September, 2013 Volume 75, No. 8. Workin!

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Volume 75, No. 8 Workin! In a congregation I pastored in Southern California there was a lean, bearded brother named Dan. He was single, and lived in a mobile home on a rustic lot at the edge of town.

But his work often took him away to sites all over California and Nevada for weeks at a time. Dan was a skilled heavy equipment operator, and he went where the building was going on.

Sociologists, preachers and dinner table philosophers often comment on the way that we are defined by our work.

When we are trapped in a menial job or mired in chronic underemployment, we often put ourselves down and spill our excess misery on others.

1 Volume 75, No. 8 Workin! In a congregation I pastored in Southern California there was a lean, bearded brother named Dan. He was single, and lived in a mobile home on a rustic lot at the edge of town. Dan was an enthusiastic participant in worship and Bible study and a generous volunteer to our ministries, when he was in town. But his work often took him away to sites all over California and Nevada for weeks at a time. Dan was a skilled heavy equipment operator, and he went where the building was going on. When he was away, if you called his home you got a two word response from his answering machine: I m workin! Dan was proud of what he did, and wanted you to know he was keeping busy. Sociologists, preachers and dinner table philosophers often comment on the way that we are defined by our work. When we are fortunate enough to follow a vocation which engages our gifts and sustains our household, we are likely to be healthy, fulfilled and high in self-esteem. When we are trapped in a menial job or mired in chronic underemployment, we often put ourselves down and spill our excess misery on others. When we are unemployed, it not only threatens us with financial crisis, but also with crises of self-doubt and loss of meaning and purpose. When we retire, whether voluntarily and with great anticipation, or forced into an early and insecure retirement, we often cast about trying to replace the meaning and structure we have lost. These issues are all the more pressing in an age when many of us especially those of us in the baby boomer and subsequent generations have felt we had both a birthright and an obligation to choose our vocations and career paths. (I once asked my Dad, who came of age in the great Depression, what sort of job he had sought when he graduated from school. Anything I could get! he replied.) In these days of vanishing industrial jobs, stagnant wages and a proliferation of part time and temp work, satisfying and secure vocational paths are becoming more elusive. Structural inequality, offshoring and downsizing are endemic in our contemporary economy. We as Christians operate as both employers and employees in this Continued on page 2 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SW 12th and Taylor, Portland, Oregon

Continued from page 1 challenging economic landscape. As employers we should be advocates for fair trade, fair wages and dignity in the work place.

If our Christian character is invisible in the work place, where so much of our time and energy are expended, how real can it be?

All of us, even followers of Jesus, persist in looking at the world through self-colored lenses. Collective insight and effort are often required to effect change.

