Harvest of Blessings
GATHERINGINGRATITUDE, GROWINGINGRACE
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9
Grace for the Grieving Heart
FindingHopeinSeasonsofGrief
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm34:18(ESV)
Griefisapathnoneofuschoose,yetallofusmustwalkatsomepointinour lives.Thelossofalovedone,adream,orevenasenseofnormalcyleavesa deepacheinourhearts.Asyourpastor,Iwantyoutoknowthis:itisokayto grieve.JesusHimselfweptatthetombofHisfriendLazarus(John11:35).Our tearsarenotsignsofweakness;theyareatestamenttolove.
When we face grief, we often wrestle with questions: Why did this happen? How do I go on? Where is God in all of this? While we may not have all the answers, we do have God’s presence. He promises to be near, to comfort, andtocarryusthroughseasonsofsorrow.
Herearethreetruthstoholdontowhengrieffeelsoverwhelming:
GodUnderstandsOurPain
Scripture tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah53:3).Heknowswhatitfeelsliketohurt,sowecancometoHimwith ourbrokenhearts.
GodProvidesComfortThroughHisWordandHisPeople
Reading passages like Psalm 23, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and Revelation 21:4 remindusthatGodisourShepherd,ourComforter,andtheOnewhowill,one day, wipe away every tear. Surround yourself with fellow believers who will praywithyouandwalkalongsideyou.
GodGivesUsHopeBeyondtheHurt
As believers, we cling to the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Death does not have the final word; Christ does! One day, we will be reunitedwithourlovedonesinthepresenceofourSavior.
Grief takes time. There is no set timetable for healing, but there is a faithful God who walks with us every step of the way. Lean on Him. Cry out to Him. TrustHim. Hewillgiveyoupeace,eveninthemidstofpain.
If you are currently navigating grief, know that your faith family is here to supportyou. Youarenotalone,andtogetherwecanfindcomfortintheOne whopromisestoturnourmourningintojoy.
If/when you are feeling overwhelmed by grief, please help yourself to this devotionalmessageandbeencouragedthatyouarenormalandnotalone.
ComfortinTimesofGrief
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
Grief has a way of leaving us feeling empty and overwhelmed. Yet Jesus reminds us that those who mourn are not forgotten; they are blessed because God Himself brings comfort. In our darkest valleys, the Lord draws nearwithHispeace,Hispresence,andHispromises.
Whentheweightofsorrowfeelsheavy,rememberthis:Godseesyourtears, hearsyourprayers,andholdsyourheartclosetoHisown.LeanintoHisWord, leanonyourchurchfamily,andtrustthatHewillgiveyoustrengthfortoday andhopefortomorrow.
InChrist’sLove, Pastor Chris
Couples Conference
Lastmonth,FBCC’sMarriageMinistryhosted Made to Last, a two-day couples conference. The theme for the conference was “Rooted in Love, Anchored in God.”, 37 couplesattended.
OnFridayevening,thecouplesgatheredfor an All-White Soiree, an elegant experience inspired by Diner en Blanc. Following the tradition, guests all wore white, brought their own dinner, and beautiful table decor. While being serenaded by a violinist and withthehelpofaDJ,FBCCcouplesdanced the night away while pouring into their relationshipswithlike-mindedcouples.
Saturday morning, the couples gathered again to participate in a workshop led by Pastor Bryan and Lady Stephanie Carter from Concord Church,Dallas,TX.
Our couples left the conference feeling recharged and motivated to strengthen their relationshipsrootedinlove,anchoredinGod.
MEN’S HEALTH SEMINAR MEN’S HEALTH SEMINAR
ProstateCancerAwareness
Hosted by the Healthy Minute Ministry, the Men’s Health Seminar, “TouchdownForLife:YourHealthistheGoal”tookplacelastmonth with over 50 men in attendance. The event was facilitated by Dr. JesseDavis.Therewerenumerousguestspeakersthatcontributed including Dr. Arnold D. Bullock (Washington University Medicine Urologist),Dr.JasonEdwards(MentalHealthPsychologist),andBro. Brandon Wings (Certified Personal Trainer). The day included dental screenings by Dr. Alex Heatrice, prostate cancer screenings by PECAD, and other health-conscious efforts. The Hospitality Ministry partnered with the Healthy Minute Ministry to provide breakfasttotheattendees.
WithoureffortstoCONNECT,GROW,andSERVEourlocal communities,FBCCdebutedtwonewbillboardsattheendof September.
Theywillbedisplayedintwohigh-trafficlocations: Highway40,ahalf-mileeastofWinghavenBlvd,facingwest. withcontentchangingonamonthlybasis. I-70EastattheEarthCityExpressway.Itfaceswestaswell, withcontentchangingonaquarterlybasis.
Theadswillshowfortenseconds,40timesaday,every30-35 minutes.
LOGO DECALS
IfyoulookaroundFBCC,youmayhavenoticedafewnewadditions tothedecor.Outsideofthesanctuary,inthevestibule,andthe FellowshipHall,youwillfindnewFBCClogodecalsabovethe externaldoors.Thesesamedecalscanalsobefoundon theTithesandOfferingKiosks.
Logo Decals over both Front
Entrance Vestibule Doors
on Tithes & Offering Kiosks
Logo Decal over the Front Double Door’s Church Entrance
FBCC Logo Decal over the Fellowship Hall Doors
OctoberCelebrations
RecurringHappenings
When:Every1st Sundayat9:45a.m.
GatherYour Elements:grape juice,juices,crackers, orbreads
When:EveryThursday from12:00-12:30p.m.
ConferenceCallLine: 1(877)873-8018
AccessCode:3270406
When:EverySundayat 8:00a.m.
In-person:Church OfficeConference Room
ConferenceCallLine: 1(877)873-8018
AccessCode:3270406
NoonDayBible Study WednesdayNight BibleStudy YoungAdult BibleStudy
When:Every WednesdayatNoon intheFellowshipHall
Facilitator:Deacon JimWilson
When:Every Wednesdayat6:45p.m.
Classesforallages includingchildren, youth,andadults.
Dinnerbeginsat5:30 p.m.
When:Monthly (SaturdayatNoon)
ContacttheChurch Officeforthedates.
In-person:Classroom #15offtheFellowship Hall.
Joinin-personorvia Zoom
IfjoiningameetingviaZoom,besuretoremainon muteunlessspeaking.IfjoiningtheConferenceLine, press*6tomuteandunmute.
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
FaithHappenings
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FaithHappenings
Who’sMyDeacon&Minister?
Intimesofneed,yourDeaconisyourfirstpointofcontactforprayer,illness, distressedsituations,hospitalization,surgery,ordeathofalovedone.
UsethefirstletterofyourlastnameinordertofindyourassignedDeacon andMinister.
IfyouareunabletoconnectwithyourprimaryassignedDeacon,please contactyourback-upDeacon.
Our Vision
To move “Forward in Faith” emulating the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ministering to all people, exalting the Savior, equipping and supporting the members for Ministry, and evangelizing the lost, while continuing to share our rich Christian and cultural heritage.
Our Mission
To advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in accordance with Matthew 28:18-20, through preaching of the Gospel, consistent Christian living, personal evangelism, missionary endeavor, Christian education, and the public worship of God.
Christopher L. Rogers, Sr. Senior Pastor Mark Watson, Sr. Deacon Chairman
Co-Leads
