Where two or three are gathered…

Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them.”

I know. Before anyone is tempted to remind me that this verse comes from a passage about sin and is often used to describe how the church is to do church discipline, I want you to know that I understand the context.

The principle however, remains the same. Where two or three believers are gathered in His name, He is there among them.

I think this is important to remember particularly in these times. People are being asked not to gather in large groups. We are supposed to practice “social distancing.” Hugs and high fives are being discouraged. It is in this climate that we need to remember that we ARE the Church always, everywhere we go. When two or three are gathered in His name, He is there!

As I think about how this may look on a daily basis right now, I think of the family. What better time to reconnect as families than now? Last night my family of three gathered to begin going through the New Testament in 90 days. We turned the TV off, gathered around and listened to the first three chapters of Matthew together then talked about what we had listened to. And He was there in our midst.

I know these are trying and uncertain times. We are all having to adjust almost daily to changing conditions and restrictions, trying to do the right thing and still maintain some semblance of normal. Why not let God use this time in a great way? Let’s reconnect with our families. Let’s do family devotions. Let’s do family Bible studies. Face it. There is just not enough worth watching on TV to keep us busy during this time. While we may practice “social distancing” for a time, let’s practice family closeness at the same time. Cook on the grill. Have dinner on the patio. Play a board game. Be a family. Reconnect. Spend time together with the Lord. “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them.”

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Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

Hey guys, join us as we journey in the New Testament in 90 Days.

You can use the You Version app, go to https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/18692-the-new-testament-in-90-days, or use the pdf reading plan https://chusermedia.s3.amazonaws.com/488115208_212...

How ever you decide to join us on this journey, I would encourage you do go through it together as a family. My favorite way to do this is to use the YouVersion Bible app and let it read while we listen. You can even read along with it if you like. Just be sure to choose a version on your app that has the speaker icon next to it. For those of you with young children, an easy to understand version like the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is great.

I will post on Facebook each day after our reading with our insights/comments. I would like for you to do the same.

I am excited about how God is going to use this in our families. As we spend time in "social distancing," let's draw together as families and as the Church.

Love you,

Pastor Larry

FBC Cloudcroft Church Family,

Tuesday morning I began a discussion with FBC Cloudcroft leadership on how to proceed in the coming days. In light of the changing conditions surrounding COVID-19. After careful consideration and prayer, we have decided to pause in-person meetings for a time.

While there is still much debate over COVID-19, we feel it is in the best interest of our members to heed the advise of our national and denominational leadership to observe what is being called “social distancing.” In our state, many public places have either closed or are observing restrictions for the number of people gathering at the same time. It is my understanding that this is not mandatory for churches. However, we feel that this is the best course of action for now.

I would like to be able to give a specific time period for the length of our pause, but the reality is that we simply cannot say. No one knows how long it will take for COVID-19 to run its course or when the risk for the most vulnerable sections of our population will subside. All we can say is that we will pause for now.

In the meantime, we are exploring alternative ways for us to “gather” as a church. This Sunday, March 22^nd, we will be live streaming the service on Facebook at 11am. I encourage you to gather with your family in your home and join us there. We are also testing ways to allow our Community Groups and Bible Studies to continue online using a video forum so you can see one another in a group and “be together” in studying God’s Word. Cynthia and I will work on ways to connect with our kids and students and to resource families during this time to allow parents to disciple their children.

We are also looking at ways to help you stay connected in the life of the church through our website. Already, at the top right of the home page there is a “GIVE” option. In these uncertain times, it is important to continue to financially support FBC Cloudcroft as best as you can. Under this tab, there is the option to give through the website, give through texting and of course, give through the mail. In the “MEMBERS AREA” you will find the link that will give you access to your church profile (please update), see upcoming events (maybe not much there) and look at the church directory. We are also putting together an online church platform (fbccloudcroft.online.church ) that will hopefully go live soon giving us more options in our streaming services. You can go ahead and sign up now.

Finally, we are putting things in place to help keep you informed. We are working on an email format in addition to our other digital formats. You will probably get an email soon to test this out. If you don’t, you may want to go to the MEMBERS AREA on our website to make sure we have that information. Also, please check facebook and the website regularly for updates and info.

