Text Box: Connecting to Scripture A three-year, over-and-above financial commitment to a capital stewardship program requires proper motive and motivation. The following study will help you to discern both your heart and God’s heart for giving generously.   In terms of affecting people and ministries, what will this project accomplish for God, for others, for you?  Matthew 28:19, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Kings 5:5   What does your heart prompt you to do?  Exodus 25:1-2, 35:4-29, 1 Corinthians 13:3, 2 Corinthians 9:7   What is your prayer plan to discern God’s will?  Luke 11:9-10, John 17, Matthew 6:5-13   What does sacrifice mean to you? 2 Samuel 24:24, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 21:1-4   What can you do to give sacrificially? 1 Chronicles 29:1-10, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:32-37

Text Box: OUR GOD REIGNS!

Text Box: PRAY               BELIEVE            COMMIT

Text Box: Mailing Address: 20144 Pineville Rd., Ste. B Long Beach, MS  39560   New Church Property Address: 300 N. Cleveland Avenue Long Beach, MS  39560   Worship location: Long Beach Middle School 204 N. Cleveland Avenue Long Beach, MS  39560   Phone:  228-864-2584  

Text Box: What Can I Do?   Above all, pray. To grow together in ministry, we are trusting God to meet our needs through the resources of our congregation. Many significant and exciting events are planned during this program. As you look forward to participating in each of them, please pray for those involved. Specifically, we need your prayer that people will respond as the Spirit leads them and that our giving will be according to God’s will. Share the excitement as progress is made and as you receive more information about His Church Rising! Enthusiasm is catching!

Text Box: The God of heaven will give us success.  We, His servants, will start rebuilding.  - Nehemiah 2:20 Text Box: Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service in the saints. — 2 Corinthians 8:2-4

Double Wave: We’re on the Web! www.fbclb.com Text Box: Dear Church Family,        Only on rare occasions are we given the opportunity to be a part of something as unique and significant as what we face —the rebuilding of an entire church campus and facilities that were destroyed by a catastrophic storm. God has given us this opportunity.        Necessity, opportunity, and privilege are bundled together in this pivotal point of our history. We must rebuild our ministry facilities. To do so will require great sacrifice. All of us have the opportunity to demonstrate clearly our devotion to Christ and His mission by giving financially. By our monetary gifts we vote to keep Christ’s mission alive and to advance His cause in Long Beach through First Baptist Church.        His Church Rising! is a means for you and me to declare to our family, city, and world that we mean business and are committed to the salvation of souls. I take seriously my responsibility to give sacrificially. I am confident that you too take seriously your responsibility to give sacrificially. Together, we can achieve great thing through Christ.   To God Be the Glory!   Bro. LaRue

Text Box: Prayer Vigil Opportunity!   To help prepare our church for our All Church Event/Commitment Sunday on May 20th, there will be a day of prayer on the 19th. It will be from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. under a tent across from our new church site. Please consider joining us in prayer. You may sign up for a fifteen minute slot alone or ask a friend to join you. A Sunday School class may want to sign up for an hour and split the time between its members. Of course, you don’t have to sign up to come pray, but we would like to make sure we have the whole day filled with God’s people lifting up prayers to Him!  Be thinking about what time you would like. There will a sign up sheet in the front of the gym after the worship service on April 29th. Text Box: A PERSONAL COMMITMENT Your financial commitment should be the result of a meaningful, spiritual journey. The following will help you begin. Use these steps to connect with God by discovering God’s will and by offering your full potential to fulfill God’s desire.   DELIBERATE with God Prayerfully seek God’s leadership. Ask God to shape your decisions. Walk through the doors God opens for you!   DISCOVER God’s purpose for our church and God’s will for you What is God calling our church to do and to be? How is God working through our church to affect people’s lives? How would God work through you to make a difference in ministry?   DISCUSS what you are learning with others Include your family in the discovery and decision-making process. Talk with others and learn from their experience.   DEFINE a sense of sacrifice in your life What decisions and priorities could you make in your life to further invest yourself in our church? How can you give in ways that make a difference to you?   DETERMINE your potential for giving Think outside the income-stream box. Capital giving may include new strategies for giving. Inventory your blessings and your potential for increased giving.   DECIDE on a personal giving plan There are multiple methods for giving in a capital program. Capital giving might include any combination of weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, one-time, and/or asset transfer gifts. Put together your own personal giving plan for the next three years to help you follow through with your commitment.

Text Box: · What is a commitment card and why use it? First, the His Church Rising! program commitment card is not a contract, but a simple statement of intent. With this declaration, our church stewardship committee will know what dollar amounts to expect and when to expect them, assisting us in our planning. · Is my commitment confidential? Absolutely, only the very few people in the church who deal with finances will have knowledge of this confidential information. It will not be used in any public way. · May I change my commitment if necessary? Of  course! Should changing circumstances force you to alter your giving plan, increasing or decreasing  your commitment, all you have to do is contact a member of the church stewardship committee. · When do I receive my commitment card? Cards will be provided in the bulletin on our All Church Event Sunday, May 20, 2007. · How do I turn in my commitment card once I complete it? On May 20, 2007, we will all complete our cards as part of our worship on that day. (A copy of the card is printed in this  newsletter so that you can become familiar with it.)  After completing our cards, we will bless our commitments together as a church family. If you cannot be with us on May 20, a card will be mailed to you. It can be completed and mailed to the church office. · When do I begin giving?  How long and how often do I give? The three-year giving phase begins on June 3, 2007.  You determine your personal giving schedule; it may be weekly, monthly, or on a schedule of your choice. Plan your giving in a regulated way that works best for you.

Text Box: Making and Fulfilling Your Commitment

Text Box:   Events and Dates to Remember   His Church Rising! Brochure Mailing April 20   Stewardship sermons and testimonies April 22 through May 13   Prayer Vigil May 19 Our church will be in constant prayer throughout the day for the future of our church.   Commitment Sunday/All Church Event May 20 The entire church family will meet for worship, fellowship and inspiration. The congregation will be given the opportunity to make their commitment to His Church Rising! There will also be a special emphasis for children during the Special Event worship service.   Announcement Service June 3   Be watching for more information on all these events in the coming weeks. Text Box: Pray for the Laborers… As I drove by the work site this morning, I noticed the workers. I felt compelled to pray for them. Not just for their safety during our building project, but for them personally. The Holy Spirit placed upon my heart the need to lift them up. I prayed for their lives to be touched by their labors. For the fact that they are helping to build a church of God to impact their lives, possibly for eternity! This is a major undertaking and it will reach people in ways that we never imagine. Please lift up everyone involved in the building of our Lord’s house. God bless the laborers!  “Encourage one another and build each other up.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11           ………Brenda McCoy

Text Box: Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice