THE BELL RINGER. Greetings in Jesus Name. From the Pulpit. Calling all to gather in His name

Transcription

1 THE BELL RINGER March Volum e 2, Issue 3 Calling all to gather in His name FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BLUE HILL, 53 PLEASANT STREET, BLUE HILL, ME fbcbluehill.office@gmail.com (207) Greetings in Jesus Name We are so glad you re interested in our church. We are people who love Jesus and who want others to know the joy and purpose that come with following Him. We are a friendly American Baptist Church committed to Jesus Christ and the work of His kingdom. We aim to be a loving, growing family in Jesus, and we seek to walk humbly with God, obedient to His Word. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are working to love and serve others. We invite you to join us in experiencing and sharing this abundant life. From the Pulpit The Rev. W. Lyman (Terry) Phillips is Chancellor of Grace Evangelical College & Seminary in Bangor, Maine, and currently serves as our Interim Pastor. Rev. Phillips received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School in In somewhat earlier times, newspaper writers - reporters, columnists, and others - would end their piece with a final line like this: It was a signal to editors, typesetters, graphic designers and others that the piece was complete: nothing more was going to be added by the writer. At other papers, other symbols were used, but the point was to set out clearly that the article, editorial or whatever it was, had been finished and was ready for the rest of the process to finish the publication for the presses. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page Greetings 1 From the Pulpit 1 Habitat for Humority 2 Spiritual Poetry 2 Coming Attractions 2 Our Missions Team 2 Children s Ministry 3 Oil for My Lamp 3 Fellowship News 3 Member News 4 Prayer Requests 5 Spirited Moments 5 Trustees Report 5 Worship Team 5 Birthdays and Anniversaries 6 Kids Korner 6 Calendar 7 In much, much earlier times, there were no newspapers or presses, but there were surely events and sequences of events that were observed and written down. The "news stories" that filled this time of year back around 30 AD came along "fast and furious," and I am imagining some of the sequence looking like this from a reporter's pen (since there were no typewriters or computers for the writing part of the process). How would you imagine yourself receiving this news? A Galilean called Jesus reportedly has raised from death a man who had died and was buried four days previously in Bethany. (Oh, wait, there's more.) The Sanhedrin has met to consider how to deal with Jesus. They have moved to arrest him for socially, politically and religiously dangerous activity. 1

2 (Hold the presses. Still more.) Jesus entered the city today riding a donkey and in company with followers who were waving palm branches and cheering. Objection was raised to the raucous, bothersome noise. (Hold on. Still more coming.) Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' followers, has come to the Chief Priests to report that the group has spent the evening eating, drinking and discussing many things. Iscariot has offered to lead the Sanhedrin squad to a place he says Jesus can be apprehended tonight. (Wait! Wait! This is important.) Jesus has been arrested in an olive garden just east of the city. His followers have dispersed. Jesus himself is being interrogated by the Sanhedrin at the present time. (Wait again. Here's more.) Having been brought before Procurator Pontius Pilate by the Sanhedrin, Jesus has been condemned to crucifixion. He has been lashed and turned over to the Roman executioners and is now carrying his cross to the hill of Golgotha for execution. (Don't print yet. Still more coming.) It will not stop coming! The next item is the piece we are, perhaps, most familiar with, but even now, 2,000 years later, things are still happening. The Chinese government has just issued a requirement that Roman Catholic priests must be licensed by the government to preach! What will be next and where? Will it be of human origin? Or divine? Still more coming: and what's coming from God still matters most! I pray God will richly bless our individual and Church preparations for and the celebration of Easter! Habitat for Humority A British rugby player was asked to describe the difference between soccer and rugby. He answered, Soccer is a gentleman's game played by hooligans; rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen. Spiritual Poetry IN THE MIDST OF YOUR STORM A strong wind was blowing The waters grew rough, The disciples were fearful, Would their faith be enough? The angry waves crashed all around, Master, Master, we re going to drown! Then Jesus asked, Why are you so afraid? And He rebuked the wind and the waves. You may be in a storm with no way out But prayer can calm your fear and your doubt, Jesus is here to carry you through Friend, He wants to speak peace to you. By Bonnie Benedix The inspiration for the foregoing poem came from listening to the message at the Lenten Lunch at the First Congregational Church on February 18. Bonnie notes that it was a very powerful message and we are glad that it motivated her to compose such a beautiful poem. Coming Attractions Thursday, March 3 Next lunch in the Lenten Lunch & Learn series. The series runs through March 17, rotating through Blue Hill s three churches as follows: March 3, St. Francis by the Sea; March 10, First Congregational Church of Blue Hill, and March 17, First Baptist Church of Blue Hill. All Lenten Lunches are from noon to 1 p.m. Our Missions Team Muriel Candage reports that the Tree of Life could use canned fruit for the month of March. They really appreciate all the donations. Please put your donations in the Tree of Life basket in the vestibule. Sandy Snow, our Emmaus Meal Service organizer, wants all the faithful who cook for and serve at the Emmaus meals to know how much they are appreciated! Our next meal date is March 15, and meatloaf is on the menu. The sign-up sheet can be found in the vestibule. 2

