Seven Years Later, We Remember

In an election year when the daily attention of the nation is focused on the future of our republic, it's easy to overlook the past. Today, however, we all must pause and remember. Seven years ago, our nation was forever changed as Islamic extremists attacked our country. On September 11, 2001, families across America wept together, prayed together, and stood strong together in unity. The tragedy of that day wounded us deeply, but it did not dampen the heroism and strength this country derives from faith, family, and freedom. In the past seven years, the threat posed by radical Islam has been kept from our shores, but it has by no means disappeared. Today, as we remember the victims of 9/11 and their families, our prayers likewise extend our men and women in the armed forces who fight daily that we might be kept from harm. We should not let our remembrance fade as this day in September passes. Our next president must pay heed to the present danger posed by radical Islam. May the ballots we cast in the coming months themselves serve as memorials.

-Tony Perkins

Fall is Here and so is Ministry

Last night was the kick-off to our "school-year" ministries.

Discovery Bible Clubs is off to it's 14th year here at FRMBC. This ministry has been a real blessing to our church over the years and though we've seen many kids come and go, it is a great outreach to children. Several of our young adults that are active members in our church came to DBCs as children. God has greatly used this ministry. The attendance slumps a bit during the summer months. Now that the summer is ended, we're hoping to see kids return to the routine of Thursday night DBCs and Sunday morning Sunday School and church service.

ProTeens is back in action as well. With ProTeens Delta Force on Wednesday nights and ProTeens Sigma Clubs on Thursday nights, the teens receive helpful instruction and enjoy great fellowship.

Our College & Career Bible Study Fellowship got off to a great start. We just received the devotion books in the mail yesterday. Folks didn't have the opportunity to go through them before our meeting, but we discussed one of the devotions "off the cuff" so to speak. We had a great time of spiritual food, as well as a bit of physical food as we fellowshipped.

We are looking forward to seeing the Lord bless mightily in and through these ministries! To read more about these and other ministries at FRMBC click here.

Heaven-Sent Revival

WOW!! That was a word Bro. Lamb used as he was describing what Jacob saw as he watched angels ascending and descending in his dream. Bro. Lamb said what really made it a WOW experience was when Jacob saw the Lord and realized His presence. Well, this week was a WOW for me. I was reminded of the awe inspiring presence of Almighty God in His churches.

Bro. Lamb brought four God sent messages; each one impacting the people of God in a mighty way. It was good to spend time with my pastor. Even though he is retired from the pastorate, it's great to see that he is still being used of God. Our people really enjoyed having him with us.

My prayer is that, even though the services are over, the Spirit of God would move mightily in our church and bring true revival in our hearts. There is much to do in His service. I believe whom God calls He enables and He has called His churches to carry on His work.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done - what great things lie ahead as we faithfully serve Him!

Thank you Bro. Lamb for being the Lord's willing servant this past week.

Long time - no post / Revival / Bible Institute

Well, it's been a long time since I've posted on this blog. The summer has been unexpectedly busy.

I know our church folks know, but others may not know that several weeks ago our church basement sustained a heavy blow with a flood. The drain lines backed up during some heavy rains and we had 3 to 4 inches of water throughout the whole basement of the church building. It has been a mess ever since. We've been make-shifting Sunday School classes. My wife's class has been meeting in the parsonage living room. The 5th and 6th grade class has been meeting on our front porch and the Helper class (2 yrs.-K) has been using the nursery. Needless to say, this has been taking up much time and work, and has generally been a major headache. The workers are supposed to begin this week restoring the basement.

Our Revival starts Tuesday, August 12th and runs through Friday, August 15th. My pastor, Bro. Bob Lamb, will be preaching each night. The services begin at 7:00 p.m. I'm really looking forward to seeing Bro. Lamb. Though he is retired from pastoring, he's still my pastor and my favorite preacher! Pray with us that the Lord would send REVIVAL - I need it!