2 Continued from page 1 challenging economic landscape. As employers we should be advocates for fair trade, fair wages and dignity in the work place. (And also, if we are investors we should put our resources into enterprises that exemplify these traits.) As employees we should be trustworthy, energetic and cooperative. If our Christian character is invisible in the work place, where so much of our time and energy are expended, how real can it be? As we celebrate Labor Day this month, we also need to acknowledge that a just economy is not simply a function of good character displayed by individuals. All of us, even followers of Jesus, persist in looking at the world through self-colored lenses. Collective insight and effort are often required to effect change. Labor unions, good government and Dear FBC family, First I would like to thank you for 40+ years of very special memories. Next, I thank you for all the love and kindness shown to me at the death of my son Daniel. Third, a special thanks to the Homemakers class who surrounded me way down front on my last Sunday with you. With love, Jean Cole Page 2 visionary business enterprises all have a role to play when problems are structural. Work is fundamental to our being human. When God created this exquisite world, he put our ancestors into the Garden to till it and keep it (Genesis 2:15). Even the great skeptic who penned Ecclesiastes acknowledged that it is God s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil (Ecclesiastes 3:13). Even children know this. I ll never forget one day when Micah was a preschooler surrounded by Legos. We called him to dinner, and he answered indignantly, I m workin! Whether at home, on the job, or volunteering at church, may we find joy in our work. Dr. David L. Wheeler Attention FBC Ladies The second year of our Beth Moore Bible series, Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a reality in life based on Old Testament and New Testament scripture, will begin Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 8:30 pm. We will meet at FBC in room 209. In our first session, we will view the introductory DVD. Workbooks will be available for $ We will accept donations for a coffee fund. If you wish to participate, please bring a notebook for notes and to use as a prayer journal. Out prayer is that we will be blessed and bless others as we study God s word. If you are interested, please contact Mary Olson ( ), Karen Brophy ( ) or Trudi Bils ( ). Mary Olson All Church Picnic: Thank You! The day was beautiful with a perfect temperature and cool breezes circling through Oaks Park. The atmosphere was filled with warm smiles, laughter, and rich fellowship. We enjoyed a truly all-church picnic as a hundred and thirty or more attended, including adults, youth, children, entire families and our Cambodian congregation. Joining us were our Drop-In volunteers, friends, and relatives. We enjoyed good food, stimulating conversation, and a fun raffle. God blessed us with the joys of friendship and fellowship as we shared together. MANY folks contributed to the success of the picnic. We owe a BIG THANK YOU to those giving special efforts to make this possible: Vern, Darcia, Barbara, Wayne, Dan, Jason, Keith, Marla, Dante, Pastor Rick, the youth group, Paul, Jendy, Peter, Maddie, Mike, and Bill. God bless all who gave their time, ideas, and prayer for this event. Please extend your thanks with a firm handshake and/or hug to your fellow workers and friends. Write on your calendar August 31, 2014, for next year s All-Church picnic. See you there! Blessings, Mary

Cambodian Congregational News There will be no potluck in September, but there will be a joint dinner with our chef Mary Olson on Sunday, October 6, and we will prepare plenty of egg rolls.

Rom Neang expresses her sincere thanks to everyone who attended her husband s memorial service on Saturday, August 18, including long term-members of the Cambodian ministry and Denny Bishop for

On Saturday, July 27, our church leaders were privileged to join the dedication of Cambodian Evangelical Church of Tacoma with a great celebration, along with fellowship with the Khmer churches of

Despite heavy rain on that day, 283 children attended. We had to move the whole group of kids to the village church, called Srak Keo Church.

3 Cambodian Congregational News There will be no potluck in September, but there will be a joint dinner with our chef Mary Olson on Sunday, October 6, and we will prepare plenty of egg rolls. Please plan to join this All Church Fellowship Dinner, including and FBC youth mission trip report. Mrs. Rom Neang expresses her sincere thanks to everyone who attended her husband s memorial service on Saturday, August 18, including long term-members of the Cambodian ministry and Denny Bishop for playing piano for that service as well. On Saturday, July 27, our church leaders were privileged to join the dedication of Cambodian Evangelical Church of Tacoma with a great celebration, along with fellowship with the Khmer churches of the Pacific Northwest. Cambodian Children Ministry On Wednesday, August 14, there was a big evangelism program for the children and youth at the center. Despite heavy rain on that day, 283 children attended. We had to move the whole group of kids to the village church, called Srak Keo Church. The programs were successfully joined by youth leaders from the main province as well. On August 15, there was another big event with less than 200 kids, where we gathered for fellowship, spiritual growth and sport activities in the village close by our property. Please continue to pray for the amount of $30,000 needed to build classrooms in Children Center for daily English lessons, bible studies, general education, worship services and other community activities. This center is intended to foster the spiritual growth of children and parents with the churches in the communities around us. It is a great blessing for us to reach more souls for His Kingdom. If you would like to give toward this building fund, please give to First Baptist Church, mentioning CCM on the memo line of your check. May God bless you all! Pastor Peter Im Page 3