3 Children s Ministry Train a child in the way he should go Prov. 22:6 Sunday School teachers for the year are: Pre-K and Kindergarten Grades 1 and 2 Grades 3 and 4 Grades 5 and 6 Grades 7 and 8 Grades 9 through 12 Carrie Clifford Alma Mote Sharrie Curtis Allison Charles Sue Fenders Danner Curtis Allison Charles says our Sunday School children are planning to sing for us during our Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services. In addition to singing, the children will be passing out palm fronds on Palm Sunday to celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, as foretold by the prophet Zechariah. Oil for My Lamp The people in that crowd, welcoming their King, had faith in Him that day. In less than a week they would be calling out to Pontius Pilate to "Crucify Him!" And even the loyal family and friends who kept their faith in Christ had their hopes deflated when they saw Jesus dragging the cross through the streets toward the hill where He would soon die on the cross. The work of the faithful is to believe in the risen Christ. "Faith like a child" means to me that I don't have to put effort in; I just am in the condition of being faithful. I want to be full of unshakable faith not only that the sun will rise tomorrow, but that Jesus came back to life after he was murdered on the cross at Golgotha. We are called to believe that He is alive now, here with us, always aware of our need for grace. We can have that faith because we know the source: God Himself. In those odd moments when I wonder if I have faith, I get a little jolt from the Holy Spirit. It's as though He says, "... and Who brought you this far? Who kept you from falling on the steep path? Who caught you when you lost your grip?" The years go by, and as they pass, I can see ever more clearly that He has been with me, invisible but ever present, filling my lungs with breath and my eyes and ears with the wonders of the natural world. If you sometimes feel little pangs of doubt, just imagine yourself as a child in the palm of His allpowerful hand, and rejoice in believing that He is risen. He is risen indeed! By Alison Dibble For members of First Baptist Church of Blue Hill and friends around the world Risen indeed! March 2016 The excitement and wonder of Easter are almost upon us. I like to put myself in the place of a person standing at the roadside, waving my palm frond in recognition of the King of the Jews, the Messiah. The young man on the donkey knew what anguish awaited Him within the Jerusalem city walls, but we in the crowd did not. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Fellowship News It s the season of Lent, which means our weekly Lenten lunches with St. Francis and Congregational churches are underway. Sandy Snow reminds us that we will host the last Lenten Lunch on March 17. Please consider helping and add your name to the sign-up sheet in the vestibule. 3

