Our Mission

To be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ,

witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps “to

the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Christian First?

SHALOM!

PDoug

Our Vision

To be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true

community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion

for justice. (Micah 6:8)

Hello, my name is Doug. I am a grateful and faithful believer in Jesus Christ. Before you consider me as anything else (man, son, brother, uncle, husband, dad, friend, pastor, fat, white, tall, goofy, pastor) know this. I AM A CHRISTIAN FIRST.

However, it did not start that way, and what I mean by that is that when I finally yielded my life over to the power of God to be the supreme person in my life, then and only then did I begin to be transformed into a Christian first.

You see I used to be a worrier. I had the ability to worry about my worrying. I even wrongly thought it was my spiritual gift. I mean I would worry and chew my nails up the knuckle. Not my toenails though! That’s unnatural! Just checking to see if you are paying attention. Haha.

When I came to Jesus as a teen at a summer camp, I knew I was saved, but I didn’t consider myself Christian. I didn’t even know what a Christian was except for some of the people that I knew who claimed to be “Christian”, and they didn’t act like the Jesus that I had learned about and with all of the trouble I had in my young life, I didn’t want any of that!

I’ve gone to church most of my life. The Catholic church for about the first 10 years and the Protestant church from there on. I believe I was brought up in church, however I don’t believe I was brought up in Christ. I know that sounds harsh and I’m not passing judgement on my parents, I’m just sharing a truth about myself.

The reason I see this now is because I was not taught to be Christian first. I was taught to be a son, student, lawn boy, brother, dishwasher, and all those things that you learn to be as a kid. We went to church about every Sunday and I am eternally grateful for that. But I wasn’t taught to be Christian first.

You see I believe that’s when Jesus becomes more than just our Savior, and He becomes the Lord of our life. I think that allowing Him to become the Lord of my life is when I began to be Christian first. I’m sure you’re asking yourself if I raised my kids in church or in Christ. Well, you’ll have to ask them. I do

praise God that all four of them proclaim Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Hopefully they are learning to be Christian first.

It’s been a long journey and one worth every experience and I am beginning to see that I am, “Christian First”. It’s truly a transformation process and no, I am not saying I’ve made it to the mountaintop. However, I am saying, I’m on the way up! I pray that you see the fruit of that in my life. To God be all the glory!!

I even see things so differently these days. I’m no longer an Olympic Gold Medal winning worrier! I’ve allowed my worry to become my prayer and I believe that is part and partial to becoming Christian first.

I used to shrug things off with regularity when I would run across someone’s path that I hadn’t seen in years as mere coincidence. God showed me and taught me that He is involved in every aspect of my life. A story for another time is when I crossed the path of a person who I had not seen in many years and how God used that “chance” meeting to be proven as God’s appointed time for me to receive a miracle. Thanks be to God!

So where are you at today? Hopefully you heard Mr. Louthan’s sermon on Sunday and found encouragement for your journey. Maybe you are plugging into one of our Bible Studies, Prayer Gatherings, or you’ve considered attending Celebrate Recovery.

What I heard in Mr. Louthan’s message was that if we are Christian first, then we do what the Lord says to do. We go where the Lord says to go. We give in accordance to His leading and we always put others before ourselves. Why? Because “Christian” supersedes everything in my life. God purposed it that way.

The Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 1:27, that “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. Christ will have to be first in my life for me to accomplish this. How about you? I’ll leave you with three passages (and there are many more) for us to draw our own conclusion.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will

Christian First?

Prayer Requests

SHUT INS June Turner Margaret Goodwin Pat Hartley HEALTH CONCERNS Nick Whited Nancy Neal Mary Mash Bill Fuzia Paul Lester Wanda Collier Charlotte Dunahoe Burger Boerboom Nina Adams Judy Tabor Randy Stevens Glenn Woolwine Matt Selbee Mark Johnson Ruth Stevenson Sarah Neal Jeep Grim Shirley Hines Frank Tinder Eddie Williams Amber Ross John Gibson Zack Carter Wayne Collins The mother of George Smith Paris Swisher Sarah Wall Rev. Paul Lantis Betsy Canterbury Chuck & Susan Allen Maggie Hancock Cooper Muncy Debbie & Her Husband Barbara Erina & Josh Cline & Family Danny Mike Keefer Jackson Arthur Stafford The Thomason Family Todd Brinkley Wilma Cox Charlie Coe Charles and Wendy Paynter Dawn Lawless Roger Coe Sheri Rasnick Karen Wasilewski Catherine Gillespie Jenny Harmon Eli Waters Gerald Reed

Mary Shoemaker

Doris Holmes

Cookie Martin Eddie & Regina Hall

Barbara Martin

Sharon Farley

Rick Cato Patty Neilson Viar

Gene Davis

Margaret French Farmer

Betty Rorrer

Nancy Mullins Hudack Family

Starlena Martin & husband

Zander Shields

Sylvia McKenize

Mary Baldwin Mary Moyer

Jennifer Harris

Dr Paul Gilley & family

BEREAVEMENT

The Family of the brother of Jerry Tabor

The family of Ronald Gearhart

The Family of the Father of Gina Pullano

PRAYER REQUEST

Randy & Jan Bailey Retha Smith & Family

Our Pastor

Our Country

Our Church Family

Robert Searle Jon Gendron

Our First Responders

General Church

Regional Church Regional Minister & Staff

Candice Humphrey

Celebrate Recovery

Amber Ross & Family

Gretchen Honaker & Family Todd Brinkley

Al & Sonia Hancock

Ann Gilbert

Jerry Fritz

Amber Bragg Drew Maddox (unspecified)

Samantha Richardson

The Hayes Family

Ray & Vickie Maddox and Darrel Maddox Susan Johnson

Justin Simon

Paul & Theresa Dodson

Smith Family

Join us each Sunday morning at 10:00AM for our Worship on Facebook live.

