Blog https://www.fbcg.net Fri, 29 Mar 2024 01:43:29 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Seek the Lord While He May Be Found https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/seek-the-lord-while-he-may-be-found https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/seek-the-lord-while-he-may-be-found#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/seek-the-lord-while-he-may-be-found Asbury1Over the last ten days, reports of spiritual awakening on the Asbury University campus, a small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky, have made their way around the world.  Asbury University held a regularly scheduled chapel service on Wednesday, February 8 which has continued to the writing of this post. Reports have also been given about similar events on other college campuses. 

During a call to a confession of sins in the February 8th chapel service, at least one hundred people fell to their knees and bowed at the altar. Students, professors, and many who have traveled to Asbury give testimony that the gathering is marked by worship, confession of sins, repentance, and many turning to faith in Jesus Christ. To this, I say, “Amen!” Is this not what many pastors and Christians pray for?

Yes, we are called to be discerning and biblical. Yes, there is always danger for bizarre and distracting behavior in events like Asbury. Noted. However, with few exceptions (e.g., someone threw money on the stage to help a poor student) the reports are encouraging and do not seem to be aberrant or weird behavior (e.g., barking like dogs and uncontrollable laughter). We should pray for those who lead this movement that the Holy Spirit would guide them with wisdom and the truth of God’s word. We should also pray that genuine revival would sweep this land bearing fruit of the gospel, the fruit of lives changed by Christ and submitted to His word, the fruit that remains (John 15:1-16).

My friend, David Cranford, wrote this week, “Shootings on one college campus but revival on another campus. Oh God, may the latter overtake the former! Revive us O Lord!”  

I don’t think there is a week that passes in the gathering of FBCG that we don’t pray for a spiritual awakening where eyes and hearts are opened to the wonder of the gospel.  My prayer for revival in my life and in my church, as well as through this nation and to the nations, was captured in the Epilogue of my recent book, Life on the Altar. I post it here and trust it will encourage us to seek the Lord with all our hearts.

 From Life on the Altar:

In July 2021, I happened to be in Enfield, Connecticut, on a ministry assignment. My hotel was less than five miles from a stone marker along Highway 5 which marked the location of the meeting house of the First Church of Christ. At that location, on July 8, 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached to his congregation perhaps the most popular sermon in American history, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This sermon was a catalyst for the First Great Awakening which swept through North America and impacted other parts of the world with a ripple effect to this generation.

As I stood in front of that stone with a fellow pastor, Russ Copeland, we prayed for God to move in our generation, specifically for there to be an awakening to hear the gospel and for God’s Word to run rapidly to needy hearts (2 Thess. 3:1). The spiritual needs are overwhelming. Believers must put off religious gimmicks and church games!

The prophet Jeremiah confronted the false messages of his day: “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jer. 8:11). We need a move of God upon the church, but that won’t come through more strategies or superficial remedies. We need to humble ourselves before God and live in the obedience of faith before a world that chafes under His reign. We need to live Life on the Altar, presenting ourselves to God in humble obedience (Rom. 12:1-2).

As I conclude writing this book, the summer of 2021 has come to an end. This time of year serves as a reminder to me of our need to be right with God. When each August comes, I am reminded of another statement found in Jeremiah: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20). These words were spoken by the people in a moment of anguish. It was a proverb expressing that their God-given opportunity to repent was now over. It was a statement of despair and loss.

Throughout their history, Israel’s greatest enemies were not the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Assyrians, or the Babylonians. Israel’s greatest enemies were the false prophets who stood in the gates and told the people what they wanted to hear. However, Jeremiah was not cut from that cloth of duplicity. By contrast, Jeremiah’s preaching was a ‘downer’ for the hard-hearted nation of Judah. When Jeremiah confronted the sins of his people, he was persecuted. When he called the nation to repent, he was brought into the crosshair of their distain and abuse.

Jeremiah’s singular message to repent and return to the Lord was grating on the nerves of many. I mean, really, how many times do you need to hear about your sins? How many times do you need to hear that you must repent and turn to the Lord? But faithful prophets don’t custom craft their messages to please the people.

