August 2013 - Covenant Baptist Church

Connections
5440 SW 37th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66614
Phone: 785-273-2811
E-mail: [email protected]
www.cbctopeka.com
Why I Serve As A Disaster Relief Volunteer by L.T. Thomas
August 2013
Volume 7, Issue 8
Our mission: To Make Disciples
Disciple: A person who is in a
growing relationship with Jesus
Inside this issue:
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the
when we can spare the time. It is the heart of the
Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, Christian life. Jesus came “to serve” and “to
and to give my life. (Matthew 20:28 LB)
give” — and those two verbs should define our
lives on earth, too.
I recently deployed with other disaster relief
volunteers to help victims of disaster begin the
long road to recovery as survivors. Many of those
victims expressed a belief that God did not love
them because he allowed the disaster to victimize
them.
Jesus taught that spiritual maturity is never an
end in itself. Maturity is for ministry! It is not
enough to keep learning more and more. We
must act on what we know and practice what we
claim to believe. Study without service leads to
That expression did not come from anger toward spiritual stagnation.
God, but was actually planted in their hearts by
Yet, serving is the opposite of our natural
some who claim to be bringing the Good News inclination. Most of the time we’re more
interested in “serve us” than service. We say,
(that God does love them) by telling them that
they were reaping God’s wrath for their sins,
“I’m looking for a church that meets my needs
specifically for not accepting God’s own Son
and blesses me,” not, “I’m looking for a place
Jesus as their Lord, Savior and Redeemer.
that encourages me to serve my fellow believers
and my community to be a blessing to both.”
For some, that condemnation may be true.
Financial Report
2
Senior Adult Bible Study
2
LifeFest
2
Annual Women’s Retreat
3
Silly Summer Youth Schedule
3
Lifeline
3
E-Week
4
God’s Mountain Camp
4
Club Corner
4
PARTY PARTY PARTY! by Nate Wood
August Calendar
5
Who: You and your family
August Servant Schedule
6
What: Life Group Kickoff Party
SHAREFEST 2013
7
Where: Covenant Baptist Church
Marriage Seminar at
7
Refreshments will be provided
However, God did not send the disaster nor
As we mature in Christ, the focus of our lives
allow it as a way to punish
should increasingly shift to living a
them. Disasters happen. And
Your attitude must be life of service. The mature follower
they open doors for God’s
of Jesus stops asking, “Who’s going
like my own, for I, the to meet my needs?” and starts
disciples to minister to the
physical, emotional and spiritual Messiah, did not come to asking, “Whose needs can I meet?”
needs of people whose world
be served, but to serve, What need(s) do you see that could
has been radically changed.
use your touch as a disciple of
Serving others is not something
to be tacked onto our schedules
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Please Pray for Mission Team 7
Women’s Summer Bible study
8
DivorceCare/DC4K/ Single 8
& Parenting
and to give my life.
(Matthew 20:28 LB)
Jesus?
Disaster Relief (Continued on page 8)
groups forming. If you are already in a group,
take this chance to come and learn about what
other groups are doing and see if you might want
to take this chance to join a new group. Groups
have not been meeting formally throughout the
summer, so this is the perfect time and place to
get into a new group.
Life Groups are kicking off for the fall semester. If you are interested in leading a new group, or
Make plans now to join us for a Kickoff party on hosting a group in your home, please call or
Saturday, Aug. 17. Not in a life group? This will email me. I would love to discuss this with you.
be the perfect place to come and meet life group
leaders and hear about their groups. You will
have the chance to discover when and where
Nate Wood may be reached at
groups meet, and what group you would like to
785-249-8283 or
be a part of. We have about 10 groups, with new
[email protected]
Page 2
V olume 7, I ssue 8
Financial Report by Nancy Smart
June 2013
Income
$28,170.80
Expenses
$20,995.99
Net Income
+$7,712.36
From Mother’s Day through the end of June we have been taking up an offering for
Christ First Counseling Center here in Topeka. CFCC offers Christ centered
counseling, therapy, and education to individuals, couples and families. Covenant has
given $650.00.
