The Patriotic Celebration last Sunday evening was wonderful!  Thank you Art, choir, and audio visual folks, for an exciting experience.  Come and continue in that celebration this Sunday morning.

I heard a speaker at the Southern Baptist Convention say, A It is time for us to stop saying God bless America, and start having America bless God!" It is time for Christians to rise up and be the blessing to this nation that God intends for us to be.  No longer should we ask for a blessing but we should be a blessing.

Christians should be at the forefront, right here in Bainbridge, of meeting the needs of others; of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, and giving a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.  Christians should be letting the world know that they are not only welcomed in our midst, but wanted by us and Jesus. 

I pray, as we celebrate the 4^th of July, that we not only remember our freedom as citizens of this great land, but that we remember that in Christ we are free indeed.

This freedom leads to service and sacrifice.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Paul

The Patriotic Celebration touched the hearts of all who viewed it and were participants. My heart was stirred as the proud, heroic veterans carried the flags of their respective branch of the service down the aisles, some struggling as they walked with a cane. A tear appeared as Sarge led a line of our heros into the Coliseum.

I was also moved during our choral music presentation during the song Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones

God has blessed America in countless ways. It was a joy to take the time to remember and to show our gratitude to God and the American heros who fought for our freedoms. It was a joy to also share out gratitude to the faithful folks who govern, protect, heal, teach and minister to us here in Bainbridge. We thank you!

I am grateful to the Decatur County School Board and the Bainbridge High School Principal, Tommy Howell for allowing us the use of the Coliseum. We couldn=t have done it without their help.

Let me take a moment to show my appreciation to those who volunteered their resources, time and effort to making our Patriotic Celebration a success:

The Chancel Choir & guests,

Our instrumentalists,

Paschal Ward for his leadership and expertise,

J.T. Henry & Richard Dykes for sound & video,

Jerry Pollock for camera work,

Josh Barron for our poster,

Clarene & Virginia in our office,

and Pastor Medley for his support and encouragement.

We're blessed to be a blessing.

Art

Wonderful Wednesdays

July 9B Wakulla Springs

Cost: $25.00 You will need to bring  your bag lunch, swim suit and towel.

Will depart church at 9:30 a.m.

and return between 7:00 -7:30 p.m.

Last Monday was our last CentriKid meeting before we leave for camp. Some were not able to make it. If you are one of those, you will need to contact Bro. Earl and finalize your information and payments for the camp.

First Baptist Church New Ministry to Pre-Teens (Grades 5^th 6^th)

This new ministry will begin on Sunday August 9. We will be having a kick-off celebration for this new ministry, so keep your ears open for the new and exciting things to come!

Tubing Bear Paw Marianna

July 10^th we will be going tubing in Marianna for the day. 

Cost: $15.00.  You will need to bring a

bag lunch.  We will provide water for you.

Will depart church at 9 a.m. and return between 4 and 5 p.m.

                              Camp  Joy

We have been asked to help with Camp Joy this year in town.  We need some teenage volunteers to work with this program.  Contact me if you can help.           We need kids who will just hang out with the campers.

July 13^th Build a Bear Tallahassee

July 14^th Horse Back Riding

July 15^th Fishing

July 17^th Swimming at the City Pool

                           Next Chapter

We will be meeting at the Old Library for our college ministry on Sunday at 8 p.m.  I am teaching this week and encourage you to come and invite a friend.

In Christ

Al                                   

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