New Spring Updates

Missions Conference: The FBCM missions conference is coming up March 17 and 18! Journey group has been asked to help clean up after meals on Saturday and Sunday. Please contact Mary Stager at boyohboytwins@yahoo.com if you are able to help.

The Stagers and the Marklands will be hosting a table for the Nicaragua outreach. Since so many of us have gone on this trip in the past, both couples would love to include any of your pictures, memorabilia or other items you would like to share. Tell Mary by Wednesday, March 14 if you have anything you can share.

Secret Church: Josh and Rachel Hart are hosting Secret Church at their home Good Friday, April 6. Please contact Clinton Evans at 704-771-9938 to sign up for this event. There are only six spots left and the cost for the event is $5. To learn more about Secret Church and to find out what we will be doing, go to http://www.disciplemakingintl.org/secretchurch/

Sunday Night Meeting: May 20 will be our last meeting before summer. Brad Sallee will moderate the Spiritual Gifts test. Join us for food and fellowship.

Journey Group BAKE SALE

BAKE SALE at First Baptist Church of Matthews on Sunday, February 19th from 8:30am-12:30pm in the Sadie drive entrance. Eight people from our Journey group went to Nicaragua this past summer and want to help out our friends over there.

• Herman Urcuyo was our bodyguard, our driver, and our comedian in Nicaragua. He was amazing to get to know even though he couldn't speak much English. In Honduras, Herman has a wife and two sons. They sell chickens, rice, beans out of their house to support their family. We want to send money to buy a freezer for the chickens that he sells.
• The Marroquin's are  missionaries who have rescued the children from horrible condition from the Mosquito clan in the mountains in Nicaragua. Ezekiel is the oldest boy there and he is very smart and he has written three books and we want to get him a computer so that he can type those books so that he can have them published. There is Ruby who was left to die and was found with 13 parasites, with a form of dwarfism, and no use of her legs. Ruby was carried her whole like and the muscles in her legs have atrophied. We want to send money to help get Ruby a walker and some physical therapy to get her walking again.  For more information www.missionariestonicaragua.org
• House of Hope was another place we visited. HOH is a place where prostitutes or ex-prostitutes can come and learn skills and work so they can earn an income off the streets. For more information http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com .
• The last place we visited were the garbage dumps, La Chureca. Many families live there to sort through the garbage looking for items to sell. We went to a Christian school inside the dumps. We want to send money to help the school out and provide food to some of the families. For more information www.ohearts.org .

SO GIVE INTO YOUR SWEET TOOTH AND STOP ON BY ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 FROM 8:30AM-12:30PM.

Important Info: Monday Night Bible Study CANCELLED

We will not continue the Bible study at Josh and Rachel Hart's on Monday night.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. If you have any questions, please contactl Jeff Stager at jf_stager@yahoo.com or Mary Stager at boyohboytwins@yahoo.com.

Hillsong: Stronger

We sang this great Hillsong anthem last Sunday morning in worship. Below are the uplifting lyrics.

Hillsong: Stronger

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm and through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defense
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all
There is none

So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher
So let Your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher, be lifted higher

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

February Updates

The Superbowl: Josh and Rachel Hart have invited everyone over to their house to watch the game next Sunday night.  Please bring your favorite snack food.  The game starts at 6:30,  so please come around 6:00. The Harts' address is 7838 Winterset Dr., Charlotte, 28105.

Singles Council: We are in the process of forming a singles council at First Baptist.  There are several groups within FBCM that minister to singles beyond the Journey.  This is an opportunity to come together and plan outreach, events and more.  The first meeting is February 22 at 6:00.  We will probably meet in one of the 200 level classrooms at the church.  Once a room has been decided, Mary Stager will let everyone know.  Please don't hesitate to come if you are interested!

Sunday night study: We started a video series by Tim Keller, Gospel in Life, last Sunday night. It is eight sessions long. We will begin the next session on Sunday night, February 12.

Second Harvest Update!

We've adjusted the date of our volunteer work at Second Harvest Food Bank.

Just so you all know, Second Harvest volunteering is next Thursday, January 19th starting at 6 PM.  Please tell Mary Stager if you will be able to attend this volunteer opportunity ASAP!

News to Know

A few quick announcements:

We have a volunteer opportunity at Second Harvest Food Bank tomorrow from 6 to 8 PM. We will be helping to stock and organize their pantry so please contact Mary Stager at 704.661.3962 or boyohboytwins@yahoo.com to volunteer.

Journey Group is collecting money to send Hermann Urcuyo, the bodyguard and bus driver for the group that went to Nicaragua this summer, to buy a new freezer for the business he supports his family with. We would like to send approximately $300 for a freezer and anything more will be sent to offset the high cost of electricity. Money will be collected until the last week of January. Please make checks out to Jeff or Mary Stager.

CharlotteONE resumes its winter schedule next Tuesday, January 17th.  The singles groups have agreed to collect $50 each month to give towards this ministry and our church will give another $50.  If you have been to CharlotteONE, please consider giving.  Clinton Evans will be collecting the money to give towards this ministry.

New Year, New Studies

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Now that we're back on a regular schedule, don't forget about our new Bible studies:

Monday: join Josh and Rachel Hart at their home at 7838 Winterset Dr. Charlotte, NC 28270. This study begins January 16.

Tuesday: Mary Stager will facilitate a women's study of Beth Moore's book So Long Insecurity at Madison's Coffee House at 7878 Idlewild Rd, Indian Trail, NC 28079 at 7 PM. This study will begin January 24.

Also, please continue to join us Sunday nights for fellowship and devotions in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 beginning this Sunday, January 15. 


We hope to see you there!