4 YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS BACK< to school? what happened to summer? Every year summer is filled to the brim with youth activities and every year just as I take a breath and try to enjoy a moment it hits me: Summer is almost over and fall is right around the corner. Then my days suddenly become full of planning and prepping and dreaming. In Youth and Children s ministry fall is by far the most important time of the year. Everyone I minister to is on a school calendar and school marks the passing of time and moves them from one goal to another. Every new school year is filled with the anticipation of amazing potential and the fear of the unknown. Students both love and hate the term Back to School. As a child Back to School for me was an exhilarating time of making new friends, learning new things and stepping up to new challenges. Now that I am an adult and my professional career is tied to the school year it is still a time of stepping up to new challenges but it is also about seizing opportunities and leveraging them to either build into the life of the child or properly prepare the ministry for potential growth. The Youth and Children s ministry at FBC Portland is facing some interesting challenges this year of both growth and decline. We have seen Page 4 growth in the Nursery. When I started over two years ago it was common to not have any babies or toddlers for at least one of the hours of service. Now we have at least one child and often 3 or 4 every week. This is a healthy trend. And Araceli and the nursery staff are doing a fantastic job loving the kids and keeping them safe. We are also experiencing growth in Youth Worship. Last year the largest attendance was 30 students. 30 students with a full band in the Youth Room is something amazing but also very crowded. Although we graduated 3 students from High School this year, I suspect all three will be involved in the Youth worship in one way or another. We have also welcomed about 4-7 students who were promoted from the 5th grade in to Middle School and several of them are joining us for Youth Worship. Also This summer our High School students have really caught the vision for reaching their friends and they want very much to bring them to Youth Worship. We have the potential to see our average of about 21 become more like 25 or event 30. With that in mind I am currently looking into moving Youth Worship into a bigger space in the church. I am not sure where yet but hope to have the answer soon. Yet the biggest challenge I believe is in the area of Children s Sunday School and Children s Worship. I project that Sunday School attendance

The CE Committee is adamant this year that we need to have two leaders (one of whom is an adult and the other can be a teen) in every classroom.

5 (if the trend continues from last year) will be about 7 Students, most of whom are Grade 2 and under. In the past we have had 4 classes for this age group with one adult and (with the exception of last years 5th graders who have moved up) 1 or two students. The CE Committee is adamant this year that we need to have two leaders (one of whom is an adult and the other can be a teen) in every classroom. Because we want safe classrooms and we want the children to get a richer Sunday School experience we are changing the Class Structure. This year non-readers and early readers will be together in one class (Preschool-1st grade) and Readers will be in another class (2nd- 5th Grade. Each class will have two leaders and we hope more than one student each week. Meanwhile we have had completely different challenges in Children s Worship. Last year we often had 14 kids from age 3-11 and only two adults. My hat is off to Bev Simmons and Deb White for taking leadership in Children s Worship. This year we need to support them with more help. We want to add a music time to the morning so we hope to have someone help lead songs. We want to be able to divide the kids into at least two different age categories for a better learning environment so we need a couple people to step up as small group leaders. We also could use help with crafts, games, and snacks. I am asking all parents to volunteer to come and help at least one Sunday a month but we also need more help. I would like to ask everyone reading this article to consider helping in some way either every week, once a month or once a quarter. So with all the changes ahead I am looking forward to this Back to School season. Will you join me in praying for all of our young people as we forge ahead. JOIN US FOR THE OCT. 6 TH REVIEW Many hands helped us send students to Mission: Chinatown and Camp Arrah Wanna both of which were a huge success. In the past we have asked donors to join us for a Dessert honoring them. This year we want to try something different. We are hijacking the regularly scheduled Cambodian Potluck on October 6th so that we can thank you and give you a full report of the trip this year. The lunch is open to everyone but donors will be our special guests. More details to follow in the opportunities page and in your mailbox. Page 5

6 SEPTEMBER 2013 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY FBC offices closed Wednesday Night Dinner and Bible Study resumes Organist Search committee meeting 7:00 pm LABOR DAY Worship Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Mission Committee 4:30 pm Downtown Fellowship trip to Bull Run CE Committee Meeting 6:30 pm Fellowship Dinner following the 11:00 service Trumpeter Deadline Diaconte Meeting 6:30 pm Next Trumpeter Mailing Page 6

