August 2013 - Terrill Road Baptist Church

1340 Terri l l R oad
S cot ch P l ai ns, NJ
07076
908 -322 -71 51
Terrill Road Baptist Church
Pastor William C. Page
...doing the work He is doing in the world...
August 2013
Pastor’s Page
A Pastor’s Proud Moment
Set Free.
Live Free.
In This Issue:
Pastor’s Page:
A Pastor’s Proud Moment
Celebrating Our Members:
Shawn Gulbin
New TRBC Facebook
Group!
Favorite VBS Themes
Insights from Team
Cleveland Teens
Inspiration Point:
She Took My Seat!
Wisdom from the 8th Grade
Valedictorian Katelyn Dyer
Spiritual Fitness:
It’s Who You Know
I had the privilege of accompanying six of our young
people on the P2 Mission trip to Cleveland, Ohio last month.
Madeleine Farrell and I led a team of four girls and two guys
to serve the Lord in this needy city. The neighborhood we
served in was a horrible casualty of the mortgage crisis.
House after house in the Slavic Village neighborhood was
vacant and boarded up. It was to this neighborhood we came
alongside Pastor Joe Jaworski of the Slavic Village Chapel.
Pastor Joe grew up in this neighborhood and the Lord called
him to return here some seven years ago to plant a
Bible-preaching church.
The church is still small, but its vision is big. Most church
planters prefer to plant a church in an area that is vibrant and
growing. This neighborhood is neither. They have chosen to
stay and minister to the many who are still there. That is
commitment! I thought back to Shrewsbury, MA where
Bernadette and I planted Grace Baptist Church. It was
growing and was in a highly desirable place to live. Pastor
Joe showed me afresh that you faithfully serve where God has
placed you, regardless of the demographics.
The children who our teens ministered to were not looking
at the neighborhood the same way I was. To them, it was
home. They played sports in the park, looked out for one
another and enjoyed having fun. They had no more or less of
a need for Jesus than people in any other place. Every place
needs the Gospel. Material wealth sometimes masks spiritual
poverty, but it is still there. Someone said, “You can’t take the
Gospel to the wrong address.” I agree. (Continued)
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Pastor Page (continued)
Our teens brought the love of Jesus to Slavic Village that week. I wish you could
have been there! The pictures show a lot. But the pictures cannot put you in that 95
degree heat with the “lake effect” humidity. I never heard anyone complain! We all
said it was hot, but no one was complaining about it. It was more like we were
remarking about the weather. I know at home I would have been inside in the air
conditioning. But everyone knew we were there for a much GREATER purpose. God
had us there to love those kids. Believe me, if those kids had had air
conditioning and Xboxes in their homes, I don’t think they would have been out there
for the three hottest hours of the day. We were there for a heavenly purpose.
Lucas gave up basketball one day (no small thing) to hang with a little boy Nico
who for some reason gravitated to him. Cori read story after story on that bench as
kids came by. Carina, Ayanna, Samuel and Alexis played game after game of
various sports they admitted were not “their sport” but played anyway because it’s
what was needed. When Madeleine tried to tell one of the kids how old she was, that
child’s response was, “Yeah, but you have LIFE!” She responded, “You’re right. I do
have life!” Isn’t God good? We lived on that statement all week.
There were many times while drinking another cup of water that I paused to gaze
upon our group. I was so proud of this team. These kids raised money. They asked
their parents to pay the fee. They rode nearly eight hours to go serve the Lord by
serving others in this way. This was not youth camp. It was not a retreat. It was a
Gospel service opportunity with less than perfect accommodations. No swimming
pools. No treat at the end of the day. Our reward was four young people who gave
their heart to Jesus and a local pastor and church, blessed by our presence and the
knowledge of a job well done. Any other reward is eternal.
You heard their testimonies during the Sunday service after they returned. If you
missed it, it is available online. That Sunday, I was blown away by their candor.
God’s presence was evident in their stories. For this pastor, it was another proud
moment that I will never forget.
Please pray with us that the name of Jesus will be remembered by the folks in
Cleveland.