In Jeremiah’s case, he preached for forty years with little response. Based on the numbers, he would never have been invited to be a speaker at an evangelism conference, and yet his fifty-two-chapter prophecy is encased in the canon of Scripture as a timeless example of pastoral perseverance.

He was a weeping prophet with a voice box committed to Yahweh and a heart to see the healing of his nation. But that healing would not come. Jeremiah would witness the Babylonian captivity in all its horror. Reading Lamentations records Israel’s defeat as nothing short of brutal. And yet, even in the agony of sin’s consequences, Jeremiah would declare,

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, 
“Therefore I will hope in him.” ~Lamentations 3:22–24

This hope would find its fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ and is alive and powerful even to this moment. Jesus would begin his earthly ministry with the same message Jeremiah preached: “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

There is an urgency in the Scripture that calls us to put aside the mind-numbing distractions that fill our lives, and to be still and know that He is God (Psa. 46:10). We are admonished to examine ourselves spiritually to see if we are in Christ (2 Cor. 13:5). We are told not to boast about tomorrow because we do not know what a day will bring forth (Prov. 27:1). Things will not always be as they are. Today is a day of grace and refuge for the weary, and sin’s relief is found in the person of Jesus Christ.

However, there will be a time when the opportunity is gone and many will say to their great loss, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Now is the acceptable time. Today is the day of salvation.

My hope for us in this journey has been to hear the call of God to present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices. This is the rightful response to Jesus’ saving work. This relationship with God through faith in Christ is not to be lived in isolation: for Altar Life naturally leads to life in a local church. With all its flaws and shortcomings, the local church is the incubator God designed for our growth, nurture, and service. Through a local body, we join others in making Christ known to future generations as well as to the nations. After all, this was Christ’s final word to His followers. May we also press forward in joy and in song, singing:

Since Grace is the source of the life that is mine—
And faith is a gift from on high—
I’ll boast in my Savior, all merit decline,
And glorify God ’til I die. (James M. Boice)

]]>
Asbury1Over the last ten days, reports of spiritual awakening on the Asbury University campus, a small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky, have made their way around the world.  Asbury University held a regularly scheduled chapel service on Wednesday, February 8 which has continued to the writing of this post. Reports have also been given about similar events on other college campuses. 

During a call to a confession of sins in the February 8th chapel service, at least one hundred people fell to their knees and bowed at the altar. Students, professors, and many who have traveled to Asbury give testimony that the gathering is marked by worship, confession of sins, repentance, and many turning to faith in Jesus Christ. To this, I say, “Amen!” Is this not what many pastors and Christians pray for?

Yes, we are called to be discerning and biblical. Yes, there is always danger for bizarre and distracting behavior in events like Asbury. Noted. However, with few exceptions (e.g., someone threw money on the stage to help a poor student) the reports are encouraging and do not seem to be aberrant or weird behavior (e.g., barking like dogs and uncontrollable laughter). We should pray for those who lead this movement that the Holy Spirit would guide them with wisdom and the truth of God’s word. We should also pray that genuine revival would sweep this land bearing fruit of the gospel, the fruit of lives changed by Christ and submitted to His word, the fruit that remains (John 15:1-16).

My friend, David Cranford, wrote this week, “Shootings on one college campus but revival on another campus. Oh God, may the latter overtake the former! Revive us O Lord!”  

I don’t think there is a week that passes in the gathering of FBCG that we don’t pray for a spiritual awakening where eyes and hearts are opened to the wonder of the gospel.  My prayer for revival in my life and in my church, as well as through this nation and to the nations, was captured in the Epilogue of my recent book, Life on the Altar. I post it here and trust it will encourage us to seek the Lord with all our hearts.

 From Life on the Altar:

In July 2021, I happened to be in Enfield, Connecticut, on a ministry assignment. My hotel was less than five miles from a stone marker along Highway 5 which marked the location of the meeting house of the First Church of Christ. At that location, on July 8, 1741, Jonathan Edwards preached to his congregation perhaps the most popular sermon in American history, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” This sermon was a catalyst for the First Great Awakening which swept through North America and impacted other parts of the world with a ripple effect to this generation.

As I stood in front of that stone with a fellow pastor, Russ Copeland, we prayed for God to move in our generation, specifically for there to be an awakening to hear the gospel and for God’s Word to run rapidly to needy hearts (2 Thess. 3:1). The spiritual needs are overwhelming. Believers must put off religious gimmicks and church games!