Ice Cream Social &
Square Dance
This is the last Family
Night for the summer
join us Thursday, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m. at
Covenant.
Fun for ALL Ages!
Excellent Square Dance Caller/Teacher
Bring cookies to share
Date change! - Thursday, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.
No supper - just Ice Cream!
* Potluck luncheon
* Invite your friends and neighbors
Our special guest will be speaker Lora Jones.
Mrs. Jones was a pastor’s wife and mother of two
and in 2004 that life was ripped away as she lost her
husband and children in a car wreck. Mrs. Jones
now shares Christ’s hope through her speaking
ministry. (A freewill offering will be taken up for
Lora Jones.)
Entertainment: Rev and Bev
Thursday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Fellowship
Purpose: To establish a celebration of senior adults at
Covenant Baptist Church for the purpose of fellowship,
fun and entertainment, learning opportunities, serving
the body of Christ and ministering to the unchurched.
If transportation is needed, call before noon on
Wednesday, July 31: Karen Huntley 785-354-4994 or
Roger Flenniken 785-478-1729.
Music by the Melodears
*This is a monthly event.
Patriotic Devotions by Bill Watts
Senior Adult Bible Study by Roger Flenniken
Class meets at 10-11 a.m. between first and second service in room 130
Study Theme: God's Story: Part 3
Dear Covenant Baptist Church,
Thank you for giving to New Day! Your gift of
$100 helps us to finish construction of our
computer lab!
God Bless,
Aug. 4: God Promises the Messiah (Isaiah 53:2-12)
Aug. 11: God Sends His Son (Matthew 4:17-24; John 1:1-2, 11-14, 18, 29)
Aug. 18: Jesus Is Crucified and Raised (Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-7:1 Corinthians
15:17-19)
Aug. 25: God Completes the Story (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5, 1214 )
We hope to see you there.
We will be praying for you.
Roger Flenniken may be reached at
[email protected]
the Tidwells and the Wilcoxes
Page 3
V olume 7, I ssue 8
Annual Women’s Retreat by Shana Wood
Ladies! Clear your schedule for Sept. 13-14
and prepare for the Wonderful Weekend for
Women at Webster Conference Center in
Salina, Kan.
This year’s theme is “Chasing After the
Heart of God” (Jeremiah 29:13). The
conference runs from 9:30 a.m. Friday until
3:30 p.m. Saturday.
COVENANT
MEDIA
LIBRARY
spiritual growth, challenging and equipping
them to be the church in their daily life,
moving toward a lifestyle of missions,
ministry, and evangelism, and of course, for
just plain girl fun!”
We’re excited this year to have author/
speaker Jennie Allen and national recording
artist and worship leader Rachael Lampa.
This conference exists for women to "spend Check out jeannieallen.com and
rachaellampa.com.
time with God, experiencing personal and
And as always, we will hear
from missionaries serving
around the world in a variety of
ways.
On-campus registration is $92
and that includes all meals. Offcampus registration is $63 and
that includes Friday supper and
Saturday lunch. Please let
Shana Wood (235-1901) or
Winter Ball (213-0599) know by
Aug. 5 if you plan on attending.
SUNDAY
HOURS
9:45-10 A.M. &
11-11:15 A.M.
IF
YOU HAVE ITEMS TO
DONATE TO THE LIBRARY,
PLEASE STOP IN AND
TALK TO
SHAUNA
HADDEN
Silly Summer Schedule Event focuses on children
by Kevin Christiansen
Aug. 2: Travel Tuesday
(Independence)
Join us on a historic journey to
Independence, Mo. This epic trip will
allow our students to enjoy the
fantastic Truman Presidential Library,
maybe an old school phosphate, and
will conclude with a great movie under
the stars in Kansas City.
Aug. 7 and 14: No Youth Group.
