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 28, 2008 Text Box:   OUR GOD REIGNS! Text Box: Hey Youth,    I hope all went well on your phone call outreach this week. I was praying for you all, I know it can be difficult to make that initial call. You never know what they will say or how they will react to your call. I assure you that they are more nervous than you. Just remember, this is your youth group and you are reaching out to them so they too can experience Christ in a whole new way or possibly for the first time. Keep up the good work; we are all proud of you.    Well gang, your hard work and dedication to the crosses will pay off on Sunday. We will set up a table outside the gym and sell them for $15. We will only need a couple of youth to be present at the table; see me before service to register a time.    Can you believe that February has come and gone? True Love Waits was a pretty special event again this year. I hope all of you were able to get something meaningful out of the study. This month we will begin Vital Character, a look into what God’s word has to say about our character. Join the youth group for “Nite Life” Wednesdays at the annex.    Have you ever wanted to ask the preacher something, but you figured it wouldn’t be the right time during his sermon? Well, maybe sometimes, but that just wouldn’t be possible. Now you will have your chance. Special cards will be available for you to ask completely anonymous questions about any topic you wish. Just fill them out and return them to your Sunday School teacher or turn them in at “Nite Life.” (Continued next column)

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Text Box: Brenda’s Notes . . .                  I was at a conference this past week where one of the conference leaders asked this question:    “If a church is not impacting its community, does it deserve to be called a church?” That question really got me to thinking.  What are we doing to impact out community?  Can we still be called a church?  I was very happy to say that we are impacting our community somewhat.  We are visual to the community.  We have helped in the recovery after Katrina.  We provided many things for our families in the community.  I really don’t know what more we could have done at that time - but is that enough for today?  What are we doing today for our community?  Are we going out and letting them know that we care and that God cares for them?  Are we inviting them to come to life-changing Bible Study each week?  Do we really want to make a difference in our community?  Remember that the church is you and me.  It is not the building – but the people that make the church and the ones that Christ uses to reach a lost and dying world.  We are His feet, hands, and mouth.  Let’s get out there and do our best to let them know that God loves them and so do we.  Please be in prayer for the things that we need to do when we get into our building that will make a difference for the kingdom.  What will your part be?  There are lots of places that need to be filled with people that have a passion for reaching people.  Pray for that passion.    Let me know where you feel that God is leading you to serve.  See you on Sunday.  

Text Box: Heart to Heart March means Missions at First Baptist Church, Long Beach. Every March we focus our thoughts on North American mission work and how better to communicate the gospel to our continent. Our goal includes not only financial support of more than 5,000 North American missionaries, but we also focus on prayer support and personal involvement through mission trips to do the work of evangelism. All of this falls under the umbrella of our North American Mission Emphasis. Part of our emphasis is the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Let me explain the name of this special offering. Each year, we honor the life and work of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the annual offering for home missions named after her. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary. Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed her belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts.  In 1893 alone, she wrote almost 18,000 letters! Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food, clothing, and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share God’s love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping to discover Christ. Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more to reach people for Christ. As we unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be our legacy faith; a legacy that clearly demonstrates our commitment to share Jesus faithfully. - See You Sunday! - Bro. LaRue

Text Box: The Worship Choir will be singing this Sunday, March 2. Choir Members: please be in place for sound check at 8:35 am.  Also, please remember that we will meet at 3:30 pm this Sunday afternoon, to allow extra time for Youth Choir. – Thanks.   The Preschool Choir will be singing on March 9. I look forward to being blessed by their joyful sounds!   The Coast-Wide Choir Festival is this 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!   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,” our spring musical, kicks into high-gear on THIS SUNDAY, 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. (Bring money for McDonald’s.) We will return to the Annex around 8:30 pm. This would be a great time to join us, Youth!

Text Box: Please join us as we celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Bill and Louise Barrett. “Come and Go” on Saturday, March 29, 2008 between 2-5 pm in Perkinston, MS. Hosted by their children, Melba B. Ramos, Rhonda B. Haney, Brad Barrett and Wes Barrett. For location and directions, please call Rhonda at 228-380-1827.

Text Box: The Solid Rock Coed Class is hosting a fundraiser for “His Church Rising.”  On Sunday, March 2, for just a few moments at the beginning of your Sunday School class time, a member of that class would like to inform you how you can help. Text Box: Week of Prayer, March 2-9 Our Church Goal: $7,000

Text Box: (Continued from Youth:) Brother LaRue will then visit your Sunday School class and personally answer them for you. Don’t be afraid, his bark is worse than his bite!                  Have a great weekend.                  Scott

Text Box: 55+ Event March 6, 2008 10 a.m. North Long Beach Baptist Church   Piano Concert with Carol Embry and Jeannette Haney Devotion by John McCall Lunch served for $3.00

Text Box: Youth News