The prophet Jeremiah confronted the false messages of his day: “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jer. 8:11). We need a move of God upon the church, but that won’t come through more strategies or superficial remedies. We need to humble ourselves before God and live in the obedience of faith before a world that chafes under His reign. We need to live Life on the Altar, presenting ourselves to God in humble obedience (Rom. 12:1-2).

As I conclude writing this book, the summer of 2021 has come to an end. This time of year serves as a reminder to me of our need to be right with God. When each August comes, I am reminded of another statement found in Jeremiah: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20). These words were spoken by the people in a moment of anguish. It was a proverb expressing that their God-given opportunity to repent was now over. It was a statement of despair and loss.

Throughout their history, Israel’s greatest enemies were not the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Assyrians, or the Babylonians. Israel’s greatest enemies were the false prophets who stood in the gates and told the people what they wanted to hear. However, Jeremiah was not cut from that cloth of duplicity. By contrast, Jeremiah’s preaching was a ‘downer’ for the hard-hearted nation of Judah. When Jeremiah confronted the sins of his people, he was persecuted. When he called the nation to repent, he was brought into the crosshair of their distain and abuse.

Jeremiah’s singular message to repent and return to the Lord was grating on the nerves of many. I mean, really, how many times do you need to hear about your sins? How many times do you need to hear that you must repent and turn to the Lord? But faithful prophets don’t custom craft their messages to please the people.

In Jeremiah’s case, he preached for forty years with little response. Based on the numbers, he would never have been invited to be a speaker at an evangelism conference, and yet his fifty-two-chapter prophecy is encased in the canon of Scripture as a timeless example of pastoral perseverance.

He was a weeping prophet with a voice box committed to Yahweh and a heart to see the healing of his nation. But that healing would not come. Jeremiah would witness the Babylonian captivity in all its horror. Reading Lamentations records Israel’s defeat as nothing short of brutal. And yet, even in the agony of sin’s consequences, Jeremiah would declare,

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
his mercies never come to an end; 
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, 
“Therefore I will hope in him.” ~Lamentations 3:22–24

This hope would find its fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ and is alive and powerful even to this moment. Jesus would begin his earthly ministry with the same message Jeremiah preached: “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

There is an urgency in the Scripture that calls us to put aside the mind-numbing distractions that fill our lives, and to be still and know that He is God (Psa. 46:10). We are admonished to examine ourselves spiritually to see if we are in Christ (2 Cor. 13:5). We are told not to boast about tomorrow because we do not know what a day will bring forth (Prov. 27:1). Things will not always be as they are. Today is a day of grace and refuge for the weary, and sin’s relief is found in the person of Jesus Christ.

However, there will be a time when the opportunity is gone and many will say to their great loss, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Now is the acceptable time. Today is the day of salvation.

My hope for us in this journey has been to hear the call of God to present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices. This is the rightful response to Jesus’ saving work. This relationship with God through faith in Christ is not to be lived in isolation: for Altar Life naturally leads to life in a local church. With all its flaws and shortcomings, the local church is the incubator God designed for our growth, nurture, and service. Through a local body, we join others in making Christ known to future generations as well as to the nations. After all, this was Christ’s final word to His followers. May we also press forward in joy and in song, singing:

Since Grace is the source of the life that is mine—
And faith is a gift from on high—
I’ll boast in my Savior, all merit decline,
And glorify God ’til I die. (James M. Boice)

]]>
Life Action Energize https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-action-energize https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-action-energize#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-action-energize Dear FBCG Family,
 
In four weeks, we will begin the Energize Conference with Life Action Ministries (October 23-30). Through the years, we have had a great partnership with Life Action, and I am excited to have them return for a conference geared toward the renewal of God’s people to live for Christ in our generation. This conference is specifically focused on biblical principles for kingdom action and personal ministry. In the course of the week, we will receive challenges in areas of:
 
       - Surrender
       - Living by faith
       - Walking in love
       - Lifestyle hospitality 
       - Engaging in personal mission
       - Marriage and family life 
       - Developing compassionate and strategic generosity
       - Standing out for Christ in a depressed and distracted culture
 
This conference will cover two Sundays, and Life Action will lead sessions during our 9:00 a.m. Connect Group time and our corporate worship at 10:30 with ministry events throughout the week. A tentative schedule of events is available in the Welcome Center.
 
