Newsletter for

February 2, 2023

February 5, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Songs of Worship

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Grace Alone

Goodness of God

How Great Thou Art

Sermon

"Leave Room at the Table"

Luke 14:16-24

Ben Winder

Communion & Benevolence Offering

We will celebrate communion together this Sunday. 

As is our tradition on communion Sunday,

we will collect a benevolence offering at the close of worship.

Fellowship Lunch

We also invite you to join us in Heritage Hall for Fellowship Lunch following worship.

This month's menu is Fried Chicken, Salad, Chips, and Rolls.

Current Sermon Series: Family Rules

Through February 19

We often talk of First Baptist as a Family of Faith, and as we all know, it is a good idea for every family to have some family rules which guide their life together. During this series we will consider some biblical principles that might serve as family rules of sort for our church family as we are living faith together. We hope you'll join us!

The remaining schedule:

"Leave Room at the Table"

Luke 14:16-24

In our family of faith, we always make room to warmly welcome others to our table.

"Fight Fair"

Matthew 18:15-22

In our family of faith, when we disagree, we work it out with grace and generosity.

"Think Generationally"

Deuteronomy 6:1-8 & 2 Timothy 1:3-5

In our family of faith, passing the faith to the next generation must always be a priority.

Short-term Adult Classes

Sundays - 9 a.m.

Jim & Sharon Alonso | Room 203

Once upon a time there was a version of our faith that was practically irresistible. In this study authored by Andy Stanley, we’ll take a fresh look at the earliest Christian movement to see what made the new faith so compelling … and what we need to change today to make it so again.

Ben Winder | Room 204

God is Love. God is Light. God is Life. God is Spirit. God is One.

We will explore the nature and character of the God of the Bible by focusing specifically on the nouns used to describe who God is, guided by the short book “Who God Is: Meditations on the Character of God” by Ben Witherington III. 

We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship.

The BBQ Dinner + Gospel concert will begin at 6 p.m.

LAST CALL!

Immokalee Mission Immersion Day | February 11

Join us for a road trip to learn about and engage with our mission partner Cultivate Abundance as you experience planting container gardens, visit with local families, tour Misión Peniel and catch the Burnette's passion to eliminate food insecurity in this special farmworker community.

Family Promise Hosting Week | February 19-25

Later this month we again have the opportunity to host families from our community experiencing homelessness. We need your help to be gracious hosts!

Sign up at the links below to serve (including meal hosts, overnight hosts entertainment, laundry, set-up/take-down) and/or pitch in to fill the fridge.

Tim Hawkins Live in Concert | March 3 - 7 p.m.

The parody singer-songwriter of favorites like “Things You Don’t Say to Your Wife” and “Cletus Take the Reel” provides non stop laughter with funny bits about the church, homeschooling, and more. He will be in concert here at First Baptist on Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in the church office for $29.75 (cash or check only) to allow you to avoid online fees. 

Volunteers are needed for this event!

If you are interested in serving, email Todd Letzring.

Recently, a group of dedicated church members worked a combined 127 hours on stripping and waxing much of our 2nd floor space and did a wonderful job! Thank you George Baulig, Al Frederick, Ed Ashurst, Jim Alonso, Doug Harrell, Ray Hempstead, Greg Bourne, Mike Mills, Robert Kidd, Chris Adams, Libby Dorman, Craig Dorman, Jim Latchford, and Steve Simmons! Special thanks to George Baulig for organizing and leading the crew.

More projects are always in the works; if you have interest in helping join the next work project, let Aimee, Ben, or George know.

It's Super Bowl season! No matter your team, get in the game! Help us fight hunger right here at home. Through next Sunday, February 12, show us your "souperbowl" spirit by bringing donations for our food pantry and be a SOUPER bowl champion!

2023 Offering Envelopes & 2022 Giving Statements Update

Due to "staffing and paper supply issues" our offering envelope vendor is behind schedule in delivering 2023 envelopes nationwide. When they arrive we will make sure you get yours! In the meantime, we encourage you to utilize the offering envelopes in the pews.

2022 Giving Statements have been mailed or distributed via email. If you did not receive your giving statement or have any questions about it, contact Jackie Taylor.

Thank you for giving to First Baptist to make ministry possible!

First Baptist Happenings

• Discover First Baptist Lunch | If you’re interested in learning more about First Baptist and church membership, make plans to join us for a Discover First Baptist Lunch on Sunday, February 12 following worship in Heritage Hall. We will discuss who we are as a church, baptism, church membership, missions, stewardship, serving, and more! Please RSVP here.

• Blood Pressure Clinic | Get your blood pressure checked by our Health Ministry team this Sunday, February 5 from 10-10:25 a.m. in Room 12.

• First Baptist FAST Network Meeting - Wednesday, February 15 - 5:45 p.m. | Our church's chapter of our county-wide justice ministry, Faith in Action for Strength Together (FAST), is gathering in Heritage Hall. Whether you are already a FAST Network member or just curious, all are welcome! This meeting will provide an opportunity to hear updates on our issue work for justice and to prepare for the larger, important county-wide meetings coming up. To accomplish the work of justice, we need to work together. People power = justice for all. For more information contact Doug Harrell (727.410.2110) or Joye Quire (727.455.1979).



• Monday Morning Prayer | All are invited to a time of prayer and praise led by our deacons each Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Narthex. You may submit prayer requests online.

• Church History Team | Are you interested in history? Would you like to help dive into the church archives to tell the First Baptist story? We would love to have your on our Church History Team! Contact Paula James for more information.

• Coffee & Pastries | All are invited to a time of fellowship in the Narthex each Sunday before worship. February's refreshments are sponsored by Bill and Betty Johnson. Interested in sponsoring a month of coffee & pastries this year? Contact Aimee or Ben for more details.

February

5- Blood Pressure Clinic

5 - Fellowship Lunch

6 - Monday Fun Day | 5:30 p.m.

11 - Immokalee Mission Immersion Day

12 - Discover First Baptist Lunch

15 - FAST Network Meeting | 5:45 p.m.

19-26 - Family Promise Week

22 - Ash Wednesday Service | 6 p.m.

27 - FAST Rally | 7 p.m.

March

3 - Tim Hawkins Concert

5 - Fellowship Lunch

6 - Monday Fun Day

25 - Church Workday

27 - FAST Nehemiah Action - Indian Rocks Baptist Church | 7 p.m.

April

2 - Palm Sunday

3 - Monday Fun Day

6 - Maundy Thursday Service | 6 pm

9 - Easter Sunday

23-30 - Family Promise Week

29 - Serve St Pete Day

May

1 - Monday Fun Day

6 - CBF Florida & Caribbean Islands Spring Celebration

7 - Fellowship Lunch

21 - Discover First Baptist Lunch