We are pleased to announce that we have advance purchased 25 tickets to the October 9-10, 2009, Living Proof Live event featuring Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell. The cost of the ticket is $60.00 each. The event will be held at the FedEx Forum and a bus will drop off all the ladies from FBC who are attending at the front door and pick them up for the event. If you are interested in purchasing one of these limited number of tickets, email Mary Watkins today at mary@fbcmarionark.org or call her at 870-739-3944.

We have now started talking about the "P" (Personality) in the word S.H.A.P.E. Each of us has a different Personality. One thing God's Word makes clear is that there has never been nor will there ever be again, someone exactly like you. DNA molecules alone are infinite in variety and types. The likelihood that another would ever have the same DNA as you is so statistically improbable, that if you were to write out the numerical probability with each zero being an inch wide, you would need a strip of paper 37,000 miles long! As we have said over and over again in this series, God sure loves variety!

There is no right or wrong personality for ministry. Your personality will impact HOW and WHERE you use your spiritual gifts and abilities to serve God and serve others through the church. Rick Warren says, “Like stained glass, our different personalities reflect God’s light in many colors and patterns. This blesses the family of God with depth and variety....It feels good to do what God made you to do. When you minister in a manner consistent with the personality God gave you, you experience fulfillment, satisfaction, and fruitfulness.” Such service will feel right to you. It will fit your SHAPE.

If you are behind on taking the inventories, please do so today. They are on the right side of the web page. These will be helpful when we come to our Ministry Workshop on Sunday morning, February 15th during both Sunday Schools.

The 40-day transformation to get in SHAPE has started at FBC! Church family members are discovering their spiritual gifts and are thinking about their heart passions. Are you involved? It is not too late! Now is the time to click on the links to the RIGHT --> and get started. WE are counting on everyone to discover their SHAPE for ministry!

The following news article is featured in the January 2009 edition of The Baptist Digest which is the leadership news journal of the Kansas-Nebraska Baptist Convention. Praise the Lord for the news about New Hope being spread around the country. Here is the article to enjoy:

The Baptist Digest
Kansas-Nebraska Baptist Covention's Leadership News Journal

Kansas Missions Teams Impact West Memphis
By Eva Wilson
January 2009
Southbound traffic on Interstate 55 in northeast Arkansas races around a curve to join Interstate 40 in West Memphis.

We will be back to our regular Sunday schedule beginning this Sunday. Sunday School and Worship will take place at both 9:00 am and 10:30 am. The Sunday night service will feature the premier of the movie FIREPROOF at 6:00 pm. It is now time to be faithful as we begin a new year.

On Sunday, December 28th there will be one worship service at 10:00 am and no Sunday School due to the holidays. Also, there will be no Wednesday night service on December 31st due to New Year's Eve. Sunday morning services resume as usual at 9:00 and 10:30 am on Sunday, January 4, 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The following is an exerpt of the praise report sent out to participating churches by pastor John Rech from our mission church, New Hope Baptist Mission, about their recent Christmas event:

"A big thank you goes to all of you that helped make Christmas Spree at New Hope possible this year. This was the biggest Christmas celebration ever in Lakeshore! Here is why: You 52 volunteers helped minister to 57 families, distribute and wrap 460 children's gifts worth a total of $9500 to 205 different children, bus and feed 89 children birthday cake for Jesus, hand out 65 Walmart gift cards, or sang His praises through a cantata or eat a few of the 800 home made Christmas cookies! There were 6 Professions of faith that resulted from the event and 3 added to church membership from the one day celebration. The best thing is 3 of those making decisions Saturday, found their own way back to church on Sunday and came forward for membership at New Hope! We start baptizing this Sunday."-- Pastor John Rech

The 2008 Christmas production of THE CHRISTMAS POST offers us many reasons to praise the Lord. With big crowds at each performance, the cast of over 60 presented a message of hope, joy, and Jesus. At the conclusion of the four performances there were 39 people who indicated on their response card that they had prayed to receive Jesus into their life for the first time. Others marked on their cards an interest in knowing how to receive Christ.

Thanks to everyone who made this year's Christmas production such a life-changing event, especially those of you who prayed and those who invited people to attend. Everyone who participated in any way made all the difference.

Have you marked your calendars? Have you invited your family members and friends? Have you gotten the word out yet? Now is the time because the 2008 Christmas Production is just around the corner at FBC, Marion. After many requests, we will once again be doing the production THE CHRISTMAS POST.

Set in the nostalgic 1940's, this is the story of hope, joy, and the miracles of Christmas. With a cast of over 50, a live orchestra, and a great set, you will be challenged and changed by the story of Alice and Kattie Garfield, Bro. Sam, Maxwell Selden, and many other characters with whom you will identify. Most importantly, this is a wonderful opportunity to both hear the gospel and experience the love of Jesus in real and meaningful ways.

Show dates are as follows: Saturday, December 6th at 7:00 pm; Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm; and the final performance will be on Monday, December 8th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are free for all shows by calling the office at 870-739-3944 or via email at mary@fbcmarionark.org.

It is that time of year again! UPWARD is just around the corner and it is time to register your K through Grade 5 child(ren) for basketball and cheerleading. Forms are available on the ministry wall at the church. The cost is $65.00 per child up through October 26th and $75.00 afterwards.

Moms, Dads, Grandparents...we need YOU to help us by volunteering as a basketball or cheer coach, a referee, or as a scorekeeper. Volunteer forms are on the ministry wall or you can email Jake at jacobrobinson7@gmail.com.