This Week’s Announcements Sunday Live Services

The campus is open for live on-campus Sunday services and weekday Bible studies. We will continue to observe CDC recommendations for face masks and social distancing for the comfort of those around us. Please enter through the Welcome Center only. If you are not feeling well or have had a recent exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID, we ask that you stay home and continue to watch services online.

Sundays: Encounter Service 9:15 am | Celebration Services 9:15 & 10:45 am

Childcare (birth - Pre-K) 9:15 & 10:45 am Kids Worship (K-5) 9:15 & 10:45 am

Adult Sunday School 9:15 & 10:45 am High School Youth 6 pm

Wednesdays:

Choir Rehearsal 6 pm Middle School Youth 6:15 pm Orchestra Rehearsals 7 pm

Pastor Appreciation – October is Pastor Appreciation month. Our pastoral team

works hard to care for our church families, and we want to honor them. Would you consider writing a note of appreciation and encouragement? Thank you cards with envelopes are available throughout the church. Feel free to pick one up (or create your own) and write a personal note to one, or all our pastors. You can drop your sealed card in a connection box or any of the baskets located throughout the church. You can also mail it to:

First Baptist Church - Pastor Appreciation (Add the pastor's name you are recognizing) 1020 4th St W | Palmetto, Florida | 34221

ILLUMINATE – Oct 16 & 18 @ 6:28 pm

Immerse yourself in an evening of worship! REFRESH - REFOCUS - RENEW Join us for our fourth annual ILLUMINATE in the gym on Friday, October 16 or Sunday, October 18 at 6:28 pm. Please enter through the Welcome Center. Complimentary tickets are available at the Information Desk in the Welcome Center on Sundays or register online here to reserve your seat. Ticket holders will receive priority seating at 5:45 pm. Non-ticket holder seating begins at 6:10 pm. Wear your favorite face covering!

Operation Christmas Child - It's that time of year when we have an opportunity to share Christ’s love with a child around the world. Empty shoe boxes are available, while they last, beginning Sunday, October 18. Filled shoe boxes are due back Sunday, November 15.

Baptism - If you feel called to take the next step in faith, you may be ready for

baptism. Baptism is a public declaration that you are a new creation through your faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, call the church office (941-722-7795) and ask to speak to a pastor about your baptism.

Studies and Small Groups

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, we need to know you are joining us for group studies so we can plan for appropriate room sizes. Register online or call the church office at 941-722-7795.

Mind, Body & Soul - Ladies Study Register Mondays at 9:30 am Let's consider God's desire for our lives as we petition Him for good health, a healthy weight goal and the ability to love who we are - where we are. Are you ready? Let's get started!!

DivorceCare - Register Mondays at 6:30 pm This friendly, caring group of people will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. Learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future.

GriefShare - Register

Mondays at 6 pm If you've lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you've probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This group is for men and women of all ages who have experienced this type of loss. Coming to GriefShare is like finding a calm port in a stormy season.

40 Days of Prayer–Men's Bible Study - Register Sundays at 6 pm What could be different about your life if there were a handful of believers praying for you every day for six weeks straight? In 40 Days of Prayer, Pastor Scott Hagan guides you through an immersion into the Lord's Prayer.

Sermon Notes – Who You Will Be

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ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN - WEEK 41

Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: 1 Thess 1-3; Prov 4:12–27

1 Thess 4-5; Prov 5:1–9

2 Thess 1-3; Prov 5:10–23

Daniel 1-3; Prov 6:1–19

Daniel 4-6; Prov 6:20–35

Discussion Questions

• Name things that take a long time. Why are some things worth waiting for while others are not?

• Look over the past years of your life. How has God changed you? Give examples.

• What’s the worst thing about waiting on God? Why are we bad waiters? What’s the root issue behind our aversion to waiting on God?

• In verses 13-14 Jesus asks His disciples a question. What different ways does our culture answer this question?

• How did Peter answer the question? Why was his answer important?

• How did Jesus respond to Peter? What is significant about the way He talked to Peter?

• Shortly after the above story takes place, what does Peter say to Jesus? (v.21-23) What does Jesus say to Peter? How might the second conversation effect the first?

• Did Jesus change His mind about Peter? What biblical evidence do you have to support your answer?