Enjoy some last minute time with the
family before school gets started.
Aug. 20: Café Barnabas Back to School
Bash featuring Children 18:3 at
London’s, 115 SE 6th Ave, Topeka.
Kevin Christiansen may be reached
at 785-806-4999
or [email protected]
Who: Lifeline Children's
Services of Kansas
Hello Roger and Church,
What: A night of live stories,
live music, coffee and
desserts
Thanks for sending me all the things
of interest. By the way, my apartment
number is 449. I like it here.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 6
from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
I go to church with my son and I
hear the other son preach. My
granddaughter is on the music team.
But I do miss all of my friends at
Covenant.
Where: Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center
at Washburn University, located at the
intersection of SW 17th St & SW Jewell
Ave in Topeka
Why: To raise support and awareness for
the fatherless in Topeka, Kan., and around
the world.
To learn more about Lifeline, visit the
organization’s website at lifelinechild.org
Come be a part of what God is doing among
His people on behalf of the fatherless.
If you would like to be a part of this
evening, or have any questions, e-mail
Angela Beemer at
[email protected] or call
(785) 783-4577.
I live on the fourth floor. I go to the
grill or dining room to eat. I don’t
like to cook.
Tell everyone hello. Thanks again.
Mary Stark
182 Ameren Way, Apt. 449
Ballwin, MO 63021
Page 4
V olume 7, I ssue 8
AWESOME EWEEK!!! by Jacob Cassell
E-WEEK!!!
Recently at Covenant
Baptist Church we
had a week-long camp
called E-Week. Each
day kids would go to a
class that they chose
online and then have
a snack break halfway
through class. Then after class was finished,
we would have chapel time taught by Kevin
Christiansen. We did some fun little game
and added onto a phrase each day ‘God
created us for a purpose: love God, believe
God, serve God!’
In my opinion, E-Week was really fun. I
liked snack time, the classes and big group
time. But really, I liked the whole thing.
was able to see some
of the students I
know from Awana
And next year, do E-Week again, or do it for and meet a few new
students, too.
the first time because it’s really fun!
From Jacob’s Mom: There were many new
faces helping at E-Week this year, which was
great to see. I was lucky enough to partner
with Karen Huntley for gardening and Roy
Baum for blogs. My partners were amazing
and spent a lot of time preparing for our
classes. Though I was only on-site for two
days, I know many other adults served each
and every day. My kids love E-Week, and I
Above: Jacob Cassell in
Build Your Own
Website class
Left: Caiden Crawford
in the Fishing class
God’s Mountain Camp by Tracy, Shelby and Rachel Schmutzler
Tracy Schmutzler: This past June, I took the
opportunity to join seven kids from
Covenant going to God's Mountain Camp.
It is always such fun to see young kids be
excited about experiencing camp life and
doing it for the glory of God. Since the
camp uses young leaders to be the
From left to right: Angel, Mason, Rachel, Carson,
Shelby, Alex and Jacob getting ready to leave for
camp
counselors, this gives the kids an insight into
a calling God may have on their own life
and to step into leadership in their own
young faith. As Covenant has encouraged
mentoring in our own body, this camp
experience actually gives a bit of mentoring
reflection to the kids. So, to find a purpose
during my stay at camp, I merged into the
kitchen and offered my assistance. We
prepared meals that week for about 156
people. God's Mountain Camp depends
solely on donations. With this being said,
what a blessing it was to see how God
provides for the camp, and sure enough
grand meals were prepared and offered.
Thanks be to God for His abundance.
rooted and built up in Him, establishing in
the faith, abounding in thanksgiving." I met
a lot of new friends. We got to do water
games and swimming every day. I am glad I
got to go.
