First Baptist Church of Kountze

Announcing social media move:
Due to some major issues with the Facebook social media platform, we are switching to MeWe. A group has been created for members and we are in the process of creating a public page. Members, click this link ==> https://mewe.com/join/fbckountze to join.

Ephesians 1:15-19
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus,
and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power.

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October is now here, the weather is getting cooler, the choir is practicing for Christmas, and elections are just around the corner… Where has 2020 gone? Many are absolutely, emotionally fatigued from the constant barrage of never-ending crisis; and ready-or-not, they are returning to normal in every way possible. For some, life is now forever changed, it will never be again as it was. But one thing is for certain, God has not changed, he still reigns supreme, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. Global catastrophes have disrupted life many times before and God has always brought his people through. We are a “called out” people, called out by God for his purpose and he gives us the spirit of wisdom to “know what is the hope of his calling”. In Jesus Christ, we have the only hope for this world. It is our privileged and duty to be ambassadors of Christ to the world, ministering to them reconciliation to God, through forgiveness of sins, by the salvation of Jesus. Stay your focus on Jesus, be steadfast through this storm, never loose hope, and pray like you’ve never prayed before. We need prayer, our church and community need prayer, our state and nation needs prayer, and certainly the world needs prayer. Please join us each Wednesday at 6:30 PM for a time to pray together as a church. Additionally, Men of Prayer meet each Monday, come-and-go from 6AM – 7AM, to pray and start each week at the throne of Jesus. Help us make this place truly a “House of Prayer”.

For the first time this year, we are excited to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, this coming Sunday, Oct. 11th. It will be served a little different, following recommended protocols, yet remain solemn and worshipful as we remember our Lord’s sacrifice. We will also celebrate with a baptismal service, truly amazing as we have seen so many baptisms this year already. God is blessing and growing his church. Please attend if you are able. If you would like a pastoral visit, please contact the office so we can schedule a time.

As many of you know, we “live-streamed” our services for several months and then stopped when the governor’s restrictions were eased back in July. However, he replaced restrictions and now somewhat eased again. We live-streamed our services again in August, but then stopped again in September. Even though we stopped live-streaming, we continued to record the services. In order to reach a broader audience, we are moving the video services from our Facebook Page to a YouTube Channel. Sunday morning services for September have already been uploaded to YouTube, and are available to watch now. October services will soon be available going forward each week. You can reach our YouTube Channel at this link –> FBC Kountze on YouTube.

Wednesday Prayer meeting is cancelled.
I hope to see you on Sunday.

Hurricane Laura is projected to make landfall as a Cat. 3 or 4 and head up the Sabine River. I am praying for you all, for your safety and protection. If you have any needs, please let us know. We sent out a text message update a few minutes ago. If you did not get the message and would like to be added to the list then send us a contact message with your cell phone #.

Once the storms pass by, we want to hear from each member to make sure you are safe and if you have any needs. Deacons & Sunday School teachers help us make contacts. We have men standing by to help. If you are available to help and have not already contacted me, please do so. If you need trees/limbs cut from your house or driveway, if you need windows/roofs tarped, if you need any help, please let us know.If you are an amateur radio operator and have not coordinated with me about our comms. plan, please contact me ASAP. If you have CB capabilities, please let me know. We will be monitoring the air waves.God bless you, protect you, and keep you safe.

First Baptist Church Kountze is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: FBC Kountze Prayer Meeting
Time: May 6, 2020 07:00 PM CDT

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73850097603
Meeting ID: 738 5009 7603
Password: (same as previous)

Please know that I am praying for you during this difficult time. We have all been forced into a strange way of life and uncertainty. However, God is steadfast and sure. Even in the midst of all that is happening, God is still at work.

During the past several weeks, as a direct result of Taylor’s discipleship ministry, three people have publicly confessed Jesus Christ as Saviour. One young man, Dalyn, prayed for salvation during a Bible study with Hunter. Later that day, during a Zoom Bible study with a young soldier named Austin, Hunter led him to receive salvation. Austin is stationed at Fort Polk and they were on lock down and could not leave the base. Several days later, Dalyn led his fiancé, Savannah, to salvation, and we were overwhelmed with how God was moving. We planned an out-door baptism for Dalyn and Savannah this past Sunday, and to our surprise Austin was able to come home and he also wanted to be baptized. We gathered at Taylor’s pond after church to baptize three and while we were in the water, Savannah’s brother Dawson declared that he needed to be saved, publicly confessed Jesus Christ as his Saviour, and came into the water to be baptized. Please pray for all four of these, for their spiritual growth and commitment to Christ.

The ministers and deacons meet last Thursday to discuss how we should move forward in our current situation. We concluded that we will meet in person for all services and put in place recommended precautions. However, we ask that if you are uncomfortable being out in public, if you are high risk or live with someone who is, or if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, that you please stay home and endure the live streaming on our facebook page. Additionally, for the month of May, Sunday School will be a joint session of all classes in the sanctuary and we will rotate teachers who are willing to come and teach.

If your Sunday school class or discipleship class would like the meet in person, we can be creative and spread out and meet at other times. We can meet outdoors under the shade trees and we have the gym and the fellowship hall as well as the sanctuary. You can also gather in each others homes. If you do meet, please let us know. Also, if you would like to use the church’s facilities, please schedule with the office so that we can avoid conflicts.

Our current corporate schedule is:
Sunday
10 AM Joint Sunday School in Sanctuary
11 AM Worship
6 PM Bible Study (verse by verse in Revelation, we finished ch. 1)

Wednesday
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Thank you for your prayers and patience during this time

God has been doing an incredible work in the midst of this crisis. Disciples are studying the word of God in small groups and on Zoom meetings, People are confessing Jesus Christ as their Saviour, lives are being changed. We are planning an out-door baptism on May 3rd at Br. Taylor’s pond, after the morning service at 2:00 PM. Please schedule to attend this great event in two Sundays.

As restrictions are loosening, we welcome those to attend all services, who are not at risk. If you are in the high risk categories, live with anyone who is high risk, or exhibit any symptoms of illness, then we encourage you to remain home and join our livestream services on facebook. Anyone with an internet connection and device (computer, tablet, smartphone) can watch our livestreams and do NOT need a facebook account.

10:00 AM Sunday School with Br. Daniel
11:00 AM Worship
Call to Worship
Hymn 133 “Shout to The Lord” (ALL)
Welcome, PRAYER
Hymn 245 “At Calvary” (ALL of Vs1&Vs4)
Hymn 107 “Love Lifted Me” (CHOURS)
Hymn 473 “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” (INTRO., ALL)
OFFERTORY (Bring offerings to the plates.)
Hymn 6 “How Great Thou Art” (Vs1, CHORUS)
Hymn 631 “Fill My Cup, Lord” (CHORUS)
Special Music “El Shaddai” Josiah White
MESSAGE
Invitation 411 “Come Just as You Are” (ALL)

6:00 PM Bible Study with Br. Taylor

Due to storms forecast for Sunday we will not have services out-doors. We will move all services into the Sanctuary: Sunday School, Worship, and Bible Study. If you are ill or at high risk, we ask that you stay home and enjoy our live broadcasts.

10:00 AM – Sunday School
11:00 AM – Worship
6:00 PM – Bible Study

Please note that our offices are still closed to the public, the doors are locked, and our schedules are sporadic during this time. If you need to visit with a minister, have a Bible study, or just play checkers, please schedule a time with us, we will be glad to see you.

Reminder, we now have online giving available through Generosity by Lifeway on our website. https://give.idonate.com/first-baptist-church-of-kountze/give