A Note from Your Pastor ~

Transcription

1 March 2017

2 A Note from Your Pastor ~ It is amazing how many different reactions and comments have been made since February 5 th. Once we started out, everything moved incredibly quickly. I started to wonder what I would need to communicate in my first newsletter article. Thoughts of what I believe, or some deep spiritual comments about the meaning of Lent and walking together towards surrender to the cross, or laying out some thoughts for where we will head as a church in the coming months. All of these would have made a great first article as the new pastor. I settled on what you will need to know in order for us to work well together. I truly want to know when you are in need. If you are in the hospital, anticipating surgery, facing a loss, please call me! While God is aware of all needs, and I often commune with God, sometimes I am not aware of what is happening because God doesn t pass it on to me. If you know of someone in need, please let me know. I would much rather hear from several people instead of not hearing at all. I work really well by appointment. If you would like to have a visit, or want to talk, please let me know, we will set a time. Elaine has access to my calendar and can add appointments to it for me. People in the church are not interruptions to my business, you are my business and ministry! I try to respond to s and texts as well as phone messages as soon as possible. If you send me something, and I have not responded within twenty four hours, please try again - sometimes important messages get buried in a long list of other messages and contacts. Our home answering machine is also known to occasionally garble messages. I do not answer my phone when I am speaking with someone in person, and I may wait to respond to an for a time when I am on my computer verses my phone, especially for responses that need to be more lengthy responses. We will be partnering in ministry together. Christ has called us to reach our community together. My ministry call is to Equip the saints (that s you!) for works of service so the whole body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:12. I am excited, and looking forward to growing together with you in ministry. John

3 In the Church Family PRAYER REQUESTS The Ware & Hitchcock families: Ruth Ware s sister, Margaret Hitchcock, passed away February 14 th. The Corona & Fernandez families: Ana s brother, Maximo Fernandez, passed away February 14 th. Dottie Ammann Dick Barber Gini Wharton Tom Biviano Megan Miller Andy Arthur The Beams family Carrie Franklin Mary Schwarz Shirley Mapstone Art Mapstone Selena Short Debbie Foringer Loretta Beuchert Cecile White Jessie Mapstone Erm Ferris Ron Radell Kathy Clements Nan Berrian Kelly Griffin s sister, brother-in-law & children Rosanne Leone Luz Maria ~ ~ ~ Please call or praises or prayer requests to: fbcman@twcny.rr.com by Wednesday morning with praises or prayer requests. ~ ~ ~ The ACTS Team of Prayer Jo Ann Mostar and others will be meeting in the Library to pray. We will be praying for needs expressed in our bulletin each Sunday as well as other needs brought to our attention. Please call Jo Ann with prayer requests. We meet on Mondays, 1:00 p.m. in the Church Library. Come and join us when you can. For any further information, please contact Jo Ann. March Birthdays Birthstone Aquamarine or Bloodstone Flower - Jonquil 3. Barbara Foringer Sean Keesler Sally Lyon Ron Radell 7. Jason Greene 11. Grace Binder 13. Dianna Cook-Lacey 15. Megan Miller 19. Laurel Faucett 21. Darlene Endy 22. Amanda Shevchuk 23. Ashley Morningstar 28. Brian McCartney Christopher Oley 29. Emily Burt Judy Mantle March Anniversaries 18. Michelle & Steve Hotchkiss 24. Judy & Dean Morningstar You are special to us, and we want to remember your special dates. If you have any additions to our list, please contact the Church office at or fbcman@twcny.rr.com. Unity Fellowship The meeting in March for Unity Fellowship will be Saturday, March 25 th, 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel. The program will be our Annual Game Night. We will have some games led by Ruth Ware, Dianna Cook-Lacey, and Dick Barber. At 12:30 p.m., we will have a dish-to-pass meal. Please bring a casserole or salad to share and your plate, silverware and cup. We will furnish the dessert and beverage. Come and join us for some good fellowship, some good food, and some fun games! April Newsletter Articles All articles for the April newsletter are due Wednesday, March 15 th. Please all articles to: fbcman@twcny.rr.com or place in the secretary s mail slot. Thank you

