"Community and the Power

of the Gospel"

Series

Dr. Steve O`Brien, Senior Pastor, preaching

So What's Your Passion?

Passion 1. A powerful emotion, such as love, joy, hatred, or anger; 2. a. Ardent love; 3. a. Boundless enthusiasm: b. The object of such enthusiasm:

Synonyms: passion, fervor, fire, zeal, ardor; these nouns denote powerful, intense emotion. Passion is a deep, overwhelming emotion.

Passion helps keep us single in our focus. It brings laser-like efficiency and effectiveness into our life. The Bible is a book of passion.  Let's look at the three great passions required to lead an FBC Connect Group.

• Passionate love for God
• A Passion For Souls
• A Passion for God's House
  

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as unwise and witless, but wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 AMP

Each of us, no matter who you are, has 31,556,926 to spend every year-31,556,926 seconds, that is. Each of these seconds is an opportunity, a moment in time that will never be repeated. Once it is gone, you can't have it back.

Imagine the result of investing small amounts of your time in the church. Make a list of the results that you could see in both your life and in the lives of others in a year from now. How would things be different? Have you ever wondered why people are so busy and so committed to the activities of the local church?

There is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period. Neglect has a cumulative effect as well. There is rarely an immediate consequence for the neglect of cumulative values and you can't make up for lost time in critical areas of life.

There is no cumulative value in the urgent things for what is most important. The objective is not in investing the most time but in the cumulative effect of partnering with others at FBC to create an irresistible environment to be connected and plugged in.

So, how are you currently making the most of these moments? How are you investing your time? What is your passion? - Pastor Steve

Doing Life Together

God designed us to love and fellowship with one another, ...

Genesis 2:18: And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. And Jesus gave us the commandment to love each other ...

John 13:34 (NIV): A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

This is the key to connecting, sharing and caring for others.

Common excuses for not fellowshipping:

• You think you don't need real relationships
• You don't believe in real relationships
• You have been hurt before and are afraid of new relationships
• You are too busy to pursue relationships
  

• Emptiness
• Lack of emotional intimacy
• Lack of spiritual and emotional support
• Lack of accountability
  

There are three practical action steps that we all can take that will help us to avoid the feelings of emptiness within ourselves, the lack of emotional intimacy with both God and others, the lack of spiritual and emotional support that each of us desire, and the lack of accountability which we all need.

First, we need to Connect with God.

Matthew 22:37: Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."

Matthew 11:28: Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Secondly, we need to Connect with others.

Matthew 22:39: [Jesus speaking] "A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.''"

Finally, each of us should commit to become Connected and Active in a church.

Ephesians 4:16: Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

The cost of doing life together requires of us time and effort. It means that we must move out of our comfort zone and become accountable for how we are doing life.

A benefit of doing life together is a completeness that is realized through the unity of believers doing life together. Real and lifelong friendships are formed that will benefit us for a lifetime. The pleasures of God are experienced within a group of friends as you do life together. Facing the challenges of life brings an emotional closeness that results in a greater confidence to do life. Purpose and a strengthening of faith is a natural result of unity and fellowship, and the ability to give ourselves to others begins to form. All of this happens through connecting with others and becoming part of a connect group. - Pastor Steve

 Gabe's Mission Adventure Continues

Gabe Edmondson's outreach to Cambodia is less than six weeks away! Here is a brief timeline and overview of what God has laid on the hearts of the Youth with a Mission outreach team.

They fly into Bangkok, Thailand during the week of March 14 and then travel by van to Battambang, Cambodia (an 8-10 hour drive). They plan to spend two months in Battambang, working with the YWAM base there. In general, they will partner with the existing ministries such as teaching classes at the Youth Center, working in orphanages, hospitals and churches, and encouraging the long-term workers there.

They also plan to spend one week in a local village and one week in the city of Siem Reap, reaching out to locals in the village and tourists in Siem Reap. They return to Lakeside, Montana during the week of May 10 and then have their final week of classes and outreach debriefing.

Following is a recent email excerpt from Gabriel's small group leader:

"It's been such a delight to see how excited our team is to go to Cambodia, and how God is building in all of us such a love for the people of the nation. Just as exciting, however, is watching your student grow during the lecture phase of their DTS. We've just completed week five of lecture phase, and our speaker this week was teaching us on the cost of discipleship in the Kingdom. What a transformational time this has been! Our school theme, All Out, is taken from Luke 9:24, where Jesus is talking about losing your life to save it. God has been speaking to hearts - showing students how to go all out and be committed to Him and His guidance in the day to day matters of life, and leaving behind our own preferences and securities. It's been challenging, and exciting, and God is speaking and moving among us.