Rachel Schmutzler, age 11: I made new
friends at camp. I held a bullfrog. I feel like
it made my faith stronger in Christ. We got
Shelby Schmutzler, age 9: God's Mountain
Camp was fun! I liked chapel a lot and Bible
quizzing. I learned a verse from Colossians
2:6-7. And it is, "Therefore as you received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
God’s Mountain Camp 2013
Club Corner
Awana Kickoff for the entire family will be
Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. Dinner will
be served, and while the kids have activities
the adults will find out important
information from Mrs. Betsey. Books and
brochures will be handed out as
needed on this night. INVITE
YOUR FRIENDS!
First Club Night will be
Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
This will be the
first night that
children will be saying verses, enjoying
Large Group and Game Time.
Coming this Fall: New
Cubbies curriculum, including
new Cubbie handbooks with
CDs and a new puppet friend.
Be sure to come meet Katie
Collie!
For the safety of our
children:
Only parents,
preschool-aged children
& the volunteers for that day
should come down
the preschool hallway.
Thank you!
CBC Children’s Ministry
Team
Volume 7, Issue 8
Page 5
August 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Travel Tuesday
@ Truman
Presidential Library
(see page 3)
7 p.m. Music
rehearsal
1 10 a.m. LifeFest 2
(see page 2)
6:30 p.m. Family
Night Square
Dancing @ CBC
Sat
3
Trash Mountain Mission Trip to The Dominican Republic July 29 to Aug. 5
4
Communion
Sunday
Promotion
Sunday
5
6
7
8
Trash Mountain Mission Trip to Dominican Republic July 29 to Aug. 5
11
12
9
10
8:30 a.m.
Children’s Team
Meeting
7 p.m. Youth Music
Team Practice
13
14
15
16
17
5:30 p.m. Life
Group Leadership
Meeting
7 p.m. Life Group
Kickoff
6 p.m.
18
19
20 Café Barnabas 21
22
23
24
25
26
27
29
30
31
Back to School
Bash (see page 3)
6:30 p.m. Deacon’s
Meeting
7:15 p.m. Elder’s
Meeting
28
6 p.m. Awana
Kickoff Night
6 p.m. Monthly
Staff Meeting @
TBA
Weekly Events at Covenant Baptist Church:
Sunday: 8:45-9:45 a.m. Worship Service
10-11 a.m. Bible Study for all ages
Tuesday: 7 p.m. DivorceCare
7p.m. DC4K
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Worship Service
7 p.m. Single and Parenting Study
Thursday: 7-8:30 p.m. Music Team practice
Monday: 6:30-8 p.m. Women’s Bible Study: Women of the
Bible (through Aug. 26)
Lyle Minner
Financial
A.J. Schmutzler
Bill Watts
Financial
Gene Cassell
Carolyn Toburen
Kelsey Donaldson
Greeters/Name
Tags
Greeters
Carolynn Ingram
Name Tags
Bobby Burgess
Stacey Burgess
Library
Kevin Litscher
Financial
Gene Cassell
Greeters/Name
Tags
Greeters
Lyle Minner
Lana Minner
Name Tags
Addie Hanna
Shirley Martin
Library
Team Leader
Carol Roberts
Infant/Toddlers
Travis Freed
Trista Freed
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Charity Hays
Rhonda Hays
Team Leader
Annette Baum
Infant/Toddlers
Christine Broughton
Tara Hetrick
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Niki Gartner
Security
Team Leader
Lynne Mills
Infant/Toddlers
Regina Lilley
Tammy Cessna
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Tracy Schmutzler
Sydney Donaldson
Security
Don Johnston
Ed Richardson
Mark Hinerman
Bill Watts
Kevin Litscher
Randy Gregg
Kyle Hadden
Usher
Usher
Scott Halverson
Preschool
Preschool
Preschool
Larry Frederick
Robert Hicks
Lyle Minner
Usher
Security
Tammy Cessna
Bev Hadden
Library
Greeters
Phyllis Nelson
