I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Calendar 2

Pastor’s Pen 4

Associate Pastor 5

Music Notes 6

Kids for Christ 7

The Edge 8

Ministry 9

F I R S T B A P T I S T

C H U R C H B L A N C H A R D

T H I S M O N T H :

Daylight Savings Time,

March 9

Church Visitation,

March 11

Missions Fishing

Tournament, March 15

Excessive Generosity

Lunch, March 16

Children’s Lock In,

March 21

Soup for Seniors,

March 28

Prestonwood

Conference,

March 28-29

March 22nd 12-4pm

At the Arena

M A R C H 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 3 , I S S U E 3

March 23rd 10:30am

In the FBC Sanctuary

Cross Brand Cowboy Church Service

Cross Brand Cowboy Church

“Fun Fest”

MARCH 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 Bible Study

6 Cowboy Church

7

8

9 Daylight Savings Time

10 11 Church Visitation

12 Bible Study

13 Pacesetters’

Cowboy Church

14

15 Missions Fishing Tournament

16 Excessive Generosity Lunch

Business Mtg.

17 Men’s Bible Study

18 19 Bible Study

20 Cowboy Church

21 Children’s Lock-In

22 Cowboy Church “Fun Fest”

23 Cowboy Church Service Church Bible Drill 30

24 31

25 26 Bible Study

27 Pacesetters’ “Eat Out”

Cowboy Church

28 Soup for Seniors

29

Week of Prayer for North American Missions and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Prestonwood Conference

P A G E 3 FBCB Ministry– Upcoming Events March 2– 9 Week of Prayer for North American Missions and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering March 5 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm)

March 6 Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) March 9 Daylight Savings Time (spring forward) March 11 Church Visitation meet @ the Multi-Purpose Building (3:00 - 6:00pm) March 12 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) March 13 Pacesetters’ Covered Dish (6:00pm) CBCC Potluck (6:30pm) March 15 Missions Fishing Tournament March 16 Excessive Generosity Lunch (12:00pm) Business Meeting (7:00pm) March 17 Men’s Bible Study @ The Way Station (6:30pm) March 19 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) March 20 Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) March 21-22 Children’s Lock-In March 22 Cowboy Church “Fun Fest” March 23 Cross Brand Cowboy Church Service Church Bible Drill (6:00pm) March 26 Bible Study and Prayer (6:30pm) March 27 Pacesetters’ “Eat Out” (10:30am) Cross Brand Cowboy Church @ the Arena. Open arena (6:00pm), Worship (7:00pm) March 28 Soup for Seniors @ The Orchard (5-7pm) March 28-29 Prestonwood Conference

Times and dates are subject to change. Please check your weekly Order of Worship for updates.

Pastor’s Pen At our business meeting in January, Lonnie Hill, our Student Minister, shared the

following words:

What Lonnie shared is a testimony of faith. True faith steps out when the path is

unclear and places full trust in the loving and guiding hand of God. Though

difficult to share, Lonnie has provided an example of faith that acts. We are

grateful for Lonnie’s service to our church, our youth, and to our community. As

a church we need to express our appreciation to Lonnie for his service and pray

for him, and also Mari and Alex, as God leads them to a new place of service.

The by-laws of our church provide that all staff positions, other than the Senior

Pastor, are filled by vote of the church upon recommendation of the Personnel

Committee and Pastor. Pray for our Personnel Committee and myself as we seek

the one God has chosen to lead our youth.

Keep the faith.

“For the past 31 years or so, First Baptist Church Blanchard has been my

home church. The most important events in my life have happened at this

church. I was saved as a teenager here. I got married here. Alex was

born...in a hospital but while we were here. God placed a call on my life

while I was here and for the past nine and a half years I have had the

privilege of serving as the Minister of Students here.

And so it is very difficult to say this, but Mari and I feel God is calling us to

another place of ministry. Right now, we don’t know where that is, but we

believe God has all that figured out.

I’ve talked with Pastor Doug about this and I’m offering my resignation

effective May 31. That will give the church and Mari and me a chance to

transition to what God has for all of us.

We ask that you pray for us that we may know exactly where God is

leading us. I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us over

the years and who have ministered alongside us and to us. This church

has been such a blessing in my life.”

For whatever

is born of God

overcomes the world.

And this is the victory

that has overcome

the world–our faith.

1 John 5:4 (NKJV)

P A G E 5

New Church Directories – Most of those who were photographed for our new

church directory should have already picked up their new directories by now.

However, if you have not done so, you may pick yours up in the church office. I

hope that you are as pleased with the new directory as I am. I’m sure it will be a

helpful source of information to our church family in the coming years.

