Pittsburgh Baptist Church - First Baptist Church of Rochester, PA

Inside this issue:
June & July Birthdays
Nursery Workers
Annie Armstrong Offering #’s
From the Pastor
2
3
4
Board Corner
6
Blessings of Partnership-BRN
8
Outback Rock VBS
Congratulations, Graduates
SBC Annual Mtg. - Columbus OH
9
10
12
Embrace Grace
13
Baptist Press Smartphone App
14
And one more thing….
June Calendar
July Calendar
15
16
18
of the
First Baptist Church
of Rochester
301 Adams Street
Rochester PA 15074
www.fbcrochester.com
[email protected]
JUNE BIRTHDAYS:
12.
19.
28.
30.
Lee Ann Weibel
Richard Lyons, Isaac Davis
Mackenzie Maze, Crystal Frank
Ashtyn Leigh
Zeranick
JUNE NURSERY WORKERS:
7.
14.
21.
26.
Sarah Vander Wagen
Teresa Dupree
Mollie Lewis
Jill Fischer
JULY NURSERY WORKERS:
5.
12.
19.
26.
Sue Pierce
Lindsay Vander Wagen
Lynn Maze
Kate Franc
JULY BIRTHDAYS:
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
13.
14.
18.
19.
24.
25.
27.
31.
Dawn Brehm
Reese Tooch
Albert Greco V
Diane Furman
David Coberly
Lucas Renner, Haley Greco
Sarah Vander Wagen
Lawrence Shipe, Sarah Rusnak
Helen Rowe
Ben Boyd
Janet Cicco-Powers
Linda Glasser
Martha Renner
(2)
Annie Armstrong Offerings - Lent through Easter
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
TOTAL
9
10
11
12
13
14
3/1/15
3/8/15
3/15/15
3/22/15
3/29/15
4/05/15
(3)
$20
$38
$30
$37
$2
$10
$137
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Recently I read a survey indicating that
Christianity is losing the battle. Between
2007 and 2014 the Christian population in
America declined by 1.5%.
Main line
religions and Roman Catholicism declined by
over 3%. The groups that increased were
non-Christian religions and a group called
"none". These are people who have no
religious affiliation at all. The “nones” grew
by 8%. The fact is we are rapidly ministering
to an America that has no understanding of
Christ.
Yet, at FBC we are having a youth movement. In the last couple months it
is the youth of the church that have made a difference. Every Sunday we
have a young adult leading the worship and another preparing power point.
Teens are on the sound board. On a Sunday in April it was two young
adult men who stepped up and took the offering. There is a lot more that
when on that day in the lives of young adults than indicated that FBC was
now their church and not just the church that their parents attended.
When no adult would, it was a High School senior who answered the call
for special music. Not only did Jordan DeVault play her saxophone, she
invited a friend who played a soprano sax. She invited a friend to
participate and share in her church and in the ministry. Jordan did not just
tell her friend about church; she invited her friend to be a part of the
church. Not only did she invite her friend but she included her friend. I
think that is what Christ would have done. That is what Christ expects
from us. In June it will again be another young adult who will step up for
special music on the second Sunday of the month.
The last two leadership meetings have been excellent and exciting because
of the new young adult leaders. In April Nathaniel Butterworth, our new
deacon in January, lead the worship prayers. It was awesome to see him
blossom before our eyes. With each Sunday he grew in confidence. The
final Sunday he entered into the presence of God and we just joined him.
It was great. At the April deacon meeting he brought up an idea. He
expressed an opinion. While everyone there was older physically and
spiritually and had more life experience he was comfortable to share.
Awesome!
