The Bridge January 2015

1. Phone (985) 839-3427
Fax (985) 839-3572
E-mail:
fbc.natasha@gmail.com
Website
www.fbcfranklinton.org
Wednesday Evening Worship
5:00 p.m. Family Supper
6:00 p.m. Activities
Sunday Bible Study
9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship
8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.
The Bridge January 2015
Monthly Newsletter of
First Baptist Church Franklinton
Just a reminder,
our times have changed!
Early Service at 8:15 a.m.
Bible Study at 9:30 a.m.
Late Service at 10:45 a.m.
Our Wednesday times have
remained the same!

2. Paul Watts, Pastor
fbc.paulwatts@gmail.com
Let’s Give Ourselves Away....
We live in a world that clamors for our attention, telling us fulfill-
ment can be found in this or that product or activity. We are told
what will make our lives fuller and better only to find the pursuit or
thing lacking any real, lasting significance. Those who follow Christ
should not be taken in by that sort of thinking. God’s Word tells
us that Jesus is the source of abundant life. Luke 9:23-24 reminds
us that holding on to or treasuring our own life will only result in
loss. The only way to gain real life is to be willing to give our lives
up for the sake of Christ. When we give our lives up to serve Christ
we have surrendered our wants, desires, goals and even our earthly
possessions. Romans 12:1 states our bodies are to be presented as
living sacrifices. We are simply stewards of blessings which belong
to the Lord. How can we best utilize these blessings to bring glory
to the Lord? We must be willing to give them away.
Are we willing to give away our time, energy, resources, comfort,
and control that others might see Christ working through us? Phi-
lippians 2 states: Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humil-
ity consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone
should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the inter-
ests of others. (HCSB) How can we give ourselves away that Christ
might be seen and glorified through us in 2015? There are so many
ways, but I want to encourage us to make some very real sacrifices
in the coming month.
Let’s give ourselves away in prayer. Intercessory prayer is a
discipline. It can feel burdensome and even tedious as we pray
through prayer lists, yet we know it is God’s will for us to pray,
bringing all our requests before our Father’s throne. Jesus urged
his disciples to be persistent in prayer, continually bringing their
requests, (Luke 11:9). We have an intercessory prayer room that
can be accessed 24 hours a day. Maybe you need to ask the lord if
He would want you to give an hour of your week to the task of in-
tercessory prayer in this thankless, yet fulfilling ministry. Contact
Diane Cruce or the church office if you are interested.
Let’s give ourselves away on behalf of the hurting. There is a
group in our church seeking to begin a ministry called Celebrate
Recovery. Celebrate Recovery is a ministry to those struggling
with addiction strongholds. It is so much more than a recovery
program. It is a Christ centered, overcoming, discipleship ministry.
Leader trainings will begin in January, and we hope to launch the
program in March. Contact Bob and Pat Kyger or the church office
if you feel led to help out. There will be needs for greeters, leaders,
encouragers, worship leaders, snack and coffee preparers, etc…
Let’s give ourselves away to transform this community. Be the
Church Week has been a part of our church calendar for years.
This year we are going to take it up a notch. We are preparing
to kick off Be the Church Week with Be the Church Sunday. On
Sunday, March 22 there will be no morning services here at FBC;
instead, we will be meeting and going out to impact our community
through construction, ministry and outreach projects. It is going
to be a great day! We will come back together for a time of praise,
thanksgiving, worship and encouragement at the end of the day.
Everyone in the church will have an opportunity to take a part.
Look for announcements and fliers in your Sunday school classes
for opportunities to sign up to serve. We can change the world as
the Holy Spirit works through those who are willing to give them-
selves away!
A Cup with Pastor Paul
http://acupwiththepastor.blogspot.com
2
Do nothing out of
rivalry or conceit,
but in humility
consider others as
more important
than yourselves.
Everyone should
look out not only for
his own interests,
but also for the
interests of others.
