Letter from the Senior Pastor

Transcription

1 Letter from the Senior Pastor REFRESHING YOUR SOUL The greatest threat posed by unfriendly powers to our nation these days is not from nuclear missiles but from electronic warfare. We are told that computer hackers from somewhere in North Korea can shut down our power system and throw us back into the stone age. While I am not sure how credible this threat is, I know that Satan, our spiritual adversary, practices similar strategies to defeat us. He often overloads our souls with attacks on our minds and emotions just like a computer hacker overloads a system with billions of requests until the overload crashes the computer. Jesus taught us how to refresh our souls by a personal example. In Mark 6:30-32 we read that the disciples of Jesus were so overwhelmed by ministering to the needs of the people that they did not have time to eat. So Jesus took the initiative and led them to a solitary place so they could be refreshed for more ministry. Here is a simple recipe for refreshing your soul: Control accessibility. Shut down that cell phone. Shut down all electronic devices. Find a place of solitude. Practice silence. For some of us, such sensory deprivation seems impossible, perhaps even undesirable. Jesus knows we need to regenerate from the inside out. That happens only when we cut off the channels that demand our attention for a short period of time. Change your surroundings. Visit a place in the neighborhood you ve never been before. Take a different route home. Take a day trip to a farm, vineyard, or a state park. Fellowship with Jesus. No one can refresh your soul like Jesus can. Isaiah 40:38 tells us, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. I pray that in the New Year you will make time to refresh your soul so that you can be prepared for ministry. Always in prayer for you all, Pastor Sam Grozdanov 1 Branch s Office hours are 9am 12pm and 1:00pm 4:00pm, Monday Friday. Please time your phone calls and visits during office hours. so as not to miss us. Please your information for the Sunday publications to office@branchs.org by Tuesday. The deadline for the Columns is the 20th of the month. When Chesterfield County Schools are closed because of the weather, all Branch s activities for that day are cancelled. On Sundays, please watch local TV channels or listen to the radio for cancellation notices.

2 Letter From Pastor Rudd In typical Richmond style, we had rain, wind, snow and very warm days in the month of January. Wow, I wonder what February will bring our way! We are planning a trip to see a part of the Terracotta Army at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. We will see 10 of the 8000 life size terracotta figures that were discovered in China in The First Emperor on China (r B.C), had this army created to accompany him to the afterlife. Each figure is unique and represents one soldier. The exhibit includes 130 other objects from the birth of the Chinese nation. The bus plans to leave Branch s Baptist Church no later than 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. February 6 th. You will need money to buy lunch. We have two suggestions for lunch: an old favorite, Strawberry Street Café, or a new one, Savory Grains. You can vote for your choice. We have reservations at the VMFA for 1:00 p.m. for the exhibit. Each ticket costs $16.00, group rate and self-guided. There are 12 tickets left. We are asking you to buy your ticket at the time you sign up. We will write your name on a ticket, so that it becomes yours. We should arrive back at church around 3:00 p.m. The reservations are for the afternoon, because all morning times are filled with school children. ~ Dorryce Ann Rudd What do you do at Branch s? There are many ways to give, and one of the most important is to give of your time. We have many ways to serve here at Branch s. If we all gave just a small portion of our time, how much stronger would our Church and Community be? We ask that you consider an opportunity to serve on one of our many committees. Right now, we have immediate needs to fill positions on the Fellowship Committee (Greeters), Personnel Committee and the Children s Ministry. Please feel free to reach out to any of our Pastors, members of the Personnel Committee, or Dave Bodsford (call ). A small investment of your time will do wonders to help us serve the Lord and his Church. ~ Personnel Committee 2

