First Word July 3 & 4, 2010

Happy
Birthday
America

First Baptist Church Naples

 A Prayer Surge to Win Back America
We are familiar with
the “troop surge”
which helped turn
the tide in our war
in Iraq. However, our
nation, churches,
schools, media,
homes, and lives need
a prayer surge. We remember on this
holiday weekend the founding of our
nation. General George Washington,
after the Battle at Yorktown, reflected
on the Revolutionary War: “I take
particular pleasure in acknowledging
that the interposing hand of Heaven
has been most conspicuous and
remarkable.”
I recently was thrilled to stand in
Independence Hall in Philadelphia
where the Declaration of Independence
was signed in July of 1776. On that hot,
muggy day, a nation was born out of
faith and principles given by God. We
still believe that it is “self-evident that
all men are created equal.” Like never
before, we must call out to our Creator
so that rights of “life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness” in this nation will
continue.
Like the signers of the Declaration, we
must continue to have “a firm reliance
on the protection of divine Providence.”
In his speech to the Continental
Congress, July 4, 1776, patriot Samuel
Adams remembered “The Sovereign,
Guest Reception
There is a guest reception in the Commons immediately following the
Saturday night and Sunday morning service. Come and meet Dr. Wicker.
to Whom alone men ought to be
obedient; He reigns in Heaven and
from the rising to the setting of the sun,
may His Kingdom come.” No wonder
the British disdainfully referred to the
Rebels who had broken away from the
Crown as “Yankee psalm – singers.”
This weekend begins a Prayer Surge
in the life of our church ending at
Thanksgiving in November, during
which time we will call upon you to pray
not only for the nation, but also elected
officials, missionaries, and other key
areas of need. You will be challenged
to renew your Quiet Time and to learn
more about prayer. On this day, pray
for our President and his cabinet, but
also that the Lord would both choose
and remove officials as we exercise our
right to vote and right of speech. Just
as “The king gives stability to the land
by justice” (Proverbs 29:4), it is also true
that “When the righteous increase, the
people rejoice, but when a wicked man
rules, people groan.” Righteousness
must be exemplified in us so that
our “prayers are not abominations”
(Proverbs 28:9). Just as the church
bells rang all over Philadelphia after
the Declaration of Independence was
adopted, may we also let the bells of
our hearts and lips ring and cry out for
freedom and the glory of God.
 Patriotic Weekend Services
THIS WEEKEND

You will find the services this weekend refreshing as

we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, the sacrifices
of those who made that possible, and the desire to
be a beacon of light to the world.
 Prayer Surge
Calling all believers
to be
“Battle Ready”.
Ephesians 6:10-19

Prayer Surge is a church-

wide prayer emphasis
beginning this weekend.
Join us together as we
pray for...

our families DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9

our church EPHESIANS 3:20-21

our nation 2 CHRONICLES 7:14

our schools PROVERBS 1:7

 Election 2010 Update
(Florida Primary Election 8/24)
America is on a precipice! The 2010 elections will determine the future
direction of our country.

The Florida Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, August 24. This
election will select the state, county, and local candidates who will be
on the ballot in November. Voter turnout is notoriously poor for the
primary election (e.g. only 12% of registered voters in 2006). Christians
should vote for candidates who reflect your values.

Early voting will begin on August 16, or you can request an Absentee
Ballot from the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office online at
www.colliervotes.com.

Florida is a “closed” primary state (i.e. only Republicans may vote in the
Republican primary, etc.). If you have not declared a political party or
if you wish to change your party affiliation, you must complete a Voter
Registration form by July 26.

For information on each race, please see these websites:

- Florida Christian Coalition (www.ccfla.com)
- Florida Family Policy Council (www.flfamily.org)
- Naples Daily News (www.naplesnews.com) for the full
video of the editorial board’s 30 minute interview with
each candidate.
 Summer Camp S.O.S.
Summer Camp is coming soon! We want as many middle school and high
school students to go as possible. Camp sponsors are needed for many
students who are not able to afford to go. If you are able to Sponsor One
Student, please call the Student Ministry Office at 449-4480. The cost to
sponsor one student is $240, but any amount will help!