Blessings,
Pastor Bill
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Insights from Team Cleveland Teens
You’ve read Pastor Bill’s comments about Team Cleveland. The teens who went on
the trip were also deeply moved by what they saw and what they did. Alexis Casterlow,
Ayanna Casterlow, Samuel Farrell, Lucas Page, Cori Spies and Carina Page offered their
own impressions of their time in Cleveland:
What’s your most vivid memory of the trip?
Lucas: Just me at the park, hanging with all the little kids, specifically Nico, the 2-year
old, because I was special to him. He called me his brother at one point, so it was very
touching. And he called me Mommy. So I grew on him as time went on because he just
wanted me to be with him and later on I really wanted to be with him and make him
happy.
Ayanna: I think the children who we met, because it was really sad and amazing to see
just how hungry they were for somebody to love them and give them attention.
Samuel: I guess there was this kid, Todd. He was 4-years old. And he wasn’t exactly a
Christian, but he was pretty close. And I don’t know if he’s still alive today, because he
told me the day before someone tried to stab him.
Alexis: Probably one of the kids, he was like a 2-year old little boy. His name was Nico
and he was very attached to Lucas the whole week. So that’s what I remember when I
think of Cleveland.
Cori: Probably a girl named Diamond who was asking to come home with me, and Nyah
and Loretta. They were all asking if they could come home with me and stay with me.
And just the fact that they told me I was their favorite person, like ever. The situation,
what they must be going through just kind of hit me then, because they’re telling a girl
that they hardly know, ‘You’re my favorite person’.
Carina: I guess just playing basketball with all the 10 and 11-year old boys and just
having fun with them, because that’s what I did mostly, play basketball with them.
(Continued)
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Team Cleveland Teens (continued)
What did you learn about people?
Alexis: I learned about the kids in Cleveland. All they really want is someone to love
them and just play with them and to have a good time with them.
Samuel: You have to be very patient, because sometimes they are very unreasonable. It’s
worth it, though, to just be with people like that and see them get better.
Lucas: I learned to love everybody, because they’re just like normal people who just have
a different life from us because they live in a bad neighborhood. We should just love
them all and respect them.
Ayanna: That they may be hard to connect to or love, but with God it’s possible.
Cori: I learned that in the U.S. , there are a lot of people who don’t know about
Christianity, because they don’t hear about it. It’s kind of hard to comprehend seeing as
there’s a church on every corner and we’re supposedly a Christian country. I asked them,
“Do you know the story of Jesus?” And they’re like, “No.” I was like “OK, I guess I have
to tell you then.”
Carina: That it’s amazing how different cultures and different environments can make
people so different. Because we’re from such a privileged town, and we go to one of the
worst towns in America, and we see people but we also see that we’re the same. We all
just want attention and affection and love. But I think that they go to greater lengths to
get that attention and love and affection.
What did you learn about yourself?
Ayanna: I’m a lot more compassionate towards others than I thought I would be when I
first went on the trip.
Lucas: I learned that I can be loving. I kind of learned that I shouldn’t stop at Cleveland
and I should just keep on going to places like the park on La Grande Avenue and stuff.
(continued)
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Team Cleveland Teens (continued)
Samuel: I guess one thing I learned is I actually can be compassionate. It wasn’t really
until the very last day that I felt sorry for Todd specifically.
Cori: I learned that I can do more than I thought I could do.
Alexis: I learned that I should be very thankful for what I have, because a lot of what I
have, they don’t, like a loving family and a good relationship with God.
Carina: That I’m spoiled. And that I’m just really blessed to have the life that I have, and
the family that I have, and the town that I have and the friends that I have. And that I can
have a heart for kids who don’t have what I have. Pray for all the kids in Cleveland.
Brittany’s New Address
Brittany has passed along her new address, so that you can
remain in touch with her. It is:
113 Averill Court
Lynchburg, VA 24501
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
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Celebrating Our Members
Shawn Gulbin
“I Love Them Beyond Beyond”
Born in Manhattan, there is something you may not know about Shawn Gulbin. “My first
name is actually L’etta. My middle name is Shawnie. And growing up, my family only called
me Shawn”.