• Why are we prone to see ourselves more often as the Peter who gets disciplined as opposed to the Peter who is going to lead the church? Why do we let our failures define the way we think God sees us?

• What steps can we take to remind ourselves that God sees us for who He is making us to be instead of who we’ve been or who we are?

Monday – He Looked Beyond By George Volpe

“Being confident…, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6

Sometimes as youngsters we are either exposed to or we find an interest in something so compelling that we drive toward that activity that captures us. We imagine ourselves to be a certain person, or to follow a specific path. Once in a while, it actually happens.

I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing growing up. I couldn’t make up my mind when I was asked what course I wanted to follow in high school, or even college. So I settled for straddling the fence with a general smattering of Liberal Arts courses. I didn’t realize it, but as I jumped from one career path to another in school trying to figure out where I fit, it was the broad study of Liberal Arts that served my path the best in the long run. I didn’t know it at the time. I thought I was a failure. But God saw beyond my limited vision or even my compromised choices. He knew what was best for me. He saw what I would be, and He equipped me.

Peter must have been amazed over and over again at everything about Jesus. Peter was passionate, but Jesus was passionate in far superior ways. Peter thought he was a hard worker, but he couldn’t keep up with Jesus. Peter felt like he was strong enough to handle himself in any situation, even the instantly changing sea of Galilee. But he saw Jesus handle impossible situations with ease and calm, and shoulder pain that was inconceivable. I bet Peter spent plenty of quiet time wondering why Jesus even chose him. Peter was just an ordinary fisherman. Too often he would speak first and think later. He was just a simple guy trying to make a living. Why him? There were so many people who seemed better suited to spiritual concerns, preaching and reaching out to people who couldn’t care less what he had to say. Peter must have felt out of his league much of the time.

But in spite of Peter’s unsure steps, he knew Jesus was right. He believed Christ was God. He was a willing soul who could not turn away from God, though he tried. Jesus saw beyond Peter’s vision. He knew what Peter would be after the resurrection. From a salty fisherman to an unwavering spiritual rock, Peter would live out his life for Christ. Jesus had made an indelible mark on Peter’s life that would change the course of his life forever.

Read John 21.

Tuesday By Kenny Tibbetts

Scripture

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1: 43-51

Pause 1. Are you ever like Nathanael? Are you ever skeptical and slow to believe?

2. Jesus saw Nathanael when he was under the fig tree, when Nathanael

disbelieved in Jesus and even discounted Him based on where he came from. How might you react to Nathanael if you were Jesus?

3. Jesus sees who we are and transforms us into the people we will become. Who is Jesus calling you to be?

Pursue Read John 21. How does Jesus fulfill His promise to Nathanael?

Pray Pray you would be open to become the person Jesus is transforming you into. Ask God to show how you can change in meaningful ways to become more like Him.

Wednesday – The Amazing Journey of Peter By Paul E. Collier

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

2 Peter 1:5-7

After reading this passage, one who is new to the Bible might say, “Wow! This must be a monumental leader of the early church.” Yes. Peter was. The most amazing aspect of this is that he was a “mess” in his early life while following Jesus. He actually was an embarrassment to the disciples. He was impulsive and immature. He often interrupted and “corrected” Jesus. He slept on the night Jesus was arrested when Jesus told him to pray. He chopped off on a soldier’s ear! He denied Jesus three times during His trial. He jumped out of a boat twice, fully clothed. There were many more gaffs and mishaps.

Now we turn to the biblical passage where Jesus dismissed this buffoon! (SOUND OF CRICKETS!) There is no such passage. He did not dismiss him. WHAT? How could he use such a person???? Remember what this series theme is? God sees us for what we will be not what we are or used to be. That gives us all hope. He is the expert in using broken vessels. He can take a lump of clay (us), (emphasis on lump) and mold us into something that brings Him honor and glory. Don’t sell yourself short. God can use you in ways you can never imagine right now.

The night I was saved, (my spiritual birthday was September 27th) I was a mess. I looked like the typical unkempt, disinterested, and obnoxious “hippie.” I had the reputation of being very ungentlemanly (Is it a word?) to the young ladies. I was probably the most selfish, egotistical person anyone could ever meet. I was a heavy drinker and messed around with drugs. I had no limits. Then Jesus saved me. Why me? He had a plan. I thank Him so much for these many years of walking with Him. He has molded this lump into a vessel for His service.

