187 FALL GATHERING 1823 - 2010 Come tail-gate
Transcription
187 FALL GATHERING 1823 - 2010 Come tail-gate
First Baptist Church of Owego, N.Y. Volume 17 Issue 1 September 2010 1823 - 2010 187th FALL GATHERING BROOME-TIOGA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Come tail-gate with us—and be a part of ―God’s Team‖ Sunday, September 12 J oin us on Sunday, September 12 as we begin a new year of Bible Classes (Sunday school) for all ages. Let everyone know who’s team you are on by staying after worship and enjoying a hot dog, chips, soda and make some yummy smores. Meet your coaches: Mrs. Kandi and Mrs. Jackie, Children’s class; Andrew and Kelly Donnelly, Youth class and Pastor Terry, Adult class. Bible classes will begin the following Sunday, September 19 at 9:15 AM. Remember YOU are always the MVP (most valuable player) on God’s Team. See you there!! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2010 SPENCER FEDERATED CHURCH, Spencer, NY 3:30PM Afternoon Gathering ―Challenge of Being Missionaries in Upstate New York‖ Rev. Dr. Bill Thomas 4:15PM Association Choir Rehearsal 5:00PM Dinner - $8.00/person Reservations: Contact your Church Office by September 19th Update on June Mission Work Trip to Pathfinder Camp 6:30PM Praise and Worship Praise & Worship Team First Baptist Church, Endicott Message – The Rev. Dr. Bill Thomas, We welcome Bill Thomas back for a visit to the Broome-Tioga Association. Bill continues his world-wide Evangelistic Ministry in cooperation with ABC-USA International Ministries and the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association. Congratulations to Nick & Desha Guydosh On their marriage July 31, 2010. They are residing in Baltimore, MD Inside this issue Preacher’s Page 2 Meet the Donnellys 3 Missions, Congo 4 Missions 5 ABW/Men’s breakfast 6 Calendar of events 7 Lighting Perspective the Way Page 2 Smile....God loves you! H old onto your hats. This Article will be a little different for you – for me. Relax – take two deep breaths – and read on. Let me tell you a ―punny‖ story – or two – or three or . . . . 1. Here’s a quick lesson on self-discipline – or, against gluttony: ―The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.‖ 2. We are told in Hebrews 12 to keep our eyes on Jesus – He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Some have wandering eyes: ―I thought that I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.‖ 3. In some Church circles, war and warfare and weapons are major parts of discussions. Some hold strongly to pacifism as the way of Jesus. Maybe we shouldn’t allow rubber bands in Church because . . . ―A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.‖ 4. Now, here’s a real lesson on, shall we say, laziness: ―No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.‖ 5. Another important bit of information on warfare and history goes like this: ―A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.‖ 6. We read in the Bible about the births of many people, including twins. Were any of them ―against the law?‖ . . . ―A dog gave birth to a litter of puppies near the end of the road and was cited for littering.‖ [Be patient – I’m almost finished!] 7. I know you’re familiar with the Biblical mandate to ―run the race‖ and to know that we are ―Victors in Christ.‖ Are you ready for this one? . . . ―Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.‖ All that to say, in Reader’s Digest lingo, ―Laughter’s The Best Medicine.‖ [see Proverbs 17:22] Some people say I take life too seriously. Sometimes I’m told to smile – when I already am. In my earlier life, I was pretty tense in a particular situation and a lady told me to ―lighten up!‖ Laughter will reduce our stress, improve our health, lengthen our lives – and make some people think we’re a little bit ―off our rocker.‖ BUT – even though we don’t see any Scriptures telling us about Jesus laughing, I think He very likely often did so. I don’t think women and children flocked to Him because He was somber and serious all the time. Our smiles are valuable assets for us. Smiles and laughter go together. We need to be serious about the call of God on our lives to live for Him and to bear fruit for Him and to advance His Kingdom. Listen, though – if we take ourselves too seriously, others will not take us seriously at all. Let’s get excited about the Joy of the Lord and allow It to be strength for us. (Nehemiah 8:10) Be sure you’re smiling the next time I see you! God Bless! Pastor Terry Lighting the Way First Baptist Church 228 Main St. Owego, NY 13827 607-687-4394 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.fbcowego.org Church Staff Rev. G. Terry Steenburg David Berry Pastor Choir Director Organist Rebecca Hernandez Administrative Asst Church Office opens: Mon.-Thurs. 