Shawn lived in the Bronx until she was in 3rd grade. Then, her family moved to
Piscataway. She grew up in a Christian home. “My grandmother was a Christian. My mom
was a very strong Christian. My father was a believer. So I was surrounded by Christ. I was
in church from the time I was little. I always sang in the choir. We went to church all the
time.”
She is grateful that she had a mother and father who were always there. “Listening to some
people’s stories now, I’m learning how that is so taken for granted. My father’s favorite
advice for us was, “Speak up, say what’s on your mind. There’s always a way to say it”, she
says. “And my mom always tried to guide us in the way of Christ. So I think I was just
blessed that I had two parents who really, really loved us and did whatever it took to make
sure we knew it, but also disciplined us when they needed to.”
She lost her dad several years ago. “He didn’t get an opportunity even to see me graduate
college.”
Shawn went to Temple University for two years and then graduated from Rutgers. She
worked as regional human resources manager for T-Mobile’s northeast division. “Once I had
the twins, I decided to stay home.”
She and her husband Chris have been married for 11 years. Chris is currently a sergeant at
the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in the Sex Crimes Unit. Their twins, Aubrey and Tyler,
turn eight on August 4th. Eryn is six. Shawn calls her family “amazing”. “We are a very
close-knit family. We do a lot of things together and we couldn’t imagine not being around
each other. Family means a lot to us. I love them beyond beyond.”
Shawn and Chris started coming to TRBC about three years ago. “We came because the
kids were in GraceNotes. Then I started to come to the Ladies Bible Study and I started to get
more involved. I got baptized and became a member a year ago. What I really love about
TRBC is that the people are just like me. Even from the very first time that we came here,
and this is also why my husband was comfortable, we just didn’t feel like there was any
pretense or any judgment. We were taken as we are, and that was it. And we still are taken as
we are and so I think that’s one of the things that I love about TRBC. It’s a church that really
believes in prayer. I remember my first time here saying, ‘Man, they pray over
everything!’ And now I’ve learned in my journey why that’s so important and I love that.
And I love that the people here are just genuine and they’re just like me and they’re trying to
find their path and do the right thing for God. And we’re all in this together.”
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Shawn has a real talent and passion for singing. “When I sang in choirs (Continued)
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Shawn Gulbin (continued)
when I was little, I was so tone deaf. And I wanted to sing and I remember my mom always
singing in my ear to try to get me on the right note. I was in community plays, but I didn’t
really take singing seriously until I got into high school. There was a time when I thought I
wanted to sing on Broadway. And I was kind of gearing towards that, but my father being
very practical was like, ‘Yeah, no. You need to go and get a real job.’ So I dabbled in it, but
I never went for it full-fledged. But I did after college. I had professional training with a
vocal coach and I sang for a while, doing cover bands and things like that. But I had gotten
away from singing at the church, until I came to TRBC. And one of the things that I’m loving
about singing here is that it is such a different experience for me singing in a song ministry as
opposed to when I would sing secular songs. There are times I battle myself with being too
emotional, because I’m always picturing myself at the throne when I sing. And so, it’s a
whole different experience for me and I enjoy this way more than I did when I sang
Broadway’s tunes and secular music.”
Shawn has seen and felt God working in her life for years. “For a while after college, I
was a believer but a way backslidden believer. I lived my life in the world. And I feel like
God called me back when I was pregnant with the twins. No one in the medical community
assumed that I would carry those babies to term. They prepared Chris and me that it wasn’t
going to happen, saying, ‘Maybe you can try again, but this is not going to work’. And I
remember my mom looking at me and saying, ‘You really just need to pray’. And I
remember my attitude like, ‘Pray. OK.’ And I was home on bed rest, and I tell this story to
everyone who will listen. I opened up my Bible the first time after not reading it in a while
and it said ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ And I felt that was God talking to me. And
from that point on I started to rededicate my life back to God. And I’ve seen Him working on
me slowly, but surely. The twins were born healthy to everyone’s amazement and surprise.
Then we had another one after that and then, when Chris had cancer, the Lord revealed
Himself again to us, very powerfully. He had a very rare lymphoma. He’s now going into his
fourth year of remission. And the outpouring of people just willing to help us was
unbelievable. And in there, God was speaking to me and God started speaking to him. And
that’s when we decided we needed to raise our children so that they can hear the Lord early.