I would ask you to join me in praying for these days by setting aside time to seek the Lord. This would be a wonderful event to invite family and friends! Pray for the Life Action team and especially for Steve Canfield as he preaches and teaches over this week. Pray that the Lord would use this time to move in our lives for the sowing of His word and the glory of our Savior. From our experience with Life Action in the past, we have found that the Lord has done many wonderful things among us. He has plowed into our lives bringing repentance and change. He has brought joy and hope in applying the promises of Scripture to our lives. Let’s seek Him together and may He be pleased to move among us to send revival throughout Ascension parish to the ends of the earth.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”
 –Isaiah 55:6

Rejoice,
Pastor Jim

]]>
Dear FBCG Family,
 
In four weeks, we will begin the Energize Conference with Life Action Ministries (October 23-30). Through the years, we have had a great partnership with Life Action, and I am excited to have them return for a conference geared toward the renewal of God’s people to live for Christ in our generation. This conference is specifically focused on biblical principles for kingdom action and personal ministry. In the course of the week, we will receive challenges in areas of:
 
       - Surrender
       - Living by faith
       - Walking in love
       - Lifestyle hospitality 
       - Engaging in personal mission
       - Marriage and family life 
       - Developing compassionate and strategic generosity
       - Standing out for Christ in a depressed and distracted culture
 
This conference will cover two Sundays, and Life Action will lead sessions during our 9:00 a.m. Connect Group time and our corporate worship at 10:30 with ministry events throughout the week. A tentative schedule of events is available in the Welcome Center.
 
I would ask you to join me in praying for these days by setting aside time to seek the Lord. This would be a wonderful event to invite family and friends! Pray for the Life Action team and especially for Steve Canfield as he preaches and teaches over this week. Pray that the Lord would use this time to move in our lives for the sowing of His word and the glory of our Savior. From our experience with Life Action in the past, we have found that the Lord has done many wonderful things among us. He has plowed into our lives bringing repentance and change. He has brought joy and hope in applying the promises of Scripture to our lives. Let’s seek Him together and may He be pleased to move among us to send revival throughout Ascension parish to the ends of the earth.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”
 –Isaiah 55:6

Rejoice,
Pastor Jim

]]>
Covid Update July 2022 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/covid-update-july-2022 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/covid-update-july-2022#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/covid-update-july-2022 Dear Church Family,
 
I’m sure it has disappointed no one that we have not had a COVID-19 conversation in some time! We are thankful to the Lord for a sense of normalcy over the last year. It has been wonderful to resume our worship and fellowship together. 
 
I am writing because we have had several in our church family, including children, who have recently tested positive for COVID-19.  We have been told that further variants of the virus are to be expected.  With the increase of natural immunity and vaccines, the CDC recommendations have changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic and offer more relaxed guidelines.
 
Currently, vaccinated individuals don't need to isolate, etc., unless they themselves begin to experience symptoms:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#
 
We urge the church family to show great care by not attending the church gathering if you have COVID-19 symptoms (fever/chills, cough, muscle or body aches). This would also include other potentially contagious illnesses. If in doubt, join us on the Livestream for that Sunday.
 
The Elders and Pastoral Staff are not enforcers of CDC recommendations. Nor are we investigators of members’ personal medical information. We are appealing to the Body to show care for one another. We are asking the church family to use the same good judgment that guides your decisions for entering other public places on a regular basis (school, work, grocery store, etc).
 
Let’s keep our eyes on the Lord and worship His holy Name!
May the love of Christ guide us in all things!
 
Psalm 91,
 
Pastor Jim

]]>
Dear Church Family,
 
I’m sure it has disappointed no one that we have not had a COVID-19 conversation in some time! We are thankful to the Lord for a sense of normalcy over the last year. It has been wonderful to resume our worship and fellowship together. 
 
