Listen to sermons LIVE on Facebook!

This past Sunday, we went LIVE for the first time on Facebook! We will be broadcasting the sermon live each week on Facebook, so be certain to like our page:

https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptistStephens/

And, if you can't make it in person, you can watch the sermon live from Facebook. Here is a link to this week's message (with a solo by Richard Hughes as a bonus):

Facebook LIVE video

Time to sign up for directory pictures!

We are getting a new directory! 

Picture day is Thursday, September 20th. Appointments go from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All families connected to the church through the youth and children's program as well as all members, active and inactive, are invited to be a part of the directory.

Each family gets a free 8x10 portrait for taking part.

Sign up now through September 2nd, either at the church building or online.

Sandy Carter: Associate Pastor of Discipleship

This Sunday, First Baptist Church of Stephens voted to name Sandy Carter as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship.

Sandy has been working with the youth in the church for more than a decade. He surrendered to the gospel ministry at the end of last year and was ordained this past April.

In addition to continuing his work discipling the youth, Sandy will also be coaching and supporting home group leaders as the church transitions from Sunday morning classes to midweek discipleship groups in homes. He will also assist Bro. Steve in developing and implementing a discipleship pathway for church members to grow in Christ.

Congratulations, Sandy!

The New Old Way: 20:20 Vision (Acts 20:20)

As we begin our transition to home groups, the question we need to ask is whether we are following a human "bright idea" or if we are following a biblical example. This week, we look at the "20:20 Vision" we get from the book of Acts and the biblical call to hospitality.

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Stephens Community Block Party

We had a great time at the block party last Saturday!

The block party materials came from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Tracy Archibald drove it all the way from Paragould (and had to get back that night to preach on Sunday!).

We couldn't have done it without the support of other Stephens churches: St. Stephens, ACTS church, New Home AME, New Zion Hill, Mt. Zinia Baptist, Stephens UMC, and Rolling Hills Assembly all contributed with money, volunteers, and support.

It was a great day. Enjoy the pictures (courtesy of ACTS church)...

(more pictures after the jump)

First Baptist Church Ordains Sandy Carter to the Gospel Ministry

Last Sunday was a special day in the life of our church. Sandy Carter, our long-time volunteer youth pastor, was ordained to the gospel ministry in and afternoon service.

Sunday began with Sandy bringing the message at our morning worship service. His topic was building your life on the right foundation: obedience to Jesus and his teachings.

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The afternoon service included a charge given by our pastor for Sandy to take on the calling he has received, knowing that God created him for this very calling.

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The church then laid hands on Sandy and his wife Monica to set them apart for the calling God has put on Sandy's life.

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Resurrection Sunday

Easter Sunday: Alive

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, 36-49

Key verse: Luke 24:5-6— “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Why is Easter, specifically the resurrection of Jesus, so important to Christians? The church was born and grew on the news of an event: Jesus of Nazareth, great teacher, prophet, and worker of miracles, had been executed by the Romans at the request of the Jewish leaders. He died, but he rose to life again! Hundreds of people saw Jesus alive. Many were killed for their testimony. No one would deny what they had seen, nor would they stop spreading the news.

Many men exalted themselves during the Roman occupation of Judea, gathering a following as the long-awaited Messiah. Many of these messiahs died on crosses, but only Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection proved that Jesus alone is the Messiah, or Christ. His claim to be the Son of God was blasphemy, unless it was true. And the resurrection proved God’s approval of his claims.

Only Jesus lived a sinless life, defeating Satan and every temptation of the flesh. Only Jesus died a completely innocent death, allowing him to bear sin for us. And only Jesus conquered death, so only Jesus has the power to deliver you from sin in this life, and from death into eternal life.

Only Jesus is great enough to command our worship. Only Jesus has the power to save. And only Jesus loves you enough to pass through hell so that you might never taste the sting of death. You are safe in his hands. Trust him. Love him in return. Worship him.

The Bible says Jesus gave his life so he could have a people who are his very own. This people is called the church. You love Jesus by loving his church. You experience his life by living where he lives, among his people. He invites you to be alive with him. 

Will you accept that invitation?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for giving your life for me.

I believe that you rose again and are alive today. Please fill me with your life.

My only hope is you, Lord Jesus. I trust you with my life today—past, present and future.

Seal me with your Holy Spirit so that I might live for you from this day on.

