There is a place for everyone in Bible Study. If you want to get connected and involved, contact Gloria and she will walk you through everything that is available. There is something most days of the week for all ages.
Category: Forerunner
This category contains everything pertaining to the Forerunner.
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Prime Time – Vol. 62, No. 20
On Friday, October 28, we will be visiting the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank with lunch following at Crown Candy! The Economy Museum takes you on a hands-on journey through interactive exhibits, games and videos. You will learn about everything about inflation to the global economy. You even get to go home with a bag full of shredded money. You can try to use this to pay for your lunch at Crown Candy. Good luck!
On Thursday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m., you are invited to a FREE McAllister’s boxed lunch and a presentation on Senior Planning. You will be given information on everything from setting up power of attorney, deciding on advanced health directives, and estate planning. There will be a presentation, a time for questions, and some planning documents distributed. This is never a topic that we enjoy but it only makes sense to prepare in advance for our future. I hope you will plan to attend.
Mark down these dates for our two Christmas events: Thursday, December 1 at
Big Joel’s safari (bring your grandkids); and a trip to see the lighted display at Our Lady of the Snows on Monday, December 19. Get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus! -
Heart of Worship – Vol. 62, No. 20
Hi Church! My name is Melissa Eberts, and I’m the worship leader in the 11:00 a.m. service on Sundays. In this new column called, “Heart of Worship,” I will talk about how we can grow our relationship with God through worship. An act of worship can mean many things, and for this issue let’s look at our posture toward God. Psalm 139:1-3 says, “Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do.” Our Creator, the One who made us, knows everything about us! He not only knows us, but He loves us and wants a relationship with us!
I challenge you to think about this question today: In light of knowing how He feels about me, how do I respond to Him? What is my posture towards Him? In our heart of worship towards our Father, is our posture towards Him? Are we willing to be vulnerable to the One who already knows everything about us already? Are we willing to give of our time, money, praise and ultimately our lives? Let’s go where He wants us to go, give what He wants us to give, and be who He’s called us to be!
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Announcements – Vol. 62, No. 20
Office Schedule Change
Starting Friday, October 21, the church office will be open by appointment only on Fridays. There will be a minister on-call and the office phones will be answered remotely by a staff member. New office hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you need to make an appointment with a minister on Friday, outside of regular office hours, please call the church office at (314) 739-1525, and a minister will be in touch with you to arrange a meeting.
Coming Soon
Sunday Night Connection! Stay Tuned for more information.
Mobile Market
Our upcoming 2022 dates will be:
- November 21 (note: this is a date change)
- 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).
Wednesday Night Dinner
Don’t forget to sign up in the Connection Center for the next Wednesday Night Dinner on November 16 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. This will be a Thanksgiving dinner to share with your church family made up of a yummy spread filled with all of your favorite holiday fixings. You don’t want to miss it! The deadline to sign up is November 6.
Sympathy
Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to
…Lyle Downs on the passing of his wife, Shirley Downs, on October 1.
…Family and friends on the passing of Edna Townsend on October 5.
…Family and friends on the passing of Rozella Payne on October 8.
“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted,” —Jesus.
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Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 20
Christmas Production Needs
We still would like more angels in our “Heavenly Host” for our Christmas production. Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m. in Room B3. Angel participants do not to be regular attendees of Fee Fee. We welcome those from other churches and any from our community. Also we would like a few participants who will not have spoken lines, but would appear briefly near the end of the pageant. Sign up in the Connection Center if interested.
Prayer… A Subject for Many Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs
A lot of music (Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs) for Christian use has been written as actual prayers. The following is a playlist of examples from each category.
Psalms
- Psalm 5 by Maranatha Singers (inspired by Psalm 5)
- Psalm 4 (When I Call) by Melissa Breems (inspired by Psalm 4:1)
- Psalm 139:23-24 Song “Lead Me in the Way Everlasting” by Esther Mui
Hymns
- Have Thine Own Way, Lord by Fountainview Academy – This hymn was written by Adelaide Pollard in response to having been unsuccessful in raising funds to make a trip to Africa for missionary service.
- I Must Tell Jesus by Mom Winans (Gaither Music) – This hymn was written by Elisha Hoffman, a preacher who used these simple words to encourage a distraught lady.
Spiritual Songs
- Battle Belongs by Paul Wickham – This song was inspired by 2 Chronicles 20. The people of God stood firm and sent men singing worship songs at the head of their army. As they gave thanks to the Lord for His enduring love, their enemies began fighting each other.
- God So Loved – by We the Kingdom – The music highlights different countries and cultures united by the love of Christ. The text simply expands on the familiar verse, John 3:16.
- Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher – Jesus desires to meet you everyday. He is ready to meet you whenever and wherever you can step back and say “Lord, I need You.”
You can listen to all of these prayers, plus a BONUS prayer song called Cleanse Me, using this link: https://bit.ly/3Ti22uh
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College & Outreach – Vol. 62, No. 19
Pray for Our Local College Students
The school year is back in full swing! Each new fall means new college students at our local universities and new opportunities for young adults to come to saving faith in King Jesus. Please pray for our St. Louis area colleges. Missouri Baptist University and Lindenwood University both are seeing the Spirit move through their students; pray that He would continue His work! Be praying for laborers to go out to our colleges, for the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few (Matt. 9:37-38).
Impact Week Recap
The final tally for Impact Week is in — 492.5 hours! 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.
Finally, I want to encourage you as you may feel weary, turn to your Savior. Matthew 11:25-30 reminds us that Jesus Christ oversees all things and will give us rest. As you work this week, remember that your work is done primarily to glorify God. Secondarily, your work is designed to proclaim who God is and encourage others to seek after God themselves. Provision for your family is not the primary reason we should be working! Our reason for being, our life’s purpose as believers, is to glorify God through our work. If there is breath in your lungs, the Lord asks that you work for Him, and He will provide your rest. So work, brothers, and sisters; work for the Lord and not for men.
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Bible Study Corner – Vol. 62, No. 19
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 full steam ahead! We have AWANA for our children, small groups for the youth, Prayer and Bible study in the Dining Room, and a women’s Bible study with Gloria in the Fellowship Hall (under the chapel).
Other opportunities available are, Tuesday morning Bible Study with Linda Bramstedt at 10:00 a.m. in B4; Facebook Live Bible Study with Gloria on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. There are also a few small groups meeting at the church and Transformation groups. Contact Gloria if you want to get connected!
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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).
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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!
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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