Since preachers tend to be known for their talking, it should
come as no surprise to anyone that at least at one time in my life I used to talk in my sleep. I would usually mumble something, occasionally preach part of a sermon or yell at an imaginary intruder. In my early years, I also walked in my sleep. It took years to discover that I was affected by the caffeine of chocolate eaten late at night. My walking was so bad as a child that my parents would put chairs in my room as an obstacle course. In my frst summer as a teen working in the mountains, away from home, I climbed up on the top bunk and stared at my roommate and scared the living daylights out of him! While rooming with a college All-American baseball player, I actually started slapping him on the face in my sleep. Startled, Paul threw a right hook into my chin, knocked me fat on the foor, and only then did I wake up. Paul yelled, Wake up, Wicker, get back to bed. I got the point. God has called Christians to not walk in their sleep. Concerning the end times in 1 Thessalonians 5:5 & 6, As children of light and of the daylet us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. A watchful, wide-awake Christian is infnitely more useful and intelligent than one who is asleep. While physical sleep is necessary, we only wear ourselves out when we are not fully engaged in the Lords work. A sluggish, sleepy believer must arouse himself, discern the times, keep his head up and his feet moving. We not only rest in the Lord, but drink deeply from the fountain of Living Water, and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). A dear woman shared with me last week after the worship service how God had opened her eyes to see the darkness and despair of the old life without Christ. I told her that I could easily see the light in her eyes and the joy in her heart. While we have peace, joy, and light, we must be alert to the forces of evil that refect the darkness of their hearts and of the last days. However, Jesus is coming and God has not destined us for wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Repent of your sins. Turn to Christ in faith while it is day, night comes when no one can work (John 9:4). Churchwide Dr. Hayes Wicker, Senior Pastor There is a guest reception in the Commons following the Saturday night and Sunday morning worship services. Pastor would love to meet you! Guest Reception Missions Ministry Building Kingdom Families Saturday, September 6 - October 11 at 7:30pm in the Chapel What is your plan for passing on a godly heritage to your children? What are some key biblical imperatives that will help you? Join us for this six session Block BLG taught by Tom Rider. It is a unique opportunity to equip parents to be all that God intends for you to be. Various Ministries DivorceCare New Session Begins Saturday, Sept 6 at 7:15pm in Room DC113 This class is for everyone who is suffering with the pain of divorce. For more information, go to www.divorcecare.org/groups/45417 or call Rhonda at 596- 8600 x261. Financial Peace University New Session Begins Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30pm Dave Ramsey teaches you how to manage your fnances in this fun and informative class. You must sign-up online at www.daveramsey.com/fpu/ classfnder. For more information, you may call Rhonda at 596-8600 x261. Visit our table in the Commons the weekend of September 6 & 7. 9/11 Commemorative Service Thursday, September 11 at 6:00pm in the Worship Center Join us for this time of refection with music, a wreath presentation, and special speakers Frank Silecchia (NYC Fireman who found the steel cross at the Trade Center site) and Patrick White (representing Shanksville, PA). Additional Adult Choir Rehearsal Begins Sunday, September 7 5:00-6:30pm in the Adult Choir Room Led by Sonya Stearns, this is a great choir option for those who are involved in Wednesday night ministries. If you have been wanting to sing in our Sunday Worship Choir but couldnt because of other conficts on Wednesday nights, now you have a new option of participating! Come and join us! Living Christmas Trees Journey to the Manger Drama Information Table in Commons This Weekend LCT Choir Retreat Saturday, September 6 We want more singers in the trees than weve ever had before to make this 32nd anniversary presentation special! Our annual LCT Choir Retreat is next Saturday. Breakfast is at 8am, and rehearsal is 9am-3pm with a catered lunch. Registration is $10. Please contact Tina at 596-8600 x229 if interested. Please pray about being a part of this wonderful ministry. Sign-up for LCT Drama, Stage Ensemble, and Nativity at the information table in the Commons by the staircase. Spaghetti Splash Luncheon Sunday, September 7 at 12:20pm in the Commons Enjoy great food and even better news, featuring short reports from the Watsons, the Kentucky Mission Team, and Anne Bessette (Haiti mission trip). Lunch will be provided by the Missions Committee (monetary donations are welcomed). Gluten free options will be available. