FIRST WORD

September 10 & 11, 2011

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

9/11

First Baptist Church Naples

Resilience But No Repentance

When I was privileged to serve as guest Chaplain in the U.S. Senate shortly after 9/11, I drove into the Capital and passed the recently attacked Pentagon. The Islamic Jihadists had hijacked a jet loaded with hundreds of thousands of pounds of fuel and crashed it at perhaps 500 miles per hour into that tribute to Depression-era engineering. The concentriccircle designed building sustained a direct hit yet remained defiantly intact. Two wings collapsed on the west side, and 125 people died in their offices or onboard American Flight 77. Acts of heroism were demonstrated. Displaced workers commandeered nearby buildings and set up their laptops. Some were even back in their offices the following day. Reconstruction began immediately, though I certainly saw the blackened impact area. American resilience was quickly demonstrated here and in many other sectors of society following 9/11. We are good at bouncing back but not at looking up as a nation. While we seemed to move on from financial catastrophes that year like Enron (12/15) and WorldCom (7/21), any attempts at seeking the Lord seemed hollow. President Bushs poll numbers soared briefly as politicians held their fire for all of two weeks. The phrase God Bless America was on bumper stickers and lips, and it looked as if a miracle was brewing, a bythe-bootstraps moral reform of manners but without God. Hail the selfreformation! Praise the Force! Many sought resilience as the answer to ruin, as when Bruce Springsteen released a new disc, The Rising, with excerpts such as, Dont worry, were going to find a way and This too shall pass. There are some people who are just no fun, such as the prophet, Jeremiah, who said that there will be people saying, peace, peace, when there is no peace (8:11). He would say that singers and politicians are filling you with vain hopes (23:16). No one would want Francis Schaeffer at their party either, who dared to say in Death in the City: Man is justly under the wrath of God, and if the justice of that wrath is obvious concerning any generation, it is our own. Definitely no fun! But he saw further back and further forward than most of us. Our repentance must not be like the dew that goes away early (Hosea 6:4). The evil of the terrorists resides in us to some degree. We must all repent, casting ourselves on Gods mercy and crying out for a return to moral absolutes. While I believe we have risen from the ashes, we have also continued to build on the wrong foundation. Though we live in the greatest country on earth, it is still true that Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). I pray that we find the Way (John 14:6).

Guest Reception
There is a guest reception in the Commons immediately following the Saturday night and Sunday morning service. Come and meet Pastor Hayes.

Steve Green wrote and sung the popular song, People Need the Lord The second stanza reads like this... We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right. What would be too great a cost For sharing life with one whos lost? Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear. They must hear the words of life Only we can share. When will we realize --people need the Lord? The Lord has not brought us to beautiful Naples to live out our lives but rather to out live our lives. We can do that by sharing the good news of Christ with others. Would you like to know how to effectively share? Beginning this Sunday evening September 11 at 4:00 p.m. we will be equipping people on how to share their faith. We will meet in Room DC121. We would love to have you join us.

September 10 & 11, 2011

Freewill offering this weekend at the doors.
Today, there are fewer Bibles published and made available to the worlds 1.2 billion Muslims than for any other major people group. Most Muslims have never even seen a Bible, let alone have a copy of their own. God is currently doing a significant work among Muslims. One of the results of the 9/11 attacks, unintended on the part of the perpetrators, is a new openness of many Muslims to the gospel. They look at the evil acts undertaken in the name of Islam and say, If this is what it means to be a Muslim, there is something wrong with Islam. Finally, the Word of God is more powerful than any weapon man, or Satan, can devise, and He promises in His Word that it will not return to Him until it has accomplished His purpose. Is there any better way to share the truth about Jesus with those who have never heard than to give them the Scriptures in their mother tongue?

Muslim Bible Day

Calling All Men!

BAND OF BROTHERS

FIT for the FIGHT

For Winning the Battle for Godliness

Practical Strategies

This Wednesday 6:25 - 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel

This will Be a great time of study and fellowship as we learn how to fight the Battle together.

