Ponderings from Pastor Miller

Volume 16 No. 6
juLY 2013
Ponderings from Pastor Miller
It sounds a little crazy to begin a July letter with the thought of a Christmas tune, “Do You See What I
See?” But, I thought, hey many celebrate Christmas in July and I really wanted to share with you
some of the BIG ministry things that God will be doing through FBC over the summer. Throughout
this month’s edition of Connections you will find details about these exciting opportunities.
Did you know that this year we will be celebrating 60 years of camping ministry at Camp Ichthus.? We
are looking forward to another exciting summer of ministry with our children and students. Over the
last years the ministry of Camp Ichthus has expanded to include children and students from across
our region, Northeast Ministries, Philadelphia and beyond. Please pray for the staff and all those
involved in providing this powerful ministry of transformation. Throughout the year we will have
chance to celebrate this dynamic ministry story and all that God has done at Camp Ichthus.
Joshua Carson has graduated from Eastern University and will be attending Palmer Seminary
(formally Eastern Baptist Seminary) in the fall. We were pleased to learn that Josh recently was
awarded the “Sider Scholarship”. This is a high honor and will provide much needed funding to cover
½ the cost of seminary. Even more exciting is the news that Joshua will continue his ministry with us
as Director of Student Ministries. His hours will be increased to approximately 20 hours weekly. Over
the summer he will split his time between Camp and local ministry with our students. He will also
help lead the ABCOPAD Student Ministries trip to Atlantic City. We are blessed to see God open
doors for Josh and our ministry with students!
As Eric Kraihanzel and Josh lead a team to the Jersey Shore to do Hurricane Sandy relief work, Dave
Klock will be co-leading a team from ABCOPAD to serve in Haiti. This is the 9th trip that ABCOPAD has
conducted to do earthquake relief work in this devastated country. Please pray for the 14 people
going from FBC and the entire team of 30 that will be going from our region. It is very hot in Haiti this
time of year!
In a letter dated June 10 from American Baptist Churches, USA and our Associate General Secretary,
Dr. Leo S. Thorne we were recognized as #8 in the country in giving to United Mission Basics for 2012.
The letter expressed deep appreciation to FBC for its commitment and partnership in mission. Praise
the Lord!
As we venture into our new Vision for Ministry around discipleship…Reaching, Connecting, Growing,
Serving we have been exploring how to most effectively resource people individually and as we
gather together in our various discipling ministries. We have entered into a resource arrangement
with Right Now Media which will open a vast discipleship library to our church. People can log on to
www.rightnowmedia.org and do study at home or while traveling. As we meet for Sunday School or
(Continued on page 2)
Connections is a publication
of First Baptist Church
3235 Linden Street
Bethlehem, PA 18017
610-865-4600
www.fbc-bethlehem.org
Office Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 9 am-2:30 pm
Friday 9 am-1 pm
Editor and layout:
Holly Leifer
[email protected]
Questions? Email Josh at [email protected] or
call the church office at 610-865-4600
Youth Summer Schedule
Sunday School every week at 9:45! Join us as we dive into the Sermon
on the Mount!
Copy Editor and layout:
Anne Chadwell-Slutz
[email protected]
Senior Pastor:
Rev. Dale R. Miller
Thursday, June 27:
Day-Hike at Ricketts Glen w/beautiful waterfalls! Meet at the church at
8:45am. Return by 7:00pm. Lunch provided. Bring money for dinner on
the return route.
Submit Items to
[email protected] OR
July 6-12:
Mission Trip to Atlantic City, NJ for Hurricane Sandy relief.
[email protected]
Saturday, July 20:
Pool Party @ the Anthony’s, 4:00pm-8:00pm
August Deadline:
July 15th
Wednesday, August 7:
Board Game Night, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Inside this issue:
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Calendar
Camp Ichthus
Children’s Ministry
For Sale
Men’s Ministry
Missions
Student Ministry
5
4
8
3
8
3
7
2
Make sure you sign up for a week of camp at Camp Ichthus!
Visit www.campfish.org for more info!
Ponderings con’t. . .
in small groups we will have access to some of the most current and
engaging resources available. We will be thinking creatively about
how to maximize this resource as we seek to step into our Vision.
So, while summer is a great time to enjoy, take a vacation and Sabbath, it is also a great time at
FBC to serve the Lord. Let’s continue to pray together and discover the exciting things God has in
store. I hope to see you each Sunday as we gather to celebrate God’s goodness to us and to
worship our Lord!
Do You See What I See?
Pastor Miller
2
IRONPIGS BASEBALL
PARENT-CHILD GAME
Friday, July 12th
$12 per person gets you hospitality tent, FIREWORKS show, and seat with group
5:00PM Hospitality Tent opens for free hotdogs and sodas
7:05 PM First pitch
Stadium parking is extra
Men's Ministry have invited Northeast Ministry children to join us.
Sign up at table in Narthex, or see John Pennington 610-636-0267.
Come and join the KidzKamp crew on a
week long archeological adventure of Biblical proportion as
we dig up the facts from the Book of ACTS!
