Senior Pastor

Daryl Evans

Associate Pastor

Brian King

Assoc Pastor of Youth

Josh Medlin

701 N. 7th St. Fairbury, IL

815-692-2654 fbcfairbury@gmail.com www.fbcfairbury.com

Sunday School: 8:45 am

Worship: 10 am

Deacons Mark Haab,

Jerry Huddleston, Ken Masuda,

Wayne Nelson, Dave Taylor

November 2017

Thanksgiving for the Right Things

One of my favorite Peanuts comic strips is the one that came out some years ago just a few days before Thanksgiving. Lucy's feeling sorry for herself and laments, "My life is a drag. I'm completely fed up. I've never felt so low in my life." Her little brother, Linus, tries to console her and says, "Lucy, when you're in a mood like this, you should try to think of things you have to be thankful for; in other words, count your blessings." To that, Lucy says, "Ha! That's a good one! I could count my blessings on one finger! I've never had anything, and I never will have anything. I don't get half the breaks that other people do. Nothing ever goes right for me! And you talk about counting blessings! You talk about being thankful! What do I have to be thankful for?"

Linus says, "Well, for one thing, you have a little brother who loves you." With that, Lucy runs and hugs her little brother, Linus, as she cries tears of joy. While she's hugging him tightly, Linus says, "Every now and then, I say the right thing." Sometimes, like Lucy, we need to be reminded to be thankful, don’t we? When we focus on ourselves and our problems and difficulties it becomes easy to fall into thanklessness. The Bible is filled with commands to give thanks to God (Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1…etc.). We cannot adequately praise and worship God without also being thankful. Feeling and expressing appreciation is good for us. Like any wise father, God wants us to learn to be thankful for all the gifts He has given us (James 1:17). It is in our best interest to be reminded that everything we have is a gift from Him. Without gratefulness, we become arrogant and self-centered. We begin to believe that we have achieved everything on our own. Thankful-ness keeps our hearts in right relationship to the Giver of all good gifts. Giving thanks also reminds us of how much we do have. Human beings are prone to focus on what we don’t have. By giving thanks continually we are reminded of how much we do have. When we focus on blessings rather than wants, we are happier. When we start thanking God for the things we usually take for granted, our perspective changes. We realize that we could not even exist without the merciful blessings of God. Thanksgiving is a holiday that reminds us to be thankful to God for what He has done. When our hearts are filled with thanksgiving, we keep the sins and temptations of greed, selfish-ness, and self-sufficiency away. May we thank God daily, and be reminded of everything that God has given to us. Everything is from God. Thanksgiving reminds Christians of what we have and the blessings we have received from the LORD.

Thankful for all of you,

Pastor Daryl

“Getting To Know You”

Some of you may remember the 1956 film, “The King and I” with Yul Brynner and Debra Karr.

One of the many songs from the movie is “Getting To Know You.” If you remember the song, here are some of the lyrics:

“Getting to know you

Getting to know all about you

Getting to like you

Getting to hope you like me.

Getting to know you

Getting to feel free and easy

When I am with you

Getting to know what to say.

Haven’t you noticed suddenly I’m bright and breezy.

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I am learning about you

Day by day.”

This little song couldn’t fit Lesley and me any better; as you have made us feel so welcomed and loved at First Baptist.

We would love to get to know each of you in a greater way.

So with that said: We need your help in “getting to know you.”

Would you help us by introducing yourself and your family on Sundays? You may have already done this (THANK YOU), but repetition is good.

We desire to connect with you spiritually and socially. Building relationships is vitally important as it creates unity in the Body of Christ.

Lesley and I are looking forward to locking arms & hearts with you, to assist you, laugh with you, rejoice with you and cry with you.

Let’s all strive to get to know one another better as God desires us to know Him better.

