Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidGreenw

ood, AR 72936Perm

it No. 21

First Baptist ChurchP.O. Box 635Greenw

ood, AR 72936(479) 996.2166

Address Service Requested

Church StaffRonnie Deal, Lead Pastor

Jeff Ivey, Teaching/Discipleship PastorTom McCone, Worship Pastor

Greg Ford, Sr. Adults/Missions PastorKyle Elmore, Student Pastor

Josh Kimbrell, Middle School PastorJustin Trice, EDGE Worship Pastor

Jacque Gordon, First KIDS MinisterCameron Trice, First Preschool Minister

Angela Steinfeldt, First Tots MinisterPaige Moore, First Nursery Minister

Rae Deal, Women’s Ministry Coordinator

Church Office HoursMonday-Thursday -- 8:30am-5:00pm

(By Phone Only)

(479) 996-2166

Worship ScheduleSundays

Online Worship Service Available at:youtube.comfacebook.com

What’s Inside:

I believe we have an unprecedented opportunity to initiate gospel conversations like no other time in our lifetimes because so much is at a standstill!

• We can’t depend on our ministries where we gather, and must be creative in how we continue to make disciples.• People are much more available by phone, text, email, video chat, etc. • There are tons of other opportunities to serve those who don’t know Jesus. Find ways like run errands for, take a meal to, mail a card to, etc.• Remember the goal is to get to gospel conversations and not JUST be friendly and caring.

Let’s go quickly into the figurative and technological streets and alleys and lanes and hedges of Luke 14 to persuade those who have yet to taste the Kingdom to come!Let me know if I can help,Greg Ford, Sr. Adults/Mission Pastor

Gospel Conversations: Unprecedented Opportunities!

LifeConnections

Spring 2020 - First Baptist Church - Greenwood What’s Inside:

• Online Streaming

• Life Groups

• Online Giving

• Student Podcast

• Children's Ministry

• Easter Update

• Stay Connected

A Note From Our PastorI pray that God's Word is providing hope, truth, and direction for your life. These days are filled with uncertainty and fear, yet God is still on His throne. He is not having a meeting in heaven trying to figure things out. He knows all things and

we can trust Him! I have always loved the classic old hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul." The man who wrote it had experienced his life turned upside down, yet he experienced God's peace in the midst of the storm. I hope you can sing this, as your song, to the Lord!As I write this, my heart grows heavier for the needs of each of you in our church. I realize we are just at the beginning, and none of us are sure what the outcome will be. But there are things we can be sure of...God is in control of this universe and He is working in the lives of His people! I am seeing more and more people in our church reaching out to each other - calling, sending cards, emails, text messages, volunteering to help, and praying for each other daily. God is working...let's keep trusting Him and seeking ways we can minister to one another. Our staff is here to help and assist you in any way we can. Please check out this newsletter for ways you can stay connected to our church and community. I love you and thank God for you!

Bro. Ronnie, Lead Pastor

CONnect With Us

Help Stop The SpreadOur church staff is doing its part to help stop the spread of the virus by not holding any types of gatherings on our campus and closing our office to folks coming in the buildings. Our staff continues to work, but our building is structured to where we can easily practice social distancing and continual disinfecting.

We ask that you also do your part as well and comply with the guidelines set by the CDC and our governing officials. These are the guidelines:

1. Stay at Home - When possible, stay at home with your family and do not have guests. If you are elderly and/or considered high risk, you MUST stay at home. Please call the church office if you need assistance with buying groceries, picking up prescriptions, or other urgent needs.

2. Wash your hands often with an antibacterial soap and use hand sanitizer when needed.

3. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Cover with the inside of your elbow as opposed to your hand.

4. Social Distancing - Stay at least 6 feet from each other and do not gather in groups of people.

5. Clean and disinfect surfaces often.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.

Let's Stay ConnectedOur world is changing by the hour and we want to make sure we stay connected and informed more than ever. Here are the ways our church is communicating with its members.

1. Email - Email is the most reliable way to receive updated information from the church. If you have not received a church wide email, it is because we either don't have your email address or the one we have is incorrect. Please either send an email to info@greenwoodfbc.com or call the church office to update your email address.

2. Mail - If you do not have an email address, please call the church office and we will add you to the list of folks who will receive each update through the mail.

3. Facebook - The staff will also post updates on our Facebook page at facebook.com/FirstBaptistGreenwood

4. Phone - You can always call the church office if you have a question.

Our staff wants to stay connected with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.

Worship Through Tithes and OfferingsIf you are financially able to continue giving, we have several methods from which to choose without leaving your home.

1. Mail - The mailing address for the church is P.O. Box 635, Greenwood, AR 72936. If you are in need of stamps and/or mailing envelopes, please call the church office and we will mail them to you.

