The Gathering

Praise God!

When we decided to do a Sunday evening service (The Gathering)  with a different style from our Sunday morning service, the whole purpose was and is to share the Gospel with people that did not choose to worship in the style that we have in the morning service. That being said, I want to be on record that the Sunday morning style at Anniston's FBC at McClellan is not "wrong". It is different from what some people prefer. Having said that, the Sunday night format is not "wrong". It's just different from Sunday morning. 

So many "church words" get misused in today's society. Even in the church, some people use words out of context. Often times it because they have had a bad experience. One that comes to mind is "seven-eleven songs". They refer to song that repeat the same seven words or phrases eleven times (so to speak). There are some of those songs out there. The truth is, there are very few of those songs in popular music sets today. Another idea is that all "new songs" are loud and fast. There are some of those out there as well. However, there are many soft, slow, ballad like songs that lead us to Worship God. While we are at this juncture, Even fast and loud songs can and do lead some to Worship God.  Another myth, is that "the young people have forgotten the hymns of old. Not so. What they have done is begun singing them with a guitar instead of a piano only and picked up the tempo a bit. Same song. Same tune. Same message. 

What if we moved past the "Worship Wars" mentality. What if we respect each others wishes to Worship differently. I use the NIV; you use the KJV. OK. One sings from a screen; Another uses a hymnal. Fantastic! This one uses a piano only; they use a keyboard, guitar and drums. Praise God! 

That is what is all about. 

Praise God!

Various types of instrumentation is mentioned throughout Scripture. 

HOW we praise Him is not as important as THAT we praise Him. 

"Praise Him. Praise Him, all ye little children.

God is Love. God is Love. "

Our Sunday evening Worship will have older hymns as well as some new music. We will have some "contemporary music" (don't like that word either) and some soft piano led songs. There will be some with a bluegrass flair and some with a rock beat. However the music is presented, the purpose is to lift the name of Jesus and Praise His name! Also the message (sermon) presented will be to call people to a closer walk with our Lord and make people aware of their need for a Savior. 

Join us on Sunday evenings at Anniston's First Baptist Church at McClellan. 

We will begin at 6:00 p.m. Arrive a bit early and get your coffee and snacks. 

Then sit back, or stand up as we Worship the One True God. 

I am excited to see how God moves among us as we call out to Him and Praise His name. 

I am looking forward to people coming to know Him as Savior. 

I am praying for God to prepare the way for us to seek Him as a person, as a church, as a community. 

Join me as I pray for The Gathering. 

The Gathering

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A New Beginning

Recently, I have been reading in Acts. Did you know it is called "Acts" because  it records the ACTS of the Apostles? Did you know that it is a follow up letter written by Luke? So, The Gospel According to Luke is letter 1 and The Acts of the Apostles is letter 2. Luke takes us to the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Acts picks up after the resurrection and Jesus talks to His disciples. SO, there is a little overlap, but not much.

Now that Jesus is physically gone, what are the disciples to do? He was their driving force and motivation. How are they to proceed without Him? Well, I am glad you asked. 

Jesus himself talked to the disciples & apostles, 

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water,but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” ⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:4-8 

Jesus was telling them that they had to make a new beginning. Start over so to speak. They were to carry on sharing the Gospel without Him physically present. That is nothing new for us. Jesus has never been here with us. How in the world would they do this? 

WHAT?!

Not trying to mislead you, but Jesus was with the disciples and he is with us! What He was telling them and us is that we must do things a little different. Share the Gospel with an emphasis on faith. Share Jesus based on what he has done in your life, not by putting him on display in a physical sense. 

Everyday, we have the opportunity to make a new beginning. 

Start your new day with Jesus. 

Everywhere you go, take Him with you. 

Share Him with those you meet. 

You can read more on this matter in the #1 Best Seller, The Holy Bible.