what I will be teaching but am open to suggestions. I was thinking it is about time for an Old Testament book. Please email gloria@feefeebc.org or text me with any ideas!

    I hope you are still reading with us from the Gospel of John. As I read chapter 16 today, Jesus was telling His disciples that He was about to leave them, but He was going to send the Holy Spirit who would always be with them. I love the fact that we are never ever alone. The Spirit of the Living God is in us – encouraging us, empowering us, and leading us.

    My friend Laura Jo Jones shared a video with me yesterday about shoulder taps. A man was having dinner with his wife, and while looking around the restaurant, he noticed an elderly lady all dressed up who was soon joined by her family. As he sat there, he felt the Spirit tell him to tell her how nice she looked. He thought this was strange but the impression would not go away. After he paid his bill, he went up to the lady, squatted in front of her and said, I just wanted to tell you how lovely you look. To his surprise, she looked him in the eyes and responded, “I know who you are.” He assured her that they had not met before, but she replied, “my husband died a year ago and that is something he would have said to me. Thank you!”

    We need to respond when the Spirit taps us on the shoulder. Even though it might seem silly or uncomfortable, respond in love and obedience. God can use us at just the right moment to bless others and ourselves when we are listening to His Spirit.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 12

    I’m always amazed at how God’s timing is so perfect. I’m not sure why I haven’t fully come to expect this at all times but it still often surprises me.

    At this writing, I had just read Chapter 2 of John, and was also preparing the Women of the Word’s Bible Study for the upcoming weekly Zoom meeting. I kept coming back to John 2! In this chapter, John records Jesus’ first miracle – turning water into wine. John, as you know, records seven signs to show us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Water to wine is the first sign. This miracle/sign is recorded only in the Gospel of John as is the raising of Lazarus from the dead!

    Coincidently, the women are studying “The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi,” which takes us on a tour of places in the Holy Land where Jesus walked and helps us understand things from a Jewish perspective instead of our tendency to Westernize scripture. We started last week in Bethlehem and this week went to look at Nazareth for Jesus’ life. This was before He started His public ministry and His first miracle, when He was still hanging out with mom and the family and His first five disciples.

    To explain the importance of having a Jewish perspective on Scripture, Rabbi Jason, a Messianic Jew, helped us understand the mistranslation of Jesus and His earthly father’s occupation. The Greek word “tekton” means builder. Translators of the KJV writing in England where trees are in abundance determined the occupation to be a carpenter but the Rabbi explains that Jesus was most likely a stone mason explaining that the only trees in Nazareth were sycamore fig, balsam, and olive trees.  When you think about this, it explains why Jesus uses analogies about cornerstones and tells us that upon this rock, I will build my church.

    But, as usual, I digress. Moses first sign to the Egyptians was transforming the Nile into blood bringing death.  Deuteronomy 18:18 promises a prophet greater than Moses and that points us to Jesus, who is above all. It is not surprising then that Jesus’ first sign was to turn water to wine – a sign of life! While water is necessary for life, wine is a picture of God’s super abundant grace. Throughout Scripture, wine is symbolic of God’s grace and our joy as a result. Wine is one of the primary signs of the abundant blessings we have through the transformation that comes in our life because Jesus came to redeem us. It was time to celebrate. Are you experiencing the abundant life of being in His kingdom here and now? If not, ask Him to transform your life to one of abundance as you submit to Him.

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 11

    Regathering Plans and Trusting God

    If all goes as planned, you should be reading this right before June 7, the date we will be regathering as a church.  Some of you will be joining us in person and others will continue attending online. Whatever your choice, it will be a very good day!

    For all of us, this season we have been passing through has been a time to check to see if our professed belief aligns with our actual belief, a time to check your heart’s deepest loyalties.

    We have had to ask ourselves the question of whether we really trust God in all things. We all have moments of doubt and anxiety, (and maybe even weird dreams about singing Aladdin songs and diving off the stage into the third row in our house shoes), but God is here to help us in our unbelief if we cry out to Him. As we pray and read His word, our faith will be strengthened.

    Some of us have found that a portion of our trust came from material goods and relationships with others.  Nonetheless, during this time, He has shown us that we can totally depend on Him as He has faithfully drawn us back to see His supremacy and sufficiency in all things.

    Rely on this promise in Romans 8:28, “For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” God has an incredibly amazing plan for our lives and in the worst of times, He will work things together for good. Maybe that good has been a renewed and stronger relationship with Him, an opportunity to talk to your neighbors where you had been too busy before, or even opportunities to bless those around you.

    We can count on God to keep His promises, but this promise has a condition. He requires us to love Him with our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Are you keeping your part of the promise?

  • Prime Time – Vol. 60, No. 10

    By the time you read this, we will be in Phase 1 of reopening St. Louis County. Some of you will be cautiously peeping out your door and others will be bursting forth as if you have just been released from prison. However, you choose to approach this new season, remember to love and respect those who might have a different approach from yours. We will once again be walking through uncharted territory and will need to act in agape love to others, the kind of love that puts the needs and well-being of others before ours.

    One thing is certain, through all this, God has been faithful to His church. He has allowed us to minister to many in our community and to those within the church. Your generosity in sharing from your resources has made it possible to meet the needs of others.

    Today is my day at the office (Tuesday). Vance showed me how to access the door camera at the end of March. By April 1, I could neither use nor find that camera. If the doorbell rings, and I am the only one here, my non-technological response is to walk down the hall and see who is at the door.

    When it rang about an hour ago, there was a man about 50 years old on a bicycle. I went to the door to see what he needed. His name was George and he was from Texas. He and his wife’s van broke down and they are living at the Motel 6 on Dorsett. His son has mailed them their stimulus check, but it hasn’t arrived here yet. He has been trying to find odd jobs to pay for their motel until they get their checks and can get back to Texas. He needed $7 to be able to pay for his room tonight and asked if we had any chili for their dinner.  I gave him some microwavable food, breakfast bars, $7 and prayed with him. He thanked Jesus for providing.

    There are more “Georges” all around you. While I have been typing this article, I had a phone call from a woman asking for info about our Mobile Market on May 18. God is using His church to help those in need. Keep your eyes open. Look for opportunities to help. Some needs are physical, some emotional, and some spiritual. Let Jesus use you!

    Hope to see you in person soon!