First Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist Church 707 St. Patrick Street707 St. Patrick Street707 St. Patrick Street Rapid City, SD 57701Rapid City, SD 57701Rapid City, SD 57701 (605) 343(605) 343(605) 343---034203420342

Non Profit Org.Non Profit Org.Non Profit Org.

U.S. PostageU.S. PostageU.S. Postage

PAIDPAIDPAID

Rapid City, SDRapid City, SDRapid City, SD

PERMIT NO. 307PERMIT NO. 307PERMIT NO. 307

Return Service RequestedReturn Service RequestedReturn Service Requested

8:00am 8:00am 8:00am --- Sunday SchoolSunday SchoolSunday School 9:00am 9:00am 9:00am --- Fellowship TimeFellowship TimeFellowship Time

9:30am 9:30am 9:30am --- WorshipWorshipWorship 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm --- Inside.Out.Inside.Out.Inside.Out.

Every Sunday!Every Sunday!Every Sunday!

5:305:305:30---6pm 6pm 6pm --- DinnerDinnerDinner 6:006:006:00---6:40 6:40 6:40 --- ChoirChoirChoir

6:00 6:00 6:00 --- 7:30 7:30 7:30 --- Children’s MinistryChildren’s MinistryChildren’s Ministry 6:30 6:30 6:30 --- 7:30 7:30 7:30 --- Adult ClassesAdult ClassesAdult Classes 6:45 6:45 6:45 --- 7:30 7:30 7:30 --- Praise TeamPraise TeamPraise Team 7:30 7:30 7:30 --- 8:15 8:15 8:15 --- Bell PracticeBell PracticeBell Practice

In-Touch October 2013 | Monthly Newsletter of First Baptist Church

From the Pastor

Over the past several months, I have had a

number of conversations with people about dis-

tance and closeness to God. Some of the conversa-

tions were at camp where younger people talked

about how God felt especially close to them while

they are at camp. Other people, who are more ma-

ture, have talked about their perception of distance

from God. Does God move in close sometimes and

then back away at other times?

When we are newer to the faith, much of our

connectedness to God is paired with feeling. “I feel

close to God.” “I sense that God is near.” “Camp

gave me such a spiritual high.” Without that emo-

tional connection, we may wonder if God is real.

The importance of an emotional connection or spir-

itual “high” is very characteristic of someone newer

to a relationship with God.

Looking Ahead

October

Pastor Appreciation

Month

14th Columbus Day

Office Closed

TBD

Fall Festival

November

TBD Thanksgiving Dinner

Continued on page 2

Page 2 Volume 6

Without a felt presence, many people newer to the faith would simply walk

away.

As we become more mature in our faith, the emotional factor often

becomes less important. We have more experiences to draw upon. Our

faith has a broader foundation and as our faith matures, it is not unusual for

someone to “feel” that God seems far away. But those who are mature in

the faith don’t give up just because God doesn’t “feel” close. God knows

that as we mature, our needs have changed and God always is in the pro-

cess of inviting us into a deeper and more real experience of the Divine.

How that happens is really up to God and it’s hard to pinpoint.

I believe that God uses lots of different ways to grow us and deepen

our faith. Many people that we would consider to be great examples of

faithful followers have written and talked about this distance they feel from

God. Many of the psalms speak about a longing for God. Mother Teresa

wrote in some of her private journals about continuing to be faithful in the

midst of what felt like abandonment.

My point in all this is that God knows just what we need to grow.

What we experience of God will be different at different stages of our spir-

itual journey. Just because one person experiences one thing does not

mean that you should experience the same. Look for God in whatever

season you are in the midst of. God is there.

Thank you for the privilege of serving among you.

From the Pastor, Continued:

Website: www.rcfbc.org Ashten: firstbaptistrc@gmail.com

Gregg: fbcgregg@gmail.com Josh: jsbond@live.com

Vonnie: houchinv@yahoo.com Steph: fbcsteph@gmail.com Heidi: fbcheidi@gmail.com

Page 7 Volume 6

First Baptist Church

accepts electronic

donations. If you

would like to do-

nate electronically, please go to the

church website (www.rcfbc.org) and

follow the link!

Theme Verse for 2013

Psalm 133:1

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live

together in unity.”

We are still accepting medicine bottles!

If you have any medicine bottles laying

around, please consider donating them so

that medical teams in the area may use them

on their mission

trips! If you have any

questions, please

contact Carol Car-

penter at 390-7134.

ATTENTION!!! Any future contribu-tions toward our remod-eling debt will now be

applied to our roof repair, since the remodeling debt has been taken

care of. This will happen unless people notify us that they’d

like their remodeling debt contribution to go toward something else.

Gary & Carol Misterek have sold their home, downsized (or more appropriately "right-sized") to a new two-bedroom con-do apartment at Founders Park Village.

Their new address is: 1301 Village Drive, Apt 304,

Rapid City SD 57701.

Their home phone is still the same: 605-341-6952.

Gary has now joined Carol in full re-tirement. So, now the fun begins! Trav-

eling, more time for family, especially those precious grandsons, Isaiah and

Jones, and whatever other ventures they decide to pursue!

Page 6 Volume 6

October’s Mission Meal

This month’s Mission meal will be on Monday, October 21st. The following folks

are signed up to serve:

Co-Chairs: Barb Christopher

Lee Blanchard, Bernie & Peg Christner, Dennis & Linda Johnson, Gordon & Geogia

Lease, and John & JoAnn Risdon

For any questions or concerns, please contact one of the Mission Ministry

Members.