4 Member News We hope everyone had a chance to catch Blue Hill s GSA basketball team during an extremely exciting tournament season. As you know, we have some very loyal fans in our congregation, including the Astbury family. We are so proud of all members of the GSA team, especially our own Taylor Schildroth. As one sportscaster yelled during the game with Bucksport, Schildroth soars for the Eagles! Rob and Patty Clapp submitted this photo from their recent trip to Texas to visit their daughter, Anna: That s Rob, Anna and Patty in front of a T-6, a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer designed to train students in basic flying skills. And check out the bare toes - it s warm there! What s your latest news? Been on a trip? New grandchild? Send it along (photos always welcome) to fbcbluehill.office@gmail.com. 4

5 Sympathies and Concerns Please remember to keep all loved ones who are unsaved in our thoughts and prayers. We have received several requests to pray for the following folks: Barry Curtis, as his thumb continues to improve; Beverly Walls, who has picked up a cold/flu bug and has problems with her feet; Cordell and Sandy Snow s son-in-law in Florida, who is experiencing difficulties and recently has been hospitalized twice; Gail Carter s sister, Deanne, who must have another cardiac catheterization. Do you have a prayer request? Please send your request to fbcbluehill.office@gmail.com. Please Pray for First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone. I Timothy 2:1 Our Special Missionaries: David and Robin Watters in Papua New Guinea Debbie Mulneix in the Philippines Sue Hegarty in Costa Rica Pieter and Nora Kalkman in Europe Bill and Ann Clemmer in South Sudan Tim and Patty Long in Mexico Kit Ripley in Thailand Naraa in Mongolia Bill and Fran Atchison in Waterville Spirited Moments Anyone can do the possible; add a bit of courage and zeal and some may do the phenomenal; only Christians are obliged to do the impossible. A.W. Tozer Holiness is not the private preserve of an elite corps of martyrs and mystics; it is the everyday business of every Christian. Chuck Colson Trustees Report The Trustees and their volunteer Bang-ups continue to work on our addition projects. Last Saturday (February 20), Ken Charles was hard at work in Fellowship Hall putting a final coat of paint on the new bathroom door, which looks spectacular. And we noticed Barry Curtis back at work on the construction project this past week. Oh, wait - can bossing Jon Woodward around be called work? Barry s still on the DL until his cast comes off, but we re sure Jon appreciates having him back on the job. Worship Team A reminder to all choir members that choir practice takes place at 10 a.m. each Sunday. Contact Sue Fenders if you have questions. Sue Fenders has prepared a sign-up sheet for anyone who would like to bring flowers to church for display during our worship service. It won t be long SPRING!! Our Church Family and Activities: ABCOM and East Association Deacons Benevolence Work Emmaus Center Meal Service Children s Sunday School Junior Church and Youth Worship Ministry Teams Pastoral Search Committee 5

6 Birthday and Anniversary Greetings Happy Birthday to Dawn Nason March 5 Rick Nason March 14 Darin Gray March 6 Taylor Schildroth March 14 Carrie Clifford March 7 Jean Ford March 17 Gabbie Fenders March 8 Shelly Schildroth March 19 Jon Walden March 9 Blake Nason March 19 Nancy Bates March 11 Bruce Candage March 24 Happy Anniversary to Are you on our Birthday or Wedding Anniversary list? If not, please let us know by to fbcbluehill.office@gmail.com so we may celebrate with you! Kids Korner Color me! 6

7 March 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Missions 6:30 p.m. Every Sunday 9 a.m. Trustees 6:30 p.m Lenten Lunch St. Francis by the Sea Christian Ed 6:30 p.m. Lenten Lunch Congregational Church Emmaus Meal Service 4:30 p.m Deacons 6:30 p.m Lenten Lunch First Baptist Church of Blue Hill Palm Sunday Advisory Board 6:30 p.m God loves everyone, but probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over religious nuts!' Greeters March 6 March 13 March 20 March 27 Jon and Sandy Woodward Ed and Sally Blodgett Debbie and Mira Carter Dick and Sandy Hill Notes 7