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On the morning of December 11, 2013, First Baptist Church had a fire which has kept the church building closed for 15 months. Since that date, all church services have been held in the church’s family life center and adjacent buildings. 
Sunday, March 22, 2015, may have started with a cloudy overcast in the sky but the SON was shining at First Baptist Church in Magee. It was the first Sunday for services to be held in the newly renovated sanctuary since the fire. Following the Sunday School hour, everyone gathered in the street in front of FBC to hear Jimmy Clyde and Curtis Alston play, “How Great Thou Art” on their trumpets. Prayer was led by Jimmy Holbrook, and as the front doors opened every one filed into the newly restored sanctuary. The Sanctuary Choir and orchestra led by Music Leader, Lance Word, welcomed the congregation in by singing, “How Great is Our God”.
Pastor, Bro. Buddy Keys, welcomed the congregation HOME as he preached from Psalm 100. Verses 4-5 states, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”
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During his sermon, Bro. Buddy asked Mary Joyce Walters and Tommy 
Meador, Chairman of Deacons, to pray. From God’s word, Bro. Buddy stated we first must enter into his gates with Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this morning, even waking up and taking a breath. Bro. Buddy also mentioned how thankful the church was to the Magee Police and the Magee Fire Departments for being so quick in response on that December 2013 morning. Secondly, we must enter with Praise and with a Grateful Heart. Finally, we must Bless His Name. 
After the invitation, the leader of the Renovation committee, Cole Bond, was called upon to pray. The choir then led the sanctuary in closing by singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. The service was very moving with tears of joy by many as they saw the Lord’s work being performed. The congregation then departed to the Family Life Center for a catered lunch by Melinda Hart. Attendees enjoyed pork loin, potatoes, and green beans. The church was then opened during the early afternoon for tours of the newly renovated buildings. There was no Sunday night services.
The Dedication Service will be held at 10am on April 12, 2015.
<photos by Joy Sartin>
