THE CHALLENGER Volume 104, Issue 11

November 2014

Page 2

The Most Difficult Moment

In every monumental accomplishment there comes a point when the load of the challenge becomes overwhelming and feelings of discouragement set in. This truth applies to the simple and complex things

of life. Have you ever remodeled a kitchen? Built a home? In these projects you can look back and easily identify the most difficult moments. Marriage, raising children, friendships, all have points of struggle and victory. The same is true with life in a church family. There will come a point in this time we are without a pastor, that we will reach the most challenging moment. We might not, be able identify the moment while we are experiencing it, but we will be able to look back when all is said and done and say, “It was in January, or March, or June” . We might say things to each other like “How did we get through that?” Like the rising sun, these days of challenge will come. God planted a seed of hope in one of his great leaders; the antidote for discouragement. God said to Joshua (Joshua 1:9) “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. Strength and courage come from the presence of the Lord. Determine to be faithful to God no matter what you see, hear, or feel. Let’s believe in the reality of God’s presence. One day, we will look back and say, “It was God who pulled us through the days of challenge!”

Associate Pastor - Billy Parker

Sunday Night, December 21 at 6:00 p.m.

Wear your RED and GREEN

and join the First Family for a casual night of carol singing.

Our Handbells and Pre-school and Celebration Choirs will be leading us.

Brad & Mary Kay Henderson

Wednesday Night, December 17, 6:15 p.m.

Children’s Musical

December 7 6:00 p.m.

Opportunities to Share Christ this Christmas

Sing We Now of Christmas Sunday Night, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.

Timeless Carols presented by our

Youth and Senior ChoirsYouth and Senior Choirs

Music Minister - Randy Holt

Volume 104, Issue 11 Page 3

Minister to Children - Debbie Miller Raising Boys and Girls Parent

Conference Q&A’s

Question: What, Where and When? Answer: Raising Boys and Girls Parent Conference to be held November 14 from 6-9 p.m. in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church Muskogee. The conference will be hosted by Kidville Ministry and led by David Thomas and Sissy Goff. The information will be shared by Sissy and David in a fun, yet eye-opening way! You will laugh and feel affirmed. You will be challenged and enlightened. You won’t want to miss it!! Question: Who are David Thomas and Sissy Goff? Answer: David Thomas and Sissy Goff counsel families each week at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN. They are sought-after speakers for parenting and teacher training events around the country. Sissy and David have both authored several books and the Lifeway video parenting curriculum called Raising Boys and Girls. You can read parenting tips written by David and Sissy on their blog at raisingboysandgirls.com. Question: Do I have to pay to attend? Answer: No, you will need to register and get an admission ticket, but there is no cost. Question: How do I register? Answer: FBC families can sign up in the Crossover on Sundays. You can also come by the church office during the week or email Debbie Babel at childsec@fbcmuskogee.org. Each adult who registers will receive an admission ticket. Write your name on the back of the ticket as these will also be used for door prizes.

Question: Is child care available? Answer: Child care for infants – 6th grade will be provided for FBC Muskogee families at no cost. Child care reservations are required. The deadline for reservations is November 2. You can make your reservations when you register in the Crossover on or before November 2 or by contacting Shavonne at childassociate@fbcmuskogee.org. Child care will open at 5:30 p.m.

Gwen

Hey Ladies, mark your calendar for our next event Thursday,

November 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be

celebrating birthdays. Everyone loves celebrating their birthday

especially with surprises. This will be an opportunity to get to

know some of those ladies you only pass in the hall on Sunday.

Your season ticket admits you to this event. Just show your card to receive your ticket;

otherwise the cost is $10. Tickets are on sale in the Crossover or the church office. Don’t

miss this fun BIRTHDAY BASH!!

FIRST Ladies - Gwen Coburn

Our Church Staff

Dr. Stan Norman…………………….Interim Preacher

Billy Parker………………...………...Associate Pastor

Eric Fletcher…………………...Minister of Education

Randy Holt………………………...…..Music Minister

Debbie Miller…..…………….….Minister to Children

Corey Seitz………………........… Minister to Students

Christian Life Center Hours

Monday……………………………….……..6:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday…………………………….…….….8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday………………………..………....6:30 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Thursday……………………………….……8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Friday…………………………………..……6:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Saturday………………………………...…...9:00 a.m.- 12 noon

Sunday………………………………………Closed

Food Pantry Hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

10:00 a.m. - 12 noon

Broadcasting live on KTFX

Muskogee 101.7 FM on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.

111 South 7th Street Muskogee, OK 74401

Phone: 918-682-3496

Fax: 918-682-7131 Web: www.fbcmuskogee.org

Support Group

Ministry Meetings

Grief Share:

Each Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. at

First Presbyterian Church

Care Giver’s Support:

Every last Wednesday at

1:00 p.m. in the Parlor

OUR CHURCH FAMILYOUR CHURCH FAMILYOUR CHURCH FAMILYOUR CHURCH FAMILY Our Christian Sympathy is Extended to:Our Christian Sympathy is Extended to:Our Christian Sympathy is Extended to:Our Christian Sympathy is Extended to:

Mike & Shelly Hitt, Haley, Andy and Jake, in the death of Shelly’s mother and Haley, Andy & Jake’s grandmother, Sherry Price; Billye Lackey and Marla Tyndall, in the death of Billye’s brother and Marla’s uncle, Bob Starkey; Montie & Faye Wright, in the death of Montie’s sister, Joyce Boos; Kem & Paige Frix and Avery, in the death of Kem’s brother and Avery’s uncle, Gary Frix.

Don’t Forget! FALL BACK

Saturday Night, November 1

Latvia Information Meeting If you are interested in going on mission in 2015, there is a meeting on Sunday,

November 9 at 4:30 p.m. in room 220.

Bible Study Leadership Meeting Sunday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for all preschool, children,

youth and adult Bible Study leaders.

Evaluation and Fitting dates for Upward Basketball®.

Saturday, November 1, Tuesday, November 4 and Saturday, November 8 For more information, call the Christian Life Center at 918-682-2301 or visit our website at www.fbcmuskogee.org. Early Registration deadline: November 8, 2014 at $85.

Regular Registration: $105 from November 9 to December 5, 2014 First Practice Week: December 15, 2014 First Game Day: January 17, 2015 Awards Celebration: March 9, 2015