First Baptist Communiqué

Coming Events

Wednesday, September 14th6:30pm

Awana Resumes (Children’s Wing)

24/7 (Jr. High) Resumes (Youth Wing - Jr. High Room)

Bible Institute Classes Resume(See list of classes offered on page 2)

Prayer Meeting

Sr. High Bible Study

Sunday, September 18th, 9:15amAdult Sunday School Classes &

Small Groups Resume

Sunday, September 11th

Sr. High-Adults will meet in the Auditorium for Sunday School. Fellow-ship and refreshments will follow in the gym. The Ministries of First Baptist will have a table in the gym explaining their ministry. The tables will be set up all day in the gym. Communion in the AM Service.

Sunday, September

18th AM & PM Services

Kent & Jenny Schafer -

Mozambique, New Tribes

Mission

Volume 253 St. Johns, Michigan September 2016

Facing A Task Unfinished Concert Friday, September 30th

7 PM Tickets are available to purchase. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors for a great night of singing and worship. Some tickets have been donated for “Outreach” if you would like to bring someone. There are three tiers. Front of house - $35, Back of house - $30, and Balcony - $25 on a first-come, first-served basis. To order tickets, go to our website: www.stjohnsfbc.com, email: tickets @stjohnsfbc.com or call the church office. Give your name, address, phone number, desired section, and number of tickets. Details for payment are explained there also.

Church Service & Cookout Sunday, September 4th, 10:30 am St. Johns City Park

On Sunday, September 4th, we will have our annual church service in the Performance Shell at the St. Johns City Park and church-wide cookout following the 10:30 am service. Parents please note: There will be childcare for Nursery/Toddlers and Children’s Church. We reserved the Main Pavilion for the cookout. There will also be people to park your car if you have trouble walking. (Please contact Dennis Whitlock if you would like this service.) This is a great opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors. Please sign up at the Information Area. What to Bring: LAWN CHAIRS and a DISH to pass. Hamburgers and hot dogs, table service and drinks will be provided. Please contact Pastor Chad if you would like to be involved in the planning (food, organizing games, etc.). If it rains, the Service will be at the church and the cookout will be in the gym.

BIBLE INSTITUTE CLASSES FOR FALL 2016

Our sixteenth year of Bible Institute classes is upon us. This is the class we are offering so far. The class will begin Wednesday evening, September 14th. Classes begin at 6:30pm and end at 7:30 pm. Class will meet in the Lower level-Adult Wing. There is a sign up sheet at the Information Area in the foyer. The classes are available to post-high school adults.

Victory in Spiritual Warfare, Part 1Teacher: Pastor Tim Knaus 11 weeks Book cost: $5.00 Pastor Tim will once again use a study authored by Dr. Tony Evans, one of the most respected church leaders in the country, and the founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Tex-as. Our primary focus as men will be learning to put on the full armor of God in order to equip ourselves for the spiritual battles we face every day. Tony Evans unveils a simple yet radical truth: every struggle and conflict faced in the physical realm has its root in the spiritual realm. As men, we will learn how the battle is fought by Satan, how to actively use the armor of God, and how to find strength in prayer and in the total sufficiency of Christ. Our goal will be to experience victory in Christ and embrace the life, hope, and purpose God has for us.

Beacon of Hope Update

Special Announcement Reminder: starting Sunday evening, September 11th, the back of the auditorium will be roped off from the front of the sound desk backwards. On that same Sunday evening we will also begin the new teaching format that Pastor Tim explained on Sunday night, August 14th. If you would like to listen to his presentation it is available online.

Thank you for the school supplies! Thank you to all who donated school supplies for the Learn & Earn store. The store is now well-stocked which will help kids get ready for another school year. Some children earn their own credits to spend, so they can purchase the supplies themselves.

Faith & FinancesBeacon of Hope is launching a new group for participants this fall called Faith & Finances. This program was developed by the Chalmers Center, where the authors of When Helping Hurts are located. This 12-week group first lays a Biblical foundation for viewing all the resources that God has given and then works to help people track income and expenses, prepare a budget, and plan for the future needs.