Jim Franc has stepped up. In January he became a trustee. Around the
same time he mentioned that he wanted to start a men's meeting. In April
(4)
the first was held, followed by a second in May. Both were huge
successes. No one died from or even complained about Jim and my
cooking. The discussion around the table was valuable. There is no
program. The men just have breakfast and the conversation goes where
the Holy Spirit leads. In line with the youth movement occurring in the
church, I was the oldest man present at both breakfasts. The plan is to
meet every second Saturday of the month for breakfast and a time of
fellowship. There will not be a breakfast in June as the men are attending
BRN Advantage at Pittsburgh Baptist Church. They will resume in July.
At the last leadership team meeting the discussion was the need for a better
web site. Jim asked a couple of questions and then volunteered to be the
church web master. In less than two weeks the church web site has
undergone a transformation. It is now living, breathing, alive! Check it
out.
Last and not least (Vivian is going to kill me because I am going long), is
our children. Over the past couple months it is not uncommon to have
eight in the two children Sunday school classes and there have been
Sundays when there are over a dozen children who participate in the
morning worship children's talk. Each Sunday I am taking a book from
the Bible and sharing the theme as the talk. For Exodus we walked in
circles around the Sanctuary to show how the children of God wandered
in the wilderness. For Deuteronomy I had them form the word rules. Each
letter was on a separate card. The word Deuteronomy means second law.
The theme is the law of God. We will continue taking a book each week
until the Bible is complete. The goal is so that our children have a basic
knowledge of the Bible; so they do not add to the "nones". In August FBC
will have a vacation Bible School. The exciting part is that we will do it
ourselves, no outside help, no other church doing it for us. One more
indication that FBC is a healthy church, a growing church. There were
plans for additional Sunday School classes due to the increased attendance
this spring. It is likely that this will happen this fall as a result of VBS. I
wonder if it will again be a young adult who steps up to meet the need?
While the rest of Christianity is losing their children, teens and young
adults to the "none", it appears that at First Baptist Church, the children,
teens and young adults are the group that is growing the fastest and the
most excited about the ministry. If this continues it means there are
"happy trails" ahead.
Pastor Phil
(5)
BOARD CORNER
April Minutes
Christian Ed: Sue opened in prayer. Three members were in attendance.
Minutes were read & approved. There is currently $2,034.82 in the CE account.
27 people attended the Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 4th. All had a good
time. The NC church will not be able to do our VBS this summer as planned.
We’ll plan on the weekend “Outback Rock” VBS on Aug 14, 15 & 16: Friday6:30 PM thru 9:00 PM. Saturday-9:00 – 11:30 AM, then have lunch (hot dogs,
etc.) Graduation Sunday will be May 31st, with a luncheon to follow. Jill has
Bingo set up for Rochester Manor on May 30th at 2:00 PM.
Deacons: Chairman Glenn Vander Wagen reported four members in attendance.
The bank statement shows a balance of $1,679.13 as of Mar. 11. Communion
Teams were discussed. There are no current bills. There was discussion on
Easter, the prayer list and video presentations during church.
Trustees: Don DeVault reported two in attendance. There were no minutes, and
bills were OK’d. House report: a couple of things were fixed that were on the
work list. Giving Envelopes will be ordered. We will check into getting six new
fire extinguishers, with a cost about $400. The purchase of tables by the WMU
was approved. Various lights and other broken items were fixed this evening.
Council: opened at 8:13 with a prayer by the Pastor. Minutes were read by the
members and approved. Net income for this year so far is better than it was at the
same time last year. We will begin a service the 4th Sunday of month at
Rochester Manor at 2:00 PM for ½ hour to 45 minutes. The Edwards room roof
was checked – there are 3 ways to fix it. The best option is to repair the roof
that’s there. Don DeVault mentioned the Capstones may need fixed as well. We
still need to consolidate accounts, and find an account for the larger portion of
funds that’s better than we have now. The 3rd oven in the kitchen needs to be
checked. - it’s not working at all. Trustees agree to have someone come to see
why it doesn’t light. Sue’s Alzheimers group will be changed, and she needs to
find a new place to hold the group. She’d like to do one in the evening here –
either the 2nd or 3rd week of the month. Trustees have to decide on it - Possibly
Tuesday or Wednesday evening, beginning in May. If 2 groups had things going
on at the same time, it could save money on cost of heating the building. Meeting
closed with prayer at 8:49.
