reaffrm our commitment to truth, light, and freedom, as well as to remind ourselves of terrible threats. God promised to bless Abraham with a child who would produce the line of the Messiah (Genesis 12:3); He also predicted that the substitute son, Ishmael, would multiply greatly (Genesis 17:20) and impact the world violently (Genesis 16:12). This wild donkey of a man would produce a people whose hand will be against everyone. We certainly see it with the Israeli-Hamas confict in Gaza, the threats of Iran, and the extraordinary rise of ISIS (ISIL), introducing a radical, Islamic caliphate. ISIS has conquered most of Iraq, as well as Syrias northern province of Raqqa, killing any who will not convert to Islam. Churches that have stood for 1800 years in Mosul have vanished. The entire cultic people group of Yazidis, who claim to have the worlds oldest religion, are facing genocide (claiming that they predate Christianity and Islam). These violent people have turned churches into mosques, performed mass beheadings of men, and widespread raping of women or pushing them into forced marriages or sex slavery. Over 1.5 million Iraqis have been displaced. Westerners tend to forget that military success is the only thing that testifes to the superiority of Allah. In his farewell address before he died, Muhammad, the founder of Islam, said: I was ordered to fght all men until they say, There is no God but Allah. Naturally, Islam means total submission to Allah. Osama Bin Laden said the same thing about the 9/11 terrorist attack. Receiving a vision in a cave, the young Muhammad said that the angel Gabriel had spoken to him. Some Biblical and theological scholars assert that much of what is found in the Quran is a rip off of Old and New Testament stories, while changing important details. Muhammad was not sure at frst if his visions were from God or the devil. His wife assured him that they were inspired (Sura 46:9, 10). Only after her death did he select eleven other women as wives, the youngest being nine. He saw the Jews as devious and treacherous and Christians as polytheistic infdels. While Jews have their Sabbath on Saturday, the prophet made Friday their Sabbath. While Jews use the trumpet to call people to prayer three times a day toward Jerusalem, Muslims would pray fve times a day in a call to prayer by Muezzins and pray toward Mecca. God has called us to take the Word of God with its true revelation into the darkness. We must give to take the Bible to them in their native tongue. We continue to resist demonic attacks, as well as bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) and pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Pray for those believers who are being persecuted even to death, that they will be courageous in the face of evil. Pray for our government to have wisdom, compassion, courage, and discernment. Pray for material aid to reach those who are so desperate and for those providing it. Churchwide Dr. Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor There is a guest reception in the Commons following the Saturday night and Sunday morning worship services. Pastor would love to meet you! Missions Ministry Building Kingdom Families Saturday, September 6 - October 11 at 7:30pm in the Chapel What is your plan for passing on a godly heritage to your children? Join us for this six session Block BLG taught by Tom Rider. It is a unique opportunity to equip parents to be all that God intends for you to be. DivorceCare New Session Begins Saturday, Sept 6 at 7:15pm in Room DC113 This class is for everyone who is suffering with the pain of divorce. For more information, go to www.divorcecare.org/groups/45417 or call Rhonda at 596- 8600 x261. Financial Peace University New Session Begins Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30pm Dave Ramsey teaches you how to manage your fnances in this fun and informative class. You must sign-up online at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/ classfnder. For more information, visit our table in the Commons this weekend. Additional Adult Choir Rehearsal Begins this Sunday 5:00-6:30pm in the Adult Choir Room Led by Sonya Stearns, this is a great choir option for those who are involved in Wednesday night ministries. If you have been wanting to sing in our Sunday Worship Choir but couldnt because of other conficts on Wednesday nights, now you have a new option of participating! Come and join us! Living Christmas Trees Journey to the Manger Drama Information Table in Commons This Weekend This is the last weekend to sign-up for LCT Drama, Stage Ensemble, and Nativity at the information table in the Commons by the staircase. Tactica Mission Trip to Ecuador Being Commissioned This Weekend They will be gone September 12-21 investing in the lives of Central American authorities and their families through high quality police training, evangelism, and discipleship. Joy Comes in the Morning (A Ministry to Widows) Begins Saturday, September 13 at 10:00am in DC121 Are you a woman who would like to meet with other widows for