Fee Fee Baptist Church

Category: Forerunner

This category contains everything pertaining to the Forerunner.

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 62, No. 24

    The Big Chill

    The Big Chill is returning on January 13-14, 2023, from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m!! Our annual all-nighter is a night full of fun, and this year will include a worship concert, a trip to The Edge 618, dodgeball, video games, movies, 9 square, gaga ball, open gym time, and all the junk food and soda a teenager could ever want! So, make sure that your student does not miss out on one of our biggest events of the year! This is a perfect event to invite friends too as well. The Big Chill is $15 per person, plus students need to bring a snack and drink to share! We hope to see you all there! Sign up in the Rafters!

    Holiday Schedule

    Just a reminder, there will be no Wednesday Night Small Groups on December 21 & 28 due to the holidays. Likewise, there will be no Bible Study on Sunday, December 25 since we will only be having one service at 11:00 a.m. We hope you enjoy your holiday break and we look forward to seeing you back in January!

  • A Word From Interim Pastor, Derald Harris – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Fee Fee Family,

    I am honored to be one of your Interim Pastors.

    I am enjoying and being inspired by Pastor Matt’s messages on Sunday mornings. My role is more focused on the administrative side of the ministries of the church. I am working with our great staff as they lead in ministering to the community and to our members. I will be leading Bible Study on Wednesday nights. And I am available to assist in ministering to the spiritual needs of our congregation. My time will be somewhat limited until the end of the year when I officially retire from my full-time job at Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.

    It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. For all too many people, this is a season of high stress. We create much of that stress for ourselves by everything we try to do in just a few short weeks.

    During the Christmas season we decide to have more parties in one month than the rest of the year combined. In addition, we say, “let’s write a personal note to every person we’ve ever met in our lives.” If that weren’t enough, we redecorate our houses on the outside and the inside. Then we try to buy a special gift for every person we love. And, as if all of this wasn’t crazy enough, we say, “Let’s let the kids out of school for 2 weeks!”

    It’s crazy what we do to ourselves. No wonder we have stress! Our hectic schedules and the stress they bring often cause us to lose sight of what Christmas is all about.

    The most important thing about Christmas is seeking Christ. Much of the Christmas story is about people seeking Christ – from the lowly shepherds who were told by an angel how to find the baby to wise men who were led by a star.

    But the most important element of the story is not the search for Christ. It is when both the shepherds and the wise men found Jesus. Matthew and Luke tell us that finding Jesus caused the shepherds to glorify and praise God and the wise men to fall on their knees in worship.

    It is my prayer that you enjoy all the activities of Christmas – the various church and school programs, family events, etc. – but that through all of that, you will truly seek Christ. And when you find Him, be sure to share Him with others.

    May you have a blessed Christmas season.

    Pastor Derald Harris

  • Heart of Worship – Vol. 62, No. 23

    With the holidays approaching, a lot of people like to listen to Christmas music. I know when I listen to Christmas music, I can’t help but smile a little bigger! I turn up the volume a few notches. I start singing the words with vigor. Listening to Christmas music really puts me in the “holiday spirit.” I feel the same way when I listen to praise and worship music. Listening to worship music helps me align my thoughts and attitudes with God’s. When I sing the words, I am reminded of His faithful love towards me. When I meditate on the words of the songs, faith rises up in me!

    Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, … I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Our true worship to God is laying down our own ways and adopting His. It is a daily renewing of our mind to the Word of God and allowing His words to change us from the inside out. After our minds are renewed to His Words, the Bible says THEN are we able to “discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.”

    Friends, I challenge you to go deeper in your worship with God. When you listen to praise and worship music, really listen to the words, and let them minister to you. If you have held onto certain truths that do not line up with the Word of God, ask that His Spirit help you discard the lies and hold onto His truth. I challenge you to put on your favorite worship song and practice this today!

  • Prime Time – Vol. 62, No. 23

    By the time you read this, we will be marching quickly toward Christmas, my favorite season of the year.  I love the lights, the decorations, and the generosity of God’s people who are willing to give to those they don’t even know. So, my last expression of gratitude for this season of thanksgiving is that I am thankful for God’s perfect gift of Jesus, our Redeemer.

