From:                                          Kara Morrison [kara@fbcws.org]

Sent:                                            Sunday, April 20, 2008 3:17 PM

To:                                                Kara Morrison

Subject:                                       First Forward FBCWS Newsletter

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Friday, April 18, 2008

News Spotlight

VBS, Outrigger Island, will be June 22 - 27. This is the biggest evangelistic outreach opportunity for children in the area and we need your help!  For more information, please see Gene. Windows of Faith is a ministry of comfort and encouragement for women who are alone. We meet twice a month and most times we share a “pot-luck” dinner. On Thurdsay, April 24th, we will meet at the church at 11:15a.m. to go to Rockfish on Hulen. Our first official meeting will be Thursday, May 8th at 2:00 in John Hathcock’s Sunday School room. For more information contact Jean Bolf at 817-246-5175.

Continuing with the thought of ways to worship with your life in the “nitty gritty” of life, let’s consider Leviticus 19:18 as we ponder “Love the unlovely”. It is easy to love those you like but how about those whom you don’t? Ok, you say Stephen why not get straight to the point. Well first of all I need to look at my life. We all meet those who make it hard to love them. Scripture says to “love your neighbor as yourself.” So the next time that person’s path crosses yours try and seeing and loving them the way that God sees and loves you. “Give God your first fruits.” When we read about giving your “first fruits” (Proverbs 3:9) what is something that is precious right now in you life? Try giving it to God not to see if there is a return favor but rather because you love the Giver and Source of the increase. It might be an entire day off given back to God or finishing the long-promised items on your “honey-do” list. Worship involves giving. “Pick up litter.” (1 Peter 4:10) While the gift of picking up trash is not listed as on the spiritual gifts, think about what is God calling you to do? I am guilty of leaving trash for someone else to pick up. But maybe God is calling you and me to have a helping hand and to clean up the world around us. Minister to those around you in a manner that they may see works done with love and give glory to God. “Be neighborly, Borrow some sugar”. (Luke 10:25-37) Seek out neighbors. Borrow little, and then return much more than you borrowed. As you fish for neighbors extend your hand to them and leave them wondering why you should care. Be ready to share your experience of the God who loves and cares. Remember I will share more of these ways by Laura MacCorkle from the INTEGRITY Today newsletter over the next several weeks. When the “nitty gritty” of life hits us how will our worshipful response be. Loving? Giving? Ministering? Caring?

Continuing with the thought of ways to worship with your life in the “nitty gritty” of life, let’s consider Leviticus 19:18 as we ponder “Love the unlovely”. It is easy to love those you like but how about those whom you don’t? Ok, you say Stephen why not get straight to the point. Well first of all I need to look at my life. We all meet those who make it hard to love them. Scripture says to “love your neighbor as yourself.” So the next time that person’s path crosses yours try and seeing and loving them the way that God sees and loves you. “Give God your first fruits.” When we read about giving your “first fruits” (Proverbs 3:9) what is something that is precious right now in you life? Try giving it to God not to see if there is a return favor but rather because you love the Giver and Source of the increase. It might be an entire day off given back to God or finishing the long-promised items on your “honey-do” list. Worship involves giving. “Pick up litter.” (1 Peter 4:10) While the gift of picking up trash is not listed as on the spiritual gifts, think about what is God calling you to do? I am guilty of leaving trash for someone else to pick up. But maybe God is calling you and me to have a helping hand and to clean up the world around us. Minister to those around you in a manner that they may see works done with love and give glory to God. “Be neighborly, Borrow some sugar”. (Luke 10:25-37) Seek out neighbors. Borrow little, and then return much more than you borrowed. As you fish for neighbors extend your hand to them and leave them wondering why you should care. Be ready to share your experience of the God who loves and cares. Remember I will share more of these ways by Laura MacCorkle from the INTEGRITY Today newsletter over the next several weeks. When the “nitty gritty” of life hits us how will our worshipful response be. Loving? Giving? Ministering? Caring?

Continuing with the thought of ways to worship with your life in the “nitty gritty” of life, let’s consider Leviticus 19:18 as we ponder “Love the unlovely”. It is easy to love those you like but how about those whom you don’t? Ok, you say Stephen why not get straight to the point. Well first of all I need to look at my life. We all meet those who make it hard to love them. Scripture says to “love your neighbor as yourself.” So the next time that person’s path crosses yours try and seeing and loving them the way that God sees and loves you. “Give God your first fruits.” When we read about giving your “first fruits” (Proverbs 3:9) what is something that is precious right now in you life? Try giving it to God not to see if there is a return favor but rather because you love the Giver and Source of the increase. It might be an entire day off given back to God or finishing the long-promised items on your “honey-do” list. Worship involves giving. “Pick up litter.” (1 Peter 4:10) While the gift of picking up trash is not listed as on the spiritual gifts, think about what is God calling you to do? I am guilty of leaving trash for someone else to pick up. But maybe God is calling you and me to have a helping hand and to clean up the world around us. Minister to those around you in a manner that they may see works done with love and give glory to God. “Be neighborly, Borrow some sugar”. (Luke 10:25-37) Seek out neighbors. Borrow little, and then return much more than you borrowed. As you fish for neighbors extend your hand to them and leave them wondering why you should care. Be ready to share your experience of the God who loves and cares. Remember I will share more of these ways by Laura MacCorkle from the INTEGRITY Today newsletter over the next several weeks. When the “nitty gritty” of life hits us how will our worshipful response be. Loving? Giving? Ministering? Caring?

