Member Spotlight - February
Good News
Newsletter
Rev. Dr. K. Scott Robertson
Senior Pastor
pastor@fbcmiddletown.org
Weekly Live Stream from our website:
www.fbcmiddletown.org
and from our Facebook page and YouTube Channel
Sunday School
9:15 AM
Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am
Wednesday Bible Study at 2 pm
Office Hours M-Th 9 am to 2 pm
Susan Caldwell
Q: What childhood memory makes you smile?
A: The birthday I got my English bike! I either rode it every day or I skated on my sidewalk.
Q: What drives you to get up every morning?
A: I’m basically a morning person. I love to watch the sun rise. My pets also “help” to get me up early.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: All my time is free now! I keep in touch with my 3 sons and families. I exercise daily and look forward to warmer weather so I can resume walking.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I love redecorating. I decorate for the seasons. I recently painted and wallpapered my kitchen pantries.
Q: What goal are you working toward right now?
A: Looking forward to warmer weather to start walking. Maybe planting a small garden.
Q: What subjects, current events, or causes are you passionate about?
D: History
T: ASPCA, I love animals.
Q: What’s your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day?
A: I snuggle in my recliner with my dog “Buck” in my lap and usually watch HGTV. Often catching up with friends by phone.
Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
A: Alaska. Dave and I always planned on going but never got the chance. I told my kids I would take all of them when I hit the lottery!
Q: What book or movie left a lasting impression on you?
A: The Chosen
Q: Who do you look up to, and why?
A: There are many people I look up to, past and present. A best friend, a brother and sister now departed and Alvin Lee who always had the best advice.
Who will be the next FBC Member in the spotlight?
Have a suggestion, let me know.
secretary@fbcmiddletown.org
People @ First
February 2025
Liz Looney had a lung biopsy earlier this month. She does have a lung infection, but it is not pneumonia. Please keep her in your prayers
Jerry Beasley has been moved to Bickford this month.
Our hearts go out to The Casey family. Reba & Dick Casey’s granddaughter, Taeler, was in an accident and is currently in a coma. Their great-grandsons, a 5 month old and a 3 year old were killed. Please keep them in prayers.
Dick and Reba Casey
4560 Weybridge St.
Sarasota, FL 34235
As always, please keep Jackson
Redding in prayer.
The next Men's Breakfast on will be
Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 8:30 am
at Cracker Barrel in Middletown.
Bible Study through the Book of
Romans will begin on Wednesday,
March 12th at 2 pm in the Parlor.
Mar 6 Celeste Scheibert
Mar 7 Nancy Reams
Mar 8 Jean Curlis
Mar 13 Ingrid Standafer
Mar 18 Susan Calwell
Russell & Carolyn Young
March 12 - 48 Years
Ron & Barb Cobb
March 24 – 46 Years
Beth and I wish to thank all of our
church family for the wonderful
calls and cards following the
passing of my brother.
John Daly
From a Christmas Card:
Dear First Baptist Church,
Thank you for the supplies.
Merry Christmas,
Angel & Denay
Shalom and Discipleship Report
It is so appropriate that the Discipleship Focus Group reports to the congregation in February for it is the month when First Baptist is involved in its biggest hands-on mission. Many of you reading this will have been a part of serving those that find themselves homeless as we hosted SHALOM for the week of February 16th-23rd. For this week, we opened our Celebration Center to house, feed, and share the love of Jesus with 40+ different guests. This endeavor had over 65 people providing food and supplies, chaperoning during the evenings or through the overnight, driving guests to and from the check-in location and keeping the facility clean and ready. Our children and young adults got involved by making trail mix and breakfast casseroles as well as doing artwork for decorations. Think of this supported by even more involved in prayer for this endeavor. We also had several community neighbors call and ask to join us. The week brings many challenges but also many blessings. God is present.
Of course, this week of mission isn’t the only thing going on as FBC reaches out to others. The holiday season was only a few weeks ago and FBC was again the hands and feet of Christ as groups in the church contributed to the food drive and shopped so that numerous families had gifts for their children and food for their tables. Gift cards for perishable foods were also given (see the line item in the budget “Christmas Mission Food Gift Cards.”)
Another line item in the budget titled “Emergency Funds” continues to help those in the community that struggle with utility bills. The church receives numerous phone calls each month asking for assistance. The authenticity of each call is researched and if appropriate, $50 is paid directly to the utility company to help with the family’s bill.