    We have some unique ways to prepare us for the Christmas holidays. On Thursday, December 1, the bus will leave the church at 5:00 p.m., and we will head to Big Joel’s Safari Winter Wonderland in Wright City. This unique venue has lots of animals and lots of lights. There are firepits to get warm, snacks and S’mores kits, and opportunities to feed the animals. I hope you will join me, bring some kids with you and some adults who still have that childlike wonder! The cost of admission is $8. Eat before you come because we will not be stopping for dinner.

    We will also be going to The Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville on Monday, December 19 at 4:00 p.m.  This display is free, but donations are accepted. They no longer have their buffet, so I have chosen Eckert’s restaurant for dinner in Belleville. We will eat first and then go through the light display. We can only take 28 so get your name on the list if you want to go. Sign up in the Connection Center!

  • Family Front – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Shake Up Your Holiday Tradition…and Give Blood!

    We will have another Blood Drive on Friday, December 2, from12:00-5:00 p.m. in the Gym/FLC. You can go to www.feefeebc.org/blooddrive or go to the Red Cross website (www.redcrossblood.org) and use the Sponsor Code “FeeFeeBaptistBridgeton” to find our event and schedule your donation. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you have any questions about this, please contact Kathy Scott, kathy@feefeebc.org.

    International Mission Study

    December 4 will be our annual International Mission Study for K-5th grade kids 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! The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal for our church this year is $30,000. Consider setting a family goal!

    Parent’s Night Out

    Parents’ Night Out is coming up on Friday, December 9 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Signup sheets are in the Connection Center. Reservations are required and due by December 4! Kids will have a safe and fun place to do their own Christmas shopping in our little store, as well as dinner. We are requesting new items (or very gently used items). Items should be things that kids would want to pick out for their siblings and parents to give them for Christmas. Items can be dropped off in the box in the Welcome Center.

    Volunteers: We will also need adults and students to help with various areas that evening. So, mark your calendars and come talk to Kathy to sign up to help!

    Parents Connect

    Once a month, families with kids are invited to attend our Parents Connect event for potluck and fellowship. Info and signup sheets are in the Connection Center. The kids will be able to have supervised play in the play area, and parents can get to know each other and have some quality grown-up time! The next one is Sunday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m. in the FLC/Play Area.

    2022 Christmas Presentation

    Our children will be featured in our Christmas presentation on December 16 at 7:00 p.m. and December 17 and 18, both at 3:00 p.m. They have done a wonderful job acting out the Christmas story. Thank you, Justin Flack, for editing the video. Don’t miss this wonderful presentation during the Christmas Presentation, Hope is Born, Emmanuel!

  • Announcements – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Sunday Night Connection

    Our next Sunday Night Connection is December 11 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet in the FLC/Gym and will have a Chili Cookoff! Bring a crockpot of your best recipe – mild, medium, or hot! Sign up in the Connection Center to register for the competition! But, if you just want to come and enjoy the night, and just eat a bowl of chili, sign up on a separate signup sheet in the Connection Center so we know how many to expect! We will have crackers, Fritos, hot dogs, and other items to round out the menu. There will be games and firepits on the back parking lot for S’mores, weather permitting. Bring your lawn chair and have a great church multi-generational experience as we connect. Our firepit/cornhole night had an age range from pre-K to senior adults. Put this on your calendar and make connecting with your church a priority!

    Angel Tree

    Did you notice the tree with the handmade ornaments in the Welcome Center? Each ornament represents an individual gift for someone in our church or community who could be blessed by you this Christmas. To participate, take an ornament off the tree, buy the gift listed on it, wrap the gift, attach that ornament tag to the wrapped gift and place your gift under the tree by Sunday, December 18. Gifts will be distributed during the week before Christmas. “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17).

    First Impressions & Bereavement Dinners

    Do you like to smile and greet people with a friendly word? Then you are exactly who we are looking for! Join the First Impressions team as a greeter for Sunday worship services. Contact Kathy Webber to get in the rotation for January: kathyw@feefeebc.org. Or maybe you have a gift for hospitality, we are looking to expand our team who prepares Bereavement meals for church members/families. Food can be made yourself or store-bought. Talk to Kathy Webber (kathyw@feefeebc.org) about this additional opportunity to serve!

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Loretta and Nanette Tipton on the passing of their son and brother, respectively, Gary Tipton, on November 11.

