On Sunday, January 3rd there will be 10:00 am worship only. There will be NO Wednesday night services on December 30th. Regular Wednesday activities for all adults and children will begin again on Wednesday, January 6th. All adults will be in the fellowship hall beginning January 6th for a new study called "Vibrant Church" which will be taught by Pastor Clay Hallmark.

The 2009 FBC Christmas production Christmas Delayed was a huge success this past December 5-7. The crowd was large at every performance of the show and many guests were present. Praise the Lord for the 45 people who prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord during the performances and for those who loved them enough to invite them or bring them. God blessed this musical like no other we have ever had at First Baptist Marion. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed their time, talents, skills, money, or expertise to this production.

First Baptist Church in partnership with Hope House and the Memphis Food Bank recently had the privilege of providing over a week's worth of groceries to 150 needy families from Marion and West Memphis. The food distribution took place on Thursday, November 19th. Volunteers from FBC, New Hope Baptist Mission, Hope House, and the Good Neighbor center helped load the cars of 150 needy families. The food distribution was such a success that the Memphis Food Bank is providing food for distribution at FBC again in December. The date is not yet determined.

More volunteers will be needed for the December distribution. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at 739-3944 or at mary@fbcmarionark.org.

First Baptist Church officially turned in 376 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes as of 11:00 am Monday, November 23rd. Others still have them to turn in and the number will go higher. These shoeboxes will open the doors to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with children and their families all over the world. We especially appreciate the efforts of our students who brought 189 boxes!

Pastor Clay Hallmark was recently elected as President of the Arkansas Baptist Convention at its annual meeting in Benton, Arkansas on November 4, 2009. To read the full story go HERE

In addition to Pastor Clay Hallmark's election, Dr. Ron Kirkland, Pastor of West Memphis FBC, was elected as President of the Arkansas Baptist Pastors Conference for 2010 and Rev. Loren Strickland of Angels Way Baptist in Marion was elected as Vice President of the Pastors Conference. FBC Chairman of Deacons, Rob Rash, was elected by the convention to the ABSC Executive Board to represent the Tri-County Baptist Association.

The culmination of our spiritual growth emphasis of 40 Days of Purpose will be this Sunday with a huge celebration in both the 9:00 am and 10:30 am worship services. We want to take the time to celebrate and begin to apply what we have learned and what God has done during the past 40 Days. I hope you will be present and ready to worship God and study His last purpose for your life in Sunday School. Don't forget to wear your 40 Days t-shirts if you have them, as well as not forgetting to turn back your clock one hour on Saturday night.