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: April 3, 2008 Text Box:   OUR GOD REIGNS! Text Box: Total Annual Budget             $835,869.00 Budget to Date Needed          $410,048.53 Budget Received to Date       $399,997.88   March 2008 Budget as of 3/31/08               $  78,855.55 Budget Rec. as of 3/30/08       $  69,459.39 His Church Rising Totals       $  668,985.58 Annie Armstrong Offering     $  5,296.00 

Text Box: Exciting News – Part III A NEW Baptist Hymnal is being published just in time for us to equip our new building!  The release date of the hymnal is 8-8-08, August the eighth of this year! Funds are available for us to purchase at least a minimum number of hymnals for our new worship space. While we may not have the hymnals for our first several weeks in the building, they should be available very close to the date of our dedication on August 24. Of course, with our new projection system, we plan to have words of the songs both on the screens, and in the hymnals when possible. I can’t wait, can you?   We Proclaim His Glory Children’s Choir Spring Musical Sunday, April 20 9:00 am During morning Worship     The Life-song Project   Youth Choir Musical Sunday, May 4 2:30 pm Middle School Gym   HeartSong Youth Music Camp is coming June 23-27, on the campus of William Carey University in Hattiesburg. Deadline to sign-up is extended to April 20.

Text Box: Youth News

Text Box: Heart to Heart   Prayer, a Conversation with God. The early church was a praying church. They prayed for each other. They came together to pray with each other. They prayed about everything. Prayer was a vital part of their daily life, personal life, family life, and church life. And God used those people powerfully to turn their world right side up! Have you read The Acts of the Apostles lately? Read the Book of Acts and be reminded of how God used a praying people to do great and mighty things for the good of their families, church, community, and world.   How would you rate your prayer life? Do you converse with God in a special place, at a special time? Be assured that God is accessible whenever and wherever. THE PROPER WAY TO PRAY?   “The proper way for men to pray,” said Deacon Samuel Keys, “At least the best for me, Is down upon my knees.”   “Oh, I should say the way to pray,” Said Rev. Dr. Wise, “Is standing straight with arms outstretched, with rapt' and upturned eyes.”   "Oh, no, no, no," said Elder Slow, “that posture is too proud! A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head serenely bowed.”   “Seems to me his hands should be serenely clasped in front; both thumbs pointed toward the ground,” said Rev. Dr. Blunt.   “I fell in the neighbor's well one day; headfirst,” said farmer Willy Brown. “Both my feet was a stickin' up; And my head was a stickin' down. I prayed a prayer right then and there, the best prayer I ever said. The prayingest prayer I ever prayed - I was a standin' on my head.”   Phillips Brooks wrote, "If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing: it is an infinitely foolish thing." Isn’t it easy to go through a day without spending time alone with God in prayer?   40 Days of Focused Prayer. Are you participating? Prayer guides are available at the church office or at worship on Sundays. Join your church family in prayer and make a difference in time and eternity.   Be Blessed! The Son is Risen! See you Sunday, Bro. LaRue

Text Box: Hey Youth, I just thought I would bring you up to date on our goal. We made a pledge of $10,000 to our His Church Rising campaign. To date, we have raised $5053.00. Congratulations, keep up the good work. We are very proud of you. We will have an opportunity to up that a little on April 19th; we will have a youth workday beginning at 8:30 at the annex. I hope to see you there. Speaking of April 19th, we have a little concert to go to. We will meet at the annex at 5:00 pm to go to the “Switchfoot” concert in Hattiesburg. In order to go, you must pay in advance. The cost is $15.00 and it will be due no later than Sunday April 12th. Seats are limited so get yours today. Students, it’s that time again. We will be having student council nominations in a couple of weeks. Please be in prayer for this. Each grade needs to nominate two students to be on the council. Our first meeting will be next month so begin thinking of someone to nominate or nominate yourself. Remember, it’s important that your ideas be heard. Hang in there, it’s almost summer time. Dust off the air soft junk, get ready for games and grub it’ll be here before you know it. Have a great weekend. Scott

Text Box: Brenda’s Notes . . .                  Lately I have been hearing “Rise and Go” in several things that I have read and heard.  I really think that this is a call to us as Christians today but especially in the life of our church now.  We are at a great time in the life of First Baptist Church.  God is giving us a unique opportunity that might not be given again.  We need to make sure that we “rise” to the occasion.  It is not a time to sit back and say that someone else will do it.  It is not the time to think that it will be done with or without me.  We do not have that luxury at this time.  The time is now to “Rise and Go” out to our community and tell them about Jesus and to invite them to church.  It is the time to “Rise and Go” and get to work in the church in the area that God has gifted you to be.  It is the time to “Rise and Go” to church for some of you.  We have missed you and really need you to make us complete as a body of Christ.  IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE.  I am not talking numbers here but the encouragement that ALL of us being together to study, worship, and fellowship.  In this day that we live we need to have at least one day a week that all of us are together to lift each other up to face another work week or school week.  Please never think that they will not miss me.  We do and want to have you there.  I am not sure why we were down this past Sunday, but we need you back.  I know that it helps me when I know that I will see all of my brothers and sisters on Sunday.  So let’s “RISE AND GO” together and make a difference in each other lives and to our community.

Text Box: Thank you The pastor of Bel Aire Baptist Church, Lowry Anderson, died two weeks ago.  We have been praying for him and his family.  This is a thank you from his wife, Kandi:   Thank you.  How the cards, prayers and love your church body has shown to our family has ministered to us greatly.  Lowry loved being a co-laborer in Christ with his fellow believers and you are a wonderful church family.  Again, we love and appreciate you.  May God richly bless you...Kandi Anderson.

Text Box: Sunday, April 27 3:00 PM West Harrison Civic Center on Espy Avenue, Long Beach * R o a s t * of Dr. LaRue Stephens  and * S i l e n t   A u c t i o n * Silent Auction Bidding begins at 2:30 PM *$25 donation – adults                      *$1 grades 1-5                    *$5 grades 6-12                  Get your tickets now. Tables will be set up in the foyer April 6th, 13th and 20th before church service.  Purchase early by calling Jackie Hutchinson, 228-868-1594; or pick them up in the Church office. Sponsored by the Solid Rock Coeds