Worshipful Atmosphere
It is our desire that Jesus be the focus in our worship services. Therefore,
in consideration of others desiring to worship with limited distraction,
we ask each person to please do the following:
- Please turn your cell phone off or set to vibrate.
- Please remain in the worship center
(except in the case of emergency) once you have
entered to worship.
- Should your child become unsettled or noisy
during the worship service, please take your
little one to the Fellowship Hallway, the Commons, or the preschool
ministry area in the Education Building where you can comfortably
watch the service on a television monitor.
Thank you for helping us maintain a
worshipful atmosphere for everyone!
 Watch Us Online!
Did you miss last weekend’s worship service
and wish you had some way to view it?
YOU DO!

You are just one click away from being able to watch all of our previous
worship services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s easy! Just go to:
www.fbcntv.com
and then simply click on the worship service you wish to watch.

Preschool & Kindergarten Programs

Fully accredited, FBA offers a Christ-centered program with weekly chapels,
academics, and related arts classes.

PRESCHOOL
3 & 4 year old classes.
KINDERGARTEN
Full day and half day kindergarten
for 5 year olds.
Registration is now open...limited class size!
Please call the school office at 597-2233 for information.

@ your Lighthouse
@ your Bookstore
Lighthouse Bookstore
Join Join
Us This Summer
Us This For For
Summer
Toddler Storytime
Toddler Storytime
Mondays 10:00am-10:30am
Mondays 10:00am-10:30am
Beginning JuneJune
Beginning 7th 7th
 Attention Parents of
Rising Kindergartners
Don’t forget to reserve your child’s spot for our Island
Kidz Bible Presentation on September 11 at 6:00 p.m. or
September 12 at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Wicker will present each
new kindergartner with a “Discoverer’s Bible” during a
worship service. Please call the Preschool Office at 596-
8600 x360 to make your reservation no later than August 31.

Children Who Want

To Be Baptized
A First Steps Class for children entering 1st
through 4th grades who would like to get
baptized will begin on Saturday, July 10 at 7:30
p.m. and another will begin on Sunday, July
11 at 11:00 a.m. in Room ED104. This 4 week
class covers the topics of salvation, baptism,
communion, being a part of the church, and growing as a child of God. Please
contact the Children’s Ministry Office at 596-8600 x350 to sign your child up
for this class and to pick up their workbook to begin working in.
Benevolence Fund
Our Benevolence Fund is low, can you help? Our Benevolence
Committee gives financial assistance to those in crisis. Please pray
about making a donation to our Benevolence Fund. Make your checks
payable to First Baptist Church Naples and mark in the memo area BN.

