Coronavirus Update - March 18

Church Family,

I wanted to take a few minutes to briefly share with you what we will be doing the next few weeks. We have posted a video on our website that covers these things in greater detail (www.fbcgo.com).

First, I want to remind you that God is Sovereign, in complete control, and nothing surprises Him. This entire event has not caught Him off guard. He is both Good and Faithful, and the Father often works in ways that are a mystery to us. We have been praying for revival, and who knows? Maybe this is how God begins that work?

Our staff have spent several hours over the past few days prayerfully seeking what would honor the Lord. We have also had many discussions with other pastors to determine what is the wisest course of action. Our struggle is balancing Romans 13:1-2 and Hebrews 10:25. We have been asked not to meet in groups larger than ten in an attempt to reduce the spread of the virus. As shepherds of this body, we want to honor that request because we love you and we want to protect you. Conversely, we know how important it is to meet together for encouragement in these days. So how do we do this?

We have decided not to host services at our building but to post a small service (songs and sermon) on our website for the next two Sundays, March 22 and 29 (no Wednesday night activities during this time). We are asking you to meet with one or two other couples or families and watch it together (if you feel safe doing so). If you do not have internet at home, contact our office for a DVD copy. When the video is over, you can ask the questions from the YouVersion App or make your own up to discuss. You can even enjoy a meal together if you would like. In Acts 2:42-47, this is exactly what the early church did. They met in small groups in homes for Bible Study, fellowship, and food. I also want to remind you that church is not a building but a people. You are the church, and we do not cease to exist because we do not meet at a building. Which leads me to a few other things.

Take advantage of this time. In Psalm 46, we read that we are to, "Be still, and know that I am God." The psalmist before that verse writes about a world that is chaotic; much like today. So make sure in this time you stop, listen, and be reminded God is in control. Since sports activities are not happening, spend extra time with your family playing games or talking. Maybe read a good book, spend some extra time in prayer, or read several books of the Bible. Dads, this is the time for you to step up and be the spiritual leader in your home you are called to be. When you watch the sermon with your family, you need to be the one to initiate and lead that. Here is a link to help you: 
(https://founders.org/2017/02/07/some-methods-of-family-worship/).

I hope you will also find ways to minister to others. Many are scared and frightened during this time. My wife was out a few days ago, and the person behind the counter asked her if she was nervous about everything. In the midst of these times, we have the opportunity to speak the truth of the Gospel into other's lives. When you watch the sermon, invite some lost friends or neighbors to watch it with you. Invite your "One". If you are younger and feel comfortable, offer to run errands for someone elderly, or let us know at the church so we can connect you with someone. By the way, if you would like someone to run errands for you, please call our office. You could even offer childcare for working parents. The point is that we have some unique opportunities we need to take advantage of. Pray and listen for the Holy Spirit to guide you in this.

Finally, we still need you to tithe. The command to tithe is not tethered to meeting at a building. Whether we meet here at the building or in homes, we still have to pay bills, salaries, operational costs, etc. You can give online at our website, mail your tithe, or come here and place it in the box outside the office.

Continue to pray for our nation, our leaders, our church, revival, and opportunities to further the Gospel in this time.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Coronavirus Update

Church Family,

You may be aware that the governor asked for there to be gatherings of no more than 250 people in our county. Our staff have been monitoring this all week, talking with the deacons, and consulting other pastors. As a result, we have decided not to hold services this Sunday, March 15. We will also not have activities this coming Wednesday, March 18. We feel we need to submit to the decision made by doing our part to help prevent the spread of the virus (Romans 13:1). As shepherds of this flock, we also want to offer as much protection as we can.

As an alternative this Sunday, we will post the sermon I was planning on preaching on our website (www.fbcgo.com). Please worship with your family and watch the sermon this Sunday. If you have a smaller group, you are free to meet (i.e. Connect Groups, a S.S. class in a home, etc.).

We are not sure about the following Sunday, and we will make a decision late next week. Our offices will be open if you need anything, and please help us spread the word. I posted a video on our website and our Facebook page explaining all of this as well if you want to watch it.