fellowship, prayer, and encouragement from Gods Word? Then please join us! RSVP by calling 596-8600 x115 or email jcmministry@fbcn.org. Our Benevolence Fund Needs Help The Benevolence Fund is how we bless those from our church who are going through a rough time fnancially. Currently this fund is very low. Please consider a donation to replenish this fund so that we can continue to help. Just make a check to First Baptist Church Naples and put BN in the memo section. Florida Baptist Childrens Home is at the Missions Kiosk in the Commons FBCH is hosting a meeting about foster care and adoption on Tuesday. If you are interested in learning more about how you can help the abused, neglected, and abandoned children in SW Florida, stop by the Missions Kiosk this weekend for more information or email Amy at Amy.Roller@FBCHomes.org. Muslim Bible Day Offering This Weekend Our church is helping carry Gods Word and the gospel to people who desperately need it. This is a strategic project to publish and distribute the Scriptures to Muslims. We are receiving an offering this weekend in specially marked Muslim Bible Day envelopes. Legacy Builders Trip to Burroughs House Thursday, September 11 at 10:30am Join us as we visit this historic home in Ft. Myers. We will leave the church at 10:30am. Cost is $25 (includes transportation, tour, and lunch). Sign-up in the Fellowship Hallway, Information Desk, or call Vada at 596-8600 x268. Old Pictures/Videos of FBCN Needed Do you have pictures or video footage of FBCN in its early years? We are bringing together the story of FBCN and would like your pictures and videos to help share it. If you have memorable pictures from previous locations, pastors, or activities, we are interested in seeing your media. Please contact Mark at 596-8600 x230 or send your images to mtucker@fbcn.org. Quilting/Sewing Back to Basics Begins Monday, September 8 at 6:30pm in Room WC117 Come quilt and sew with us. If you already know how, come and fellowship while you work on a project. No experience, machine, or materials needed as we have items to be used and shared. Call/text Pam at 272-5583 or email pcole@fbcn.org for details. Help Wanted We have a place for you to serve in the Food Service Ministry. If you enjoy preparing food and serving children, then we would like to meet with you. The work hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Experience would be helpful, but is not required. For more information, please contact Chef Herb Small at 821-6902. Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord Phil Davis passed into glory on August 30. We are praying for his wife, Jan, and the rest of the family. Sally Cowfer met Jesus face to face on September 1. We are praying for her husband, Mark, and the rest of the family. Various Ministries Preschool Teachers and Assistants are Needed Teachers and Assistants are needed for toddlers, threes, and fours in order to open three new classes. Were excited to have many precious children with us, and we need you to come alongside us to help teach them the love of Jesus. Call Beverly at 596-8600 x351. First Steps Class Begins Saturday, September 13 at 7:30pm This is for children in 1st through 4th grade who would like to be baptized. It covers the topics of salvation, baptism, communion, being part of the church, and growing as a child of God. Please call 596-8600 x350 to register your child. Parent Dedication Class Saturday, September 20 at 4:45pm in Room ED164 This class is for parents wanting to dedicate themselves and their child to the Lord during a worship service. Childcare will be provided. Please call Kim at 596-8600 x360 to make your reservation. Home Bible & Life Groups Last Weekend to Sign-up! Sign-up today at our tables in the Commons next to the Information Desk. This is the last weekend to sign-up. Find out more information about each group at the table as well. Beach Baptism Sunday, September 28 Have you placed your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior and not yet professed your faith through believers baptism? This is a perfect opportunity. For more information, call Linda at 596-8600 x280. Christian Book Drive Now through September 14 Our Lighthouse Bookstore is gathering gently used or new Christian books for a used book sale to be held September 20 & 21. For details, call 449-4488. 