FBCJacksonville Blog

Over the Christmas Holidays, you should have received a letter from Dr. Brunson telling you a little about 2012 at First Baptist. With that letter were two enclosures: a giving / pledge envelope…and a commitment card for the “God in Me” emphasis. These were sent so that you and your family can begin now making plans for what you want to do inthe way of spiritual and financial commitments to God in 2012.

Please take some time to look at both the envelope and the “God in Me” card. You will note that the envelope is an expression of what you hope to do in the matter of financial giving to God through our church this coming year. There is also a place for you to update your contact information if you need to and also to indicate whether you would like to receive giving envelopes or whether you give on-line and do not need the envelopes. All of this information will be very helpful to the church.

The God in Me card has four areas of commitment highlighted. They are personal spiritual growth, expressing God in your relationships, and in your community, and in the world. You will note that each area has some space providedfor you to write in specific goals in each area. The card is perforated so that you can complete both sides, tear off one for your own keeping and giving the other to the Lord during the Chest of Joash Commitment Service. You are encouraged to be thinking about the reality of God’s presence in you and how that impacts these four vital areas ofyour life, and how you want to express His presence in your life as a matter of worship to the Lord this year.

Both the envelope and the card will be used in our Chest of Joash Commitment Service on January 22. These will be distributed in Sunday School on January 15. You will want to complete each one, as the Lord leads you, and then bring them with you to the service on Sunday morning, January 22.

By now all of you have heard that Ms. Guinell went home to be with the Lord, Monday morning, December 19th.  It is interesting to me that within the week the famous atheist Christopher Hitchens died, along with Kim Jong II, and Guinell Freeman.  There was an atheist, a man worshipped as a god , and a woman who served the living Lord.

Ms. Guinell was just that to us, she was Guinell.  We all knew her, loved her, and respected her greatly.  However I don’t know if we all realize just how influential she was and how monumental her work has been.  In the days to come she will be listed as one of the greatest Sunday School strategists in Southern Baptist life.

Her name will not appear behind the greats like Harry Piland, Andy Anderson, Ron Lewis, Bill Taylor – her name will head the list.  In the 1980’s she ran the largest Sunday School in the entire SBC, and trained two generations for kingdom work.

She finished Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954, and was interviewed by Dr. Lindsey, Sr. for the education position at FBC JAX.  She has known only this church since coming here where she served for 40 years.

I loved Guinell and miss her already.  However deep down inside I know she is in the presence of the Lord she loved and served so well.

I met Ms. Guinell officially when she served on the pulpit committee.  She became an immediate friend, confidant, and encourager.  She always had something positive to say, something encouraging, and the sweetest smile that said to me “go get ‘um.”  Some of her last words to me were scripture, personal testimony, words of joy, and a final “now God called you here.”  I loved Guinell and miss her already.  However deep down inside I know she is in the presence of the Lord she loved and served so well.

It is not hard to imagine the scene in heaven.  Her beaming face, her infectious laughter, her attention focused solely on the Lord – all the while directing something and somebody!

Funeral Arrangements
Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, in the Ruth Lindsay Auditorium.  The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Mac Brunson will officiate.

Mac Brunson
Senior Pastor