Thursday, December 30, 2010

Overdue.....

Hey everyone - Sorry it has been so long since I posted. Life gets a way from me sometimes. With traveling for the holidays I feel a little out of the loop of what is going on at FBC myself. But I can tell you that it has been a great season to be reminded of the wonderful gift of our saviour! The candle light service on Christmas Eve was wonderful and such a great reminder for me personally before we tore into presents the next day. I hope that during this Christmas season you were able to be reminded "the reason for the season" I always love to hear about other's holiday traditions and would LOVE some comments about yours! We open 1 present on Christmas eve (pj's) and always do stockings, Santa present, breakfast, and then take a long time with our other presents! And we always sing Happy birthday to Jesus! How about you??

In the news at FBC we have a lot going on as we roll into the new year, but we also want to concentrate on "being" with God in this new year. We have had a spiritual renewal meeting at FBC to just chat. What would spiritual renewal meant to you??? Always good to be challenged and to think about how you can grow your roots deeper!

The exciting things going on at FBC right now would include: New women's Sunday night class, men's fraternity, SOAR events, Team Kids, Hispanic ministry, Youth ministry, and much more!

The most recent thing that I am excited about is the approval to turn a Sunday School classroom into a Mission Resource Room! It will house maps, documents, training dvd's and more! It will be a great place to learn about FBC mission work and meet for mission related things! Hope you will come check it out soon!

With that being said I'm going to sign out for now! I will post again soon ... I PROMISE! With more detailed info. I hope to see you all at somepoint why you are home and hope you are enjoying a break and some good family/friend time!!!

Love and Prayers - Dawn Prather

Monday, November 15, 2010

Week of 11-15

ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL THANKSGIVING BREAK! I am sure you are all very excited to have a break before you have to hit the books hard for end of the semester finals. I do not envy final week for all of you college students. Definitely not a fun time! But it is true, it will be worth it in the end!

Yesterday was the monthly business meeting at FBC and there was lots up for discussion! One big thing this time of the year is the budget. We are very blessed as a church body with our resources (especially in this hard economy) but still need to be good stewards of our money. So the church body has been working hard on crunching the numbers, so to say! Also up for discussion at the meeting was a possibility of having a preschool at FBC. We have a great facility for it, we just need the right people to make it happen! Something you can definitely be praying for. Who knows maybe someday you'll be back in Cali and your kids will be attending an FBC pre-school :)

This week takes the staff to a retreat at Windemere. The staff take an annual retreat to discuss the upcoming year goals and plans. They will discuss personal goals as well as church wide goals. Some items up for discussion will be the Africa missions, Puerto Rico missions, a Contemporary Worship Service, and the Hispanic ministry. Please pray for the staff for the next few days as they will be uniting in prayer and vision for the church body.

On Wednesday all the area youth groups will come together to worship together. It is always a good thing when all God's children can come together and enjoy fellowship and community worship. Sometimes it seems as the lines between churches become a competition ground, when I really don't think we will care in heaven who went to FBC and who went elsewhere???

Some dates to put on your calendar that you might consider joining us in while you are home are the following:

Thanksgiving in our Community - Hosted by United Methodist Church November 21, 7pm. Come join everyone as we worship with a thankful heart as a community.

Basketball Tournament - November 28, 2pm Sponsored by the Hispanic Ministry but everyone is invited. Let the church know if you want to put a team together.

Ladies Christmas Tea - December 3rd, 6pm. $5 for the meal and get to enjoy an evening of fellowship. There will be a speaker and worship. And the theme is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Lots of good things to be involved in and allow you to be loved on by your church family! And as Thanksgiving approaches I have to ask... What are you thankful for??

Monday, November 8, 2010

Week of 11-08

Hey Students - Sorry its been a couple weeks, I have had sick babies and busy schedules... But no worries I have not forgot about you!!! I think most of you have had a fall break and hopefully are all geared up for finals that are just around the corner! Can you believe fall semester will be coming to an end in less then a month and then you will get CHRISTMAS BREAK!!! If it wasn't for Christmas I would really dislike winter! And as a Christian we have so much more to celebrate then the rest of the world! The day our savior was born, a great reason for a celebration!

In FBC news - as always a lot going on and always trying to bring Glory to God! This last weekend was Disciple Now. Some of you came and participated in the weekend to be "Set Apart" and others I am sure can remember participating in a DNow in your youth years! It was a great weekend as always and one of my favorites. The weekend had a great theme with good challenges and also lots of laughs (especially the un-talent show)! Thank you for any of you that helped or were praying for this event.

