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ISSUE #312 MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, SEBRING, FLORIDA April 2013

THE TITHE IS THE LORDS

2013 CHURCH BUDGET……………….…$ 895,000

BUDGET NEEDS TO DATE…………….....$ 215,896

BUDGET RECEIPTS TO DATE…..…...…...$ 203,022

WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS………..............$ 13,318

WEEKLY RECEIPTS (03-24-13)……....….......$ 17,413

Update from the Pastor Search Committee

We continue to meet each Tuesday for about two

hours to discuss each of the candidates that God

has put before us. We spend the first part of every

meeting in prayer and devotion to help us focus on

God's will for the church. We have been through

nearly 350 résumés and have reduced that number

down to about 34 candidates. Our next step is to

reduce that number yet again by listening to

sermons online and researching the church history

of each candidate.

Based on where we are, two things are clear:

1. We cannot move forward without involved

direction from the Holy Spirit. Please continue to

pray for us that we are looking in the right places

for God's man for our church. 2. References from

you are welcomed. If you know of someone whom

you think will be a good fit for our church, please

encourage that person to submit a résumé.

Even as we continue along, new applicants are still

forwarding their information, even as recently as

within the past few days. This is both encouraging

and exciting as we seek the man that God has

prepared for us.

ARE YOU LISTENING?

There are two significant ways to help our Bible Study Groups (Sunday School) to grow. One is through INREACH, and the other is through OUTREACH.

Every class needs to be organized so that all mem-bers can be contacted each week. Either the teacher or a group leader needs to call, text, write, e-mail or make a personal visit to keep in close contact with your particular group. This is the friendly ministry of serving the needs of those already enrolled in a study group. This is the INREACH way. Classes need to be of the size where a teacher can keep in touch with all, even those who attend regularly. There are members of the church already who may not be actively engaged in Sunday morning Bible study. INREACH reaches not only the person in his/her age group, but it is a contact for the whole family. Classes showing care and concern for each other contribute to the growth of the church. Get their names and call them. This growth is mostly with people we already know and love which makes it easier to do.

The more difficult thing to do is to search for those who are not enrolled presently. We are often more comfortable just taking care of “our own” so to speak. However, successful churches are heavy on OUTREACH. Don’t expect much growth if we remain satisfied with just reaching our circle of friends. Is this a thing we should be concerned about in an “interim period” in a church? Yes, absolutely. This is our ministry all the time—not just when new permanent leadership gets set up and in place. Someone said, “When we go, they come.” First Baptist Church here in Sebring has tremendous potential for growth. Everyone needs to join together in going after the lost and all the others in our community. OUTREACH is the way to go. Small groups, like we should have in Sunday School, are the key to growth. Forming NEW groups has always been the secret of reaching more people in Bible study. Thank you for your faithfulness during these days. Positive people are always “winners.” Talk it up, and pray it down. Love y’all, Brother Allen

GOAL: $12, 000 RECEIPTS TO

DATE:$2,457

Why pray? Why pray if God already

knows our hearts, our future, and is

in perfect control of everything?

If we can’t change Gods opinion, why

should we pray?

Several reasons.

1. Prayer is an act of worship and service to God,

and it is one of the ordinances of God. In Luke 2 we

read about the woman who worshiped God night

and day by fasting and praying. In the book of

Philippians it reminds us to not be anxious about

anything, but in every situation by prayer and

petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to

God; and His peace will guard our hearts and our

minds in Jesus’ name.

2. Prayer is exemplified by Christ. For Christ - it

was worth it to pray. We should do the same.

3. God had prayer as the way to receive His

solutions in many situations.

Big decisions - Luke 6, when Jesus had to choose

his twelve disciples he went to pray.

Demonic barriers in someone’s life - Matthew

17, when Jesus heals the demon possessed boy

Harvesting /Spiritual matters/ missions - Luke

10, when Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful,

but the workers are few. Ask the Lord to send

out workers into his harvest field.

Strength to fight temptations - Matthew 26,

watch and pray so you will not fall into

temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is

weak.