2015 Deacon Nominations Deadline September 28 Deacon 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 place your completed, confdential form in the offering plate or in one of four Tithe and Offering drop boxes located in the Fellowship Hallway (across from WC117), the Commons (to the left of the Chapel, and one by the Bookstore under the staircase), and outside the Administration Building (church reception offce). Operation Christmas Child Volunteers Needed If you would like to volunteer for this missions opportunity to hurting children around the world without ever having to leave home, call Jody at 253-0954. Car Care October 18 Please pick-up a Car Care fyer in the Commons or at fbcn.org/carcare. Hand this fyer to a person in your community who is fnancially challenged and invite him/her to register. Sign-up to volunteer for Car Care at fbcn.org/carcare. Singles Ages 18-29 C2 Dodgeball Friday, September 19 To register or for info, call Ron at 206-0190 or email ronrkbopp@hotmail.com. First Baptist Church Naples 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109 Offce 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 September 8 - 14 Dennis Wheeler & Bill Smith If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764. Deacon of the Week Wednesday Family Meal Live streaming Saturday at 6:00pm and Sunday at 9:30am at fbcn.org! Visit our website: fbcn.org Like us on Facebook: FirstBaptistChurchNaples Follow us on Twitter: @fbcn @hayeswicker Ways to Connect Online with FBCN Contact Us Weekly Schedule Last Weekend This Upcoming Week 2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2014 - Aug 31, 2014 Budget Actual Variance $1,099,687 $1,103,781 $4,094 Financial Stewardship Bible & Life Attendance August 30 & 31 Saturday Night 1,210 Sunday 9:30 a.m. 1,528 Total 2,738 Wednesday Night Ministries 1,313 Decisions for Christ Worship Attendance See what God is doing! Debt balance as of Aug 31 $1,252,888 August 30 & 31 Saturday Night 735 Sunday 8:15 a.m. 68 Sunday 11:00 a.m. 734 Home Groups 161 Total 1,698 September 10 (4:45-6:00pm in the Fellowship/Recreation Gym) Baked Chicken, Sliced Potatoes, Vegetable, Salad, Dessert Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe or at the door for $6 each or $25 for a family. Alternate choices available. Saturday, September 6 5:00 p.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 6:00 p.m. Worship Service: Worship Center 6:00 p.m. Spanish Worship Service: Modular 1 7:30 p.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Sunday, September 7 8:15 a.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 9:00 a.m. Haitian Bible Study & Worship: ED206 9:00 a.m. Vietnamese Worship & Bible Study: DC221 9:30 a.m. Worship Service: Worship Center 10:00 a.m. Romanian Bible Study & Worship: Modular 4 11:00 a.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 12:30 p.m. Spanish Worship Service: Student Center 5:00 p.m. Childrens Choirs & Student Creative Arts Teams 5:00 p.m. Worship Choir Additional Rehearsal: Choir Room 6:00 p.m. Romanian Worship Service: Modular 4 6:30 p.m. Haitian Worship Service: Modular 2 Tuesday, September 9 9:00 a.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center Wednesday, September 10 4:45 p.m. Family Meal: Fellowship Recreation-Gym 6:20 p.m. AWANA for Kids: Education Building 6:25 p.m. Band of Brothers Mens Ministry: Chapel 6:30 p.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center 6:30 p.m. High School Ministry: Home Groups Off Campus 6:30 p.m. Middle School Ministry: Student Center & Family Life Center 6:30 p.m. Worship Choir Rehearsal: Choir Room Other events this week include: Missions Luncheon, Sewing/Quilting Class, LCT Drama Auditions, Legacy Builders Trip, Celebrate Recovery, and 9/11 Service Nancy Hale Childrens Ministry Assistant 11 years Larry Rigley Pastor of Pastoral Care & Senior Adults 10 years Steve Hayes Pastor of Family Ministry 9 years Ellen Small Kitchen Assistant 4 years Tony Swanson Director of Operations Assistant 1 year First Baptist Academy This summer, the Lion Band held its frst Band Camp to prepare music for the upcoming football season. A group of 20 band students spent 2 1/2 hours a day during this week-long camp working on musical techniques that will help the band reach its goal of being a God-honoring group of musicians who will entertain the crowds at home football games this season. This years Lion Band will encompass 36 students combined from the High School Band members and volunteers from the Middle School Band. Go Lions! Big Daddy Weave Concert Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm Also featuring Chris August, Group1Crew, and Dara MacLean. Tickets are available exclusively at chosentickets.com. (General admission is $25.00. Groups of 10 or more are $22.00. All VIP seating is sold out.) Transfer of Letter Judith Meredith Linuel Meredith Please join us for FBAs second annual College Admissions Panel Night. The panel includes representatives from secular and Christian universities from Florida and across the nation. A large portion of the evening will be a question and answer time. This event will take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30pm in the Chapel. It is open to the public. Student Ministry MSM Parent Connect Saturday, Sept 13 at 4:45pm or Sunday, Sept 14 at 12:15pm At this important meeting for parents of 6th-8th graders, Greg Clydesdale will go over upcoming MSM calendar and event details. He will also provide important resources for parents. This is the best time to get equipped for the year. HSM @ Home Wednesday Nights Each Wednesday night, we are meeting in houses around the Naples area for 9th-12th grade home groups. If you need transportation, we meet at the student center at 6:15pm. For details, call 449-4480. Staff Anniversaries for September