I know these are challenging times. I am working with leadership to make sure you are being contacted. We want to know how you are doing, keep you informed and minister to any needs you may have. As needs are determined, we will be asking the FBC Cloudcroft church family to help us meet those needs.

In these challenging times, however, I believe that God is going to do something great. Even we can can’t GO to church, we can still BE the church. My prayer is that, through this, God will bring us closer than ever and that the gospel of Jesus would be proclaimed louder than ever magnifying the name of Jesus and bring people to faith in Him.

It is my privilege and honor to be called your pastor.

Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

BE the Church

Like many of you, I’ve found myself reeling from the news and events surrounding COVID-19. School closings, a ban on meetings over 100 (excluding churches – we will still meet), cancelling of national sports venues, people being told to stay home or away from people; it’s all a little overwhelming.

Last night as I pondered what this means for FBC Cloudcroft (we plan to monitor the situation closely and will make adjustments as needed), I began to see an amazing opportunity for ministry. As the Church, we may have opportunities to minister to people who get ill. Meals, cards, visits (on the phone or Face Time) would be a wonderful way to meet a need and encourage someone. For those in high risk categories who may choose to stay home and away from crowds, streaming worship services, visits and Bible Study and devotional materials would be welcomed. Even this morning, Cynthia (our Children’s Ministry Coordinator) is organizing Monday lunches for the kids during the three weeks school is closed. I can see many ministry opportunities in the days ahead.

I began thinking. This is a great way to BE the church. We often think of “going to church” and by that we mean gathering together to worship and study, but we often forget that we ARE the Church. Maybe it could look like Acts 2:42-47

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

In these crazy, uncertain times, what if we began to see opportunities for ministry? There may be a time when (God forbid), for a period, we will not be able to “go to church.” There will never be a time however, that we cannot BE the Church.

Instead of these being frightening times, these can be exciting times.

Let’s BE the Church!

Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

Dear FBC Cloudcroft Family,

As you are probably aware, the coronavirus has been the main topic in the news particularly in the last few days. With the cancellations of many public events and our governor’s urgings there will probably be many changes to come.

As I ponder these things and our response, the words of the Apostle Paul come to mind,

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I wanted to take a few minutes to address concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact especially as it relates to FBC Cloudcroft.

The leadership at FBC Cloudcroft takes your health and safety very seriously and will continue to monitor this situation and make adjustments as necessary.

Before I get into our response, let me remind you that God is still on His throne in difficult times. These last few weeks I have seen a range of reactions to Coronavirus (COVID-19) from greatly downplaying the situation to greatly overreacting to it. As Christ’s Church, I don’t believe our response should be either. While this is something to prepare for and take precautions against, we should not act in panic and fear. Rather, our response should be in wisdom and confidence. We may not know what the future may hold, but we know Who holds the future. Our response, therefore, should be measured.

First, we do not, at this time, plan to cancel any of the events or meetings we have planned. The ministry to which God has called us will continue. We will continue to have Sunday School, Sunday worship, Wednesday Kids Klub and Uth GROUP, Discovery Classes, Bible Studies and Community Groups.

Second, we will take some extra precautions. We already sanitize doorknobs and other surfaces during flu season but will do so more often. We will take great care to ensure our children’s areas are cleaned and sanitized to keep them safe. We already have hand sanitizer and tissues available but will make sure they stay in good supply. We already only occasionally have the “meet and greet” during Sunday Services, but will refrain from doing so for a time. We will continue to observe The Lord’s Supper but will adjust how we do so to minimize the handling of common items. We will remind everyone of common-sense practices that should always be taken during flu season.

• 1. Cover your cough/sneeze.
• 2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds often.
• 3. Refrain from touching your face/eyes/mouth.
• 4. If you are sick, please stay home until you are well.

