Sermon Schedule. Weekly Events. Youth Room Renovation Update. September 4. September September 18. September 25

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Sermon Schedule. Weekly Events. Youth Room Renovation Update. September 4. September September 18. September 25"

Milo Watson
6 years ago
Views:

me. Matthew 25: 35 36 In 2009 I met a young pastor named Milan Homola and heard his inspiring testimony.

1 Volume 78, No. 8 The Trumpeter A Publication of First Baptist Church Portland, Oregon Compassion dow ntown I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. Matthew 25: In 2009 I met a young pastor named Milan Homola and heard his inspiring testimony. Milan was associate pastor at Clear Creek Community Church in Gresham, and he and his senior colleague Pastor Gary Tribbett had field tested a community-based model for providing vital services to vulnerable people in the name of Jesus. The first Compassion Clinic was carried out by a coalition of local church leaders and volunteers in the Rockwood neighborhood of Portland in 2006, and from this has sprung a movement called Compassion Connect, which carriers out as many as twenty free clinics a year in greater Portland, and other events in Idaho, Arizona and Africa. When I heard Milan s story I said to myself, Why can t we do that downtown? We know that access to medical, dental and visual services, and the means to pay for them, is a vexing and controverted issue in our nation, notwithstanding our vast resources. I was also well aware as I began to dream and ponder seven years ago, that an annual, one-off event with free services would only put a tiny dent in the need. But if local churches could come together in the name of Jesus to welcome and serve our neighbors, to direct them to ongoing opportunities for care, and to create relationships with our neighbors and among the churches that would transcend the event, this would be a beautiful thing. We assembled a team and made plans for the first Downtown Compassion to be held in the autumn of Melissa Nelson, an administrator in the Providence Health Care system, who had worshiped at FBC as a youth, came on board as a super efficient organizer. Rev. Ed Kelly, of Crossroads Community Church, a practical, hands-on problem solver, with previous experience in the Compassion movement, was and continues to be indispensable for this work, along with several members of his family. We negotiated with the administration of Portland State University to hold the first clinic at the Stott Center, PSU s athletic complex. From the main floor lobby and gym, to locker rooms, weight rooms and meeting spaces, we laid out a complete medical, dental, visual and social services event in the building. And then, just a few weeks before the event, the University pulled the plug! Doctors, dentists and Continued on page 6

2 Sermon Schedule September 4 8:45 Seriously Following Jesus Luke 14: Dr. David L. Wheeler preaching 11:00 Wings Like Eagles Isaiah 40: Rev. Ed Stelle preaching Communion Sunday September 11 Lost! Psalm 139: ; Luke 15: 1 10 September 18 Two Masters? 1 Timothy 2: 1 7 ; Luke 16: 1 13 September 25 The Talking Dead Psalm 91: ; Luke 16: Rev. Chris Shade preaching The Trumpeter (USPS ) is published eleven times a year (February December). Find us on the web: and Dr. David L. Wheeler Senior Pastor Ed Stelle Associate Pastor Peter Im Cambodian Ministries Chris Shade Associate Pastor Travis Hatton Music Director Keith Ponce Facilities and Events Manager Cathy Francis Business Administrator Jason Chastain Assistant Business Administrator Rebecca Christensen, Jonathan Storch Reception The next Trumpeter deadline is September 19, Please send articles to jchastain@fbc-portland.org SUNDAY 8:45 Contemporary Service 10:00 Sunday School for all ages 11:00, Sanctuary Cambodian language, Rose Chapel Children s Church for ages 3 through 2nd Grade 5:00 & 7:00 pm: A Jesus Church: MONDAY SATURDAY 6:00 8:00 am: Eye Opener (AA meeting) MONDAY & THURSDAY 2:00 4:00 pm: Drop-In Center TUESDAY : Dinner And A Movie WEDNESDAY 5:45 pm: Wednesday Night Dinner 6:30 pm: Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm: High School Bible Study FRIDAY Office closed 6:00 pm: FOCUS Weekly Events SATURDAY 8:30 10:30 am: Cambodian Men s Fellowship Bible Study Youth Room Renovation Update We made our goal!!! Thanks to all who contributed. We cannot wait to get started on the renovations. Page 2

This summer has been an interesting and exciting time for the youth group

In July some of the youth and I spend a week at Camp Arrah Wanna.

getting to know the flow of camp better.

admirers. In August we planned out a Home Mission Week.

cleaned up a wilderness refuge, and made and delivered cards and cookies

It is important for the youth to know they do not have to travel far to

3 This summer has been an interesting and exciting time for the youth group and myself. In July some of the youth and I spend a week at Camp Arrah Wanna. Brian, Renee, and I had a great time hiking, playing camp games, and getting to know the flow of camp better. By the end of the week, we felt like regulars, and Brian had quite a few admirers. In August we planned out a Home Mission Week. We helped at Drop-in Youth Ministry News (the weekly meal service), cleaned up a wilderness refuge, and made and delivered cards and cookies to folks who cannot get out. It is important for the youth to know they do not have to travel far to make a difference and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. A rewarding time was had by all. I cannot believe summer is almost over! It was a fun and exciting time, but I look forward to getting back into the rhythm of fall. Rev. Chris Shade Page 3

Our 12th annual camping weekend at Ft. Stevens campground was another successful one in mid July.

