First Baptist Church of Gatesville, TX

Announcements

• Watch Sunday School and/or Worship Service Here

  Click to Watch LIVE

• Wednesday Night Bible Study w/ Pastor David - Watch online!

  Follow this link to watch Wednesday, March 18 Bible Study with Pastor David.

  https://youtu.be/XI75bo8-Mo0

   

   

   

   

• 60 Days of Prayer and Praise Devotionals

  60 Days of Prayer and Praise

  Daily Devotionals

   

  First Baptist Church of Gatesville

  David E. Crosby, Pastor

  March 16, 2020

   

  Introduction

   

        We are living through a strange and unfamiliar season in our community, our country, and our world. We see the blush of light upon the horizon, but many are uncertain whether the light is waxing or waning, whether the sun is rising or setting.

        We want this health crisis to be over yesterday, but it will not fade until some future tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are anxious about our health and wellbeing, about the future for ourselves and the ones we love, and for our personal finances. We are lamenting some past decisions and celebrating others.

        These devotionals are intended to turn us toward the future which belongs to God.  It is my small effort to increase our faith and to intensify our prayer life as individuals and as the church of Jesus Christ on mission in a rapidly changing world. We should not be anxious about tomorrow, even when it is the year 2020, the year of COVID-19.  Jesus said that each day has enough trouble of its own.  He urges us to enjoy the Father’s peace no matter what comes as the world turns.

        Jesus also taught us how to use stories to bring home spiritual truths. Most of the stories to follow are vignettes of my life as a father, a pastor, and the second of 13 children.  I wrote them over a period of years and edited them for this devotional series.  They are glimpses into my life and maybe into yours.

        If you read the scripture reference, the daily devotional will take approximately nine minutes to complete. I hope these stories will make you smile, give you hope, and help you get ready for whatever is coming.

       What a great day to begin a new commitment in prayer.  I remember a Sunday morning, ages ago, when a missionary tapped me on the shoulder and asked me if I needed to pray.  He could see the distress in a child’s face.

        I moved out of the wooden pew and made my way to the altar rail in our little church in Hawley, Minnesota. I knelt in prayer, asking God to direct my life and offered myself to him however he wanted to use me.  We used the prayer rail frequently in our church, and I was not conscious that other people were watching me--only God--and I was intent on pleasing him alone.

        Reflecting now, I see that day as a significant part of my journey toward discovering God’s purpose in my life.  I cannot remember all the details of the moment, but I picture in my mind a young boy, hands folded, knees resting on a red cushion at the prayer rail, his feet protruding out upon the hardwood floor.  I see his head bowed, and I hear his whispered prayer of petition: “Lord, show me what to do, and I will do it.”

        The heart of prayer is simply acknowledging God as Lord and offering ourselves to him.  Without such surrender, our words are only empty noises. 

        Recognize in prayer today that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, and submit yourself to him.  Then commit this season of the coronavirus to him.  You do not know all the future holds, but God does. He did not need the morning news to get His update. He knows the end from the beginning.  All that we worry about he has under complete control.

  Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

  Prayer Emphasis: Oh God, let your peace abound among the members of First Baptist Church and throughout our city and our world in this season of crisis.  Give us serenity in place of our anxiety, and faith in place of our fear.  Prepare my heart and our church for our assignment as your people in this strange time.

   

   

• Link to Worship Service w/Pastor David on Sunday, March 22

  Click Here for Worship Service

• Link to Sunday School w/Richard Sweaney on March 22

  Click Here for Sunday School

• Monday, March 16 Email from FBCG

  No On-Site Activities or Events at the church this week.  More information to come. 

  Mark your calendar:  Online teaching with Pastor David on Wed., March 18 at 6:00 p.m. (Gather around your computer or telephone for this service – type “I’m here” in the comments.)  You can access this via https://www.facebook.com/FBC.Gatesville or on our website at www.fbcgatesville.com by clicking on Links at the top left of the home page and click on Facebook (you do not have to be a member of Facebook to view).  Call the church office if you need help. 

  The Church Office will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

  Keep checking your email, Facebook and/or the church website for information about next Sunday and future scheduled activities and events.  Please call other church members who do not have email or access to technology and keep them informed about the situation. 

  Pray fervently:  that God, in His mercy, would stop the pandemic, that lives would be saved; that leaders would direct us in the best course of action for prevention and care; that first responders and healthcare workers would have courage and strength to fight this disease; and that many would turn to God.  Pray for one another! 

  Thank you to all of you who give regularly and generously to support the ministry of First Baptist.  The financial needs of the church will continue through this crisis.  Many of you already know how to give online.  Go to the FBCG website (www.fbcgatesville.com), click on “give online” (left side on home page) and follow instructions.  If you have a problem, call the church office at 254-865-2014.  Also, you may drop off your tithes and offerings at the church office or mail it to the church at 912 E. Main or P.O. Box 7, Gatesville 76528. 

