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M i n i s t e r i a l S t a f f
Senior PastorMark Bryant [[email protected]]
Associate PastorFred Lewis [[email protected]]
Worship PastorNeal Terwilliger [[email protected])
Associate Worship PastorDarren Gray [[email protected]]
Minister of EducationBruce Welch [[email protected]]
Minister of Recreation & OutreachMike Armstrong [[email protected]]
Youth PastorHeath Anderson [[email protected]]
Minister to ChildrenBrit Fisher [[email protected]]
Director of Preschool & KindergartenTracey Cody [[email protected]]
Business AdministratorTommy Johnston [[email protected]]
Director of TechnologyScott Singleton [[email protected]]
La Primera iglesia Mission PastorAmadeo Miranda
FirstNews is a monthy publication ofFirst Baptist Church116 Oak Avenue
Sulphur Springs,Texas 75482(903) 885-0646 www.ssfbc.org
In Revelation 22:12 Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds”. Having been raised in the Baptist Church, something I am very thankful for, it sometimes seems a little odd to consider the idea of Jesus “repaying” us for the deeds that we have done because, as we know, we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. Yet, in His last words Jesus tells us He will return to repay according to the deeds that we have done. So how do we merge the truth that we are saved by grace alone and yet are “repaid” according to our works? The answer can be found in Ephesians 2:8-10 . The NLT says, “God saved you by His grace when you believed (faith). And you cannot take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. We were not only saved from sin, we were saved for good works done through the indwelling presence and power of Holy Spirit and planned for us long ago. When Jesus returns and “repays” us according to our deeds, He will not be judging our sin. He has already removed that on the cross. He will be rewarding us based on our obedience that is derived from the faithful execution of His plan for our lives.
If you think about eternity, we have a very small window of opportunity to make an eternal impact. Considering the Biblical calculation of a life span of 80 years, after we subtract the time we spend, reading Gods’ word, praying, sleeping, eating, working, spending time with family, watching the news, listening to music, playing on the computer, Face Book, Twitter, Xbox, Nintendo, and our outdoor recreation, the normal human has about 30 minutes per day to do something eternal. I know this may sound strange, even a bit radical considering our culture, but it is possible that in order to make an eternal impact, we may have to rearrange our schedule so that the things of the Lord, the things that are eternal, can be in their proper place.
With all this, I leave you with some things to ponder and pray over. 1. When you think about your life from a Biblical perspective, how much of your time is invested in eternity? 2. When you meet Jesus face to face and are asked to give an account for the way you spent your time based on His commands, how does that go down in your mind? 3. Have segregated your spiritual life from your “normal” life so that the spiritual has very little impact on the normal? 4. Is the Spirit of God speaking to you about how you are spending your time? Our response to His voice will influence not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us. In all the passages that we read about Jesus return, you will find that in almost every one, the future truth impacts some present responsibility. It is the knowledge of His imminent return that puts urgency in our walks, determination in our service, and gravity in our decisions and conversations. “Work, for the night comes!”
Be Faithful, Pastor Mark
Pastor Mark Bryant
Bost off into Summer at The ROC!Wednesday, June 5th
5:00-7:00 pmHamburgers, Fun & Games
"42 Tournament" Sign Up in the Welcome Center"Dunking Booth" Missions Fundraiser with Pastor MarK
Family Nights at the ROCwhere admission is always free and
there is always a ton of fun!
June 14 - Movie Night“The Grace Card”
June 21 - Volleyball “Grande”Volleyball in a HUGE way!
July 12-Movie Night“Courageous”
August 9-Volleyball “Grande”
August 23-Movie Night“Soul Surfer”
www.facebook.com/ssfirstbaptist
Pray for FBC Mission Trips this summer-
MIlwaukee Mission Trip June 22-27Austin Mission Trip June 30-July 6Disaster recovery Trip June 30-July 5RISE Choir Tour July 14-20Nicaragua Mission Trip July 18-27
Boys and Girls Club VBS is June 15-19th.
Last year we had 40-60 kids each day. Find out how God can use you at the
Boys and Girls club this year! contact [email protected]
Backyard Kids ClubJuly 1 - July 37:30-8:00 pmPacific Park
Volunteers neededContact Jamie Young
Cost: $235.00 ($75 deposit holds your spot)Register and pay online or in the church office
4th & 5th Grade Student Life CampJuly 9-12, 2013
Limited spots available!
Saturday, July 208:00 am
Fellowship Hall - Cost: $3
*No Men’s Breakfast in June due to VBS.
-Garland Summer Musical-Friday, July 26th
Bus leaves at 4:00 pmCost: $ 26 + $2.00 donation for gas.
Each person will pay for their own meal.Sign up and pay in the church office.
Summer Camp Schedule
MS & HS Camp - June 9-154th & 5th Grade Camp - July 9-12
Kids Camp - August 5, 6 & 7
Adults 55+ Diamond SetTuesday, June 18 Fellowship Hall
10-11:30 Games, dominoes & blood pressure check11:30 - 12:00 pm Lunch (Hamburgers & Hotdogs)
12:00 pm Special programCost: $3 per person
55+ Dinner OutThursday, June 27A.J.’s Retaurant
Bus leaves at 5:00 pmPlease call the church office to
reserve your seat on the bus.
Donation of $1 to help pay for gas.Each person will purchase own meal.
Wednesday Nights This SuMMeRBlasting off June 12th!!Join us at 5:00 pm for Dinner!
The Fellowship Meal is a bargain at $4 per person or $12 per household! Meals served from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
Bible Study Pastor Mark is preaching a new sermon series throught the summer.
“What does the Bible say: Angels & Demons” will start on June 19th at 6:00 pm in the Chapel.
Children & YouthPreschool Willy Nilly Wednesdays - 6:00 pm in Seeds PreschoolWacky Wednesdays - First Kids (Grades 1-5)
Meet at the ROC at 4:00 pm...don’t forget to bring $4 for dinner! Pick up is at 6:00 pm.
Middle School & High School - 6:00 pm at The Youth Building(Youth will not meet June 12th due to camp)
Can't wait to see You this suMMeR!
VBS shirts are here! You can pick up your VBS shirt for
$10.00 in the office. Serving in VBS? VBS leaders shirts are half price!
Wednesday, July 3rdNo Meal, Bible Study, Teacher’s Meeting or Children & Youth Activities.
* The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th.*