And we started looking for a church and the Lord led me back to Spring who I was friends
with, who I’d met when the twins were babies and we lost touch. Our kids were in school
together and she says ‘Come on by the church’, and here I am. And that’s all God.
“I feel truly blessed every day”, Shawn says. “The Lord surprises me with one more thing
He thinks I can handle. And, listening to Team Cleveland really was a touching inspiration
on just seeing how they were touched. I couldn’t help but just be humbled by God working
through them. Everyone was touched, not just the kids in Cleveland, but our kids were
touched. And that was just beautiful and I feel privileged that God allowed me to see that and
I know that He’s going continue to use that in ways that bring glory to His Kingdom.”
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Milestones
August Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays
Aug. 2
Aug. 4
Aug. 4
Aug. 5
Aug. 6
Aug. 7
Aug. 7
Aug. 13
Aug. 14
Aug. 15
Aug. 15
Aug. 16
Birthdays
Antonio Casterlow Jr.
Aubrey Gulbin
Tyler Gulbin
Peter De Sarno
Augusta Bougie
Shawn Gulbin
Steve Vorrius
Jesse Buckridee
Bonnie Atkins
Kathy Bell
Pam Rampersad
Alexis Casterlow
Aug. 16
Aug. 20
Aug. 21
Aug. 21
Aug. 21
Aug. 23
Aug. 24
Aug. 24
Aug. 26
Aug. 30
Aug. 30
Janice Guy
Bill Spies
Madeleine Farrell
Andrew Manns
Don Williams
Nancy De Sarno
Lucas Page
Jessica Pratt
Gina Vorrius
Kevin Caruso
Andrew (Drew) Manns III
Anniversaries
Aug. 7
Aug. 13
Aug. 18
Aug. 26
Aug. 28
Mary Ann & Pat Martino
Jamie & Joy More
Jeff & Julie Staines
Tom & Bonnie Atkins
Marc & Lisa Dyer
September Question of the Month:
What is your favorite Contemporary Christian song,
and why?
Please give your responses to Jim Wilson or e-mail responses to
[email protected] (note new e-mail address) by Sunday, August 25th.
Thank you in advance for your responses. We will all be blessed by what
you have to share.
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Inspiration Point:
“She Took My Seat!”
by Jim Wilson
Recently, Janet and I spent a great weekend in Lancaster, PA. It’s become one of our
favorite places. The Sunday we were there, we went to Grace Baptist Church. There was
a guest preacher that day who talked about change and how difficult it can be. He spoke
about a shocking, traumatic day for one church goer, when somebody took his seat. It
was all tongue-in-cheek, but he had the congregation hanging on his every word. We
laughed, because we could relate.
I wanted to share this with you.
“A lady took my seat in church a while back. It’s not that important, really. She’s a
really nice lady, kind and considerate, a good friend, in fact. There were several other
seats available. I could sit any place.
The people in our congregation are as friendly and caring as you’ll find any place in
the world. A person should be comfortable sitting in any place. It’s no big deal.
My seat is seventh row back from the front of the church. I’m sure she didn’t mean to
take my seat. She just wouldn’t do that, nor would anyone else in our fine church.
It doesn’t make that much difference.
My seat is on the end of the pew, on the north side by the windows, on your left as you
come into the sanctuary. I can rest my left arm on the end of the pew. It’s a good seat.
But I would never raise a fuss about a seat. She probably didn’t intend anything personal
by taking my seat.
I never hold a grudge. Actually it was three months ago that she took my seat.
I really don’t know why she took it. I have never done anything to her. I’ve never
taken her seat. I suppose I’ll have to come a whole hour earlier now to get my seat. Either
that, or sit on the south side. She really took it because it’s one of the best seats in the
house. I don’t know why she took it. She had no business taking my seat, and I’m not
going to go to church two hours early to get what is rightfully mine from the beginning.
This is the way great social injustices begin, abusive people taking other people’s seats
in church. This is the way seeds of revolution are sewn. A person can only stand so
much! Where’s it going to end?
