WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
We gather today to worship the One who created us,
The One who calls us,
The One who equips us,
The One who loves us without end.
It is God who has set this day before us,
It is God who has set this day apart, a day of rest and praise.
…and it is God who has set His seal upon our hearts,
So that we might live fully as is His plan….
Let us worship God.
Good Morning FBK….WELCOME TO WORSHIP!
Songs
Prayer
The act of confessing our sin is not simply a recitation of our faults and wrongs, but also an opportunity to receive God’s mercy and share in that abundant grace. Confident of God’s love for us, let us offer our prayers, first in silence.
Faithful God,
you call us to be saints,
but we are more comfortable
with the role of sinner;
you call us to be your servants,
but we worry that we lack the skills
to do your work;
you put a new song of praise in our mouths,
but we stumble on unfamiliar words;
you show us the work to be tackled,
but we turn away defiant,
insisting we have more important things to do.
Silent Confession
Lord, put your song on our lips and in our hearts,
and remind us of the joy that awaits us
when we put our trust in you.
Guide us into the light
of your unwavering, never-ending,
and grace-filled love. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon:
God is faithful and ever-present.
The God who knew us before our birth
loves us still and strengthens us,
that we will one day be blameless.
Through the gift of Jesus Christ,
God offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
Receive that gift today!
The Next 200 Years
Part 2 - Core Values
Today's Message: Pastor Dave Page
Our Core Values – At First Baptist Church Kingsville, we are:
- Disciples – following Jesus Christ as revealed through Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- Missional People – making Christ known through words and deeds, and inviting others to become His fully devoted followers.
- People of Prayer – depending on our Sovereign God in all circumstances.
- Relational People – loving authentically with integrity, valuing and encouraging everyone because they too are created in the image of God.
- Repentant People – humbly acknowledging our sinfulness and freely receiving the gift of forgiveness and grace, and extending the same to others.
- Servants – men and women living generously out of our giftedness as a response to God’s grace in our lives, serving God wherever and whenever He call us to join Him.
- Worshippers – authentically responding to God personally and as a church family of all ages.
How many of you know recognize these….?
These are the statements we would say define who we are and what we do as First Baptist Church Kingsville.
For these 2 weeks we want to link back into the theme of our 200th anniversary as FBK – though this time we want that to be very forward focused – What might God be calling us to in the Next 200 year.
So this week we want to look at these core value statements with you and explore it’s components specifically – again, these are kind of our north star for this next season of FBK.
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:31-34
31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Core Values
I am excited this morning to get back into this series that we began last week in which we are examining the Mission and Core Values of First Baptist Church Kingsville. It is extremely important to the life and vitality of this church body for us to understand what and how God is calling us to be as His Church and in our response then, who we are as a church and where we are going in the future.
We have a Mission to fulfill that which was given to us by God. We talked about that last week and we also have Core Values that shape who we are and everything we do as a church. For us, these values are non-negotiable. So in a very practical way, If you ever wonder why we make certain decisions or do things a certain way here at FBK, look to the Mission, and Values, because these things drive everything we do.
God gives us these things because He has a very definitive idea of what He wants us to be as a church.
Last week we looked at our mission. This week we will examine OUR CORE VALUES
This morning as we begin our study on OUR CORE VALUES we will examine three things:
- The Importance of Core Values;
- What defines Core Values; and
- Our Core Values.
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF CORE VALUES
Luke 12:34: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Core Values determine who and what we will be as a church. No two churches are alike. Some churches focus on biblical preaching and teaching, others on evangelism, and still others on counselling or the family. Different churches reach different people. What shapes us into who we are at FBK is our core values.
Now, you might be thinking, why should this matter to me?
Well, the simple answer to that is that Core Values dictate people’s personal involvement in the church. I believe we should be constantly communicating our core values to anyone who are considering becoming a part of this church. Encourage those with similar values to join us – it’s a kind of values alignment or a ministry match.
Core Values communicate what’s important and make it clear what we believe is God’s heart for our church.
Core Values affect the church’s overall behaviour. Values shape the entire church organization, determine the direction of our ministries, and dictate every decision we make and every dollar we spend.
Core Values inspire people to action. The shared beliefs of leaders and members are the motivators that energize people to take action. Values infuse ministry with meaning. Strong core values touch people at a deeper level that provides a sense of cause and brings significance to their lives.
And ultimately, Core Values contribute to ministry success. Understanding and embracing our core beliefs make it possible for our people to be successful in ministry. No church or ministry organization can succeed without clearly defined, Biblically inspired, core values.
2. HOW CORE VALUES ARE DEFINED
So, we’ve established that Core Values are tremendously important for the church and that’s because these Core values are the core convictions of our church.
What’s a conviction? – A conviction is a firmly held belief that produces an action within us. Convictions are things we are willing to sacrifice for.
The other point to make here is that Core values are Biblical.
The true test of a values statement is: Does it line up with Scripture? These statements don’t have to be found word for word in the Bible, but our values should clearly reflect the principles and precepts of the Bible. Values should never contradict the Bible.
Core Values drive the ministry. Values drive the decisions made, money spent, risks taken, problems solved, goals set, and priorities determined.
3. OUR CORE VALUES
Now that we’ve established the importance of Core Values to a church, and what defines a core value, let’s look at our Core Values we believe passionately about here at FBK:
Disciples – following Jesus Christ as revealed through Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Much of this we discussed last week and you will note that the core values we’ve identified here are related to the marks of a disciple we pointed out last week.
