In this issue:

Bro. Herb 2

AWANA 4

Birthday’s 8

Calendar 9

Happy New Year!!!!! Almost difficult to say isn’t it? I can’t believe it is 2010. I thought for sure Jesus would be coming back by now, but He is giving us more time to tell others of His amazing love!

Since it is His plan to allow us to be able to share this amazing life let’s get busy and begin sharing that He is our everything. Some may ask, our everything? Yes. God Himself tells us we can depend on Him for our everything. “Exodus 3:14” "And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Adrian Rogers said: “Have you ever noticed that the title God chose to describe Himself is an incomplete sentence? Now, most people would finish that sentence, “I am…” but not our Lord. He purposefully did not complete the sentence. “I AM.” He is. Are you hungry? He is the bread. Are you in the dark? He is the light. Are you searching? He is the truth. Are you lost? He is the way. Are you in need? He is your Shepherd.”

God’s Word further describes our needs being met in (Philippians 4:19) “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Understand God has promised His Children He is our everything. Do not misunderstand, He does not say He is going to give us everything we ask or wish for. What He does promise is that He will make sure our needs are met. Notice the One from whom this supply shall be coming, through the Son.

(Hebrews 4:16) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He then tells us we can ask boldly for those needs. When we must do

A Word f rom our pa s tor

Special points of interest:

∗ Pictures from “A Baby Changes Everything”

Dinner Theater

∗ Middle School Youth begins

∗ Special Thank You from the Church Secretary

1st Ba

ptist Ch

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ch

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an

fo

rd

J a n ua ry 2 0 1 0 V o l um e 1 4 , I s s u e 1

Gordon Keller

Pastor

without or wait for something we think we must have right now, or be told no, He sill is our supply of what we must have. He provides the grace and mercy to go through grieving, hardship, difficult sickness, or even thinking we have been forgotten.

If we truly desire to have a great year, we had better learn He is our everything. If He is coming again, and He is, we had better tell all this year He is their everything also, if they will surrender their lives to His will.

How can it not help to be but a Happy New Year

with Jesus in control? God bless you all and remember, He’s got the whole world in His hands!

IN HIS SERVICE

BROTHER GORDON

The torch

I just want to say thank you to everyone involved in mak-ing this Christmas so success-ful. Congregation; thank you for your support, the attendance was great. Choir; what can I say, you gave your all and the Lord blessed it. Soloist; each of you did a great job and sold your songs. Children; you sang your hearts out and stole the show. Tech crew; your awesome, you make the difference.

Above were my remarks after our first Christmas to-gether. Let me just say “ditto”. But let me add, Elaine Boney (drama direc-tor), Robert Bradow (Dinner Coordinator), Braxton Koon (technical director), Rox-anne Worsley (set director), Wanda Petrena (costume director), Shelly Fletcher (promotional director) and all the actors and villagers, you added so much, making this the best Christmas yet.

Truly, “A Baby does Change Everything.” We love you church and thank you for the opportunity to lead you in worship. May 2010 be a great year for FBC Branford.

Enjoy the pictures and memories:

Bro. Herb

From My Heart

Page 2 The Torch

Bro. Herb Stucky

Minister of Worship

Scenes from “A Baby Changes Everything”

Have you ever done any social experiments? You know, where you set up certain scenarios without anyone else knowing about it, and see how everyone reacts to what you've done. We had a new toilet paper dispenser/ maga-zine rack installed in the men's room (men, a little note here, don't try this experiment in the ladies room, as experimental data is diffi-cult to compile without looking like some kind of weirdo) of the office where I work. It's mounted on the wall on the right hand side of the toilet, and holds two rolls of toilet paper (hereafter referred to as "TP") side by side, with one roll being closer to the person using said TP by exactly the width of the roll of TP. Get the picture, one roll just slightly closer to you than the other roll. The reason this holder was installed was that the original TP dispenser was mounted down below toilet level to your right and was awkward to reach without formal training in yoga. So now, within easy reach of the toilet, are three rolls of toilet paper, a real treasure trove for those in need.