Pastor’s Report: During March made 19 visits with shut-ins (13) and other
members (4) and non-members. (2) Taught teen Sunday School classes for the
month, and spent a day in Harrisburg as a member of the Penn/Jersey Baptist
Convention Nomination team.
Attended Rochester Ministerium meeting.
Facilitared the four Bible Study lessons of “Ready: Ministering Life to Those in
Crisis”. Attended “Churches United in Beaver County” Meeting. Preached
regular Worship services, plus Maundy Thursday Service, and attended the Palm
Sunday evening activities. Prepared references for three teens to apply to work at
Camp Judson for the summer. Spent each Thursday in the office for regular work
day. Led the first choir rehearsal for the new choir.
Respectfully Submitted,
Vivian Oaks, Church Clerk
(6)
May Minutes
Christian Ed: The meeting opened with three in attendance. The Treasurer’s
balance is $2034.82. Sue opened in prayer. March minutes were read and
approved. May 17th the CE board will meet after worship to discuss graduation
Sunday. June 4th at 7:00 PM there will be a VBS planning meeting. Bingo is
May 30th from 2-3. A new law in PA required all volunteers working with
children to have a child protection clearance no later than July 1, 2016. Two
clearances are required for each person. Filling the Sunday School teacher
positions for the summer and filling in for next fall was discussed. Kate Franc
will be asked about taking the Nursery position while Lindsay is away. “Embrace
Grace” is a new program that would be set up in local churches, along with the
Choices Pregnancy Center. This is a 12-week program to mentor single pregnant
girls. We’d have to sign a contract to follow the program exactly. We need to
mention it in worship so people are aware and can volunteer to lead the group.
Trustees: Two members were present. The meeting opened with prayer. There
were no minutes from the previous meeting. All bills were approved, Fire
extinguishers have been difficult to track down, so we may buy them at Lowes or
Wal-mart. The Edwards room roof needs work done, and it was discovered there
was a plastic bag stuck in the downspout. Sue will check on someone to see about
the stove in the kitchen not working.
Deacons: Three members were in attendance. Nathaniel read the minutes & they
were approved. Treasurer report showed $1,843.13 in the account as of April 30.
Communion team reports & assignments were discussed. There were no families
in need or bills. Covenant Players were taken care of. Mother’s Day flowers
were discussed. Pastor talked about possible baptism on 1st Sunday of month of
June. Home Touch resource for shut-ins was discussed.
Council: Glenn called the meeting to order at 8:17 PM. Pastor opened in prayer.
Minutes were read and approved. Board chairmen gave their individual reports,
and there was a long discussion about the hosting of our website by someone else,
who would keep the site updated. Trustees will discuss it next month. Jim Franc
volunteered to do the website info. There was no other business. The meeting
adjourned at 8:56 PM.
Pastor’s report: There were no funerals this month. Attendance has been low
early in the month. April 26th was good. Several new people were in attendance.
Kid’s Sunday school class has been good this month – 6-8 in attendance. Prayer
meeting – Glenn & Pastor Phil have been the only ones in attendance, so it may
put aside after end of May, for the summer. June 3rd at 7:00 PM – Baccalaureate
for Rochester High School here at the church. Pastor Phil will give the message –
we provide music & prayers.
Respectfully submitted,
Vivian Oaks, Church Clerk
(7)
BRN West Region
Saturday, June 6, 2015 - 9 AM—1:45 PM
Lunch Provided
Pittsburgh Baptist Church
3100 Pioneer Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15226
Here at First Baptist Church
Friday, August 14
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free for the partnering churches of the BRN. Fee:
$50 for non-CP giving and non ACP reporting church.