Finally, we will continue to put our trust and hope in Christ. We know that there will be great times of uncertainty in this life. Whether it is a contagious disease, natural disaster or the inevitable pain and suffering from living in a broken world, Jesus has been, is and always will be our Shelter in the storm. We have, particularly in this present time, the opportunity to share with an uncertain world in a turbulent time the reason for the hope that is within us. We will worship; we will serve; and we will continue the share the hope of Christ with a world that desperately needs Him.

I look forward to worshiping our Savior with you this Sunday! Church on Sunday.

Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

Time and money are very similar. We have them both in limited quantity. There never seems to be enough. And we usually have trouble finding out where they went. There are two ways though, that time and money are different. Unlike money we all have the same amount of time to spend and money cannot be saved. Rather than spending our time, why not invest it in people?

This happens to be one of the busiest Summers I can remember. It began with the end of year activities with Student and Children's ministries. Vacation Bible School came just three days after school ended followed by Student Summer Camp then the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas. After a short week in the office we were off to Children's Camp (1st and 2nd graders). As I write this I am preparing for our Student Leadership Retreat with our high school Juniors and Seniors in our Student Ministry. Next week we will be helping at camp as volunteers then we will have our annual Church Camp Out. The last couple of weeks in July my family and I will take a vacation in Alaska with Grandma and Grandpa before school starts again in August. It seems that the Summer is already gone. As I think of where it went though, I am pleased. I think of the ten children that became Jesus followers in Vacation Bible School. At Student camp, one of the students decided it was time to get serious about walking with Christ. Just two days ago, a first grader asked Jesus to be his "boss" in addition to forgiving him for his sin. Tonight I get to empower our team of seven student leaders as we prepare for the coming school year in student ministry. Next week I will be able to encourage campers and staff at Sivells Baptist Camp. Then we get to hang out together as a church family at the camp out spending time with God in His Word and encouraging one another.

Yes, the Summer is almost gone. Or is it? Rather than spending the Summer doing things, I believe I have invested it in the lives of others. Already I have seen some of the returns. I know I will see more in the days ahead.

How about you? Are you spending your time or are you investing it? Why don't you join me in asking God how we can invest our time in the lives of others? Let us be encouraged by the Apostle Paul through his words to Timothy.

2 Timothy 2:2 "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Serving Him,

Pastor Larry

Titus Part 4 - Instructions in Godliness

Christianity from the Inside Out

Titus 2:1-10ESV

1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

"Why do we call it 'Good Friday'? It is the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. What is 'good' about that? "

If you have ever asked that question, you are not alone. It seems counter-intuitive that we should celebrate Jesus being crucified on the cross. In fact, the "Good Friday" service usually ends on a down note. Everything in the service leads up to the cross, Jesus is crucified, and we all leave quietly with thoughts of the crucifixion on our mind. What is "good" about that? In order to answer that question, it is important that we understand what happened on the cross.

Jesus' crucifixion on the cross wasn't simply Him dying in our place. Yes, He was physically beaten beyond recognition. He did suffer and die because of His love for us, but it was so much more. Jesus wasn't a martyr, He was the sacrifice for our sin.

What makes Good Friday "good" is what was accomplished on the cross. Namely, Jesus took the wrath of God for our sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21

"For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Colossians 2:14

"by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside nailing it to the cross."

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ."

1. He was the perfect, sinless, sacrifice.

2. He became our sin.

3. He paid the penalty for our sin.

When we gather to celebrate "Good Friday," we remember the price that was paid for our sin was paid by Jesus.

We are so excited to present our newly designed website. As you can see, it has a fresh new look and easy navigation to help you get the information you need quickly and efficiently. Many thanks to the ChurchSpring team for helping us launch such a beautiful new church website. To God be the glory!

First Baptist Church's mission is to meet people at the crossroads of life with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help one another along the journey of spiritual growth. Please let us know how we can help you.

There's still a lot of information to be added, and we hope to keep the site fresh and up to date. If you have any ideas about how we can improve the site or use it better, please leave a comment below.

If you're a first time visitor to our website, we would love to have you visit our church this Sunday. You'll get a warm welcome and a wonderful Gospel message. Feel free to browse our new website and get to know us. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to give us a call at 575-681-2763 or send us an email.

From all of us at First Baptist Church, welcome to our new church website.