Baptist Notes. Jason. March 2013

Transcription

1 Baptist Notes March 2013 A Publication of the First Baptist Church in Framingham PO Box 2415 ~ Framingham, MA The Rev. Jason R. Rutherford, Pastor fbcframingham@verizon.net I remember a pastor friend in Mississippi once saying, We mess up when we go looking in strange places for what we already have. He was referencing the temptation to seek fulfillment in something other than the grace of God. As we observe the Lenten season, this statement seems highly relevant. The Lenten season is a season for reflecting on our life, specifically on how we are reconciled to our God and to one another through the grace of Jesus Christ. The whole of scripture is a call to be reconciled to creation and Creator. In practical, contemporary language I want to encourage you in these days leading up to Easter to take time for deep reflection on your life. Are you at peace? Are you fulfilled? Are you reconciled? Peace is not always the absence of conflict and tension, but rather being right with the purpose of God. History is packed with times when conflict and uproar was necessary to reestablish the reign of God in a community, nation, or people. It might be that in your life their exists an uproar as you look to make a decision, transform a part of yourself, or become more Christ-like in some area of your life. Good. This signifies movement to, not away from the Lord. Fulfillment is sometimes found in our restlessness or times of dire need. Some of our greatest moments of fulfillment come when we are restless enough to see the need for change in our life and have the courage to make the change. Again, scripture is full of examples where Jesus taught that fullness comes through the Lord and not through our rebellious quests for personal gain and promotion. Remember the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The younger of two brothers asked his father for his inheritance and then left home seeking fulfillment in another land. After wasting his money on licentious living, he returned home. Broke, defeated, and humiliated, he returned to a Father who loved him unconditionally. He returned home to the realization that what he really wanted and needed was always there. Reconciliation comes when we reach a maturity in our thoughts and practice that reflects whom we are purposed to be. I am confident that our days are ordained. Our life is designated for a reason, and our quest to live this fulfillment begins with our Maker. The Psalmist writes, All of my days were ordained for me before even one of them yet existed. These are words of comfort as we look to live and grow into the person God has outlined for us to become. Jason

2 Millie Levin/Kathie Chute Scholarship Fun (fundraiser) Talent Show Yes, the Talent Show will be held at First Baptist after a free light lunch on Sunday, March 17. This is one of the major fundraisers for the Levin/Chute Scholarship Fund. Think about sharing your talents (whatever they may be) or just being part of the audience. Desserts will be on sale at intermission and we will take a free will offering for the Scholarship Fund. This Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Millie Levin, a very active Park Street mother and youth advisor, who passed away over 30 years ago, as well as the memory of the young college student, Kathie Chute, who loved to work with the Park Street Church youth. Kathie passed away over 25 years ago. If you are currently applying to a college, or are in college continuing for another year, please fill out the ML/KC application form, after reading the Condition of Eligibility. The completed form is due before June 1. The Scholarship Committee Diane Halbert, Marilyn Wakeman, and Ray Zeman. Update from Executive Council Need To Know Who To Contact? For the Board of Deacons: Chair - Jay Reilly Christian Education - Diane Halbert Visitation - Marilyn Wakeman For the Board of Missions: Chair - Paul Moore For the Board of Administration and Finance: Chair - Chris Monaco Church Building - Chris Monaco Church Grounds - Kathie Zeman Parsonage - Jimmy Wakeman Executive Council has made the following appointments: Church Historian - Jimmy Wakeman Pastoral Relations Committee - Francesca Harris, Naomi Stanley, James Wakeman, and Ray Zeman Executive Council has designated that the Easter Offering this year go to Voices Against Violence. From their website: It is our mission to break the cycle of violence by providing comprehensive services for all victims and survivors and by creating social change through education and action. We provide information and support to victims and survivors, their family and friends, community members, and professionals around domestic violence, children who witness domestic violence, sexual violence and harassment, stalking, and bullying.