"Thank you for entrusting us with your son or daughter. We're so blessed to be a part of their lives for this season, and we're excited to be traveling with them to Cambodia. We ask for your continued prayers as we plan and prepare for outreach, and as we continue to learn and grow during the lecture phase." --Marie Edmondson

Onward with Child Evangelism Fellowship!

Seven volunteers completed four weeks of class instruction on Teaching Children Effectively. We are grateful to FBC for providing the space to teach the course. The volunteers are now qualified teachers equipped to reach the children in their neighborhood schools with the Gospel.

We look forward to our fundraiser luncheon March 13 at the Outback Steakhouse in Elk Grove. Carolyn Soares, an attendee at FBC, has put together this fantastic fundraiser and has tickets for the event. We also have tickets in our FBC office on the third floor. Come and join us for lunch. Invite friends and share a booth with them. Children from Anna Kirchgater Elementary School will sing songs learned at their Good News Club. Easter gift baskets will be auctioned off.

Theodore Judah Elementary School Good News Club in Folsom is underway again. The principal adjusted the schedule for a new program coming in the afternoon so the Good News Club could continue to meet in the same location. She did not want to lose the GNC that meets in the gym averaging 35 children a week!

See you at the fundraiser luncheon--Marilyn Halk, Intern Director

Marilyn Collins, Washington Elementary

"Children don't get a choice in the environment into which they are born," stated Marilyn Collins, Principal of Washington Elementary School, "but every child can learn and has the right to learn. We don't make excuses." The school's goal is to make education a healthy, happy learning experience for each of its 248 students.

Twenty women at the American Baptist Women's Fellowship meeting on February 11 had the privilege of hearing Marilyn share the hopes and challenges of this school at 18th and E. As you may recall, in the fall of 2009, FBC chose Washington Elementary as part of our Be-the-Church commitment in the community. The congregation packed up school supplies, contributed to a field trip, and later provided Thanksgiving dinners to some of the families. A handful of FBCers are tutors in an after-school program.

Marilyn spent her childhood and high school years in Guam because her father was in the military. She then went to the State University of New York at Oneonta for her degree in education with a concentration in math and a minor in Spanish. She came to California in 1997 and taught for seven years in disadvantaged schools and served as vice-principal for two years. She earned her Master's degrees in multicultural education and education leadership. She is in her second year as Principal at Washington Elementary.

Marilyn noted that the families of the children want to be engaged in the community, to feel that they are worth something. The media often give a superficial, incomplete picture of schools like Washington Elementary. One new program is a monthly Family Night for parents to share in their children's accomplishments. Marilyn invited anyone from FBC to come over for the next one, February 24, 6-7 p.m.

The school, near Alkali Flat and Loaves & Fishes, is in a challenging environment--halfway houses, homeless shelters, and reunification/re-entry programs for those coming out of incarceration are part of the mix. All of the school's children receive free breakfasts and lunches, and 37% of the students are English-language learners.

In an era of budget cuts but more accountability and higher expectations placed on schools, volunteers are much appreciated. The school has three tiers of volunteers: the first requires no clearance (for projects done at home, like decoding books), the second (working with a teacher) requires a sex-offender background check, and the third (for extensive contact with students) requires a full background check and fingerprinting. The greatest need is for tutoring to help bring children up to grade level in reading and writing.

As we continue to develop a relationship with Washington Elementary, we "become part of the family" and leave part of ourselves with the children, commented Marilyn. She added a note of thanks for the 25 winter coats received from FBC. Some of the children sleep in those coats to keep warm. -- Marguerite Dean

Annual Business Meeting

FBC members enjoyed a delicious potluck prior to the Annual Business meeting after the worship service on January 31.

By unanimous vote, we approved two changes to the FBC Foundation Bylaws. The first corrected a typo, and the second changed Article X Dissolution, Section 1 Dissolution from Foundation may be dissolved by a three-fourths vote of its membership attending a meeting, provided there are at least 150 members in attendance to Foundation corporate status may be dissolved by a three-fourths vote of its members attending the meeting with a minimum of 35 members in attendance.

Pastor Steve reported that funds in the Foundation were up $40,000 from the end of 2008, that $97,000 was transferred from the Foundation to the FBC general operating expenses in 2009, and that the Board has placed a cap of $50,000 for fund transfer in 2010. The year-end fiscal report was reviewed. The goal for this year is to bring support to missions and ministries back up to 10%.