Serving Him Together,

Pastor Brian & Lesley

Medlin’s Ministry Message

Looking Back…

During the month of October, we have had some really fun times with our stu-dents and have been taking new steps forward in discipling our teens. Early on in the month our students had an awesome trip to Hardy’s reindeer ranch to get lost in a corn maze with their friends! We had a race to see which group of students were able to get through the maze first! We found some of our students and leaders, particularly the Campbells, have an excellent gift in navigating as they were able to take the gold medal for the evening.

As the students have been enjoying the fall weather and looking forward to Halloween, we have been playing some really mysterious and spooky games for the kids to enjoy! We played 2 Medlin original games over the past weeks. One was created by my wife Nicole called “Neighborhood watch” (a murder mystery game with hand held squirt guns) and the other was created by myself and it was called “hidden idol” (a scavenger hunt game with glow sticks inside water bottles”). We also had a scary campfire night for our junior high students where we played mafia around the fire and ate smores and hot dogs. However, at the end of the month the students are looking forward to a game called gargoyles. This is a freeze tag variation with hidden pieces of a flashlight that the students will need to find to stay safe from the gargoyle students.

Throughout the month of October, we have also been doing a series called “supernatural” to disciple the students. During this series, Houston Jones and I taught the students that there is more to this world than what we see with our eyes. I taught on the story of Elisha and the chariots of fire as a way to show students that there are spiritual forces at work in our world every day. Houston continued our series by teach-ing on the supernatural coincidences throughout the book of Esther. He helped us to see that people either see random chance or miracles in our world and the difference is based on your beliefs. The following week I taught on the supernatural savior Jesus who rose from the dead that calls us to place our faith in Him. And for our last lesson of the series, we will be looking at the supernatural change that God makes in those who follow him through the Holy Spirit.

Looking Forward…

Online Registration for UPWARD Basketball is open! Paper forms available soon…. See the following page for all the details on how you can get involved….

On November 5th is the All Town Food Drive where we will need students who are

willing to go around town door to door collecting for the food pantry! November 22nd JV & Video Games will be canceled for Thanksgiving.

UPWARD Basketball

Evaluation Days

Tuesday, December 5th 5:30-7:30 PM

Saturday, December 9th 9-11 AM

The player needs to attend just one of these days to gauge their skill level.

Practice starts the week of January 2, 2018

First Game Day is January 13 - Last Game Day is February 24

UPWARD Sunday is February 25

How to Sign Up a Kdg-5th Grade Player:

*Boys & Girls are both welcome to participate. It’s not restricted to the PC area or PC schools

* Cost is $55 per player ($60 after December 11) $15 matching uniform shorts are optional

*Pick up a brochure in the church entry & bring to Evaluation or Return to Church

or go online at http://registration.upward.org/UPW63277

How You can Get Involved

Coaching: Our #1 ask is for Christian Coaches (male & female), this is a 2 hr per week commit-

ment. One hour per week for practice, and 1 hour for the game each Saturday. If being a Head

coach is intimidating for you, we need Assistant Coaches too! Less responsibility, but still a

great help!

Evaluation Day Volunteer: For each of our Evaluation Days we need at least 2 dozen people to

help with the skill level “stations”. If you can count to 15 and know how to run a stopwatch

(with training) this is for you.

Halftime Devotions: Maybe you don’t have time to make a big commitment but still want to in-

vest in the families of our community. Every Sat. we will have several games. Last season we

had 9 games each week. If you could share a 3-5 minute devotion during halftime of one or

more of these games that would make a huge difference! Material is provided. Easy Peasy..

Prayer Partners: We would love to have people who would dedicate themselves to praying for

our players, coaches, and their families. We believe interceding to God on behalf of our teams

will make all the difference in a child’s life!

Contact me if you have questions Or are ready to GET INVOLVED...

Pastor Josh

While the storm clouds gather

Far across the sea

Let us swear allegiance

To a land that’s free

Let us all be grateful

For a land so fair

Let us raise our voices

In a solemn prayer

God bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her,

Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam,

God bless America,

My home sweet home.

God bless America,

My home sweet home.

If you are a Veteran or Active Military

PLEASE take the time to put your

Name & Rank—Branch of Service—

Service Time & Dates and any Special

Recognition you received while serving

our country on a clipboard that is on the

Welcome Center.