Beacon of Hope needs YOU one day a month! Are you a “people person?” • Then you would love working in the Learn & Earn store or the Food Pantry! Volunteers are needed in the store on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesdays and in the Food Pantry on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesdays. Times for both areas are from 5:30- 8:30 p.m.Are you a “behind the scenes person?” • Then consider helping with unloading and stock- ing shelves on Monday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. (depending on the amount of food coming from the Food Bank). It’s just like putting groceries away at home! • Or, serve as a “shopper” for the Learn & Earn store – purchasing needed items (with funds from the Beacon budget) for both the food pantry and the Learn & Earn store.Contact Karen Leif if you are interested in any of these areas of service.

Shuffleboard ResumesShuffleboard is fast approaching and we need anybody who is young (or old) at heart and wants some fun exercise pushing a disc across the floor and cheering on your teammates. We’ll meet again on Monday, September 12, at 10 AM in the Gym. Enter through the West Gym Entrance door.Hope to see you there, Dee Chapman

AWANA REGISTRATIONPlease HELP us make the first night of Awana run more smoothly: 1. Pre-Register your children by 8/28/16. Registration forms are available at the Information Area and near the entrance to the Children’s Wing. (There is also a link to all current Awana forms on the Awana page of our website under the Ministries tab.) All registrations and dues received by 8/28 will receive a $2 per clubber discount on dues. You may also place your order for Handbooks, Uniforms, and pay dues after the AM service on 8/28. (Only items ordered by 8/28/16 will arrive by the first night of Awana.) 2. We are also registering clubbers on Sunday, 9/11/16 after the AM service. (Items ordered will arrive by 9/28/16 which is the third week of Awana) 3. Please note that we keep a very limited amount of handbooks in stock. If you order your materials by 8/28/16, they will be delivered by the first night of Awana. Our next order will not be placed until 9/16/16. Please plan on any items we have to order thru Awana taking at least two weeks to arrive.

Registration Early Registration Order Dates* Discount Delivery Dates

8/28/16 @ 11:35 am Yes 9/14/16

9/11/16 @ 11:35am No 9/28/16

9/14/16 @ 6:00pm No 9/28/16

*You may also mail in your regstration forms and payment to the church office. Only those post-marked by 8/28 will receive the discount and order delivered the first night of Awana. 4. If you are a member or regular attender, please consider volunteering to be a leader or helper. Please Contact Bonnie cCorvie to help or if you need for more information @ 517-204-6126.

AWANA STARTSWednesday, September 14, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

We will open at 6:00 pm, the first night only, to register those that did not register early. The lines are usually very long the first night of Awana. We strongly suggest registering early. “Awana® and the Awana logo are trademarks of Awana Clubs International. Used by permission.”

On Tuesday, August 2nd, the Mighty O.A.K.S. had a great day for a picnic at Shady Green Pastures Bible Camp in Charlotte, MI. After lunch, Pastor Fred Froman from Holt Baptist Church, brought us a mes-sage stressing the importance of standing strong for Christ while praying and supporting our government. We were blessed with a mini-concert from the Potter Ladies. Mom - Stacey Potter, shared the legacy of the Potter family camp grounds.

Upcoming Events Tuesday, September 13th - Luncheon we would like to invite anyone over 50 to come and fellowship at 12 noon in the church gym. Our missionaries, Kent & Jenny Schafer, will share about their time in Mozambique. Bring a dish to pass. Table service and Beverage will be provided. Sign up at the Information Area. Please be praying for safe travel for the Mighty O.A.K.S. who will be going to the Creation Museum September 20-22.

Looking Ahead In October. . Decision America Tour 2016 with Franklin Graham Tuesday, October 4th, 12 NoonThe Decision America Tour is coming to the Lansing Capitol East Steps. For more information, check out their website: decisionamericantour.com

Housing for Craig & Shelly Schafer Our missionaries Craig & Shelly Schafer will be home on furlough this coming fall. Here is a note that they sent to us concerning their housing need: “We are now ready to begin looking for a place to stay while we are on furlough! We will be coming back at the end of November and will need a place from the beginning of December until about mid October 2017. Preferably, a 3 bedroom house in the St. Johns area to rent. We really loved staying right there in St. Johns last time and would love something like that again if it was available. That is what we are hoping for, but we will just see what God has for us. Thanks a ton for helping us out with this, and once again we are really, really pumped to get back there with you and share what God has been doing here in the Kora Valley!” Please contact the church office if you can provide housing for Craig & Shelly.

