Eastridge Communicator - Eastridge Baptist Church
Transcription
Eastridge Communicator - Eastridge Baptist Church
Eastridge Baptist Church Eastridge Communicator July 2016 Give Us Barabbas! In the circuslike events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He had been brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate based on a complaint from the Jewish leaders. After Pilate had investigated the complaint he rightly concluded that Jesus was innocent and had not done anything worthy of punishment – let alone death. Pilate had heard the stories of Jesus’ miraculous works, how He had healed the sick, and made blind people see and crippled people walk. It is likely that Pilate had also heard that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, a town only two miles away. from the desk of Pastor John Pastor John and Trisha LeProhon they felt threatened by His power and His popularity. Pilate attempted to circumvent the religious leaders and get the population-at-large to determine Pilate was aware of the conniving ways of the the fate of Jesus. It was the Jewish Passover and it Jewish leaders and the fact that they hated had become a custom for the governor to show rivals to their own positions mercy to one particular Jewish and influence. Jesus had “As I look at the current state of prisoner—to dismiss the charggrown extremely popular es, and release him. Pilate asour world, it seems to me that and influential over the past sumed that the people would ask three years. His fame had people have been deluded into for Jesus to be released. After spread throughout Judea and calling evil, good and good, evil. “ all, Barabbas was a well-known even beyond its borders. The criminal who had, along with Jewish leaders could see other crimes, committed murder, while Jesus had their influence and their way of life being never broken any law. He was kind and gentle. stripped from them if the people fully turned He healed all who were brought to Him and His to Jesus. For that reason they accused Jesus teaching was unlike any they had ever heard beof committing blasphemy – a crime punishable fore. Pilate was so certain that the people would by death. Because the Jews were under Rorather have Jesus, the healer, released than Barman rule they were not allowed to exercise abbas, the murderer. the death penalty whenever they wanted; they had to have the Romans carry it out for Pilate was shocked when he asked which of the them. Pilate was aware that the Jewish leaders two he should release and the people shouted wanted him to have Jesus executed because “Give us Barabbas!” Pilate asked, “Then what continued on pg. 2 Barabbas! shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” He was dumbfounded when they shouted, “Crucify Him!” Pilate tried to appeal to their logic when he asked, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify Him!” It seems unimaginable that the crowd would be so intent on wanting a murderer released into their midst and to crucify the One who had exalted God, loved the people, healed their sick, and cast out their demons. Oh, the destructive power of sin that causes people to call evil, good and good, evil! continued from page 1 are being made to appear evil; while the ones who perform the evil are being portrayed as victims. This is merely one example of the way our world is calling good, evil and evil, good. The only hope for our world is Jesus Christ, they very one who was crucified by wicked men. If there was ever a time to be people devoted to knowing and living out the Scripture, now is that time. Listen to what Paul said to Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:13-17, But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. As I look at the current state of our world, it seems to me that people have been deluded into calling evil, good and good, evil. They are rejecting anything to do with godliness or righteousness and are in effect shouting to the powers-that-be, “Give us Barabbas!” A case in point is the recent revelation that Planned Parenthood was selling organs and fetal tissue from aborted babies. This was discovered when the director of a Planned Parenthood facility stated as much on a hidden video. In the months that followed, those who exposed the horrific practice were vilified, indicted, and sued. This month in California a law was being proposed that would make it a crime to make such a video. The ones who exposed the evil The only one who can change hearts is Jesus Christ. God has ordained the Scripture to be the means by which people learn about Christ and are trained in righteousness. We need to know “the sacred writings” and let the Word of God teach, reprove, rebuke, and correct us. Now, more than ever, Christians must be people devoted to the truth of Scripture; so that we can know what God calls “evil” and what He calls “good.” The world may be shouting out, “Give us Barabbas!” but what they need is Christ! 