We will honor our Veterans & Active Military

with a Special Sunday Worship on November 12.

Thankfulness is being

grateful for what we have.

It is an attitude of

gratitude for learning,

loving and being.

Appreciate the little things that happen around

you and within you every day. Think positively.

Thankfulness brings contentment.

Congregation is Invited:

Glen & Carolyn Skinker Wetzel would like to invite the FBC of Fairbury congregation to a

reception in honor of their son Calvin and his new bride Maria Constantine

who were married October 8 in Rochester, New York.

Saturday, Nov 25 5-8 pm

First Baptist Church of Bloomington

2502 East College Ave / Bloomington (NE corner of Hershey & College)

In addition to celebrating with Calvin & Maria Glen & Carolyn would love to see everyone.

RSVP preferred but not required !!! 309-664-7874 Just leave a message if no one answers.

Thank You — Thank You

The family of Paulette Bazzell

acknowledges with grateful ap-

preciation your kind expression

of sympathy. We can’t thank you

all enough for the love and sup-

port we received from our church

family. The house visits from Pas-

tors Daryl & Brian were so appre-

ciated. We are so blessed to have

such an amazing church family.

Thank you also for the beautiful

plant.

Daylight Saving Time Ends

at 2 am on

Sunday, November 5

Don’t forget to turn your

clocks BACK 1 HOUR before you go to

bed on Saturday, November 4

BUT.. if you do forget — there is a

Sunday School class for every age,

so come on in ! !

Join your church family

Sunday, November 19

All Church Thanksgiving Meal

Turkey/Dressing/Mashed Potatoes & Gravy will be provided.

Those attending are asked to bring a minimum of 2 side dishes

either vegetable, salad or dessert.

Please bring enough to cover your own family as well as extra for our guests.

Ladies of All Ages — Mark Your Dec Calendar

Extravagant Women’s Night

Friday, December 1

Doors open at 6:30 — Service starts at 7 PM

Community Meal will be held on the 1st & 3rd Monday in

November: November 6 & November 20

PC Clergy Assoc “Music on the Move” is Nov 5. Start at

Trinity Lutheran at 1:30 pm.

Sunday, November 5 is the All Town Food Collection to benefit our local

Food Pantry. Set out nonperishable items to be picked up by local church

groups. If you would like to help our youth that day please see Pastor Josh.

Sunday, December 3 is the first Sunday of Advent. We will celebrate it

again with the traditional candle lighting and family readings. If your family

would like to be a part of this please contact Patsy in the office.

November Men’s Breakfast will be held HERE at church at

7:30 am on Sunday, November 12. Evan Bachtold will be

cooking in the YC kitchen. Sign up sheet is on the kitchen counter

A Little Background on Fairbury Salvation Army…..

The money that is put in the Red Kettle outside Dave’s during the

holiday season STAYS in FAIRBURY. Fairbury Salvation Army is a

part of the Heartland Division which has it’s headquarters in

Peoria. Seventy percent (70%) stays here and 30% of what is

collected is sent to the Divisional Headquarters for administrative costs. They supply the blank

vouchers and process the written vouchers after clearing the bank. They are the support that is

needed for a smaller SA to run smoothly. So, for every $1 dropped in the Red Kettle — 70 cents

goes toward helping people right here in our neck of the woods.

I (Patsy) am the go-to person for Fairbury SA. I have the vouchers and I am blessed to have a job

that enables me to do my “volunteer” job from my “work” job desk. That is a direct reflection on this

congregation and their giving hearts.

So Anyway—All that Said — Please Sign Up to Ring the Bell Do this as a Family, SS class, Small

Group, Individual. Bring your Christmas Music with you or go it alone with just your voice. There is a

small wooden structure and a portable heater. You will be amazed at the amount of people who will

stop and chat. We all know Dave’s is a huge social gathering place … Just try getting down an isle

on a Saturday morning !!.