News Spotlight

New Building Update: I hope to give you an update periodically about what is going on with our New Building Committee. This committee has been in somewhat of a “holding pattern” waiting on the BGCT. The good news is that we hope to be meeting with the Architecture people at the BGCT within the next few weeks. They will help to guide us in the building process. We also have an appointment to meet with the BGCT representative about “United We Build.” They will give us more information about funding the building and help us prepare to begin the process of serious giving towards this new building that we believe God is leading us to build. The question you might have is “What does this mean for me?” or “What should I be doing to help?” Each one of us needs to continue to make this a high priority in our prayer time every day. We also need to begin praying and preparing for what we believe God would have us give to help finance this new building. I hope that each one of you knows this is something that will be between you and God and we will not engage in any “high pressure” tactics. I believe giving should be a privilege and a joy. I also believe God will bless our sacrificial giving but hopefully we never give just so we can get a blessing. More to come!!

Freedom. We all know there is an abundance of holidays (especially in the spring and summer) when we celebrate the freedom we have in this great country. Freedom is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated. That is the theme of our Youth Spring Retreat next weekend, April 25-26. We’ll be focusing of course on the freedom that Christ brings us through his sacrifice. That’s the thing about freedom… it usually costs somebody something. When you get a coupon for a free chicken sandwich, the sandwich doesn’t just magically appear. The employer still has to pay for it – the cost of the chicken and bread, the wages of the cook who prepares it, etc. Of course they’re hoping you’ll buy something else and offset that expense. When teens begin to become more independent and have more freedom, it costs mom and dad – gas money, car insurance, the emotional pain of letting them go, etc. Political freedom for a nation usually involves war and death. Freedom from sin is no different; there is a cost. While there is cost to freedom, its value is priceless. Who turns down free food? And the freedom a teen has is of such great worth that we all long for it once we’re enslaved by jobs and bills and the everyday things that hold us captive as adults. Obviously we take every opportunity to celebrate the value of our freedom as a nation. And the freedom we find in Christ… it is of ultimate value.

New Building Update: I hope to give you an update periodically about what is going on with our New Building Committee. This committee has been in somewhat of a “holding pattern” waiting on the BGCT. The good news is that we hope to be meeting with the Architecture people at the BGCT within the next few weeks. They will help to guide us in the building process. We also have an appointment to meet with the BGCT representative about “United We Build.” They will give us more information about funding the building and help us prepare to begin the process of serious giving towards this new building that we believe God is leading us to build. The question you might have is “What does this mean for me?” or “What should I be doing to help?” Each one of us needs to continue to make this a high priority in our prayer time every day. We also need to begin praying and preparing for what we believe God would have us give to help finance this new building. I hope that each one of you knows this is something that will be between you and God and we will not engage in any “high pressure” tactics. I believe giving should be a privilege and a joy. I also believe God will bless our sacrificial giving but hopefully we never give just so we can get a blessing. More to come!!

Freedom. We all know there is an abundance of holidays (especially in the spring and summer) when we celebrate the freedom we have in this great country. Freedom is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated. That is the theme of our Youth Spring Retreat next weekend, April 25-26. We’ll be focusing of course on the freedom that Christ brings us through his sacrifice. That’s the thing about freedom… it usually costs somebody something. When you get a coupon for a free chicken sandwich, the sandwich doesn’t just magically appear. The employer still has to pay for it – the cost of the chicken and bread, the wages of the cook who prepares it, etc. Of course they’re hoping you’ll buy something else and offset that expense. When teens begin to become more independent and have more freedom, it costs mom and dad – gas money, car insurance, the emotional pain of letting them go, etc. Political freedom for a nation usually involves war and death. Freedom from sin is no different; there is a cost. While there is cost to freedom, its value is priceless. Who turns down free food? And the freedom a teen has is of such great worth that we all long for it once we’re enslaved by jobs and bills and the everyday things that hold us captive as adults. Obviously we take every opportunity to celebrate the value of our freedom as a nation. And the freedom we find in Christ… it is of ultimate value.

Brotherhood Spring Golf Tournament Saturday, May 3 8:00 a.m. At Cross Timbers Golf Course in Azle. Please sign up at the information center. Baby/Child Dedication Baby/Child Dedication will be on Sunday, April 27th, during the morning service.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Gene Moren ASAP.  The correct spellings of names will be needed for the Bibles and certificates that will be given that day.

