By Tom Jenkins on 10/20/2008 10:57 AM

 These are difficult times for us. The stock market crash and the subprime mortgage meltdown have affected most Americans. Persons planning to retire may have to now work longer to rebuild their retirement accounts. Young couples planning to buy their first home may have to continue renting or living with parents. Church's planning new buildings or programs may have to wait or scale back.    What is the Christian to do in such difficult times? Pray. That's the bottom line. We walk by faith and not by sight. We must continue to claim the promises of God. The Psalmist said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread (Ps. 37:25). God will provide.   In the coming weeks our conregation will hear about our financial plans for 2009, including the budget. I will not be asking you to sign a commitment card this year. Instead, I am asking you to commmit to a season of prayer. We will begin "Thirty Days of Prayer" on November 26. We will pray each day for particular and specific programs,...

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By Tom Jenkins on 10/16/2008 9:52 AM

  FBCC called David Richardson to lead our youth as the Interim Youth Director. David and his wife Becky have been active in our church for several years. Both of them yielded to the call of God for Christian ministry before joining FBCC. I feel that God brought them to us so that at the appropriate time David could be lifted up as Youth Director. Before the church asked David to become Interim Youth Director he was already involved with our  youth, most recently leading the youth through Christianity 101. David is also very active in our technology programs such as running Media Shout for our video programs on Sunday mornings. Becky is a gifted young lady who will work alongside David in a ministry partnership. She will bring her charm and commitment to the work.   FBCC actually followed the pattern of the early New Testament Church in calling out its own members for ministry. We followed that pattern when we ordained Steve Brown for Christian ministry this year. Steve is now serving as the Associate Pastor...

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By Tom Jenkins on 10/15/2008 3:56 PM

  Sunday was Homecoming at FBCC. We also dedicated the new Allen organ, given in memory of Nita Whitfield by her family. I changed directions for the sermon and spoke on "A Room Called Remember." The title comes from a story by the same title by one of my favorite authors, Fredrich Buechner. In the story the author tells about a dream he had. He went to a hotel where he had never stayed before and checked into a room. Immediately, he was overcome with feelings of happiness and peace. He said that everything was the way it should be. He learned, later on another visit, that the special room was called "Remember."   Homecoming may be referenced as "A Room Called Remember." We come together to remember our forefathers and foremothers who had the faith and courage to found and then build a church. We remember friends and neighbors who used to worship with us. Some remember growing up in the church. Some have spent the whole span of their lives in this community as active members of FBCC. The sanctuary is filled with...

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