Celebration Continues of God's Mighty Work

Last Week saw two milestones in the life of FBC. First on Wednesday, Dec 2nd, three men were ordained at a special service. Bill Montgomery was ordained and will become the Executive Pastor, with duties from Finance to coordinating the "running" of the church. JP Solstad was ordained and will become an Associate Pastor of Education and will be responsible for the education, small groups and coordination the outreach. Don Johnson was ordained as a deacon and will continue the deacon duties he has been so faithful at in the past. As the church continues to grow, I believe the foundation is becoming stronger as men like these step up to the calling of serving the Lord.

The second milestone was a wonderful night of celebration as the woman of the church held their 3rd annual Christmas Tea. The woman know how to "throw a party". We had record attendance of over 100 and we were please to see many from other churches including 4 pastors wives, the mayor and two councilman's wives. The community came out in force and all had a great time. The men of the church served the ladies again and the woman kept asking me "how do you get the men to do this?" My response was "they were ask and accepted the invitation to serve"

I am excited about what God is doing at FBC and look forward to a wonderful 2010..

40 Day's of Community a Great Success

The small groups are growing, relationships are building, and we as a church are finding out what it means when the Bible says "We are better together". A great example of this for me was at our last Sunday night service. I have made a commitment to be done in one hour, and so far I have kept that promise. The thing that I am seeing is that when i am done, no body leaves! At 7:30 on Sunday night, I finally had to ask someone to lock up because I was leaving and we had small groups of people talking at different locations through the church. Now, you know I am not complaining, I am excited to see that kind of friendship building in our church.
Sunday Morning we heard from two of our small group about their community outreach projects and they ask for volunteers to help gather food, pack boxes and find names of people who we can provide a thanksgiving meal to. What a wonderful ministry. One of our groups announced that they were going to have "Parents Night Out" in December and will be asking for cans of food as payment for the services of watching children while the parents spend the evening together.

Sunday Night Service

October 18, we completed our 4th night of Sunday night worship. Having made the commitment to try this new format for 6 weeks, and see what God was going to do with it, I believe God is telling us to continue. We had 40 in attendance and though it's not about noses, we do have people coming that can't come on Sunday AM and that is encouraging for us. I also believe we will see people inviting people that may not come on Sunday morning. We will continue to let God guide and see what He has in mind.
The evening teaching was on 1 Samuel 21 where David had gotten to place in his life where his faith was wavering and he had lost his God focus. The lesson was that when things got desperate for David, where did he go? He went to Church! And with no apparent resources the priest was able to provide bread and a sword for David. The lesson was that we sometimes hold so close to the letter of the law that we forget the compassion that God calls us to for those in need.

IT'S NEVER TO LATE

SUNDAY WAS ANOTHER DAY OF GLORIFYING GOD AS WE SAW TWO SENIOR ADULTS COME TO THE BAPTISM WATERS. JOHN, 74 CAME WITH TEARS TO MAKE A PUBLIC PROFESSION OF HIS ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS AS HIS SAVIOR AND BOB CAME RIGHT BEHIND HIM AT AGE 80 AND TOLD ME HE WAS A SWIMMER AND HE COULD STAY UNDER LONGER! I TOLD HIM "NO ONE PAID ME TO HOLD YOU UNDER LONGER?" HE JUST SMILED REAL BIG. HIS SON ROB STOOD BY HIS SIDE AND HELPED HIS FATHER IN AND OUT OF THE TANK. THERE WASN'T A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE AFTER THESE TWO CAME TO THE WATER. I REMINDED EVERYONE THAT THE WATER WAS THERE FOR THEM AND IF THEY HAD GIVEN THEIR LIFE TO CHRIST AND HAD NOT BEEN BAPTIZED, JUST LET ME KNOW..
WE ALSO GAVE OUT 3 BAPTISM BIBLES TO SHARON, DIANE AND DAUGHTER MAGGIE. GOD WAS GLORIFIED AND THE MESSAGE WAS ON FINDING HOPE IN OUR LIVES AND WHAT A WAY TO START THE MESSAGE.