If somebody doesn’t stand up to be counted, nobody’s seat will be safe.
People will just sit any place they please and the next thing they’ll do is take my
parking spot and world order will be in shambles.”
-Dr. Jerry Rogers
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Good thing that God never changes.
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TRBC Group on Facebook!
We have something new and exciting! TRBC now has its own group on
Facebook, 57+ members and growing! If you’re on Facebook, search for “Terrill
Road Baptist Church, Scotch Plains, NJ” and ask to be added as a member to this
group. There, you’ll be able to see what’s coming up in the days and weeks ahead.
You’ll be one click away from sermon audio each week. It’s another way to stay in
touch.
“Terrill Road Baptist Church, Scotch Plains, NJ”.
See you on Facebook!
Any questions, ask Jim at [email protected]
Mark your Calendars!
Calling all Ladies!
Nursery 2.0 is coming!
Please join us for breakfast Saturday, September 7 at 9 a.m.
Childcare will be provided.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Great is Your faithfulness, morning by morning.
As the song says, You give me strength for today and
bright hope for tomorrow.
I couldn’t get through this day without You, Lord,
nor would I want to.
Thank You.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Question of the Month
The Lamplighter Question of the Month for this month was:
What has been your favorite VBS theme
at TRBC and why? (Some recent ones have been
Rickshaw Rally, Rambling’ Road Trip, Arctic Edge, Game
Day Central, Outrigger Island, Big Apple Adventure and this year’s
Colossal Coaster World.)
Thank you all for your responses.
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Shawn Gulbin - I did not have the pleasure of experiencing very many VBS adventures at
TRBC. But Colossal Coaster World really resonated with me for a lot of reasons. I
remember the very first time I rode a "big kid" roller coaster. I was nine years old and it
was the famous Cyclone in Coney Island. I had the pleasure of riding it with my dad. I was
terrified and excited all at the same time. I remember watching the coaster sway slightly
back and forth as the cars thundered across it and I said to my dad, with a slight tremor in
my voice ,"Is it supposed to move like that?" He smiled and said, "It's going to be ok, I will
be right here". We finally got our turn and rode the FRONT car. Now you have not lived
life on the edge until you have ridden the front car of a roller coaster. There is nothing
between you, the sky or the ground but a little lap bar and you literally feel as if you are
flying. As we took off and started up the incline I was petrified!! As we started to crest, I
grabbed my dad's arm and barely got out a choked "Daddy?". He looked at me and said,
"I'm right here", and then we took off. All I can say is WOW! It was amazing, the drops,
the turns, the dips. When we pulled into the station he looked at me and without a word he
knew I wanted to ride again. We got back in that long line and waited for the front
car. This time as we crested that steep incline I threw my hands in the air and
WOOOOHOOOOO, away we went! See, I trusted my dad when he said, "I'm right
here". Those three little words meant everything to a scared nine year old. It meant that no
matter what happened, my father was right there for me. So having this same lesson taught
to the children at VBS really meant something to me. That no matter what they feared, God
says, "I'm right here". Three simple words that mean more than you can ever imagine in the
face of fear. Every time I see a big roller coaster, I always flash back to that moment with
my dad and me. I now realize that he taught me one of the most important lessons of my
Christian life - no matter what I see, feel or fear, God is ALWAYS right there. Now, who
said VBS was just for the kids? (Continued)
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Favorite VBS Theme (continued)
Sheryl Morales - I liked “Big Apple Adventure”, partly because I love NYC, but also
because in music, there was a rap song of John 3:16. That song was a creative way to
engage the older kids, especially. Watching the entire VBS sing that song at the closing
program was a memorable experience.
Jim Wilson - All of them have been great. I guess my favorite was “Big Apple
Adventure”. A really good part is how every VBS theme meets kids where they are, with
adventure, with a storyline that is exciting and relatable. The best part of VBS is that every
one of them focuses on the ABCs: Accept that you’re a sinner, Believe that Jesus is God’s
Son and that He died for you, Confess that He is Lord and Leader of your life. That
message is life-changing and so easy that even this grown-up can remember it!