Lifetouch Online Church Directory – The new directories also included a letter

with each family’s own unique User Name and Password, giving you access to the

online edition of our new directory. Every church member with internet access can

use the online directory, which includes a staff directory, family photos and a church

roster with addresses and phone numbers. See me or check with Amy in the

church office to receive your own unique User Name and Password which will allow

you to access the online directory, available at the link on our church website or by

typing in the following website info: http://www.connections.lifetouch.com/?

orgLogin=18447. Once you log in, you may change your User Name and Password

to something you can more easily remember. The online directory should be a val-

uable tool for Sunday School teachers and other ministry leaders as well as to our

church family. I hope you will check it out soon.

2014 North Louisiana Disaster Relief Training will be offered at Temple Baptist

Church in Ruston on Saturday, March 15th. See the info below for details. Contact

Michael Burkhardt or me if you need additional information or would like to register

for the training.

MUSIC NOTES

Wee Singers & Kids Choir

During AWANA Sundays 5:15pm

Student Choir

Choir Suite Sundays 4:30pm

Voices of Praise

Choir Suite Wednesdays

7:30pm

JOY Choir Choir Suite

Wednesdays 10:00am

P A G E 6

Preparing for Worship

I am borrowing from a devotion by David Jeremiah in this month’s article.

------------------------------------------------

Three times a year all your males shall appear before

the LORD your God in the place where He chooses.

Deuteronomy 16:16a

Three times each year the men of Israel left their fields and flocks and traveled

to Jerusalem to worship the Lord with offerings: the Feast of Unleavened

Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. At least three times

each year they worshiped corporately in Jerusalem.

The worship began even before they arrived at the temple. A section of

Hebrew psalms found in Psalms 120-134 in our Bibles is known as the Songs

of Ascents. Most biblical scholars believe these songs were sung as the

pilgrims marched from the plains of Israel to the heights of Jerusalem,

ascending to the “Mountain of the LORD of Hosts, the Holy

Mountain” (Zechariah 8:3). It may have seemed like madness to march from

Israel’s farthest borders to Jerusalem, but worship was at the heart of their

spiritual life.

------------------------------------------------

“I’ve GOT to go to church” “I GET to go to church”

Which do you say on Sunday morning?

Missions Day

Our 2014 Missions Day will be held on Saturday, April 12. Just like last year,

it will consist of a walk-a-thon, games, and food. Funds raised will go to this

year’s Belize mission trip.

All-State Choir

I am thrilled to announce that once again we have two of our students who will

be participating in this year’s Louisiana All-state Youth Choir. Katie Smith and

Abby Byford will be travelling to Chicago, July 23-August 1st, as a part of the

Louisiana Baptist All-state Youth Choir. Students are required to raise their

own funds for the trip. If you would like to help sponsor Katie or Abby, please

contact the church office. If you place a donation in the offering plate please

be sure to mark it with their name and “All State Choir.” Congratulations,

girls!!!

LockLock--InIn

March 21March 21--2222

7pm7pm--7am7am

For KFor K--5th grade5th grade

Cost $10Cost $10

Sign up in Sign up in

the foyer!the foyer!

P A G E 7

Kids for Christ

What do you think of when you hear the words

“Children’s Ministry”?

Some people think of Sunday School, Bible Drill or AWANA. Others think of

childcare during services so that parents can worship or daycare during the

week so parents can work. Still others think of events to entertain the

children and maybe give the parents a break. While all of these “tools” are

used in Children’s Ministry, in themselves they are not the purpose. The

purpose is to reach children and their families for Christ and to help them to

grow spiritually. So whether it is a nursery worker rocking a baby while

singing “Jesus Loves Me”, praying with preschoolers before a snack, or

helping a child to memorize scripture, those who work in Children’s Ministry

are making an eternal difference in the lives of children and their families.

March 23March 23

at 6pm at 6pm

in the Sanctuaryin the Sanctuary

Anyone

who welcomes

a little child like this

on My behalf

welcomes Me,

and anyone

who welcomes Me

welcomes

not only Me

but also My Father

who sent Me.

Mark 9:37

Bible Bible

DrillDrill

P A G E 8

Yes, Lord,

walking in the way

of Your laws,

we wait for You;

Your name

and renown

are the desire

of our hearts.

Isaiah 26:8

MARCH SERIES: AWAKEN A GENERATION

Imagine a generation of students whose goal is to live for Christ. Think it’s impossible? Every massive move of God started with a few willing to believe God could do the amazing. Join us during the month of March as we look at how we can awaken a generation to the shear awesomeness of God.

WINTER JAM 2014: MARCH 7

This concert features Newsboys, LeCrae, Tenth Avenue North and Thousand Foot Crutch! We’ll be leaving for the concert at 4 PM. If you plan to ride with us, sign up by March 2. (See Lonnie to sign up.) Tickets are $10 at the door.