2. Online - Follow these instructions to give using your computer, tablet, or smart phone. • Visit our website, www.greenwoodfbc.com, and click on the yellow box that says GIVE. • Choose your method of payment - Credit/Debit card - ACH Bank Transfer (If you would like to draft your tithe directly from your checkings/savings account, please use the ACH Bank Transfer option instead of your debit card. This generates lower fees for the church. • Enter the remaining information.

3. Texting - Text "Give" to 479-888-6080. - Follow the prompts you will receive via text message.

If you have any problems at all with any of these options, please do not hesitate to call the church office for assistance.

Let Us Pray For YouThe Bible says "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) We believe it is important for us to continue to pray for one another. If you have a need you would like our church to pray for, or just our staff to pray for, please let us know. You can call the church office or you can text your prayer request to (479) 888-4983. You will receive an updated prayer sheet through the Weekly Churchwide Update.

Easter: Not CanceledIn this season, our lives may look different than what we expected. So many parts of our life have been “canceled” over the last few weeks. The good news is, Easter is not canceled. In the middle of uncertainty, we can be certain of one thing: Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sin. That is something to celebrate. We will however, be celebrating a little differently this year. We hope you will join us online this Easter Sunday, April 12th to celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. You can join us in a variety of ways (our services will be available anytime on Easter Sunday Morning):

youtube.com (Search “First Baptist Church Greenwood”)facebook.com/FirstBaptistGreenwood

Middle School UpdateAt the end of every year I begin to seek the Lord for a verse to memorize and meditate on for the year. This year He led me to Lamentations 3:22-24. It says: “Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish,for his mercies never end.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, 'The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.'”I have gone back to this verse many times here in these few short months of this year. What a promise we have in the Lord. No matter what we face each day the Lord is sufficient. His mercies never end, and He is faithful. Stand firm in the hope we have in Him.

To help encourage continued spiritual growth amongst our middle schoolers I have emailed out a 21 day devotional. It takes 21 days to make a habit and what better habit could we cultivate than spending time with Jesus through His word and prayer. If you didn’t receive it or if you want to join in with our middle schoolers please contact me at jkimbrell@greenwoodfbc.com

We are also looking at ways to engage digitally through an app called Zoom. It’s a video conferencing app that allows us to come together! Some of our leaders will be using this to stay connected with students! Be looking for email updates on when and how those events will be taking place.

If there is any way I can be praying for you, or if you need anything don’t hesitate to reach out!Joshua Kimbrell, Middle School Minister

Life GroupsNow more than ever, we need to stay connected to our brothers and sisters in Christ for encouragement, prayer, and biblical counsel. Even though we cannot meet in person on campus, the best way to stay connected is still through life groups.

Currently, our life group leaders are doing their best to stay connected with their group members and help them connect with one another. Last Sunday many groups met online through Facebook live and various forms of group video chats. They had Bible study, shared prayer requests, and prayed for one another. I heard lots of great reports from these online meetings. Groups who are unable to meet online, are staying in contact through calls and texts. I praise God for how He is working through our life groups!

If you are not part of a life group, now is a great time to join. Please contact me and l will help you get connected. Jeff Ivey, Teaching/Discipleship Pastor

Our children’s ministry team is working together to and provide online resources for all of our FBC kids to do and watch at home. Please go like our Facebook page at Greenwood FBC Children’s Ministry. We are adapting to this as quickly as possible. It is our desire to keep your kids connected with

their Sunday Bible lessons and to give you tools to use at home. We miss our kids and can’t wait until we can see them again! FBC Children’s Ministry Team

This past Sunday, we had a great response from people who watched or listened online and also from those who listened on the radio. We are providing two online options:

youtube.com (Search “First Baptist Church Greenwood”)facebook.com/FirstBaptistGreenwood

If you don't have access to the internet, Ronnie's sermon can be heard on the radio each Sunday at 11:00am on 106.3 FM. Or you can call the church office and we can mail you a CD of Sunday's sermon.

Parents and Students, we are in the midst of what seems to be chaotic times. I want to encourage us all to see this as a great opportunity to refocus things. We often let the distractions of the world and busyness of schedule take over, but now all those things have come to a halt. In this pandemic, we have the chance to connect again as families, even if we didn’t realize we needed it. Plan a family worship time, watch the Sunday service, or listen to the Wednesday night podcast. These are all opportunities to connect spiritually as a family in ways we haven’t been able to before. Let’s use this time the Lord has allowed us to have to bring Glory to His name!!

You can listen to the Greenwood First Students Podcast through the students page on our website or by searching it on iTunes or Apple podcast.Kyle Elmore, Student Minister

Facilities Update• The office is closed to folks coming in, however, the staff is working to help you in any way they can. We are available M-Th 8:30am-5:00pm• All facilities are closed. • All activities and programs suspended.

Women's MinistryWe will be continuing our Wednesday night classes on Facebook. Check out facebook.com/GreenwoodWomen for ways you can connect with us during this time.

The Gathering will still be taking place on April 18th through Facebook Live! Stay connected with our Facebook page for more updates.

We Will Continue to Provide Our Weekly Worship Services Online