Baptism/Membership Service Sunday, October 23rd

PM Service

Local Evangelism Month

Beacon of Hope Presentation Sunday, October 16th

Theme Gospel Shaped Outreach

“BY THE WAY, WHAT IS OUR POLICY ON......”

Flowers from Funeral Services

From time to time people from our congregation donate flower arrangements to the church following the funeral of a loved one. We always appreciate the thought and gesture. We simply want people to be aware that most of the time those arrangements will not be placed at the front of the auditorium. A lot of work and thought goes into coordinating the platform area, and often donated flower arrangements do not fit with what has been planned. Again, we always accept donated flowers, but it is very likely that they will be placed somewhere other than the front of the auditorium. Our goal is to seek appropriate places where arrangements fit with the existing surroundings.

Lane and Emily Bargeron are in the process of build-ing their forever home! A home that will fit all of Lane’s needs. We as the body of Christ have the opportunity to come alongside of them and make this load a little lighter.

We are entering the building phase and are in need of subcontractors and supplies for the house. If you are a subcontractor, have experience in a certain area and could help a subcontractor, or have any connections with any suppliers who may want to come alongside of us, please email homeforlane@gmail.com or call Craig Simon at 989-307-1298.

Thanks so much!

MISSIONS UPDATEBUSY HANDS FOR MISSIONS

OnAugust9ththereweresix ladiespresent,andwedidn’thaveanyDittybagstofillsoweworkedonCEFprizes. We’re looking for someone to work on these items as Fran Nelson had been doing them for us from a distance. They could be done at home, we will show you what needs to be done and supply all you need. They could also be worked on at our meetings. We tied one quilt for the Rescue Mission and sent fabric home to be made into ditty bags. That’s another thing we could use help with and have fabrics to make them. We will need inexpensive washcloths for this project. Our next meeting will be September 6th, at 9:30 AM. We really could use more hands and ideas for other projects for our missionaries. Come join us and stay for our lunch fellowship...we bring sack lunches and sometimes things to share. There will not be a meeting in October, but, see Dee Chapman or Pam Snyder if you want work to do at home

MISSIONS CLOSET Visitors to the Missions Closet were: Anthony and Sara Sytsma, Kent & Jenny Schafer, Debbie Price, and Phil & Kitty McMillen. Anthony & Sara choseitemstotakebacktothefieldwiththem.Theseincluded;twinsizesheets,leathergloves,kitchen knives, a pocket knife, and a twin quilt of blue and green birds. Kent & Jenny are home for a year and setting up housekeeping here in St. Johns. Thanks to all those who have lent items to them that have completed their home. It is amazing to see how things match and look so well together thathavecomefromsomanyofyou.Theychosesomenewitemsincluding;Rubbermaidsetofstorage,fullsizesetof sheets, Tupperware, hand towels, body lotion, a candle, 2 clamps, line level, wire connectors, and some books. Some of these items they will store for return to Mozambique. Debbie has a birthday coming up and was here for VBS so this was an ideal time for her to make some personal choices for her special day in Oct. She chose a twin and full size sheet set, pillow cases, a twin quilt of greens and brown, note cards, wash clothes, some pretty boxes for decorations, along with a 16 inch tape measure, paint brush, paint roller pads, and extender. Phil & Kitty were here Sunday, August 21st, and 6 containers of their favorite nuts were given to them along with 2 gift cards. Phil was grateful for a 9 piece metric set of wrenches, 2-two handle clamps, electric wire connectors, a saw,rasp,multi-meter,andsafetyglasses.Kittychose;amicrofibersetofqueensheets,towelsandadishtowelset,queenmattresspad,queenflannelsetforhereinMI,alargegray/yellowinsulatedbag,andavarietyofnapkinsaspaper products are very expense where they live and she does a lot of entertaining. As you shop, our closet is in need of cotton queen size sheets and mattress pads. Any metric tool is useful.

BIRTHDAY MAILINGS TO OUR MISSIONARIESJenny Reava was mailed a box of gently used clothing for the family, a candle, body cream, dish cloths and towels. Ruth Scheltema received a box with a handmade bag and items in green, decorative dish towels, dish cloths, a candle, note cards, and a variety of bath products. Carl & Lori Kresge were given a number of hard cover children’s books. They were delivered to Lori and Carl to use intheirministryastheyhavemanyfamiliesthatstaywiththemforafewdayswhentheyarehomefromtheirfieldsof service with SEND, and the children enjoy having books to read or to be read to them. Nan Mosher received a box of stationary and greeting cards with stamps for Nan to use in her ministry. Bill wrote in their last email to the church family: “Nan sends cards of encouragement and counsel to ladies at church and here in our senior community.”

