Confirmation and Compassion As you know, theological liberals trip all over themselves trying to deny that God is loving and that the biblical record is reliable. However, archeology continues to confirm the biblical account as historical and accurate. The ancient town Dalmanutha was just discovered by archeologists, referred to in Mark 8:10 as the area on the east side of Lake Galilee where Jesus traveled in a boat with His disciples. The famous Jesus boat, which I saw and described in a message this past spring, was found in this exact area in Israels Ginosar Valley. The explorers also found vessel glass and amphora which hint at the wealth of the area, along with stone anchors which were used for landing boats in the first century. They have discovered ruins of Gentile, polytheistic religions along with Jewish worship. This is near the modern-day town of Migdal. They have seen ancient column fragments carved in the Greek Corinthian style. Some scholars doubted whether there was a Dalmanutha. However, Jesus performed His amazing miracle there of feeding 4,000 by multiplying a few fish and loaves of bread. He sighed deeply and asked, Why does this generation seek a sign? (Mark 8:12). Other critics have argued that this is the same story as the feeding of the 5,000, undergirding their view that the Bible is not inerrant. They are two separate, miraculous events. The question of the disciples regarding where they were going to get enough food to feed the 4,000 (Mark 8:4) on the surface seemed to make sense since Jesus had just done a miraculous feeding. However, they expressed skepticism at the possibility of providing supplies in John 6. In Mark 8, they confessed their powerlessness to do anything and left it up to Jesus. Jesus was with the 5,000 for a day, but with the 4,000 three days. When he fed the 5,000, He had them sit down in ordered groups on the green grass, but with the 4,000 in that rocky region there was no green grass. Jesus offered one prayer of thanksgiving for the food in John 6, but in Mark 8 there were two prayers. Jesus concern for others and character are also on display. He felt compassion for the people (Mark 8:2). He gave us an example of giving thanks at meal time (Mark 8:6). He uses His disciples to serve people (Mark 8:6). He is able to satisfy us with our needs (Mark 8:8) and rebukes us when we have to have a sign or miracle to believe in Him. Jesus is the Bread of Life, not just for the Jews in John 6, but for the Gentiles in Mark 8. Jesus said, grace twice in that area. Pronouncing blessing over the bread was normal in Jewish custom but not a second prayer over the fish. Jesus wants us to thank God for everything and even provides an abundance as when He used large wicker hampers for the leftovers (As a Wicker, I like the literal meeting of the large baskets in verse 8). Lets praise Jesus for His power and provision, whether in meals or in meeting our needs with a broken pipe and the flooding of our Fellowship Hallway. Recently, the Lord allowed skilled people who were willing to give it their all to serve us, just as the early disciples. The Lord showed them where the problem was as He uses our church to spiritually feed thousands.
Churchwide
2014 Deacon Nominations
Deadline September 29
Bible & Life Groups
Nomination forms are located in the turnstiles in the Commons, Church Foyer, and Fellowship Hallway. Please do not share your nomination with the nominee as certain criteria must be met. You may submit your nomination form to our Senior Associate Pastor, Doug Pigg.
This book is Gods message to all of us concerning the perilious end times. Come join us as Al Micieli goes line by line in this important study.
Begins Saturday, October 5 at 5:00pm in DC107
Book of Revelation
Senior Adults This is a ministry of the deacons wives to the widows of our congregation. Join us for fellowship and encouragement from Gods Word. Call Vada at 596-8600 x268 for more information or to register.
This movie will answer tough questions about God and is showing in local theaters on Thursday, October 3. Visit unstoppablethemovie.com for tickets and more information.
In local theaters on Thursday, October 3
Kirk Camerons Unstoppable
Monday, September 30 at 1:30pm in the Choir Room
Annas Tea - International Days
Sunday, October 6 in the FBCN parking lot 9am-1pm Fall into the habit of giving blood. Every pint you give saves three lives! Please call 624-4120 to schedule a time.