Sue Martino - I loved this year's theme! The music was so upbeat and fun, I loved the
way the rooms were decorated to look like rides in an amusement park. The kids all had a
blast and kept talking about it even weeks after it was over.
Gina Vorrius - My favorite theme was actually this year’s “Colossal Coaster World”. I
love how it taught the children to face fear by trusting God. Fear can be so powerful, and
learning how to trust God with your fears is an awesome thing!
Janet Wilson - Difficult question as I’ve been at so many and all had their good points!
The “Ramblin’ Road Trip” theme was fun as we learned about various travel spots. “Big
Apple Adventure” was near and dear as we “visited” areas in New York City. I believe
our mission offering was socks given to Lance for the Relief Bus Ministry. The music of
this year’s “Colossal Coaster World” was not only fun (and aerobic...pant pant!), but we
had lyrics based on scripture; very life-applicable words that worked well with our Bible
stories that week.
It’s been a blessing to have Carina help me in leading the music. I’ve seen her rapport
with the kids and leadership skills develop these past few years.
I’ve been so thankful to Karolyn for her commitment in working the sound booth (Ask
her about her crazy hats!).
I’ve been very moved by the loving ministry Jenna Staines has provided these last
couple of VBSes as she has been Matthew’s “special buddy”. This meant she was not
working side-by-side with her peers; she needed to be self-less and was very dependable.
Lastly, the joy I experience every time I see all those children singing praises to Jesus is
beyond words! (Continued)
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Favorite VBS Theme (continued)
Julie Staines - My favorite theme was “Outrigger Island”. I loved decorating our
“hut”. But mostly I remember the fun music. The annual ABC VBS song was “A
awicki, B awicki, C awicki” and I still sing it in my head.
Liam Page - My favorite was “Colossal Coaster World” because VBX was awesome!
Robin Di Fiore - Here’s a story to show that Vacation Bible School did not fall on deaf
ears. My friend Krystna Allen has three little girls, Isabella, Josie and Sonia, who came
to VBS. I ran into Krystna at the farmer’s market and she welcomed me with a big hug
and she couldn’t wait to tell me this story about Isabella: She was having a tooth pulled.
She was so nervous for this extraction. But she just kept saying over and over, “Facing
Fear, Trusting God” and repeating 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of
timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” And her sister Josie was
taught, “Be Strong, Be Brave.” And her mom was just overjoyed at this message that
was sticking with her and she was applying it to her life. She kept thanking me over and
over again. She just wanted us to know that the message definitely was being applied to
her daughter’s life and how grateful she was. It was so sweet. She gave me permission
to share this with our church.
My own personal story: my little Michael was visiting my sister for the weekend and
she took him to the pool. And there was a high dive and he was so nervous to go off of
it. And every time he kept climbing the stairs, he kept saying “Facing Fear, Trusting
God” as he was trying to be brave and jump off the high dive. He was using scripture
and that motto to face his fear and jump off the high dive. And he did it!
Lucas Page - “Ramblin’ Road Trip” - about cars! “Arctic Edge” - courage.
“Rickshaw Rally” - my first one! My fave was “Big Apple Adventure”. It was the
best because I was old enough to understand the material.
Trudi Karpel - My favorite VBS theme was Amazon Outfitters - On expedition with
the one true GOD! This is my favorite, because it speaks to every aspect of my life.
I need to have an expedition with the one true God. As a Christian, my life is filled with
highs and lows. But when I keep God first, the adventure is filled with joy and
happiness.
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How Well Do You Know God’s Word?
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,
so that through endurance and encouragement of the
scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Fill in the blanks, then check your NIV Bible to see how you did.
Daniel 3:15b “...if you are ready to fall down and worship the ______I made, very good.
But if you do not _________ it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing
___________.”
Daniel 3:17 “If we are thrown into the blazing ________, the God we serve is able to
_______ us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king.”
Daniel 3:18 “But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not
serve your _______ or worship the image of _______ you have set up.”
Daniel 3:24 “Then King _________ leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his
advisors, ‘Weren’t there _______ men that we tied up and threw into the _______?’”
