Fellowship Bible Church Jonesboro

The Turn will splash it up at Jay & Leslie Allen’s house Sunday night from 5:00pm–??. Bring a friend and a change of clothes in case we head back to the Fowler’s for some games.

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Check out our new компютриonline calendar to keep up with all that’s going on at Fellowship. You’ll find the link in the far right column. To view the calendar, simply click on the title “Online Calendar”—which is a link—or the description underneath it—which is also a link.

Parents and Students do not forget that FSM will be meeting at a new time 6:30 to 8:00p.m. this coming Wednesday night June 6th. The new times will be for both the Jr. and Sr. High groups. Also a reminder to all incoming 7th graders, June 6th you are invited to join FSM for the first time. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Bring your friends and join us for The Turn, our gathering for college students and college-aged folks this summer. We’ll meet at the Fowler’s house (2601 Rankin Dr, 72404) on Sunday evenings from 7–9 p.m. beginning May 25th. Check the online calendar for dates and contact information. 

In case  you missed our Sunday morning FSM presentation a few weeks back, here is the video we showed that summarizes where we’re headed. We hope this video helps clarify where we’re going and why we’re so excited about what the Lord will do in our student’s lives.

There is no doubt that the choice of songs on Sunday mornings between the hours of 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. are a lightening rod for strong opinions. Much like the rumblings of thunder during a typical spring storm, preferences and differences abound and seem to surface more readily around this issue than most any other in the church. While we won’t seek to resolve all of those issues in this blog post, I thought it would be helpful to get a behind-the-scenes look at how songs are chosen for our Sunday Corporate Worship gathering. Essentially, everything gets run through the following grid that results in our order of worship.

First, there is an understanding that “songs” do NOT equate to “worship” nor a “worship service.” Scripture makes it clear that there are a number of aspects that are to be included in corporate worship, of which singing is only one (Word, prayer, fellowship, communion, etc.). This means song selection is part of the whole, and the purpose of the whole is to glorify God by means of Jesus, our great and glorious Savior, as directed by the Spirit.

Second, through prayer and planning, what has the team (Mitch, Chuck, Robby) discerned as God’s will for the direction of this particular service? This is predominantly determined by our preaching series and the biblical text and subsequent message for that Sunday.

Third, in conjunction with the biblical text and other service elements, what songs would best encourage and engage our people to cherish, champion, and rejoice in who God is and what He has/is/will do? On a practical note, we’ll often discuss as a team any possible song ideas during our weekly planning meeting.

Fourth, how do the potential song options incorporate and celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ? In other words, Christ’s work of redemption for us is the most glorious work in history, and as such reveals most supremely His glory. Everything about us stems from Christ’s great work of redemption on our behalf. So what is central in Scripture should be central in our worship service—and therefore central in our singing.

Fifth, how well do these songs fit our own culture, both internally (within our four walls) and externally (the community we’re trying to reach with the Gospel)? Admittedly, this is where preferences and style can become a factor. But if you remove those personal preferences for a moment, it is not difficult to see the biblical pattern of contextualizing the Gospel to fit the culture you are trying to reach. The New Testament has much to say about WHAT we are to do and abstain from, while saying very little about HOW we are to do those things (and I don’t think that’s by mistake).

From there, things tend to get quite practical as a number of factors come in to play, not necessarily in any order, like:

• How will the words in each of these songs relate to one another? Do some relate better than others? Will some, grouped together, more clearly celebrate what we’ll be focusing on in the service as a whole?
• How often have we sung this song? When was the last time we sang it? How well did our people sing it? How familiar are people with this song?
• Who’s available/scheduled to play and sing on the worship team? What kind of instrumentation and arrangements would be available?
• What is the overall flow, tempo, mood, and setting of the songs?
• How well will these songs serve God’s people as they gather to sing of His great worth? (Note, that is not necessarily the same as the more simplified “will people like it.”)

So it’s as simple as that when it comes to choosing songs for Sunday. Just kidding. In reality, it’s like anything else in the Christian life—impossible apart from the power of the Gospel working in and through each of us, whether leaders are participating followers.
In summary, I frequently find myself coming back to the basic goal or purpose of our corporate singing: “to give people a clearer picture of God’s glory in Christ. We want to walk away from a time of singing more impressed with God, not our song selection or arrangements. We want our people to be more aware of God’s character, his nature, and his works. We want our people to be astonished at the mercy, grace, and holiness of God displayed in the cross of Christ” (Bob Kauflin, Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries). And we want to do all of that in a way that is aware of, and winsome to, a lost world that is sitting right next to us.

Fellowship recently launched “No Strings Attached,” the outreach ministry directive for our Community Groups to be a blessing to our community. Watch this video for an introduction to No Strings Attached—what it means to our community, how it will work, and what role our Community Groups will play.

Join us for our annual Women’s Retreat at Timber Ridge Lodge (1 hour away), February 29-March 1, 2008.
Susan Heck will be our speaker this year: Being a Faithful Women in An Unfaithful Age. Her topics will be:

• Being Faithful to Memorize God’s Word
• Being Faithful to Fulfill Titus 2, Part 1
• Being Faithful to Fulfill Titus 2, Part 2
• Question and Answer

The cost: $65.00 (3 meals, lodging, conference, fishing and much more). Scholarships available.
The schedule: We begin 6:30 Friday night, February 29 and conclude no later than 3:30 Saturday afternoon, March 1.
Registration: discoverfbc.org/women
Information: For more information, post a Comment to this blog entry.

Our Speaker: Susan Heck
Susan Heck, and her husband Doug have been married for 31 years. Susan has been involved in Women’s Ministries for about 20 years. This included teaching Bible Studies, counseling, and heading up Ladies with the Master women’s ministry at Grace Community Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (www.gccoftulsa.net). Susan is a certified counselor with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. (www.nanc.org) Her first book, With “The Master In The School Of Tested Faith,” is a study on the epistle to James. Susan’s teaching ministry is an outgrowth of her memorization work on the Bible. She has personally memorized 22 books of the New Testament word-for-word and several other portions of Scripture. Susan 51 years old, and has two grown children, and three grandchildren.

Join us for our annual Men’s Retreat at TimberRidge Lodge, February 1-2, 2008.

Josh Rang will be our speaker this year. Josh and I (Chuck) are great friends and used to work together at a church in Mobile. Josh is a gifted teacher and a fun guy.  He currently serves as an associate pastor at BlackHawk Ministries in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Josh will help us see how the grace of the gospel applies to our lives specifically as men.  It will be good for any man at any season of life.

The cost: $65.00 (3 meals, lodging, conference, fishing and much more)

The fun: Bass, Catfish, and Crappie Fishing on three lakes, Baggo, pool, hiking, midnight cow chasing and much more.

The schedule: We begin 6:30 Friday night, February 2 and conclude no later than 3:30 Saturday afternoon, February 3rd. (For those who want to fish on one of the three available lakes, come anytime after 2:30 on Friday)

The participants: Any man 18 and over are encouraged to come, regardless of church affiliation or background.

For more information, post a Comment to this blog entry.

This past Sunday, Amy Badeaux shared the story of her and Lon’s son Eli. We wanted to ensure everyone has a chance to hear Amy’s testimony of their struggles and God’s goodness. As you watch the video, we’d encourage you to thank God for His goodness and remember to pray for Eli and the Badeaux’s. And take a minute to leave a comment to share how you were challenged, encouraged, or how you are praying for them.