Phillipians 2: 3-4
(HCSB)

3. Dale Parker,
Minister to Senior
Adults
& Discipleship Training
fbc.daleparker@gmail.com
3
A question that I have rarely been asked
(and I’ve rarely asked it myself) is, “How is
your Bible study? Or, what are you studying
in the Bible?”
In a letter the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,
he said “Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV)
In today’s fast paced world it is difficult to
carve out time to study the Bible. Because of
that, Bible study is often relegated to a quick
reading of a passage with the thought of,
“Hmm, that’s interesting.” And then we go
about our day.
For some we study the Bible “letterly”;
that’s not a misprint. What I mean can be
summed up in a bumper sticker I saw one
day that said, “God said it, I believe it, that’s
good enough for me.” They try to follow the
letter of the law.
Folks who study the Bible letterly have good
intentions on obeying what it says, but in
reality they tend to pick and choose which
things to obey. For example, God says, “You
shall not steal.” No problem, God says don’t
steal, so I won’t steal. Besides, I don’t want
to go to jail.
But God also says in His word, “If your eye
causes you to sin, pluck it out. If your hand
or foot causes you to sin, cut it off.” If we’re
studying the Bible to follow the letter of the
law why aren’t there a bunch of blind, lame,
and maimed folks walking around? “Well,
He didn’t really mean it literally, it was just
a figure of speech.” Could there be more to
God’s word?
Jesus once told a group of men who studied
the Scriptures “letterly”, “You have heard it
said...., but I say...” In other words, there is
an intent or the spirit of the things God says
in His word that we often miss. And it’s all
because we don’t take the time to ask God
why.
Why is it wrong to steal? Why is it wrong to
lie, covet, and dishonor our parents? Why
do we need to witness? Why should we be
holy as He is holy? Why should we submit
to God?
Why don’t we take the time to ask the
“why” question? Often it’s because we don’t
expect an answer. But James says in the
Bible, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him
ask of God, who gives to all liberally and
without reproach, and it will be given to
him. But let him ask in faith with no doubt-
ing.” James 1:5
This New Year let’s resolve to really study
God’s word, to show ourselves approved to
God, as workmen and women that need not
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth. Let’s take the time to ask Him why He
has said the things He has said. What is His
intent in the particular passage we are read-
ing, and how does it apply to our lives.
To do this we will need a few things such as,
a good study Bible, something for writing
down notes or questions, and time. We have
to take the time and make the time to study
the Bible.
So, how is your Bible study? What are you
studying in the Bible? Are you making time
to spend with God?
God bless you in the New Year,
Brother Dale
Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically is a study
we are doing on Wednesday nights beginning
January 21 at 6:00 P.M. at FBC Franklinton.
Student books are $14.99. Let Brother Dale know if
you’re interested and will attend so he can order a book.
Memory Verses for the
Month of January
“Living the New Life”.
January 4 - “Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have
become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17
January 11 - “I have been crucified with
Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ
lives in me; and the life which I live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal.
2:20
January 18 - “I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reason-
able service.” Romans 12:1
January 25 - “He who has My command-
ments and keeps them, it is he who loves
Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by
My Father, and I will love him and mani-
fest Myself to him.” John 14:21

4. Cody Thomas,
Student Pastor
fbc.codythomas@gmail.com
2015 … a new year and a
new you! According to usa.gov,
here are some of the top new year’s
resolutions: lose weight, volunteer
to help others, quit smoking, get a
better education, get a better job,
save money, get fit, eat healthy
food, manage stress, manage debt,
take a trip, and recycle. Now if you
are anything like me, you read that
list and thought, “Yeah, I should
probably make that my new year’s
resolution.” The New Year brings
about a new beginning, right? The
New Year is a clean slate, a fresh
start. Just forget about last year
that’s in the past. This year is a
new year. I find it interesting how
people (including myself) always
want to change something about
themselves, and the best time to do
it is the New Year. Why is it we all
want to change something about
ourselves?