Richard Nelson
Name Tags
Cheryl Gregg
Ruth Borthwick
Greeters/Name
Tags
Deacon
August 11, 2013
Deacon
August 4, 2013
August 4, 2013
08:45 Hour
Deacon
11:15 Hour
08:45 Hour
Ray Burns
Brian Broughton
Carroll Fasse
Todd Fischer
Usher
Wally Roberts
Security
Team Leader
Sue Hicks
Infant/Toddlers
Jane Jepson
Dick Jepson
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Marne Fischer
Emily Fischer
Preschool
Library
Greeters
Phyllis Nelson
Richard Nelson
Name Tags
Cheryl Gregg
Ruth Borthwick
Greeters/Name
Tags
A.J. Schmutzler
Larry Frederick
Kelsey Donaldson
Financial
Ray Burns
Deacon
August 11, 2013
11:15 Hour
Craig Dunstan
Dick Jepson
Leon Parker
Richard Nelson
Usher
Security
Team Leader
Kathy Dale
Infant/Toddlers
Benson Cessna
Kelsey Donaldson
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Duane Dale
Preschool
Lynn Gillmore
Library
Greeters
Randy Lilley
Regina Lilley
Name Tags
Carolyn Toburen
Sonja Dunstan
Greeters/Name
Tags
Todd Fischer
Financial
Richard Nelson
Deacon
August 18, 2013
08:45 Hour
Benson Cessna
Gene Cassell
Roger Flenniken
Tom Morgan
Usher
Ed Richardson
Security
Team Leader
Shirley Martin
Infant/Toddlers
Ruth Borthwick
Ethan Borthwick
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Karen Huntley
Amber Segenhagen
Preschool
Library
Greeters
Randy Lilley
Regina Lilley
Name Tags
Carolyn Toburen
Julie Thompson
Greeters/Name
Tags
Todd Fischer
Nancy Smart
Shauna Hadden
Financial
Roger Flenniken
Deacon
August 18, 2013
11:15 Hour
Stan Thompson
Ken Bryant
Mike Hays
Usher
Security
Team Leader
Michelle Morgan
Infant/Toddlers
Cheryl Gregg
Tanner Ingold
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Shana Wood
Sarah Morgan
Preschool
Lynn Gillmore
Library
Greeters
Betsey Litscher
Kevin Litscher
Name Tags
Charity Hays
Rhonda Hays
Greeters/Name
Tags
Zanita Flenniken
Financial
Stan Thompson
Deacon
August 25, 2013
08:45 Hour
Jim Hutton
Scott Halverson
A.J. Schmutzler
Wally Roberts
Usher
Carroll Fasse
Security
Team Leader
Betsey Litscher
Infant/Toddlers
Hannah Burkdoll
Kevin Litscher
2-3 Yr olds Rm 105
Brian Broughton
Cheryl Gilmore
Preschool
Library
Greeters
Kay Ireland
Wayne Ireland
Name Tags
Charity Hays
Rhonda Hays
Greeters/Name
Tags
Wayne Ireland
Zanita Flenniken
Karen Huntley
Financial
Wally Roberts
Deacon
August 25, 2013
11:15 Hour
Page 7
V olume 7, I ssue 8
SHAREFEST 2013 by Nate Wood
Save the date, Saturday Oct. 5, 8 a.m. to
noon for Sharefest 2013. It is right around
the corner.
do! Please save the date now. Contact me
with questions. Everyone who participates
will receive a free t-shirt. We have a goal of
having 100 Covenant Members attend this
Sharefest is a collaboration of more than 20
year. We hope to see you there!
churches from Topeka that converge on
the Topeka Public Schools for a day of
work to make the schools a better place for
Nate Wood may be reached at
those who use their facilities.
785-249-8283 or
[email protected]
There will be something for everyone to
Marriage Seminar
coming to Covenant
Not enough people signed up for this
event so it has been cancelled.
Online Resources by Regina Cassell
If you are looking for a great source of
encouragement, look no further than
Covenant’s own website. Did you know
you can listen to or watch the Sunday
sermons right from the website?
Or maybe, you just need to refresh your
mind on a particular sermon series. Are you
a good neighbor yet? Do you need some
ideas on how to create margins in your life?
