Fee Fee Baptist Church

Tag: Singing Tree

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 24

    New Keyboard

    We acknowledge the wonderful new keyboard purchased with generous funds given in memory of Marci Gholami. This instrument will greatly enhance our worship music. It features flexibility to customize sounds, action, and depth of tone second to none. We are very grateful for this generous gift commemorating the memory of Marci.

    Save the Date

    Holiday calendars fill up these days with all kinds of celebrations. Be sure to include our Christmas presentations here at Fee Fee in your date book.  We will present NOEL: Night of Everlasting Love on Saturday, December 18 and again on Sunday, December 19, both at 3:00p.m. Both performances will present the traditional story of the Nativity with beautiful Christmas classics and pageantry. Invite your friends and neighbors to hear the Gospel story.

    Another opportunity to celebrate Jesus this season, is at our special 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, filled with traditional music and the Gospel story.

    Greeters and Ushers Needed

    We will need greeters and ushers for the Christmas presentations on December 18 and 19. This is a wonderful opportunity to greet our guests with a smile and hearty welcome! Greeters and ushers would need to be available by at least 2:30 p.m. Please contact tara@feefeebc.org if you are available to help.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 23

    Save the Dates (at least one of them!)

    Our Christmas program, Noel (Night of Everlasting Love) will be presented on Saturday, December 18, and again on Sunday, December 19. Both performances will begin at 3:00 p.m. You will hear some beautiful arrangements of Christmas classics as you watch the traditional pageantry of the Nativity story.

    Mark your calendar! This would be a good time to invite friends and neighbors or folks you barely know for an afternoon of worship!

    Trumpets in the Old Testament

    As our church family is now reading in the book of Numbers on our journey through the Pentateuch, I have noticed the importance of the use of trumpets in these scriptures, which has prompted me to do a little reading on trumpets in the Old Testament.

    The trumpet is the instrument most frequently referenced in the Bible and its uses were many and varied.

    The following list gives specific uses:

    1. To assemble a large group of people

    2. To give direction to a large group of people.

    3. To alert people to coming danger of judgement.

    4. Used along with other instruments and singers to celebrate holy days and sacred events.

    5. As a battle signal.

    6. To make an announcement or proclamation.

    7. As a regular part of worship ceremonies.

    8. And most importantly – To praise God.

    We find in Numbers 10:1-13, that the silver trumpets had two primary purposes: to make people alert and gain their attention and to sound the alarm of battle.

    The High Priests or the representatives in the priestly line were to blow the silver trumpets. This compares with end times when a representative of our High Priest Yeshua will blow the final trumpet blast to summon His people to resurrection and war against evil.

    “The LORD spoke further to Moses, saying, ‘Make yourself two trumpets of silver, of hammered work you shall make them; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for having the camps set out,” (Numbers 10:1-2 NASB).

    It is truly amazing how all the events we are reading about point forward to the time of Jesus!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 14

    Singing Tree Update

    Thanks to those of you who have responded that you will be available to sing in our 2021 Singing Tree. We have had a positive response from about 25 singers, so we are halfway there. If you have not yet sent in your response, please do so ASAP.  Also, you may know others that might enjoy this singing experience, so please share this information with them. Remember – singers do not need to be a member of Fee Fee. Thanks so much for considering the sharing of your singing!

    July Playlist

    I do hope you will enjoy this new playlist that Tara and I have created. We so enjoy sharing these diverse songs with you. There are many different musical genres that can praise our God!

    Billboard Top Christian:

    #1 – Amen

    For King and Country

     

    #2 – Help is On the Way

    Toby Mac

     

    Top Gospel Chart:

    I’m Not Ashamed

    Monica Lisa Stevenson

    (featuring Paul Porter)

     

    Christian Folk Rock:

    Rescuer (Good News)

    Rend Collective

     

    Gospel:

    Sometimes It takes a Mountain

    The Foster Triplets

     

    Classical Gospel:

    We Need You, Lord

    by Jonathan Butler

     

    Christian Acoustic Folk:

    Wayfaring Stranger

    Southern Raised

    Christian Rock:

    Magnify

    We Are Messengers

     

    Christian Rock:

    Made to Fly

    Colton Dixon

     

    Christian Pop:

    Keep on Hoping

    Riley Clemmons

     

    Christian Folk:

    Paradox

    Ellie Holcomb (featuring Natalie Hemby)

     

    Contemporary Worship:

    Never Have I Ever

    Hillsong Young & Free

    You can listen along on YouTube to Ronna’s July 2021 Playlist by using this link:

    https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpdd9NDp5H-X3USv9AIDkSgdWKv6zH_py&feature=share

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 13

    Hymn of the Month

    When I was a little girl, the Linn County Baptist Association had a hymn sing each month. Different churches in the association would host the event which featured the “hymn of the month” which was sung along with other hymns compatible with the theme. Of course, I don’t know how the “hymn of the month” was determined, but remembering this event got me started thinking and wondering if “hymn of the month” exists in various organizations today. Indeed, it does! Here are three web sites that share hymn stories of the month.