I am writing because we have had several in our church family, including children, who have recently tested positive for COVID-19.  We have been told that further variants of the virus are to be expected.  With the increase of natural immunity and vaccines, the CDC recommendations have changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic and offer more relaxed guidelines.
 
Currently, vaccinated individuals don't need to isolate, etc., unless they themselves begin to experience symptoms:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#
 
We urge the church family to show great care by not attending the church gathering if you have COVID-19 symptoms (fever/chills, cough, muscle or body aches). This would also include other potentially contagious illnesses. If in doubt, join us on the Livestream for that Sunday.
 
The Elders and Pastoral Staff are not enforcers of CDC recommendations. Nor are we investigators of members’ personal medical information. We are appealing to the Body to show care for one another. We are asking the church family to use the same good judgment that guides your decisions for entering other public places on a regular basis (school, work, grocery store, etc).
 
Let’s keep our eyes on the Lord and worship His holy Name!
May the love of Christ guide us in all things!
 
Psalm 91,
 
Pastor Jim

]]>
Wednesday Evening Ministries Cancelled (3/30/22) https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/wednesday-evening-ministries-cancelled--3-30-22- https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/wednesday-evening-ministries-cancelled--3-30-22-#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/wednesday-evening-ministries-cancelled--3-30-22- Dear FBCG Church Family,

Due to the line of severe storms passing through the area tonight, we are cancelling our evening ministries. Please help to spread the word. If you have any needs arise due to the storm, please let us know how we can help. Join us in praying for safety for our community.


Blessings,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Dear FBCG Church Family,

Due to the line of severe storms passing through the area tonight, we are cancelling our evening ministries. Please help to spread the word. If you have any needs arise due to the storm, please let us know how we can help. Join us in praying for safety for our community.


Blessings,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Life on the Altar https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-on-the-altar_2 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-on-the-altar_2#comments Sun, 30 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/life-on-the-altar_2 104573C2-C34A-42AA-91FC-032A23B96CB4Life on the Altar: The Life We Are Called to Live (LOTA) is now available! A year ago I began a series of blogs entitled, “Life on the Altar,” and I shared that I would be putting these posts into a book in the summer and fall of 2021. I am thankful to announce that the book has come together by God’s grace, and I pray for His glory.

I will be promoting the book in the coming weeks. I hope you will consider reading it and passing it on to others. Also, If you are able to leave a favorable review on Amazon, I would appreciate that as well. Thank you friends for your support during the writing process. I believe strongly in the message of this book and pray that it will be a rich blessing to you.

You can pre-order through Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3nRrQjI. The “Look Inside” feature on Amazon is forthcoming. Also available at Barnes & Nobles, https://rb.gy/q4kya.

]]>
104573C2-C34A-42AA-91FC-032A23B96CB4Life on the Altar: The Life We Are Called to Live (LOTA) is now available! A year ago I began a series of blogs entitled, “Life on the Altar,” and I shared that I would be putting these posts into a book in the summer and fall of 2021. I am thankful to announce that the book has come together by God’s grace, and I pray for His glory.

I will be promoting the book in the coming weeks. I hope you will consider reading it and passing it on to others. Also, If you are able to leave a favorable review on Amazon, I would appreciate that as well. Thank you friends for your support during the writing process. I believe strongly in the message of this book and pray that it will be a rich blessing to you.

You can pre-order through Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3nRrQjI. The “Look Inside” feature on Amazon is forthcoming. Also available at Barnes & Nobles, https://rb.gy/q4kya.

]]>
Midwest Tornado Relief https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/midwest-tornado-relief https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/midwest-tornado-relief#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/midwest-tornado-relief IMG_9537_cr

Dear FBCG Church Family,

Last weekend, tornadoes ripped a path of unimaginable destruction through parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri. Sadly, reports of loss of life and property damage have grown over the following days.

FBCG is sending a large contribution to the SEND Relief program, our Southern Baptist disaster relief arm. We have seen firsthand the kind of ministry that is offered by SEND during natural disasters. If you would like to make a donation to support relief for the tornado victims, we recommend SEND without reservation.

For more information or to give by check, credit card, or with online payment methods, please click here. Join us in praying for the victims and our workers. May the light of the gospel meet spiritual needs as we minister to those who suffer.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
IMG_9537_cr

Dear FBCG Church Family,

Last weekend, tornadoes ripped a path of unimaginable destruction through parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri. Sadly, reports of loss of life and property damage have grown over the following days.

