I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Calendar 2

Pastor’s Pen 4

Associate Pastor 5

Music Notes 6

Kids4Christ 7

Student Ministry 8

Ministry 9

F I R S T B A P T I S T

C H U R C H B L A N C H A R D Lifeline J U L Y 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 7

T H I S

M O N T H

WipeOut

Water Slide,

July 18

Excessive

Generosity,

July 20

Choir Camp,

July 21-25

Blood Drive,

July 23

VBS/Choir

Camp Musical,

July 27

Deacon Nominations will be accepted through the month of July.

Likewise deacons must

be reverent, not double-

tongued, not given to

much wine, not greedy

for money, holding the

mystery of the faith with

a pure conscience.

1 Timothy 3:8-10

Choir Camp July 21-25 8:30-12:00pm

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world– our faith. 1 John 5:4 (NKJV)

JULY 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 * See note below

2 Bible

Study

3 Cowboy

Church

4 Independence

Day

5

6 VBS

7 8 Church

Visitation

9 Bible

Study

10

Cowboy

Church

11 Pacesetters

12

13 VBS

14 15 16 Bible

Study

17 Cowboy

Church

18 WipeOut

Water Slide

19

20 Excessive

Generosity

Business Mtg.

VBS

21 Men’s Bible

Study

22 23 Bible

Study

Blood Drive

24 Pacesetters

Cowboy

Church

25 26

27 VBS/Choir

Camp

Musical

28 29 30 Bible

Study

31

Choir Camp

*Deacon Nominations

accepted through the

month of July

High School Summer Camp

P A G E 3 P A G E 3 FBCB Ministry ~Upcoming Events July 2 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) July 3 Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) July 4 Independence Day, office closed July 6 VBS (5:00pm) July 8 Church Visitation in the Multi-Purpose Building (3-6:00pm) July 9 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) July 10 CBCC Potluck (6:30pm) July 11 Pacesetters’ Covered Dish (6:00pm) July 13 VBS (5:00pm) July 16 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) July 17 Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) July 18 WipeOut Water Slide (completed K-5th grade) (6-8pm) July 20 Excessive Generosity Lunch (12:00pm) Business Meeting (7:00pm) VBS (5:00pm) July 21 Men’s Bible Study @ The Way Station (6:30pm) July 21-25 Choir Camp July 23 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) Blood Drive at the Orchard (5:30pm-8:30pm) July 24 Pacesetters’ “Eat Out” (10:30am) Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm)

July 27 VBS/Choir Camp Musical (6:00pm) July 28—July 31 High School Summer Camp

July 30 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm)

Times and dates are subject to change. Please check your weekly Order of Worship for updates.

P A G E 4 Pastor’s Pen For two weeks in June several of our church body, as well as some from two other churches, worked in tough conditions to complete a church in Belize. In essence they planted a church where there was a great need for one. FBC, Blanchard, sent them to complete that work and we continue to assist in the ministry of a new church building in Romania. Why is church planting so important? Ed Stetzer is the President of LifeWay Research Division, a prolific author, and well-known conference and seminar leader. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches, trained pastors and church planters on six continents, holds two masters degrees and two doctorates, and has written dozens of articles and books. He is an informative and entertaining writer and speaker. In many ways Stetzer has his hand on the “pulse” of modern Christianity as few others have. Recently, he posted on his blog several reasons why church planting is so important. Space won’t allow elaboration, but here are those reasons: 1) Church planting reaches lost people. 2) Church planting follows a biblical pattern. 3) Church planting is essential for survival. 4) Church planting benefits the planting church. 5) Church planting is necessary to reach North America. Please pay special attention to the last part of reason number 5–“North America”. That’s right, we have a need for new church plants on this continent. As we continue to seek and follow God’s direction we must keep our spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts open to where He leads next. Keep the faith.

Gloria a Dios! Glory to God!

Belize Mission Trip

June 2013 June 2014 June 2012

P A G E 5

As the birthdate of our great Nation approaches yet again, I looked back at a sermon I preached four years ago entitled

Happy Birthday, America! That was the last time July 4th was on a Sunday (and only the 33rd time in our Nation’s

238- year history). While looking back over that sermon, I recalled some quotes of our Founding Fathers that remind us

of our Nation’s spiritual heritage and of the faith of many of our great leaders from the past. Here are a few of those that

I thought you might be blessed to read again (and perhaps to share with your children and grandchildren since they

unfortunately aren’t likely to find these quotes in any of the current text books used in our public schools):

“We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!” – Quotes from John Hancock and John Adams in April,

1775

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by

Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been

afforded freedom of worship here.” – written by Patrick Henry in 1776

"I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in

the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise

without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build

it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no

better than the Builders of Babel.” – Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention of 1787

“The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I

will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as

the existence and attributes of God.”- John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and 2nd U.S. President

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of

our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” - John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of the United States

“I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. I have little doubt that our whole country will

soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.” – Thomas Jefferson, 3rd

President of the U.S. & another signer of the Declaration of Independence

“No nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best

religion that has ever been given to man and I, as chief Magistrate of this nation, am bound to give it the sanction of my

example.”- Jefferson

“…the Bible, sir, is the rock upon which this Republic stands.” If our Republic throws away this Rock, it will certainly

fall.” - Andrew Jackson, - our Nation's 7th President

And here are a few quotes from Ronald Reagan, the greatest President we’ve had in my 61 years of life on this earth (in

my humble but accurate opinion. Lol!):

“Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”

“Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.”