    1. Hymn Stories Organization has a hymn of the month giving background information and details surrounding the inspiration for writing and the writer. Hymn Stories hymn for the month of June is Where We’ll Never Grow Old.
    2. The Getty Family Hymn of the Month – The Getty web site lists a hymn for the month with the accompanying story and the memory verse of the month. June’s selection is Jesus Shall Reign.Memory verse for the month is Psalm 72:17.
    3. Happy Hymnody – This web site was developed to sow the truths of hymns into the hearts of children and encourage families to lift their voices in praise to the Holy One. Their hymn for the month of June is This is My Father’s World.

    “It could not be otherwise, but that Christianity be a singing faith. The Founder sang. He learned to sing from His Father. Surely, they have been singing together from all eternity…When He speaks galaxies come into being. And when He sings for joy, more energy is released than exists in all the matter and motion of the universe. If He appointed song for us to release our heart’s delight in Him, is this not because He also knows the joy of releasing His own heart’s delight in song? We are a singing people because we are children of a singing God.” –John Piper, theologian.

    Christmas 2021

    It is time to start thinking about Christmas and get our act together! So, in order to plan, we need to find out how many people will participate. In particular, we are thinking about the Singing Tree. So obviously we need MANY singers to stand on its branches. It is not necessary for you to have any prior experience of singing on the tree, but please reply to Tara (tara@feefeebc.org), to let us know of your interest. We need you!

  • A Word From Pastor Zach – Vol. 60, No. 24

    As I write this, I think about how many things are going to be so different with Christmas this year at our church. Every time I walk into the sanctuary, there is a stark reminder of how different things are just based on what isn’t there…we don’t have our massive Christmas tree and we won’t have our Singing Tree performance this year. It’s going to be a big change.

    However, rather than lamenting what we can’t have, I want to take a second to praise our staff and volunteers for their adaptability. Sure, the Singing Tree is quite conspicuous in its absence. But we are still going to have an incredible Christmas performance. I am so thankful for all of the hard work that has been put into our Christmas presentation which will have a combination of virtual and live elements. Our staff and volunteers have worked really hard to get things prepared for this performance. I am confident that whether you are watching here, in person, or tuning in online, you are going to be entertained by this year’s performance.

    What is much more important than being entertained, however, is the reminder that God loved us enough to send His Son to rescue us! The cradle has so much meaning because it led to the cross. God made a way for us to be in right relationship with Him!

    I want to invite you to join us for our Christmas performance. It’s called Christmas: Night of Angels, and it will be on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20. On both dates, the performance will start at 3:00 p.m. There are two ways that you can watch the performances. First, you can go online to our website and reserve your spot. Since we are at 25% capacity, we need everyone who is planning on being here physically to make a reservation. It doesn’t cost anything, but we need to make sure we stay within the county’s guidelines. Or, you can always watch the performance online. It will be shown on our website and also streamed on our church’s Facebook page.

    Besides our Christmas performance, we will also have a Christmas Eve service. You will need to reserve your spot for this special service as well if you are coming in person. However, we will also stream this service online. Finally, our deacon body is leading a Christmas morning service in our chapel. We’d love to have you come to this as well.

    Finally, as we are on the subject of Christmas, I want to remind you to prayerfully give to our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Our church has set a goal of $25,000 for this special offering. 100% of your gift will go directly to supporting missionaries around the world. Please pray for our missionaries and that God will use them to reach the lost with the truth of the Gospel!

    For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

    John 3:16

    Christmas might be different this year, but the message is the same: God loves us and sent His Son! Let’s praise Him for that! I’m praying you have a great Christmas!

    In Him,

    Pastor Zach

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Christmas Program 2020

    Our Christmas program will look a little different this year, but will nonetheless, still capture the joys of our Savior’s birth. No doubt you will enjoy a mini movie by our kids and will agree that there is stardom in their future. Many thanks to Vance Stewart and Justin Flack who have used their uniquely creative skills to produce the Christmas Nativity story as told by our wonderful kids.