New Building Update: I hope to give you an update periodically about what is going on with our New Building Committee. This committee has been in somewhat of a “holding pattern” waiting on the BGCT. The good news is that we hope to be meeting with the Architecture people at the BGCT within the next few weeks. They will help to guide us in the building process. We also have an appointment to meet with the BGCT representative about “United We Build.” They will give us more information about funding the building and help us prepare to begin the process of serious giving towards this new building that we believe God is leading us to build. The question you might have is “What does this mean for me?” or “What should I be doing to help?” Each one of us needs to continue to make this a high priority in our prayer time every day. We also need to begin praying and preparing for what we believe God would have us give to help finance this new building. I hope that each one of you knows this is something that will be between you and God and we will not engage in any “high pressure” tactics. I believe giving should be a privilege and a joy. I also believe God will bless our sacrificial giving but hopefully we never give just so we can get a blessing. More to come!!

Freedom. We all know there is an abundance of holidays (especially in the spring and summer) when we celebrate the freedom we have in this great country. Freedom is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated. That is the theme of our Youth Spring Retreat next weekend, April 25-26. We’ll be focusing of course on the freedom that Christ brings us through his sacrifice. That’s the thing about freedom… it usually costs somebody something. When you get a coupon for a free chicken sandwich, the sandwich doesn’t just magically appear. The employer still has to pay for it – the cost of the chicken and bread, the wages of the cook who prepares it, etc. Of course they’re hoping you’ll buy something else and offset that expense. When teens begin to become more independent and have more freedom, it costs mom and dad – gas money, car insurance, the emotional pain of letting them go, etc. Political freedom for a nation usually involves war and death. Freedom from sin is no different; there is a cost. While there is cost to freedom, its value is priceless. Who turns down free food? And the freedom a teen has is of such great worth that we all long for it once we’re enslaved by jobs and bills and the everyday things that hold us captive as adults. Obviously we take every opportunity to celebrate the value of our freedom as a nation. And the freedom we find in Christ… it is of ultimate value.

New Building Update: I hope to give you an update periodically about what is going on with our New Building Committee. This committee has been in somewhat of a “holding pattern” waiting on the BGCT. The good news is that we hope to be meeting with the Architecture people at the BGCT within the next few weeks. They will help to guide us in the building process. We also have an appointment to meet with the BGCT representative about “United We Build.” They will give us more information about funding the building and help us prepare to begin the process of serious giving towards this new building that we believe God is leading us to build. The question you might have is “What does this mean for me?” or “What should I be doing to help?” Each one of us needs to continue to make this a high priority in our prayer time every day. We also need to begin praying and preparing for what we believe God would have us give to help finance this new building. I hope that each one of you knows this is something that will be between you and God and we will not engage in any “high pressure” tactics. I believe giving should be a privilege and a joy. I also believe God will bless our sacrificial giving but hopefully we never give just so we can get a blessing. More to come!!

News Spotlight

Kids are not the church of tomorrow; they are part of the church of today. You do not have to be an adult to serve the Lord. Kids in the Bible didn’t grow up first; many served the Lord effectively BEFORE they ever grew up. Josiah became king at eight years of age. The Bible calls him the best king Israel ever had. A little girl told a rich, powerful Syrian commander to travel to Israel where Elisha would heal his leprosy on behalf of God. Naaman agreed and the rest is Biblical history. All because a little girl didn’t wait until she grew up to serve God. Samuel, a young boy, heard God’s voice reveal the fate of Israel while Eli seemed oblivious to the danger. A kid, not the high priest, heard God’s voice. Could there have been anyone else in the crowd of over 5000 who brought lunch the day Jesus taught the vast group? If the boy had waited to grow up first there would have been a lot of hungry people that day. Even though David stood on God’s covenant, faced a giant and won; he was still a kid. Mary and Joseph found Jesus at twelve years of age in the temple "about His Father’s business." This must be our objective: to bring kids to a place where they are "about their Father’s business" BEFORE they grow up.

First Annual Choo-Choo Tim and Friends Benefit Concert In the Sanctuary Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free. A love offering will be received. Concert benefits the Choo-Choo Tim Ministry.

Kids are not the church of tomorrow; they are part of the church of today. You do not have to be an adult to serve the Lord. Kids in the Bible didn’t grow up first; many served the Lord effectively BEFORE they ever grew up. Josiah became king at eight years of age. The Bible calls him the best king Israel ever had. A little girl told a rich, powerful Syrian commander to travel to Israel where Elisha would heal his leprosy on behalf of God. Naaman agreed and the rest is Biblical history. All because a little girl didn’t wait until she grew up to serve God. Samuel, a young boy, heard God’s voice reveal the fate of Israel while Eli seemed oblivious to the danger. A kid, not the high priest, heard God’s voice. Could there have been anyone else in the crowd of over 5000 who brought lunch the day Jesus taught the vast group? If the boy had waited to grow up first there would have been a lot of hungry people that day. Even though David stood on God’s covenant, faced a giant and won; he was still a kid. Mary and Joseph found Jesus at twelve years of age in the temple "about His Father’s business." This must be our objective: to bring kids to a place where they are "about their Father’s business" BEFORE they grow up.

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Questions or comments? E-mail us at kara@fbcws.org or call 817-246-2171.