This Saturday our group is headed to Jackson to Raymond Road Baptist Church to see the Branson Variety Show. Spoken 4 will be the featured entertainment, but they are bringing a comedian along for even more fun. We’ll have lunch before the show. Call the church for more info. Tickets are required. Space is limited!

Saturday March 10 there will be a huge Garage Sale at the Baptist Student Union at Pearl River Community College to raise money for missions. If you have items to donate they must be at the BSU by Friday March 9. You can even call and arrange a pick up of your stuff! Please support this event! Check out Talking with Tommy blog for more details.

Mike and Linda Ray were here with us last Sunday, February 19 during the morning service. They have an ongoing connection with FBC, Poplarville as Linda grew up here. Many of our members have traveled to the Ukraine to join in medical and evangelical missions directed by the Rays. Don’t miss your chance to experience missions from the front lines! There are still a few spots open on the trip in June, but time to get signed up is running out!

On February 12 at 5:30 pm we will once again host the Spoken 4 Gospel Singers from Branson, Missouri.  There is still time to call the office to sign up for the Banquet. This will be a wonderful evening with great food and superb entertainment. Menu: Beef Brisket, Broccoli & Rice Casserole, Apricot Salad, Strawberry Heart Pillows, Red Velvet Cheesecake. Yum! Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children.

The finance statement for the month of December is now in, and so we can see how we did for the year. I am happy to report that in spite of the terrible financial climate we managed to remain faithful to our aim of not reducing the Cooperative Program percentages, or those that determine our gifts to the PRCC Baptist Student Union, and the Pearl River Baptist Association. We set and reached, or nearly reached, goals for giving to NAMB (Home Missions) and Margarete Lackey (State Missions), and are already over two-thirds towards our goal for Lottie Moon (Foreign Missions). Those special missions offerings are “off line” and are not included in our annual budget. We also give regularly to Brother’s Keeper, our local food pantry. With 2011 now in the books I can say that we truly did do as we said we would, “More with less.”  When I think back on our year just a few of the highlights have to include welcoming new members, baptisms, numerous fellowships, and meaningful Bible studies and worship experiences. Just take a moment to reflect on things such as VBS, Day Camp, Youth trips like Extreme. We also hosted a huge D-Now weekend with hundreds of youth from other churches participating, as well as retreats, camps, concerts, game nights, and Fifth Quarters.

Renovations at the REC proceeded as funds were available. Several church-wide functions were held throughout the year and we will have a Souper Bowl party in the REC on February 5th. Worship will begin at 4:30 and the food and fun will kick off at 5. Thankfully we did not have a major Hurricaine this year, but if we had the new facilities could have accommodated hundreds of folks as a shelter complete with AC and water powered by an on- site generator.

We held nominations for new deacons and ordained several new leaders. We made plans for the new year, 2012, and regardless of the uncertainties and concerns for what the future may hold, we voted unanuimously to adopt an agressive budget that continues to make sharing Christ in our community and around the world the first priority.

We held succesful community wide events such as the Easter Egg Hunt at City Park, the huge Block Party on the front lawn on Halloween,  An Evening In Bethlehem with the Living Nativity, and of course, a number of wonderful children’s and adult musicals. We ended the year in a wonderful way with a packed house for the Christmas Eve Lord’s Supper service, and worship services on Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

When the numbers were finally in our expenses were $5,392.69 over our budget, but, praise the Lord, our receipts were $11,086.93 over our budget! We faced the challenge of a difficult year and relying on the Lord, we were able to reach and exceed our goals! All glory goes to God! Your faithfulness to Him is to be commended!

On February 5th we will move our regular Sunday Evening service to 4:30pm at the REC. After a brief worship service we will enjoy a time of fellowship with a variety of soups, finger foods and deserts while we watch the big game! Please bring a donation for the local food pantry. Either can goods, or monetary donations will be accepted. Check with your Sunday School class for what items are needed.

Mr. Everett is once again selling the Baker Maid King Cakes, cookies, and biscotti items we all look forward to this time of year. Actually, he and Tracy have an ongoing competition to see who can sell the most! The proceeds will go to help with the REC renovation. Stop  by and check out what all has been going on with the renovations. You can get the nickel tour of the future kitchen and dining area, see the new tables and chairs that were donated, note the glass blocks that have been cleaned and shined, and inspect the painting going on in the gym!