10:15 a.m. Daisyanna Fritz Newsletter Editor 607-748-2798 [email protected] Deadline for letters and articles is the third Sunday of the month. Rodger Fritz Moderator Lighting the Way Page 3 Meet the Donnelly family H ave you met our new staff person, Andrew Donnelly? Andrew is in his third year at Davis College. He is a full time student as well as working at Binghamton General Hospital as a Dialysis technician. He is pursuing a Christian Ministry degree and would like to be ordained in about five years and be an Interim Pastor. His long term goal is to run a Christian camp similar to El Rancho DePaz. During this academic year, he will work about 10 hours a week in various role at FBC-O. . Andrew and his family— wife, Kelly, daughters Abigail and Lauren reside in Nichols, NY. They have a small ―farm‖ of sorts where they raise about 50 chickens for eggs. Kelly is busy as farmer, mom and teacher as she home schools the girls. Kelly and Andrew are both Owego Free Academy graduates. Kelly is an only child and Andrew has 3 younger brothers who live locally. When asked about any hobbies, Andrew said he likes to play games, video or board and Kelly enjoys cooking. They both enjoy watching NFL football especially the Jets. D.O.G. – It’s A Kid’s & Youth Club! D.O.G. stands for Disciples Of God. This is a new local outreach effort of First Baptist and First Presbyterian Churches here in Owego. Both Churches are still ―getting on board‖ with the Pastors and a local man by the name of Rusty Towner. Rusty grew up in the community and has suffered many of the effects of a dysfunctional environment of drugs, alcohol, crime, poverty, etc. Someone reached out and cared for him and put some confidence in him and his life was turned around. He is getting more and more grounded in the Lord and is in the process of joining the Presbyterian Church that’s 2-3 blocks from us. His heart is burdened for the local kids – his neighbors. Under his guidance – and some dialogue with Pastors Bridges and Steenburg – D.O.G. was birthed. Weekly Monday evening meetings are held in the lower level of First Baptist. Devotions, committee planning, projects, refreshments, etc. make for a well-rounded meeting. Other events are in the making for these kids. The Presbyterian Church covered the bill for buying illustrated New Testaments for all the D.O.G. members. Bible Community events Sunday, Sept. 26 11 AM—5 PM ...help the victims of the recent Bill’s Diner fire. Spaghetti Dinner & Chinese Auction... VFW Post 1371, (Main St.) Owego Live Band/Bake sale/Raffles Life-Line Screening is returning to Owego Wednesday, November 10 First Baptist Church Call (800) 772-8260 to make an appointment. Pastor Terry has two FREE Carotid Artery screening certificates. LET HIM KNOW RIGHT AWAY IF YOU WANT ONE OF THEM—FIRST COME! lessons and contests are being developed and prizes and awards will be given for various levels of accomplishments. Every Club meeting has seen over 20 kids in attendance! Here’s an idea: the D.O.G. kids want to walk together in this year’s CROP Walk. We are wanting to get them all matching shirts. How about adopting a D.O.G.? $10 would cover a shirt. Whatever is in excess of the $10 would be sponsorship money for them as they seek to raise CROP money to fight hunger around the world. Let Pastor Terry know how many D.O.G.s you would like to adopt. Lighting Perspective the Way Page 4 Boko in the Dark The Democratic Republic of Congo by Sally Guydosh, ABW Missions T here are eleven Baptist hospitals or medical centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo supported by American Baptists. American Baptist Missionaries, Katherine and Wayne Niles, are involved in full-time service with Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA). They both serve as liaison officers for IMA in matters related to HIV/ AIDS and Maternal Health projects throughout the Africa continent. Boko is one of these rural hospitals. Katherine writes of their struggles. “Imagine delivering a baby in the dark! Lightening struck the solar lighting system at the Baptist hospital in Boko several months ago. Since then the staff works by candle light to assist night time deliveries, tend newborn babies and do emergencies. Serving a population that earns less than a dollar a day the hospital saw no option but to go on as best as possible in the dark. The Boko Baptist hospital has been without a doctor for two years. In November Dr. Kapenze who worked with us at the Kintambo Baptist Health Center in Kinshasa agreed to become the medical director there. A few weeks ago he came back to Kinshasa to purchase medicines, supplies and find light for the hospital. Missionary Bill Clemmer agreed to fund replacement parts for the solar lighting system, purchase a modest stock of medicines, and to fund a road trip to Boko with Dr. Kapenze, as a way to encourage those laboring there. My son, Jonathan, and I went along. We also took a Kinshasa technician, who would repair the