Missional People – making Christ known through words and deeds, and inviting others to become His fully devoted followers.
In our context of FBK – this takes on two specific forms:
We have a very active heart for missions in this Church. And as such we have a very active Missions Team – many of you participate either directly, through prayer and/or through your offerings. These initiatives can take on, by design both a local/regional scope or an international scope.
Locally we partner with and support:
- Matthew House
- Street Help
- Kingsville FoodBank
- Melo Clinic and Pregnancy Centre
- Bible Centered Ministries
Internationally, we partner with and Canadian Baptist Ministry’s. Our Current Project with the Bolivian Baptist Union is facilitated by CBM.
People of Prayer – depending on our Sovereign God in all circumstances.
As you already know, we think prayer is an absolutely essential part of our life as FBK. And we know that many of you do know that because you ask for prayer or offer prayer for other regularly – that’s a very good thing.
When you need prayer there are many ways for you to access that:
On our web page – you can send a prayer request. Simply go to: https://www.firstbaptistkingsville.com/prayer-requests/ and follow the prompts to send a prayer request into the office and the Pastors.
You can contact our prayer team directly through the church office email and our own Pam Wilson, who is now facilitating our prayer ministry response will get that to our prayer chain participants. By the way, if you’re not already a part of our prayer chain you can fill out a connection card in front of you or contact the church office and we will get you added to that.
Relational People – loving authentically with integrity, valuing and encouraging everyone because they too are created in the image of God.
Last week, Pastor Marlee said invitation is a catalyst to relationship. We know that many of you long for and value community, this is very much at the hear of our church family.
Repentant People – humbly acknowledging our sinfulness and freely receiving the gift of forgiveness and grace, and extending the same to others.
Servants – men and women living generously out of our giftedness as a response to God’s grace in our lives, serving God wherever and whenever He call us to join Him.
Worshippers – authentically responding to God personally and as a church family of all ages.
We cannot accomplish the task God has given us without a dedicated team of leaders and volunteers who embrace these values and join in the work. Each and every one of you has a vital role to play in carrying out the work of God here in this church. There’s a place for everyone to serve. You are important and needed!
In fact, we have a framework for you to work within as you decide to embrace these values….We call it our Congregational Care Framework:
Emergency
FBK being present at times of crisis – physical, emotional.
- Sudden illness/accidents
- Stressful circumstances (sudden)
- Process for daily (7 to 30days) check in with family
ENCOURAGE
FBK’s regular framework for connection to life events within the congregation
- Congregational Prayer support
- Births, deaths/bereavement
- Shut-in visitation/phone
- Non-crisis hospital visitation
- Card ministry
- Communication/visitation training and checklist
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
FBK’s framework to offer congregational support where physical support/intervention is required.
- Transportation
- Basic home assistance – moving, minor repair, etc.
- Meals – 7 to 14 days from time, point of crisis/need
- Clothing – Closet Ministry
- Other – as needed
COUNSELLING
FBK’s longer term framework where a need for coaching through life events exists
- Spiritual formation
- Faith counselling
- Anxiety, Stress
- Grief counselling
- Pre-Marriage/Marriage/ relationship counselling
Conclusion: We believe passionately in what we’re doing here at FBK and also believe there is a great need for you & new people alike that embody our mission and core values to become part of our family.
As we close this morning, I have a question that I want to ask each of you:
Will you embrace the core values God has given us and join us in the work for this church?
Our encouragement to you for this week is to review the handout, pray where do you feel called to serve? And then join us after the service on Jan 28th during our regular coffee connection time for a sign-up fair where you can tell us where you might be interested in serving and we can assist you with that specifically.
FBK – welcome to 2024 in His Kingdom – Our Lord has called us into partnership and we have chosen to respond as His disciples. Remember the 2nd part of our verse from last week:
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus himself says, that as you prayerfully consider where you are called to serve He will be with you. Be both comforted and encouraged by His words.
Let’s Pray.
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for the wondrous ways in which you have healed and restored us. There have been countless times when we wondered if the trials and struggles of our lives would overcome us and swallow us up; yet you have reached out to redeem us. Just as in the scriptures when Jesus healed the ten people afflicted with leprosy, one, when he saw that he had been healed, returned to Jesus, praising God for the healing that had taken place. Make our faith as strong as the one of that man. Give us the wisdom to know the source of healing is not in our pleading, but in our acknowledging your love and power. As we bring before you the names and situations in our hearts that are filled with strife and trouble, we ask for their healing as well. We know that you hear the cries of our hearts and respond always in love. Help us to place our complete trust in your never-ending compassion.
Prayers for people:
We pray for all who are suffering, those in physical or mental pain, and those who are terminally ill. Surround them with your love and light and support and sustain all the people providing care for them. We pray for those who have been recently bereaved and for those who mourn; comfort them as they grieve. We pray particularly for those we have been asked to remember in our prayers today.
I pray for them to be held by your hand and kept in the promises of your Word.
For we offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Song
Benediction
Though the days seem to increase in their darkness, the Lord of light is in your midst.
As you go from here may the power of God’s love be in your hearts and reflected in your lives now and always.
Go in peace and may God’s peace be with you. AMEN.
Blessings, Have a great week!