3 Dear Church Family: In August, when I accepted this temporary position, I explained to the head of Personnel that I would continue the music ministry only as an interim on a limited basis with the understanding that they would continue their search for a permanent replacement. Because of my love for this church and the music ministry, my desire was to continue until someone else was hired. I know that this search is continuing, and even though my heart wants to continue the ministry, my physical limitations make this unattainable. As such, it grieves me to share with you that I must resign this position effective January 15, I had shared last year I could not grasp God s intentions at that time, nor did I fully comprehend my doctor s reasoning for requiring my resignation then. I had hoped to be able to see this through much longer, but time has proven to me that the stress and demands of this position require more than I am capable of giving. As you know, various health problems were incurred in December. Due to that, I feel God has revealed a more clear understanding as to why I need to step aside. My heart is willing, but my body is not. Please note I am very blessed and grateful for your continued prayers through this time. As the scriptures tell us, we are encouraged to remain steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our labor shall not be in vain. I pray that each of you will continue to support the music ministry. In His most precious and glorious name, and with much love and respect, The flower calendar for 2018 is in the Welcome Area. Reserve your special dates now! Flowers may be donated in memory of loved ones, or in thanksgiving for blessings received. Flowers are only $40 for a pair, and they are yours after the Sunday services, or you may direct that they be delivered to shut-ins. If you have vases from the church flowers and no longer need them, we would like to have them back. We need extended session workers to volunteer to help with preschool children from 10:45am until the end of our 11:00 service. You would serve once a month. Contact Sandy Eberhard at for more information. English as a Second Language The ESL Classes are full to overflowing! We need teachers, helpers, and especially childcare givers for the ESL program which began on Sept. 6th. This program has helped many people learn English and begin a brighter future. Speak to Ernie Moore if you have questions, or to volunteer. Our Wireless Computer Network is up and running. The Network name is BBCGUEST. Password is inhisname. If you have any questions, please call Kevin Spence. 3

4 Pray for the Coming of God s Kingdom in Metropolitan Richmond. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10) February 4, For a spirit of unity and cooperation among all people in all jurisdictions. Fill us with your compassion for our natural environment. We pray that all would earnestly seek the common welfare of this metropolitan area. February 11, For healthy economic development, which enhances the metropolitan community, employs the unemployed, and contributes to the common good. February 18, For an end to the divisions, prejudices, pettiness, despair, and discrimination of the past. February 25, For enhancement of our common life in Jesus Name through the Holy Spirit, and for the resurrection of metropolitan Richmond as a modern city of hope for the world. Congratulations! Congratulations to Ryan Kahl, son of Beth and Ron Kahl, on his recent graduation from Walden University. Ryan received his Masters of Science in Nursing degree, and after passing the licensing exam, he will be a certified nurse practitioner. Karen Collins WMU Tues. Feb :30am Rm. 112B Come join us as we continue our bib making project. You will need a tea towel, and double fold seam binding. Bring a bag lunch for fellowship afterwards. The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 10am to knit or crochet shawls for our members who are ill or in need of special comfort. The members also lift up in prayer the recipients of the shawls. If you are interested in joining, call Ginaree Llewellyn, or come to the next meeting on February13th in the Conference Room. Hold off Mr. Snow!" We've a place to go; it's Kincheloe Hall, Feb 22nd at 10:30am! Our entertainer: Ronnie Harris and his guitar with music and message! Let's get the word out, y'all, and fill our hall PLEASE LABEL YOUR GIFTS! This is what your Office Manager looks like when she finds bags of items dumped in the hallway. Although we appreciate your donations of food, clothing, or other items, we can t deal with them if we don t know what they are for.. Please identify all gifts as Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, Spring Give-Away, and so on. Good food and great fellowship await us! Bring a friend and a dish to pass, and by all means wear your best smile! 4