Blood Drive
Missions Ministry In the Missions Kiosk This Weekend Take a local mission trip within our elementary schools in Collier County. Join a Good News Club team for one day a week and share the gospel of Christ that will change familys lives. Please come by the Missions Kiosk in the Commons this weekend to find out more about this ministry.
Good News Clubs
Performances of our 31st annual Living Christmas Trees Searching for the King will be: --Friday, December 6th at 7:00pm --Sunday, December 8th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm --Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm --Friday, December 13th at 7:00pm --Sunday, December 15th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm Select your seats online at fbcn.org/lct.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, Oct 12
Living Christmas Trees
Fields of Faith is a national event where the community is invited to meet and hear local students share their faith and challenge others to read the Bible and follow Christ. Free food, music, give-a-ways, and guest speakers. For more information, call 784-3377 or go to swfloridafca.org.
Tuesday, Oct 8 at Naples High School football field 6:30-8:00pm
Fields of Faith
Be part of a movement to transform our nation, based on the example of the apostle Matthew (who invited friends into his home for a meal to meet Jesus). Millions of people have done it. So can you. For more information, go to myhopewithbillygraham.org.
A Nationwide Outreach this November 3-9
My Hope with Billy Graham
Pregnancy Resource Centers Walk for Life
Announcing our 10th annual Walk for Life at FBCN. Step by step we can really make a difference. Rally starts at 8am and the walk starts at 9am. Enter campus from Livingston. Register online at supportprc.org. You can also pick up a pledge form in the Lighthouse Bookstore, Commons Information Desk, and in the foyer.
Saturday, Oct 12 at FBCN
Preschool & Childrens Ministry
Teachers and assistants are needed to teach preschoolers (birth through four years old) during MOPS on the 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings of each month during the school year. For more information, call Rebecca at 495-0152.
Thursday Morning Ministry Opportunity
Support / Help Groups
Helping Others through Pregnancy Encouragement H.O.P.E. is for any married lady struggling with infertility, infant loss, or adoption loss. Please come by this Thursday and see what were all about. Youll be glad you did.
There is a guest reception in the Commons following the Saturday night and Sunday morning worship services. Pastor Wicker would love to meet you!
Guest Reception
This four-week class is for children in 1st-4th grades who would like to be baptized. Please call 596-8600 x350 to register your child.
Sunday, October 6 at 11:00am
First Steps Class
Thursday, Oct 3 in DC111 at 6:30pm
You Are Invited...
Student Ministry
First Baptist Academy
FBAs Middle School has a very special emphasis this year on the subject of conflict resolution. Mr. McGillicuddy, our middle school principal, has begun teaching the students, The Six Steps to Resolving Conflict from a biblical perspective. We invite you to go to www.fbalions.org and then go to our middle school page to view a video of Mr. McGillicuddys presentation. Students are already starting to reach out to others to resolve conflict. These principals are very helpful for both families and churches.
Candy donations are needed and can be dropped off in the Commons, the Fellowship Hallway, the Preschool wing, or by Kidztown Worship. For more information on how to register your trunk, please go to our table in the Commons this weekend, or call 596-8600 x350.
Thursday, October 31 6:30-8:00pm
Trunk & Treat
Support the Resonate Mission Trip by ordering one of these beautiful, fresh Frasier Firs straight from North Carolina. Stop by our table in the Commons today.
Deadline to order is this Sunday, September 29
High School Ministry Selling Christmas Trees
Conflict Resolution for Middle Schoolers
Last Weekend Church Baptisms Chad Crowley Christina Crowley Pedro Cruz Terry Gershon
Decisions for Christ
FBCN Staff Anniversaries for October
September 21 & 22 Saturday Night Sunday 9:30 a.m. Total
Profession of Faith Eden Looney Membership by Letter Janet Kimmel Beach Baptisms are listed on the back of this First Word.
