FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART….

      Vacation Bible School….has been enormously successful this year.  Beginning Monday morning and continuing all week, attendance has been unusually large.  If not our largest school ever, this has certainly been one of the largest in recent history.  Jerry Ann Chancellor, Lainie Ashley, and all our workers have done an outstanding job.  The Gospel has been clearly shared, and some of the children have made decisions for Christ.  Let me invite you to VBS Family Night, with a hot dog supper at 5:00 and joint worship at 6:00.  Since many attending will be new to First Baptist Church, Family Night is an outstanding opportunity to reach others for Jesus.

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      The Touring Youth Choir….from First Baptist Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, will lead us in worship Sunday evening at 6:00.  I hope that you will make every effort to support these teens by your attendance and prayers.  If our own students were leading worship at a sister church, how they would be encouraged by a large attendance!  How discouraged they might feel by the opposite.  I especially challenge youth, youth workers, and parents to be present.

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      Our own youth….leave for Student Life Camp June 16, returning on June 20.  Ask the Lord to speak to our students and sponsors in a special way.  If any do not know Christ, I am praying that this will be for them the time of decision.  Pray also as we seek out the right person to lead the Youth Ministry on a short term basis.

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    You may sign up for the pictorial directory….in one of two ways:  at sign-up tables Sunday morning, or over the church web site.  If you use the web site, you must enter either the church phone number (850-243-3163) or a special code (61699).  Please note that the code previously publicized was a digit off.  The one in this column --  which will also appear in Sunday’s Worship Guide and “Carry the Light”  --  is correct.  I am hoping for maximum participation from our congregation.  The directory not only helps us know one another better, but also helps new members become oriented and feel at home at First Baptist.

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      Sunday morning….we continue the messages from the Book of Joshua.  This Lord’s Day the sermon is entitled, “Don’t Be Discouraged.”  I look forward to seeing you twice Sunday, with a prayer in my heart and a Bible in my hand.

Your Pastor,

Joshua 1: 8