2 Sharing Christ’s Love in Honduras The Honduras team has been busy preparing for their mission trip this past month. On May 21, they held a car wash and yard sale and raised $1400! During their weekly team meetings, they have been practicing their testimonies, a music routine, a skit and some Spanish children's songs. The team, which consists of Kelly Tolonen, Silas Tuthill, Joshua Barrios, Joel McCafferty, Annika Mayes, and Bill and Cathy Mickelson, leaves June 24 and returns home July 2. The following is their tentative itinerary: Sunday - A.M. Bill will teach an adult Sunday School class at El Socorro (small church in an outlying village) P.M. - Children's Church at Betania (in Sequatepeque) Monday-Tuesday - Neighborhood outreach surrounding El Socorro Church (mornings) & VBS (afternoons) Tuesday evening - Women's seminar (Betania) Wednesday - Painting & VBS, evening - Marriage seminar (El Socorro) Thursday - Painting & Tiling (El Socorro), evening - Women's seminar (Betania) Friday - Cultural excursion (market) & Comayagua (National Park), farewell dinner Thank you for your prayers and financial support! Team members (l to r) Kelly Tolonen, Silas Tuthill, Joshua Barrios, Joel McCafferty, and Annika Mayes practicing their music routine Some of the college group working at the May 21st fundraiser car wash. Praying over the Honduras team at the Sunday services on June 19. 3 A Test for Parents from the desk of Pastor Andrew Parents, teach your children! There’s no question 13. What will Jesus do when he returns to earth? here of giftedness. It’s a question of mandate and equipment. The mandate is to do it. The equipment is God’s truth. There are two avenues of failure: disobey the mandate or abuse the equipment. And if you don’t have the equipment then you can’t obey the mandate. So let’s make sure you possess the right equipment in the right manner. 14. How can someone escape the penalty due to sin? 15. What is saving faith? 16. What is repentance and why is it necessary? 17. What role do human good works play in salvation? 18. What does it mean to be born again? 19. Why must someone be born again to be saved? 20. How can you know if you are saved? 21. What does it cost to follow Jesus Christ? Below is a 25-question test. Can you answer the theology questions below confidently and, this is the important part, with Scripture? Parents, you need to be the theologian of your home. Without theology, how 22. Who is the Holy Spirit? 23. What does the Holy Spirit do in the Christian’s life? 24. What is the Bible? 25. What role should the Bible have in the Christian’s life? can a child be saved? I don’t mean dry, dusty books with big words. I mean the truth about God, man, sin, salvation, heaven, hell, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, right and wrong. If you find the questions below easy, praise God! He has robustly equipped you with a knowledge of his plan of salvation so that you are able to pass it on at least to your children. If there were any questions you were unable to answer, then You can become a parent without passing any qualifying exams. But you can’t be a Christian parent without being able to teach your children the basic doctrines of Christianity. And you can’t teach the basic doctrines if you don’t know them. these are areas to commit to further study, that you might be as firm as the rock of Scripture in addressing the most important issues you and your family will ever study. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. How many Gods are there? Who is God? What is God’s law and expectation for mankind? What is sin? Who has sinned? What is the penalty of sin? Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus become a man? Why is it significant that Jesus never sinned? Why did Jesus die on the cross? What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus to the salvation of sinners? 12. Where is Jesus now and what does He do? 4 Monday, July 18-Friday, July 22 6:00–8:30pm daily Eastridge Baptist Church For children entering grades K–6 Pre-registration begins Sunday, July 3 in the foyer Free Free Free Free If you have any questions or need more information, contact Pastor Andy at 253-880-2938 or [email protected]. Serving Our Community Each summer for the past several years, Eastridge has held a school supply drive to collect items to distribute to students at East Hill Elementary. Once again, Eastridge attenders have an opportunity to bless the less fortunate children at East Hill with much-needed school supplies. Below is a list of the items the school still needs and a list of items they still have plenty of (note that they are unable to store any more of these items): Items the school still needs: Items not needed: Colored Markers (10 – 12 in a package) Colored Pencils (10 – 12 in a package) Folders w/no pictures or designs/one color bottom pocket with brads (in variety of colors) One subject composition notebooks (about 75 pages) Page protectors Plastic or cardboard bottom pocket folders (w/o brads - NO need for designs or pictures either) Plastic or cardboard supply boxes Pencil boxes (slide-open type) Pencil sharpeners with lips/cases ONLY please Post-it notes (large 3’’by 3’’) Spiral notebooks ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● compasses crayons dry erase markers erasers glue bottles glue sticks highlighters pens (red, black, or blue) protractors reams of paper rulers scissors zipper pouches for small supplies Watch for a donation barrel in the foyer in the weeks to come. If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Mickelson at 253-569-3468 or [email protected]. Thank you so much for showing God’s love to the needy in our community! 