Showers of opportunities are raining on our First Baptist family during the month of April. This Sunday, April 8, during each of our morning services we will be celebrating the resurrection of Christ. There are no services scheduled on Sunday evening so that you may celebrate Easter with friends and family. Invite a friend to join you on Easter Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study.

Next Wednesday, April 11, our midweek topic is “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way.” Ray Moore, T.A. Shell, and Roger Vinson will join me for a panel interview during this stewardship of life emphasis.

On Sunday April 15, we will hear from Dr. Denton Lotz. Dr. Lotz, retiring General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, will be updating us on the witness and work of Baptists around the globe.

We are just two weeks away from “Experiencing Spiritual Breakthrus,” a Bible study experience for all ages which will focus on our need to experience a breakthrough of God’s presence and power in various areas of our lives. This multigenerational seminar is scheduled for Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 and is a part of the Walk Through the Bible Series. Registration forms are available at the designated table in the Atrium or in the church office.

Throughout this week, the cross on the north lawn of our campus has been draped with the various colors of Holy Week. As you prepare for Sunday, remember to bring flowers for the flowering of the cross this Sunday as we highlight the new life we have in the risen Lord.

The wonder of Easter is as real and certain as sunrise. “He lives!” is the very definition of significance. –Calvin Miller

This week is Holy Week. Walk slowly and reflect on the passion of Christ. During this crucial week, I encourage you to join Christians around the world in re-visiting the biblical events and experiences leading up to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Each day of Holy Week is important but at least four days call for deep and disciplined reflection. Palm Sunday is a day to recall the royal welcome and the chorus of praise extended to Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the washing of disciples’ feet by Jesus as he gave them a new mandate to love and serve. Good Friday is a day to revisit the passion and suffering of Christ on the cross. And Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, is a festive day to celebrate and proclaim that “Christ is risen; He is risen indeed.”

In the book, The Gift of Worship, the author calls Christians to walk slowly and intentionally toward their observance of the resurrection: Holy Week services bring into focus dimensions of discipleship that are missed completely by a simple leap from Palm Sunday to Easter. Worship services which take seriously the truths of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday please God because they challenge a greater commitment and a more comprehensive ministry of compassion among the people of God.

As you journey through Holy Week, reflect on the whole story of the experiences of Jesus. Take time to listen to the diverse voices in the crowd. Hear again the words of Jesus and ponder his days in Jerusalem. Meditate on the injustice of the cross. Marvel again at the mystery of the resurrection.

Holy Week is a great time to participate in worship services at various churches across town. And as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection, invite a friend to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study on Easter Sunday.

On March 15, 1987, Bob and Annette Morrison began serving at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, Bob as Minister of Music and Annette as his administrative assistant. This Sunday, March 25 our church will celebrate Bob and Annette’s 20th anniversary at First Baptist.

Currently, Bob serves as Associate Minister, primarily expressing leadership in the areas of music, worship, and media. Along with each of our staff ministers, Bob assists with hospital visitation, prospect contacts, memorial services, and weddings. And Annette continues to bring strong organizational and planning skills to our music department as Bob’s administrative assistant.

This week during each of our morning worship services, we will take a moment to express our gratitude to Bob and Annette. Then, on Sunday evening, we will gather in Chipley Hall for an Anniversary Reception where we will revisit some fun and serious moments from across the years.

Our congregation looks forward to many more good years of ministry alongside Bob and Annette Morrison.

Invite a friend to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study on Sunday morning, and make plans to join us for the reception on Sunday evening.

This is an exciting week as we adjust to the earlier edition of Daylight Savings Time, as many of our students enjoy Spring Break, and we watch the construction of our first ROC wall. That’s right. The construction phase of the ROC is officially underway as the first of many new interior walls has now been framed. Construction will progress inside the existing structure for the next few weeks. Then, during the week following Easter, work will begin on the new addition.

On Sunday evening, we will meet at six o’clock for Vespers in Pleitz Chapel. Our guests will be Carolyn Anderson and Ray Johnson, representing one of our multiple mission partners. Carolyn has been a long-time friend to our church as she has served in many capacities in Florida Baptist life and more recently as coordinator for the Florida Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Ray is former missionary to the Philippines, former pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Miami and now the newly elected coordinator of the Florida CBF. Ray will share a devotional message during Vespers. After Vespers we will enjoy a reception in the Atrium as we express appreciation to Carolyn on her retirement and as we welcome Ray to his new assignment.

We will continue our series Deep Questions for a Deeper Faith on Sunday morning as we ask “Would You Leave the Ninety Nine?” from Luke 15:1-7.

If you are traveling on a vacation or to visit family members during Spring Break, travel safely and enjoy a time of physical and spiritual refreshing. If you have friends or guests in town this week, invite them to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study this Sunday.

Spring Forward this Sunday! Whether you choose to adjust your clocks at bedtime on Saturday evening, or you actually make the official adjustment at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, this is the weekend that marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

This year, DST begins in March rather than April. Many of us have made sure to update the calendars on our computers to make sure there are not Y2K-type glitches. But we must also prepare to adjust our body clocks and our alarm clocks to the new time. Be sure to set your alarm and resist the temptation to sleep late this Sunday. This Sunday yawning is welcome and momentary dozing will be forgiven. Stretch, yawn, and come on to worship and to Bible study, as we transition to DST together.