You must register to attend and receive promotional
items and lunch by registering online at brnonline.org,
click on calendar under “Connect,” go to June 6 and click
on BRN Advantage to register, or by contacting Fanny
Grote by email at [email protected] or by phone at
800-451-6599 ext. 18.
Ages: 3 years - 6th grade
Registration closes June 2, 2015
Call: 724-775-8931 to register
Saturday, August 15
9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
If you are interested in attending, check out the flyer on the bulletin
board downstairs by the door.
Thank you for your generous donations to help
missionaries here in North America
(8)
(9)
College of Beaver County to major in history and plans to become
an attorney or history teacher.
Our College Graduate
Our High School Graduates
Jordan DeVault is graduating June 5th from central Valley. She’s
been a member of the Central Valley High School Concert,
Marching and Jazz Bands for the past 4 years, playing the French
Horn, Melophone and Saxophone. She’s been a member of the
Monaca Coronet Band for 5 years; attended the Beaver County
Concert Band 4 years, PMEA District 5 Band 3 years, and PMEA
District Honor’s Band 3 years. She also played in the Central
Valley Musical pit orchestra for 2 years and was part of the Central
Valley State Crew. She was a member of the National Honor
Society for 2 years, and she was a member of the “Sonshine Bunch”
drama team, sound board crew and BYF here at First Baptist. She
has also been a volunteer horse wrangler at Teen Quest, and will be
working as a wrangler at Judson Baptist Camp this summer. Her
future plans include attending Penn State, Beaver for electrical
engineering,
Kyleigh Cassandra Lewis is from Center Twp., PA. She began her
studies at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA in August of
2009 before being accepted into the school's pharmacy program in
the summer of 2011. Through her studies at the school of pharmacy,
Kyleigh was conferred the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Pharmaceutical Sciences in the spring of 2013. Most recently, on
April 26th, 2015, she finally earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
While in school, she was a member of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists
Association, the American Pharmacists Association - Academy of
Student Pharmacists, and the Lambda Kappa Sigma fraternity. She
also worked for 3 years at the Giant Eagle Pharmacy in Leetsdale,
PA as a pharmacy intern. Her plans for the future include moving to
Virginia Beach, VA for a pharmacist position with CVS, passing her
boards, and adopting a puppy.
Zach Agresti is graduating June 5th from Central Valley High
School. While at Central Valley, he participated in the German Club
and School Chorus. Zach was on the set crew for the school
musicals and also on the stage crew for other school events and
events hosted by the school. He has been a member of the BYF and
is a member of the Sonshine Bunch drama team at church. Zach
has also been taking karate. Zach plans to attend Community
(10)
(11)
Embrace Grace
For an "epic night of prayer" during the Southern Baptist Convention,
11 pastors have been named by SBC President Ronnie Floyd to help
lead the Tuesday evening session, June 16, at the Greater Columbus
Convention Center in the Ohio capital. "On Tuesday night, June 16, we
will give the entire evening session of the SBC Annual Meeting to this
national prayer gathering. …
"We will gather to experience the presence of God based upon the
Word of God. We will be challenged briefly by some of America's great
pastors, then launch into prayer sessions in response to God and His
Word. We will also express our worship and praise to God together
through music and singing."
(12)
Most churches advocate life and discourage women from getting
abortions, but once a brave and courageous girl chooses life, a lot of
times the church then steps away and has nothing to offer her for
support at that point. She is then left with nine months of being
scared, worried and feeling alone. This is where the Body of Christ
can minister to women who are desperately searching for a Savior.
VISION: for every girl with an unplanned pregnancy to have a
church to go to for spiritual, emotional and physical support
MISSION: to inspire and equip the church to love on single and
pregnant girls. The primary goal of Embrace Grace is to empower
churches across the nation to be a safe and non-judging place for the
girls to run to when they find out they are pregnant, instead of the
last place they are welcomed because of shame and guilt.
