There’s a nip in the air and pumpkins on porches. You know what that means – the holidays are right around the corner! Before your calendar gets booked this season, be sure and leave a spot for our Holiday Brunch! It will be the perfect opportunity to fellowship, enjoy some yummy food, and focus our hearts and minds on what truly matters this holiday season. You won’t want to miss our hilarious guest speaker, Gayle Young, as she brings The Word and some laughs to inspire and encourage us. Gayle is the Women’s and Children’s Minister at First Baptist Church, Ponca City. Plus, talented women in our church will be sharing their holiday decorations on each table—from centerpieces to dishes. Come get ideas for your own holiday decorating!! Tickets are $10 and will go on sale October 18, so be sure to stop by the Crossover to get yours. If you have a season pass, don’t forget to pick up your ticket in the Crossover!

Event News Tara Seitz FIRST Ladies’ Newsletter

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“For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose

under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

• Sister 2 Sister

• LAST Word

• Special Projects

• Prayer Clinic

• LOL

In this issue!

FIRST LADIES’

RETREAT

FEB. 26 & 27

2016

Gayle Young

Recently, I began a Bible Study called “The Family of Jesus” by Karen Kingsbury. It looks at the

lives of those earthly influences Jesus had while here as a man. The study takes a look at Joseph,

Zechariah, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, James and Mary. They were all related in some way by

blood or marriage. They influenced Jesus’ story. We know there were many others that influenced

or played a part in Jesus’ life just as there are many people in our lives that influence us. Facebook

just had one of those quizzes that showed the “friends” that are good and bad influences in our

lives. Don’t we wish it was that easy to know which ones are good and bad?

One of the questions in this Bible Study is, “If you were to create a family tree with three to six of

the family members who have had the greatest impact on your life, who would you include and

why?” Take a minute and think about that. You might want to include your church family in that

too. You know we all have a church family tree that started when we received Christ as our Lord;

those people who invested in our spiritual growth and played a part in shaping our beliefs and

seeing us mature in our relationship with God.

Romans 12:10-11 HCSB says, “Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one

another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.” Look around

you and see those in your family who try to help keep you on the right track, encourage you, stand

up for you when no one else does and truly wants what is best for you. Consider taking some time

to thank them for the influence they have had in your life or take the time to encourage someone

that you are investing in today.

Page 2

Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Sister 2 Sister Gwen Coburn

Gwen

Looking for time away from the busyness of life? Time to "stop and smell the roses" as you relax with friends, share laughter and stories, and spend time with God? At Garden Getaway, our 2016 retreat, you'll have the opportunity to experience an in-depth Bible study, an unforgettable worship experience, and an opportunity to walk with God through the various seasons of life. We will see Jesus as the Master Gardener of our lives who wants to walk with us every step of our journey. (This retreat would be a great Christmas gift, - hint now to your family.)

Registration is limited to 50 so sign up as soon as registration begins.

Date: February 26-27, 2016 Place: Tulakogee Conference Center Cost: $65

“For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Page 3

The LAST Word Kay Calavan

i|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vxi|v~|Ëá iÉ|vx Vicki Pack & Cristin Shelby

Joyfully Serving With You,

WOMEN ON MISSION

Challenging Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God.

Women on Mission meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 114,

First Baptist Church

Kay

How would you feel if someone referred to you as a “Gomer Girl”? If you are familiar with the book of Hosea and the story of Hosea and Gomer, you may not feel comfortable with that title. Gomer led a less than stellar life, but she represents all of us at times. According to Jennifer Rothschild in her Bible Study, “Hosea”, Gomer acted out of her Iddiction. That is a word that my autocorrect does not like!! What does that mean? An Iddict is someone who is addicted to herself – her wants, her wisdom, her whims, her way. Ouch!#! If we are honest with ourselves, we all fall into that category more than we would like to admit. Being an Iddict means we haven’t fully identified with our identity in God, therefore, we act out of our Iddiction rather than our identity. Jennifer says, “The end result of our Iddiction is not satisfaction; it’s an empty, unhappy identity crisis. A life pursuing pleasure doesn’t bring happiness, it brings exhaustion.” Then she asks this question, “Is my sense of security and identity in God alone?” That is a question that requires some soul searching, isn’t it?!

The good news is that being a “Gomer Girl” means we are loved, accepted and complete. Being a follower of Christ gives you a new identity:

You are dearly loved You are accepted

You are complete When your Iddiction surfaces, fight back with the reality of who you are and whose you are!

From one “Gomer Girl” to another,

Vicki & Cristin

Jenni & Neva

Prayer Clinic Jenni Dunn & Neva Schoonover

LOL—Loving Our Ladies

The FIRST Ladies’ ministry team, “Loving Our Ladies.”, or LOL, is a ministry that reaches

out to those ladies who have given so much of their lives to our church. Some of these

ladies are unable to attend church any longer because of illness, age or other

circumstances. The purpose of this ministry team is to see that these ladies are visited

on behalf of First Baptist Church and FIRST Ladies. If you have an interest in helping in

this area, please contact Gwen Coburn. These visits will not only be a blessing to the

ladies visited, but also to you — if you choose to be a part of this ministry. We will be

highlighting one of the ladies in our newsletter each quarter so everyone will get a

chance to meet the ones who have left us a legacy of

love, faithfulness and commitment. Gwen Coburn

918-869-7496

ggcoburn@suddenlink.net

111 S. 7th Street

Muskogee, OK 74401

Phone: 918-682-3496

Fax: 918-682-7131

www.fbcmuskogee.org

First Thessalonians 5:18 says “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s

easy to give thanks when everything is going well. What about the times when you feel as though everything

is falling apart, when you are in the midst of the trial? It’s much harder to see the good when you are in the

trenches trying to persevere through, but God wants you to give thanks in everything. Why? He wants your

total dependence to be on Him. Our hope comes from God. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of

God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces

perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

Romans 5:2-5. At this time in our church, it would be easy to focus on the negatives of being without a Senior

Pastor, Associate Pastor and Education Minister. Instead, let's take this opportunity to thank God for the

ministers He has sent to us over the past 125 years as well as to thank God for the ministers He has planned

for our future. Our hope comes from God alone and His timing is perfect.

Joining each of you in praising God and thanking Him!