In Christ,

Mark Smith, Pastor of FB-C Jacksonville, AR

Sunday, March 8

Church Family, 

I wanted to write a brief note to remind you of a few things that are happening this Sunday.

1) Sunday is Pancake and Pajamas day for all our kids. The time change is on Sunday, and we have discovered this makes things easier on our young parents with little ones. All kids (birth-6th grade) are welcome to wear pajamas to church. We will serve breakfast for them at 10:30am in the Fellowship Hall.

2) We will also celebrate the completion of the playground immediately following the second worship hour (noonish or just a few minutes after). We will have a short time together to retell the story of how the Lord provided, acknowledge those who helped with the playground's construction, and receive benches from 1st Arkansas Bank & Trust in memory of Terry Toney. Parents, please pick up your children before you come to the celebration.

3) You have noticed we have been emphasizing the need for revival. So, beginning Friday, March 13, and every second Friday of the month after, our church is going to offer the Lord 24-hours of prayer for revival and spiritual awakening for our church, our city, and beyond. If you did not sign up last week, please fill out the yellow card in the bulletin this Sunday and place it in the yellow bucket at the Information Center. This is something every member of our church can participate in. My hope is that every one of you will join us in ushering in revival.

In Christ,

Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Hands and Feet of Jesus

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul writes, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." An ambassador is one who represents someone else. In our case, we are to be Jesus' ambassadors while here on earth. We are to represent Him in both word and deed. In Ephesians 6:20, Paul describes himself as "an ambassador in chains." He understood his role was to represent and carry the message of Jesus to those he crossed paths with. Another way to understand that is believers being the hands and feet of Jesus. Being an ambassador, or being the hands of feet of Jesus, should be viewed as both a privilege and a responsibility.

I am excited that we, First Baptist Church, have a few opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. We have forged a relationship with Pinewood Elementary School over the past few years. They have had a change in leadership, and we simply asked them how we could serve them. They responded with three ways we can help them, and I hope you will consider how you help. The first is a one-time opportunity while the other two are a longer-term commitment. If you sign-up for the later two, you are only expressing interest to learn more. It is not a commitment. You can sign-up for any or all on the sheets taped to the office windows.

1) We have scheduled a work day to help them repaint the front office and do a light cleaning of the teacher's lounge on July 27. We need eight people to help paint and three to clean the teacher's lounge. I hope you would consider giving up a few hours of your time that day. Neither should take than a few hours that morning.

2) The school asked if any would be willing to be lunch visitors. You would volunteer to have lunch once a week (30 minute period) with the same assigned small group, or you can be assigned to the same grade to sit with every week. Men are assigned to boys, and women are assigned to girls. You will meet with the same group the entire school year. The goal is to build relationships so children can be exposed to a positive, caring adult.

3) Pinewood participates with ARKids Read. That is a central Arkansas initiative that places reading buddies in schools. You will have to attend a short training, and the commitment is one hour per week. You are assigned two children, and you spend 30 minutes with each child.

Again, I hope you will consider one or all of these opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I fully expect our church to give Pinewood the support it needs.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Things to be in Prayer For

As we are approaching the summer months, I wanted to briefly keep you in the loop of some things to be in prayer for in the upcoming weeks.

Jonah Bynum
If you were not here on Sunday, May 5, Jonah Bynum, our Modern Worship Pastor, announced his resignation. He is at the point in ministry that he wants to explore entering into full-time ministry. Here is what I would like to ask of you. First, please drop by on May 19, at noon for a reception. If you would like to bring a card with a love offering or gift card, you are welcome to do that. Second, please be in prayer for both Jonah and Ashton, as this will be a time of transition for them.

Vacation Bible School
Don't forget that VBS is June 9-13, from 6-8:30p. It is for kids who have completed PreK4-6th Grade. You can pre-register by clicking here. If you are a volunteer, remember we have a training meeting this Sunday, May 19, at 4pm in Fellowship Hall. Whether you are helping or not, please begin praying for the volunteers, weather, and the children who will be here. Pray specifically for salvations.