This Weeks Study: Arming Yourself in the Mind By Doug Pigg, Associate Pastor of Church Administration

SAVE THE DATE Womens Ministry Holiday Outreach Banquet

Friday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Worship Center
Our guest speaker will be Carol Kent. Carol is a best selling author and international speaker. With vulnerable openness, irrepressible hope, restored joy, and a sense of humor, she will direct you to choices based on Gods truth. Carol says, When God writes your story, you will be in for the adventure of a lifetime! Her newest book is titled Between a Rock and a Grace Place. Tickets are available during RefresHer on Tuesday or Wednesday. Make plans now to be a part of this special evening.

Used Book Sale!

Lighthouse Bookstore CHRISTIAN USED BOOK is selling gently used and new SALE! Christian books to Saturday, Sept 3 Thru benefit Operation Sunday, Sept 11 Christmas Child.
Now set up outside the Lighthouse Bookstore in the Commons Area. Hardbacks $5, Paperbacks $1-$3, Bibles $10

Music Ministry Kickoffs Sunday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m.

RESONATE Student Creative Arts Team (7th - 12th graders) Directed by Sarah Taylor in the Student Center PROJECT56 (5th - 6th graders) Directed by Lindsey Graham and Julie Baumgardner in DC220 (FBA Band Room) PraiseKids (4 year olds** - 4th graders) Directed by Gordon & Carol Bleich in the Education Building **Must be 4 years old by August 31, 2011

Protected Harbor
In the Missions Kiosk this Weekend Join us for our Prayer Breakfast Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 a.m.
Bringing America back to GOD How our rights are being eroded away from our Founding Fathers intent.
Counsel. Harry grew up in Communist Romania where his father pastored seventeen mostly underground Churches.

Speaker: Harry Mihet, Senior Litigation Counsel with Liberty

Come hear his story and learn more about Liberty Counsels and Protected Harbors Missions.

Vineyards Country Club, 400 Vineyards Blvd. Ticket price: $30.00 per person Full table of 8 purchase price $210.00 Send Check to: Protected Harbor, P. O. Box 771441, Naples, FL 34107-1441 or godsprotectedharbor.com
Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well being. -- 1 Cor. 10:24

PRIME TIMER FUN DAY TRIP TO SANIBEL ISLAND

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 LEAVE CHURCH : 10:00 A.M. SHARP! RETURN : APPROXIMATELY 5:00 P.M. COST: TRANSPORTATION - $5.00 (Pay Vada in Advance)
LUNCH AT THE BUBBLE ROOM (on your own) Stop, Browse, Shop at She Sells Sea Shells Boutique
Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or call Vada for Reservations NO LATER THAN: Sunday, October 2 (Space is very limited) 596-8600 x268

KidzTown Worship
KidzTown is open to all children in 1st through 4th grades and is located in DC120 every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Afterward children are escorted to their very own Bible & Life Group designed for their age group.

Beginning Your Journey

9:30 a.m. - Noon in DC115 Visit the Information Desk in the Commons today for more information!
If you are a new believer in Christ or new to First Baptist Church Naples, this class will help you learn more about growing in your Christian faith. Refreshments will be provided. We will also provide you with a DVD of the sermon for this weekend.

This Sunday, September 11

Beach Baptism Sunday, September 25

Our next beach baptism will be Sunday, September 25. If you would like to be baptized in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, please call Linda at 596-8600 x280.

SEPTEMBER 2011

stories from the Great Commission

living letters

Joseph Rose* was in college when jets slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. After the shock wore off, he started to read about Islam. He got a job, moved into an apartment. His neighbor was a young Muslim from the Middle East. I asked him questions about his country and his religion. He smoked. He bowled. He worked at a hospital and helped his brother open a coffee shop. He was not a terrorist. Just an average guy. Over the next few years Rose met more young Muslims just like thousands of other young people in America. Today he works at the IMB. He continues to nurture friendships with Muslims, and he studies Arabic.