First Baptist Church is asked to fill each slot of the following days. They

are each 1 hour in length. First one is at 8 am (until 9 am) and the last

one is at 8 pm (until 9 pm).

Monday, November 27 — Friday, December 1 — Wednesday, December 13

Monday, December 18 — Tuesday, December 19

There are sign up sheets in the entry along with reminder cards for your convenience.

1 - Sue McDonald

2 - Heidi Bashford

2 - Jim Krueger

2 - Brad Putnam

Franklin / Norma Fosdick

11.04.1956 (61 yrs)

5 - Chris Klus

5 - Sharon McGuire

5 - Steve Rieger

6 - Suzanne Slagel

6 - Mark Strike

Ken / Gail Kafer

11.06.1965 (52 yrs)

7 - Bob Retter

8 - Betty Jo Lawrence

9 - Dede Traub

10 - Megan Slagel

11 - Sherrylee Bray

11 - Carolyn Howland

12 - Aleia Kaskavage

13 - Phyllis Huling

15 - Brad Brucker

15 - Jenn Steidinger

Harry / Courtney Johnson

11.15.2013 (4 yrs)

Doug / Cindy Stephens

11.15.1980 (37 yrs)

16 - Kevin Cooley

16 - Jessica Mason

17 - Brylee Brucker

17 - Johnny Moore

17 - Karmyn Steidinger

18 - Wyatt Alfonso-Jackson

19 - Ean Bachtold

19 - Alia Young

Johnny / Brenda Moore

11.19.1972 (45 yrs)

20 - Alyza Steidinger

20 - Kristin Traub

Rob / Suzanne Folk

11.20.1981 (36 yrs)

21 - Hayden Jones

21 - Doris Kaisner

21 - Dustyn Strike

22 - Dana Kafer

22 - Suanne Medina

23 - Karlee Davis

23 - Kikki Folk

Randy / Jill McCulloh

11.23.1984 (33 yrs)

24 - Clinton Denham

24 - Dayton Kilgus

25 - Payton Dunahee

25 - Anny Schweizer

26 - Jazmin Medina

28 - David Banwart

30 - Illyanna Jones

30 - Delmar Platz

Ushers: Any questions/changes can be directed to Dave Buchanan (815-848-1057).

November: Larry Boruff, Josh Bray, Dave Buchanan, Rob Folk, Kent Kafer, Paul Mason, Kyle

Miller, Johnny Moore

Greeters: Any questions/changes can be directed to Sue Gero (815-692-3232).

Nov 5 Daylight Savings Time

SS Only: Connie Haas Worship Only: Aaron & Jeni Gerber

SS & Worship: Al & Mary Beth Slagel

(Sub: Mark Strike)

Nov 12 SS Only: Connie Haas Worship Only: Evelyn Yoder

SS & Worship: Barb Taylor, Mary Streitmatter

(Sub: Sue Gero)

Nov 19 SS Only: Joy Mason Worship Only: Darryl & Peg Stiles

SS & Worship: Malachi Bradley, Betty J Lawrence

(Sub: Sue Gero)

Nov 26 SS Only: Rita Meiss, Connie Haas Worship Only: George & Sue Gero

SS & Worship: Linda Hoffman

(Sub: Dawn Metz)

Children’s Church: Any questions/changes can be directed to Nicole Ricketts (309-287-4840).

Pre-K/Kdg Elementary

Nov 5 Deanna Evans / Suzanne Slagel Joy Mason / Lauren Broquard

Nov 12 Joy Mason / Dana Champlain Destiny Rothert

Nov 19 Joni Kilgus Tiffany Cooley

Nov 26 Kendra Broquard Dede Traub

Nursery: Any questions/changes should be directed to Kendra Broquard (309-242-3538).

Sunday School Worship / Front Only

Kendra Broquard Nov 5 Lassiter Family

Tanya Rothert Nov 12 Melissa Banwart

Brenda Mueller Nov 19 Rachael Strike

Linda Broquard / Lynette Johnson Nov 26 Amanda Parrish