The Upper Room Experience

The next 10-14 days (May 31-June 14) we will gather in this room to encourage one another as we submit to the Spirit of God in our lives. Please sign in and let us know whom we will be praying with and then let us know, as often as you can, how things are going. Remember we want the Spirit to help, teach and guide us as Jesus said he would (John 14-16). It is okay to post your failings as well as your victories. In your struggles others may want to encourage and the Spirit’s victories in your life will be and encouragement to others.

Thank you for joing us in the Upper Room and letting the Holy Spirit work in your life.  Remember the fruits of the Spirit are: love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Tale of Two Kingdoms

Each year I approach the Christmas season with a mission. It hasn’t changed for my entire life. I simply want Christ to be the center and prominent thought of our Christmas celebration. We put up manger scenes, read the Christmas story, attend church and even sing happy birthday to Jesus. Yet, the birth of Christ seems to get swallowed up by all the busyness of the season and the commercialism that surrounds it. Lip service and mind service isn’t enough to fight off the tremendous influence waged upon us by the Kingdom of Consumerism. I must admit at the end of the Christmas season it seems the Kingdom of Consumerism had prevailed against the message of Christ in my life and my family.

 

I am really excited to enter this year’s Christmas season with a new strategy in hand. One that involves more than a mental assent to what the season is all about. It involves putting into action the Kingdom of Christ by following his example. During this month we will be teaching and participating in two philosophies so simple and yet so life changing. The first is, “Spend Less, To Give More” and second is to “Relationally Touch The Lives of Others.” The first involves spending less on gifts to give more to the needy. I am personally going to try to spend 10% less. The second is to intentionally “touch” the lives of others around us. Neighbors, nursing home residence, consumers we meet, and etc…

 

I want to put the teaching of Christ into action. If you want to know more listen to the pod cast of the services each week during the month. Pastor Kris set the months challenge up beautifully during the November 30 message.

 

God bless and feel free to share your ideas and comments.

Electronic Giving at FBC

See Pastor Gerten’s post regarding Electronic Giving by clicking here.

At the beginning of 2008 we began investigating electronic giving. After researching a few options, we set up a system to test and evaluate before we offered it to the church. After two to three months of testing with four volunteer families and individuals we are ready to offer this service to the congregation.

If you are interested in participating in this program please pick up a packet at the Welcome Center or download the forms by clicking here. Fill out the authorization agreement and turn it into the church office during the week or give it to Kris Tarkiewicz on a Sunday morning.

If you have further questions please do not hesitate to ask. You can reach me at 781-8400 ext. 104 or ktarkiewicz@familybiblechurchmarshall.org.

Below you will find frequently asked questions.

EFT now at FBC

What do we give to God? Our best or what is left? In studying the Scripture I am convinced that God should be first in in our lives. This is evidenced by the way we prioritize our lives. Do we put God first when it comes to our time, talent, testimony or treasure? Or do we only give God our left overs? Cain only gave God “some of” what he had harvested while Able gave his finest. God was pleased with Abel’s offering but disappointed with Cain’s.  The word first means our first, best and finest. This is truly a faith and heart issue for every believer.

Realizing that our society continues to change and many individuals no longer carry or use a checkbook, but pay their bills on line, we have set up a means for individuals to give using direct deposit.  This will enable us to give our first fruit to God. Your financial gift can be given by setting up an electronic transfer on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Several people have already approached us seeking information on how this can be done. If you are interested in being financially faithful to God and feel this will help you please call the church office for more information. Remember God loves the cheerful giver.

If I Could Begin Again…

Last Wednesday night I began a session leading a group of guys through NETWORK. NETWORK is a deep examination of who God has created you to be and then propels the individual toward effective and passionate service. I was reading Scot McKnight’s blog when I came upon these words from John Ortberg, pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church outside San Francisco. There is something to learn whether we are in part-time, full-time, or volunteer ministry.