Wicksville Church Speaker Schedule:

Services begin at 10:30am.

October 13th : Terry Pulse

October 20th: Pastor Betty Ott

October 27th : Rev. Bill Shermer

Communion will be held every

fourth Sunday.

If you have an event, announcement, or anything else

that you would like included in the August newsletter,

please send them to Stephanie, by noon, on

October 15th! (fbcsteph@gmail.com)

Baptist Women's World Day of

Prayer on

Monday, November 4, 2013

The American Baptist Women of

First Baptist Church will be hosting

this event in the Fellowship Hall from

9:00 a.m. to Noon. All women of First

Baptist Church are invited to at-

tend. Invitations will be extended

to Baptist women in Rapid City and

surrounding communities. Please put

this on your calendar and come join in

a morning of prayer with other Baptist

women throughout the community

and the World.

Watch for more details in the coming

months. Please plan on attending.

Thank you, Pastor Gregg!

Page 3 Volume 6

Page 4 Volume 6

JR. & SR. HIGH DIRECTION:

Go and make disciples…

Our theme for this year in junior and senior high ministry is to make disciples. Now, I know we

are always to be making disciples, but we are focusing entirely on what it means to, not only listen to the

teachings of Jesus, but to also put these teachings into practice. We are attempting this feat, of making

disciples, through various means. First, we are studying the book of Luke to see what it is that Christ has

asked of us as individuals. For instance, “What am I supposed to be doing and am I actually willing to do

it?” Secondly, we are studying the book of Acts and asking ourselves, “What is the church supposed to

be doing and are we actually willing to do it?” We would love for you to keep us in your prayers, as we

know that following Christ’s plan often leads to trial and tribulation (often from the places we would

expect it the least). Please pray for us and the work we will be doing.

UPDATE:

I like to walk down by the Civic Center and talk to strangers… I know to some of you it sounds

funny, but it is something I enjoy doing. I like to meet new people and pray for the needs that often

seem to arise in conversation. Several years ago I was walking with a couple of friends and we were

meeting new people over by Prairie Market. We stumbled on a group who were circled up down by the

creek smoking marijuana. When they saw us, they went into a bit of a panic and sent the biggest of their

friends over to speak with us. Once he realized we weren’t law enforcement, his countenance dropped

and we began to talk. We told him that we were just walking on the bike path, talking to people who

wanted to talk, and praying for people who wanted prayer. I remember when I asked if he would like for

us to pray for anything, he drew a bit of a frustrated look on his face. He said, “Pray for me? What I could

really use is a sandwich.” His frustration came, not from my offered prayer, but rather from my not bring-

ing something tangible as well (like a sandwich).

I have held on to this interaction and am regularly reminded of it when I am out working with

people. I recall a couple of instances, in scripture, where Jesus ministered to people who were hungry.

At these times he not only shared the “good news”, but also shared something to eat. People often

share the message of Christ to other people, forgetting to bring a sandwich. Other times, people share

the sandwich, but forgot to bring the “good news”. As Christians we are to bring both; the good news

and good works (faith and deeds).

Recently I’ve been building some connections with some families down in Pine Ridge. I have had

opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people who are in need of some good news.

One of the young boys I was speaking with shared that he and his brother did not have beds to sleep on.

Without a moment’s thought I said, “I can get you beds!” So I brought the request of these young boys

to our church and the church responded. So far we have delivered six beds and bedding to families in

need down in Pine Ridge.

Continued on page 5 Page 5 Volume 6

If you're looking for a way to learn about the world and build cross-cultural friendships, look no further. ISI is welcoming over 40 international students from 21 countries to the university this year and is looking for Friendship Partners who will introduce them to the community, help them adjust to life in the U.S. and befriend

them. This is one of the most powerful ministries happening in our community. If you're interested in becoming involved please contact

Sue Crossman at lockmania@msn.com 605-343-7736.

First Baptist Church will be serving the evening meal, October 25, 2013 for the ISI (International Students Inc.) at the home of Kevin and Heather Fannin, 15 Kansas City Street. They welcome international students to their home for Bible Studies, tutoring, music, spiritual counseling and fellowship. On Friday evenings, area churches rotate in serving a com-plete dinner to usually more than 100 students and family members. Many of these guests expe-rience their first contact with Christian love through sharing meals and fellowship at these din-ners. The menu First Baptist Church will be serving will be: Fried Chicken (purchased), cheesy potato casseroles, desserts, lettuce salad, fruit plates, homemade bread, and beverages. If you wish to help by donating food or "cash" to make this meal possible, please sign up on the sheet on the table at the back of the church or in the office. For more information, call Peg Christner, 348-8853 or 431-6552, or Jean Watkins, 348-4313. Thank you for helping!

Many of you have heard of these young boys and the beds they received.

Something else worth sharing also happened. One of these beds went to an el-

derly woman who had been sleeping on rolled up bath towels on the ground of

her home. She struggled from the pain of her age already and sleeping on the ground only magnified

the discomfort. Thanks to FBC’s generosity she now has a bed to sleep on.

On the 19th – 21st of September I will be heading down to Pine Ridge to assist in a revival with my

brother John Two Bulls. I’m not sure exactly what I will be doing, but I do know that I get to help with

the some 26 plus baptisms scheduled to happen over the weekend. People will be fed, the gospel will be

preached, and people’s lives will be transformed. The “good news” is needed for all people and a sand-

wich for those who are hungry. Thanks FBC for supporting God’s work!

- Josh