First Baptist Church Muncie

The Tower

wadeallen — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:50:37 +0000

The Bible is a story of man’s failures and God’s continual rescue. The book of Genesis seems to cycle through this pattern. God provides and man continually turns away. In Genesis 11, we find another story of mankind’s striving for independence. While his efforts may seem industrious, his worship is no longer on God but on the idols of security and pride. Genesis 11:1-8

The Story of Noah

wadeallen — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 14:52:38 +0000

On June 3 Matt Headley will be preaching about the story of Noah from Genesis 6-8.

A Wicked World

wadeallen — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:05:08 +0000

The story of Noah is familiar to most of us. We remember the ark, the rainbow and the dove. We remember how God rescued in a world of wickedness. However, we seldom reflect on the wickedness of the world in these days. Genesis 6:1-8 describes the days of Noah. We will consider the pre-flood world and explore implications for our culture today. Genesis 6:1-8

The Fall

wadeallen — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:43:48 +0000

The story of Adam and Eve is a fascinating account. Living in the glory of Eden, one could not imagine wanting more. Yet they are tricked into thinking that God is holding back. Their story is our story. The Fall describes the nature of evil in our world; the same forces are present in our culture today. Genesis 3:1-24

Evil Within

wadeallen — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:58:52 +0000

Erik Larson’s 2003 New York Times best seller The Devil in the White City highlights the story of two men. The magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 involved architect Daniel Burnham who constructed what many called “The White City.” With the invention of electricity, he used floodlights to accentuate amazing architectural feats on Chicago’s southern shore of Lake Michigan. The book also highlights H.H. Holmes. His work was ambitious but extremely evil. He constructed a three block hotel in which he murdered (some believe) over 200 people. Leonardo Dicaprio has purchased the rights to the story and is in process of producing a movie (opening in 2014).

The similarities and contrasts of these two men is fascinating. While both have grand schemes, Holmes’ sinister vision seems to have been bolstered by an unexplainable evil. Holmes targeted single young women in his diabolical plan. Screenwriter Graham Moore, in an interview with Deadline.com, describes Holmes.

Holmes was a most likable guy who inwardly was a tremendous monster

As we come to Genesis 3 this week, we find a similar character. A serpent approaches the first woman with a villainous proposal. It seems harmless on the surface; yet the impact of her (and eventually her husband’s) decision is immense. The story is familiar; we all know what happens. Yet as we enter into the story once again, we are reminded of our own failure, our own tendency for evil. While it is easy to blame Adam and Eve for the brokenness of our world, we have all participated in their actions. Join us on Sunday as we study Genesis 3 together.

Creating Woman

wadeallen — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:37:53 +0000

On this Mother’s Day, we turn to Genesis 2; Eve is created. We learn from this text the purpose for woman and God’s design for sexuality. As we enter into this text, may we celebrate the women in our lives. Genesis 2:18–25

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Lifeline Screening

willdrumright — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:21:20 +0000

There will be a Life Line Screening at First Baptist Church on Wednesday May 30th. Screenings will take place all day. Pre-registration is required. To register online please visit: www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners. If you are interested in more information or want to pre-register you can also call 1-800-324-1851.

Car for Summer

willdrumright — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:18:28 +0000

We have a missionary who is living in Muncie for the summer in need of a vehicle. She will be returning to Europe in the fall but needs transportation during the summer months. If you have a vehicle that she could borrow, please contact here at: Sally.Barrett@uscm.org

Annual FBC & RABC Spring Picnic

willdrumright — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:17:41 +0000

Its time for the annual First Baptist and Riverside Baptist Church Picnic! The picnic will be held Sunday May 20th, at 4:00 PM. Weather permitting we will be outside so please bring lawn chairs. Meat, drinks, and table service will be furnished. Please bring one or two dishes to be shared. Our guests will be the friendship class from Riverside, the YWCA, and others. Music will be provided by Common Ground. There will be a freewill offering for them. Please make plans to join us Sunday May 20th!

Roberts Ramblings May

willdrumright — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:14:26 +0000

Lisa Ferguson, certified and licensed additions counselor, will be using space at Riverside to offer professional counseling services for family members of alcoholics and drug addicts. The church council at Riverside met with her recently and voted to offer her space as she begins her practice in this important area of need. She has taught school for many years. She and her husband also are co pastors of a house church in the Yorktown area. After experiencing caring for a family member who is now in recovery with addiction, she felt the call to seek professional credentials to help others in similar situations. I remember a counselor I knew who said “you can not take anyone else any further than you have been yourself.” Lisa has been there and is now prepare to help others who are there as well. Her main focus will be to work with family members who are dealing with loved ones with the disease of additions. Her immediate plan is to begin on a limited basis as she builds her practice and will be using space at Riverside for this purpose. She comes to us with good recommendation from others who work in this field. She can be reached at (765) 730-5258.

Those who work in this field remind us that alcoholism or drug addiction is a disease. Like any other disease, it is not one that one chooses to have. It is not a disease that can be cured. A person with this disease, as those with diabetes and other similar conditions, must learn to live with it. It is however, a disease that can be treated. Key to recovery from addiction is the need often for professional help and treatment. An important piece of recovery is also spiritual. Recovering addicts tell us that finding a meaningful and personal relationship with God is vital in helping them to stay sober each day. Family members, such as those to whom Lisa Ferguson will be helping, need to remember what some call the three C’s. They didn’t cause it, they can’t control it, they can’t cure it. What they can do is learn from others who have been there, and leave those things that they can not do in God’s hands. In all of this, I am reminded of the well- known prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:

God, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.