I noticed one day that someone had mounted the rolls of TP backwards, where the paper rolls off the backside from underneath instead of over the top and out the front. Being slightly picky about such things, I promptly moved to rectify this atrocity. But halfway through turning the rolls around to the PROPER direction of rollage, I had an idea. "I wonder," thought I, "if others are as disturbed as I am over which way the TP rolls, and will it affect which roll of TP they use?" So I only turned one roll around, the closer of the two in the double dispenser, and left the other roll, and the one on the wall that's so hard to reach, rolling off backwards. It was soon ap-parent that the frontward facing roll was ap-proximately three times more favored for usage than the other two combined. AAAAHHHHH, results. "But (no pun in-

tended)," thought I, "was the favored usage due to ease of rolling, or ease of reach?" So the next week, I switched the rolls around, with the backward rolling roll closest to the subject of intense scientific research, and turned the other two rolls around to roll off the front of the dispenser in the proper fash-ion, as I'm sure the Creator of the universe intended for them to work. Now it gets inter-esting. In this configuration, the somewhat farther away properly rolling roll had a slight advantage over the closer backwards rolling roll, with the difficult to reach even closer roll not in the running (again, no pun intended) at all. Well, I had one more arranging of the rolls to try. This time, the only forward facing roll was the difficult to reach, but incredibly close roll, with the other two rolling off back-wards. In this configuration I'm sad to say, the closest of the backward rolling rolls was the winner by a nose (the gags are too easy here).

Do you see the significance here? Can you grasp the implications, the relevance, the enormity of this? We will use the roll closest to us more often as long as it's not difficult to reach, but only when it's rolling in the right direction. Get it rolling the wrong way, make it a little less accessible, just slightly more difficult to use, and we'll reach right around it and use the properly rolling roll, a roll that is prepared to do the job and is facing the right way. And don't even get me started on that roll that you have to contort yourself around in an un-human fashion to use. It only gets used when the other two rolls are completely unavailable, and even then it's a toss up be-tween using it or one of the leftover card-board tubes from the other two rolls. I'm talking seriously difficult to reach.

A little while back, a church on the way into town (Living Springs, for all you locals) had a sign on their marquee that read "God uses

those closest to Him most often." Yeah, most often, but not always. God will use those closest to Him most often, as long as they're not to difficult to reach. Or, maybe they're "coming off the roll backwards", meaning, they're in reach, but they're not living their life for God at the moment. Are you talking to God daily, digging into His word, seeking out His will for your life? In other words, are you easily within reach of God when He needs to use you? I've gotten myself in that situation before, not a fun place to be. Kind of lonely really. Lots of friends and family around all the time, but still lonely without the closeness of a proper relationship with God. I really missed God, and it wasn't that He had gone anywhere, it was I, like the prodigal son, who had gone away from the Father. Thankfully, God is faithful and stands and watches for us, and while I was yet a long way off, He saw me, and welcomed me back into a relation-ship with Him. And then He started using me again. Let me have the Middle School Youth Group again. Fun group to teach. Now if only they'll study the seventies so they can under-stand some of my illustrations better. Who ever heard of someone who doesn't know what the "rope-a-dope" is?

To be used by God we must be in the right position, we must be in reach, and we must be available. Sure, God will use us if we're coming off the roll backwards, or if He has to really reach to get us, and sometimes when others just aren't available. But wouldn't it be better to have ourselves in position, ready, easily reachable, prepared to be used by God?

Middle School Youth

Page 5 Volume 14, Issue 1

By: Kevin Fletcher

WNL Begins...

“Be an Eagle in 2010”

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chroni-cles 16:9

Once upon a time in the long,

long ago the Eagle and the

Chicken were very good friends.

Everywhere they went, these

friends went together. It was not

uncommon for people to look up

and see the Eagle and Chicken

flying side by side through the air.

One day while flying, the Chicken

said to the Eagle, “Let’s drop down

and get a bite to eat. My stomach

is growling.” “Sounds like a good

idea to me,” replied the Eagle. So

the two birds glided down to

earth, they saw several animals

eating and decided to join them.

They landed next to the cow. The

cow was busy eating corn, but

noticed the Eagle and Chicken

were sitting on the ground next to

her. “Welcome,” said the cow.

“Help yourself to the corn.”

This took the birds by surprise.

They were not accustomed to hav-

ing other animals share their food.

“Why are you so willing to share

your corn with us?” asked the

Eagle. “Oh we have plenty to eat

here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we

want,” replied the cow. Well the

Chicken and the Eagle joined in

and ate their fill. When they

finished, the Chicken asked more

about Mr. Farmer. “Well,” said

the cow, “he grows all our food for

us. We don’t have to work for the

food at all.” “You mean,” said the

Chicken, “That Mr. Farmer gives

you all you want to eat?” “That’s

right,” said the cow. “Not only

that, but he also gives us shelter

over our heads.” The Chicken and

the Eagle were shocked! They had

never heard of such a thing. They

had always had to search for food

and work for shelter.

When it came time to leave, the

Chicken and the Eagle began to

discuss the situation. “Maybe we

should just stay here,” said the

Chicken. “We can have all the

food we want without working.

And that barn over there sure beats

those nests we’ve been building.

Besides, I’m tired of always having

to work for a living.”