10 years after 9/11

God has called me to dedicate my life to working with and around Muslims, sharing life and Truth with them, Rose says. If it werent for 9/11, I might not be where I am today. I might not have seven guys named Mohammed listed in my phone. I might not have traveled to nine Muslim countries before age 30. God used this tragic event to call me out of the darkness of apathy and ignorance toward Muslims, into the light of service and presence among this vast people. Whats your 9/11 story?
* name changed For more reflections on the decade following 9/11, see the fall issue of CommissionStories.

commissionstories.com

To Benefit Pregnancy Resource Center Saturday, October 8

A portion of the proceeds from this golf tournament will go to support the Pregnancy Resource Center. There is a 7:30 a.m. registration with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will be held at the Quail West Golf Club (located at 5950 Burnham Road in Naples). This will be a 4-person scramble. The cost is $100 per person and includes a continental breakfast, cart and green fees, and a lunch to follow tournament. There will be prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as closest to pin, hole in one, and a raffle. There are also sponsorship opportunities available ($750, $350, or $50). For more information, please call 513-9775.

Golf Tournament

Saturday, October 15
For the people involved in the ministry of Pregnancy Resource Center, one aborted baby is too many. The fact that abortions are being performed right here in Collier County is incomprehensible. Pregnancy Resource Center exists to save the lives of unborn children from abortion by meeting the physical and emotional needs of our clients and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. But, we cannot do it alone. We need you to join us in our Walk for Life on October 15. Please pick up a walk registration form after church today, or you may download your registration form from our website, www. prcwalkforlife.org and click on Walk for Life. For more information, please contact the Pregnancy Resource Center at 513-9775.

Walk for Life

FBA & FBCN Employment Opportunities

Applications are being taken for part-time weekday Preschool Teachers and Assistants. If interested, download an employment application by going to www.fbcn.org (click About Us, then click Employment Opportunities, then click Employment Application). Return completed application to the Preschool Ministry Office. You may also pick-up an application at the Preschool Ministry desk. For more information, please call Sheila at 298-1029. We are currently seeking a qualified individual to fill the part-time position of Administrative Assistant for Womens Ministry. This person will support the Director of Womens Ministry as well as all aspects of womens Bible studies and events. Must be proficient in Microsoft and Adobe programs (Photoshop and InDesign), adapt to a flexible schedule, strong organizational and people skills, and have a heart to see women know and grow in Christ. To make application, you may go online at www.fbcn.org or pick-up an application at the church reception office. We are looking for some part-time help to work with the Premises Keepers. It will involve cleaning, setting-up for events, and serving the needs of our congregation. Much of the work will be during the evenings and weekends. If you like to clean, have a heart to serve, and want to earn a few extra dollars, please call Bob at 596-8600 x237. First Baptist Academys Athletic Department is seeking a Golf Coach for the boys high school team. Qualified applicants should submit an application (available online at www.fbalions.org) to Cindy Case at ccase@fbalions.org. To inquire further, please contact the FBA Athletic Director, Billy Sparacio, at bsparacio@fbalions.org or 597-2233 x652. The FBCN Youth Ministry is announcing an opening for a part-time (2430 hours per week) assistant. This individual will support the duties of the Ministry Assistant for the Middle School and High School pastors. The qualifications include good computer and telephone skills, extremely organized, and share a passion for the youth ministry. Interested candidates may go online at www.fbcn.org to make application, or pick-up and return applications to the church office. For additional information, please contact Doug Pigg at 596-8600 x254. The Pregnancy Resource Center is seeking an RN with ultrasound experience (obstetrics focus preferred) to manage and direct medical services performed by this ministry. Additionally, this position will also recruit, train, and supervise volunteer peer counselors. This position will oversee the administration of pregnancy testing and perform ultrasounds on women experiencing crisis pregnancies. The goal is to promote childbirth and encourage women to carry their pregnancies to term. For more information, please email john@prcnaples.org.

HELP & HOPE FOR SINGLE PARENTS

There arent many people who truly understand the unique challenges that single parents face. You deeply desire to do what is best for your kids, but sometimes it is all you can do to survive from one day to the next. Single & Parenting is a special weekly group that will bring hope to your life. 7:20 p.m. Saturdays Room DC212

October 1Dec. 17
239-596-8600 ext. 242 www.fbcn.org/singleparent

Mothers of Preschoolers
Our first M.O.P.S. meeting is Thursday, September 15 from 9:15 a.m.11:30 a.m. in WC100a. Our meetings will continue each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer at 239-352-8554 or email jennifer@jjpatterson.com. (Childcare is available but limited. You must pre-register in advance by calling 596-8600 x360.)