solar light system. It’s a 250 mile trek to Boko, with the last 90 over dirt roads. Boko is a mission station where Wayne’s parents lived for four years and where my father, Dr. Dan Fountain, regularly visited to build up the health work. As dark fell, we ended up at the hospital with the circle of spectators watching the technician poke amongst wires and connections in the maternity ward. When the fluorescent tube he manipulated finally flickered to light, a cheer went up from all. Mrs. Bernadette, the nurse midwife, did not leave the technician’s side, constantly pleading the case for the light to be hung directly over the delivery table. A priority spot! We lingered to see another light installed. As we glanced back on our way through the darkness to Dr. Kapenze’s house, those two solitary lights illuminated the whole landscape. When light shines into darkness, darkness cannot overcome it. People are attracted to light, and light makes a difference. This year, the ABW will send their white cross supplies to the Congo for use at medical centers.. The next morning, with the staff in their work places, Dr. Kapenze gave us an exhaustive walk through the hospital, certain to point out every need and deficiency. The poverty of the population exaggerates even mundane daily tasks and the quality of services at the hospital have sunk to a minimum level. In each department, we tarried long enough to hear about and appreciate the work done, to encourage each one to do the best job possible, and to reflect God’s light with a word of admonishment or encouragement. The darkness and weight of the poverty experienced by our colleagues from Boko burden their work completely. I invite you to help keep the lights shining at the Boko hospital, or at any of the eleven Baptist Mission hospitals in Congo. A solar lighting system costs $3000 by the time it’s installed in a remote destination. When light shines in the darkness, darkness cannot overcome it, but this is a very dark world. Thank you for your part in keeping the Lights shining in Congo.‖ May we be faithful. God bless you, Katherine Pray for Katherine and Wayne as they serve Christ in so many ways in D.R. Congo. Lighting the Way Page 5 Summer greetings from Baja California, México News from Missionaries, Tim & Patti Long Dear friends in Christ at First Baptist, By Sally Guydosh, ABW Missions I t's time again for an update on our life and ministry. Always in appreciation of your partnership with us, here are some thanksgiving and prayer notes: We want to say thank you for all your support to make the Angel Action Work Camp Dinner a success! Special thanks goes to your youth for helping with fundraising! Who could forget the fun filled Phil’s Chicken Dinner? -- What a blessing it has been to have all of our family within a three hour drive! We're all doing well and are most thankful for such a great family. -- Our missionary colleague, Iris Morales, who has served as an IM missionary in Bolivia for the last decade passed away last week after a three year struggle with cancer. Please remember her husband, Mario and their two sons, Seth and Mario, in your prayers. -- Jacob, Israel, José Carlos and David, 2010 graduates of the Mexicali Seminary, are all now actively involved in pastoral/ teaching ministries in local Baja congregations. -- We look forward to the dedication of a new dorm and apartment building come September at the Mexicali Seminary. Most all of the labor was done by Mexican workers, with monetary assistance and some labor provided through partner churches and mission groups from the States. Thoughtfulness blooms into Thankfulness -- As a new school year begins this month at the Monte Horeb School in Tijuana, we are reminded of how important the STEP scholarships are for dozens of children and Seminary students. These scholarships not only make an education possible for the students, but in these times of economic trial, they are the life line that enables the school to continue its ministry to the most needy children of the community. -- Please continue to pray for the victims of the Easter Sunday earthquake in the Mexicali Valley and for our continued relief efforts. With funds and donations from World Relief and local Mexican Baptist Churches, over 200 families who lost homes and work due to the earthquake will continue to receive basic foods, at least through the summer months. We also want to thank Rodger for being our treasurer and Dianna for all her leadership and planning. It was a blessing to have servers here today to help serve those who came to serve our communities. Many thanks to all those who helped in any way to make the Chicken BBQ and Motorcycle Ride a success on Aug. 14. It was a beautiful day, the chicken was delicious, and everyone enjoyed the singing of Julian & Bonnie’s Southern Gospel Music. We were able to raise $579.50 towards the