On Sunday evening, we will meet at six o’clock in Chipley Hall for our church wide Chili Supper and an inspirational interview with Kelly Murray and Cheryl Lauer, both of whom have recently returned from military assignments.

We will continue our series Deep Questions for a Deeper Faith on Sunday morning as we think on the question “Do You Think They Were Worse Sinners?” from Luke 13:1-9.

Invite a friend to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study this Sunday.

When members of the PGA Tour think of integrity, they inevitably think of Joe Durant. Durant, who began his professional career in 1987, has competed on the Nike Tour and PGA Tour since 1993. And while Durant enjoys winning a golf tournament, he doesn’t let his status as tour professional interfere with his priority commitments to his faith and his family.

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing Joe Durant on “Religion for the Public Square,” a program appearing weekly on WUWF, the University of West Florida television station. My co-host, Rabbi Leonard Zukrow, joined me in talking with Durant about ethics and integrity in professional sports.

Durant is a native of Pensacola, Florida who played golf at Escambia County High School and Huntingdon College. After a discouraging start as a professional golfer, Durant spent some time soul-searching before returning to the tour. Upon his return, Durant has consistently ranked near the top in driving accuracy and greens hit in regulation.

Chosen by his peers to serve on the policy committee for the PGA Tour, Durant is highly respected for his integrity. As a conscientious person of faith, Durant has been careful to keep his success on the golf course in perspective. He chooses corporate sponsors with intentionality, he prioritizes and nurtures family relationships, and he contributes time and resources generously to community organizations.

In the second half of 2006, Durant was the hottest golfer on tour, getting 7 top ten finishes, winning the Disney Funai Classic, and coming in second at the Tour Championship. He completed the 2006 season at thirteenth on the money list and moved up to 32nd in the World Golf Rankings. The win at Funai was his first tour win since winning the Bob Hope Classic and the Doral Open in 2001. Last year as Durant was approaching the 18th green in Orlando, the television analysts noted how appropriate it was for Durant to win at Disney because Durant is known for his family values.

Family is among Durant’s highest priorities. Durant loves spending time with his wife and children. To nurture family relationships, the Durant family has a rule that Joe will not be away from family for more than two weeks at a time. On those rare occasions where the Joe’s schedule does not include a planned break, Durant flies the family to join him on tour. In fact, Durant has been known to pass up an opportune tour event to spend quality time with family during a holiday week or weekend.

With gratitude for his success on the tour, Durant has given much back to the community. Durant is actively involved in junior golf programs, especially First Tee, an organization that “provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop life-enhancing values such as confidence, perseverance and judgment through golf and character education.”

Durant is also an avid supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each year the Northwest Florida chapter of FCA hosts the Joe Durant Classic, a tournament underwritten by Durant to support the ministry of FCA throughout the year. At the tournament Durant not only greets the golfers, he participates in the entire tournament, playing a hole or two with each team throughout the day, and sharing in a question and answer time just before prizes are awarded.

Like many professional athletes, Durant’s generosity is not limited to his own community. Last year when Durant placed sixth in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, he donated his entire winnings, $248,000 toward Hurricane Katrina Relief.

While many professional athletes make the headlines for their inappropriate behavior, there are many more professional athletes who are guided by their faith and who consistently live according to strong moral, ethical, and family values. Whether on tour or at home, Joe Durant is one of those down-to-earth guys who represents the world of sports with class, character, and integrity.

Amanda and I arrived home in Pensacola earlier today after spending a few days in the charming town of Eufaula, Alabama where I had the privilege of sharing in the revival services at First Baptist Church. Dr. Ken Bush and his wife, Joyce, have been exceedingly gracious hosts. Ken is one of the most respected pastors in Alabama and has served faithfully here for 27 years. And you may recall that Joyce is the sister of our own Jean Ingram. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting better acquainted with Ken and Joyce, and with this vibrant healthy church family in Eufaula.

Amanda and I have met many of your friends and relatives here, along with former (and perhaps, future) members of FBC Pensacola. We enjoyed a series of refreshing worship services at noon and in the evenings. We have also heard good words about the services in Pensacola last Sunday, especially Charlie Johnson’s message on worship and the Singspiration on Sunday evening. Then we heard that our Bulgaria Mission Team did a great job sharing testimonies and stories about their recent mission trip. And, as always, our ministerial team does a great job of caring for the burdens and needs of our congregation. Amanda and I are looking forward to worshipping alongside our church family this weekend.

As we prepare for a big weekend in Pensacola remember the following:

• Atrium Express begins this Sunday morning.
• Parent/Child Dedication is scheduled for our morning services.
• On Sunday evening we meet in Chipley for a reception to welcome Dr. and Mrs. Lam.

This Sunday morning we begin a new series addressing Deep Questions for a Deeper Faith. The first message explores the saga of Abraham and Sarah and asked, “Does God Have a Surprise for You?”