We’ll explore 5 D-Liscious D-lights from the Word of God:
Discovering who Jesus is, following God’s Direction, Digging
into truth, Displaying Jesus everyday, and recognizing God’s
Design for your life.
3
Parent/Kid Camp (Camp Ichthus)
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
4
7 pm: Apocrypha Study
7 pm: Church Council Mtg.
9 am: NS Busy Bees
30
Mission Service Camp (Camp Ichthus)
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
9 am: NS Busy Bees
8:30 am: Contemp. Service
9:45 am: Sunday School
10:45 am: Hymn Sing
11 am: Traditional Service
Regional Men’s Retreat
29
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
7 pm: Small Group (Women’s)
(Chrisley residence)
28
7 pm: Worship Min. Team Mtg.
9 am: NS Busy Bees
8:30 am: Contemp. Service
9:45 am: Sunday School
10:45 am: Hymn Sing
11 am: Traditional Service
9 am: NS Busy Bees
24
9 am: NS Busy Bees
31
High School Adventure Camp (Camp Ichthus)
9 am: NS Busy Bees
22
23
7 pm: Apocrypha Study
9 am: NS Busy Bees
17
Middle School Camp (Camp Ichthus)
9 am: NS Busy Bees
16
Student Mission Trips (Haiti & NJ)
9 am: NS Busy Bees
10
7 pm: Worship Team Rehearsal
9 am: NS Busy Bees
25
7 pm: Worship Team Rehearsal
7 pm: Small Group
(College/Young Adult) (Klock
residence)
9 am: NS Busy Bees
18
27
9:30 am: Congregational
Care Team Mtg.
4 pm: Student Ministry Pool
Party (Anthony residence)
20
13
Student Mission Trips (Haiti & NJ)
6
SAT
Regional Men’s Retreat (Shippensburg)
9 am: NS Busy Bees
26
9 am: NS Busy Bees
19
5 pm: Parent/Child Ironpigs
Game
7 pm: Worship Team Rehearsal
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
9 am: NS Busy Bees
12
5
FRI
9 am: NS Busy Bees
11
Junior Camp II (Camp Ichthus)
7 pm: Small Group (College/Young
Adult) (Klock residence)
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED
4
9 am: NS Busy Bees
THU
3
WED
9 am: NS Busy Bees
9
21
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
9 am: NS Busy Bees
8:30 am: Contemp. Service
9:45 am: Sunday School
10:45 am: Hymn Sing
11 am: Traditional Service
Connections Deadline
15
Day of Prayer
TUE
9 am: NS Busy Bees
2
Junior Camp I (Camp Ichthus)
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
9 am: NS Busy Bees
7 pm: Finance Min. Team Mtg.
7 pm: Facility Ministry Team Mtg.
7 pm: CSN Volleyball
7 pm: Small Group (Women’s)
(Chrisley residence)
14
8:30 am: Contemp. Service
9:45 am: Sunday School
10:45 am: Hymn Sing
11 am: Traditional Service
MON
9 am: NS Busy Bees
1
7 Communion Sunday 8
SUN
July 2013
ABCOPAD Pastors Retreat
FBC Day of Prayer — Tuesday, July 2nd
Focus: Our Country
Sign up for a 1/2 hour time slot in narthex
July Birthdays:
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
12
13
15
Ryan Walker
Tiffany Duffer
John Pennington
Maria Sottosanti
Ron Dyson
Suzette Hogg
James Myers
Connie O’Donnell
Vicki Severn
Amanda Negri
Grace Spatig
Robert Eichenlaub
Elaine Kugler
Nyla Detweiler
Marlin Figles
Mark Galm
Pam McCarty
Iraida Rosa
Kirsten Dintinger
Sophie Emeigh
Carlos O. Perea
Samuel Kraihanzel
Dave Walker
Ian Reed
Gail Gebhardt
Emmett Severn
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
25
26
28
29
30
31
There will be no
Connectors meeting in
July. The meetings will
resume in August. Watch the
bulletin for details.
Timothy Fray
Janet Kichline
Mary Pierce
Blake Dennis
Erik Huet
Ronald Hoysan
Daniel Brockway
Chris Hitchings
Wilbur Kunkle
Jim Singleton
Len Ziegler
Jonathan Warner
Cali Dorward
Matthew Richline
Nick Sisson
Lori Smart
Paul Emeigh
Hunter Humbertson
Kerri Ludwig
Judy Ziegler
Joseph Trovato
Luke Maeding
Julie Justus Williams
Aiden Swirsding
Kai Elijah Garcia
5
July
Anniversaries:
2
6
9
10
11
12
18
24
26
28
Paul & Sherna Anthony
David & Joyce Reed
David & Barbara Myers
Tom & Terry Myers
Mark & Susan Larimer
Raymond & Helen Schwab
George & Jeannie Agentis
Bill & Bev Earl
Luis & Nilda Rodriguez
William & Jeanette Hoffstadt
Scott & Sara Rodgers
Robert & Carla Sallash
Miller-Keystone Memorial Blood
Center would like to thank the
following May Blood Donors
Theresa Bayly
Bud Hittinger
Tony Kociolek
Holly Leifer
Betty Wellons
Why Become a Generous Christian?