FBCG is sending a large contribution to the SEND Relief program, our Southern Baptist disaster relief arm. We have seen firsthand the kind of ministry that is offered by SEND during natural disasters. If you would like to make a donation to support relief for the tornado victims, we recommend SEND without reservation.

For more information or to give by check, credit card, or with online payment methods, please click here. Join us in praying for the victims and our workers. May the light of the gospel meet spiritual needs as we minister to those who suffer.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Gonzales Christmas Parade https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/gonzales-christmas-parade https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/gonzales-christmas-parade#comments Sat, 11 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/gonzales-christmas-parade Dear FBCG Church Family,

The Gonzales Christmas Parade begins tomorrow at 1:00pm. Please remember to depart from Morning Worship without any unnecessary delays. Gonzales Police will begin closing Burnside Avenue after we leave the property. As you leave, please drive carefully to ensure the safety of parade spectators who may already be gathering.

The property adjacent to the highway has been barricaded. This is only to prevent vehicles from parking on the grass. We are allowing spectators to enjoy the parade from our lawn, and vehicles may park in the parking lot after our service concludes. 

Thank you FBCG!

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Dear FBCG Church Family,

The Gonzales Christmas Parade begins tomorrow at 1:00pm. Please remember to depart from Morning Worship without any unnecessary delays. Gonzales Police will begin closing Burnside Avenue after we leave the property. As you leave, please drive carefully to ensure the safety of parade spectators who may already be gathering.

The property adjacent to the highway has been barricaded. This is only to prevent vehicles from parking on the grass. We are allowing spectators to enjoy the parade from our lawn, and vehicles may park in the parking lot after our service concludes. 

Thank you FBCG!

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Evening Ministries Cancelled https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/evening-ministries-cancelled https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/evening-ministries-cancelled#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2021 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/evening-ministries-cancelled Dear FBCG Church Family,

After watching updated reports of this evening's inclement weather, we are cancelling tonight's ministries. This includes Supper, Awana, Choir Practices, Student Ministry, Adult Prayer Meeting & Bible Study, and Praise Team practices. 

Our decision was particularly influenced by the arrival time of the worst part of the weather system, which coincides exactly with families traveling to FBCG.

Please spread the word among the FBC family as you are able. If you have any needs arising from the storm front or our cancellations, please let the staff know.

Thank you FBCG!


Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Dear FBCG Church Family,

After watching updated reports of this evening's inclement weather, we are cancelling tonight's ministries. This includes Supper, Awana, Choir Practices, Student Ministry, Adult Prayer Meeting & Bible Study, and Praise Team practices. 

Our decision was particularly influenced by the arrival time of the worst part of the weather system, which coincides exactly with families traveling to FBCG.

Please spread the word among the FBC family as you are able. If you have any needs arising from the storm front or our cancellations, please let the staff know.

Thank you FBCG!


Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

]]>
Hurricane Ida Update / Upcoming Schedule https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/hurricane-ida-update- https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/hurricane-ida-update-#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2021 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/hurricane-ida-update- Dear FBCG Church Family,

We continue to press forward with repairs and restoration after the storm. Thank you for your efforts to help both the church family and our neighbors in the recovery. Following are some updates and information regarding this week’s schedule.

Updates:

  • Tomorrow (9/8), we will meet for Wednesday Evening Prayer & Bible Study ONLY at 6:30pm. There will be no supper, AWANA, Children, or Youth Ministries.
  • This Sunday (9/12), we will meet for Morning Worship ONLY at 10:30 am. There will be no Connect Groups and no Evening Worship or Members’ Meeting. We will reschedule our Members’ Meeting for October.
  • FBC continues to house SBC workers who are cooking for the shelter at Lamar Dixon. The C Hall, Youth Room, Fellowship Hall, and Chapel areas are reserved for use and privacy of these workers.
  • There is no internet or phone connectivity at the FBC Office. This will likely remain the case for the foreseeable future, as Eatel makes repairs.
Needs & Remaining Work:
  • If you or someone you know is in need of chainsaw work, temporary roof repair, mud out, etc. Please refer them to the louisianabaptists.org website, where they can select “Request Help.” A brief form will direct help their way from the Disaster Relief teams.
  • There are still some yards in need of work within the FBC family. If you are able to rake and move limbs and debris, we can provide you with the addresses and contact info. Thanks for your willingness to help!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the Elders or Pastoral Staff… Thanks and God bless you, FBC!