Mission Fuge/SuperKids Camp
M-Fuge is June 3-8 for our students, and children's camp (completed 3rd-5th grade) is June 17-20. Pray for their safe travel, those they will minister to, and that God will work in their lives.

Building Recommendation
I know some of you are wondering when the Building Committee will have another meeting. We have not set a date yet, but I assure you we are meeting regularly. We appreciate the feedback from the surveys you turned in. We had a few good ideas presented, and we are wanting to make sure we leave no stone unturned. Therefore, we are exploring those ideas and evaluating what they might look like. Please continue to pray for us as we seek to do the Lord's will.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor of FBC Jacksonville, AR

Healthy Church

When I have ministry friends ask me how church is going, I always brag on our church and tell them how thankful we are to be at FBC. I tell people that we have a healthy church. Now, no church is perfect because every church has people in it, and people are sinful. However, I feel like we have a healthy church. After serving 20+ years in the ministry, I can tell when I am in a place of health or unhealthiness.

Why do I mention all of that? Well, first I am thankful to be here and to serve in a place where there is both joy and health. A person can show up on a Sunday morning and tell that we like each other. That sounds so simple, but I have been in fellowships where one group disliked another group and made sure people knew it. I have been in fellowships where individuals were always jockeying for power and position. Unfortunately, it created tension and turmoil. I served in a place where the pastor and worship pastor did not get along nor like one another. I served in another place where I was consistently gossiped about and rarely supported by the pastor. Honestly, "going to church" became a chore and burden. It was not a place I ran to where I would walk away encouraged and filled with joy. The second reason I mention this is that I read a blog earlier this year by Chuck Lawless titled, "10 Marks of a Happy Church." I hope you will read his article and ask a couple of questions. One, is this us? Two, what am I doing to help our church become this?

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor FBC Jacksonville, AR

Faith Sharing Opportunities

I have heard over the years that waiters/waitresses do not enjoy working on Sunday's. The reason is not because it is Sunday and they want to go to church or have a day off. They don't want to work Sunday's because of those who eat on Sunday's. Yep, they don't like dealing with Christians who eat at their restaurants. Why is that? Well, I have heard there are three primary reasons. First, they let their kids be loud and obnoxious. Second, they complain and gripe about the food. Third, they don't tip very well. Ouch!!!

That's quite an indictment against us, but I would agree it is accurate from my outings with fellow friends after church on Sunday. I have been embarrassed when kids begin to act uncontrollably, and I have cringed inwardly when someone I was with began to abrasively complain about food to our waitress. To be completely honest, we don't eat out much on Sunday afternoons. We have never been able to afford taking a family of six out to eat every Sunday, and even if we could, we did not want to spend our money that way. By the way, I'm not saying it is wrong to take your family out to eat with friends every Sunday. It is a good thing, and even biblical, to share a meal with fellow believers. However, let me present to you that it can be an opportunity to both share and model your faith for someone who is not able to worship on a Sunday because they are busy serving. Most of those who wait on me when I go out to eat are trying to put themselves through college or working to help ends meet at home. Both of those are admirable.

Now, if you are not going to tip well then don't do this...haha. The reason is what you say and what you do will not agree. Oh by the way, leaving a witnessing tract is not a tip. It is an insult. So, what can you do? The first thing I do is make sure I get the waiters name and use it when talking with him. Secondly, after the person takes my order, I tell him we are going to say a prayer to bless our food. Then, I ask him if there is anything I can pray for him about. This is so simple, but it opens the door to have further conversation.

I remember being with staff members at lunch when we did this with our waitress. She was moved to tears and even came and sat with us while we ate. She was having a difficult time, and we were able to love on and minister to her. Shannon and I had dinner at a steak place about a year ago when we asked our waitress if we could pray for her. It was so cool that she shared with us how her and her husband were recently married, and he was about to be deployed. Normally, we pray as soon as we get the bread to snack on. However, she asked us to pray with her after she brought the food. I will never forget how she stood next to our table as we prayed for her. A simple meal can be used as an opportunity to share our faith, encourage a waitress, and bless those around us. Try it next time you go out eat.

In Christ,
Mark Smith, Pastor FBC Jacksonville, AR