3 Page 3 Supplies Needed For El Salvador Trip A team of nine from our church will be traveling to El Salvador April 6 13, These supplies will be used as we work together with our brothers and sisters in Santa Elena, El Salvador. Look for the box in Reilly Hall where you can leave your donations. All items need to be in by Sunday, March 17. Thanks You! Clinic supplies: Hygiene Kits (or supplies to make them, all items non-liquid): soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, lotion, comb) ziploc bags (all sizes) Non Prescription Medications (not limited to) Pain Relievers for adult, children and infants (such as Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Aspirin) Vitamins: Adult, prenatal, children's (not gummy or gum ball) Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Bacitracin, Hydrocortizone cream, Benadryl cream Antifungal topical cream (clotrimzole, miconazole, and lotrisone) Allergy medicines for adults and children ( Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin) Tums (for stomach pain, heartburn, and as calcium supplements) Laxatives, fiber supplements, Immodium Pedialyte powder and Infant formula (to treat malnutrition) gloves (non- latex exam gloves), tongue depressors 4x4 gauze, 2x2 gauze and cotton balls, ace bandages, bandaids hand sanitizer, wet ones or baby wipes (flat type containers) and alcohol wipes nebulizer machine (for asthma) School and Craft Supplies: notebooks, theme books, paper, pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers, rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners (not electric or battery operated), glue sticks, books in Spanish, solar calculators, scissors, tape, flash cards, beads, embroidery floss, coloring books, small sports equipment easily packed Building supplies: small hand tools, drop cords, hammers, sawsall, concrete trowels, safety glasses, ear plugs, heavy duty gloves, leveling string & weight, paint brushes & rollers, wire cutter & strippers, small hammerdrill, concrete drill bits, building wire (12 AWG, 2C) March Birthdays 2 Bob Phillips 3 Joseph Paiva 4 Carolyn Reilly 7 Ethel Luton-Campbell 8 Neil Halbert 12 Naja Arianna Allen 16 Joann Sewell 19 Betty Temple 25 Marilyn Medler 27 Bob Emmons 27 Chris Carr 28 Laura Reilly 31 Diamond Campbell

4 Page 4 We Need Ushers! Currently, we rely on a sign-up sheet to assure that we have ushers at both doors every Sunday. This process does not always work well. We would like to create a standing list of persons who are willing to serve as an usher on a regular basis to be scheduled by the Deacons each month. The more people we have sign up, the fewer Sundays each would have to serve. If you are willing to serve as an usher once or twice a month, please contact Ray Zeman or any of the Deacons. Thank you. Join Us for Wonderful Wednesdays This spring we will be studying parables found in Luke. Please join us for dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by Bible study at 7:15 p.m. Here is the schedule of upcoming discussions: March 6: An invitation to the Christian Faith Luke 14:1, 14-24; 16:19-31 March 13: Following Christ Today Luke 14:25-33 April 3: What Does God Expect of Us? Luke 16:1-13; 19:11-27 April 24: Resilient Faith! Luke 18:1-8 May 1: Secure Investing: Stewardship and the Kingdom of God Luke 12:13-21 May 8: First and Last in the Kingdom of God Luke 14:7-11; 18:9-14 RESCHEDULED Please join us on Saturday, March 9 at 9:00 am in Reilly Hall. During our September retreat the strengths we named were: Strengths to build on and bring forward into the future are driven by spirituality, outreach, worship, interpersonal relation-ships, and community, which lead to infrastructure. Next, the barriers to future growth that we named: The barriers to continued success are driven by risk aversion, and a lack of cross generational leader development, which leads to financial limitations, missed opportunities, and building & physical limitations. Now that we have an understanding of where our strengths and barriers are, we need to pray through how we can increase the strengths and decrease the barriers. I will lead you through this on March 9. Jason

