First Baptist Church St. Simons Island

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Constant Hope

Romans 15:13

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines hope as “to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true.”

We have developed a close relationship with hope through our marriage. Last Christmas was very special for us. It was our first Christmas as parents. For many years we found ourselves hoping God would bless us with a child. We wanted children so badly and the holidays made their absence even more pronounced. We would decorate and discuss how much joy a child would bring to our home especially during the holiday season. We would watch parents enjoy their children climbing on Santa’s lap or picking out a Christmas tree and we would hope. We have often turned to scripture through our journey and one verse that has helped and continues to guide us is Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This Christmas we are blessed with two beautiful children. We continue to feel hope, but now it is for their health, happiness, and future. We have learned that hope evolves with our lives.

The Christmas season brings hope for many whether you are a child hoping for a special toy, someone hoping a loved one will return home soon, or a couple hoping for the blessing of a child. Our personal hopes may change from Christmas to Christmas, but as Christians we are able to hold onto the constant hope of God’s gift to us, his son. The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and we have hope for his return.

A Drink of Living Water

A couple of summers ago, I was away on a business trip in Kentucky, and my heart was troubled for a friend who was in the midst of turmoil. Hoping to offer some comfort, I wrote my friend a letter, and during lunch, I rushed to the post office to buy stamps. I found a long line, and an elderly woman stood in front of me. We made casual conversation for a few minutes as she explained she was mailing a letter to her great-grandson who lived in Texas. She said that she didn’t get to see him often, but she wanted him to know that he was special and loved. I relayed my purpose in mailing my letter—my concern for this friend who was making really tough choices. We continued our chat until she reached the clerk’s window, where she turned to me and said: “I enjoyed talking to you. You know, when God gives us a drink of living water, we’d be foolish not to take it.” At first, I was taken aback by her remark, as we had not talked about spiritual matters, but as I made my way back to work, the ageing woman’s wisdom began to resonate with me.

How did she know that I needed a drink of “living water,” a reminder that God is in control and our cares are His cares? Our hope is in him, his words, his comfort; and the knowledge that we are his loved and special children should replenish us every day. That “living water” surrounds us on a daily basis; it’s the gentle reminder that our Savior is amidst our storms; it’s the people that we cross paths with who remind us that we serve a living, risen Savior who walks beside us. Do you need a drink?

Hope is Real

Mark 1:3
Jeremiah 23:5
Micah 5:2
Isaiah 9:6

Mark 1: 3, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

The easiest characters to miss in the Christmas story are the characters who are not physically there: the prophets. Although they all died centuries before Jesus’ birth, God still uses them to remind us that the story of Christmas is part of a larger story of God’s interaction with humanity. These prophets of old bring to us the basis for hope and the promises that make hope real.

Prophecies are found throughout the Old Testament. One theme that threads its way through many prophecies is the HOPE of a promised Messiah, an “Anointed One” who will redeem God’s people and restore all things. The promises of God through the prophets brought hope to God’s people in Old Testament days, and those promises concerning the Messiah bring increasing clarity of God’s promises to us today. Jeremiah 23:5 says the Messiah will be a descendent of David, and Micah 5:2 announced that he will be born in Bethlehem. The prophets from the Old Testament are still a part of the Christmas Story. From the wilderness, they gave God’s people the hope of a coming Messiah. Isaiah 9:6 says he would be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These prophecies provide us with confidence and hope that God fulfills every promise he makes.

One of the most important gifts we can give to another person this Christmas season is the gift of hope. We, as servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, are to share the good news of hope that we have found in Jesus, the Son of God. Make hope real to someone this Christmas season!

My prayer is that others will find that HOPE is REAL and that it comes from God. He has placed hope in our hearts, and it is ours for the taking and sharing with others. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Our Hope Does Not Disappoint

Isaiah 64:4-8
Hebrews 11:1

We say, “I hope” a lot, especially around the holidays. I hope all the family can get together this year. I hope I don’t overcook the turkey. I hope I can get everything done on my ‘To Do’ list. I hope I get that special gift I have been hinting about.