THANK YOU’S RECEIVEDJenny Reava, Becky Kerr, Beverly Levy, Rachel Buser, and Nan Mosher sent notes of appreciation for the special items they received in their boxes. Some of their comments were: “the gift made me feel loved and cared for,” “you made my birthday special,” “thank you for continued faithfulness in encouragement and thoughtfulness,” and “the box was such a blessing to our family”. Your gifts are such an encouragement to our missionary families, and they extend their sincere thanks to each of you.

Missionary of the Month Terry & Inge Haneckow

(Retired)

Address: Lot #236, 2265 W. Parks Road • St. Johns, MI • 48879 Telephone number: (989) 224-3370E-mail: chaplainterry@gmail.com Mission Agency: Forgotten Man Ministries • Grand Rapids, MIHome Church: First Baptist Church of St. JohnsBirthday’s: Terry: 7-29 • Inge: 3/3 • Anniversary: 10/8/58 Children: Doris (Randy) Freidt • Carl • Tammy (David) Fisher • 5 Granddaughters • 7 Great-grandchildren

Terry was born and raised in central Michigan and grew up attending a Lutheran Church. However, he was not saved until he was 40. Terry accepted the Lord in St. Johns in September of 1979. He was instructed and then baptized by Pastor Peter Nieuwkoop in 1980.

Inge is a native of Germany and met Terry while he was stationed in Kitzingen am Main. Terry and Inge were married and moved to the States in 1960. Inge dedicated her life to the Lord in 1982 in her home.

When Terry first became a Christian, he wondered how he could serve the Lord as a law-enforcement officer. In 1984, Terry began his term of service as Clinton County Sheriff. He was introduced to Forgotten Man Ministries and eventually took the training course they offered to jail workers. Three months after leaving office, he applied to the Ingham County Sheriff for the position of Chaplain in the Ingham County Jail and, in affiliation with Forgotten Man Ministries, became their first full-time Chaplain where he served from 1993 through the end of 2009.

Following a brief retirement, Terry was recalled to be Chaplain at Eaton County Jail part-time in December 2010 and at Ingham County Jail part-time in February 2011.

Terry retired December 31, 2013 with over 20 years in full and part time service in jail ministry. As a commissioned Chaplain, Terry is available to step in for assistance calls from either Ingham or Eaton County Jail Ministries. Terry also provides scriptural advice at Beacon of Hope Family Care Center on Tuesday evenings.

There are many thousands of Bible lessons given out and graded each year through the ministry as well as thousands of Daily Bread devotionals and Bibles distributed. Pray for the salvation of inmates and their families. Many lives have been changed both inside and outside of the jail. Pray for those who have made salvation decisions at the jail to find a good church home when they are released that will accept them and disciple them in the Word.

Food for Thought…A Challenge to be Thinking Christians

Why Church Isn’t Optional for ChristiansByBobKauflin Bob Kauflin is a songwriter, worship pastor, and the director of worship develop-ment for Sovereign Grace. He is the author of “Worship Matters” and blogs at Worship Matters.com

I recently heard a pastor of a large American church say matter-of-factly that the average person in his church attended one out of three Sundays. Sadly, he wasn’t saying it was a problem. He was simply making an observation.

It’s an observation that stands in stark contrast to the admonition in Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Ifgoingtochurchisanitemwecheckoffourlisteveryweek,ifweregularlylookforexcusestoskipout, if the Sunday gathering is more of an obligation than a joy, then perhaps we’ve forgotten why God thinks it’s so important.

As a reminder, let me suggest eight reasons gathering with God’s people each week is meant to be the high point of our week.

1. Jesus came to save a people, not random individuals.From the days of Adam and Eve, God wanted a people who would declare the greatness of his name through the words and witness of their life together. God never intended our worship to be just “me and God.”That’sbecauseourworshipistheoutflowoftherelationshipstheFather,Son,andSpirithavealways enjoyed.