  Happy Birthday: Don Thompson, Kyle Cooper (16); Skip Swanson (17); Chance Alvarez (18); Leigh Carroll (19)

   

  Blessings, 

  First Baptist Church of Gatesville

  912 E. Main Street

  P.O. Box 7

  Gatesville, TX  76528

  254-865-2014

  office@fbcgatesville.org

   

  Christ-Centered ● Bible-Based ● Mission-Driven

• Link to Worship Service w/Pastor David on Sunday, March 15

  Click on the link to watch the Sunday, March 15 Worship Service with Pastor David Crosby.

  https://www.facebook.com/FBC.Gatesville/videos/239627353861718/

   

• Link to Sunday School w/Richard Sweaney on Sunday, March 15

  Click on the link to watch Sunday School w/Richard Sweaney on March 15, 2020.  The lesson is titled "Insufficient" from Romans 2:17-29

  .https://www.facebook.com/FBC.Gatesville/videos/514453772780516/

• Join FBCG Live and Online for Sunday and Wednesday Services

  Join us at First Baptist Church of Gatesville

  “Live Streaming and On-line”

  Sunday mornings

  9:30am for Sunday School

  10:45am for Worship Service

  Wednesdays at 6:00pm for Bible Study

  https://www.fbcgatesville.com/links

  https://www.facebook.com/FBC.Gatesville/

  Call the church office for more information at 254-865-2014

   

  Christ-centered…..Bible-based…..Mission-driven

• Gatesville ISD is providing meals to kids ages 0-18!

  There are no further details for this announcement.

• Important Update from the FBCG Staff

  Dear Church Family and Friends,            

  Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, First Baptist Church will not have on-site services this coming Sunday, March 15.  The county judge has signed a declaration of local disaster cancelling all public events and school has extended spring break another week. Churches have been encouraged to heed gathering restrictions implemented by local governments and continue to follow state and federal guidance as well. Our church will cooperate with our civil authorities in this effort to curb the spread of the virus. 

  In an abundance of caution it was determined it was best to cancel on-site church services and events this week. FBCG will be monitoring this situation and communicating with you through email, Facebook and our church website. Dr. Crosby will preach a sermon this Sunday via LIVE STREAM on our First Baptist Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FBC.Gatesville).  Please gather around your computer or telephone this Sunday for Bible Study at 9:30 a.m. and Worship at 10:45 a.m.  We will also have online teaching on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.  Please type “I’m here” when we gather together on-line to worship. 

  Thank you to all of you who give regularly and generously to support the ministry of First Baptist.  The financial needs of our church will continue through this crisis.  Many of you already know how to give online.  Go to the FBCG website (www.fbcgatesville.com), click on “give online” (left side on home page) and follow instructions.  If you have a problem, call the church office at 254-865-2014.  Also, you may drop off your tithes and offerings at the church office between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.           

  While the situation remains fluid and there are many unknowns, we can rest assured that our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

  Pray fervently: that God, in His mercy, would stop the pandemic and save lives in our communities and around the world; that leaders would direct us in the best course of action for prevention and care; that first responders and healthcare workers would have courage and strength to fight this disease; that many would turn to God.  Pray for one another! 

  God is in control, and prayer changes things!

• Thank you for visiting our website!

  Here you will find information concerning our church and its ministries. We hope you find your time spent here a blessing. Our church is a warm and loving church, and we want you to feel comfortable and at liberty to call on us for anything you need. Feel free to browse through the various areas of our website and learn about our fellowship.

   

  If you are considering a new place of worship or a relocation to our area, we would love to have you be our guest.

   

  When you visit our church, you will find:

   

  A caring congregation that will gladly welcome you

  Preaching/teaching that is centered on the Word of God

  Ministries to meet the spiritual needs of every age

• Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study w/ Pastor David - Join Us!

  The Bible is not one book, but 66 books—a small library of books. And these books were written thousands of years ago.

  No wonder you are sometimes confused when you try to read the Bible.

  We are looking at the Bible itself each Wednesday evening at 6:15-7:00. We meet in the parlor. We are focused on the MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE. We have talked about the creation account and the great truths that are part of Genesis 1-11. We’ve discussed the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are trying to put things in the right time and place.

  We are on a journey through the Bible, and we would like for you to come along with us. Everyone is invited. We have dinner served at 5:30 at the church for those who would like to join us in the fellowship hall. We have a short worship time with our youth leading. And then we break into our children, youth, and adult events.

  Pastor David

• Small Groups - Come Join In!

  Small groups are a way to connect with others, study, pray and fellowship.. It is not too late to be in a group.  Call the church office at 254-865-2014 to get more information. A nursery is available.  Small groups typically meet twice monthly.

  Studies:

  Max Lucado's "Life Lessons from John"

  "9 Common Lies Christians Believe and Why God's Truth is Infinitely Better" by Shane Pruitt

  C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity"

  "Slaying the Giants in Your Life" by David Jeremiah

   

• Women of the Word Brown Bag Study on Mondays - All Are Welcome!

  

  The FBCG Women's Ministry has a Brown Bag Bible Study beginning, on most Mondays from 11:30 a.m..-12:30 p.m..  Book cost:  $8.00.  Call the church office at 254-865-2014 for more information.

  Lunch & Learn!