“I don’t know about all this,” said

the Eagle. “It sounds too good to

be true. I find it hard to believe

that one can get something for

nothing. Besides, I like flying

high and free through the air. In

fact, I find it quite challenging.

Well the Chicken thought it over

and decided to stay where the food

and shelter was free. But the

Eagle loved the challenges of life

and his freedom too much to give

it up. After saying his goodbyes to

his friend the Chicken, the Eagle

set sail for the wild blue yonder.

Everything went fine for the

Chicken. He ate all he wanted.

He never worked. He grew fat

and lazy. But then one day he

heard the Farmer say to his wife

that the preacher was coming the

next day and they should have

fried Chicken for dinner. Hearing

that, the Chicken decided it was

time to check out and rejoin his

good friend Mr. Eagle. But when

attempted to fly he found that he

had grown to fat and lazy. In-

stead of flying, he could only

flutter. So the next day, the

Farmer’s family and the preacher

enjoyed a fine fried Chicken meal.

And that’s the reason why Eagles

soar and Chickens flutter.

The Living Bible translates Prov-

erbs 14:12 like this: “Before every

man there lies a wide and pleasant

road that seems right but ends in

death.”

It’s my prayer for our church family that we all are more the Eagle; willing to take on the challenges for the new year. Eagles spur revival. Eagles cause growth. Eagles soar – and pull others up high with them. Just as Eagles stand out among other birds, Christians should stand out and above the rest of the Crowd.

“The size of a leader is deter-mined by the depth of his con-victions, the height of his am-bitions, the breadth of his vi-sion, and the reach of his love.” --- D. N. Jackson

Youth & Children

Page 6 The Torch

“The size of a leader is determined by the depth

of his convictions, the

height of his ambitions,

the breadth of his vision,

and the reach of his

love.” --- D. N. Jackson

Mark Worsley Youth Pastor

Notice to Donors: Do not file your 2009 federal income tax return until you receive your contri-

bution summary from the church. If you donated

$250 or more you will receive a contribution statement.

Taxes

From your secretary

about a religion, it’s a about a relationship with an all mighty God that gets you into heaven.

Bro. Mark, the work he does with our children and youth can be tiring, but he continues to encourage them to live for the Lord. He regularly encourages our youth to give back to the congregation through work days, and just re-cently Christmas caroling to some of our member that could use a little lift for Christmas.

Bro. Herb, he brought mu-sic back into my life, and for that I will forever be grateful. The bible says the Lord will give you the de-sires of your heart... To play my flute in the Florida Baptist Worship Choir and Orchestra is more than I

would have ever dared to ask for. It’s hard to please everyone when it comes to “style of worship”, and I appreciate the work he does helping us to worship our Lord.

I believe what I do in the office is a ministry for God and I will strive to please Him. I hope God allows me to stay in this place a long time, because there is no better place to be!

Thank you for allowing me to serve you through the church office, and remem-ber I always have a piece of candy on my desk and an ear to listen!

Love all of you

Shelly Fletcher

It’s hard to believe that I have been the church secre-tary for 5 years! What an awesome opportunity the Lord has given me.

I first wanted to thank my church family for being a family to me. The people I see and talk to on a regular basis bless and encourage me everyday. As someone who gets to see “behind the scenes”, it amazes me the work that people do for God that no one else sees. They do this not for their glory, but because they love the Lord. That is awesome!

Our pastors are true men of God and I appreciate that more than they could ever know. Bro. Gordon has taught me never as-sume someone is saved... Ask them! Because it’s not

“Hard to believe it's been

5 years that I have been

your secretary”

Page 7 Volume 14, Issue 1

Sunday, January 3, 2010

6:00 PM

Christian Life Center

**Special concert for the Young @ Heart, Monday January 4th at 11:00 pm. Bring

a covered dish and join us for lunch before the concert , meat will be provided!

The Young@Heart had the regular scheduled meeting on Monday, December 7th at 11:00 am. They met and had a wonderful covered dish dinner, played a few games and gave away gifts, shared their best Christmas stories.

Photos by George Petrena

Grace Vaught and Leota Fletcher ready for Christmas John Hall and Joe Vaught enjoying conversation.