Because we are sinners!
As sinners, we desire to appease
the flesh, we desire to live out our
sinful desires, we indulge, we give
in to temptations, we mess up, we
choose the wrong thing, by our
very nature we are all children of
wrath, and so we want to change
that. Christians and non-Christians
know that there is something with-
in them that is just wrong, and so
we try to change. The difference be-
tween a non-Christian and Chris-
tian is that the Christian knows that
we cannot change ourselves. Only
by the grace of God will I ever have
a real clean slate and fresh start.
Only by the grace of God will I ever
overcome this sin that is within
me. Only by the grace of God will
I change from a sinner to a saint,
one that is in the flesh to one that is
in Christ. Only by the grace of God
will He make me into His master-
piece. Only by the grace of God will
I be what God has created me to be,
perfect.
As Christians, God begins
to change us when we confess Him
as Lord of our life. In that moment
of submission our hearts are for-
ever changed, but also in that mo-
ment we are not fully changed. As
Christians we are still sinners, we
still desire the flesh, we still fall
into temptation, and so we must
change. This change happens when
we give ourselves away and submit
to Christ Lordship. For example: as
Christians we can submit to the
Lordship of Christ and allow Him
to guide us through the stresses of
this world. We can place all of our
anxieties and fears on Jesus as our
Lord, and He is faithful to fill us
with His joy, peace, patience, good-
ness, kindness, and self-control.
God calls us as Christians
to be about continual change, con-
tinually changing to be more like
Jesus. The only way we are able to
continually change to be more like
Christ is by submission and obedi-
ence. We submit and then follow
that submission with obedience.
Let us be about change this New
Year, but let us remember our real
eternal change only happens when
we submit to and obey Jesus Christ.
REACHING In & REACHING Out
Student
Ministry Events
Disciple Now
January 16th-18th
at
Camp Living Waters
Cost is $55.00
4

5. Butch Reviere
Minister of
Music
fbc.butch@gmail.com
Note from Brother Butch
5
Before launching into the New Year, let me
first thank all of you who again made the
Christmas celebration here at First Baptist
such a blessing for all. Sanctuary choir,
thank you for the months of rehearsal lead-
ing to our presentation of Three Gifts: Our
Christmas Offering. Your singing was in-
spiring as you led us in worshiping our
Savior. There were others, of course, who
were integral to the musical: thank you Bro.
Paul and Christina for narrating, thank you
Hazel and John for tending the video, and
thank you Warren and Matt for manning
the sound system. Thank you, church fam-
ily, for your presence and for serving our
Lord in so many ways, week after week,
here in this place. So many come to mind:
The other sound and projection guys, the
folks who prepare and serve our Wednes-
day and Sunday evening meals, the greeters
and ushers, the deacons, our Sunday School
teachers, our pastor and staff, and a host of
others who just make themselves available
for whatever needs to be done. I am truly
blessed to have the privilege of worshiping
and serving with all of you.
Did not our Children’s Choir bless our
hearts with their singing of favorite Christ-
mas carols set to very contemporary orches-
tration? Kids, you sang well; and I know
you want to join me in thanking your direc-
tors, Robin Perez and Sarah Robbins. We all
look forward to your next presentation and
are so blessed by your participation in the
life of our church. You rock!!
My personal expression of gratitude would
be incomplete without including Mrs. Jerry,
the Senior Singers, and the Bell Choir. I re-
ally enjoyed ringing and singing with you,
and look forward to another year of “mak-
ing melody in our hearts to the Lord.” As
we sang “The Light of Christmas”, I prayed
for you and with you that we…all of us who
are part of the worship ministry, as well
as our entire church family…would “Keep
the light of Christmas aglow, sharing hope
and goodwill as you go, spreading peace
on earth in all that you do, let the light of
Christmas shine in you.”