Throughout the Old Testament God calls his people together to celebrate his goodness and renew his covenantwiththem(Exodus19:6;Exodus23:14-17). In theNewTestament,Pauldeclaresthat thechurchis“thetempleofthelivingGod”(2Corinthians6:16).Elsewherehereferstousas“God’sfield,God’sbuilding”(1Corinthians3:9).

Bottom line: God doesn’t give us a choice about whether we want to be in the church. If we’re Christians, we’re already part of the family. The question now is where and how we work out the details of family life.

2. We need to rehearse and be reminded of the gospel.Robert Robinson confessed in his hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” that he was “prone to wander.” There’s nothing we’re more prone to wander from than our reliance on the gospel — the amazing news that Jesus has come to bear our sins, endure the punishment we deserved, and reconcile us to God.

Thisisof“firstimportance”andismeanttodwellinusrichlyaswemeet(1Corinthians15:1-4;Colossians 3:16).Butwetendtowanderfromthatnewswhenweneglecttomeetwiththechurch.Wemeettogetheras redeemed saints to remind each other whose we are, how we got here, and why it matters.

(NextPage)

Food for ThoughtA Challenge to be Thinking Christians (Cont.)

3. God’s Word builds us together.When the church gathers expectantly in one place at one time to hear God’s Word proclaimed, it’s a unique event. God himself addresses us as his people. The Spirit works in our hearts at oncetoconvict,comfort,illumine,andexhort(1Thessalonians1:4-5,2:13).

Notonlyarewebeingstrengthenedindividually;we’rebeingstrengthenedasabody.Wecanthank God for opportunities to listen to downloaded messages on our own. We can thank him even more that we get to hear them with the church.

4. We were made to serve and care for one another.The writer of Hebrews tells us we gather “to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews10:24).I’mstirredupasIbenefitfromthedifferentstrengths,gifts,andabilitiesGodhas given to other members of my church. I need to be stirred up regularly. So do you.

Inaddition,eachofushasbeengiftedinsomewaytoserveourlocalchurch(1Corinthians12:4-7; 1Peter4:10).Ofcourse thatservingcanandshould takeplaceoutsideSundaymornings. But when we don’t meet together, we limit the opportunities we have to serve each other.

5. We become more aware of God’s presence.We don’t have to scour the Internet to locate the latest outpouring of the Spirit. We don’t have to chase experiences and manifestations of the Holy Spirit “out there” — because he’s already promised to be “right here” as we meet with our local church.

AsthenewtempleinJesusChrist(Ephesians2:19-22),thechurchiswhereGod’spresenceisnow typically encountered. Why would we want to miss out on it?

6. We demonstrate our unity in the gospel.The scattered church throughout the week is still the church. But gathering together is a physical demonstration and reminder of our distinctness from the world and our unity in the gospel. We show that we’ve been drawn apart from the world and drawn together to God.

Mostofusinstinctively(sinfully?)liketobewithpeoplewhoarealotlikeus—peoplewholikethesamemusic,eatatthesamerestaurants,andshopatthesamestores.ButGodisglorified when people who have no visible connection or similarity joyfully meet together week after week. They do it not because they’re all the same, but because the gospel has brought them together (Romans15:5-7).

7. We can share in the sacraments.Another way the unifying power of the gospel is made visible when we gather is through the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. When people are baptized, they’re publicly identifying withChrist’sdeath,burial,andresurrection(Romans6:3-4).Butexpressing theirunionwithChrist is paramount to expressing their union with the church. No one is baptized into Christ who isn’t also baptized into his body.

(NextPage)

Food for ThoughtA Challenge to be Thinking Christians (Cont.)Inasimilarway,sharingtheLord’sSuppernotonlysignifiesourcommunionwithChrist,butwitheachother(1Corinthians10:16-17).That’swhyitdoesn’tmakesensetotakecommunionon our own. The very word communion informs what’s taking place. We’re remembering that we’ve been reconciled not only to God but also to those around us.

8. We magnify God’s glory.God’s inherent glory never increases or diminishes. But that glory is more visible when we meet together to worship him. It’s through the church that the manifold wisdom of God is put on display (Ephesians3:10).Godisglorifiedthroughhispeople,notsimplyindividuals.