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Saturday

Saturday: False Defeat

Scripture: Luke 23:44-56

Key verse: Luke 23:48—“When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.”

A profound disciple of Jesus once said, “If you follow Jesus long enough, he’s going to disappoint you.” The ladies who followed him to his tomb found this statement to be true as they prepared his burial spices. You can imagine their feelings all day Saturday as they sat in confusion, grief, and fear. All that they had hoped for in Jesus seemed lost. They were indeed disappointed in Jesus, but only because they didn’t understand the whole story.

Has God ever disappointed you? Have you ever placed your hope in a prayer that went unanswered? Are you stuck in a life situation that seems hopeless while God seems silent? Remember in that time that, like the women who helped bury Jesus, you don’t know the ending to the story.

There’s a t-shirt that says: “Spoiler Alert: The Tomb Is Empty.” Today, we benefit from the knowledge that Jesus did not remain in the grave. Instead, he defeated death, rose to life, and surprised these women with a new hope that surpassed all their previous dreams of what could be.

We know this ending, and yet we still lose heart. But we can trust God today that the ending he has prepared for us is better even than our hopes. Will you choose to trust God with whatever you face today?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you that the tomb was not the end of Jesus’ story.

I believe that the troubles I face right now are not the end of my story, either.

I place my day and my life in your loving hands, trusting that you have good planned for me.

Thank you for the hope of the empty tomb, Father. Amen.

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Good Friday

Friday: Three Crosses

Scripture: Luke 23:13-46

Key verse: Luke 23:42—“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Thursday

Thursday: The Night Before

Scripture: Mark 14:22-42

Key verse: Mark 14:38— “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Wednesday

Wednesday: Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:1-6

Key verse: Matthew 26:15— “[Judas] asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Tuesday

Tuesday: Jesus is Anointed at Bethany

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Key verse: Mark 14:9— “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Monday

Monday: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Scripture: Mark 11:15-19

Key verse: Mark 11:17— “And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written:

‘“My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”?

But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.”’”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Palm Sunday

Sunday: Jesus Enters Jerusalem in Triumph

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Key verse: Matthew 21:9—“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

‘Hosanna in the highest!’”

What Does God Want for Christmas? All of You! (Romans 12:1-2)

In our final week of combined services, Rev. Daryl Hope of St. Stephens brought the message. After all God as done--"In view of his mercy," as the text says--what is a reasonable gift to bring to God. It's all of us: our bodies and our minds, to be changed and transformed and to know him.

It was a wonderful four weeks of services with our brothers and sisters from St. Stephens. We really experience the presence of God as he met with us as we united together for worship. We are so grateful to Rev. Hope and St. Stephens for hosting us and being our guests these four weeks. It has been an honor and a blessing to worship with you.

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What Does God Want for Christmas? Spread the News!

It was our third week of combined services with St. Stephens Baptist Church. This time, we met at St. Stephens, and after a wonderful time of worship (and before a great meal), we spoke about Jesus' command to the church before he ascended to heaven: make disciples. If we ask God what he want for Christmas, he might answer with: "Can I get a witness?"

Jesus promises power to the church to be his witnesses everywhere and to everybody. Let's join together and tell the world what we have seen and heard.

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What Does God Want for Christmas? Obedience & Thanksgiving

This Sunday we welcomed the St. Stephens Baptist Church family into our building to worship, take the Lord's Supper, and to eat together. Rev. Daryl Hope, pastor of St. Stephens brought the message. It was a powerful call for us to live our lives in joyful thanksgiving to the Lord, obeying him out of love, because he first loved us.

Psalm 116:12: "How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?"

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What Does God Want for Christmas, week 1: Unity

This was the first week of our four weeks of combined services with St. Stephens Baptist Church, a primarily African-American congregation here in town. We have the pleasure of worshiping in their building as they led us in worship this past Sunday, and then I had the pleasure of bringing the message.

The question of all the Sundays leading to Christmas is, "What does God want for Christmas?" We answered this Sunday in both action and in word: He wants unity.

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VBS 2017

Our VBS was last week, and we had a great time. Check out the video!

Guest speaker: Tee Uzoigwe

Tarvoris "Tee" Uzoigwe joined us on Sunday, June 4, while our pastor was in Kobuk, Alaska, with our mission team. Tee is the Baptist Student Minsistries (BSM) leader at UAPB (University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff).

Here is the message that he brought from the book of Deuteronomy, titled "What Does the Lord Require of You?"
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