HARVEST OFFERING
Each year, during our Harvest Banquet, we take up a special offering as a chance to thank God for His boundless goodness throughout the year. Due to COVID restrictions, we will not have a banquet, but we are setting aside November 8th for a special harvest offering. This offering is a special gift above and beyond your regular giving and an excellent opportunity to see God work through the generosity of His people.
Sanctuary Flowers
The Flowers in the Sanctuary have been placed in loving memory of Charles V. Perry by his family.
Operation Christmas Child
Collection week for Operation Christmas Child is fast approaching. Due to COVID, First Baptist did not make boxes this year for vacation bible school, but we can still supply boxes to this great ministry. There are a few ways you can participate in the ministry.
- Pick up an empty OCC box from the sanctuary or church office, make your box, and bring It to our collection center during collections week.
- You can create and pay for a box on the OCC website. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/
- If you do not want to pack your own box, you can drop supplies off at the church offices. We have a few church members that will fill boxes from supplies dropped off. To comply with social distancing, we will not have a church-wide packing party.
Allowed Items: Toothbrushes, baseball caps, playing cards, coloring books, scissors (Fiskers-child size), children’s socks, flip flops, bandannas, plastic animals/bugs, small cars dolls, hair barrettes/bands/bows, costume jewelry, stickers, party favor toys, tools (hammer, screwdriver, nails, screws)
Items that are not allowed due to customs regulations are toothpaste, candy, liquids (soap, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, deodorant, etc.), war toys, and glass items.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
The Building and Grounds committee is in the process of sprucing up the church playground. We want this to be a safe and welcoming environment for children and families in our church. We have ordered new swings for all the equipment, but we would love the equipment to have a fresh coat of paint before replacing them.
We have had someone volunteer to spray all the playground equipment. But, we still need volunteers to help sand it. If you would be willing to help, please see Dwane Lewis or Jonathan.
MISSION GA OFFERING
The Mission Georgia Offering Emphasis represents the collaborative efforts of 3,600 Georgia Baptist churches to do what Jesus Christ commands His followers to do – love our neighbors and serve the vulnerable.
Our church goal for the GA Mission Offering: $1500.00
Taken up so far: $725.00
Giving as of October 21, 2020
Budget for 2020 . . . . . . . . $326,787.00
Tithes Needed to Date . . . $251,374.80
Received to Date . . . . . . . . $213,800.79
Needed for weekly budget . . . . . . $6,284.37
Tithes Received this week . . . . . . $11,723.00
Food Pantry
The food pantry needs replenishing. We can use items such as canned vegetables, canned meats, cheese, spaghetti sauce, soups, crackers, and peal top foods.
Contact Jane Smith or Suzi LaRocca for more information.
From Our Pastor
How disturbing are these days! It is so easy for us to be frightened, demoralized, and defeated by all that is happening around us. We find ourselves asking, “What shall we do?”
This is how Elisha’s servant felt in 2 Kings 6. He had woken early, gone out of the house, and realized that the King of Aram had surrounded the city in order to capture Elisha. He quickly ran in and asked Elisha, “What shall we do?”
Amazingly, Elisha was not afraid. In fact, the surrounding army did not bother him at all. He faced the situation in compete calm.
What made the difference? Elisha’s response to the servant in 2 Kings 6:16 provides the answer. Elisha said, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
What does Elisha’s response to his servant tell us about facing these times in which we live? First, we see the presence of God. God’s angelic army that surrounded Elisha and the servant showed that God had not abandoned them. God was with Elisha and his servant.
Child of God, you are not alone. The Father is with you. He has sent His Spirit to be with you forever. Our Lord Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever” (John 14:16). In Matthew 28:20b, our Lord said, “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Believer, God is with you just as He was with Elisha.
Elisha’s response not only reveals the presence of God, but also, the participation of God. Elisha knew that God’s army was not present just to observe. God’s army was present to work in the crisis.
Believer, God is not merely watching you go through life. He is with you in order to be involved and to personally work in every situation. In Isaiah 41:10 God says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” We can have peace because God is not merely an observer, but an active participant in our lives.
Lastly, Elisha knew the power of God. The army of Aram was nothing in comparison to God’s army. The battle was decided before it began.
Believer, we need to remember the power of God. Jeremiah 32:17 tells us, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You…” In Luke 1:37 Gabriel told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” There is no problem or circumstance that our God cannot handle. His power is unlimited and greater than any need we will ever face. We can rest in Him.
These are unsettling days. But so were the days of Elisha. Will you trust the God of Elisha?