The Discipleship Focus Group will soon be gearing up for the Easter Season by having a traditional Easter Egg Hunt that many of our Daycare Families attend along with our church’s wonderful children. When available, take a few dozen plastic eggs home, fill, and return so that the children have a lot of “hunting” to do.
Reaching out to the homeless, providing food and gifts at Christmas for families, helping keep the lights and heat on in homes, and loving on our children are only a few of the opportunities in which FBC (you) serves Jesus. Do not miss any of these as First Baptist people we strive to exemplify James 2:14-17.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Beth Daly, Co-Chair of the Discipleship Ministry Focus Area
Our choir singing “Awesome God” on February 9th.
Lenten Lunch schedule 2025
Starting at 12 pm each week
March 12 at First Baptist Church
March 19 at First United Methodist Church
March 26 at First Christian Church
April 2 at St. Paul’s UCC
April 9 at First Baptist Church
Church Finances
& the Building
Celeste Scheibert
Administration Ministry
Focus Area
Congregational Care
& Worship
Tim Willis
Community Ministry
Focus Area Coordinator
Christian Education
& Missions
Beth Daly & Susan Singer
Co Chair of the
Discipleship Ministry Focus Area Coordinator
Lost and found:
A pair of glasses was turned into the office.
The Forge Bible Study
Reminder:
Starts Sunday, March 2 at 5 pm.
Bible Study Schedule:
March:
2nd- 5pm: Watch the Movie “The Forge”
9th- 5pm: 1st lesson- “Seeing like Jesus”
16th- 5pm: 2nd lesson- “Giving Like Jesus”
23rd- 5pm: 3rd lesson- “Leading like Jesus”
30th- 5pm: 4th lesson- “Investing like Jesus”
April:
6th- No bible study, (Military obligation)
13th- 5pm: 5th lesson- “Spending like Jesus”
Classroom News
Toddlers: They have been working on the colors brown, red and
orange. They also celebrated Valentine’s Day with artwork.
Busy Bees: The Bees kept busy learning the letters Q, R, and S. They
also celebrated Valentine’s Day with fun activities. Teachers have been introducing music, social skills like manners and problem-solving techniques this month.
Jelly Beans: The Jellies had fun working on Valentine’s Day projects and learning he letters Q, R, and S. They also worked on writing letters and their names. They continued to work on fine motor skills.
Pre-K: Worked on the letters P, Q, and R this month and math skills.
Cyndi Sparks, FBC Daycare Director
More from Joanne and Chris ……
Q: What’s your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day?
Joanna- Cuddling on the couch with my Hubby and our 2 dogs, Charlie and Poppy.
Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Chris- Scotland or Ireland
Q: Who do you look up to, and why?
Joanna- My faith was shaped by all of you at FBC!! From JoAnn Borland and Judy Beasley as a child, Rev. Marty Carney as a teenager through Pastor Scotty now! I look up to you, First Baptist. You are my church home and family!
Chris- I look up to my Great Grandfather Carpenter for his kindness and his work ethic and ability to take things apart and fix them.
Who will be the next FBC Member in the spotlight?
Have a suggestion, let me know.
People @ First
Kay Fugate had a fall and broke some ribs.
Sue Ann Hale had a fall and broke her arm.
John Daly also broke his arm.
Please pray for complete healing for Kay, Sue Ann and John.
Long time member Nancy Reams passed away over the weekend. Please keep her family in prayer as they navigate this difficult time.
Please remember the Casey Family on the tragic passing of Taeler.
Also, heartfelt condolences go out to Esther Arnold and family on the passing of her sister.
As always, please keep Jackson Redding in prayer.
Dick and Reba Casey
4560 Weybridge St.
Sarasota, FL 34235
Upcoming events
The next Men's Breakfast on will be Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 8:30 am at Garver’s in Monroe.
May 1 Troy Deuth
May 2 Charles Scheibert Sr.
May 2 Chuck Scheibert
May 5 Lucy Griffith
May 5 Nicholas Janney
May 12 Esther Arnold
May 14 Cami Scheibert
May 15 Chris Boggs
May 19 Doug Rose
May 21 Declan Daly
May 26 Joanna Stitt
May 27 Bill Rogers
May 27 Leanne Taylor
May 31 Renee Beasley
Doug & Teri Boggs
May 10 – 45 years
Tim & Ruth Willis
May 22 – 54 years
Charles & Stephanie Nicely
May 24 – 34 years
Lost and found:
We now have two pairs of glasses that have been turned into the office.
Thanks to everyone who sent prayers, cards and well wishes! I’m doing good and recovering well. Love, Kelsie