Daniel 3:25 “He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the _______, unbound
and _______ and the ________ looks like a son of the gods.’”
Daniel 3:26b-27 “So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the ___________
and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal ________ crowded around them. They saw
the ________ had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their
______ were not scorched. And there was no smell of _______ on them.”
Daniel 3:28 “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the ________ of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His ________ and rescued His servants!’”
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T HE LA MP LI G HT E R
Wisdom from the 8th Grade
Katelyn Dyer’s Valedictorian Speech
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Good afternoon Dr. Hartzler, Coach Hobbs, teachers, parents, grandparents,
extended family and friends and my classmates, the 2013 8th grade graduates of
Timothy Christian School.
First, I want to thank God for the gifts and talents He has given me and each of my
classmates to bring us to the place we are today! We are all so very blessed.
Second, I want to thank all of our parents, family members and friends and our
churches for upholding and supporting us throughout the years.
Third, I want to thank the teachers and staff at TCS who have taught us, prayed with
us, and for us, and modeled for us what it is like to be a follower of Christ.
Lastly, I want to thank my classmates, some of you who have been with me since
kindergarten and others who just joined us last year. Thank you for walking through
these elementary and middle school years with me! You are a very special group. It
would not have been the same without you.
As many of you know, I have been at TCS since kindergarten. Over the years, there
have been many fond memories. We all loved having kindergarten with Mrs. Weber
and Mrs. Russell from nap time to recess. First grade didn’t consist of as many breaks
and we didn’t have nap time anymore, but we still had ‘pet week’. Second grade came
along, and we spent an entire week being astronauts with Miss. Ramunda – what a
memorable experience! We also had to get used to something new called Spec Logs.
Then third grade came around, and so did reading time with Miss Ingoglia. Some of
my favorite books were Treasure in an Oatmeal Box, Tale of Despereaux and No
Talking. Dissecting owl puke in fourth grade wasn’t exactly pretty, but before we
knew it, our last year of elementary school came. Thanks to Mr. Carroll, I learned how
to play the trombone, which, at that stage in my life, was as big as me. For those of
you who had Miss Hopper, you will never forget how you diligently said “Yes Ma’am”
24/7. I will also never forget how many Bible Verses we memorized in 5th grade, that I
will have with me for the rest of my life. This was also the year when a beloved
teacher, Mrs. Page, passed away. God’s comfort and grace brought us through this very
difficult time.
Finally, middle school was here. No more jumpers. No more standing in lines. No
more having the same teacher all day long. We were finally free. Seventh grade
brought along some new friends and a fabulous science teacher, as well as learning
more about different sports in P.E. which was one of the highlights of everyone’s day.
Ultimately, eighth grade ended with a trip to outdoor ed for all of us and a rainy,
freezing day at Six Flags that will never be forgotten. (Continued)
T HE LA MP LI G HT E R
Wisdom from the 8th Grade (continued)
Now it’s time for the next big step in our lives - high school! I am really excited
about high school at Timothy Christian. First, Timothy has helped me grow
academically, spiritually and socially in the past 10 years like no other school could.
Why stop now? Second, not only are the teachers gifted at what they do, but they
care. The teachers staying late to help or talk about something unrelated to studies
isn’t unreasonable or out of the ordinary either. It’s normal and it’s great.
Lastly, God should be most important and at TCS, God is just that. At the
beginning of last year, I began thinking I might have to go somewhere else for high
school. Why, you might ask? Because I love playing lacrosse. I have played on a
recreational team since third grade and a summer travel team for the past three years.
I very much want to play in high school, but since Timothy does not have lacrosse, I
began to look at other schools that do. However, as nice as all the other schools
seemed, none had the Christ-centered education that TCS does. God began to tell me
that lacrosse isn’t the most important thing in the world and that He knows what He
is doing as He says in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the
Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a
hope.” I am trusting that God has a perfect plan for me and will use my high school
years at Timothy to help direct me on His path. Also, I can still use other talents He
has blessed me with for Him while studying all the academic subjects which are
based on His Word. God is most important. Thank you,TCS, for providing that
atmosphere where I can make God the center of my life.