7 SERMON SCHEDULE September 1 Workin Ecclesiastes 3: 9 14 Matthew 20: 1 16 Communion Sunday September 8 Counting the Cost Jeremiah 18: 1 11 Luke 14: September 15 Lost and Found Psalm 51: 6 14 Luke 15: 1 10 September 22 The Mediator Psalm Timothy 2: 1 7 September 29 Getting Bigger, Not Bitter 2 Corinthian 12: 6 10 Dr. Leo S. Thorne preaching Associate General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA Member Birthdays Louise Freeze... 9/1 Bunchan Chan... 9/1 Lauralee Ware... 9/1 Mari Hester... 9/2 Al Hodgin... 9/3 Bunly Lay... 9/4 Dan Velasquez... 9/4 Esther Winn... 9/4 Pisey Sok... 9/5 Sreyhiek Seng... 9/5 Sreyroat Seng... 9/5 Sorn Theang... 9/5 Wendy Berglund... 9/7 Sopheap Khim... 9/8 Karin Irwin... 9/8 Hieng Lam... 9/9 Arne Anderson... 9/10 Kimseng Ty... 9/10 Bruce Borquist... 9/11 Jason Falone... 9/12 Araceli Martinez... 9/14 Douglas Sanchez... 9/14 Trinity Myers... 9/14 Diane Platt... 9/15 Merica Fooks... 9/15 Bill DeShawn... 9/16 Manny Perez... 9/16 Jim Townley... 9/16 Sharon Ellis... 9/18 Maria DeShawn... 9/19 Peter Im... 9/20 Regina Callahan... 9/21 Katie M Reed... 9/21 Lee Potampa... 9/22 Vanna Tan... 9/22 Maxine Eggers... 9/23 Nick Gherasim... 9/23 Sophy Puth... 9/24 Lois Chartier... 9/25 Elizabeth Harnish... 9/25 Forrest Wyler... 9/25 Connie Shearer... 9/26 Michele Lee... 9/26 Jim Watson... 9/27 Nancy Ponce... 9/28 Alan Martin... 9/30 SUNDAY 9:00 Contemporary Service 10:00 Sunday School for all ages 11:00 Worship Service, Sanctuary Cambodian language, Rose Chapel Children s Church for ages 3 through 2nd Grade, follows the Time for Children at 11:00 6:00 & 8:00 pm: Solid Rock Weekly Schedule and Activities MONDAY SATURDAY 6:00 8:30 am: Eye Opener (AA meeting) MONDAY & THURSDAY 2:00 4:00 pm: Drop-In Center TUESDAY 10:00 11:00 am: library open (note: 2nd and 4th Tuesday only) 5:30 pm: Dinner And A Movie WEDNESDAY 5:45 pm: Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 pm: Kids Choir (K 8) 6:30 pm: Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm: High School Bible Study 7:35 pm: Choir Rehearsal FRIDAY Office closed 6:00 pm: FOCUS SATURDAY 8:30 10:30 am: Cambodian Men s Fellowship Bible Study Page 7

8 (USPS ) is published monthly at First Baptist Church, Portland OR Periodicals postage paid at Portland, Oregon. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Trumpeter 909 SW 11th Avenue Portland, OR (USPS ) is published monthly Find us on the worldwide web: and cambodianministries.org The next Trumpeter deadline is September 16, Please send articles to Dr. David L. Wheeler Senior Pastor Ed Stelle Senior Adult Ministries Peter Im Cambodian Ministries Rick Francis Interim Minister of C.E. and Discipleship Travis Hatton Music Director Keith Ponce Facilities and Events Manager Cathy Francis Business Administrator SEPTEMBER CONFERENCES 2013 Men s Ministries Fall Conference September 13 14, Camp Arrah Wanna 2013 American Baptist Woman s Retreat September 13 16, Medford, Oregon get more information at the welcome center

First Baptist Church in the 21 st Century

Volume 74, No. 8 First Baptist Church in the 21 st Century Our congregation has a wonderful history. All we have to do to remember this is to set foot in our gorgeous 1894 sanctuary. For generations FBC