Text Box:   Text Box: First Baptist Church EDITION OF The Baptist Record Church Offices: 20144 Pineville Road, Suite B Mailing Address: P. O. Box 338 Long Beach, MS 39560 228-864-2584, Website: www.fbclb.com Text Box: February 14, 2008 Text Box:   OUR GOD REIGNS! Text Box: Total Annual Budget             $835,869.00 Budget to Date Needed          $299,650.98 Budget Received to Date       $308,601.61     February 2008 Budget as of 2/29/08                   $  63,084.00 Budget Rec. as of 2/10/08          $  34,295.81     His Church Rising Totals           $603,034.38

Text Box: Hey Youth, True Love Waits is now underway and God’s word is more than just motivating, it is inspiring. Join the youth at “Nite Life” to experience this wonderful study on what true love really means. Parents, now is the time to reinforce the true meaning of love and what an everlasting relationship means. Please join us at our finale the last Wednesday of February for a special event. Students, we will continue our regular workdays on the second Saturday of the month in March. March the 8th will be our next workday. We will meet at the annex at 8:30 am to disperse and go to work. I’m sure the weather will be quite fine that day. This past Saturday a few of us attended Winter Jam in Mobile. We not only got a chance to hear some really nice music, but we had the opportunity to experience Christ. For those of you that did not hear, there were 1,700 professions of faith that night. Let’s remember those who gave their life to Christ in our prayers. As you know, without proper discipleship those flames may go dim. Let us all pray that those decisions will continue to grow and blossom into much more. Well, Saturday is the day of painting. We will paint the spires that we have been sanding on for so long. We will need several students to help with moving them and putting them up to dry. We can form an assembly line and move pretty quickly. Wear some old clothes; we wouldn’t want to ruin any of your good stuff. Have a great weekend. Scott

Text Box: Heart to Heart Prayer Warriors!  Would you join me in prayer for the following opportunities?   March 1: Sixth Grade Retreat—Bro. John and I will lead sessions designed to help our students understand Christian worship.  Pray for us as we prepare to address the why, when, where, what, and how of biblical worship with our sixth graders.   March 24-May 3: 40 Days of Focused Prayer—I am preparing materials for use during these 40 days.  Would you consider joining together with your church family in the season of focused prayer?  We will focus on our transition into the new facilities, God’s kingdom mission in our community, state, nation and world.  Included will be a focus on specific church ministries, teams, leadership, and other needs we face together.  Sister churches in our Gulf Coast Baptist Association are joining together in prayer for these 40 days.   April 8: Vacation Bible School Training Clinic—We are sponsoring this training clinic and New Hope Baptist Church will host it.  Pray for our leaders who will instruct VBS teachers from Gulf Coast churches on how to effectively teach the Bible to children and how to maximize the VBS theme with Scripture for leading older children to faith in Christ.   June 2-6: Vacation Bible School—We need workers to assist in all aspects of this ministry.  These are precious days when God works powerfully in the life of our children.  Would you allow God to use you to bless a child?  Pray for laborers to enter the Master’s field this week.   July 13 or 20: Anticipated first worship service in our new facilities.  Whatever the date, pray for God to give guidance and wisdom in the planning and preparations for this first worship service.   August 24: Dedication of our new facilities.  To God be the glory.  For three years we have had a front row seat from which we have observed God at work among us.  Look at what He has done to date.  Imagine what more He will do.  He will continue to do the impossible as long as we faithfully walk in obedience to His Word.  What a day of worship and celebration this will be for those who love God! Prayer works in the life of the one praying and in the object of prayer.  How often might it be said of us that “you have not because you ask not?”  Let it be said of us that we received bountifully because we prayed much. Prayer Warriors, I bless you because through your faithfulness God blesses us all. See You Sunday! Bro. LaRue

Text Box:   The Worship Choir will be singing this Sunday, Feb. 17. Choir members: Please plan to be in place for warm-up at 8:35 am, and remember, we are wearing our “choir shirts” this Sunday.   The LBHS Concert Choir under the direction of our own Joel Dunlap, will be singing in our worship service on Feb. 24. I look forward to their sharing with us.   The Coast-Wide Choir Festival is coming, Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:00 pm, at First Baptist in Pascagoula. I know it’s a long way to Pascagoula, but we surely would appreciate your support, and I know you will be blessed! Don’t miss this great evening of music, worship and praise.   HeartSong Youth Music Camp is “ON” again for 2008! Dates are June 23-27, on the campus of William Carey University in Hattiesburg. More information will be available at Youth Choir this Sunday. Deadline to sign-up is April 6, and a $50 deposit is needed.   Youth Choir: “THE LIFESONG PROJECT” “The Lifesong Project” kicks into high-gear on March 2 with this special schedule:   Youth Choir will meet at 4:30 pm for a little extra practice time. At 6:00 we will depart for supper and bowling. Get all the details at choir on Sunday afternoon. This would be a great time to join us, Youth!  

Text Box: Brenda’s Notes . . .                  In my devotions lately I have been studying about how to better love God.  I have come up with a few ways so far and I would like to share them with you. 1. I can love God through reading and studying His Word.  I always keep in my mind that it is a love letter and a guide for my life.  I don’t know about you, but I REALLY need a guide. 2. I can love God through being with His people.  I cannot wait until Sunday to see other believers and get encouragement and love from them.  I love worshiping together. It really makes the week go better.  Not to mention learning more about Him. 3. I can love God through my service to others and the church.  When I am doing the things that God has gifted me to do for the kingdom, then I feel closer to Him. 4. I can love God through my conversations with Him.  It is an all day thing.  I don’t mean that I am sitting with my hands folded and eyes closed all day.  I am in constant thought and conversation with Him about the events that happen during the day.  If I almost slip and fall - I say “Thank you, Jesus that I did not fall”.  If I see or think of someone then I immediately say a prayer.   I am still finding ways to love my God.  It is a wonderful adventure.  Join me today.

Text Box: Our Newest Member By Baptism: Gracyn Taylor 6015 Harvest Lane Long Beach