Build others up spiritually - Ephesians 6, Paul

reminds us to always be in prayer for the Lord’s

people. Pray in the Spirit.

4. Even though sometimes we don't receive what

we’ve asked for, prayers are not in vain - Matthew

6 and Romans 8; God knows our hearts. He knows

what is best for us.

5. He promised He would give us what we've asked

for in accordance with His will. 1 John 5.

So, let me encourage you to have a strong prayerful

life. Pray for our church, its ministries, deacons,

and staff. At this time, be in prayer for our pastor

search committee to receive wisdom and guidance

from God. Pray.

Love y’all

MINISTER OF MUSIC

NOW ENROLLING!

We are now enrolling for next school year. Come by and take a tour. We have classes available for children 6 weeks old to 5 years old. We have weekly chapel, daily Bible time, advanced academics, music, language, technology in the classrooms, secure facility, and a loving Christian staff. Please call Dixie in the Preschool office for more information at 385-4704.

We have been talking about the Resurrection of Christ with the children. We had our Easter Celebration with the parents and children and it was wonderful! Nuno told the Easter story and we had special music. It was very nice and all the children and parents enjoyed it. This is one of the favorite parts of our ministry; Telling the families about the Lord.

PRESCHOOL

DIRECTOR

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

LAKELAND, FL

PERMIT #5524

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

200 E CENTER AVENUE

SEBRING, FL 33870-3503

YOUR CHURCH MEDIA LIBRARY

April Showers are pouring into the Media Library -

bringing lots of New Memorial Books!

In Memory of A.W. ‘Spizz’ Pollard:

- New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters:

The Complete Who’s Who in the Bible

- Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical

Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

- 131 Christians Everyone Should Know

- 50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual

Giants of the Faith by Warren Wiersbe

- Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to

End Slavery by Eric Metaxas

- I never Thought I’d See the Day!: Culture at the Crossroads by

David Jeremiah

And more titles to come next month! YOUR MEDIA CENTER IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF

THE STAIRS ACROSS FROM THE ELEVATOR

THANK YOU!!! Dear Church Family,

I would like to thank you for your prayers and cards you have sent to Brandon and myself.

We love you all.

With Christian love,

Brandon & Peggy Jones

To the church family of The First Baptist Church,

Thank you, thank you for the generous gift towards the work of the mission. We appreciate your

concerns and love and support!

Blessings to each one of you—Wishing you a blessed Easter! All because of Jesus!

God Bless,

Mike & Pat Karl

New Testament Church Mission

NEW HOURS

SUNDAY 9:00 - 10:15 AM and WED 5:45 - 7:15 PM

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF

(PHONE) 863-385-5154 (FAX) 863-385-4184

PRESCHOOL 863-385-4704

Intercessory Prayer Line 385-0120

www.fbsebring.com

INTERIM SENIOR PASTOR…………………….DR. ALLEN HIGGINBOTHAM

ASSOC. PASTOR MUSIC & SR ADULTS …………….REV. NUNO NORBERTO

ASSOC. PASTOR YOUTH & ACTIVITIES…….….……..…….

HISPANIC PASTOR…………………..…...………………..…….REV. LUIS LUNA

PASTOR EMERITUS.………………..….................................DR. JAMES MCALL

CHURCH BUSINESS ADM.…………..….…..............................GEORGE SMITH

EDUCATION SECTY……………….…..……. …………………… PAM HARRIS

MUSIC, YOUTH & SR. ADULT SECTY.…….………..…….…..LYNDA HODGE

PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR……………...…….………....DIXIE LYNN KREULEN

HOUSEKEEPER…………………….………..……………...SANDY WISENBERG

MAINTENANCE………….…………..…...….………………..….WADE LINDLEY

OFFICE HOURS 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM

Email: pharris@fbsebring.com or lhodge@fbsebring.com

PRAY

FOR

OUR

COUNTRY

Please help us keep our

records up to date. Call

the church office with

any updates on your

contact information:

name, address, phone

number, email, etc.