First Baptist Church, South Haven
We are currently only having VIRTUAL WORSHIP SERVICES. In addition, all in-person activities have been cancelled. Watch our emails or check the website for how to participate virtually.
While our place of worship has changed from the usual place and time, we are grateful to know that the Body of Christ can worship anytime, anywhere. And a building is just that - a building. The Church is the people, not the place where we worship. In these troubled times, our witness for Jesus Christ can be evident to those around us as we take wise precautions, while simultaneously living out our faith with what it means to have a peace that passes all understanding. May you be blessed this week as we see God at work through these unprecedented times. We can get through this together. Our God is able.
Do You Remember?
Psalm 143:5
Pastor Jerry Koller
Remembering is a good thing, especially when it comes to God and His faithfulness.
Biblical scholars call Psalm 143 one of the Seven Penitential Psalms– songs of confession and humility before God (along with Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130).
In verses 1-2, David cries out for God’s mercy.
In verses 3-4, he addresses his affliction.
In verses 5-6, he focuses on God.
In verses 7-10, he asks God to rescue him from his situation.
In verses 11-12, he asks God for deliverance for God’s namesake—for His glory.
Psalms 143:5 NIV
For David, remembering was not a random action.
“Days of old”can be a subjective time period.
Perhaps he was remembering how God has interacted with His creation since the beginning of time. The second half of our Scripture would surely substantiate this view for David said I meditate on all your works
· He reflects deeply upon it.
· He thinks intensely about it.
· David meditates on all God’s works because God’s works far surpass his present circumstances and trials.
1 John 5:4 NIV
You and I are here today in this local church as a result of the work God began 154 years ago when a number of men and women had a burden to formally organize a Baptist church so that together they might serve God and expand His kingdom here in South Haven.
· Their vision to establish a Baptist church was realized in 1870 – with 31 charter members.
Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV
· You and I Are the Church
· Solid Foundation
· A Holy Temple in the Lord
Our culture has cultivated a mentality that believes new is better and that the old needs to be replaced.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Let us not deplete our physical and emotional energy by fearing what lies ahead.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
APPLICATION
· God still has a purpose for us.
· He still has a mission for us to accomplish.
· He is still doing a work in and through us.
· Remember the days of long ago.
· Meditate on all His works.
· Steve Follman is recovering from surgery for a total knee replacement.
· Ken & Tina Dell and their family upon the loss of Tina’s mother, Paula Chambers, on 12/15 following complications from Covid. Ken and Tina are also recovering from Covid.
· Rafael Cabrera (friend of Bob & Kim Collins) has a kidney transplant scheduled for 1/6. His wife, Rachel, will be a donor to another individual (who then has someone who will donate so Rafael gets his kidney since she isn't a match). Rachel's surgery will be in the morning followed by Rafael's surgery in the afternoon. Pray for a successful procedure, a speedy recovery for both of them, and that Rafael's body doesn't reject his new kidney.
· Ken Wagner (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) has been in remission from lymphoma for a few years, but it's back. He will meet with the doctor on 12/17 to decide on treatment options.
· The family of Paul Haiderer (Sandi Starland's cousin) who passed away suddenly on Sunday, 12/6.
· Dean and Linda Newell and their family upon the death of Linda's brother-in-law, Todd Wiersum, on 12/4 following complications from Covid.
· John & Susan Seitz and their family upon the loss of Susan’s stepfather, Robert Pollard, following a Covid infection.
· Tina Dell has tested positive for Covid and is also going through withdrawals from a narcotic drug called Norco and she says it "is bad" and she is struggling.
· Randy Follman (brother of Steve Follman) is recovering from hip replacement surgery. He is doing well and will have the other side done in December. Pray for a speedy healing and full recovery
· Howard Robinson (brother of Stan Robinson, father of Bruce Robinson) is recovering from a stroke followed by surgery. Howard has been struggling since his first stroke several months ago from which he has not regained speech ability.
· Deborah Kirby (Vasha Ferguson's sister) has been moved to a rehab center following a massive stroke. Pray that medicare/medicaid insurance can be upgraded to cover needed treatment. She also has a wound that is not healing and is being tested for diabetes and cancer. Please pray for good results.
· Ginny Dorsey (Rhonda Dobberstein's mother) is receiving radiation for cancer.
· Lynn Rarick continues to deal with hip issues. Pray that a resolution can be figured out.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com