EvenasDavidcommunedwithGodalonewhileguardinghisflocks,hewasinspiredtowrite,“Iwillthankyouinthegreatcongregation;inthemightythrongIwillpraiseyou.(Psalm35:18)Hedidn’twanttokeepGod’sglorytohimselfinthemiddleofafield.Hewantedtoshareitwithothers.

* * *Every Sunday morning there are dozens of voices trying to convince us there’s something better to give our time to than meeting with God’s people. Sleeping in. Cramming for an exam. Playing golf. Catching up on housework. Enjoying a late breakfast.

Don’t believe them. There are no normal Sundays. Just fresh opportunities to behold the glory of the Lord as we’re “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2Corinthians3:18).Together.Adapted from True Worshipers, by Bob Kauflin, ©2015. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, www.crossway.org.

(3)

FIRST BAPTIST THIS ‘N’ THAT

Please make these changes to your FBC Phone Directory:

Congratulations to Craig & Jen Simon on the birth of their Son, Elias Joseph. Elias was born on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. He weighed 8 lbs., 5oz. His Grandparents are Louie & Mary Simon. His Great -Grandparents are Tony & Mart Feldpausch.

Congratulations to Duane & Paula Briening on the birth of their daughter, Evalina Lynn. Evalina was born on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. She weighed 5 lbs., 12 oz. Her Grandparent is Patti Jo Nichols.

Dishes in KitchenPlease stop by the kitchen and pick up your dishes that have been left in the kitchen from funerals, showers, meals, etc. Please enter the kitchen door in the hallway by the West Doors leading out to Swegles Street.

• Holden & Cassie Chesher 4327 Murphee Drive Midway Park, NC 28544-1762

• Bill Kidd Phone: 989-307-0085

• Diana Luckhardt Phone: 989-233-7122

• Fran Nelson 509 Westchester Drive Greenville, NC 27858

First Baptist Phone Directory It is time to update the Church phone directory. We would like to have it available by the end of October.

We need your help!!! Here is what we need: 1. New Member or Regular Attender: name, address, phone number and e-mail address. 2. College student’s address: College attending, e-mail address, phone number, etc. 3. E-mail address: If it has changed or you would like it included. 4. New address or phone number: If it has changed from last year. 5. Business or Service: If you have a service or business that would benefit our church family.Please e-mail, mail or place your information in the secretary’s box located in the Office Work Room by Sunday, September 11th. Please do not call in your information, it causes errors.

Dear Friends at First Baptist Church, We just wanted to thank you so much for your generos-ity and kindness in helping us set up our apartment here in St. Johns. It was such a blessing to have so many people give gifts and offer us furniture so that we can have a comfort-able place to call home during our year in the U.S. Thank you for ministering to us in such a special way! Kent & Jenny Schafer

Thank you for praying for me during my torn retina sur-gery. The follow-up office visit resulted in my eye medicine being reduced by half. Also I can now sleep on my side or back. TV is allowed and so is computer use. No driving for 4 weeks is bad news and so is no physi-cal activity for two months. I guess my to do list is pushed back until October. Again thanks, Willard Goldman

Thank you for the outpouring of love following my father’s passing. We appreciate the donation of Gideon Bibles in his honor. Your thoughtfulness meant so much in this time of loss! Forever grateful, Jackie Coffelt

I want to thank everyone for the incredible support given to me by our entire church family during my campaign for re-election as County Prosecuting Attorney. There were so many individuals who helped with assembling 400 yard signs, finding places to put them, putting up large signs, walking in parades, going door to door, and financially sup-porting the campaign, not to mention voting; including a member who took charge in organizing and functioning as a de facto campaign manager. I can’t even count the number of people who said they were praying for us, which was the greatest help of all. I never could have done this without “the body of Christ”. Charles Sherman, Prosecuting Attorney, Clinton County

What a comfort you were, dear 1st Baptist family, after our precious mother and grandma Alma went to be with her Lord Jesus. We were held up by your cards, food, visits to the funeral home, and even attending her funeral. Alma loved her years attending First Baptist; hearing God’s Word, the music, and especially each of you who went out of your way to greet her every Sunday. The gift of Gideon Bibles is so appropriate as Alma loved people and was a student of God’s Word. We praise God for you, our church family, as you surrounded us with love and comfort during this precious time. The Jim Davis family