5 Life Changing Reasons to Become a Generous Giver to God’s Work
1) Giving allows you to see God as your Provider
Deut 8:17-18 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce
wealth. 1 Chron 29:16 (David prayed) "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what
comes from your hand. . .O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building
you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you." Ps 24:1 The
earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.
2) Giving allows you to overcome financial fears
1 Kings 17:13-16 (During a 3-year famine) Elijah said (to a starving widow and single mother), "Don't
be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you
have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD,
the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day
the LORD gives rain on the land.'" She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food
every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. Gen 28:20-22 Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God
will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and
clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone
that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
3) Giving allows you to bring order to your finances
Deut 14:23 The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.TLB Prov 3:9
Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and
barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines. TLB Mal 3:10-11 Bring the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I
will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room
enough for it."
4) Giving allows you to fight the dragon of materialism
Luke 12:15 (Jesus said) "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not
consist in the abundance of his possessions." 1 Tim 6:10 The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hag 1:5-9 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have
planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your
fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it…
You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?"
declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy
with his own house." 1 Tim 6:6 Godliness with contentment is great gain.
5) Giving allows you to live a life filled with joy
2 Cor 8:7 Just as you excel in everything. . .see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 1 Cor 16:2 On
the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.
1 Tim 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous
and willing to share. 2 Cor 8:2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity.
6
Rebuilding Homes….Rebuilding Lives
This summer 14 of our high school students, college students and adults will be serving in Grand Goave, Haiti
as part of the 9th team to be sent to Haiti from ABCOPAD to build Rubble homes. The entire team will consist
of 30 people from throughout our region (Pennsylvania & Delaware). This will be my third trip to Haiti where
we have built amazing relationships with the mission organization (Conscience International) and the local
community. The process of building a Rubble Home is hard and intensive work; you can view the process by
going to http://haitireplacementhomes.org/ and clicking on the “read more” button for the Discovery
Channel video.
We will be leaving Saturday, July 6 from Philadelphia International Airport and returning on July 13, 2013.
We would like to thank everyone for their support of our team through prayer and sacrificial giving and
would ask for your continued prayers as we embark on this amazing opportunity to be the hands and feet of
Christ! I am always amazed at how God works through people to spread His love to places we could have
never imagined! We can’t wait to share with you all what God did in Haiti when we return! “But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me
everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 1:8
Members of the Team representing FBC Bethlehem:
David Klock
Zach Hill
Karen Schulze
Ben Kraihanzel
Philip Schulze
Kirsten Autenrieth
Caly Anthony
Sarah Evans
Alana Augello
Devon Hall
Mary Dziadual
Nico Werkheiser
Travis Dziadual
Tori Werkheiser
October 2013 Haiti Team
(Scott & Tina Miller, David Klock in picture at right)
Youth and Summer Missions
ABCOPAD Leadership/Service Week
One of the many great things going on at Camp Ichthus this summer is a Leadership &
Service week. sponsored by ABCOPAD, and attended by high school students from
across the region, this week at camp focuses on developing student leaders and
providing them with opportunities to serve. The students learned about biblical servant
leadership and were given the opportunity to put the lessons into practice by leading VBS
programs at Living Hope Lighthouse in Palmerton, PA and at Crossroads Baptist Church
in Bangor, PA. The students led games, skits, and crafts with the assistance of the camp
staff. This summer the Leadership & Service week will be July 28 through August 2.
Atlantic City Mission Trip
Students and staff perform skits in Palmerton, PA.
Opportunities abound for students to be involved and serve this summer. A team of about
a dozen people from the church, including six high school students, will be going to Haiti with Pastor Klock in July. That same week,
July 6-12, a team of seven students and myself will be going to Atlantic City, NJ to partner with other American Baptist students from
around the region to work with the Fuller Center for Housing, providing relief in the continuing aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Please
pray that we would be able to show the love of Christ to those who need it there, and pray that the hearts of our students would be
opened to those in need.
7
Camp Ichthus
2013 Summer Dates
Parent/Kid Camp (K-1st Grade): June 29 - 30
Junior Camp I (Grades 2-3): July 7 - 10
Junior Camp II (Grades 4-5): July 1 - 5
Middle School Camp (Grades 6-8): July 14 - 19
High School Adventure (Grades 9-12): July 21 - 26
Mission Service Camp (Grades 8-12): July 28 - Aug 2
Paintball Camp (Ages 12—Grade 12) TBA
Space is still available! Go to www.cimin.org for more information and to
register. Camp Ichthus is a life-changing experience for kids!
Double-wide trailer used as office space for the last 6
years. Please contact the church office at 610-865-4600
for more information.
610-865-4600
MOVING? Please be aware
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please contact the church
office so that our records
may be updated. Also, the
Postal Service does not forward Connections but returns
it to us for address changes
(with a $.55 charge for each
piece.) Therefore, please call
the church office ASAP if
your address has changed.
Thank You!
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