4 To grow in Christ Look here DISCIPLESHIP What are my options? SUNDAY SCHOOL for all ages ~ 9:45 10:45 a.m. Children K-5 with Kim Granata in room #205 Learning the Bible Stories Youth with Kelly Griffin in room #204 How s This Play Out? Adults with Jill Doss in room #207 Let Us Pray Adults in the Library with Jim Mitscher All the Women of the Bible will be the study which began January 8 th and will continue for 6 weeks. Adults with Barbara Brace: Last Sunday This Morning You are invited to actively discuss Pastor John s sermon from the previous week. You can come and join the learning as we share insights and questions. We are meeting in the Chapel. Coffee and goodies will be provided Everyone is welcome! Lenten Bible Studies Thursday Night Study Thursday's during Lent there will be a Bible Study led by Rev. Buskey. We will be looking at the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. We will start at 6:15 p.m. with soup & sandwich. The Bible study will begin at 7:00 p.m. March 2nd, 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6th. All are invited to come and enjoy this time of fellowship & study in the Chapel. American Baptist Women s Lenten Bible Series ABW will again be having a Lenten Series on Monday s, April 3 rd and 10th, 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Cindy Mapstone leading in the Library. A soup lunch will be provided in the Chapel after the study. All are invited to come. If you have any questions, contact Barb Foringer.

5 March 2017 The America for Christ Offering (AFC) is our annual opportunity to support the work of our American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS). Since 1824, ABHMS has been declaring the good news of our Lord in word and deed. Today, ABHMS remains rooted in cultivating leaders and disciples who impact the continually changing society in the United States and Puerto Rico with the Gospel that heals and transforms. 29% of the AFC offering funds support regional ministries such as our own ABC/NYS regional office. 59% supports national ministries of ABHMS such as the Neighborhood Action Program Christian centers and leadership development programs. The theme for the AFC offering 2017 is Cultivating Leaders, Equipping Disciples, Healing Communities with the supporting scripture of Luke 4:18-19 ~ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. (NRSV) March is our designated collection month for the America for Christ Offering. Please prayerfully consider your contribution to help us reach our goal of $800 for this important annual offering. Special AFC envelopes are available in the pews and the narthex. Offerings may be left in the church collection plates on Sunday mornings or mailed to the church office. Please make your check payable to First Baptist Church of Manlius with America for Christ Offering in the memo line. Thank you so much for your generosity. First Baptist Church of Manlius 408 Pleasant Street Manlius, NY (315)

6 CHURCH WORK DAY Saturday, April 8th, 8-noon Come one, come all to our Church Work Day ~ no experience necessary Come for Fellowship, Fun, and a great chance to serve Our Lord and our Church. Something for everyone to do Donuts, coffee etc. provided. If you have any suggestions as to areas needing work, please call the Church office at or see Jo Ann Mostar. Looking forward to seeing you there! Love and Blessings, Jo Ann Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 12!! EASTER FLOWERS 2017!! We are now taking orders!! The tulips, mums, daffodils, and lilies are available in a variety of spring colors as selected by the greenhouse. The flowers will be displayed in the Sanctuary for Easter Sunday, April 16th and will be available to take home after the Easter worship service. Please see Jean Lynn Buskey at that time to retrieve your selection. Flowers may also be left at the church for decorating the sanctuary after Easter. Please check below if you would like to take home or donate your plant. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Lynn Buskey. Please fill out the form below and place it and the money (checks made out to First Baptist Church of Manlius) in an envelope clearly marked Easter Flowers in the offering plate or send it to the Church office no later than Sunday, March 19th. Name: Order: 6 Bulb Tulips $ Pot of Mums $ ½ Daffodils $ bulb Lily $7.25 Total Amount Enclosed: Print the following in the Easter Bulletin: Joyous Easter from: In Memory of: In Honor of: Other: I will leave my plant in Church to donate: I will take my plant home following worship:

7 First Baptist Church of Manlius 408 Pleasant Street Manlius, NY Rev. Dr. John R. Buskey, Pastor Church Office: (315) Website: Church Pastor John s pastor@firstbaptist-manlius.org Bookkeeper: (315) Bookkeeper s fbcbookkeeper@twcny.rr.com King s Kids Christian Child Care: (315) King s Kids Director.Kingskids@gmail.com Playschool Preschool: (315) Playschool s playschool408@yahoo.com Mission Statement 2017 Inviting People to New Life In celebration of the good news shown to us in Jesus Christ, we will invite others to unite with us as part of the family of God, sharing the Gospel through Worship, Education, Encouragement of one another and the Support of Mission As we serve Manlius and our surrounding communities.

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