5 Kids Can Weed, Too! Now that school is out for the summer, parents may be looking for ways to keep their kids busy during the lazy days of vacation. Why not use this time as a chance to teach your kids to serve in simple ways? Coincidentally, Eastridge has a need that both you and your kids can fill. Now that our 3 spring work days have concluded, we are in need of people to maintain (ie. weed) the church grounds throughout the summer. And yes, kids can pull weeds, too! Volunteers are free to come to the church at their convenience, select the weediest, neediest flower bed and weed away. Just think—if every capable adult and child at Eastridge would give just one hour to weeding, we would have approximately 200 hours worth of weeding done over the summer! That would be awesome! We would like to sincerely thank the volunteers who came out to one or more spring work day to help with the landscaping. You made great strides in beautifying the grounds. We are so grateful for all your hard work. If you would like more information about helping with the landscaping at Eastridge, please contact Cherryl Boston at 253-653-3541 or [email protected]. Volunteer to Adopt a Landscape Bed at Eastridge! We are looking for volunteers to maintain one of the garden beds on the church property as part of our Adopt-a-Landscape-Bed program. Eastridge attenders adopt a specific garden bed on the church property and then maintain it throughout the year. If you are interested in adopting a bed or would like more information about this program, please complete the form below and drop it in one of the offering boxes. A member of the Landscaping Committee will contact you. Adopt-a-Landscape Bed Name: _______________________________________ Contact Information: Phone No: ________________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________________________ I’m ready to adopt I would like more 6 information Please drop completed form in one of the offering boxes or give to Cherryl Boston 6 Family News Eastridge would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members: Dean and Dorie Peyton Ken and Pam Smith Tom and Jennifer Small If you are interested in becoming a member of Eastridge, check out the membership requirements on our website at eastridgebaptist.org. Click on the about tab and then the become a member tab. Speaker: John Cox Master’s Seminary graduate, pastor, and friend to Pastor Music: Conan Hirsch Worship leader at Christ the King Church in Bellingham John and Pastor Ryan. Joe and Sarah Kusack welcomed baby boy Timothy Noah Kusack into their family on Friday, May 27 at 5:05am. Timothy was a healthy 9 lb. 3 oz! He is a baby brother to Peter (5), Lydia (4), and Benjamin (2). Congratulations, Joe and Sarah, on your newest bundle of joy! Individual student coming alone = $235 Student coming with sibling or friend = $180 (Cost includes room & board, travel, and activities; let Pastor Ryan know if money is an issue) $25.00 deposit due by Sunday, July 24, 2016 For more information or for a registration form, please contact Pastor Ryan at 253-951-5583 Sunday, July 10 @ 4:00 4:00––7:00pm (21842 148 Ave SE, Kent 98042) Celebrating abundant blessings from the Lord with fun, fellowship, and food for the whole family! Catered dinner Potluck dessert (sign up in the foyer) Hayrides Fun Contests! EBC’s Got Talent! (If you can sing or play a musical instrument, we’d love to have you share your music with us throughout the evening. Please sign up in the foyer or contact Randy Mayes to be added to the schedule. Randy will contact you before the event to let know when you are scheduled to perform). PHOTO OPS! Take some photos at Celebration Sunday, then email them to [email protected] by no later than Monday, July 18 and we’ll include some of your photos in the August Eastridge Communicator newsletter! If you have any questions about Celebration Sunday, please contact Randy Mayes at 253-852-8882 or [email protected] 7 MEN’S DINNER Friday, July 15, 2016 6:00pm at Eastridge July Birthdays and Anniversaries Eva Handley 7/3 Alysha Merziak 7/22 Anniversaries Wyatt Meeuwse 7/3 Margarita Sanchez 7/22 Derek and Carol Iverson 7/2 Sam and Crystal Martinez 7/23 Kelly Lopez 7/4 Stephen Groot 7/23 Dan and Heather Young 7/6 Sean and Sarah Kelsey 7/24 Ryan Reeves 7/4 Ana Panfil 7/23 Bill and Mary Bennett 7/10 Jolyn Barber 7/6 Sara Hayward 7/24 Annalise Burlando 7/8 Victor Craig 7/25 Gregory and Keren Goheen 7/12 Jonathan and Kimberly Skeith 7/24 Ray and Maxine Emme 7/27 Loraine Keith 7/8 Titus Skeith 7/25 Christian and Kelly Lopez 7/27 Rachel Roach 7/8 Ezra Skeith 7/26 Tom and Jennifer Small 7/15 Derek Iverson 7/27 Jon and Kari Watson 7/15 Tim and Sandy Thomas 7/28 Austin Meeuwse 7/10 Eric Olson 7/10 Warren Trzeciak 7/28 Ralph and Karen Lentz 7/16 Ryan and Jennifer Trzeciak 7/28 John Stegman 7/11 Sarah Kelsey 7/29 Garrett Anderson 7/12 Kevin McArdel 7/30 Donica Tibbetts 7/12 Naomi Steward 7/30 Peter Kusack 7/16 Priscilla Craig 7/31 Dorie Peyton 7/17 Ella Martinez 7/31 Jack and Mavis Gaines 7/20 Tim and Laurie Tolonen 7/20 Dean and Wanda Renick 7/21 Doug and Debbie Thompson 7/21 Lance Swenson 7/18 Wanda Renick 7/20 8 Nate and Emily Williams 7/28 Jim and Casey Starr 7/30 Robert and Kim Turnbull 7/30 Paul and Linda Majer 7/31 