FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BLANCHARD

THIS MONTH:
Daylight Savings Time, March 9 Church Visitation, March 11 Missions Fishing Tournament, March 15 Excessive Generosity Lunch, March 16 Childrens Lock In, March 21 Soup for Seniors, March 28 Prestonwood Conference, March 28-29
V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 3 M A R C H 2 0 1 4

Cross Brand Cowboy Church Fun Fest March 22nd 12-4pm At the Arena

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar

2 4 5 6 7 8 9

Pastors Pen Associate Pastor

Music Notes

Kids for Christ

The Edge

Cross Brand Cowboy Church Service March 23rd 10:30am In the FBC Sanctuary

Ministry

MARCH 2014
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

5
Bible Study

6
Cowboy Church

Week of Prayer for North American Missions and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

9
Daylight Savings Time

10

11
Church Visitation

12
Bible Study

13
Pacesetters Cowboy Church

14

15
Missions Fishing Tournament

16

17

18

19
Bible Study

20
Cowboy Church

21
Childrens Lock-In

22
Cowboy Church Fun Fest

Excessive Mens Bible Generosity Study Lunch Business Mtg.

23
Cowboy Church Service Church Bible Drill 30

24

25

26
Bible Study

27
Pacesetters
Eat Out

28
Soup for Seniors

29

Cowboy Church

31

Prestonwood Conference

FBCB Ministry Upcoming Events

March 2 9 March 5 March 6 March 9 March 11 March 12 March 13 March 15 March 16 March 17 March 19 March 20 March 21-22 March 22 March 23 March 26 March 27 Week of Prayer for North American Missions and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) Daylight Savings Time (spring forward)

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Church Visitation meet @ the Multi-Purpose Building (3:00 - 6:00pm) Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) Pacesetters Covered Dish (6:00pm) CBCC Potluck (6:30pm) Missions Fishing Tournament Excessive Generosity Lunch (12:00pm) Business Meeting (7:00pm) Mens Bible Study @ The Way Station (6:30pm) Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) Childrens Lock-In Cowboy Church Fun Fest Cross Brand Cowboy Church Service Church Bible Drill (6:00pm) Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) Pacesetters Eat Out (10:30am) Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) Soup for Seniors @ The Orchard (5-7pm) Prestonwood Conference

March 28 March 28-29

Times and dates are subject to change.

Please check your weekly Order of Worship for updates.

Pastors Pen
At our business meeting in January, Lonnie Hill, our Student Minister, shared the following words: For the past 31 years or so, First Baptist Church Blanchard has been my home church. The most important events in my life have happened at this church. I was saved as a teenager here. I got married here. Alex was born...in a hospital but while we were here. God placed a call on my life while I was here and for the past nine and a half years I have had the privilege of serving as the Minister of Students here. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the worldour faith. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV) And so it is very difficult to say this, but Mari and I feel God is calling us to another place of ministry. Right now, we dont know where that is, but we believe God has all that figured out. Ive talked with Pastor Doug about this and Im offering my resignation effective May 31. That will give the church and Mari and me a chance to transition to what God has for all of us. We ask that you pray for us that we may know exactly where God is leading us. I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us over the years and who have ministered alongside us and to us. This church has been such a blessing in my life.

What Lonnie shared is a testimony of faith. True faith steps out when the path is unclear and places full trust in the loving and guiding hand of God. Though difficult to share, Lonnie has provided an example of faith that acts. We are grateful for Lonnies service to our church, our youth, and to our community. As a church we need to express our appreciation to Lonnie for his service and pray for him, and also Mari and Alex, as God leads them to a new place of service. The by-laws of our church provide that all staff positions, other than the Senior Pastor, are filled by vote of the church upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee and Pastor. Pray for our Personnel Committee and myself as we seek the one God has chosen to lead our youth. Keep the faith.

