January 2023 Beacon

JANUARY

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH / JEFFERSON CITY, MO

DEAR CHURCH,

To some, January 1st is simply another date on the calendar. To others, it is a brand-new journal, full of blank pages pregnant with possibility and potential. I’ve always loved the turning of one year into the next. On the shadow side of the Christmas hustle and bustle, I carve out space to sit with the past twelve months. What brought me life, and what broke my heart? What stretched me, and what stifled me? Where did God meet me, and where did I miss God? Before I can begin to dream with the Spirit about what is ahead, I must ponder what has been, practicing gratitude and extending grace to myself and others.

Tidying expert Marie Kondo teaches when it comes to home and life organization, you should keep only things that speak to the heart and discard items that no longer spark joy. Although my vacuum doesn’t spark joy, I think I’ll

keep it. Some things serve a purpose, even if they do not produce delight. However, there are some feelings, thoughts, possessions, and even relationships that need to go. A new year is an excellent time to consider what these might be in our lives.

My favorite step in the KonMari method is the last: Thank the items for their service – then let them go.

May God give us wisdom, as individuals and as a congregation, on what to bring into 2023 and insight on what to leave behind. And may we extend gratitude and grace to the latter as we thank these for their service and let them go as we follow God.

UPCOMING

Jan 1 – Sunday Worship, 9 am No Bible Teaching Classes

Jan 1 – Welcome Dr. Verlyn Bergen, Interim Preacher

Jan 4 – Wednesday Fellowship Meal and evening activities resume

Jan 16 – Monday Office closed for MLK Jr. Day

Jan 30 – Monday Friendship Club 11:30 am Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Worship | 9 am In-Person and Online; Bible Teaching Classes | 10:15 am You may continue to view our services online at fbcjc.org; facebook.com/fbcjc; and youtube. com/fbcjc. You may also contact the church office to receive a DVD of the service each week.

NEW INTERIM PREACHER BEGINS ON JANUARY 1

On January 1, we welcome Rev. Dr. Verlyn Bergen to our pulpit. Verlyn will be our interim preacher while we continue our search for the next Lead Pastor.

Verlyn Bergen, DMin, has ministered in various settings, including pastor, educator, church coach, and consultant. He has been actively involved in multiple ministry settings for the past 60 years. He served on the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma staff for four years before the 24 years he led the Missouri Baptist Convention in small groups, church growth, and leadership development. He has served as interim pastor in over 40 churches in Oklahoma and Missouri. Verlyn has authored numerous articles, book contributions, and computer programs. Verlyn and Karen have been married for 59 years and have one grown child and five grandchildren. They currently reside in Jefferson City, Missouri.

We look forward to welcoming Verlyn in the new year.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES

Congratulations to the following FBC staff who celebrated work anniversaries in 2022! We are so grateful they are part of our team. Join us in thanking them for their outstanding work and ministry at FBCJC.

Mary Huhn – 5 Years

Chef Michael Ferguson – 5 Years Alice Satterfield – 15 Years

FBC CONTACT INFORMATION FBC STAFF

573.634.3603

fbcjc.org youtube.com/fbcjc info@fbcjc.org facebook.com/fbcjc twitter.com/fbcjc Instagram.com/fbcjcmo

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

*Resumes January 4

INFORMATION

STAN FARMER

Church Administrator stan@fbcjc.org

CARA HARRINGTON

Interim Children’s Weekday Minister cara@fbcjc.org

MELISSA HATFIELD

Pastor of Youth & Missions melissa@fbcjc.org

MARY HUHN Administrative Assistant

mary@fbcjc.org

JEANIE MCGOWAN

Interim Pastor of Worship jeanie@fbcjc.org

ALICE SATTERFIELD Administrative Assistant alice@fbcjc.org

DANI SCHMIDBAUER Accountant dani@fbcjc.org

DEBORAH SCOTT Interim Minister to Senior Adults deborah@fbcjc.org

ROBIN STULL Maintenance Supervisor robin@fbcjc.org

WEDNESDAY MEAL COST INCREASE IN 2023

5:00 - 5:45 pm Church Supper (3rd Fl)

5:20 - 6:00 pm Orchestra

6:00 - 7:00 pm Choir (high schoolers & older)

7:10 pm - Praise Team rehearsal

5:45 - 7:00 pm Activities for all ages

FIRST FRIENDS for Preschool (3rd Fl, Rm. 304)

FIRST KIDS for Grades K-5 (2nd Fl, Rm. 201) MIDWEEK for Grades 6-8 (2nd Fl, Refuge Rm) Bible Study for Adults (Room 326) This room is inside Door 3 on the East Parking Lot, down the hall from the Library and Maintenance office.

5:45 - 8:45 pm Pickleball - all ages (GYM)

7:30 - 9:00 pm MIDWEEK for Grades 9-12 (Refuge Rm, 2nd Floor)

WEDNESDAY BOOK STUDY:

"What

Made Jesus Mad?”

Rediscover the blunt, sarcastic, passionate Savior of the Bible" by Tim Harlow.

Facilitator: Sondra Allen

Wednesdays \\ 5:45-7:00 pm in Room 326

Christians love to focus on the gentle and tender heart of Jesus. We often don't know what to do with the Bible's stories of his righteous rage. Yet the truth is, while the Son of God was loving and tender, his words could be equally sharp and biting. The same man who said, "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44) also said, "You snakes, how will you escape being condemned to hell?" (Matthew 23:33)

Due to a significant increase in food costs, we will increase our Adult and Youth Meal costs by $1 in 2023.