There are many opportunities in March for us to grow in faith and friendship. Invite a friend to join you as we gather for worship and Bible study this Sunday.

As the winds of March indicate the coming of spring in Pensacola, so the gentle breeze of the Spirit indicates an upcoming season of new growth and spiritual vitality in our First Baptist Family.

At the beginning of March, we will welcome Dr. Minh Lam to our church staff as an Associate Minister. Dr. Lam will serve primarily as the Pastoral Leader for our Vietnamese Fellowship, but he will also assist other members of our ministerial team with outreach, evangelism, and pastoral care. Dr. Lam is well-known among Vietnamese Christians for his teaching, his preaching, and his international radio broadcasts. Some have referred to Dr. Lam as the “Billy Graham of the Vietnamese world.” We will join with our Vietnamese Fellowship in hosting a welcome reception for Dr. and Mrs. Lam on March 4.

Construction work on the ROC is beginning. The first few days of work will consist primarily of internal prep work inside the existing structure. Then we will see big machinery coming our way. Following Easter, work will begin on the new addition. These will be exciting months as we watch the ROC become a reality one week at a time with a completion time near the end of 2007.

As the ROC is shaping up right before our eyes, many of our classes and groups will continue to meet for extended months in alternative spaces and crowded locations. For a smooth and harmonious season of construction we asked that everyone practice patience, flexibility, and cooperation. If you get nudged out of your comfort zone, let that experience promote you to your next level of spiritual growth.

On March 4, we will launch Atrium Express, which will encourage a brief time for fellowship in the Atrium prior to the Early Service and “en route” to Bible Study. Coffees and assorted drinks will be available as you visit friends and guests just before the Early Service and as you greet friends and “en route” to your Bible study group. Our aim is to provide positive moments for fellowship as we provide quality opportunities for Bible study and discipleship.

In March we begin a new worship series which will explore “Deep Questions for a Deeper Faith.” Invite a friend to join you as we experience the breeze of the Spirit.

On Valentine’s Day sweethearts of all ages exchange cards and gifts to affirm and celebrate their affection for one another. Some will give roses, while others receive chocolates. This morning I awakened to find a home-made Valentine Card from my sweetheart of 22 years on my desk. Later in the morning I observed high school students meeting in the local bagel shop before school sharing a muffin and frappacino. And while sitting in traffic at a busy intersection I observed delivery vans from local florists en route to deliver Valentine bouquets.

As a pastor who performs a few dozen wedding ceremonies each year, I meet with the engaged couples to encourage them on the road to a positive long-term marriage relationship. Unfortunately a few of those relationships break down and end in dissolution. But the vast majority stick together, with a large percentage enjoying a life long partnership.

In our church family we are blessed to have dozens of couples who have been married for fifty years or more. One couple recently celebrated their seventy fifth wedding anniversary. As Valentine’s Day approached this week, we asked our veteran sweethearts, “What are the keys to a long-term, happy marriage?” Here are some of their responses:

· Love and respect for one another.
· Be devoted and committed to the marriage.
· Have faith in God and follow His teachings.
· Keep Christ at the center of your marriage/home.
· Stay connected with your church family.
· Establish and maintain trust.
· Be patient with each other.
· Be equally yoked.
· Keep your priorities in perspective.
· Look at issues from the other person’s point of view.
· Have tenacity.
· A good relationship always involves “give and take”; selfishness will not work.
· Consider the needs of your spouse before your own needs.
· Take one day at a time; life is not easy.
· Ride out the bumps in life together.
· Choose friends with similar values.
· Don’t go to bed angry or upset.
· Play together.
· Work through your finances together; things belong to both of you.
· Remember your vows; saying “I do” translates to “We will work together.”

The advice of these veteran sweethearts gives me a good word to share with young couples. And listening to the stories of these veteran sweethearts causes me to look forward to many adventuresome years with my Valentine.

For many months the south side of our campus has been undergoing renovation. The work could be completed as soon as this Sunday. The landscape will be more attractive. Parking on the south side will be more convenient. A new circle drive has been created which will serve as a much needed dropoff point. A covered walkway will lead to the entrance through the arcade on the ground level. These temporary renovations will serve us well until we move toward the next level of our master plan.

This Sunday you will see more plants and greenery in our services and around our campus, a timely reminder that spring is just around the corner. Also, you will notice that much needed additional aisle space has been created in both of our worship services. This will make our worship space more safe, welcoming and user-friendly for all who participate.

We will observe National Scout Sunday on February 11 as we recognize our Boy Scouts and leaders from Troop 10. In addition to the scouts from our fellowship, we look forward to welcoming the scouts and parents from Zion Hope Baptist Church who will be our guests in the midmorning service.

Next Wednesday is Valentine’s Day. Various choirs, mission groups, and student groups will be meeting all around campus. For those who can join us for Prayer Meeting, our topic will be “Love is More Than a Second-Hand Emotion.”

This Sunday morning we continue our series Great Invitations from Isaiah as we focus on Isaiah 48:16-19, “Come and Listen.”

Invite a neighbor to join you as we meet for worship and Bible study.