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New Church Directories Most of those who were photographed for church directory should have already picked up their new directories However, if you have not done so, you may pick yours up in the church hope that you are as pleased with the new directory as I am. Im sure it helpful source of information to our church family in the coming years.

our new by now. office. I will be a

Lifetouch Online Church Directory The new directories also included a letter with each familys own unique User Name and Password, giving you access to the online edition of our new directory. Every church member with internet access can use the online directory, which includes a staff directory, family photos and a church roster with addresses and phone numbers. See me or check with Amy in the church office to receive your own unique User Name and Password which will allow you to access the online directory, available at the link on our church website or by typing in the following website info: http://www.connections.lifetouch.com/? orgLogin=18447. Once you log in, you may change your User Name and Password to something you can more easily remember. The online directory should be a valuable tool for Sunday School teachers and other ministry leaders as well as to our church family. I hope you will check it out soon. 2014 North Louisiana Disaster Relief Training will be offered at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston on Saturday, March 15th. See the info below for details. Contact Michael Burkhardt or me if you need additional information or would like to register for the training.

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MUSIC NOTES
Preparing for Worship I am borrowing from a devotion by David Jeremiah in this months article. -----------------------------------------------Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place where He chooses. Deuteronomy 16:16a Three times each year the men of Israel left their fields and flocks and traveled to Jerusalem to worship the Lord with offerings: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. At least three times each year they worshiped corporately in Jerusalem. The worship began even before they arrived at the temple. A section of Hebrew psalms found in Psalms 120-134 in our Bibles is known as the Songs of Ascents. Most biblical scholars believe these songs were sung as the pilgrims marched from the plains of Israel to the heights of Jerusalem, ascending to the Mountain of the LORD of Hosts, the Holy Mountain (Zechariah 8:3). It may have seemed like madness to march from Israels farthest borders to Jerusalem, but worship was at the heart of their spiritual life. -----------------------------------------------Ive GOT to go to church I GET to go to church Which do you say on Sunday morning? Missions Day Our 2014 Missions Day will be held on Saturday, April 12. Just like last year, it will consist of a walk-a-thon, games, and food. Funds raised will go to this years Belize mission trip. All-State Choir I am thrilled to announce that once again we have two of our students who will be participating in this years Louisiana All-state Youth Choir. Katie Smith and Abby Byford will be travelling to Chicago, July 23-August 1st, as a part of the Louisiana Baptist All-state Youth Choir. Students are required to raise their own funds for the trip. If you would like to help sponsor Katie or Abby, please contact the church office. If you place a donation in the offering plate please be sure to mark it with their name and All State Choir. Congratulations, girls!!!

Wee Singers & Kids Choir During AWANA Sundays 5:15pm Student Choir Choir Suite Sundays 4:30pm Voices of Praise Choir Suite Wednesdays 7:30pm JOY Choir Choir Suite Wednesdays 10:00am

Kids for Christ

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What do you think of when you hear the words Childrens Ministry?
Some people think of Sunday School, Bible Drill or AWANA. Others think of childcare during services so that parents can worship or daycare during the week so parents can work. Still others think of events to entertain the
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes not only Me but also My Father who sent Me. Mark 9:37

children and maybe give the parents a break. While all of these tools are used in Childrens Ministry, in themselves they are not the purpose. The purpose is to reach children and their families for Christ and to help them to grow spiritually. So whether it is a nursery worker rocking a baby while singing Jesus Loves Me, praying with preschoolers before a snack, or helping a child to memorize scripture, those who work in Childrens Ministry are making an eternal difference in the lives of children and their families.

Lock-In
March 21-22 7pm-7am For K-5th grade Cost $10 Sign up in the foyer!

Bible Drill
March 23 at 6pm in the Sanctuary

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MARCH SERIES: AWAKEN A GENERATION

Imagine a generation of students whose goal is to live for Christ. Think its impossible? Every massive move of God started with a few willing to believe God could do the amazing. Join us during the month of March as we look at how we can awaken a generation to the shear awesomeness of God.

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8

WINTER JAM 2014: MARCH 7

This concert features Newsboys, LeCrae, Tenth Avenue North and Thousand Foot Crutch! Well be leaving for the concert at 4 PM. If you plan to ride with us, sign up by March 2. (See Lonnie to sign up.) Tickets are $10 at the door.