What we really mean is, “I wish.” ‘I wish’ is based on our desires, the ingenuity of ourselves or others motivated towards pleasing us, and maybe some luck or Jolly St. Nick involvement.

Hebrews 11:1 teaches us that real hope is brought about by faith, and FAITH is only as potent as the object of our faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Being certain of God is the hope that sustains us in all times.

Five Christmases ago, I was facing the first of my major cancer surgeries, and, quite frankly, hoping to make it until the next Christmas season. I hoped to watch my little granddaughter, aged 1 ½ years, open gifts and hear the Baby Jesus story again and again. I was hoping in the ONE who can provide hope.

I am still asking God for more Christmases, and I am so very thankful that I am approaching this advent season with FIVE beautiful grandchildren. I am thankful for the God of whom Isaiah spoke: “From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:4).

We hope in a God who loves us enough to send a savior, to meet us with grace at even the hardest places in our lives. He did it out of LOVE. The God of eternity entered in. He always does.

My hope goes beyond Christmas seasons to the ORIGIN of Christmas: The Christ child volunteered to go to the cross for you and me. Let us live our days in a way that says to Him, “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8).

Faded Blue Jean Glory

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory…” (John 1:14).

The Christmas story is the story of God becoming flesh, of revealing his glory to all peoples. However, if I’m honest, I’m much more comfortable with the glory part and not so much the flesh part. One would think it would be the other way around. I am flesh and definitely not glory, except maybe when I landed that 18 inch Redfish in my secret fishing hole three weeks ago, but not really then either. My line tangled in a huge wad, almost fell out of the kayak twice, and then stepped up to my knees in marsh mud. So, I don’t really know too much about glory.

    But surprisingly, it’s easier to talk about his glory. Jesus’ glory and God’s glory revealed through him. In fact, most of the carols I sing, Christmas cards I send, and Christmas messages I hear are about that glory. The almost incomprehensible revelation of pure grace and truth offering salvation from sure death that came that night. And when we attempt to describe his glory that night, we sing and speak of golden angel wings, perfect swaddling clothes, and well-behaved donkeys, but I’m still trying to get the marsh mud out of my faded blue jeans.

    Maybe there is something to that flesh thing. I haven’t seen any angels yet. I’ve met some folks pretty close to it though. I have never met a well-behaved donkey, and most babies I know are never perfectly wrapped for long, especially on arrival. So maybe that flesh thing was really flesh. Maybe he did know something about tangled fishing lines and sticky mud up to one’s knees. For then, all of my life everyday has meaning every second. Maybe, that’s even the glory part. My wadded fishing reel and faded blue jeans are desperately hoping so.

Dorcus Group Update – October 19th, 2014

Allyson Jennings joined the Dorcas Group as its youngest member this past summer. She attended meetings regularly and became an integral part of the group by participating in discussions, by learning to “string” ditty bags, by helping hang little dresses on hangers as they were brought in, and by helping count items being separated for delivery. She made herself a “working” member of the group and was completely at ease conversing and working with an older group of women.

To let Allyson know how much the Dorcas ladies love and appreciate her, they invited her to the Dorcas meeting, which she had not been able to attend since school started, and gave her a surprise made just for her — a fleece-backed throw made from a special piece of cloth she admired. She was also presented her own little ditty bag filled with a sewing kit and other goodies and a framed picture of her working in the Dorcas room.

All the Dorcas ladies, Allyson, her dad Michael, brother Peyton, the office staff, Rebekah White , Justin Moser, and others who wanted to let Allyson know they were proud of her joined together in a happy ice-cream social featuring a special cake for Allyson. The Dorcas ladies look forward to her working with them again next summer.

Pastoral Refelctions – September 27th, 2014

Sunday- -A Special Day:
Ordination for Justin Moser At 5:30pm and Reception
• This occasion precedes the beginning of the Mercer-McAfee
Preaching conference and will allow a nice connection.
Dean Alan Culpepper will offer a welcome.
• We encourage your presence in this significant milestone in
Justin’s ministry.

Monday at 7pm, Worship and Reception
This service has become a highlight for the preaching conference and you’ll well enjoy a moving time of worship.

