Newsletter for August 6, 2025

Join us for a powerful 7-week journey through the Gospel of Luke with Kristi McLelland’s study, Luke in the Land. Together, we’ll explore the life and ministry of Jesus through the lens of His first-century world.

Begins Tuesday, September 23 at 1:30 PM
Family Ministry Building

To ensure everyone receives a workbook before the first session, please sign up by August 17.

To register, call or text Elizabeth See or contact the church office.
Come walk where Jesus walked—and grow in faith, fellowship, and understanding.

First Baptist Church is putting together a special cookbook, and we need your help! Our goal is to celebrate the legacy of faith, family, and fellowship by gathering cherished recipes that have been passed down through generations, recipes you love and want to share with others.

We are collecting recipes. Here are ways you can contribute.

• Request a link from Jonathan and you will able to helps us out by typing a recipe in.
• Pickup a form from the church and fill out your information. 
• Download and print of a form. Click Here

Let’s preserve and share the flavors of our church family!
Please see Sue Mastrario, Nel Meyer, or Jonathan if you have any questions.  

SPARK Leadership Conference – Sunday, September 7, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Location: Sherwood Baptist Church, 2201 Whispering Pines Rd, Albany, GA
Cost: $15 per person

SPARK is a one-day leadership event designed to equip and encourage everyone involved in ministry—from pastors and worship leaders to Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, and more. Whether you're new to ministry or have years of experience, there’s something for everyone.

Jonathan Perry will be attending—see him if you'd like to go with him!
The evening includes a keynote message from Dr. Mark Clifton, breakout sessions, and a light supper. Don’t miss this great opportunity to grow and connect!

We’re taking a trip to Cotton Hall Theater in Colquitt, GA, home of the beloved play Swamp Gravy! This year, the cast will present a Christmas performance titled
“Christmas Eve at the Doublestack Diner.”

Set in a small-town diner on Christmas Eve, this heartwarming play weaves together stories of hope, humor, and unexpected miracles. It’s a feel-good celebration of the season filled with laughter, music, and the joy of community.

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Showtime: 2:00 PM
Cost: $22 per ticket
Tickets: 20 seats have been pre-purchased—first come, first served!

To reserve your spot, please contact Jonathan.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a memorable Christmas experience with your church family!

Wednesday, Aug 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Don’t miss Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotions in Psalms!
New messages are posted every Wednesday on our media page—take a midweek moment to be encouraged and refreshed in God’s Word.

Budget for 2025 . . . . . . . .  $329,624.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $196,506.83
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $170,286.68       
Needed for weekly budget . . . $6,338.93
Tithes Received this week . .  $11,326.42

One of the many talents my wife has is her ability to train pets. From a very young age, she taught our golden retriever puppy to press a floor button by the door whenever he needed to go outside. Even when she would visit my house while we were dating, she trained him to do the same there.

However, we noticed something else: even though the dog lived with her, he had become attached to me. Every time we sat on the couch to watch TV, if we sat closer together than he liked, he would walk over and ring the “doorbell” to signal he needed to go out, knowing she would get up to let him out. Then he would run right back to the couch and jump into her spot next to me. It wasn’t about needing to go outside; it was jealousy, hilarious on my part, but very real.

How often do we behave the same way in our relationships, driven by jealousy? We may not ring a bell or nudge someone off the couch, but we sometimes allow envy to shape our words, actions, and attitudes in subtle, damaging ways.

Jealousy silently corrodes our hearts, damaging relationships and robbing us of contentment and peace. The story of Joseph and his brothers in Scripture serves as a powerful reminder of how envy can lead to destructive choices. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. This act tore apart their family, sent their brother off to live as a slave, and put guilt on their hearts.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that “love does not envy.” That simple phrase challenges a culture that thrives on comparison, competition, and dissatisfaction. It demonstrates that another person's success does not reduce our value.

Our heavenly father gives us a way to control our jealousy. The cure lies in practicing gratitude and praying intentionally for the people we envy. What begins as a difficult act of obedience can turn into joy and healing. As we lift others up in prayer, we loosen the grip of jealousy on our hearts and allow God to replace it with contentment and love.

This week, take a step of faith. Pray for someone you’ve struggled to celebrate. Ask God to bless them and ask Him to open your eyes to the calling and value He has placed on your life.

Let go of jealousy. Step into the freedom Christ provides, confident in your worth, your purpose, and your place in God’s kingdom.