Just a note you do not have to have a Facebook account to be able to view the live video!

If you are unable to watch it live, no worries you can always go back and watch the service from the beginning.

Just go on the link to the church’s Facebook which is: https://www.facebook.com/bluefieldfcc

February Lectionary January 25: Psalm 46; Genesis 12:1-9; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 January 26: Psalm 46; Genesis 45:25-46:7; Acts 5:33-42 January 27: Psalm 46; Proverbs 8:1-21; Mark 3:13-19a January 28: Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 3:23-29; Romans 9:6-18 January 29: Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 12:28-32; Revelation 2:12-17 January 30: Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 8:28-9:1 January 31: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 February 1: Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 22:1-21; Acts 21:17-26 February 2: Psalm 35:1-10; Numbers 22:22-28; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 February 3:Psalm 35:1-10; Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 5:1-20 February 4: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Proverbs 12:10-21; Galatians 5:2-15 February 5: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16 February 6: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Isaiah 46:1-13; Matthew 12:9-14 February 7: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 February 8: Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 4:8-17, 32-37; Acts 14:1-7 February 9: Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 8:1-6; Acts 15:36-41 February 10: Psalm 102:12-28; Job 6:1-13; Mark 3:7-12 February 11: Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Kings 11:26-40; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 February 12: Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Kings 14:1-18; 1 Timothy 1:12-20 February 13: Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Kings 16:1-7; Luke 19:41-44 February 14: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6 , 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 February 15: Psalm 110:1-4; Exodus 19:7-25; Hebrews 2:1-4 February 16: Psalm 110:1-4; Job 19:23-27; 1 Timothy 3:14-16 February 17: Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 February 18: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10 February 19: Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:15-25a; 2 Timothy 4:1-5 February 20: Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 32; Matthew 9:2-13 February 21: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 February 22: Psalm 77; Job 4:1-21; Ephesians 2:1-10 February 23: Psalm 77; Job 5:8-27; 1 Peter 3:8-18a February 24: Psalm 77; Proverbs 30:1-9; Matthew 4:1-11 February 25: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18; Romans 3:21-31 February 26: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 16:1-6; Romans 4:1-12 February 27: Psalm 22:23-31; Genesis 16:7-15; Mark 8:27-30 February 28: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38

Greeting all,

I hope everyone is doing well. Just a note to let

everyone know that the Youth are currently meeting every

Sunday Night via Zoom at 7:00PM. All you need to do is

contact Darrin or myself and we will get the information

needed to log in to you.

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching us. February

14, 2021 will be here before we know it. Although it is a time

where we show our family and friends that we care and love

them, is it not something that we demonstrated all of the time.

As Christians we are called to do two things love God and

love others.

So as you are going about making preparations for

Valentines day remember that as Christians we are called to

show our Christian love towards everyone. Not just our

friends and family, or the people we like. Everyone no matter

what.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve a wonderful

congregation.

God Bless,

Sarah Neal

Treasurer’s Report

Below is the financial report for December 2020. God is good, all the time!! 2020 will long be remembered for Coronavirus Craziness! But, it will also be remembered for your faithfulness to support the ministries of First Christian. God continues to bless us as we are faithful to His call and guidance. You have been so faithful to keep up your gifts to God and His church (praise God for Give+ and the USPS!). Praise God for His faithfulness to His church! Praise God for each of you and your faithfulness to the ministries at FCC. I am grateful for your faithfulness to financially support God’s work in this place.

IT’S HERE: E-giving!! 2020 brought us new ways to support ministry. You can now make gifts to FCC online at the church website, www.bluefieldfcc.com, just click on the GIVE button and follow the directions. You can also download the Give+ mobile app to your smart phone. Sarah has more detailed instructions for the more technologically challenged among us. Just contact her if you need help. There is a charge for gifts made by debit or credit card, but you can also adjust your gift to help cover that cost as well.

As a reminder, please continue to check for LIGHTS, RUNNING TOILETS, A/C OR HEAT, etc. following all meetings at the church. Don’t assume someone else will lock up or turn off. This really helps to hold down utility costs. Also, if you become aware of maintenance issues with the property, please bring it to the attention of the Property Ministry Team (Co-chairmen, George Birkelbach and Scott Collier) or the church office. Delayed repairs can be more expensive than when they are caught early.

Our Church is truly blessed!

Ronnie Hypes, Treasurer

December 2020

First Christian Church

Financial Information for December 2020

Month-to-date Year-to-date

Total offerings and other

sources $ 18,031.63 $ 180,120.07

Total expenses 12,142.33 159,591.16

Excess (deficit) of offerings to

expenses 5,889.30 20,528.91

Transfers from (to) savings 0.00 (10,000.00)

Increase (decrease) $ 5,889.30 $ 10,528.91

Balances on hand

December 31, 2020:

General Fund $ 18,963.08

Memorial and Special Gifts 12,712.72

Property Repairs and

Replacement 4,738.53

Scholarship 1,78614

Bequested Funds and other

savings 109,650.11

Total $ 148,850.58

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If you have any questions concerning youth events please contact Darrin Coe, Youth Minister at

276-245-8374 or Sarah Neal, Administrative Minister at 304-910-9933

Sunday Teen Believers 6:00PM

WOWZZA Wednesday

1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month

*Youth Outreach Ministry