Why I Love the Church

Sunday, I challenged all to "fall in love with the Bride of Christ" It is time that each of us take a hard look at our relationship to Christ and His church. Only in America do we have people who float from church to church. We must start looking at the commandments that Jesus gives us to "Love one another" by being active and participating in and with fellow believers to expand the body of Christ. When we love someone we are excited to "introduce her to others". We should feel that way about the Bride of Christ as defined in God's word and want to invite others that have either never been part of the family of God, or had an experience that took them away from the church. I have ask everyone to think of 3 people that they will invite to "Back to Church Sunday" on Sept. 13th. Let us pray that God will do a wonderful work on 9/13 by bringing and touching the hearts of many in the community

Celebrating New Members

I taught class 101 on August 16th and had 10 new members in attendance. We studied the scripture on what it means to be saved and at the end of that session, I ask everyone to pray the sinners prayer and two of the members prayed an ask Jesus into their hearts for the first time. It was a great day with everyone agreeing with the structure, strategy and statements of FBC, by signing the membership covenants. Next step for each of them will be class 201 to learn spiritual disciplines and begin their spiritual journey. The two that prayed the prayer for the first time will be coming to the baptismal waters in the upcoming weeks.

Yesterday, the 23rd was another great day at FBC. God is so good and we had a wonderful day celebrating "We were made for a mission" I was approached by an 81 year old man that wants to be baptized! Praise God, I look forward to the privilege of baptizing him.

RAMOS FAMILY CELEBRATION

Sunday night was a very very special night as we heard the testimony of one we have been praying for for over a year. Paul Ramos shared what God has done in his life in helping him overcome a life threatning addiction that almost took his life one year ago. Paul acknowledged all who have been there for him during this challenging time. Paul share the pain and suffering that we went through but also acknowledged the pain and suffering he had put many of his family and friends through and they never gave up on him. After Paul spoke, his mother and father came forward to speak to the church and share from their heart through tears what the last few years have been like with Paul's addiction. Thanking the church and the Teen Challenge Organization, Paul and his parents acknowledge the power of God in helping all of them through this time. The evening closed with Pauls sister and brother in law speaking of the pain of the past and the damage that the addiction does to a family.
The Ramos family brought hope to some parents in the audience that are struggling with children that are addicted. What a wonderful evening. Thank you Paul and thank you God for what you have done in his life.

What a celebration!

Once again, God was Glorified as five people came to the baptism waters. I had the privilege of baptizing two of my grandchildren, Kimberly and Christopher. What a great day! The 3 adults all bring a story of renewal and life change and it was my privilege to baptize them.

God continues to work, Heat and all....

I was reminded on Sunday that even in the heat, the Lord continues to bless. Sunday saw a record number of guests and the majority from the local community. We welcomed 16 first time guests and at the end of the service, three lifted there hands to acknowledge they had prayed the prayer to receive Jesus as their Lord and savior. Next Sunday, the 26th we will be baptizing in the 2nd service. I pray that the church family will continue to invite thier friends and family members for this special time as we continue our series on living a purpose driven life..
The morning ended with Cindy from the hospital passing out ice cream bars for all who attended the 10:45 service, (sorry 8AM) She was showing her appreciation for all who showed up Monday to assist her in preparing the 1200 cupcakes for the 5th year celebration....THANK YOU CINDY

The Cupcake Brigade

Monday morning at Mesa Hospital, we had a great turnout of volunteers to help the hospital get ready for their 5 year celebration. On Sunday as we started our Purpose Driven Series, one of the points in the message focused on "giving back". What better opportunity for us to give back than to the hospital that has meant so much to us and our community. Mesa View Hospital has been a blessing to the community. No longer is it necessary to travel to St. George or Las Vegas for a hospital. We have our own!
So it was with pleasure that a group showed up at the cafeteria this morning to help with the 1000+ cupcakes that were being baked in preparation for the celebration. I arrived first and got to "learn the ropes" by spreading the icing and then applying the sprinkles. What fun. Members started showing up at 9am and Cindy (she runs the cafeteria) had a big smile as each member washed up, put on hair nets and gloves and said "Where do you need me?" She couldn't cook them fast enough once the teams got the production started.