Classes will soon begin in our Bible Institute this Fall. I'm excited because we will have five students this semester. For information about our Institute, visit the FRMBI web page.

Summer Youth Camp Report

We had a great time at camp this year. Some of the highlights were great singing, challenging preaching, good fellowship, and exciting competition - like volleyball, big-ball volleyball, blind volleyball (they played a lot of volleyball), kickball, goofy kickball, Frisbee swat and the camp favorite, softball. We also did a "reference relay" where the youth did various relay races. The winners received clues to Scripture references and the team that guessed the Bible reference first won. Once again the Bible quizzing was a main event each day with questions regarding the sermons. The young people did real well.

Thanks to all those who participated; campers, counselors, and especially the kitchen staff - GREAT FOOD!!!!

I'll get pictures up soon.

God's Mercies Are New Every Morning

This morning I woke up not really looking forward to the next few days. Not that I'm not excited about going to camp next week. It's the two weeks before that are so overwhelming. I won't bore you with those details. You wouldn't believe me anyway.
As I was getting going this morning I was listening to Legacy Five's new CD "God's Been Good". The chorus to one song got my attention. Here are the words:

Every morning His mercies are new.
Every morning God is smiling on you.
Give Him glory in everything you do.
This is the day God has made.
Be encouraged He is working His plan
To turn it all around like only He can.
If you think you’ve run out of grace,
He’s got more, more each day you face;
For His mercies are new every morning.

Another song says, "The moment I get up there, I'll forget down here." Wow! What a thought.

The Lord immediately reminded me that all the trials down here will be long forgotten in heaven. Of all that we do down here, only those things that have eternal value will matter up there! Kind of puts things in perspective. With all the water problems we've had at church and the parsonage this past week - and they're not over - I know that the Lord has a purpose for them. He is in control and I know He can - He will turn things around like only He can. There's more grace day after day to get through the trials. He's got more each day we face!

I am so excited about camp next week, but if I'm not careful, I'll let the problems down here (Flat Rock) block all the anticipation of what's going to happen up there (Camp). That's how I applied that to me at this moment.

Whatever you're going through, if you're His child, His mercies are new every morning. Give Him the praise and glory He deserves. He will come through for you.

By His grace and in His grip,

Pastor Hugan

Great VBS!! / Camp Plans in High Gear

We had a great week of Vacation Bible School last week. We had a decent turnout of kids and our VBS staff did a tremendous job all week long!! I'll be getting pictures up as soon as I get them from out church photographer.
Now we move forward to camp. The next few weeks will be completely overwhelming to me. The few weeks before camp always are. Pray for me.

VBS Preparation

Sunday afternoon some of us got together to set up for this week's Vacation Bible School. This year's theme is "The Good News Games".

New Web Site for FRMBC

It's taken some time and effort, but FRMBC now has a brand new web site. Bro. Lentz put in a lot of time getting our web problems straightened out. He not only secured a new web host, he designed and implemented the look that is now the New FRMBC on the web. Many thanks to Bro. Lentz for his excellent work!!

The web address is www.frmbc.com. Be sure and check it out.

Spring Is Here - The Work Moves Ahead

Well, Spring is here, and that means Spring Cleaning. Bro. Lentz mentioned something about this in his Discovery Bible Clubs devotion. Many are doing this in their homes and around their houses. Furthermore, there are also things to be done around the church: broken window to be fixed, bathrooms to be repainted and spruced up, the outside of the building needing to be painted, play set to be stained, and a ditch that needs to be cleared of much wooded-debris.

Even with the material we cannot leave off the spiritual. With VBS, Youth Camp, Revival, and any other summer time ministries, we need to be sure not to put the spiritual down on the priority list because of the material. Both need our attention; and it is when every "joint supplieth" (Eph. 4:16) that the work is made easier for everyone.

So as we get to the spring cleaning and the summer business, let's not forget the needs at church and work together to keep God's house in good shape; physically and spiritually.