Join us for supper at 6:00 PM in the fellowship hall.
Followed by a time of Bible Study.

Menu for Family Night

Fried Catfish Nuggets
Hushpuppies
Grits, Slaw, Cake

Outreach Bags For Halloween

The church will distribute goodie bags with information about our church, the plan of salvation, and candy during the annual Halloween open house in Ashburn. If you or your Sunday school class want to donate candy or money for supplies, please drop it off outside Jonathan’s office by Wednesday, October 23. 

Two designated accounts have been set up specifically
for church members to donate to
Hurricane Helene relief, ensuring that your contributions go directly to those in need.

1. Samaritans Purse Helene Relief.
(The money will be sent directly to Samaritans Purse.)
2. Local Relief Helene Fund
(Money will be distributed to other Churches or Local groups working in the affected areas)

Please make checks payable to First Baptist Church and note “Samaritans Purse Helene” or
“Local Relief Helene” in the memo line.

This Sunday, October 20, we will have our quarterly
Sunday School Teacher meeting. We will meet in the
fellowship hall at 9:00 AM. This is for all assistants and teachers.

Wednesday, October 16th , 2024, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 6th , 2024, 7:00 PM

Giving as of October 15, 2024

Budget for 2024 . . . . . . . .  $339,423.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . . $251,598.87
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $213,442.62
Needed for weekly budget . . .  $6,751.71
Tithes Received this week . . .   $4,475.00

MID-WEEK DEVOTION

Remember to check out Brother David’s Mid-Week Devotion in the Book of Psalms. They are uploaded each Wednesday on the sermon page.

From Our Family and Music Minister

Several years back, I was responsible for planning a community patriotic program with the Turner County Arts Council. One of the themes that I used was “what freedom means to me.” That year, throughout the music, I got different speakers to share on that topic through their personal experiences. One speaker had been raised and lived in a communist country and had only enjoyed the freedom of America for a little over 15 years. Even though this program took place more than ten years ago, I can still remember the statement she made in her closing remarks. She stated that going to the grocery store and buying more than one gallon of milk if she wanted was what freedom meant to her. That powerful statement truly made me appreciate the freedoms I have, and I have never forgotten her words because of their powerful context and meaning.

Our words have power; therefore, we must use them wisely. It requires great wisdom to speak the right words at the right time and in the right tone. The right words can bring a tremendous blessing to other people. However, the wrong words can be hurtful and harmful. Proverbs 12:18 states, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing” (Proverbs 12:18, NLT). A foolish person can hurt others by being reckless with speech, but a wise person, whose words can be uplifting and comforting, carefully chooses what to say. Proverbs also states, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (Proverbs 15:1, NLT). Scripture states that our words have the power to control many situations. Therefore, since our words significantly affect others, we must work diligently to control them.

Matthew records a terrifying thought in his gospel: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37, ESV). Jesus is saying that a person’s word is the outward evidence of what is truly going on in the heart. If our hearts are focused on the things of God, then our words will reflect things of God.

Paul writes in Ephesians, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV). Think about the people you are around. Is their talk corrupt? Does it build people up, or does it tear people down?  

Remember that your words have power and that the legacy you’ll leave is closely connected to the honesty and integrity you demonstrate in your words. Ten years from now, when someone thinks about the things they have heard you say, what will they remember? Always speak to others with words that build up, and may your mouth always be full of what is most important-the Gospel message.