We held a trunk or treat for Halloween at the church for the children of the community and had a great turn out. Were out of candy after the first hour! We passed out salvation cards and hopefully planted some good seeds!

Coming up with the Christmas season is the preparation for the Christmas Musical. If you are home on the weekends and want to participate I know Tim would love to have some extra beautiful voices!

Next weekend we are throwing a baby shower for Stephanie Ward the new youth minister's wife who is due in February. I would love for any of you girls (sorry boys) to come to the shower Saturday at 10am. She is having a boy and is always in need of diapers :) It will be a great time to get to know her and her family.

Always good stuff going on at FBC and so great to be in a church where God is moving! As Thanksgiving is approaching try and think of reasons why YOU are Thankful! And if your feeling nice post them :) I am thankful for a friendship with all of you and seeing you continue to grow in the Love of the Lord!!!

Love Give Grow
Dawn

Monday, October 11, 2010

Week of 10-10

I usually put Monday's date on the blog but Sunday was 10-10 so I couldn't resist! Its been a good week in CaliMO and the weather has been beautiful. The trees are changing and the leaves are falling. I am not excited about the freezing cold winter around the corner but I am enjoying this fall season.

Just as the leaves are changing so are things changing at FBC. Kyle Ward the new minister of youth had his first week at FBC. I think he may have been a little overwhelmed but all went well. The transition time will be crazy, but with God's plan it will all work out wonderfully.

Since it is October and Halloween is approaching FBC will be hosting a "trunk or treat" on halloween evening in the parking lot. If you have any interest in decorating a trunk and handing out candy to adorable kids then bring your car around 4pm and have some fun! If you have any young siblings or neices or nephews this would be a great event to bring them too!

There will be an africa meeting this Sunday that we have been talking about, it has been changed to 3pm to accomadate everyone better. If you are unable to attend the meeting it will be recorded and put on DVD's for anyone who wants the information but isn't able to be there. Just let me know and I'll send you a copy. It will be packed with information so would encourage anyone who has a slight interest to attend. I would love it if you would attend and bring it to your college groups or church that you are attending to join as a prayer partner for this mission! If any of you would be willing to do that it would be WONDERFUL!

At FBC we have also begun rehearsals for the Christmas musical. Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?

We are always planning and preparing things with God's lead in hopes of bringing more to Christ and growing Christians deeper in his love! If you have any ministry ideas and thoughts please share them!

I greatly appreciate the comments and look forward to reading more!

Many Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

FBC Week 10-04

Can you believe that it is October? I can hardly believe it myself!! I have been in denial that summer is over but I think it is finally time to face it that fall is here and winter is approaching! I hope you are all well as you are in full blown college work. Probably have papers and books up to your ears! I do not envy you.. but "this too shall pass" :)

Anyway, an exciting week as always at FBC! We officially have a new youth minister - Kyle Ward went on the staff officially on the 1st and will experience his first Wednesday night at FBC Calimo tomorrow! He will either leave excited, overwhelmed, or exhausted! Who knows maybe all 3! Can you remeber your first time at youth group?? This last week we talked about how many people see church as a place of judgement and full of hyprocits. Any thoughts on that?? We also talked about how as a Christian you should be Changed.. you should be changed. Do you think you have let God change you? Are you different today then you were last year? Always good to evaluate ourselves and ask if we are producing good fruit or bad fruit! I hope that you are all able to find a place to grow and challeng yourself in your walk with the Lord wherever you are. Often change is uncomfortable but God has a purpose in it all!

Also we have scheduled a very important Africa meeting! We will meet Sunday the 17th at 2pm. It will be a very important meeting for anyone who thinks they might ever Go, pray for, fundraise, or support the Africa missions. If you fall under any of those categories I would really encourage you to make it to this meeting! If you absolutely can't make the meeting but want some info let me know and I will get it to you!

There are lots of other good things happening at FBC! The senior adults are always on a new adventure, the adult ministries are growing and becoming more in depth then ever, the children are multiplying by the minute it seems, and the hispanic ministry is thriving as well! In saying all of that I would love to ask for you to pray for a few things for the FBC church family.