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept 3 to sgraham@fbcn.org or call 596-8600 x630. You may also sign-up at the special table at the Missions Kiosk in the Commons. Joy Comes in the Morning (A Ministry to Widows) Begins Saturday, September 13 at 10:00am in DC121 Are you a woman who would like to meet with other widows for fellowship, prayer, and encouragement from Gods Word? Then please join us! RSVP by calling 596-8600 x115 or email jcmministry@fbcn.org. Our Benevolence Fund Needs Help The Benevolence Fund is what we use to bless those from our church family who fnd themselves going through a rough time fnancially. Currently this fund is very low. Please consider a donation to replenish this fund so that we can continue to help. Just make a check to First Baptist Church Naples and put BN in the memo section. Home Bible & Life Groups The fall session will run for 12 weeks starting the week of September 14. Russ & Linda Ayers Tuesdays 6:30pm/Autumn Woods Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Al & Janie Winterman Mondays 6:30pm/Old Naples Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Lee & Debbie Norton Mondays 6:30pm/Carlton Lakes Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Kent & Lisa Anderson Mondays 6:30pm/Quail Woods Couples mid-30s to early 50s Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Carleton & Cindy Case Mondays 7:00pm/Victoria Park Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Luis & Carmen Rodriguez Sundays 6pm/Waterways Spanish Speaking Group Sign-up today at our tables in the Commons next to the Information Desk. Mike & Angel Jarvis Sundays 6:30pm/Golden Gate Estates Becoming a Contagious Christian Couples with elementary-aged children Nathan & Martha Phillips Tuesdays 6:30pm/Autumn Woods The Art of Marriage Married adults 32 years old or younger Sharon Gammons Thursdays 6:30pm/Airport & Vanderbilt Overcome Ladies only (emphasis on widows) John & Jennifer Patterson Mondays 7pm/Golden Gate Estates Marriage, Parenting, & Topical Studies ** Find out more information about each group at our table in the Commons.** Tactica is at the Missions Kiosk in the Commons Tactica Ministries is in need of both golfers and hole sponsors for their second annual golf tournament on October 25. Proceeds will go toward the purchase and operation of the Tactica Ministry Center in San Jose, Costa Rica. Please visit with them at the Missions Kiosk for more information, or email Mike at mikedolan05@comcast.net. Muslim Bible Day Offering September 6 & 7 Our church is helping carry Gods Word and the gospel to people who desperately need it. This is a strategic project to publish and distribute the Scriptures to Muslims. We will be taking an offering next weekend in special marked Muslim Bible Day envelopes. Senior Adults Trip to Burroughs House Thursday, September 11 at 10:30am Join us as we visit this historic home in Ft. Myers. We will leave the church at 10:30am. Cost is $25 (includes transportation, tour, and lunch). Sign-up in the Fellowship Hallway, Information Desk, or call Vada at 596-8600 x268. Special Musical Guests This Weekend Mark & Christi Bovee In Both Services This Weekend Mark is the owner/president of Creative Ivory Music in Woodland Park, CO. He grew up in Sitka, AK. Mark toured for three years with the Christian group TRUTH where he met his wife, Christi (who travels and sings with him). He earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 1992. Mark served on the music staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas for more than fve years as pianist/arranger/orchestrator. He has been working as a producer, arranger, and orchestrator for Prism Music in Nashville since January 1999. Old Pictures/Videos of FBCN Needed Do you have pictures or video footage of FBCN in its early years? We are bringing together the story of FBCN and would like your pictures and videos to help share it. If you have memorable pictures from previous locations, pastors, and members or activities, we are interested in seeing your media. Please contact Mark at 596-8600 x230 or send your images to mtucker@fbcn.org. Quilting/Sewing Back to Basics Begins Monday, September 8 at 6:30pm in Room WC117 Come join us to learn how to quilt or sew. If you already know how, come and fellowship while you work on a project. Having experience, a machine, or materials does not matter as we have items to be used and shared. Call/text Pam at 272-5583 or email pcole@fbcn.org for details. Help Wanted We have a place for you to serve in the Food Service Ministry. If you enjoy preparing food and serving children, then we would like to meet with you. The work hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Experience would be helpful, but is not required. For more information, please contact Chef Herb Small at 821-6902. Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord Jane Hogan passed into glory on May 13. Melani Dietrich met Jesus face to face on August 25. We are praying for their families. First Baptist Church Naples 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109 Offce Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 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 September 1 - 7 Bill Smith & Buddy Smith If you need assistance, please call the church deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. For Spanish, call 404-7764. Deacon of the Week Wednesday Family Meal Live streaming Saturday at 6:00pm and Sunday at 9:30am at fbcn.org! Visit our website: fbcn.org Like us on Facebook: FirstBaptistChurchNaples Follow us on Twitter: @fbcn @hayeswicker Ways to Connect Online with FBCN Contact Us Weekly Schedule Last Weekend This Upcoming Week 2013-2014 Operating Revenues July 1, 2014 - Aug 24, 2014 Budget Actual Variance $990,998 $950,581 ($40,417) Financial Stewardship Bible & Life Attendance August 23 & 24 Saturday Night 1,378 Sunday 9:30 a.m. 1,446 Total 2,824 Wednesday Night Study 297 Decisions for Christ Worship Attendance See what God is doing! Debt balance as of Aug 24 $1,261,293 August 23 & 24 Saturday Night 866 Sunday 8:15 a.m. 69 Sunday 11:00 a.m. 850 Home Groups 186 Total 1,971 Profession of Faith Larimar Webbe September 3 (4:45-6:00pm in the Fellowship/Recreation Gym) Crabmeat Stuffed Sole, Rice Pilaf, Vegetable, Salad, Dessert Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe or at the door for $6 each or $25 for a family. Alternate choices available. Saturday, August 30 5:00 p.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 6:00 p.m. Worship Service: Worship Center 6:00 p.m. Spanish Worship Service: Modular 1 7:30 p.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus Sunday, August 31 8:15 a.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 9:00 a.m. Haitian Bible Study & Worship: ED206 9:00 a.m. Vietnamese Worship & Bible Study: DC221 9:30 a.m. Worship Service: Worship Center 10:00 a.m. Romanian Bible Study & Worship: Modular 4 11:00 a.m. Bible and Life Groups: Various Rooms on Campus 12:30 p.m. Spanish Worship Service: Student Center 6:00 p.m. Romanian Worship Service: Modular 4 6:30 p.m. Haitian Worship Service: Modular 2 Tuesday, September 2 9:00 a.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center Wednesday, September 3 4:45 p.m. Family Meal: Fellowship Recreation-Gym 6:20 p.m. AWANA for Kids: Education Building 6:25 p.m. Band of Brothers Mens Ministry: Chapel 6:30 p.m. RefresHer Womens Ministry: Worship Center 6:30 p.m. High School Ministry: Home Groups Off Campus 6:30 p.m. Middle School Ministry: Student Center & Family Life Center 6:30 p.m. Worship Choir Rehearsal: Choir Room Other events this week include: Labor Day (Church Closed), Prayer for our Pastors, Celebrate Recovery, and LCT Choir Retreat Preschool & Childrens Ministry Weekday Part Time Employment and Volunteers Needed Teachers and assistants are needed to serve with young children on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Teachers and assistants are also needed to teach preschoolers (birth through four years old) during MOPS every other Thursday morning. For details about any of these positions, call Beverly at 596-8600 x351. The Childrens Ministry has a need for a 4th grade BLG assistant teacher on Sunday mornings. Please call Nancy at 596-8600 x350 for more details. First Steps Class Begins Saturday, September 13 at 7:30pm This is for children in 1st through 4th grade who would like to get baptized. It covers the topics of salvation, baptism, communion, being part of the church, and growing as a child of God. Please call 596-8600 x350 to register your child. First Baptist Academy Along with new record enrollment, FBA celebrated four generations of Kingdom Education as we begin our 19th year of service to the Christian community of Naples. Pictured is Rita Lezgus (grandmother and FBA Resource Teacher), her daughter and FBA graduate Lisa (Lezgus) Albero, Sarah Lezgus (a current FBA Senior), and Alivi Albero (currently attending FBA kindergarten). FBA is blessed to serve all our families with excellence to the Lord. Big Daddy Weave Concert Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm Also featuring Chris August, Group1Crew, and Dara MacLean. Tickets are available exclusively at chosentickets.com. (General admission is $25.00. Groups of 10 or more are $22.00. All VIP seating is sold out.) Major Concert Announcement Transfer of Letter Jennifer Shoots Roy Shoots