“America needs God more than God needs America. If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will

be a Nation gone under.”

I personally attended elementary school during a time in our Nation’s history when prayer and Bible reading were both

permitted in our public schools. I can even remember attending a revival service at the local Baptist church next door to

my public school (during school hours) when I was about 10 years old. My, how things changed over the next few

years! How we need to pray that God will again raise up leaders in our Nation who trust and follow Him with all their

hearts and who are not afraid to proclaim the truths such as those espoused by the men quoted above. Happy Birthday,

America! May you return to the beliefs of our Nation’s founders before it is too late!

P A G E 7 Kids4Christ

5:00-7:00PM ON SUNDAY NIGHTS

Completed PS3-5th grade.

Come find your place in God’s story!

C h i l d r en ’s C ho i r Camp :

July 21st-25th from 8:30-NOON

Completed K-5th grade

Do you trust God to guide and provide?

6:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Completed K-5th grade

Find out Who Jesus really is!

July 18th

from 6:00-8:00 PM

On the Rec Complex

Completed K-5th grade

Men’s Ministry

Providing food for

World Changers through

the years!

Men’s Bible Study

Monday, July 21st

6:30 pm The Way Station

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Friday, July 25th

from 5:00-7:00pm

at The Orchard

For more information,

contact Jamie Roe.

Thursday, July 24th Strawn’s on Airline Drive

Vans leave at 10:30 am

C vered D sh Friday, July 11

6:00 pm

Fellowship Hall

Entertainment: River Cities Jubilee

Followed by a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Abe Lincoln.

Pacesetter of the Month

Addie Welch

2014 Deacon Nominations

The biblical qualifications of a deacon are set forth in 1 Timothy 3:8-13: Likewise deacons must be

reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of

the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, be-

ing found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all

things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For

those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in

the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

The by-laws of our church state: “The task of the deacon is to serve with the pastor and the staff in

performing pastoral ministries such as proclaiming the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for

church members and other persons in the community; lead the church to engage in a fellowship of

worship, witness, education, ministry and application; and lead the church in performing its tasks.”

Nominating someone for the office of deacon requires prayer and introspection. Please commit this

process to fervent prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to those God has set apart for this

calling. As you pray about this important calling, please superimpose over every name the biblical

qualifications of a deacon and the promises of Scripture that when we commit everything to God He

will direct our paths.

P A G E 1 0

Cross Brand Cowboy Church Howdy Everybody, Hope y’all are having a wonderful summer. Even though it is hot we can still enjoy the outdoors. Well June was a great month at Cross Brand Cowboy Church. A few of us actually had a chance to bring our horses and make use of the arena before and after church a time or two. We still haven’t been able to get the Barrel Racing on the schedule yet; but it’s not for the lack of trying, I assure ya. We are just having to find a day that doesn’t conflict with the Barrel Racing Associations’ events that are already scheduled. Please pray for us as we continue to plan that and other events. But in the mean time, don’t forget that the VERY BEST thing that happens at Cowboy Church happens every Thursday night no matter what comes our way!! We begin with an open arena at 6:00 pm when you can bring your horse and ride or just come and watch. On the 1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Thursdays the concession stand is open for those who are interested and on the 2nd Thursday we have our POTLUCK SUPPER beginning at 6:30 where you can enjoy some really tasty food while having a time of fellowship. The service starts every Thursday night with prayer requests, praises for answered prayer and singing, followed by some of the best preaching and teaching you can imagine from Bro. Doug Allen. Truly if you haven't been to one of these services, you owe it to yourself to come at least once. I predict that you will return. We will be looking forward to seeing you next Thursday!!!!

Charles Julian

5/18/2014

We welcome our new members!

Samantha Fitzgerald

6/8/2014

Connor Gardner

6/15/2014

Joshua and Beth Shirey

6/15/2014

First Baptist Church Blanchard

“Seeking Sharing Showing”

201 Attaway St

PO Box 65

Blanchard, LA 71009

Phone: 318.929.2346

Fax: 318.929.4680

Email: fbcblanchard@bellsouth.net

Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 6:00 p.m.

Sunday School (for all ages) 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is

eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Sin separates us from God. God offers forgiveness through belief in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Accepting God’s offer of salvation means we are saved from an eternity separated from God. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through

Me.”

In Memoriam

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Revelation 14:13

Guy Calvert 6/15

Just a reminder that we have visitation every 2nd Tuesday of the month. But that certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t visit any day that works for you and that special person God has put on your heart to go see. Remember that a physical visit is definitely the best; but if you just absolutely aren’t able to go visit, then pick up the phone and give that person a call or at least send a card. When God lays someone on our hearts, He expects action from us. Don’t miss out on the opportunity. Hope to see y’all on July 8th at visitation.