1- Pray for the transition of our new youth minister
2 - Pray for our pastor Greg as he always carries a heavy burden and wants to always be leading God's way
3 - Pray for the other staff members as they make decisions for the good of the church family
4 - pray for the people in the church that we wouldn't be a church that puts our "christian card" in our back pocket for when needed, but would be a church that is seeking God!
5 - Pray for the people who come in contact with any FBC church member, that they would see God's love in them!

Also please let us know how we could pray for you! Would love any comments and would love to hear from you!

Prayers Always - Dawn

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

FBC News Week 9-27

I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. How about you college folk? Does the time seem to be flying by as your writing papers, studying, and heavy in the test taking season?? I do not envy the coarse load you must carry! I have been in denial that it is fall, but the weather change leaves me forced to embrace the new season! But I will be counting down the days to the next summer!

Here in Cali, things are busy but steady. It is amazing to watch God work, and to watch it happen in ways you don't even expect. Something none of us could predict is how the Hispanic ministry has taken off here at FBC. We currently have a interum Hispanic Pastor and his name is Daniel Puerto. He's about 24? LOl... and received his ministry degree in Texas. He has such a heart for the Lord and the lost people here in Cali. He is doing a really great job reaching the hispanic community and one way he is doing that is through volleyball tournaments. FBC had their 3rd tournament on Sunday and had another great turn out. They are averaging between 100-150 people at the tournament, including children. They always take time to give testimonies and share the gospel. The tournament on sunday even offered a one day VBS for the children. Some SBU students including Hayley Belt and Nick Burger came down and poured their Jesus love onto these kids!! It was a great day in God's house, and I'm sure there will be more to come!

Sunday I was also reminded through Greg's sermon of how many we have lost in the last year or two. It is really a shock to think of the lifes that have been greived. I would ask that in this coming year as families continue in the grieving process and come upon anniversaries and holidays that you will keep them in your prayers.

In random news - Tonight we will have a mission council meeting and discuss AFRICA! and We will set a date for our church meeting and I will be sure to post that. This weekend will be a busy weekend with the arrival of Kyle Ward. There will be a reception sunday evening at 6pm with music anc cake. No college kid can pass up cake?? LOL Also this saturday is a Women's Brunch at 9 am at the eulinger's. If any of you ladies want to join us, you would be blessed with yummy food and we would be blessed to hear about your lives!!!

Well thats all I have for now! Keep up the hard work and hope to see you all soon!

Prayers and Blessings - Dawn

Monday, September 20, 2010

FBC News Week 20-24th

Hey Everyone - Another busy/exciting week at FBC CaliMO! Last week we had Ruth here from Sheltering Wings Orphanage and that was a great time. She shared with the church and the youth while she was here and got everyone excited about our future endeavours in West Africa. We will have a mission council meeting soon to talk about our next trip and plans for the near future. Look for the dates on here if you would like to attend. We will try and schedule the meetings on Sunday afternoons to allow you to attend if you would like.

The major focus right now at church is the upcoming arrival of the new youth minister Kyle Ward. We will host a welcome reception on October 3rd at 6pm. If you would like to come that would be great. We will bring Cards with words of encouragement to give him and his wife that night. And we will also have fellowship time with music and treats. If you want more information about this let me know!

Next Sunday we will recognize Mary Pace for her many years of service as a pianist and they will recognize me (awkward to promote..lol) for the youth services after the late worship service. They are asking anyone who would like to extend thanks to leave a card with the church secretary before Sunday to offer during this time.

If you didn't read the last post - This Wednesday is See You at the Pole. Many of you participated in this in high school and I would challenge you to do this on your college campus. Get some friends together Wednesday and meet at your flag pole and pray for your school and the lost souls that are on your campus. Who knows maybe God will put someone in your path to show Christ's love too! If you do pray at your school Wednesday I would love for you to post your experience for others to read about!

Other then that, it is normal craziness around here (in a great way) There is so much going on and I can feel our church family growing in Christ and in love every day! I hope you are all doing great and not eating too many Ramen Noodles yet!!! We are always thinking of you and praying for you as your on your college adventures!!!

Much Love and Many Prayers - Dawn Prather

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

This Week at FBC 09-13

The Highlight this week had to be "Mamma Ruth's" Visit to our church. (in my opinion) She shared with the church what God has been doing in Burkina and the joy of working for the Lord. There were several people who came to hear Ruth speak and I am hopeful that as a church body we will unite in our work in West Africa. The hope is to have a West African meeting in the coming weeks. Probably the second week of October on a Sunday evening. That date isn't set in stone, but I'll keep the blog updated for those of you that might be interested in doing a future West Africa mission trip.