Sermon:
The Joy of New Beginnings
by Rev. J. Barrett Owen,
Associate Director of Admissions
McAfee School of Theology
Text: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Special Music by FBCSSI choir and Michael Jennings
Cake Reception follows.

Sunday Worship
I want to pursue one more biographical sketch appropriate for the day—Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s entire ministry was built on a strong source of his most dynamic concepts of Christian life. It gathers up all the parts of our life and provides direction.

The picnic was a nice occasion: Beautiful setting, nicely grilled food, pool side fun.

Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Vols at high Noon on Saturday—Interesting time.

New Youth Minister

During the June 1st worship service the congregation unanimously affirmed Jusin Moser as the new youth minister at FBCSSI. Below is a little information about Justin:

I am the lucky husband of Ellie and the honored father of Micah and a baby due this December! I graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas with a B.S. in mathematics and a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy. Afterward, I attended McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University in Atlanta and earned my Master of Divinity in May. God has blessed me with many opportunities to minister to and with youth. I volunteered with a youth group my freshman year of college, spent a summer as a counselor at Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri, coached basketball in a Christian homeschool sports organization, and organized sports leagues for a variety of ages as an intern at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, GA during seminary. I enjoy family time, playing with my son, anything sports, the outdoors, reading anything from teen fiction (I am a sucker for Hunger Games, Divergent, and Harry Potter) to adult non-fiction, to books on theology, youth ministry, culture, and biblical studies. I love college basketball, especially March Madness, and I am an avid Kansas University and Wichita State fan. Despite my enjoyment of college sports, I really do not care too much about college football (please don’t cast me out!). Wherever God takes my family and I in the future my prayer is to be faithful to God, proclaim the gospel, live the Kingdom, and be influential in the lives of people as I live for Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace!

Justin

Dorcas Group Update – May 2014

Where have the Dorcas Ladies been? They’ve been sewing, sewing, sewing!

Missionaries and mission teams are gearing up to “go and tell”, and many of the Dorcas Group’s little dresses, little boy shorts, ditty bags, and man bags will go with them.

In March 2014, going with the Fussells and their clean water initiative in Haiti and the Dominican Republic were 50 little dresses with panties, 50 ditty bags, and 5 man bags.

Later in March, the Zimmer family, missionaries on the island of Yap, were furloughed and getting ready to go back to their mission. Through contacts with our sister group in SC, they were invited to SSI to receive items from the Dorcas Group. They spent one night in the Mission House. With Sylvia Martin as hostess, the family attended our Wednesday night services and presented an informational program and video about their mission.

After the Wednesday night service, the Zimmers and their four younger children met with Dorcas members in the Dorcas Room. They took the items with them that Dorcas had made for their mission so they could get the items to the container which would be shipped back to Yap with goods collected on their furlough. Their oldest son will remain here in the States to attend college.
Sent to Yap with the Zimmers were:

  • 50 little dress with panties
    50 little boy shorts
    50 ditty bags
    4 boxes of scraps and trims for a lady on one of the outer islands who pieces together scraps and makes skirts

Lori Adams, with whom Dorcas has sent items to Haiti before, came in person to present a program about her mission to the Dorcas Group on April 24th. The small Baptist Church she attends has built an orphanage, and continues to make trips in January and May to continue serving the people in Haiti. This is Lori’s 4th trip. This trip she is taking with her a limited supply of items because she has only 2 suitcases and a 50 lb. limit.
Dorcas ladies packed and sent with Lori Adams for this trip to Haiti:

  • 10 man bags
    60 little dresses and panties
    40 ditty bags
    44 little boy shorts

Mark Kreikemeyer of Alpharetta Baptist Church is going back to Venezuela to Bread of Hope mission in May. He has requested items
again from Dorcas, and will be receiving 100 dresses and panties, and we hope to complete as many little boy shorts as possible.

Lastly for their Alaska Mission, items were sent to Shiloh Baptist Church, Americus in January 2014. The team that was going took 50 ditty bags, 3 man bags, 7 sheets, 2 new pillow and blanket sets for children, 6 pieces of heavy fabric to be used for outer garments or bedding. These have been Dorcas Group’s international projects since January 2014.