FBCB_the_edge facebook.com/TheEdgeStudentMinistry

Get more info and see more pictures on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

P A G E 9

Men’s Ministry

Men’s Conference at Prestonwood Baptist Church (Dallas, TX)

March 28th-29th Join us as we travel to attend this conference. This is a great opportunity to fellowship together and to hear

some challenging messages from the speakers. Registration is $35.00 and includes breakfast at the café at

the church on Saturday morning. We will eat out on Friday before we go to the conference. A block of rooms

has been secured at the Hyatt-Plano hotel. Room rate is $85.00 + tax. You can make your own reservation

by calling the hotel at1-972-378-3997 and mention the Men’s Conference. For more information call Steve

Tompkins (286-8663) or Pat Richardson (426-6762).

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Thursdays

6 AM

The Way Station

Men’s Bible Study March 17th

6:30 PM The Way Station

Mother-Daughter Tea

For Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

Saturday, April 19th at 3:00pm at The Orchard

Women’s Retreat

Friday, April 25th-Saturday, April 26th Guest Speaker: Judi James

Clara Springs Baptist Camp in Pelican, Louisiana

www.crownedbytheking.com

PRAISE THE LORD!!! Time change has come and we are blessed

with more daylight hours in the evening!!! This is our time of the year

when we can go visiting and be able to go in the daylight. Visitation is

scheduled for March 11th. Sharon will be here from 3:00p.m. to

6:00p.m. for you to come by and pick up assignments and information.

There will also be flyers made available concerning our upcoming

Cowboy Church “Fun Fest”. Please plan to participate. We need you;

God needs you. We need to let folks know that we care.

Sunday, March 16th following the 10:30 am worship service.

Bring a dish from the excess in your pantry to share with your church family.

Donations of what you would normally spend on lunch out will be used for The Hub Ministry..

Soup for Seniors

Friday, March 28th

from 5:00-7:00pm

at The Orchard

For more information,

contact Jamie Roe.

Pacesetters

March 13

Covered Dish

Program: Group from

Belcher Baptist Church

6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall

March 27

“Eat Out”

Suma Supreme Buffet

on Youree Drive

Vans leave at 10:30am

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook, uncovered until crisp tender and bright green about 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with cold water. Transfer the beans to a mixing bowl. Return saucepan to the stove and heat oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, cook until browned. Add mushrooms to beans. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat, add flour, and cook until golden brown, slowly whisk in the broth, increase to high heat and bring to a boil. Add onions and thyme. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until thickened. Pour sauce over veg-etables to combine. Spray a 2 quart baking pan with cooking spray. Pour vegetable mixture into pan. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake uncovered for approximately 20 minutes.

Serves 6 Calories per serving: 187

1/3 C. minced onion 1 lb. green beans, fresh 1 T. olive oil 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 T. butter 3 T. flour 1 1/2 C. chicken broth 3 T. fresh thyme Salt and pepper to taste 1 C. bread crumbs

Recipe: Skinny Green Bean Casserole From the Kitchen of FBCB

We welcome our new mem-

Frank Brookings February 2, 2014

Guy Calvert February 2, 2014

Michaiah Tatum February 2, 2014

Stephanie Riser February 16, 2014

Allie Behaeghe February 16, 2014

Cross Brand Cowboy Church

First Baptist Church Blanchard

“Seeking Sharing Showing”

201 Attaway St

PO Box 65

Blanchard, LA 71009

Phone: 318.929.2346

Fax: 318.929.4680

Email: fbcblanchard@bellsouth.net

Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 6:00 p.m.

Sunday School (for all ages) 9:15 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is

eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Sin separates us from God. God offers forgiveness through belief in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Accepting God’s offer of salvation means we are saved from an eternity separated from God. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through

Me.”

Howdy Folks,

Well here we are in March and looking forward to our annual Cross Brand Cowboy

Church Fun Fest on the 22nd of the month. We have a great day planned but it

won’t be a success unless people come and enjoy it. The events will begin at 12:00

p.m. with lunch furnished by our own CHUCK WAGON CREW followed by a pow-

erful church service with some great singing by CROSSWAYS and the sharing of

God’s Word by BRO. DOUG ALLEN, then ending with a time of horseback rides for

ALL AGES. This is a chance for everyone to come and see what goes on every

Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. My prayer is that all of us will use this opportunity to

reach our family, friends, neighbors and anyone else that God lays on our hearts for

JESUS!!! Flyers and posters will be available at the church office if you need them.

I will definitely be there. Hope to see you too. You don’t want to miss it!!! And don’t

forget to join us every Thursday night for our regular 7:00 service and for Potluck on

March 13th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

See ya’ there!