Plat Firs

The Promise Ahead of UsThe Bible is a story. It is a true story, but it is a narrative of God’s interaction with

and relationship to humanity and creation. It spans several generations, and the story continues through several millennia. In the Scriptural narrative, there are stories or themes that repeat themselves like a chorus to your favorite song on the radio, or a song that repeats over and over again through your favorite musical.

One of the themes that I have noticed, and want to go deeper in study with is the story of the Exodus deliverance. In the second book of the Bible, appropriately titled Exodus, the Bible tells the story of God raising up a leader named Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt, and back to the land that had been promised to them through their ancestor Abraham. The journey from Egypt to the promised land (modern day Israel) takes longer than expected. As they experience deliverance, and move toward the hope and promise of a land of their own, they experience God’s presence in unique and powerful ways. God calls and forms Israel as his own people, and they are equipped to be a light to the world that manifests his presence for the whole world to see and know who God is and what God is like.

The theme of Exodus continues throughout Scripture. The people turn away from God, and they get themselves in all sorts of trouble. God raises up a leader, and delivers them from bondage, and renews his promise to be will them, care for them, and guide them. This happens with judges and kings in the Old Testament. It happens as the Israelites are delivered from exile. Deliverance, or salvation, is found ultimately in Jesus Christ, who leads us out of the bondage of sin and to the promise of eternal life in the loving presence of our Creator. Even as one reads the final book of Scripture, there is a

First Baptist Church100 McDonald Rd

North Platte, NE 69101

Worship HoursWorship-10:15 a.m.

Office HoursM-Th-8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday-Closed308-532-6772

cwalker@fbcnorthplatte.orgwww.fbc@northplatte.org

THE HOME VISITOR NEWSLETTER

Pastor Clint Walker

SEPTEMBER 2020

Exodus theme, replete with plagues to be endured and a journey toward a promised New Heaven and New Earth. As we live the truth of Scripture, we are called to live an experience of deliverance in our own lives as well. Listen to some of the metaphors of transition from a state of bondage to salvation in the gospels: moving from blindness to seeing (John 9), from darkness to light (John 1), being born again (John 3), lost to found (Luke 15). We are called to be on a journey from bondage to deliverance, and from deliverance toward the promise of new land, new hope, and a new life ahead.

This leads me to ask: What do you need God to deliver you from? Where are you on the journey from bondage to deliverance? Are you living and walking in trust in God’s promises, or are you considering going back to the bondage you are being delivered from? As you are set free, are you continuing to draw close to the One who has the power to set you free and fulfill the promises of hope you are clinging to? Think about these things…

Tammy Porter 9/3Paul Kondy 9/4Bonnie Hanna 9/4Sue French 9/6Carol Scoggins 9/8Kaitlyn Hoatson 9/9Gregg Nutter 9/10Twilla Brynoff 9/13Ken Nelms 9/13Frank Tanner 9/13Ardys Stadler 9/17Kevin Waltemath 9/18Rebecca Lumsden 9/19Sharon Fry 9/20Peggy Conley 9/23Eryka Anderson 9/24Ryan Schultis 9/25

Monday, September 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church

FriendsFor Covid-19 Response, Safety & Recovery

Government LeadersMissions and MinistriesMason City First Baptist

Murrow, Children’s Home, Muskogee, OKRape and Domestic Abuse Center

Hermelinda and Jorge Damasceno, United Kingdom(missionaries)

Educators/FamiliesChildren returning to school/Families

Brad Phares FamilyCrystal Davis

Marilyn CogleyMarcus Adkisson

The morning ladies’ bible study will be resuming on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Blessings

ClintPastor Clint

Tammy Porter 9/3Paul Kondy 9/4Bonnie Hanna 9/4Sue French 9/6Carol Scoggins 9/8Kaitlyn Hoatson 9/9Gregg Nutter 9/10Twilla Brynoff 9/13Ken Nelms 9/13Frank Tanner 9/13Ardys Stadler 9/17Kevin Waltemath 9/18Rebecca Lumsden 9/19Sharon Fry 9/20Peggy Conley 9/23Eryka Anderson 9/24Ryan Schultis 9/25

FriendsFor Covid-19 Response, Safety & Recovery

Government LeadersMissions and MinistriesMason City First Baptist

Murrow, Children’s Home, Muskogee, OKRape and Domestic Abuse Center

Hermelinda and Jorge Damasceno, United Kingdom(missionaries)

Educators/FamiliesChildren returning to school/Families

Brad Phares FamilyCrystal Davis

Marilyn CogleyMarcus Adkisson

Dear FBC Family,

Thank you for the kind words and support through-out the years. I plan on connecting with a college ministry in Omaha, but I will still come back and visit.Love, Andrew L.

Sunday, August 16, 2020 was First Baptist Church’s annual blessing of the backpacks. The children as well as their backpacks were blessed. These backpacks will hold the school work of each student and will be carried from home to school and back again. As these students carry these backpacks our hope is that they will be reminded of the love and care of this congregation that surrounds them each and every day!

Clint’s SCHEDULE

September 4-12 Family LeaveSeptember 13-19 Study Leave

Monday, September

7th

Discover Kids’ activities will resume on Wednesday, September 9th from 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.

Most activities will happen outside unless there is inclement weather then accommodations will be made. This special group is for K-5th graders and there is no charge for the children. Please make sure your child has a mask with them.

Activities include crafts, games, bible studies and a whole lot of fun in a safe nurturing atmosphere.

If you have any questions please contact Analisa Colglazier or Alice Nekuda

When It Has All Been Said and Done: Leaving a Legacy of Generosity

It is always helpful to begin with the end in mind. I have officiated several weddings where I share this good word in one way or another. As you live your life, whether you are 8 or 80, it helps to think about what you would like people to remember you for, and then live in such a fashion that you leave a legacy of love that makes that a reality.

If we are to model our lives after our Creator, and if we are to obey the call to be Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be generous people. Generous with our time, generous with our resources, generous with our skills and abilities. While we are present with others on this earth, and once our days our through, we will be remembered by how we gave of ourselves to others.

Many of you have done great in your support of the church this year. We need you to keep that up. More importantly, we need you to continue to have the character of generosity present in your lives. Christ and his Kingdom are manifest when you are generous with your family, in how you love your neighbor, in how you treat the poor and needy, and what you do to support the work of the gospel.

This year, we are going to have Stewardship messages in September, some reminders about pledging in October, and receiving of pledges in November starting on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The theme is: When It Has All Been Said and Done—Leaving a Legacy of Generosity. Whether 9 or 90, we want to cultivate the character of giving, and to encourage each of you to live out that character in all facets of your life. Whether 17 or 71, we want you to be building a legacy of sharing the love of God in tangible, meaningful ways with others.

The sermon series will go like this:September 6 Greg MamulaSeptember 13 Robin StoopsSeptember 20 Pastor Clint “God so loved…he gave”September 27 Pastor Clint “Run the Race…Fought the

Fight”November 22 Pastor Clint “With Thankgiving In Our Hearts”