mission trips scheduled for Haiti and Africa in 2011. Again,. our THANKS to all those who gave of their time and energy in this event. Lighting Perspective the Way Page 6 You are invited to participate in American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Each woman is encouraged to participate according to her own needs, interests, and gifts as led by the Spirit of God. In-as-much Circle September 8—10 AM in the back room of the Office Building (use door off of driveway). Sunbeam Circle September 8 —12:00 PM at the home of Verna Tomassetti. Bring a dish to pass for an outside picnic. Meet in the church parking lot to pool rides as there is limited parking space at trailer park. .. Hostess: Verna Tomassetti & Joyce Pass Devotions: Winnie Allen Program: Health Kits Health Kits go around the world C hurch World Service is still in dire need of Health Kits. The AB women’s Sunbeam Circle will be preparing these ―Gifts of the Heart‖ kits at their September 8th meeting You can help by bringing to church any of the following items: One hand towel, no bigger than 16‖ x 28‖ One washcloth One wide tooth comb One metal nail file or nail clipper One bar of bath size soap One toothbrush in package Six band-aids The women will include all of these items into one gallon plastic bags with zip-locks and send them on to aid those in need whether home or around the world. You may put your items in the box at the back of the sanctuary that is marked for Health Kits. Assembling Kits or purchasing items—it won’t take a lot of money—or time—just a ―lotta‖ heart! First Baptist Church of Endicott is offering a 13 week video-based curriculum course by Financial Peace University on achieving your financial goals by eliminating debt starting Sept. 7 at 7:00 PM. For more information or registration call the church 785-6052 or e-mail [email protected]. ALSO Saturday, Sept. 11 1-4 PM Free Block Party—FBC of Endicott, Corner of Grant & Monroe Sts. Music Groups— The Drum Zone, Josh Zepeda, FBC Praise Team, Billy Starring; Games—bounce house, face painting, slip n slide, 4 square; Prizes; Refreshments and check out a real Fire Truck! The BIGGER breakfast in Waverly, NY International men’s breakfast day C ancelling the September’s Men’s Luncheon (last Friday of the month) to be a part of the power of thousands of men worldwide simultaneously raising their voices in praise and prayer on SATURDAY, SEPT. 25, 2010 Baptist men across the United States and Canada will be joining Baptist men in Europe and Africa for a ―somewhat ‖ simultaneous men’s breakfast. Begun in the United Kingdom in 2008, Baptist men from across England gathered in churches, homes, and restaurants at 9 AM for breakfast and more. Gather in the FBC-O church parking lot (see Pastor Terry for time) and car pool to the Bigger Breakfast Saturday, September 25, 2010 9:00 A.M. First Baptist Church, 23 Tioga St., Waverly, NY. September 2010 First Baptist Church of Owego Rev. G. Terry Steenburg, Pastor Church Office: (607)·687·4394 Sunday Monday Social Time Door-greeters 5 none 12 tail-gate party 19 finger foods 26 Fritz 5 12 19 26 Communion Cell phone: (607)·232-0244 e-mail: [email protected] Tuesday Thursday FRC 9-1 Cron Cron Greene Reynolds & Briggs FRC 3-7 Wednesday e-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.fbcowego.org Friday Saturday 7-8 AM Prayer time in The Spot every Friday 5:45 Bible study, FH with light supper FRC 9-1 FRC 9-1 10 ABW,Inasmuch 12:00 Sunbeam at Tomassetti’s home 9:15 Adult Bible class 10:00 Worship 11:45 Deacons. 5:30-7 AA (FHall) FRC10-3 8 AM—4 PM Rotary Youth Exchange, FH 6 ACT free dinner, OUMC 5:45 Bible study 7:00 Choir practice Labor Day FRC 3-7 9:15 Adult Bible class 10:00 Worship 11:30 Tail-gate party 11:55 Managers 6:00 Singspiration FRC 9-1 Youth– Kingdom Fest, Abide in the Vine 5:45 Bible study 7:00 Choir practice 5:30-7 AA (FHall) FRC 3-7 FRC 9-1 FRC 9-1 9:15 Bible classes 10:00 Worship 11:30 Congregational Business mtg./finger fds 3:00 LM service 5:45 Bible study 7:00 Choir practice 5:30-7 AA (FHall) FRC 3-7 9:15 Bible classes 10:00 Worship 11:20 Social time 3:30 BT Assn. Fall Gathering, Spencer FRC 9-1 NO men’s lunch 9 AM Men’s breakfast, FBC-Waverly First day of fall FRC 9-1 FRC 9-1 9:00 Newsletter Committee 5:30-7 AA (FHall) 7:00 Prayer mtg. for Revival, FBC-O Our 179th birthday 7:00 ABW/BTA Board meeting, FH FRC 10-3 5:45 Bible study 7:00 Choir practice FH=Fellowship Hall FRC - Family Resource Center in Spot LM - Long Meadow Apts. ABW/BTA= ABW Broome Tioga Assn. OUMC=Owego United Methodist Chuchr 1 Jim Conrad 8 Ron Tomassetti 9 Frieda Baker 13 Daisy Fritz Dick Waltman 14 Winnie Davis 15 Jason Fritz 18 Don Cron 22 Barb Cron 25 Lillian Ford 29 Kaija Fritz Happy Anniversary 7 Jeanne & Sam Pulford 10 Cynthia & Bob Halstead 15 Coleen & Bill Foster 20 JoEllen & Scott O’Connor 25 Marlene & Terry Steenburg 29 Delores & Ralph Valentine