Looking forward to The Year 2015, consider
this from last year’s Bridge article with a few
additions:
In This New Year…
I will, like Paul, forget those things which are
behind and press forward.
I will, like David, lift up mine eyes unto the
hills from whence comes help.
I will, like Abraham, trust implicitly in my
God.
I will, like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship
with my Heavenly Father.
I will, like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to
seek God.
I will, like Moses, choose rather to suffer than
enjoy the pleasures of sin.
I will, like Daniel, commune with my God at
all times.
I will, like Job, be patient under all circum-
stances.
I will, like Gideon, stand firm even though
my friends be few.
I will, like Isaiah, consecrate myself to God’s
work.
I will, like Andrew, strive to lead my brother
to a closer walk with Christ.
I will, like John, lean upon the bosom of the
Master.
I will, like Stephen, manifest a forgiving spir-
it toward all who hurt me.
I will, like the Heavenly Host, proclaim the
message of peace and good will.
The additions:
I will, like John, aspire to overcome because
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the
world.”
I will, like James, “be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to anger” and will endeavor to bridle my
tongue so that only the blessing of others, not speaking
evil of them, will proceed from my mouth
I will, like Peter, consider Christ, my exam-
ple, and “follow His steps”.
I will, as Paul admonished the Philippians,
let my conduct “be worthy of the gospel of Christ” and
always “esteem others more highly than myself”
I will, lastly to sum up, endeavor to live ac-
cording to the Word of God and be reminded every day
that none of the above is even remotely possible with-
out day by day, moment by moment, submission to the
guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Heavenly Father, please make of us true
disciples of Christ. Amen. A JOYOUS AND
PEACE-FILLED NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

6. One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies is from
Tessie in Annie that responds to most everything, “Oh my good-
ness! Oh my goodness!” And that’s exactly how I feel about this
year rushing up on me! Wow! And just like that, it’s the year
2015! A brand new year on the heels of a holiday where we re-
ceive lots of new things. For our kids, it’s new toys, new clothes,
new gadgets, all new. New is a great thing!
In this new year, we’ll be having lots of opportunities for them
to try new things. Church camps sign-ups are going on and that
can be a new experience for a lot of children. “How Great Thou
Art” is a new fellowship time we’ll be hosting every few months.
Vacation Bible School is an old experience offering an opportu-
nity to invite new friends to church and make some new friends.
Lots of new and new is nice.
During our fellowship time “How Great Thou Art II” for 3rd-6th
graders on Saturday, January 24th we’ll be doing a devotion
about what it means to live for Christ new each day. Living new
each day can be tough since so much of our lives is centered
around routine, but I hope you’ll plan to let your child partici-
pate as we paint the theme “Create in me a new heart”. We will
be painting in the Family Life Center (gym) from 10 am - 12
noon and the cost is $5 to cover the cost of the canvas and sup-
plies.
Be sure to let me know any special events that your child may
have going on, including games they may be playing. I would
love to be able to catch at least one of their home games!
“Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am
doing a new thing!” - Isaiah 43 : 18-19a
Just a few reminders so you can mark your calendars...
*How Great Thou Art II is Saturday, January 24th from 10 am
until 12 noon for 3rd-6th graders. The cost is $5.
*Tall Timbers Camp is June 15-18 in Alexandria for 3rd-6th
graders. Sign up sheet is in my office and the $50 deposit is due
April 1st, 2015. Total cost of the camp will be approximately
$150.
*CentriKid at Timber Creek in Pulaski, MS is July 27-31 for
3rd-6th graders. Sign up sheet is in my office and the $50 de-
posit is due February 1st, 2015. Total cost of the camp is $302.
*Vacation Bible School is June 1-5 for children that will be en-
tering PreK in Sept. 2015-6th grade.
The Preschool Department is looking for a few people that would
be willing to lead two consecutive weeks of Children’s Church
during the year 2015. Lots of weeks still available so let me
know when a good time is for you. Curriculum and materials
are provided.