You can easily find a message you are
The direct link online is… cbctopeka.com/ seeking by either topic or speaker. I know
sunday-messages/
my personal favorite this year was Casey’s
If you are new to CBC or looking for a way sermon series on Psalm 23 and the Good
to encourage a friend, think about some of Shepherd. That one has certainly stayed
the recent sermons you’ve heard. How easy with me. And, I spent a lot of time online
tracking down the song that had such
would it be to share the link to a specific
wonderful lyrics. (It was called “There is
topic with a friend.
Only One.”)
If you would like to participate in a future
marriage strengthening event please
contact the church office.
Please Continue to Pray for Our Mission Team
Please continue to pray
for the Covenant Trash
Mountain mission team
who are in the Dominican
Republic through August
5, 2013. The mission team
includes Randy Lilley,
Regina Lilley, Megan
Lilley, Kelsey Donaldson, Carol Roberts,
Shirley Martin, Randy
Gregg, Cheryl Gregg and
Nate Wood.
The team will be working
doing construction and
helping with a medical
clinic at the school
established to serve children raised on the
dump. Thanks for praying!
To Covenant Baptist Church,
Thank you so much for your generous donations to Christ First Counseling Center! We
are blessed to be a part of continuing to minister to those who need hope and healing!
Thank you!!
Thank you for partnering in the Gospel with us. - Dr. Corey Schliep
Thanks for believing in us! What an encouragement! - Deborah
Thank you so much for building into our ministry. - Bob Clifton
Thank you! - Dawna Sheet
Lana Minner, Jada Mosier, Annette Norris, Matt Clayton, Brenda Lewis, Julia Parker,
Naomi Norton, Pearline Wilson, Morgan Whitaker Smith and Gale Nation
Please don’t forget to pray for
the SALVATION of the children
who have received your shoe box
gifts in the past and those who
will be receiving this year’s shoe
box gifts.
School supplies are on sale right
now and this is a great time to
pick up school supplies for your
shoe boxes. Pencils, pencil
sharpeners, erasers, notebook
paper, markers, glue sticks, ink
pens, pencil
boxes and
more would
be great
additions to
your boxes.
5440 SW 37th Street
Topeka, Kansas 66614
Phone: 785-273-2811
E-mail: [email protected]
www.cbctopeka.com
Disaster Relief (Continued from page 1)
Current SBDR efforts are underway in
with:
Base camps in New York City,
Check out my Facebook page (Larry Thomas) for latest updates on Disaster Relief.
Maryland and Virginia are housing
Locally, Maranatha Baptist Church hosted a disaster relief training on Saturday, June 22
mission teams dealing with the
where at the end of the day a total of 20 Flint Hills volunteers were certified to serve in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
kitchen and chainsaw units. This training along with personal and medical documentation,
Brothers and sisters in Canada and
is what a volunteer needs to receive and ID and become certified to help in Disaster Relief
Minot,
ND are cleaning up after
with SBDR.
flooding.
For more information about becoming a part of the Disaster Relief volunteer team for Flint Colorado and Arizona teams are
Hills contact Flint Hills Relief Coordinator Chuck Barry at [email protected].
assisting with clean up after major fires.
Women’s Summer
Bible Study
Please join us for a Bible study on
The Women of the Bible (From the ones we all
know to the ones you have never heard about.)
DivorceCare is an ongoing
ministry of Covenant. It is
designed for people to join
us at anytime within the
13-week sessions.
Where: Drury Place, 4200 SW Drury Lane
When: Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
When: Monday nights through Aug. 26th
Where: Covenant Baptist Church, 5440 SW 37th St.,
Topeka
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Good things to know:
there is no childcare
please bring your Bible
Single & Parenting is open to anyone who is a single
parent and DC4K is for children
Contact: Covenant office at 785-273-2811
Cost: $15 for DivorceCare, which includes the workbook
(or $2 per week, if necessary.)