Parent Dedication Class

A Parent Dedication Class will be held on Sunday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m. in Room ED165. This class is for parents wanting to dedicate themselves and their child to the Lord during a Worship Service. If you would like to attend, please call Kim at 596-8600 x360.

Good News Club Volunteers Needed

Good News Club Volunteer Training will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 a.m. until noon in the Discipleship Building in Room DC108. Both trainings will be identical so you can choose whichever training is most convenient for you. We are praying for enough volunteers to make up teams to go into at least 7 elementary schools this year with the gospel. Please contact Nancy Hale in the Childrens Ministry Office at 596-8600 x350 if you are interested in serving once a week after school. Lets do our best to reach all of the children in Collier County for Jesus Christ!

Dr. Paul Negrut of Romania Speaking in all Services Sept 24 & 25

A native of Romania, Dr. Negrut currently serves as president of Emanuel University of Oradea and pastor of the Emanuel Baptist Church in Oradea. He has also served as clinical psychologist, lecturer, and university president during his long career. After graduating from the University of Bucharest with a degree in Psychology, he became interested in researching ideas that linked philosophy with theology and psychology. Because of his countrys political and ideological sphere at that time, he was not able to publish any research until after the events of 1989. He then received the Ph.D. in theology from Brunel University in London in 1994.

Quilting and Sewing

We will be meeting on Mon, Sept 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Room WC117. We will be making simple pillows. You will need one 12 or 14 pillow form or bag of stuffing, 1/2 yard of 42 fabric (for front and back) or 1/2 yard of two different kinds of 42 fabric, thread, scissors, Ch Operation Christmas and optionally trim (2 yards) to put on the edge of your pillow. If you have a sewing machine, please bring it. If you have any questions, please call Kathy at 370-2592 or email kadair@johnrwood.com. Upcoming: Sept 26 purse

Operation Christmas Child Wrapping Party

Operation Christmas Child is a great way to get involved in missions without leaving Naples. Please come join us in WC117 on Tuesday, September 20 any time between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to wrap shoe boxes. Expert gift wrappers not required. Anyone can do it with our new easy wrap method. Please bring your own scissors. Help us show the love of Jesus to hurting children all around the world through the power of a simple gift. If you have any questions, please call Jody at 591-1895.

Haiti Mission Trip: Oct 30 - Nov 6

Community Mission for Hope will be leading a team to Verrettes, Haiti to do repair work on Providence Christian School. The team will also conduct community evangelism and outreach. Cost is $900. Informational meetings will be held on Sat, Sept 24 at 5:30 p.m. and Sun, Sept 25 at 12:30 p.m. in Room DC108. For more information, please call 601-5052.

Needed: Brown Paper Grocery Bags

Over one hundred brown paper grocery bags are needed for a special project in the Preschool Ministry. When you shop, please ask for paper, and bring your paper bags to the Preschool Ministry desk in the Education Building.

Saturday, September 10
6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events
Worship Service/Worship Center KidzTown Childrens Worship/DC120 Hispanic Worship Service/Chapel Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus Worship Service/Worship Center KidzTown Childrens Worship/DC120 Romanian Baptist/Modulars 3 & 4/SC117 Vietnamese Bible Study and Worship/DC220 Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus Hispanic Worship Service/Student Center Equipping People to Serve/FAITH/DC121 Romanian Baptist Congregation/Modulars 3 & 4 Quilting & Sewing Class/WC117 RefresHer Womens Ministry/WC East Side Family Meal/Fellowship Recreation-Gym AWANA Childrens Ministry/DC120 Band of Brothers Mens Ministry/Chapel RefresHer Womens Ministry/WC East Side High School Ministry/Student Center Middle School Ministry/Family Life Center-Gym Choir Rehearsal/Choir Room Orchestra Rehearsal/Worship Center Mothers of Preschoolers/WC117 Celebrate Recovery/DC121 Grief Share/AD145 Prayer Shawl/AD145

Sunday, September 11
8:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m.