I can imagine how many are cringing to think that He can use them for His glory. In the above passage, 2 Peter, you can see it is a process. It isn’t overnight. But it is a blessed daily walk with the King. You will fall down at times, but He will always be there to help you up.

“Such character is forged in the small thing in life. The big events of life can be viewed as final examinations that reveal the true nature of our inward selves. It is in the seemingly unimportant decisions that our character is strengthened bit by bit.” (Ken Boa)

Thursday By Kenny Tibbetts

Scripture Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11: 23-27

Pause

1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you were simply “too late?” Describe it.

2. Are you generally a late person or an early person?

3. Do you sometimes believe Jesus cannot change you in a meaningful way, because it’s too late for you?

Pursue Take a few moments and commit John 11:26 to memory:

“Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”

Pray

Thank God that He has woven eternity into our hearts and that He is not limited in the way we are by time. Thank Jesus that it is never too late for Him to change us into who He created us to be.

Friday – Anticipating Heaven By ligonier.org

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

Revelation 21:1-3

Do I as a living, breathing, conscious person have a concrete hope for my

future? What do I have to look forward to? At times, when I discover that my own

spirit is sagging and a sense of heaviness intrudes on me, I sometimes wonder

why the gloomy cloud is perched above my head.

Biblical eschatology gives us solid reasons for expecting a personal continuity

of life. Eternal life for the individual is not an empty human aspiration built on myth,

but an assurance promised us by Christ Himself. His own triumph over the grave

is the church’s hope for our participation in His life.

We have heard so much ridicule and mocking about pie-in-the-sky theology that

I’m afraid we’ve lost our appetite for it. What the Scriptures promise for our future

involves a lot more than a perpetual visit to Mother Butler’s. Jesus Christ and

Simple Simon have very little in common.

The promise of heaven is indeed glorious—a promise that not only anchors the

soul but fires the soul with hope. Life is not an outrageous horror, though we

witness outrages daily. The outrage is not the bottom line. The sting of death has

been overcome.

The victory of Christ is not established by platitudes or conjured-up positive

mental attitudes. Jesus is not the Good Humor Man. His call to joy is rooted in

reality: “Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therein

resides our future hope—that Christ has overcome the world. He stared directly

into the face of death and death blinked.

Reflect on this truth as you face your problems today: Jesus overcame the world

and has given you the power to do likewise.

Weekend – Growing By Phillip Hamm

“A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

James 3:18

We love things that are growing. We love seeing our bank accounts grow. We love seeing our businesses grow. We love seeing our families grow. We love to see our church grow. We’re not big fans of seeing our waistline grow, but we love the activity fostering that particular growth.

We love to see things grow including our spiritual lives. Granted there are some people who don’t care about spiritual things, but most of us care deeply. According to statistics, even those who are done with church claim they are deeply spiritual.

So, we also want to see our spiritual lives grow. What does this mean exactly? How do we know it’s happening? How do we make sure it happens? What is the fertilizer to the seeds of faith God has planted in our life?

In preparation for Sunday’s worship read James 3:13-18. Stay Connected:

Remember your neighbors, continue to share Jesus, and help them wherever possible. If their needs exceed your ability to assist, give the church office a call and we will do our best to help you help them.

• Invite your friends and neighbors to watch live services on Sunday at 9:15 or 10:45 am. We recommend staying consistent with our state officials’ guidelines of limiting the number who gather at one time.

• Have Bible studies in your home utilizing resources from RightNowMedia. We can arrange for you to have a complimentary subscription:

Text RightNow FBCPalmetto to 41411. (Note: there’s a space between Now and FBC)

• Reach out by phone to another church member or visitor to ask how they are doing.

Please continue to financially support your church and local charities as they

experience an increase in requests for assistance from members and the local community.

You can give by using online giving, through the FBCP App, or mailing a check to: First Baptist Church 1020 4th St. W. Palmetto, FL 34221

You can communicate with us at 941-722-7795 or e-mail through the church website: www.fbcpalmetto.com.