NotesDear First Baptist Family, We cannot say how excited we are to be coming home soon and to fellowship with you once again! It doesn’t even seem real but it is! So much has happened in the last few years! We can’t wait to get back and share it all with you in person and to live our lives out with you all! Kale wanted a chance to thank you all for so faithfully standing with us and for being so careful to make sure all our needs are met. He chose to draw a picture of a helicopter we fly on to get to our mountain for you. We thank God for you all everyday! Love, Craig & Shelly Schafer, Jade, Kale & Hali

First Baptist Church, Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit your church to preach and to present about our ministry in Uganda and Kenya. It was great to be back meeting with so many friends. The First Baptist community always will have a special place in my (Anthony’s) heart because of the formative years I spent with you in the youth group. We are so grateful for the wonder-ful gifts we received from the missions closet, a quilt, sheets and knives among other things. What a great ministry! We appreciate so much your prayers for us and we will see if it’s possible for us to visit again when we come to the U.S. next time three years from now. May God bless your church and continue to use you in His Kingdom work in St. Johns and around the world! In Christ, Anthony & Sara Sytsma (with World Renew in Kenya)

To our Friends at First Baptist Church, Our family would like to say a big thank you to our church family for the visits, prayers and cards sent during Paul’s illness and after his passing. Thanks to those who prepared the food for the meal, set up and took care of tables. Thank you for the Gideon Bibles given in Paul’s memory. We feel blessed to be a part of this church. In Christian Love, RuthAnn, Dan, Denise & Mark Halstead

Sun., Sept. 4 NO Sunday School AM Service in the St. Johns City Park - Cookout immediately following the Service NO PM ServiceMon., Sept. 5 Labor Day, Men’s Basketball -- 6:30pm (Gym)Tues., Sept. 6 Busy Hands for Missions -- 9:30am (Lower Level-Room #15)Wed., Sept. 7 Sr. High Bible Study -- 6:30pm (Youth Room) Prayer Meeting -- 6:30pm (Office Level-Classroom #1)Thurs., Sept. 8 Missions Committee Meeting -- 6:30pm (Office Level-Classroom #2)

Sun., Sept. 11 Kick-Off Sunday--Sr. High-Adults meet in the Auditorium for Sunday School Communion -- AM ServiceMon., Sept. 12 Shuffleboard -- 10am (Gym) Men’s Basketball -- 6:30pm (Gym)Tues., Sept. 13 Mighty O.A.K.S. Luncheon -- 12:00pm (Gym)Wed., Sept. 14 Elders Meeting -- 8:00am (Office Level-Conference Room) Awana Resumes -- 6:30-8pm (Children’s Wing) 24/7 Jr. High Resumes -- 6:30-8pm (Jr. High Room-Youth Wing) Bible Institute Classes Resume -- 6:30-7:30pm (Lower Level-Adult Wing) Sr. High Bible Study -- 6:30pm (Youth Room) Prayer Meeting -- 6:30pm (Office Level-Classroom #1)Thurs., Sept. 15 Deacons Meeting -- 6:00pm (Lower Level-Classroom #8)

Sun., Sept. 18 Adult Small Groups & Classes Resume -- 9:15am Missionaries, Kent & Jenny Schafer, Mozambique -- AM & PM Services World Missions Prayer Meeting -- after the evening service (Lower Level - Classroom#13)

Mon., Sept. 19 Shuffleboard -- 10am (Gym) Men’s Basketball -- 6:30pm (Gym)Wed., Sept. 21 Awana -- 6:30-8pm (Children’s Wing) 24/7 Jr. High -- 6:30-8pm (Jr. High Room-Youth Wing) Bible Institute Classes -- 6:30-7:30pm (Lower Level-Adult Wing) Sr. High Bible Study -- 6:30pm (Youth Room) Prayer Meeting -- 6:30pm (Office Level-Classroom #1)

Sun., Sept. 25 Regular ServicesMon., Sept. 26 Shuffleboard -- 10am (Gym) Men’s Basketball -- 6:30pm (Gym)Wed., Sept. 28 Awana -- 6:30-8pm (Children’s Wing) 24/7 Jr. High -- 6:30-8pm (Jr. High Room-Youth Wing) Bible Institute Classes -- 6:30-7:30pm (Lower Level-Adult Wing) Sr. High Bible Study -- 6:30pm (Youth Room) Prayer Meeting -- 6:30pm (Office Level-Classroom #1)Fri., Sept. 30 Keith & Kristyn Getty Concert -- 7:00pm (Auditorium)