Monday, September 12 Tuesday, September 13

4:45 p.m. 6:20 p.m. 6:25 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 9:15 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14

Thursday, September 15

Friday, September 16
10:00 a.m.

Prayer Shawl
The next prayer shawl gathering will be Friday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. in Room AD145. We are open to and are always looking for new members. We make prayer shawls for the homebound, those in the hospital, women that just had babies, etc.

Last Weekend
Decisions For Christ
Baptism Dillon Ankney Statement of Faith Matt & Deana Coulter

Worship Attendance
September 3 & 4
Saturday Night Sunday Morning Total 1,328 1,568 2,896

Financial Stewardship
July 1, 2011 - September 4, 2011 Budget Actual Variance $1,143,359 $1,035,250 ($108,109)

Bible & Life Attendance

September 3 & 4
Saturday Night Sunday 8:15 Sunday 11:00 Home Groups 994 47 795 165

2010-2011 Operating Revenues

Debt balance as of September 4 $9,564,257

Next Week
Deacon of the Week
If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 601-6051.

Steve Rooney & Howard Williams

Meal for September 14 (4:45 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Fellowship Recreation-Gym) Roasted Pork Loin, New Potato, Vegetable, Salad, and a Dessert
` Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe during regular business hours or at the door for $6.00 each or $25.00 for a family (immediate family residing in home).
Alternate choices include grilled chicken breast, hamburger, pizza, or a grilled foot long hot dog.

` Cafe Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Wednesday Saturday Sunday Closed 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Closed 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Bookstore Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday

Total

2,001

Dr. Wicker on the Radio

You can hear Dr. Wicker every day at 1:00 p.m. on 91.5 Kingdom FM WJYO. Dr. Wicker is also on WSOR 90.9 FM at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings, and on Praise FM 89.5 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoons.

September 12 - 18

Wednesday Family Meal

Sermon Notes

The words that so freely pass through our lips should be measured with care. Better yet, they should give praise and thanksgiving to God, Who has generously given to us in many ways, both spiritually and physically. Look for different things for which to praise Him in this weeks passages. Sunday - Psalm 135:1-12 / Monday - Psalm 135:13-21 Tuesday - Psalm 136:1-9 / Wednesday - Psalm 136:10-26 Thursday - Psalm 137:1-9 / Friday - Psalm 138:1-8 Saturday - Psalm 139:1-12

Pastoral Staff
Dr. Hayes Wicker ................................................................................................ Senior Pastor Miguel Cruz ............................................................................. Hispanic Congregation Pastor Beverly Day ............................................................................ Director of Preschool Ministry Justin Faircloth ....................................................... Associate Pastor/Middle School Ministry Steve Hayes...................................................................Associate Pastor/Biblical Counseling Forrest Head ....................................................................................... Senior Associate Pastor Jim Hill................................................................................Director of Single Adult Ministry Lewis Howard .............................................................................. Associate Pastor/Education Don Ingle ......................................................................................Director of Mens Ministry Shannon Moore ........................................................................Director of Womens Ministry John Patterson..................................................................Associate Pastor/Media & Technology Doug Pigg ............................................................Associate Pastor of Church Administration Tom Rider .................................................................. Associate Pastor/School Administrator Larry Rigley .................................................................. Associate Pastor/Childrens Ministry Dr. Todd F. Stearns ........................................................ Associate Pastor/Worship and Music Kevin Taylor ..............................................................Associate Pastor/High School Ministry Kevin Van Duser .................................................................Associate Pastor/Sports Outreach

First Baptist Church Naples

Church Receptionist ......................................................................................................... 597-6057 Enter ext. # for direct connection ..................................................................................... 596-8600 Lighthouse Bookstore ...................................................................................................... 449-4488 First Baptist Academy Naples ......................................................................................... 597-2233 24-Hour Prayer Line .......................................................................................... 597-PRAY (7729) Church Email ....................................................................................................... FBCN@fbcn.org Church Website.........................................................................................................www.fbcn.org

3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.