    Following the children’s Nativity will be our musical, Christmas, Night of Angels, told from the viewpoint of Mary and Joseph as they remember the events leading to the miraculous birth of Jesus, our Savior. The music will be presented by our virtual Christmas choir and live ensembles. You may view this program live or online.  If attending in person you will need to go to our website to get a free ticket for performances on Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20, both at 3:00 p.m.  We hope you will plan to celebrate with us!

    The Animals of the Nativity

    The animals of the Nativity have been featured in various poems and songs. One of the most famous poems/songs starring the Christmas animals is a carol entitled The Friendly Beasts.  The text of the piece focuses on the humble contributions of the stable animals assumed present at the birth of Christ. It is sung from the perspective of the donkey who lovingly carried Mary on her long journey to Bethlehem, the cow who donated the manger in which Christ lay, the sheep who gave up his wool for the swaddling clothes, and the dove who gently sang the Christ child to sleep on the night of His birth. Each verse begins with the refrain “I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown,” or “I, said the sheep with the curly horn,” and the carol’s last verse runs as follows:

    Thus every beast by some glad spell,

    in the stable dark was glad to tell

    Of the gift he gave Emmanuel.

    The gift he gave Emmanuel.

    Another poem that gives perspective from the eyes of the animals is The Nativity by C.S. Lewis. Lewis cites the various virtues of the animals in response to the presence of the Christ child – wishing to be able to respond to Christ’s presence with the virtues which symbolically belong to these same animals.

    Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)

    I see a glory in the stable grow

    Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length

    Give me an ox’s strength.

    Among the asses (stubborn I as they)

    I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;

    So may my beastlike folly learn at least

    The patience of a beast.

    Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)

    I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;

    Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence

    Some woolly innocence!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 23

    Christmas Program 2020!

    Yes, it’s happening! This year will look a little different as I’m sure you have guessed by now. The theme for this year is “Christmas, Night of Angels.” This piece is narrated by Joseph and Mary and tells the Christmas story through angel visitations recorded in scripture. The presentation will feature a virtual choir and live smaller ensembles.

    You may attend on Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20. Both programs will begin at 3:00 p.m. and run approximately an hour.

    Plan to attend. Invite a friend. Let us know how many are coming by reserving your seat – watch our website for details!

    Two Christian Songs That Inspire Gratitude

    Through it All

    Andraé Crouch, 1970s

    The text of this song came to Andraé Crouch after he experienced, in the span of two years, the loss of his parents and a brother. Through it All simply recognized that his sad experiences taught him everything about trust.

    Especially meaningful is the lyric of the second verse:

    I thank Him for the mountains, 

    and I thank Him for the valleys,

    I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

    For if I’d never had a problem,

    I wouldn’t know that God could solve them,

    I’d never know what faith in God could do.

    His Eye is on the Sparrow written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel.

    I sing because I’m happy,

    I sing because I’m free.

    That is why we sing.  Because He takes care of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field – Because His eye is on the sparrow, I KNOW He is watching me.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 18

    Christmas 2020 at Fee Fee – Thoughts and Considerations

    It is that time of year when we start thinking about celebrating Christmas here at Fee Fee! It is safe to say our celebration will look quite different this year, but we still want to give our best shot to create a joyous and meaningful event to honor the birth of our great Savior.

    A survey was recently sent to our 2019 Christmas choir to find out participation interest for this year. Here are the results of that survey:

    • 14 would participate in a virtual choir
    • 13 would sing in a small ensemble (8 or less safely distanced)
    • 15 would sing in a larger ensemble (8-12 safely distanced)
    • All others would not be comfortable participating this year

    At this time, I am asking for a response from our extended church family if you would be willing to sing in a small/large ensemble OR virtual choir setting. You may send information to tara@feefeebc.org to indicate which group you would be interested.

    We would also like to hear from those of you who would contribute in other ways. We always need technicians, ushers, greeters, decorators, costumers, etc. Please let us know in what capacity you could volunteer your talents. You may come up with an avenue of service that would be completely new to our production! As always, thank you for considering and I look forward to hearing from you.

    The Joy of Music

    “David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments, harps and cymbals,” (1 Chronicles 16:16).

    Music is a vital part of our lives. Music blesses us through hard times and good times. If we were to try and explain music to an alien from another world we would probably fail miserably. Music is not meant to be explained, but rather experienced. There are times when music can express what we feel when words fail us. Music is poetry put to rhythm. It is a rhyme put to a steady beat. This gift from God is a power that moves and stirs the soul. Music can be therapeutic, lifting us when we are down. Through music we lift our voices to God in praise and worship. Those who suffer affliction are wounded souls. Music can be a perfect salve for the sorrowful soul. Lift your soul with music. Let it carry your praises and appreciation to God even in times of uncertainty.