6
Kelly McElveen
Director of Preschool/
Children’s Ministries
fbc.playschool@gmail.com
Happy Birthday!
Brandon Buster - 1st
Rustyn Creel - 2nd
Kylee Burris - 5th
Morgan Varnado - 7th
Tristan Warner - 14th
Hailey Maddern - 20th
Kennedy McElveen - 22nd
Ty Miller - 27th
Are you in 6th grade or below?
Let me know so I can add
you to my list!
The Preschool & Children’s Department went to Columbia, MS
and rode the Christmas Train on Sunday, December 21st.
Pictured to the left is the group that joined us as they posed with
Santa for picture in the Train Depot.

7. 7
PlaySchool News
Happy New Year!
Love,
Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Debbie,
Mrs. Marsha, Mrs. Sara
& Mrs. Angela
Another new year is upon! It’s hard to believe that another
Christmas has come and gone! From the Thanksgiving holidays
until the last moment of our PlaySchool days before the Christ-
mas break, we have intently looked at the Christmas story. It
is always such a blessing to help parents sow the seeds of Jesus’
birth into the lives of their children. As the story winds its way
around to the Wise Men, we talk greatly about the gifts that were
brought to the King. Here is our list of what they gift they would
each bestow upon the sweet Baby Jesus, King of kings...
A blue bike, from Aiden
A Ninja Turtle rattle, from Allie
A golden door knob for His house in Heaven,
from Anna Kate
A Barbie Dream House, from Anslee
A bottle, from Aubree
Myrrh from Target, from Ava
A baby bottle, from Blair
A baby blanket, from Braelyn
Two bottles (but that’s enough), from Brylie
Gold from the jewelry store, from Brynlee
A little skateboard for Him to get around on,
from Carter
A ‘lil red Power Ranger costume, from Caydon
A real, live bear, from Easton
A kitty cat, from Ely
A blanket, from Fielder
A blanket, from Gavin
Some milk, from Graham
A toy car, from Grant
A green basketball, from Harper
A toy, from James
Blocks, from Jax
A whistle, from Jaxson
A toy train, from Jessie
A pacifier, from Kassi
A toy, from Katie
A blanket, from Kinley
A toy train, from Knox
A toy truck, from Kollin
A baby rattle, from Kylee
A Dora doll, from Launa
A shirt, from Liam
A rattle and a movie, from Logan
A baby shirt with a boat on it, from Lucas
A little polka dot deer, from Luke B.
A girl Barbie (because babies like girl stuff),
from Luke C.
A dress, from Madelyn
Some of the frankincense that I have at my house,
from Makenna
A rattle, from Marceline
A crown, from McKinley
Fresh hay for His bed, from Parker
A tiny toy reindeer, from Preslee
A beach ball, from Riley B.
A bottle, from Riley M.
A toy, from Rylan
A pacifier, from Ryland
A paci, from Rylee
A little baby rattle, from Tristen
A crown, from Tucker
A Thomas the Tank Engine toy, from Victor
A toy turtle, from Wyatt
What would you give Baby Jesus?

8. Leslie Westmoreland
WINGS Coordinator
lwestmoreland.ees@wpsb.org
WINGS
Ministry
8
Rooted in Christ,
Wednesday Night Ladies Class
“The Family of Jesus” Bible Study by Karen Kingsbury
NEW Ladies class starting on
January 4th( Sunday Evening Class) &
January 7th (Wednesday Evening Class)
in the Senior Adult Center at 5:00 p.m.
Books Cost $15.00
There will only be childcare for nursery age children
for the Sunday Evening Class.