5 March 2013 Page 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 Third Sunday in Lent Education Pot luck lunch Deacons Meeting Missions Meeting Wonderful Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7:15 p.m. Bible Study 7 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal 1 8 Salvation Army dinner 2 9 9:00 am Church Retreat 10 Fourth Sunday in Lent Education Wonderful Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7:15 p.m. Bible Study 14 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Fifth Sunday in Lent Education :00 pm A&F Meeting 20 7:00 pm Executive Council 21 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Lunch followed by our Annual Talent Show 24 Palm Sunday Education :00 Maundy Thursday Service 29 Good Friday Noon Good Friday Service Easter 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service Education for Adults 9:45 am Easter Egg Hunt Notes: Catedral Agape rents every Tuesday and Sunday night from 7-10 p.m. AA meets : Monday evenings at 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the Children s Room Wednesday and Friday at Noon in Reilly Hall All calendar entries are subject to change

6 Page 6 Dear Members, We are looking forward to making this fundraiser a big hit! Our goal is to raise $500 profit for Happy Birthday Baby with the Art of Nature Spring Flower Bulbs fundraiser. This money will help cover the cost of 5 beautiful baby baskets! This is a great value and fun for all our supporters! 50% Profit from sales Retail price range $ $ page color brochure 28 beautiful bulb selections from which to choose Here s the Plan! (Please read carefully) Kick-off Date: March 3 rd We have 10 brochures available for you to look through or for people to sign up and take home to sell bulbs to friends, family and co-workers. Selling Date: March 3 rd to March 23 rd You may sign up to take a brochure home and sell as many bulbs as possible (Our goal is bulbs per person), and record all sales clearly on the order sheet. It s important to collect all the money upfront. **IMPORTANT** Please make sure that all checks are made out to First Baptist Church. Turn-in Date: March 24 th Please make sure you turn in the flower bulb orders and that all money is collected by this date. Any delay will affect all other fundraisers. Approximate Pick-up Date: April 20 & 21 Please plan to pick up your bulbs on one of these days, and deliver them to your supporters as soon as possible. This date will be confirmed 1-2 weeks prior to delivery. We look forward to making this fundraiser a huge success with your help! Thank you in advance for your time and support! Sincerely, Lorna Mailhoit The Happy Birthday Baby Committee

7 Church Notes Page 7 Our condolences to Fran Pond on the loss of her son, David W. Pond, on February 12, Welcome back to the United States - Nelson, Reshima and Oshin Samuel! Oshin is now in the second grade! The Samuels have been living in India for a while and are now situated in Avon, Connecticut. They hope to be able to visit us at First Baptist once they get settled and the weather warms up. In the Metro West Daily News of February 3rd, Julia Spitz wrote this about Joe Borghetti. (He worships with us on many Sundays.) In Watertown, Joe was one of the last ones of his mother's 10 kids. He graduated from Belmont High School in 1944 and was drafted into the Army, where he served in Europe toward the end of World War II. After his discharge in 1946 he came back to Boston and studied music at the Arlington Academy of Music and played with the band at Berklee College of Music, which offered training in jazz and commercial music, as well as classical. He then was on the road in Memphis, with the Tony Pastor orchestra, playing in 40 or more states. He lived in Milford for about 15 years with his wife and 3 sons and 3 daughters, and worked at the Microwave Development Lab in Natick where he earned 3 patents, but music was never far from his heart. He played at the Beverly Club in Bellingham. Facing dental problems he gave up the trombone and focused on the piano. In Holliston he loved to listen to the Tune Timers. He played for the Sudbury Strutters in the early 2000's as well as for the Holliston Senior Center, which led to weekly Big Band concerts. Joe has had a lot of interesting experiences. And now he lives in Framingham.

8 First Baptist Church in Framingham 1013 Worcester Road PO Box 2415 Framingham, MA Sunday, March 24 - Palm Sunday Thursday, March 28 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service in Reilly Hall Friday, March 29 Noon Town-wide Ecumenical Good Friday Service in the sanctuary Sunday, March 31 - Easter 6:30 a.m. Son Rise Service on Church Greene 9:45 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt 10:45 a.m. Easter Worship Service