Worship Attendance 1,334 1,450 2,784
Carmen Rodriguez Accounting Associate Dr. Todd Stearns Associate Pastor/Worship & Music Parker Lyon Membership Info Manager Joey Nicol AVL (part time) Amy Decker Premises Keeper (part time) Betsy Evans Childrens Ministry Director
8 years 7 years 4 years 2 years 1 year 1 year
2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2013 - September 22, 2013 Budget Actual Variance $1,410,085 $1,392,345 ($17,740)
Financial Stewardship
September 21 & 22 Saturday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 8:15 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. Home Groups Total
Bible & Life Attendance
861 91 768 160 1,880
Beach Baptisms Derek Anderson Kristen Bates Jan Birks Jennifer Bruns Matthew Bruns Joshua Cohen Cliffton Cook Avery Crawford Brooklyn Crawford Tara Crawford Donald Crispen Kathleen Curtis Jason Haelterman Linda Haines Michael Haines
This Upcoming Week
Deacon of the Week Sept 30 - Oct 6 Ken Vickery & Bob Carboy If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764.
Debt balance as of Sept 22 $5,173,095
Meal for Oct 2 (4:45 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Fellowship Recreation-Gym) Chicken Parmesan, Rotini Pasta, Veggie, and Dessert Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe or at the door for $6 each or $25 for a family (immediate family residing in home). Alternate choices include grilled chicken ` hamburger, pizza, or hot dog. breast,
Wednesday Family Meal
Olivia Haines Misty Kaposy Toni Massey Tiernan Mattausch Kayla Miller Haley Murray Donavon Newland Tori Newland Lucas Nici William Nye Judith Panian Dana Salmons Tom Sansone Jim Schlundt Elijah Stewart
Isaiah Stewart Robert Stivers Alexander Tutino Giovanni Tutino Jennifer Tutino Joe Tutino Joseph Tutino Andrea Van Patten Doris Vargas Anthony Vigilante Kathleen Vigilante Maria Vigilante Shelby Wildfong Rebecca Williams Bertha Wills Ashlynd Wrightsman
Weekly Schedule Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Worship Service: Worship Center Spanish Worship Service: Chapel Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Haitian Bible Study & Worship: ED207 Vietnamese Worship & Bible Study: DC221 Worship Service: Worship Center Romanian Bible Study & Worship: Modulars 3 & 4 Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Spanish Worship Service: Student Center Romanian Worship Service: Modular 4
Ways to Connect Online with FBCN
Live streaming Saturday at 6:00pm and Sunday at 9:30am! Go to our website and look for this live streaming icon. For more information about our church and ministries, please visit our website at fbcn.org. Like us on Facebook at: FirstBaptistChurchNaples
Our annual Operation Christmas Child campaign kick-off is in just one week! This is a great missions opportunity through Franklin Grahams Samaritans Purse organization to send the gospel around the world to hurting children through the power of a simple gift. Help them have a Merry Christmas!
9:00 a.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center
Follow us on Twitter @FBCN.
Wednesday, October 2
Family Meal: Fellowship Recreation-Gym AWANA for Kids: Education Building Band of Brothers Mens Ministry: Chapel RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center High School Ministry: Student Center Middle School Ministry: Family Life Center-Gym Choir Rehearsal: Choir Room Orchestra Rehearsal: Worship Center
Contact Us 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Church Receptionist...................................................................597-6057 Enter ext. # for direct connection 596-8600 Lighthouse Bookstore.................................................................449-4488 First Baptist Academy Naples 597-2233 24-Hour Prayer Line......................................................597-PRAY (7729) Church Email...................................................................FBCN@fbcn.org
First Baptist Church Naples
Other events this week include: Praise Kids, 5th Grade Choir, Middle School Choir, Resonate, Annas Tea, MOPS, Prayer for our Pastors, Student Ministries Reimagine Tour, Celebrate Recovery, HOPE, and Grief Share. For a full weekly schedule listing, please go to fbcn.org/weeklyschedule.