I’d like to close with a part of a letter Paul wrote to young Timothy. I have
re-worded it for my classmates:
“But as for us, let us continue in what we have learned and have been convinced
of, through our elementary and middle school years at Timothy. Because we know
those from whom we have learned it and how from kindergarten we have been taught
the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in
Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, so that each of us, in the class of 2013 may
be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Thank you.
Thank you, Katelyn, for words we all need to hear.
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T HE LA MP LI G HT E R
Face Down in the Balcony
by Jim Wilson
I grew up in church.
Back in the day, I spent almost every Sunday at the First Baptist Church in
White Plains, NY. My parents were both very active from as early as I can
remember. I was baptized there when I was nine. As a teen, I was president of the
youth group, the Baptist Youth Fellowship. Our BYF group was very active. When
our longtime minister retired, I was honored as a 16-year old to be a youth
representative on the pastor search committee. That was an awesome experience.
What I remember most about growing up in the First Baptist Church was the
balcony, especially on one particular Sunday.
It was a nice church. As a kid, I was there for the groundbreaking. My dad
worked the radio booth in the back of the balcony, giving the intro to the Sunday
services that aired on WFAS and wrapping them up when the sermon was over.
Because he was in the booth, my family always sat in the front row of the balcony,
right hand side facing the front of the church. As a kid, it was great to look down at
the top of people’s heads. But these were days before air conditioning, and that
balcony sure could get hot.
It was summer. It was sweltering. And there we were in our spot in the balcony.
I don’t remember the sermon that day. But I do remember the closing hymn,
“Once to Every Man and Nation”. Mercifully, there are only four verses to that song
in TRBC’s “Celebration Hymnal”. Back in White Plains on that hot summer day, it
seemed like there were 18! Somewhere around verse 17, I started getting
light-headed. By the beginning of verse 18, the sanctuary was a blur. Somewhere
during the last line of that last verse, I passed-out, keeled over and hit the floor with
a crash. Fortunately, I didn’t go over the balcony railing or that really would have
been a benediction to remember. I face-planted in the front row of the balcony as
my family rushed to pick me up and the congregation kept singing. Only folks in
the balcony were aware of the casualty in their midst.
I think we sat somewhere else from then on.
To this day, I still get light-headed when I hear that song.
I guess if there’s a spiritual lesson, it’s this: When you fall down, get up again.
Thank the Lord. And keep on singing.
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T HE LA MP LI G HT E R
Spiritual Fitness:
It’s Who You Know
by Jim Wilson
One of the key lessons in life that we all have heard is that it’s not
what you know, it’s who you know. A resume only goes so far.
References often make the difference between getting the job or getting
disappointed.
In my own career, I figured that a masters degree would carry a lot
of weight. It was an indicator of how much I knew. I figured it would
open doors. But, it’s really just a piece of paper. It shows book
knowledge, but not necessarily life knowledge. For me, the door to my
career opened not because of me, but because I knew someone who
knew someone else.
Knowing someone is key. It’s key in your career. It’s key in your
life. It’s key in your faith.
How sad it must be when a person has all manner of head
knowledge about the Bible, but does not personally know the Lord.
Walking with God involves reading and doing and knowing. Bible
study shows us the way God wants us to live. It’s where it all begins.
It’s a great, daily first step. But there’s more. The second and vitally
important step is to know the Lord, to intentionally and daily seek His
will and to actually walk in His ways.
Much more important than a change in knowledge .. is a change of
heart.
It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.
Strive to know Him more each day.
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Terrill Road Baptist Church is a Bible-believing
Church where people connect with God, each
Sunday
Phone:
Bible
908-322-7151
Study 9:30 a.m.
Sunday
E-Mail:
Worship
[email protected]
Service 10:45 a.m.
Website:
Phone: 908-322-7151
TRBC4him.org
E-Mail: [email protected]
Church Website: trbc4him.org
other, and influence our world for Jesus Christ.
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Terrill Road Baptist Church, Scotch Plains, NJ
My thanks to everyone who
contributed to this issue.
-Jim Wilson, Editor
Scan this into your smart phone for
instant access to TRBC’s website.
Deadline for September Lamplighter:
Sunday, August 25.
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