    Mobile Market

    The last Mobile Market of the year will be:

    • December 12

    Anyone is welcome to come get groceries on the second Monday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. (until the food runs out).

    Operation Christmas Child

    Thank you Church! Because of your generosity, we were able to pack 166 Operation Christmas Child boxes for this holiday season! There will be so many children excited to receive the surprises you have picked out for them, making this a bright Christmas for them. Thank you once again for your continued support of missions and your heart for giving.

    Holiday Schedule

    Friday, December 23 — Office & Building open till Noon, by appt only.

    Saturday, December 24 — Christmas Eve (Building closed). Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m. in Worship Center.

    Sunday, December 25 — Christmas Day. Combined Service 11:00 a.m. (No Bible Studies).

    Monday, December 26 — Christmas Day Observed. (Church office & building closed).

    Saturday, December 31— New Year’s Eve (Church office & building closed).

    Sunday, January 1 — New Year’s Day – Regular Services and Bible Studies.

    Monday, January 2 — New Year’s Day Observed – (Church office & building closed).

     

  • Chi Alpha News – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Christmas Luau Party

    Our annual Christmas party is coming up soon, and this year, we are having a luau theme! So, combine your best Christmas attire with your finest luau wear, and come hang out with us for a fun night! This will be our last Wednesday night for 2022 and then we will take a break for the holidays. See you on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Rafters!

    Thank You Church!

    I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who came to our annual Trivia Night Fundraiser to help support our students going to camp and on mission trips next summer! Because of your generosity, we raised over $1,700 for our students! I also want to say a huge thank you to Justin Flack for running and creating the game. I am so thankful to serve in a church that prioritizes missions and loves on students so well. I already can’t wait for next year’s event, and you won’t want to miss it!

    Youth Group will not meet for the following dates due to the holidays:
    • Wednesday, November 23
    • Wednesday, December 21
    • Sunday, December 25
    • Wednesday, December 28

  • Bible Study Corner – Vol. 62, No. 23

    We have just had our first Sunday of Advent. Come to a Bible study and get a fresh look at the Christmas story, the birth of Emmanuel, God with us. There are opportunities for everyone. Let me help you find a place to plug in: gloria@feefeebc.org.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 23

    Greeters Needed

    Once again, we will need greeters for each performance of our Christmas Presentation. Please sign up in the Connection Center if you would be available to help in this capacity.

    We have three opportunities to serve this year:

    • Friday, December 16 – 7:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, December 17 – 3:00 p.m.
    • Sunday, December 18 – 3:00 p.m.

    Those serving would need to arrive 30 minutes before performance time to be in place and receive any last-minute instructions. Thanks in advance to those who will be able to serve.

    Advent is Here!

    Let’s think about a very special carol. Of all the various carols, one of the most popular is O Come All Ye Faithful.  It’s a carol that has stood the test of time. One of the reasons for its popularity is the joyful character of its words and music. “O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.” The music has a joyful triumphant lilt to support the text. The invitation to “come all ye faithful to Bethlehem” places the singer both among the shepherds who rushed to see the Christ child, and in the long procession of the “faithful” that have journeyed to Bethlehem in their hearts for over 2,000 years.

    Christmas is a busy season, and we have a thousand things on our mind and a thousand things to do. Even so, let’s remember to come and adore the Christ who came into the world to bring light to our darkness – and joy and life eternal. Listen to this beautiful rendition of O Come, All Ye Faithful: http://bit.ly/3V7HeGQ

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 22

    Playlist with a Thanksgiving Theme – I hope you enjoy listening to these pieces. Some are old; some are new; and some are old with a new spin, but ALL are beautiful and interesting.

    1. Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood –  Charity Gayle

    2. How Great Thou Art – The Tenors

    3. King of Kings – Hillsong Worship

    4. Amazing Grace – Scottish Bagpipers with symphony orchestra

    5. God So Loved – We the Kingdom

    6. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Wes Hampton

    7. Goodness of God – CeCe Winans

    8. All Creatures of Our God and King – Mormon Tabernacle Choir

    9. 10,000 Reasons – Gaither Vocal Band

    10. My Tribute (To God Be The Glory) – Andrae Crouch

    Listen to this Thanksgiving playlist on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/3G3jSOv