Don Kahle and Garry Forester Aline Petty always brings something wonderful to eat

Barbara Kahle, Norma Forester and Shirley Koon getting

ready in the kitchen

Olga Knott with her mother, Florence Lugo

Page 9 Volume 14, Issue 1

2 Dale Kaman, Jemma Thompson,

3 Sharon Richardson, Bill Tindale

4 Brenda Langston, Kimberly Walker

5 Todd Cangelosi, Wilbur Hall, Joe Vaught

6 Dola Hall

7 Cherry Lumbert

8 Steve Eliason, Joella Humphries, Randy Nemeth

9 David Bass, Lindsey (Walker) Taylor

11 Robert Arrowood

12 Dick Hiller

13 Kayla Alford, Velma Carrington, Bill Sorrells

14 Michelle Aderholt

15 Doyle Hayes, Robert Kelly

17 Lauren Cangelosi, Keri (Frierson) VanAernam

19 Landen Lewis

20 Tom Koon

21 Ricky Aderholt, Alaina Tyre

22 Ella Clark (1st Birthday!!), Eddie Hatch

23 Erin Morris

24 Will Campbell, Johnny Howard, Travis Lockwood, Marc Severance

25 David Campbell

26 Tori Aderholt, Betty Hall, Elaine Nemeth

27 Cash Blalock, AW Gaylard

28 Gage Clark, Keiron Felty

29 Delani Cannon, Gary Croxton, Kiara Janosh

30 Joslyn Barrs, Ross Sears, Oveda Williams

31 Teresa Bullock, Caden Coker

Birthdays

The Pastor, Staff and congregation of the First Baptist Church extend love and Christian sympathy to and a donation made in their memory to the FBC Worship Center :

The Inez Humphries Family

The Leon Hatch Family

A donation was made to the FBC Worship Center in mem-ory of Inez Humphries by:

Scott & Barb Tomlinson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Boatright, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Hansel Ross Billy Brannan Jesse Wood

Maranatha SS Class Jean Williams

Jerry & Virginia Coker Joy SS Class

Jo & Jim Bob Brown Wannie Mae Brannan Craig & Judy Lamb

Jerry & Jeanette Scarborough Clydie Wheeler

Don & Tina Meyer Lawanda Bachara Johnie W Boatright

A donation was made to the FBC Worship Center in

memory of Leon Hatch by:

Martha Sue Brown Jesse Wood

Jean Williams Jerry & Virginia Coker

Dan Terry Barnes, Jr. DMD & Melissa Don & Tina Meyer Lawanda Bachara

Brian & Cherry Lumbert Amanda Grimmett Johnie W Boatright

A donation was made to the FBC Worship Center in memory of Billy Walker & Dee Wood

by Lawanda Bachara

Page 10 The Torch

Wednesdays 6:30pm.........................................AWANA (2 yrs—5th grade) 6:30 pm …....................................…Youth (6th—12th grade) 6:30 pm ………................……..….......Prayer & Praise Service 8:15 pm....................................................Orchestra Practice Thursdays 10:00 am....................................................Ladies Bible Study 6:30 pm......................................................Adult Bible Study

Sundays 9:00 am ……................................................Sunday School 10:15 am ………...............................…......Morning Worship 4:30 pm.......................................................Choir Practice 6:00 pm …….....................…....................Evening Worship Mondays 5:00 pm.................................................................SHARE Tuesdays 6:30am …………....…….........….……...Men’s Prayer Group

January 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Happy New Year

2

3 Deacon Meeting

Terry G. Hall in

concert 6:00 pm

4

Young@Heart,

11:00 am

5 6 7 8 9

Upward Basketball

10

Stewardship

11 12 13

Business Meeting

14 15 16

Upward Basketball

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Upward Basketball

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Upward Basketball

31

Trustee Meeting

Page 11 Volume 14, Issue 1

607 Suwannee Ave NW PO Box 853

Branford FL 32008

Phone: 386-935-1363 Fax: 386-935-6256

E-mail: lighthse@gotjesus.net

1st Baptist

Church of

Branford

Worship Times Sunday School……........……..…...9:00 am Sunday Morning…………….........10:15 am Sunday Evening……….....….........6:00 pm Wednesday Evening………….....…6:30 pm

Contact Information

Church Office…….......……..386-935-1363 Fax…………….....………...386-935-6256 Website:.....................branfordbaptist.com Email……….…….....lighthse@gotjesus.net If you do not wish to receive this publication, please call us or send us an email.

STAFF Rev. Gordon Keller...........…Senior Pastor gkeller@gotjesus.net Bro. Herb Stucky.......... Minister of Worship hstucky@windstream.net Rev. Mark Worsley......... Minister to Student markfbcb@yahoo.com Shelly Fletcher……….Secretary/Receptionist shelly@gotjesus.net Angela Blalock................Financial Secretary

Church Information

It's not about us, it's

about Him!

We’re on the Web!

www.branfordbaptist.com

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 33

Branford, FL

The First Baptist Church exists… Under the Divine Leadership of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we worship God, work diligently to extend His kingdom, and exalt the Christian standard of living while promoting Christian fellowship.