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBERBIRTHDAYS

02 Beverly Crowell Julie Kresge Hannah Marcotte Gideon Sawyer

05 Carol Estes Clare Klein 06 Kathy Hopkins Lucas Stewart 07 Jo Ann Green 10 Anita Iocco Pastor Chad Konieczny 11 Craig Bishop Carolyn Patrick

12 Elayna Pagels

13 Marcia Feldpausch 14 Lori Ely

15 Joel Seling

16 Annette Wood 17 Jim Davis Ryan Leif Jamie Smith

18 Roger Annis Penny Tahvonen

19 Ruby Bancroft Bonnie Lutz 20 Dean Feldpausch Tony Feldpausch 21 Andrea Bancroft Faith Fleischer Bonnie McCorvie

22 Beth Holben Cara Keilen

23 Jameson Hufnagel

24 Sandy Burk Rachel Harps

25 Eileen Feldpausch Jim Rademacher

26 Erin Simon

27 Roger Schafer Candi Sheen 29 Amanda Deemer Jerry Peterson JoAnn Prohaska 30 Brady Reava Dona Beth Silvers

SCHEDULES FOR SEPTEMBER

NURSERY TODDLERS USHERS

TODDLER COOKIES

GREETERS04 NO GREETING - SERVICE IN THE ST JOHNS CITY PARK11 Foyer Tom & MB Moldenhauer SS Jim & MaryAnn Rademacher Office Bill&SharonKidd18 Foyer Roger&RosanneSchafer Office SharonAshenfelter25 Foyer Bryan & Trisha Feldpausch Office AM-JoelSeling PM-Diana VanOrsdol

*Foyer-Stay until Sermon begins.*Office Greets for Sunday School-9AM Unless otherwise stated.*AM Greeters please be at your door by 10am.*Everyone Greets in the PM Service Unless otherwise stated.

04 Service at the St. Johns City Park-Performance Shell AM Sarah & Sylvia Thomas, Bethany Konieczny11 SS Emily Knaus, Lori Knaus Bernadette Richardson AM Debi Davis, Diana VanOrsdol, Pamarie Nichols, Kayla Mead PM Combine with Toddlers14*Awana Carolyn Henning, Eileen Feldpausch18 SS EmilyKnaus,BeckyBecker, Emily Bargeron AM Becky & Rachel Becker, Lori & Chara Walters PM Karen Leif, Kay Schmidtmann 21*Awana Carolyn Henning, Valorie Iung 25 SS Emily Knaus, Sarah Thomas, Helen Kresge AM Eileen & Natalie Feldpausch, Sue & Kristy Mullikin PM Combine with Toddlers28*Awana Carolyn Henning, Sue Bishop *Seeking 1 Volunteer for these dates.

04 Service at the St. Johns City Park-Performance Shell AM Liz Davis, Ellen Kresge11 AM Lori Knaus, Andrea Bancroft, Pearl Nichols PM Grace Kresge, Katie Fore, Annette Peterson, Sarah Snyder18 AM RebekahBecker,Lisa Crandall, Lydia Ely PM Carrie Miller, Cindy Painter, Ellen Kresge25 AM Ted & Michelle Beck, April Mullikin PM Grace Kresge, Sarah Bouck, Laurie Ordway, Valorie Iung

04(ServiceintheSt.JohnsCityPark) Marie Showers11 Sheila Robbe18 LisaCrandall25 Eileen Feldpausch

04 Service at the St. Johns City Park-Performance Shell AM *John Leif, Jeremy Thomas, Jason Holben, Ron Showers, Jimmie Harps, Jim Cyrus NO PM Doug Merignac, Ted Bedell11 AM *Scott McCorvie, Derrick Ostrander, Preston Nichols, Phil Burkhart, Duane Schafer, Dennis Eilert PM *John Glerum, Walt Knaus18 AM *JuliusMotz,Shane Kidd, Norm Moinet, Mark Lutz, Ted Beck, Mike Marcotte PM *Jim Ashenfelter, William Kidd25 AM *Rick Davis, William Kidd, Ryan Shackelford, Joe Ondrusek, Chris Bouck, Harold Lichte PM *Dean Feldpausch, Chris Bouck

*Captain