Get more info and see more pictures on our Instagram and Facebook pages. FBCB_the_edge facebook.com/TheEdgeStudentMinistry

Mens Ministry
Mens Bible Study March 17th 6:30 PM The Way Station

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Thursdays 6 AM The Way Station

Mens Conference at Prestonwood Baptist Church (Dallas, TX) March 28th-29th

Join us as we travel to attend this conference. This is a great opportunity to fellowship together and to hear some challenging messages from the speakers. Registration is $35.00 and includes breakfast at the caf at the church on Saturday morning. We will eat out on Friday before we go to the conference. A block of rooms has been secured at the Hyatt-Plano hotel. Room rate is $85.00 + tax. You can make your own reservation by calling the hotel at1-972-378-3997 and mention the Mens Conference. For more information call Steve Tompkins (286-8663) or Pat Richardson (426-6762). As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Mother-Daughter Tea
For Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Saturday, April 19th at 3:00pm at The Orchard

Womens Retreat
Friday, April 25th-Saturday, April 26th Guest Speaker: Judi James Clara Springs Baptist Camp in Pelican, Louisiana www.crownedbytheking.com

PRAISE THE LORD!!! Time change has come and we are blessed with more daylight hours in the evening!!! This is our time of the year when we can go visiting and be able to go in the daylight. Visitation is scheduled for March 11th. Sharon will be here from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. for you to come by and pick up assignments and information. There will also be flyers made available concerning our upcoming Cowboy Church Fun Fest. Please plan to participate. We need you; God needs you. We need to let folks know that we care.

Sunday, March 16th following the 10:30 am worship service. Bring a dish from the excess in your pantry to share with your church family. Donations of what you would normally spend on lunch out will be used for The Hub Ministry..

Soup for Seniors

Pacesetters
March 13 Covered Dish Program: Group from Belcher Baptist Church 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall

Friday, March 28th from 5:00-7:00pm at The Orchard

For more information, contact Jamie Roe.

March 27 Eat Out Suma Supreme Buffet on Youree Drive Vans leave at 10:30am

Recipe: Skinny Green Bean Casserole From the Kitchen of FBCB

1/3 C. minced onion 1 lb. green beans, fresh 1 T. olive oil 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 T. butter 3 T. flour 1 1/2 C. chicken broth 3 T. fresh thyme Salt and pepper to taste 1 C. bread crumbs Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook, uncovered until crisp tender and bright green about 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with cold water. Transfer the beans to a mixing bowl. Return saucepan to the stove and heat oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, cook until browned. Add mushrooms to beans. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat, add flour, and cook until golden brown, slowly whisk in the broth, increase to high heat and bring to a boil. Add onions and thyme. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until thickened. Pour sauce over vegetables to combine. Spray a 2 quart baking pan with cooking spray. Pour vegetable mixture into pan. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake uncovered for approximately 20 minutes. Serves 6 Calories per serving: 187

We welcome our new mem-

Guy Calvert February 2, 2014

Michaiah Tatum February 2, 2014

Frank Brookings February 2, 2014

Stephanie Riser February 16, 2014

Allie Behaeghe February 16, 2014

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. First Baptist Church Blanchard
Seeking Sharing Showing 201 Attaway St PO Box 65 Blanchard, LA 71009 Phone: 318.929.2346 Fax: 318.929.4680 Email: fbcblanchard@bellsouth.net Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 6:00 p.m. Sunday School (for all ages) 9:15 a.m. Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m.

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Sin separates us from God. God offers forgiveness through belief in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Accepting Gods offer of salvation means we are saved from an eternity separated from God. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Cross Brand Cowboy Church

Howdy Folks, Well here we are in March and looking forward to our annual Cross Brand Cowboy Church Fun Fest on the 22nd of the month. We have a great day planned but it wont be a success unless people come and enjoy it. The events will begin at 12:00 p.m. with lunch furnished by our own CHUCK WAGON CREW followed by a powerful church service with some great singing by CROSSWAYS and the sharing of Gods Word by BRO. DOUG ALLEN, then ending with a time of horseback rides for ALL AGES. This is a chance for everyone to come and see what goes on every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. My prayer is that all of us will use this opportunity to reach our family, friends, neighbors and anyone else that God lays on our hearts for JESUS!!! Flyers and posters will be available at the church office if you need them. I will definitely be there. Hope to see you too. You dont want to miss it!!! And dont forget to join us every Thursday night for our regular 7:00 service and for Potluck on March 13th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

See ya there!