Save The Date:
Pine FBC Women’s Conference
February 27th & 28th, 2015
Speaker: Julie Woodruff
Worship Leader: Lara Landon

9. Children’s
Church
Month of
January
Karen Spears
for ages 3
to
Kindergarten
We will be meeting in
Mrs. Cindy’s Kindergarten
Sunday school room in the
Preschool Department
Sunday Night
Supper
1/4
Cooke, Creel, Mobley, Morgan,
Sylvest & Owen
1/11
Branch, Fortenberry, Kirby,
Knight, Rester, Varnado, &
Wales
1/18
McVea, Knight, Knight, Knight,
& Phelps,
1/25
Burris, Driskill, Kennedy,
Stringfield, Tabor, Thomas, &
Waskom
1/4
Eric Barber
& Robby
Stringfield
1/11
Jimmy
Stafford &
B. Burris
1/18
Stuart
Varndo &
Warren
Cooke, Jr.
1/25
Joe
Sandifer
& Lance
Schilling
Sound Schedule
(Please note schedule changes)
1/4
Stephen McElveen
1/11
Darren Schilling
1/18
Johnny Burris
1/25
Mack McElveen
Wednesday Night
Supper
1/7
Group A - Pulled Pork
1/14
Group B - Fried Chicken
1/21
Group C - Meatballs & Spaghetti
1/28
Group D - Country Fried Steak
9
Our
January VOLUNTEERS
Nursery Schedule
1/4
Jennifer Walle &
Kelly McElveen
1/11
JoAnn Luizza &
Gayle Rester
1/18
Anita McNeal &
Sandra McDaniel
1/25
Denise Gatewood &
Beverly Slade

10. Announcements
10
The Bible clearly states “all have sinned.” It is my nature to sin, and it is
yours too. None of us is untainted. Because of sin, we’ve all hurt our-
selves, we’ve all hurt other people, and others have hurt us. This means
each of us need repentance and recovery in order to live our lives the way
God intended.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression that “time heals all wounds.”
Unfortunately, it isn’t true. As a pastor I frequently talk with people who
are still carrying hurts from 30 or 40 years ago. The truth is – time often
makes things worse. Wounds that are left untended fester and spread
infection throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the
problem isn’t dealt with.
What we need is a biblical and balanced program to help people
overcome their hurts, habits and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery is that
program. Based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological
theory, our recovery program is unique, and more effective in helping
people change than anything else I’ve seen or heard of. Over the years
I’ve witnessed how the Holy Spirit has used this program to transform
literally thousands of lives at Saddleback Church and help people grow
toward full Christlike maturity.
Most people are familiar with the classic 12 step program of A.A. and
other groups. While undoubtedly many lives have been helped through
the twelve steps, I’ve always been uncomfortable with that program’s
vagueness about the nature of God, the saving power of Jesus Christ, and
the ministry of the Holy Spirit. So I began an intense study of the Scrip-
tures to discover what God had to say about “recovery.” To my amaze-
ment, I found the principles of recovery, and even their logical order,
given by Christ in his most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount.
My study resulted in a ten-week series of messages called “The Road to
Recovery.” During that series, my Associate Pastor John Baker developed
the workbooks, which became the heart of our Celebrate Recovery pro-
gram. I believe that this program is unlike any recovery program you may
have seen. There are seven features that make it unique:
This recovery program is based on God’s Word, the Bible. When Jesus
taught the Sermon on the Mount, he began by stating “Eight Ways to
Be Happy.” Today we call them the Beatitudes. From a conventional
viewpoint, most of these statements didn’t make sense. They sounded like
contradictions. But when you fully understand what Jesus is saying, you’ll
realize that these eight principles are God’s road to recovery, wholeness,
growth, and spiritual maturity.
This recovery program is forward-looking. Rather than wallowing in the
past, or dredging up and rehearsing painful memories over and over,
Celebrate Recovery focuses on the future. Regardless of what has already
happened, the solution is to start making wise choices now and depend
on Christ’s power to help me make those changes.
This recovery program emphasizes personal responsibility. Instead of
playing the “accuse and excuse” game of victimization, this program
helps people face up to their own poor choices and deal with what they
can do something about. We cannot control all that happens to us. But we
can control how we respond to everything. That is a secret of happiness.
