As we approach November, here are the events we have planned…

Sunday, November 1 – Daylight Saving’s Time Ends…Combined Sunday School With Missionary Speaker Trevor Galbraith At 9:00 AM, Morning Worship With Missionary Speaker Glen Galbraith/Communion Service At 10:15 AM, & Growth Groups At Various Times

Tuesday, November 3 – Election Day!

Wednesday, November 4 – Kids4Truth, Outfitters, & Prayer Meeting At 6:30 PM

Saturday, November 7 – IRBC Corporation Meeting At Ankeny Baptist Church At 10:00 AM

Sunday, November 8 – Annual Election Of Officers’ Nomination Process Ends…Sunday School At 9:00 AM, Morning Worship At 10:15 AM, & Growth Groups At Various Times

Monday, November 9 – Women’s Prayer Group At 10:00 AM

Tuesday, November 10 – Men’s Prayer Group At 6:30 AM

Wednesday, November 11 – Kids4Truth, Outfitters, & Prayer Meeting At 6:30 PM

Saturday, November 14 – Strategic Planning Meeting (Pastors & Deacons) At Church From 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & Women At Risk Event At Kalona Coffee From 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Sunday, November 15 – Sunday School At 9:00 AM, Morning Worship At 10:15 AM, & Growth Groups (Final) At Various Times

Wednesday, November 18 – Kids4Truth (Final), Outfitters, & Prayer Meeting At 6:30 PM

Thursday, November 19 – Ladies Night Out At The Tin Roost At 6:30 PM

Sunday, November 22 – Sunday School At 9:00 AM & Morning Worship (Pastor Tim Preaching) At 10:15 AM

Wednesday, November 25 – No Wednesday Evening Activities For Rest Of 2020

Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 29 – No Sunday School – Morning Worship (Pastor Tim Preaching) At 10:15 AM

It is 12 days till Election Day. In a lot of ways, this year’s election feels as if so many weighty things are at stake. Some would argue that the very “soul of America” is at stake. Overly dramatic? Perhaps, but this year’s election seems to be a very important one with a lot of long-term ramifications…

But how is a Christian to vote this year? Given that our two main party choices are not ideal at all, how should a Christian proceed in the voting booth on Nov. 3? Well, so much ink has already been spilt on this topic, but here are some of the issues that dominate my mind as I get ready to vote this Election Day…

The Issue of Faith – I will vote with rock-solid confidence in God. Romans 14:23 is clear, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” So, I will vote with full trust in God, knowing that no matter what happens, He remains sovereign. May God give to me (and you) great wisdom and rock-solid confidence in Him as we vote on Nov. 3.

The Issue of Life – I will vote my conscience this Election Day, and there is perhaps no greater issue that dominates my conscience like the issue of life. The Scriptures are clear that life is precious and must be protected. God Himself is the Creator and Sustainer of life. Psalm 139:15 declares, “My frame [body and soul] was not hidden from you [O, God], when I was being made [by you, O God] in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” God is the maker of every human life! Thus, I cannot in good conscience vote for a candidate/party who tramples on the issue of life.

The Issue of Record – Actions speak louder than words. It’s funny to me how some Christians are so dialed into rhetoric. It’s as if they primarily want their leaders to be strong orators with smooth speech. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a preacher by trade. I make my living by writing and speaking many words. I love eloquent communication. But at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words (Matthew 21:28-32). Therefore, I will primarily evaluate the actions/records of each political candidate, taking their words only as a secondary consideration.

The Issue of Heaven – Ultimately, I will vote fully realizing that my ultimate citizenship is in Heaven, not America. Paul in Philippians 3:20 states, “But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” America is not my ultimate home, Heaven is. America is not my ultimate treasure, Jesus is. So, to the best of my ability, with my full faith in God, evaluating carefully the issues of life and record, I will steward my vote on Nov. 3 to the glory of God with a keen eye towards Heaven…

In last Sunday’s service, we took a deep dive into the ominous, but very real world of demons. Check out the video below from our friends at the Bible Project as they take us to 30,000 feet on this whole reality of “The Satan & Demons”…

Just a reminder that our Annual Election of Officers is fast approaching! All church members, who are 14 years of age or older, are kindly invited to prayerfully nominate and then vote for individuals in the following categories: Deacon (3 Open Positions), Clerk (Mike York Desires To Be Replaced After 42 Years Of Service), Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Sunday School Superintendent. Here are some dates to be aware of…

Sunday, October 25 – Nomination of Officers Commences…Prior to this Sunday, all voting members will receive nomination ballots in the mail…Our nomination ballot box will be located in the church foyer… 

Sunday, November 8 – Nomination of Officers Closes…Our Nomination and Election Committee (2 Pastors & 1 Deacon) will meet on this Sunday to contemplate the official ballot…

Monday, November 9 – Wednesday, November 18 – The Nomination and Election Committee will contact nominees to see if they’re interested in serving…These individuals must reply by the close of business (5 PM) on Wednesday, November 18…

Sunday, November 22 – We will post the official ballot of our 2021 Officer Nominees…Posting of nominees will be done on the church bulletin board and via our church app…

Sunday, December 6 – Annual Election of Officers…Election will be held by secret ballot…

All elected officers will take office on January 1, 2021. Please be in prayer concerning who you would have serve and if God is leading you to serve at Prairie Flower Baptist Church! 

Day 275. 91 days follow. In other words, as we begin day 1 of October, we have officially entered our 275th day of 2020. Which means we only have 91 days to go before the year expires.

How does that make you feel? I would imagine that for many of you that makes you feel relieved. I mean, this has been one crazy year; and 2021 has got to be at least a smidge better than this year, right? For others of you, I’m sure the thought of this year ending and a new one beginning produces feelings of dread. I mean, there’s still so much work to be done and goals to accomplish, am I right?

Well, here’s my encouragement to you, no matter where you fall on the feelings spectrum – finish this year strong, prairie strong! Take these 91 days and steward them well. Don’t waste these last 3 months of 2020. Finish the year strong.

There’s still time to finish that book. There’s still time to begin that work out program. There’s still time to get things done! Don’t squander these 91 days by telling yourself that you’ll get things done when the new year begins. The time for action is now, not later.

More importantly though, this year still affords you time (91 days of time) to cultivate your relationship with God. You still have time to begin reading your Bible again. You still have time to pray again. You still have time to make it to church again…You still have time!

Day 275. 91 days follow. Regardless of your socio-economic background, we’ve all been allotted the same amount of time. How will you steward the time that’s been given to you? There’s still time – tick tock, tick tock – there’s still time…