Meanwhile, on the local front, many items have been shared with individuals and agencies here at home:

  • 17 bibs to Hospice and individuals in home care
    81 ditty bags along with personal hygiene items to Faithworks for distribution in their homeless and street ministries
    7 walker bags to individuals in nursing homes or home care
    2 catheter covers to Hospice
    15 “fidget” blankets for Alzheimers patients in nursing homes and home care
    10 neck pillows to Hospice and home care
    3 cancer caps, 6 flannel blankets, 5 lap robes to Karen’s House of Hope

During these last four months the Dorcas Group has also been given generous donations of sewing supplies; but fabric is being cut into little dresses, ditty bags, bibs, fidget blankets, and our other items at an amazing rate.

Therefore, if you find fabric tucked away that you know you’ll never get around to using, please remember the Dorcas Group always needs fabric. Remnants are welcomed because they make great ditty bags. When you do your spring cleaning, remember Dorcas. Old jeans, boys, girls, men’s and women’s, make great bags!

Hearts to seek Him. Hands to Serve Him.

2013 Dorcus Report

Items made and delivered by the Dorcas Group in 2013 have been counted; and because The FBC congregation has been so supportive with contributions of fabric, toiletries, money, and other items for Seafarers, VBS in Alaska and Costa Rica, we wanted to report results. You helped us meet our
mission objectives, and we are grateful. With your help, The Lord has blessed our efforts.

We owe special thanks to our Rock Hill, SC “sister group” for boxes of fabric received from them. This group’s ability to get fabrics from textile mills and their desire to share with us, enabled us to fill the needs of others.

326 “Little Dresses”+ 25 from SC “sister group” were sent with missionaries to:

Africa (Springfield Baptist, Springfield, GA)
Venezuela (Alpharetta Baptist/ Kreiksmeir/ Bread of Hope Mission
South Africa (Ithemba School, S. Betts) Brunswick
Haiti & Dominican Republic (Clean Water Mission-Fussels-SSI)
Haiti (NC mission group, L. Adams)
Honduras (SC “sister group” missions to Honduras/ Dr. Lutterman / We sent 50 little dresses)

573 Ditty Bags

Africa; Teller, Al; Venezuela; Costa Rica; Haiti; and locally to Faithworks; Morning
Star; and Seafarer’s Christmas Project

17 Manbags

Venezuela, China, Haiti

36 Laprobes/ Shawls

Hospice of the Golden Isles and Karen’s House of Hope

9 Cancer Caps

Karen’s House of Hope

59 Pillows- (curved neck pillows and small, straight “limb” pillows)

Hospice of the Golden Isles

10 Walker Bags All locally distributed
3 to the Physical Therapy Department of Magnolia Manor
7 to individuals at FBC
46 Memory Pillows

Hospice

25 “Little Shorts”

Venezuela

16 Bibs
12 to Hospice of the Golden Isles
2 to Marshes Edge
1 to Magnolia Manor
1 to FBC
18 Flannel Scarves (14) and Knitted (4)

Seafarers

30 Cross Necklaces
Sent with little dresses to Haiti
13 Baby Blankets + 1 Bunting

Alaska

1 Fidget Blanket

Magnolia Manor Resident

In addition to these items made by Dorcas members, other items collected from local dentists and our FBC congregation were used to fill ditty bags and to meet requests for VBS supplies, or special needs.

Ditty bags made for local Faithworks distributions were sent with toothpaste and toothbrushes. VBS supplies were collected for Alaska and Costa Rica missions; and the special needs of the Alaska mission also resulted in great church participation to provide:

10 Kuspuk Kits: each contained 5 yards of colorful printed material (paid for by Friendship Finders Sunday School Class); zippers, buttons, hem tape, thread, and trims.
10 Singer Sewing Kits: scissors, measuring tape, pins, needles, and thread.
20 Bed Sheets: donated from congregation for burial clothes
Baby Clothes: donated by congregation

Dorcas members appreciate the participation of FBC member donations that helped meet the needs for mission projects. We invite your continued participation as we launch 2014 projects.