“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”   Colossians 3:16

BETH MOORE ≈ LIVING PROOF Live Simulcast ≈ Saturday, September 10th ≈ 9:30 am - 4:15 pm ≈ at the Elgin Bible Church, 1550 E. Chicago St., Elgin ≈ Cost:  $15 in advance or $20 at door (Plus a Panera Box Lunch option for $10) ≈ Childcare NOT Available

ENTRUSTED WITH A CHILD’S HEART ≈ A Bible Study on parenting designed for moms of all ages, with kids of all ages ≈ Thursdays evenings at FBC Elgin from 6:30-8:30 pm ≈      Starting September 22 thru Spring 2012 ≈  Cost: $40 ≈ Childcare Available

SACRED RHYTHMS ≈ Arranging our lives for Spiritual Transformation ≈ By Ruth Haley Barton ≈ Exploring/Practicing 7 key Spiritual Disciplines ≈ A unique book ≈ Bible Study led by Carol Thompson ≈ Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:15 pm at FBC ≈ September 15 – December 1 ≈ Cost:  $15            Childcare Available

Enjoy a slow-paced Bible study ≈ WHEN GOD’S SPIRIT MOVES ≈ By Jim Cymbala ≈ Wednesday Mornings, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ≈ September 21 – November 16, 2011 ≈ March 7 – May 16, 2012 ≈ Led and Hosted by Joan Didier in her home ≈ 7N080 Ridge Line Rd, St. Charles ≈ Cost:  $10          Childcare NOT Available

453 Coventry Lane, Suite 103 #1
Cyrstal Lake, Illinois 60014

First Baptist Counseling Services has added an office in Crystal Lake!!  Due to the expanded need and connections to the far north we are excited to add a new counseling location in Crystal Lake.

Since the beginning of 2009 the Diaconate has had two teams working to address our current facility needs.  At our 2010 Leadership lunch, May 23rd the plans that have developed out of those groups were shared with our leadership teams.

Here are some links to what was presented. (click on the links for more info.)

Facility Strategic Plan document

Phase One Concept Images

Phase Two Concept Images

Sunday June 13th 2:00PM
We will be having an informational meeting about the building project.  Come and see what the Design Vision and the Nesler Development Teams have been working on.  There will be a short presentation of the recommended facility improvements and then a Question & Answer time.  Be sure to stop by the display in the east lobby by the church office.

Sunday June 27th Special Business Meeting (immediately after second service).
The purpose of this meeting will be for members to vote on the proposed recommendations for facility improvements.

When Jesus was asked by an expert in the Old Testament Law (one of those “really important” people), which commandment was the greatest, He immediately told them where their focus should be: He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and most important commandment (Matthew 22:37)  Our primary focus is to be on our God–to love Him with everything we are and everything we have (More on that starting Feb. 10th).   I hope that message really came through in my thoughts on walking into a new outward focus. The heart of our focus has to be on Jesus Himself. He really is the “Center of the Universe.” We have to look up and then reach out–as Jesus says, . . . The second (commandment) is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

I went to our Primetimers’ Hymn sing Sunday afternoon (I love our Primetimer’s events–they make me feel young), and it reminded me what a challenge an outward focused life can be.  In many (if not most?) churches, the biggest on-going discussion (sometimes argument) is about what kind and style of music to have in worship services.  Do we sing mostly (or exclusively) praise and worship songs? Or do we sing hymns? Or do we sing hymns with an occasional chorus at the end? Or do we sing choruses with an occasional hymn in the middle? And some lone soul always wants a polka band, don’t they? 

We all profess to know that ultimately we sing for an audience of One–but then again, God doesn’t seem to have a preferance of music; He’s more concerned about whether the song comes from your heart, and whether your heart belongs to Him.  Nevertheless, we have a lot of musical preferences and we often find it difficult to follow the Bible’s outward focused advice:  . . . in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the intersts of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).   It’s an on-going challenge for all of us. But I believe we are up to it, and more . . .

 blessings,

pastor greg