In Sympathy
The family of First Baptist Church expresses
our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to the
family of Richard Wolff who passed away
this week. Please keep this family in prayer
during this time.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, July 3
6:00 p.m. Worship Service/Worship Center
6:00 p.m. KidzTown Children’s Worship/DC120
6:00 p.m. Hispanic Worship Service/Chapel
7:30 p.m. Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus
Sunday, July 4
Happy Independence Day America!
8:15 a.m. Bible and Life Group for 60+/DC107
9:30 a.m. Worship Service/Worship Center
9:30 a.m. KidzTown Children’s Worship/DC120
9:30 a.m. Romanian Baptist/MODS 3 & 4/SC117
10:00 a.m. Vietnamese Bible Study and Worship/DC220
11:00 a.m. Bible and Life Groups/Various Rooms on Campus
12:30 p.m. Hispanic Worship Service/Student Center
5:00 p.m. Romanian Baptist Congregation/Modulars 3 & 4
Monday, July 5
Church Offices Closed
8:30 a.m. Planned Parenthood Prayer Protest/Planned Parenthood on Goodlette
Tuesday, July 6
7:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery Women’s Step/DC107
7:00 p.m. The Vine College & Career Service/Student Center
Wednesday, July 7
4:45 p.m. Family Meal/Gym
6:20 p.m. Wacky Wednesdays (Children 1-4 grades)/DC120
6:30 p.m. Men’s and Women’s Ministries Truth Project/Worship Center
6:30 p.m. High School Ministry/Student Center
6:30 p.m. Middle School Ministry/New Gym
6:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal/Choir Room
8:00 p.m. Orchestra Rehearsal/Worship Center
Thursday, July 8
6:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery/Student Center
Last Weekend
Decisions For Christ Worship Attendance
Membership by Profession of Faith June 26 & 27
Steve Abbott Saturday Night Total 1,018
Kim Himmel Sunday Morning 9:30 1,612
Ivan Magana
Total 2,630
Robert Madonna
Membership by Statement of Faith
Shane Oakes
Rededication Membership by Letter
Garrett Frisina Stacia Ferguson Bible & Life Attendance
Jacquie Hawn
Michael Price June 26 & 27
Saturday Night 765
Financial Stewardship Sunday 8:15 16
2009-2010 Operating Revenues Sunday 11:00 816
July 1, 2009 - June 27, 2010 Home Groups 83
Budget Actual Variance Total 1,680
$7,388,300 $7,453,448 $65,148
Debt balance as of June 27 = $11,620,000
Next Week
Deacon of the Week Dr. Wicker on the Radio
July 5th - July 11th You can hear Dr. Wicker every day at
Mike Norton & Kerry Rard 1:00 p.m. on 91.5 Kingdom FM WJYO.
Dr. Wicker is also on WSOR 90.9 FM
If you need assistance, please call the church
at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings, and
deacon hotline at 800-732-9573. on Praise FM 89.5 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday
For Spanish, call 601-6051. afternoons.
Wednesday Family Meal
Meal for July 7 (4:45 p.m. GYM)
Baked Ziti, Vegetable, Salad, Dinner Roll, and Dessert
Tickets may be purchased at the Lighthouse Cafe during regular business hours or at the
door for $5.50 each or $22.00 for a family (please, immediate family residing in home).
Alternate choices include grilled chicken breast, hamburger, pizza, or a grilled foot long hot dog.

Cafe’ Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Closed
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday Closed
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bookstore Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Closed
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday Closed
Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sermon Notes
 CollectingUsed Books!
For the next 4 weeks
Lighthouse Bookstore CHRISTIAN
will be gathering
BOOK
gently used
or new Christian
DRIVE!
July 4 – July 25
books for a book
sale to benefit the
Great Commission Connection
For more information or donation guidelines, call 449-4488

Pastoral Staff
Dr. Hayes Wicker....................................................................................................... Senior Pastor
Miguel Cruz.....................................................................................Hispanic Congregation Pastor
Greg Davidson....................................................... ......Associate Pastor/Evangelism & Discipleship
Beverly Day................................................................................... Director of Preschool Ministry
Nathan Dooley.......................................................................Associate Pastor/High School Ministry
Nathan Gaddis............................................................................. Worship/Creative Arts Associate
Steve Hayes....................................................................... Associate Pastor/Single Adult Ministry
Forrest Head...............................................................................................Senior Associate Pastor
Jim Hill........................................................................ Director of Single Parent Family Ministry
Lewis Howard......................................................................................Associate Pastor/Education
Shannon Moore............................................................................... Director of Women’s Ministry
Doug Pigg...................................................................Associate Pastor of Church Administration
Tom Rider..........................................................................Associate Pastor/School Administrator
Larry Rigley......................................................................... Associate Pastor/Children’s Ministry
Dr. Todd F. Stearns................................................................Associate Pastor/Worship and Music
Kevin Van Duser........................................................... Associate Pastor/Middle School Ministry

Church Office
3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109
Office 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
Church Website..........................................................................................................www.fbcn.org