The days of cultural Christianity in America are coming to an end. There was a time in our nation’s history — even just a few decades ago in many communities — when membership in a local church was expected, as well as beneficial to one’s social standing, and biblical values were given tacit approval in […]
Read More »The New Testament calls for two offices within the local church: pastors and deacons. While our church continues to pray and search for our next pastor, the work of our deacons continues unabated as it has throughout the history of our church. I am especially grateful for the sacrifice and servant leadership of our outgoing […]
Read More »Advent comes from the Latin term for coming or arrival, and the observance of Advent is all about waiting with anticipation and preparing for the Messiah. There are two characters in the Christmas story who wait longer than anyone else — longer than the two mothers with their miraculous pregnancies and even longer than the […]
Read More »This Sunday, you have an opportunity to be ushered into the presence of the Almighty and to bring others with you. At six o’clock, our music ministry will present the musical “Behold Our God,” which will also be interpreted for the deaf. Please make plans to join us for this meaningful time of worship and […]
Read More »When was the last time you paused to consider why we even have Christmas? Not simply why do we celebrate Christmas, but why did Jesus come in the first place? According to the angel’s words in Matthew 1, “you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus is […]
Read More »With the official beginning of the Advent season now upon us, many have begun their Christmas preparations in earnest. Setting out decorations and replacing dysfunctional light strands, getting serious about all of the gift shopping left to accomplish, figuring out which holiday parties and events you can make or will have to miss, and possibly […]
Read More »As we celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation, I hope that our focus on gratitude to God extends well beyond this special day. To help guide us in our expressions of thankfulness to the Lord this weekend, here are several passages from King David. Please use these to be reminded of all we have to be […]
Read More »Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has distributed 146 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries around the world, and this Sunday, November 19, First Baptist Church hopes to collect another 500 shoeboxes to add to that number. If you’re unfamiliar with this program, I want to help encourage you to participate by […]
Read More »How do you identify the individual God is calling to shepherd His flock at FBCTLH? Please, note that the question is not “how do you identify an individual to be the senior pastor at FBCTLH” There is a big difference! The short answer to the former question is you lean on the Lord for wisdom, […]
Read More »Back in the summer of 2009, the Young Adults of First Baptist Church took a mission trip to rural Costa Rica and planned to return to the same community the next summer. However, following the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, we decided to join with the international disaster response and took our first mission […]
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