Baptisms Continue

We saw two more come to the Baptism waters on Sunday. What a blessing as we saw a mother and daughter come to the water. Mother Diane and Daughter Maggie, after making professions of faith in our Lord Jesus, obediently came to be baptized. We also celebrated the decision made my a young lady that had come forward the week before and given her life to the Lord. She had been Baptized Friday in Las Vegas and we recognized her and had her stand at the end of the service with Diane and Maggie to be congratulated by the church family. It was great to be back on the pulpit after being gone the previous week.

May 24th, Another wonderful day in the Lord. We started the service with two great videos to honor those who have served and those who have sacrificed in the armed forces. After the first video, "remember the fallen" Bill Montgomery ask all of the people who has served or are currently serving to stand as the rest of us honored them with our heart felt applause. The next video was the one we show each year, "You are the Ones", what a touching tribute to all who have served. The song that is performed during the showing of the video touches hearts and the tears were coming after. Bill M came back up to offer a wonderful prayer for all those who have served and for those that are serving today. He then ask everyone to meet and greet those around them, so that each person feels welcome in the house of the Lord.
The praise team took it from here.... Hallelujah. They started with My Country Tis of Thee, right into God bless America, the next song picked up the tempo with "My Redeemer Lives" and then we slowed down to prepare our hearts with "He is my hiding place, followed by He is our Peace" What a wonderful time of celebration, as we prepared our hearts to hear God's word.
I had the privledge of continuing the series on "How God Meets Our Deepest Need" This weeks message was about "Jehovah Shalom" Our God of Peace. (find it on this website under weekly sermons) during the alter call at the end of the 2nd service, another heart accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. A woman visiting a family member from Salt Lake City, raised her hand after she had prayed the sinners pray. I met with her after church and gave her our new believers package and invited her back to be baptized in the upcoming weeks. Her name is Pat, Please pray for her, God knows who she is and she needs your prayers as she starts her new life in Christ Jesus.
The service ended with Sam giving us some important announcements, check your calender, and Myra playing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic". If you weren't there....You missed a wonderful time of fellowship and worship....
See you next Sunday

Hole In One...My First

Monday, I joined my brother-in-law Joe for a round of golf at the Legacy Golf Course in Henderson. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 80s with a nice breeze. But that wasn't the best part. The best part came on hole 15, a par 3 162yard hole. I stepped up and took careful aim (I was hoping to find the green) and let loose for my first "Hole In One" in my life. What a wonderful day and what a surprise. It felt so good and I believe that God was smiling cause I sure was...

First Baby Dedication

 

We did our first Baby Dedication at First Baptist. Moises and Blanca Funz brought their daughter Nicole to be dedicated to the Lord and to hear the church family make a commitment to the family to be there and help them raise their daughter

Hawaii Trip a Blessing

Just returned from 7 days on the Island of Hawaii. We spent the time seeing the beautiful sites and even played a little golf. The Montgomery's were gracious hosts and provided us with a wonderful place to stay at the Hilton Grand Vacation Resort. We stayed on the "rock side" of the Island as it appears to be built on top of a huge lava bed. The golf was wonderful and we had the privilege of worshiping with a group at the Wiakolo Baptist Church on Palm Sunday. We made it back in time for our Easter services on Sunday and look forward to getting back in the swing of our ministry.

Thank you Lord for 2008, can't wait to see Your work in 2009

2008 was a wonderful year of seeing God work in the hearts of people. FBC was privileged to baptize 28 souls that came to know the Lord Jesus as their personal savior. We continue to marvel at how God brings those that are lost to meet him at FBC.
2009 will be a new beginning for many and I am sure that God will continue to allow us to see lives changed. Though the economy weights heavy on the hearts of many, and in our community we struggle with the loss of jobs, God is still God.

THE TOP TEN THINGS you will not have to worry about in 2009:
a. The Bible will still have the answers.
b. Prayer will still work.
c. The Holy Spirit will still move.
d. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
e. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
f. There will still singing of praise.
g. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
h. There will still be room at the cross.
i. Jesus will still love you.
j. Jesus will still save the lost.