If the church, the Body of Christ, will join together to support these
girls who choose life, young moms will be more open to not
aborting their babies. Whether they keep their baby or choose
adoption, Embrace grace is a support system for them as they begin
their journey of being a young mother or blessing another family
with their baby. Emotionally and spiritually healthy mommies
parent emotionally and spiritually healthy babies. Through the
Embrace Grace program, lives are saved and generations are being
changed. God loves these babies and their mommies.
James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and
faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
Single mothers are modern-day widows, and some of them even
orphans, because they may not have any parental support. In
Embrace Grace groups, churches are taking young women by the
hand and telling them they do not have to do this alone. We might
be the one and only person who shows them what Jesus is like. God
will use the church to plant His seeds of love and grace to these
brave girls that choose life all around the nation. Please be in prayer
about this…maybe the Lord is calling you to lead this in our church.
What an awesome opportunity to make an eternal difference in these
lives. For more information, or if you would be interested in doing
this, please call or see Jill Fischer. 724-728-2651
(13)
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist
Convention's news service, officially launched a free app in
April connecting to its daily content and to key entities across
SBC life.
The app is available in both Android and iPhone formats
through Google Play and the Apple Store. Enter a search for
"Baptist Press," using quote marks, for best access to the app.
Art Toalston, now in his 24th year as editor of Baptist Press,
said the app broadens BP's media spectrum, including its
www.BaptistPress.com website and the news service's ongoing
presence on Twitter and Facebook.
"The app also will offer a versatile connection to all of
Southern Baptist life, connecting to entity websites that are at
the forefront of missions, evangelism, service, discipleship,
stewardship and biblical theology," Toalston said. "We are not
through yet," he added, noting that the app will remain under
ongoing development. An "HCSB Bible" tab that offers full
audio content of the Bible. The HCSB -- Holman Christian
Standard Bible -- is the translation utilized in resources
published by LifeWay.
The app also will link to the news service's main website,
which includes multifaceted user-friendly search capability for
archived material and story collections.
(14)
As many of you know, Sue Pierce has been collecting
information on members of the congregation and their
families who have been in the service. Recognizing this as an
interesting bit of church history, she would like to create a
booklet in time for Veterans Day. Sue is requesting
information regarding all service members from our
congregation and their family members, including a photo of
the service member, either in or out of uniform, as well as a
synopsis of information regarding service. The information
can be mailed to her or sent via email to
[email protected] by the end of September. Once
completed, a copy will be available upon request at a minimal
cost to cover copying expenses.
(15)
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
7:00 PM - Board Meetings-Deacons, Trustees, Christian Ed.
8:00 PM - Church Council - all members welcome.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
7:00 PM - Rochester High School
Baccalaureate - here at FBC.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
7:00 PM - VBS Orientation/Overview - All leaders, helpers and
anyone else interested in learning how they can be involved are
asked to attend. Please let Jill know if you can be there.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
9:00 AM - BRN Advantage-The Blessings of Partnership
See page 8 for full details.
(16)
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the
fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes through
the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
SUNDAY, JUNE 21
FATHER’S DAY
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the
fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout
the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
Special music: Beth Oaks
SUNDAY, JUNE 28
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
(17)
SUNDAY, JULY 12
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
SUNDAY, JULY 19
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
SATURDAY, JULY 4
SUNDAY, JULY 26
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪
SUNDAY, JULY 5
9:00 AM - Prayer Meeting in the library
9:15 AM - Fellowship Time in the fellowship hall
9:30 AM - Sunday School Opening
9:50 AM - Sunday School classes throughout the building
11:00 AM - Worship Service
(18)
IN THEATERS AUGUST 28
The movie explores the transformational role prayer plays in the
lives of the Jordan family. WAR ROOM follows Tony & Elizabeth
Jordan, a middle-class couple who seemingly have it all. But
appearances can be deceiving….
(19)