• Family Meal (single household) $15

• Adult Meal (18 Years & Older) $6 $7

• Youth (Grades 6 – 12) $5 $6

• Children (Age 5 – Grade 5) $3

• Preschool (Age 4 & under) FREE

• Side Salad & Dessert $4

• Chef Salad & Dessert $6

You may pay by cash, check, or debit/credit card. Meals are Wednesday night from 5-5:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall, 3rd Floor.

SYMPATHY

Friends and family of Rita Stonner Tami Ramelb and family in the death of her niece Tasha Owens in the death of her niece Todd Grosvenor and family in the death of his brother

RESERVED PARKING PRAYER REQUESTS

Art and Beth McGeorge will park in the spot reserved for the Lead Pastor. Proceeds to youth mission trip. THANK YOU!

If you have prayer requests, contact the office or email prayerteam@fbcjc.org

UNDERGROUND CHURCH

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023

7:00 - 10:00 pm

For young adults ages 18-30. Underground Church is a game of hide-n-seek throughout the building in the dark. Snacks will be provided. Meet in the Refuge Room (2nd Floor) at 105 Monroe St. Enter Door 5. Friends are welcome!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram - @dwell.fbcjc

MUSIC REHEARSALS

Orchestra: Every Wednesday evening at 5:20 p.m. Choir: Every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. Praise Team: Every Wednesday evening at 7:10 pm

FBCJC WINTER WEATHER INFO

In the event of winter weather concerns, we will notify you of cancellations and closings in the following ways.

Church Phone Line - 573.634.3603 Website - fbcjc.org Facebook/Twitter - @fbcjc Texting - Text FBCJC to 573.606.4123 to sign up Churchwide Email – Visit fbcjc.org/connect to sign up If JC Public Schools cancel or dismiss early, there will be no afternoon or evening activities.

SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING UPDATE

FBC held a special called business meeting on Sunday, December 11. The members approved the FBC and FCI budgets for 2023 and approved housing allowances for ordained staff members. Because this was a special called business meeting no other business was allowed or transacted.

MISSIONS hands on

IS THERE ROOM AT THE INN?

Yes! During these cold winter months, there is room for 12 adults at Jefferson City Room at the Inn (JCRATI)! In its second year, this volunteer-staffed coalition of community members are providing a warm and safe overnight shelter for men and women when weather conditions reach life-threatening levels.

Located on the upper level of the Catholic Charities building at 1015 Edmonds St., JCRATI will operate daily from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. beginning January 1, 2023. They will remain open through the first part of March.

FBC is grateful to be a part of this community initiative. We have provided funds to support the work, but volunteers are the most important way we can contribute to supporting our unhoused neighbors.

• DRIVING. FBC has committed to provide transportation to or from the shelter and Missouri River Regional Library during morning and evening shifts for three different weeks. Some van drivers have already agreed to serve, but additional drivers are needed.

• HOSTING. Volunteers are needed during one of three shifts (6:00pm-11:30pm; 11:00pm5:30am; or 5:00am-7:30am). Volunteers must be at least 18 for morning and evening shift and 23 or older for overnight shifts.

• MEALS. Volunteers are needed to provide dinner or breakfast for 15 people (12 guests and 3 volunteers.) Meals may be purchased from restaurants or eating establishments or be homecooked, but they must be delivered in disposable containers. Dinners are delivered between 6:30-6:45 pm and breakfast is delivered between 6:00 – 6:30 am.

To learn more about these volunteer opportunities and to sign up, visit fbcjc.org/jcrati.

You can learn more about JCRATI at www.facebook.com/JeffersonCityRoomAtTheInn.

December was full of fun! We packed boxes for our mission partners at South School, continued learning Bible verses, made cards for homebound members, went to the play called "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," had fun activities for preschoolers for a parents' night out, and made candy nativity scenes.

We have a great group coming on Wednesday nights for First Friends and First Kids, but there's still room for more! Invite your friends!

2023 REFUGE SENIORS

Wednesdays, Refuge Room (2nd Floor)

5:45 – 7 pm | Grades 6-8

7:30 – 9 pm | Grades 9-12

JANUARY SERIES | NOT YET

Does life ever feel like a never-ending waiting game? Like always waiting to get a little older, gain more freedom, or find more clarity about your future? When you think about the person you’re becoming and what your future holds, do you ever want to skip ahead in your story to see how it all turns out, who you’ll become, what you’ll do, or what kind of difference you’ll make? In this four-week series, we’ll discuss all the questions, fear, frustration, and excitement that thinking about our futures can bring. As we explore passages from Ecclesiastes, Revelation, and more, we’ll discover four truths about what God has in store for us: we’re all a work in progress, your purpose is to be like Jesus, God’s plans for you are good, and your next step is to get closer to God.

FOR YOUTH IN GRADES 6 - 12

Get text updates: RefugeJC to 573.606.4123 refugejc.com

SUNDAYS

FIND US ONLINE

@refugejc

FOR YOUTH

Worship | 9:00 am (Sanctuary) Basecamp | 10:15 am (Refuge Room) Donuts and Bible Study

January 1 – No Basecamp

Our study will be a video series called “Seeing Through the Eyes of Jesus.” This study calls us back to the central focus of our Christian faith, the Risen and Living Jesus! This new resource invites you into deeper faithfulness with each other and equips communities to offer a bold and positive witness to the risen Jesus, while we co-labor with God to transform the world.

March 17 - 19 - DNOW Weekend

April 23 - Youth Sunday

April 30 - Mission JC

May 7 - Graduate Sunday

July 9 - 16 - Youth Mission Trip