We had a report on the Board of Directors. With Graeme Edmondson and Katrina Rhoads rotating off after completing their third and final year and with the resignations of Tom Lloyd (Moderator) and Roger Lindholm in September, both in their second year, we have three directors remaining for 2010: Erin Sullivan-Pico (third year), Moderator/Treasurer; Terry Fong (third year), Church Clerk; and Derrick Holman (second year). No names had been submitted by the congregation for nominations. We voted to accept the 2010 slate; Richard Diehl prayed for the three Directors.

Dave Bennett continues as the FBC Foundation Board Member. Joyce Ziehn resigned in July after nine years on the Foundation Board, and David Fong rotated off after completing his term.

Next, we heard testimonies of hope. Cassandra Zyss spoke of her hunger to know what God has for her, of how He has worked through her husband's illness, and of the joy she has found in reuniting with two sisters. John Zyss shared his desire to trust in God with all his strength as he goes through dialysis and surgery. "God has me covered!" he exclaimed. The church family and prayers have sustained both of them.

Bill Dean reported on the Health Care Ministry, starting its second year; another church bike ride and blood pressure clinic are ahead, and the End of Life Seminar with Jim Beeding is this month. Kyle Smith spoke of growing up at FBC and then returning here after being away for a few years. Pastor noted that young men like Kyle are part of the heritage of FBC as we continue to invest in the generations coming up. Our efforts are not in vain.

Sean Herle gave an update of the ongoing tutoring program at Washington Elementary. Some of the students are now up a whole level! Jonette Kiesow concluded with the powerful impact on her of the mission trip to the Philippines in November/December.

Finally, Pastor shared his vision for 2010, a new year of hope and change. We need to look at opportunities we each have as part of the FBC family. This spring FBC is developing connect groups (small groups) in the community where church growth can happen as people come together, share concerns, and grow together. The church is facing financial challenges. We need to work and pray together on how to share the Gospel. Each of us needs to seek God's face so others can experience Christ through us. The body will then begin to grow not only spiritually but also in number. Let us grow and serve together in 2010!

Eric Kiesow closed the meeting in prayer.

-- Terry Fong

Young Adults

The young adult group has grown to over 14 regular attendees, from the 6 we started with in September. We have started a new series titled "Resolution vs. Revolution". We have added worship music in at the beginning of Thursday night Bible study thanks to Xee Yang who does vocals and organized a worship team. On Sunday mornings at 9:15am we meet to fellowship and to see what God has done or showed us during the course of the week. Our next event is on March 7th and we are separating the guys and girls in order to strengthen and encourage our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ. The young adult group also helped with the serving of dinner at St. Johns Woman's Shelter, we had a great turnout and the women and children were very thankful for all that we did for them. 

Work Day: March 20th 9:30am - 2:30pm

Projects will include trimming bushes and hedges, raking out flower beds, tilling the flower beds, and lots of weeding. Bring gloves, garden trimmers, hat and sunscreen. Let Sean Herle know that you will be participating, 601-7417.

Preston's Baby Shower

We had a wonderful time with David and Jenelle -

Baby Preston is coming soon; his story they want to tell.

Time to enjoy some fun and loving merriment,

Praise God, rejoice, and ponder anew many old sentiments.

A delightful time to recall our memories new and old;

For some, a few shy glances - God's future to behold.

This moment, Baby Preston took his place at center stage -

We'd love to read God's writing on the very first page.

But page one waits; God will reveal it - in His own good time.

So with thanks to Him, we stopped to enjoy a meal very fine.

Before I forget, many thanks to all who lent a willing hand;

Your labors were lovely and made the shower truly very grand.

Clothes, diapers, toys, towels, and plenty more, but ooh -

Some remembered that Preston will be the newest Giants fan too!

Advice came from all, the best we had, but here is the real key:

God's counsel remains the best of all - endless and eternally free.

God's blessings on you as you wait for your new arrival;

Many will want to hold him; be prepared for lots of rivals!

Moms, Dads, Uncles, Aunts and all uphold you in prayer,

As you settle into family life and enjoy your newest care.

- Karen W. Richardson

February 14, 2010

  The next baby shower is for Sam & Jessica Kutnetzoff on Sunday, March 21, 1-3 p.m. in the Social Hall. Ladies (and interested gents) are invited!

Our Family. . .

Congratulations to Sherman & Dorothy Burr on their 65th wedding anniversary on March 1.

Congratulations also to Ann Herle & Daniel Boles who became engaged on Valentine's Day Sunday, February 14, 2010.

Clara Elizabeth Clinciu was born Thursday, February 18, 2010 to Doran & Elizabeth Clinciu. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of Harold Hamlin and Clara is his 11th great-grandchild and joins older sisters Gabriella (Ella)