In this edition of The Messenger is a brochure about the Celebrate Recovery ministry we are launching on Tuesday, January 10th. Below, is an article from Rick Warren about this ministry.

The Bible states “all have sinned.” This means each of us need repentance and recovery in order to live the way God intended. You’ve heard the expression, “time heals all wounds.” The truth is – time often makes things worse. Wounds left untended fester and spread infection throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the problem isn’t dealt with.

We need is a biblical program to help people overcome hurts, habits and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery is that program. Based on the words of Jesus rather than psychological theory, this program is unique, and more effective in helping people change than anything I’ve seen.

Most are familiar with the 12 step program of A.A. and other groups. While undoubtedly many have been helped through the 12 steps, I’ve been uncomfortable with that program’s vagueness about the nature of God, saving power of Jesus Christ, and ministry of the Holy Spirit. I studied the Scriptures to discover what God says about “recovery.” To my amazement, I found the principles of recovery, and even their logical order, given by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount.

This recovery program is based on the Bible. It is forward-looking. Rather than wallowing in the past, or dredging up and rehearsing painful memories over and over, Celebrate Recovery focuses on the future. This program emphasizes personal responsibility. It emphasizes commitment to Jesus Christ. This recovery program utilizes the biblical truth that we need each other in order to grow spiritually and emotionally. This program addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Finally, this program produces lay ministers! Because Celebrate Recovery is church-based, it produces a stream of people moving into ministry after they’ve found recovery in Christ.

In closing, let me say that the size of your church is no barrier to beginning a Celebrate Recovery ministry. You can start it with just a small group of people and watch it grow by word-of-mouth. You won’t be able to keep it a secret for long! You are going to see lives changed in dramatic ways. You are going to see hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hang-ups, and hurts as they allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of their lives. To God be the glory! We’ll be praying for you.

OUR STAFF - Dr. Dave McFadden, Lead Pastor

Garnet Blaney, Youth Pastor Sara Keller, Children’s Ministry Director

Wayne Anderson, Worship Pastor LeeAnn Hersey, Secretary

Misty Blaney, Financial Secretary Preston Lenard, Custodian

Ronnie Johns, Assistant Custodian

This 12 week course on developing a Biblical Worldview will be led by Pastor Dave, meeting on Sunday nights, at 5:00 pm starting January 8th.

It will also be offered on Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm, starting on January 11th.

Sign up at the Connection Center or, call the church office at 575-356-6761.

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Jan. 1st– Jan. 7th, 2017

We are looking for help in the sound booth during worship services. If interested, speak to Garnet.

We're currently looking for a small group leader for 4th-6th grade during Kid's Connection Group time. They'd help with large group time & lead a small group also. Curriculum is provided. Speak with Sara if interested.

We're looking for someone who can work in the Infants and 1 year olds during the 11:15 service. If you are interested, please see Sara.

Women in the Word will be doing the book of Esther: It’s Tough Being A Woman. This 10 week Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:00 pm. Please contact Cathy Rankin at 575-226-8077 for details or sign up at the Connection Center.

Beth Moore Bible Study will beginning soon!! We will be studying Beth Moore’s book A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place. Class will begin on Tuesday, January 10th at 9:30am in room. 210. You can sign-up at the Connection Center or you may call the church office also.

We will have a game night today from 7:00 pm -12:00 am Midnight). Bring your favorite board games and snacks and be ready to have a great night of food, fun and fellowship!!

Pastor Rick Warren

Celebrate Recovery will begin meeting on Tuesday nights starting January 10th at First Baptist in Fellowship Hall.

We'll begin with a meal at 5:30. Then, following the meal, worship will be at 6 pm with support groups meetings at 7 pm.

There will be a group for men and a group for ladies.

International Missions (20%) $ 7,000.00 $ 5,807.01 Baptist Children’s Home (15%) $ 5,250.00 $ 5,563.96 North American Missions (10%) $ 3,500.00 $ 701.97 Mission New Mexico (10%) $ 3,500.00 $ 1,716.97 College Student Scholarships (9%) $ 3,150.00 $ 541.77 FBC Mission Partnerships (8%) $ 2,800.00 $ 481.58 Slovenia Mission Team (8%) $ 2,800.00 $ 481.58 FBC Food Pantry Ministry (5%) $ 1,750.00 $ 2,391.24 Ramp Up, Portales (5%) $ 1,750.00 $ 2,490.99 Adopt-A-School Initiative (5%) $ 1,750.00 $ 770.99 World Hunger (3%) $ 1,050.00 $ 1,900.59 Prayer Ministry Outreach (2%) $ 700.00 $ 120.39 TOTAL: $35,000.00 $21,761.03

Budget Required YTD: $489,162.34 Budget Received YTD: $449,411.10 (+/-): - $ (39,751.24)

Budget Designated Dec. 25th: $4,245.00 $558.00 Dec. Total: $37,550.98 $4,649.00

Preschool Remodel Goal: $14,000; Balance as of December 18th: $14,148.04

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1st Service: 84 2nd Service: 59 Nursery: 14 Worship Total: 157 137

Connection Groups: 147

AWANA is on winter break. We will resume January 8th.

Arnold, Brian - recovery from ankle surgery Arnold, Vera - in Heartland Branscum, Mitzi - Breast Cancer Collins, Dave and Iva - at Wheatfields, Clovis Celebrate Recovery Launch Dodd, Eliza - continued prayers Eminger, Randy - lung cancer Garcia, Adlyn - 2 year old with head trauma from car accident Einspahr, Ester - health concerns Gonzales, Chachi - lupus, on dialysis, Hampton, Loy - possible mini stroke Isbell, Alton - Wife Cindy has cancer Littlejohn, Marie - Possible cancer returned Massey, Kevin - cancer Metlach, Daisy - Cancer Rebecca McDonald’s Aunt - taking chemo Nation, Leo - Returning cancer concerns Overton, Dean - cancer treatments Tipton, Dottie - healing in her legs Turner, Shelley - cancer Walker, Raenell - Health Concerns Wells, Billie - physical therapy in Clovis Wooley, Junior - kidney cancer

Pray for Our Mission Partners

Lindy Pate - Pioneer Bible Translators PJ - Albuquerque Missionary to Muslims

Raul Ornelas - Dairy Ministry

Sunday (Jan. 1st) New Year's Day Service - 10:00 AM New Year's Day Party - 7:00 PM

Monday (Jan. 2nd) Church Office Closed

Prayer Mtg (Mary Watts home) - 10:00 AM Prayer Ministry Team Mtg - 5:15 PM

\ Wednesday (Jan. 4th) Youth 6:00 PM

The Missions Ministry Team Meeting will have

their first meeting of 2017 on Sunday, January 15th at 3:00 pm in room 100.

Interested in becoming a member of the First Baptist Family? Speak with one of our staff to learn about our membership process!

Did you know you can give to your church online? Go to our website at www.fbcportales.org, click on the button that looks like the picture on the left that's on the bottom right

of the home page to learn more and sign up!

Children’s Council will be meeting on Sunday, January 22nd at 3:00 pm in the

purple room. Don’t miss this opportunity to be involved in a new way in 2017!

There will be a Church Council meeting on

January 9th at 5:30 pm in Room 210.

Our quarterly business meeting will follow a potluck lunch on Sunday, January 29th.

If there is something you would like to discuss please call the church office at

Choir Practice will resume on Wednesday, January 11th at 6pm.

Learn how you can help with our Disciple Now weekend on Friday,

March 24 – Sunday, March 26.

Join us in the youth room for a planning meeting on Sunday,

January 8th, at 3 pm.