Weekly Newsletter – August 11, 2025
đź“–Sunday Recap
This week’s sermon centered on Psalm 100, revealing how authentic worship flows from knowing God deeply. The psalm invites us to worship with joyful shouts, glad service, and thankful praise, not as empty rituals, but as natural responses to who God is. At its core, joyful worship begins with recognizing God as our Creator and Shepherd (v.3), and celebrating His enduring goodness, love and faithfulness (v.5). When we truly grasp these truths about God’s character, our worship transforms from duty to delight.
The message emphasized that knowing God leads to loving God. Just as relationships grow deeper through time and shared experiences, our affection for God increases as we walk with Him daily. This growing love then overflows into visible worship – not just in song, but in how we live, serve and relate to others. The early church’s joyful generosity (Acts 2:46-47) demonstrated this principle powerfully, as their genuine love for God drew others to Christ.
For personal application this week, consider taking time each morning to meditate on one aspect of God’s character from Psalm 100:5. Let this truth shape your prayers and perspective throughout the day. Notice how focusing on who God is – rather than our changing circumstances – cultivates a heart of gratitude and praise. As we grow in knowing God personally, our worship will become increasingly joyful, both individually and as a church family, making Christ’s love visible to those around us.
đź“… Happening This Week
Sunday
- 9:00am – Worship
- 10:20am – Sunday School
- 7:00 pm Revival
Saturday Aug 16
– Chowder Parade
FCC will have an entry in the parade this coming saturday, passing our water and popsicles, we need people to walk with us. If you are able to walk in the parade be at the old champ parking lot at 9am with your walking shoes!
🗓️ Mark Your Calendar
Revival
August 17-19 @ 7pm
We’re excited to welcome Anita Newlin as our guest worship leader, and Allan Wright will be bringing the message each night. This will be a time to refocus our hearts, renew our faith, and be reminded of the hope we have in Christ.
🙏 Prayer Requests
Please be praying for:
- Family of Marvin Bailey
- Charlene Lynch – Recovery
- Mike Knepper – Recovery
- Bill Hicks – Recovery
- Oil Field Workers – Recovery
- Family of Catherine Whipkey
- Family of Tina Belt
- Family of Kenny Fewkes
- Coen VanMeter – Recovering from brain surgery
- Isla Beuligmann – Eye surgery
- Elizabeth Stevens – Broken leg recovery
- Jeff Hunley – Surgery Recovery
- Cherry Anderson – waiting for a liver transplant
- Felicia Moutry – Surgery Recovery
If you have a prayer request, contact church office at 618-456-8563 or fill out a card on Sunday.
🤝 Serve With Us
Looking for ways to get involved:
Rooted After School Program
Rooted is right around the corner. There are many ways to help – school pick up, playground supervisor, homework assistant, activity leader, and more! Volunteers can assist weekly, monthly, or on an as-needed basis. We also need help providing snacks for our Rooted students. To volunteer at Rooted or provide snacks, please send Ms. Ryan a message or sign up at the sign-up station in the church lobby.
Small Groups
It’s time to sign up for a small group! Whether it’s Sunday evening at the church, in someone’s home, or during the week, there’s a place for you. Last year, about 40 people joined a small group—we’d love to see even more this year. Our hope is that everyone would find a group where they feel known, encouraged, and spiritually fed.
- Why are small groups important?
- They help us grow deeper in our walk with Christ.
- They create space for honest questions and real conversations.
- They give us people to lean on, pray with, and walk through life beside.
They help the church stay connected outside of Sunday mornings.
Stop by the sign up sheet in the lobby to sign-up. Let’s take a step toward community—together.
Small groups will begin the week of September 21.
See you Sunday!