When we stop wasting time fixing the blame, we have more energy to
fix the problem. When you stop hiding your own faults and stop hurling
accusations at others, then the healing power of Christ can begin working
in your mind, will, and emotions.
This recovery program emphasized spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ.
The 3rd principle calls for people to make a total surrender of their lives
to Christ. Lasting recovery cannot happen without this step. Everybody
needs Jesus. Celebrate Recovery is thoroughly evangelistic in nature. In
fact, the first time I took our entire church through this program over 500
people prayed to receive Christ on a single weekend. It was an amazing
spiritual harvest. And during the ten week series that I preached to kick-
off this program, our attendance grew by over 1,500 people! Don’t be
surprised if this program becomes the most effective outreach ministry
in your church. Today, nearly 73% of the people who’ve been through
Celebrate Recovery have come from outside our church. Changed lives
always attract others who want to be changed.
This recovery program utilizes the biblical truth that we need each other
in order to grow spiritually and emotionally. It is built around small
group interaction and the fellowship of a caring community. There are
many therapies, growth programs, and counselors today that are built
around one-on-one interaction. But Celebrate Recovery is built on the
New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves. We need
each other. Fellowship and accountability are two important components
of spiritual growth. If your church is interested in starting small groups,
this is a great way to get started.
This recovery program addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups.
Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or another
single problem. But Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” program un-
der which a limitless number of issues can be dealt with. At Saddleback
Church, only one out of three who attend Celebrate Recovery are dealing
with alcohol or drugs. We have dozens of other specialized groups too.
Finally, this recovery program produces lay ministers! Because Celebrate
Recovery is biblical and church-based, it produces a continuous stream
of people moving into ministry after they’ve found recovery in Christ.
Eighty-five percent of the people who’ve gone through the program are
now active members of Saddleback Church, and an amazing 42% are
now using their gifts and talents serving the Lord in some capacity in our
church.
In closing, let me say that the size of your church is no barrier to begin-
ning a Celebrate Recovery ministry. You can start it with just a small
group of people and watch it grow by word-of-mouth. Your won’t be able
to keep it a secret for long!
You are going to see lives changed in dramatic ways. You are going to see
hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful
habits, hang-ups, and hurts as they allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of
their lives. To God be the glory! We’ll be praying for you.
Celebrate Recovery Ministry...
A Message From Rick Warren

11. 11
Helen Erwin
WelcomE
Our New
Members
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Summer Grove Baptist Church
(Banquet Hall & Sanctuary
are all under one roof!)
8924 Jewella Ave,
Shreveport, LA 71118
Tickets for lunch are $15 per
person.
Schedule
11:30 AM Lunch (Banquet Hall)
12:15 PM Music By: Paid in Full
12:30 Warden Burl Cain
1:30 Evangelism Conference
speaker (Sanctuary)
2:30 Senior Adult Dessert/Coffee
(Banquet Hall)
3:00 Dr. Ted Traylor
3:30 Paid in Full Concert
With high school graduation fast approaching, FBC would like to remind
seniors of the scholarship opportunity available through the church. FBC is the
financial manager and distributor of the Charles and Jan Montgomery
Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship has been in existence since 1985 and
has helped numerous students over the years with their college expenses.
Applications and guidelines for eligibility can be obtained through the church
office or through the schools.
If you are looking for a meaningful honorarium or memorial gift, please
keep in mind a donation to the scholarship fund. You will not only be helping
perpetuate the scholarship, but also helping a worthy student with their college
expenses.
Scholarship funds
Available
DVD or CD copies of
worship services and
other events here at
FBC are aviliable by
requesting through the
church office.
See Brother Butch for
details.
Beth Walker

12. PRSRT STD
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 27
January 2015
950 Self Street
Franklinton, LA 70438
www.fbcfranklinton.org
First Baptist Church
Franklinton