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 04

    (Announcements including births, baptisms/new members, thank yous, or sympathies.)

    Thank You

    The church has received a Thank You card from Donna & Tom Block Family with Kevin Campbell, and can be viewed in the church office.

    Grief Support Group

    A new grief support group will be led by Nina Palumbo, a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is certified in Spiritual Christian Counseling. Classes begin Wednesday, March 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This group is open not just to Fee Fee, but to those in our community who are needing support and direction after the loss of a loved one. Contact Nina for more information and to sign up for the group, nmpcats3@gmail.com or (314) 780-4929.

     2019 Singing Tree DVDs

    Relive the wonder and excitement of our 2019 Singing Tree by purchasing a DVD for $1.00 in the Media Center.  In other Media Center news: Are you getting bored with the long winter days? Strengthen your brain muscle with a new/gently used puzzle from our Puzzle Exchange. Choose from a nice selection, and bring any puzzles that you are finished with to add to our offerings. Media Center hours are Sundays 8:00-8:30 a.m., 9:30-9:45 a.m., and 10:45-11:00 a.m.; Wednesdays 4:00-4:45 p.m. and 5:45-6:15 p.m.

    Qualifications/Expectations of Deacons
    1. Choose persons who meet the biblical qualifications set forth primarily in Acts 6:1-7 and I Timothy 3:8-13.
      • A man of honest (good) report (Acts 6:3).
      • Full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3).
      • Full of wisdom (Acts 6:3).
      • Full of faith (Acts 6:5).
      • Grave (I Timothy 3:8); reverence for spiritual matters.
      • Not double-tongued (I Timothy 3:8).
      • Not given to much wine (I Timothy 3:8).
      • Not greedy of filthy lucre (I Timothy 3:8).
      • A holder of the faith (I Timothy 3:9).
      • Tested and proved (I Timothy 3:10).
      • Blameless (I Timothy 3:10).
      • Christian family life (I Timothy 3:11-12).
        • Husband of one wife (I Timothy 3:11-12).
        • Ruling their children and their own houses well (I Timothy 3:12).
      • Bold in the faith (I Timothy 3:13).
    1. Choose persons who can serve well.

     (Full recommendation forms can be found by the Media Center and can be turned in to a Deacon, church staff, or church office).

  • Announcements – Vol. 60, No. 03

    (Announcements including births, baptisms/new members, thank yous, or sympathies.)

     

    Sympathy

    Our love through Christian sympathy is extended to

    …Donna (Thomas) Block in the passing of her father, Ira Campbell, on January 27.

    …Debbie Nicholson and family, in the passing of her father-in-law, Loyd Nicolson, on February 3.

    …Ronna (John) Paden in the passing of her cousins, Bruce Schrock and Susan Hoover, on February 5 and 6, respectively.

     

    Grief Support Group

    Join us on February 23, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Dining Room for an overview on Navigating Loss: Understanding the Journey and Ministering to Others. This new grief support group will be led by Nina Palumbo, a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is certified in Spiritual Christian Counseling. Classes begin Wednesday, March 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This group is open not just to Fee Fee, but to those in our community who are needing support and direction after the loss of a loved one. Contact Nina for more information or to sign up for the group, nmpcats3@gmail.com or (314) 780-4929.

    Trophy Giveaway

    The History and Athletic Committees invite you to claim any of the past sports trophies that you might have participated in or just have a desire to cherish some Fee Fee history in your own home. These trophies have been retired from our collection as we no longer have storage space to accommodate them. If you want to be a part of the rehoming process, contact Kathy Scott (kathy@feefeebc.org) or Vance Stewart (vance@feefeebc.org) or come by the church office to choose any for your personal collection.

    2019 Singing Tree DVDs

    Relive the wonder and excitement of our 2019 Singing Tree by purchasing a DVD for $1.00 in the Media Center.  In other Media Center news: Are you getting bored with the long winter days? Strengthen your brain muscle with a new/gently used puzzle from our Puzzle Exchange. Choose from a nice selection, and bring any puzzles that you are finished with to add to our offerings. Media Center hours are Sundays 8:00-8:30 a.m., 9:30-9:45 a.m., and 10:45-11:00 a.m.; Wednesdays 4:00-4:45 p.m. and 5:45-6:15 p.m.

    Refrigerator Needed

    The church office is in need of a gently used, full-size, frost-free refrigerator/freezer. If you would like to donate one, please contact the church office. Thank you!