Also Sunday Night we started our new Women/Men Bible study programs. They are participating in a bible studies: Bad Girls of the Bible and Men's Fraternity. Both studies seem very interesting and will equip our church family to grow deeper in their discipleship. Now starting these Sunday night opportunities allows women and men to be involved on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights for study.

In the youth we are enjoying having middle school and high school message time separate. I'm sure you can imagine how beneficial this is coming from the youth group yourselves. God continues to bring more youth that are seeking truth and love. Please pray for this group as we are about to bring in a new leader. Pray they will be adaptable and receptive to what God is bringing through him. It will be an exciting time as we go under new leadership in the youth area.

Also Youth related - Next Wednesday is See You At The Pole, to challenge students to pray at their schools flag pole. I wonder if you would be interested in doing this on your college campus? Would you be willing to gather with a group and embark in prayer time next Wednesday? If you decide to I would love for you to comment and tell us how it went! God truly does call us to be Not Ashamed of our Christian life and this means at school and all over the world!
Now I just feel that I'm rambling. So I will sign off for today! I am praying for all of you and would love to hear how school is going and God is moving in your lives!

Many prayers and blessings - Dawn Prather

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What's Happening this week of 09-06 at FBC?

Hey everybody!

Another exciting week here at FBC CaliMo! Never a dull moment I tell ya! Last Sunday was the first Sunday of the month so the weekly newsletter the Harvest came out. I would encourage you to follow the link and check it out.http://www.fbccalifornia.com/userFiles/1423/1009.pdf

If you haven't heard yet, we have hired a new youth minister. His name is Kyle Ward and his wife's name is Stephanie! He will start here the first of October and as soon as they sell their house in Lee Summit the rest of the family will head to CaliMO. They seem very nice and are very excited about their adventure to come at FBC. I would encourage you to add them as a friend on facebook and get to know them more!

This week we have a lot of excitement happening with our West Africa missions. First I will be heading to a conference outside of St. Louis that is all about planting churches and being successful in a West Africa Partnership. I am hoping to come back with lots of good info and a game plan on what our next steps should be with our upcoming trips. Then on Sunday Ruth Cox from Sheltering Wings will be joining us at FBC. She will speak at 5pm and talk about her journey to and in West Africa as well as what she sees God doing in Kimini and how she can help. It will be an exciting week for our West Africa Missions!

In other news.... we have been having really great programs on Wednesday nights. There is Team Kids/Children's Choir, Youth Ministry, Adult Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Prayer Meeting, and Choir all happening on Wednesday Nights! It has been going very smoothly and there is literally something for the whole family. We are also starting a new bible study program for Guys and Gals on Sunday evenings at 6pm. For the ladies it will be Bad Girls of the Bible and for Guys it will be winning at work and home.

You can really see that God is moving so much. He is working heavy in our Hispanic ministry and really equipping Daniel our Hispanic pastor in that role. Our mission ministry continues to thrive as we plan a trip for our Puerto Rico friends to come here in April and participate in 30 hour famine, and plan to take the youth there in June for a summer camp. We will start having planning meetings soon for our West Africa Trips. And look forward to possibly making a trip to Mexico to do some work. Even locally we work in missions and are working at getting our contemporary service started, hopefully by Easter! It is just constantly amazing me!

Coming up next week is The Ham and Turkey Festival in town, a Free concert in Jeff City (10th Avenue North!, and our monthly business meeting!)

While there are so many things happening the goal is always to equip the saved and reach the lost.. and do it all to Bring God Glory!!!
I hope you will enjoy these "catch ups" and I will post some devotional thoughts soon!
Stay Safe and Let your Jesus Light Shine!!!

Love Always - Dawn Prather

Welcome All College Students!!!

HEY ALL!... We are starting this blog for YOU :) The purpose is to keep you informed on what is happening at FBC CALIMO, give you some devotional thoughts, and just be able to keep in touch!!! We hope you can feel connected even though you are all scattered around your various locations! And hopefully everyone can benefit from this blog! Just make sure that you become a "follower" of the blog so whenever something is posted you will get notification and can keep up to date! Please add lots of comments and give lots of feedback!

Have a great week! And I will blog away!
- Dawn Prather