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Friday 1 2 College Honduras Missions Trip 3 4 5 6 6:30pm 128 Student Ministries 7:00pm Worship Team 7:00pm Financial Peace University 7:00pm Youth Ladies’ Bible Study @ Borton’s 10 11 12 10:30am Missions Prayer Ministry @ Alaire Irish’s 4:00–7:00pm Celebration Sunday at Grimstad Farms 5:00–8:30pm Tae Kwon Do 6:30pm Elder Meeting 17 8 9 5:00–7:00pm Thursday Church 5:00–8:30pm Tae Kwon Do 6:00pm Prayer Meeting 7 13 14 6:30pm 128 Student Ministries 6:30–8:00pm VBS allvolunteer team meeting (Youth Center) 15 16 5:00–7:00pm Thursday Church 7:00pm College/ Career Study 6:30–8:00pm VBS volunteer team meeting (Large Portable) 7:00pm Worship Team 6:00pm Men’s Dinner @ EBC 7:00pm Financial Peace University College Camp-out 18 19 20 21 22 6:00–8:30pm Vacation Bible School 6:00–8:30pm Vacation Bible School 6:00–8:30pm Vacation Bible School 6:00–8:30pm Vacation Bible School 6:00–8:30pm Vacation Bible School 25 26 27 28 29 23 College Camp-out 24 Communion 5:00–8:30pm Tae Kwon Do 6:30pm 128 Student Ministries 9 5:00–7:00pm Thursday Church 7:00pm College/ Career Study 7:00pm Financial Peace University 7:00pm Worship Team 7:00pm Youth Ladies’ Bible Study @ Borton’s 30 Parking Lot Restriping (Lot closed) Upcoming Events at Eastridge August 2016 Monday, August 1– Friday, August 5 Youth Summer Camp @ Cascades Camp Sunday, August 7 Monthly Prayer Meeting 6:00pm Tuesday, August 9 Missions Prayer Ministry 10:30am @ Alaire Irish’s Saturday, August 13 Baby Shower for Janelle McArdel 2:30pm @ EBC Saturday, August 20 Men’s Breakfast 7:30am September 2016 Sunday, September 4 Monthly Prayer Meeting 6:00pm Tuesday, September 13 Missions Prayer Ministry 10:30am @ Alaire Irish’s Wednesday, September 14 Awana Clubs Registration Night 6:30pm Saturday, September 17 Men’s Breakfast 7:30am October 2016 Sunday, October 2 Monthly Prayer Meeting 6:00pm Tuesday, October 11 Missions Prayer Ministry 10:30am @ Alaire Irish’s Saturday, October 15 Men’s Breakfast 7:30am Mark your calendar... 10 God’s Work Through Teenagers On June 19, 128 Student Ministries welcomed in some newbies who promoted out of Mr. Mayes’ class and into the wonderful world of youth ministry. We are glad to have Andrew Young, Eden Elliott, Jacob Trzeciak (I think I know this kid), and Audrey Anderson as part of the group. I am excited for what the future holds and what God will do in the lives of these students. from the desk of Pastor Ryan Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These four courageous youths knew God’s Law and His call to holiness, and resolved not to defile themselves with the king’s food and drink. They even made a plan to follow through on their conviction (Dan 1:6-8). Last, but definitely not least, there are the students of our church. We have many examples of teens and those in their early twenties who have a great desire to serve the Lord. There are some who are going off to school to hone their skills for ministry. Then there is the team that is headed for Honduras for a shortterm mission; yet another team is going to serve at Camp Gilead; and a group of students led us in worship at the youth fundraising concert. Also, there are many who are involved in VBS, Thursday Church, Awana, and various other ministries at EBC. I have reason to be excited because I know what God can do with teenagers. The Bible gives us numerous examples of teens who did amazing things for the Lord. First is Joseph in the book of Genesis. Early in his teenage years, he received revelation from God about what the future would hold for him and the elevated position he would hold. Shortly after that, his brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph eventually rose to prominence in the house of his master, Potiphar. However, while he was still a teenager, or at least shortly thereafter, he withstood immense temptation as Potiphar’s wife made her relentless sexual advances (Gen 37, 39). Each one of these examples of spiritually courageous teenagers is the product of a great spiritual heritage. These individuals did not wake up one morning and say to themselves, “Today I will begin to live for the Lord.” No, they were taught the Scripture by concerned adults who invested in them to strengthen their faith in God. David is another example of one who did mighty things for the Lord. As a teenager, he fought off lions and bears, and conquered the nine-foot giant, Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David stares Goliath down and says “You come at me with a sword and a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts...This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Sam 17:45-46). David said these courageous words, not because of how strong he was, but because he knew how great God is. That is why I am so excited about the incoming students. From what I know of their families and the instruction they received in Sunday School over the years, it is going to be great to see those seeds come to fruition. The God who began this great work promised to complete it, and my prayer is that 128SM be found faithful to our responsibility to proclaim Christ so that these students may be presented complete and mature in Christ. Then there is the prophet Daniel and his friends 11 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. EAS RIDGE Baptist Church