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

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Dear FBCG Church Family,

We continue to press forward with repairs and restoration after the storm. Thank you for your efforts to help both the church family and our neighbors in the recovery. Following are some updates and information regarding this week’s schedule.

Updates:

  • Tomorrow (9/8), we will meet for Wednesday Evening Prayer & Bible Study ONLY at 6:30pm. There will be no supper, AWANA, Children, or Youth Ministries.
  • This Sunday (9/12), we will meet for Morning Worship ONLY at 10:30 am. There will be no Connect Groups and no Evening Worship or Members’ Meeting. We will reschedule our Members’ Meeting for October.
  • FBC continues to house SBC workers who are cooking for the shelter at Lamar Dixon. The C Hall, Youth Room, Fellowship Hall, and Chapel areas are reserved for use and privacy of these workers.
  • There is no internet or phone connectivity at the FBC Office. This will likely remain the case for the foreseeable future, as Eatel makes repairs.
Needs & Remaining Work:
  • If you or someone you know is in need of chainsaw work, temporary roof repair, mud out, etc. Please refer them to the louisianabaptists.org website, where they can select “Request Help.” A brief form will direct help their way from the Disaster Relief teams.
  • There are still some yards in need of work within the FBC family. If you are able to rake and move limbs and debris, we can provide you with the addresses and contact info. Thanks for your willingness to help!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the Elders or Pastoral Staff… Thanks and God bless you, FBC!

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

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Morning Worship at FBC Gonzales https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/morning-worship-at-fbc-gonzales https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/morning-worship-at-fbc-gonzales#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2021 18:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcg.net/blog/post/morning-worship-at-fbc-gonzales Dear FBCG Church Family,

It has been my privilege and joy to see this body of believers love each other and this community through many troubled times. The recovery after Ida has been no exception. Thank you for your hard work in serving others, and for your effort to keep us up to date on the various needs and work you have personally seen.

Morning Worship is ON for 10:30 am Sunday. We will have a simple service, and many customary “bells and whistles” may be missing… but we are excited to gather together as the body of Christ. Please plan to come if you are able to do so safely.

We will attempt to stream the service through a hotspot connection to LTE wireless service. This will mean a slightly downgraded video quality, and perhaps some buffering. With no timeline for high speed internet access at FBC, this is the best we can do. We WILL record the stream in its entirety. If there are connection problems, we can upload the service for uninterrupted viewing at a later time (likely early afternoon). 

Please remember that we have guests lodging in the youth room, fellowship hall, and chapel areas. Please do not enter these areas, in order for the privacy and belongings of the workers to be respected.

A great deal of work has been accomplished over the weekend. We are crossing off many  of the items on our list! We’ll send more updates on new needs as they become available.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

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Dear FBCG Church Family,

It has been my privilege and joy to see this body of believers love each other and this community through many troubled times. The recovery after Ida has been no exception. Thank you for your hard work in serving others, and for your effort to keep us up to date on the various needs and work you have personally seen.

Morning Worship is ON for 10:30 am Sunday. We will have a simple service, and many customary “bells and whistles” may be missing… but we are excited to gather together as the body of Christ. Please plan to come if you are able to do so safely.

We will attempt to stream the service through a hotspot connection to LTE wireless service. This will mean a slightly downgraded video quality, and perhaps some buffering. With no timeline for high speed internet access at FBC, this is the best we can do. We WILL record the stream in its entirety. If there are connection problems, we can upload the service for uninterrupted viewing at a later time (likely early afternoon). 

Please remember that we have guests lodging in the youth room, fellowship hall, and chapel areas. Please do not enter these areas, in order for the privacy and belongings of the workers to be respected.

A great deal of work has been accomplished over the weekend. We are crossing off many  of the items on our list! We’ll send more updates on new needs as they become available.

Prayerfully,

Pastor Jarrod

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