5 Sundays 9:15am Prayer Time ~ C216 9:30am Sunday School/Bible Study 10:30am Announcements & Fellowship~KH Puppet Ministry ~ C113 11:00am Worship Services in the Sanctuary (English) and in Kincheloe Hall (Spanish) Mondays 8:00am Bon Secours Care-a-Van (2nd Monday only) 9:00am Tellers Committee 7:00pm Deacons Meeting (1st Monday only) Tuesdays 9:30am Staff Meeting 10:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) 6:00pm Festival Ringers Wednesdays 9:30am ESL classes 5:30pm Wednesday Night Supper 6:15pm Prayer & Bible Study 6:30pm Spanish Prayer & Bible Study 7:00pm Activities for Children and Youth Thursdays 9:30-10:30am Food Pantry Saturdays 8:00am Bon Secours Care-a-Van (3rd Saturday only) SPECIAL EVENTS Seniors Trip to VMFA ~ Feb. 6 Bus leaves at 11:00am Karen Collins WMU ~ Tuesday, in Rm. 211B Young-at-Hearts ~ Thursday, in Kincheloe Hall Couples Dinner, A Night in Paris (English & Spanish) February 24, 6:00pm. Amos Stewart February 1 Rachael Dickerson February 2 Brian Thornton February 2 Joyce Melton February 4 William Moore February 4 Charles Kish February 8 Elizete Lopes February 8 Vicki Welch February 8 Barbara Neblett February 9 Julia Andrews February 13 Kitty Martin February 17 Edith Condrey February 18 Dorothy Creery February 18 Helen Perkins February 19 Saira Rivera Rios February 19 Ruby Whitton February 19 Shirley Nelson* February 21 Robert Zandy February 22 Shirley Massie February 23 Christine Vaden February 24 Elsie Harris February 26 * Although we continue to pray for Shirley Nelson, we have lost track of her. If anyone knows of an address where we may contact her, please call the office at Thank you! A WORD ABOUT BIRTHDAYS... If you have not seen your birthday listed in the Columns during the year, please call or the office with your date of birth. We promise not to publish your age, but the computer does not accept dates without a year. 6

6 Dear Branch s Church Family, Again, I want to thank each of you for the fantastic job you did on the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes! Many churches are collecting year round; some are doing a different item each month. We have a box outside the church office for your donations throughout the year. We will keep some empty shoeboxes, so if you want to pack your box early, that will be fine too! Here are the items we are emphasizing in the next few months: February scarves and socks March whistles, small cars, small stuffed animals, small toys April jump ropes, baby dolls, puzzles, harmonicas May soaps and washcloths (we run out of these quickly) Watch this space for the list of the month in upcoming newsletters. STAFF DIRECTORY Rev. Sam Grozdanov Senior Pastor sam. grozdanov@branchs.org Rev. Dorryce Ann Rudd Minister of Visitation & Seniors dorryceann.rudd@branchs.org Don t worry about toothbrushes. We have dentists who have been giving us those items. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE candy of any kind, toothpaste, used or damaged items, war-related items (toy guns, knives, military figures), seeds, liquids or lotions, bubbles, medications or vitamins, razors, breakable items like snow globes, or glass containers, aerosol cans. Rev. Arlene Guzman Pastor of Casa Refugio de Amor arlene@wbtk.com Thank you! Marie Hines, Chair of the Samaritan s Purse Operation Christmas Child Keith Wilmoth Organist/Pianist klw728@aol.com Amy Eberhard Director of Children s Ministries eberharda@mymail.vcu.edu Lorena Markowski Office Manager & Financial Secretary office@branchs.org Branch's Baptist Church Condensed Financial Report For Year Ending December 2017 Chris Patch Music Assistant chris.patch@branchs.org Actual Budget Account Description Regular Offering Year-to-Date 472,930 Year-to-Date 474,252 Over/ (Under) Budget YTD (1,322) Expenditures: World Programs Personnel Educational Ministries Service Ministries Building & Equipment Debt Retirement Miscellaneous Total Expenditures 34, ,729 15,056 20, ,909 8, ,857 34, ,000 18,400 21, ,400 16, ,252 (95) (34,271) (3,344) (326) 28,509 (8,469) (399) (18,395) Net Surplus/(Deficit) 17, ,073 7 Karen Collins Missionary to Taiwan kc2204@pobox.com Ernie Moore Treasurer treasurer@branchs.org Joshua Zalesky Sunday School Superintendent & Director of Outreach jazfaith1@gmail.com Maria Javier Custodian J.T. Ross Security plumbwelder5852@yahoo.com

7 BAPTIST CHURCH 3400 Broad Rock Blvd. Richmond, VA Office: Fax: website: Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00am-12:00pm (staff breaks for lunch) and 1:00-4:00pm