4 Cambodian Congregational News The 12th Annual Ft. Stevens Camping Trip God is faithful to be with us and bless our families and ministries as we strive to obey him and serve him faithfully, within this community and beyond. Our 12th annual camping weekend at Ft. Stevens campground was another successful one in mid July. 105 people came, not only from First Baptist Church, but also from churches in Tacoma, Seattle, Eugene and Springfield, coordinated by the leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Khem. Our theme was Being the Salt and the Light. We studied and discussed that theme throughout the whole camping period. We are grateful for the Lord, even the rainy weather didn t damped the joy of studying Page 4 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. Psalm 89:5 His words and the great fellowship we shared. The spirit of God inspired us to pray for this kind of spiritual revival. We are working on securing a new campground next year if the Lord is willing, otherwise we will continue to have this great fellowship again at the same place. A few more leaders stepped up to join the team leader to organize for next year s camping weekend, around the first of August. Once again, we thank everyone for joining us, including all the food preparation teams and Pastor Chris who helped lead children and youth programs as well. Our Cambodian ministry again joined the annual picnic of Khmer Sunday service in the Rose Chapel Christians of the Pacific Northwest in Olympia, WA, on Saturday, August 6. Around 175 people gathered from churches in Canada, Washington and Oregon. This year we sang many songs and heard an encouraging message to spiritually strengthen the participants. Our daughter Sarah Im married Mitchell Grace in the late afternoon Saturday, August 20, at Rossi Farms, officiated by me with a big crowd of our immediate relatives and friends here locally and out of town and honored guests from our church, both American and Cambodian. The weather was hot as expected but the joyous and blessed celebration were felt. This was the first wedding for the Im family that was organized by Sarah and her wedding team members, longtime friends from her childhood. Andrew Im performed a string duet along with his friend Bethany Serrianni. For us, we are honored to have the presence of our long time Cambodian church members from out of the States. We sincerely thank everyone who couldn t make it but sent their wedding gifts along with blessed messages. Once again, our

Khmer Christian of the Pacific Northwest Annual Picnic family expresses our thanks to all of you and deeply appreciate your love and support toward our family for Sarah and Mitchell s wedding.

On Sunday after the wedding day, I thank my brother-in-law Manh Meak for his preaching to our Cambodian ministry. It was a great message and gave spiritual strength to me as well.

5 Khmer Christian of the Pacific Northwest Annual Picnic family expresses our thanks to all of you and deeply appreciate your love and support toward our family for Sarah and Mitchell s wedding. We regretfully apologize that we couldn t invite everyone to this special occasion due to limited seating. On Sunday after the wedding day, I thank my brother-in-law Manh Meak for his preaching to our Cambodian ministry. It was a great message and gave spiritual strength to me as well. There is no Cambodian monthly potluck in September but please plan to join an All Church Dinner on Sunday, September 18. There will be a prayer for the Cambodian mission trip as a program after the fellowship dinner prepared by our chef Mary Olson. Please keep our Cambodian Children Ministry in prayer as they prepare to host our October mission trip team. The team will be working there by your prayers. At the same time, please continue to pray for health and financial support for our team members and for project expenses as well. To God Be the Glory! Pastor Peter Im Im/Grace Wedding Page 5

Bunchan Chan... 9/1 Louise Freeze... 9/1 Lauralee Ware... 9/1 Mari Hester...9/2 Richard Suppah...9/2 Al Hodgin...9/3 Bunly Lay...9/4 Esther Winn...9/4 Sreyroat Seng...9/5 Sreyhiek Seng...9/5 Pisey Sok.

6 Bunchan Chan... 9/1 Louise Freeze... 9/1 Lauralee Ware... 9/1 Mari Hester...9/2 Richard Suppah...9/2 Al Hodgin...9/3 Bunly Lay...9/4 Esther Winn...9/4 Sreyroat Seng...9/5 Sreyhiek Seng...9/5 Pisey Sok...9/5 Sorn Theang...9/5 Marc Bowerman...9/6 John Little...9/6 Maxene Morris...9/6 Wendy Berglund...9/7 James Pickard...9/7 Karin Irwin...9/8 BIRTHDAYS Sopheap Khim...9/8 Karen Knauerhase...9/9 Hieng Lam...9/9 Kimseng Ty...9/10 Bruce Borquist...9/11 Guy Allen Falone...9/12 Araceli Martinez... 9/14 Trinity Myers... 9/14 Douglas Sanchez... 9/14 Merica Fooks... 9/15 Diane Platt... 9/15 Bill DeShawn... 9/16 Manny Perez... 9/16 Jim Townley... 9/16 Sharon Ellis... 9/18 Kiriros Rath... 9/18 Maria DeShawn... 9/19 Peter Im...9/20 Regina Callahan... 9/21 Katie 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 Forrest Wyler...9/25 Michele Lee...9/26 Jose Martinez...9/26 Connie Shearer...9/26 Hilda Perez... 9/27 Jim Watson... 9/27 Allison Williams...9/29 Alan Martin...9/30 Continued from page 1 optometrists had volunteered their services and people had arranged their vacations around the date. What to do? In stepped Kevin Palau, son of the famed evangelist and networker extraordinaire. He knew someone in the administration of the Portland Memorial Coliseum, and our date happily slipped in between the Ringling Brothers and the Globetrotters, and so the first Downtown Compassion was held on September 18, 2010, with over a thousand volunteers and guests. Fast forward to The expense of renting the Coliseum even at a reduced rate and insuring the event are a major burden. With no more free fare zone, the site is not so accessible for our target population in downtown and Old Town. And though it is still a big event, better access to care for many of our neighbors has meant that we are swallowed up in the huge bowels of Page 6 the Coliseum. So how about a radical idea: turn First Baptist Church into a medical/dental/chiropractic, eye care/ foot care site, complete with a social service fair, a free clothing boutique and a hot lunch for guests and volunteers. And that s what we did. We used every nook and cranny of our physical plant save the sanctuary. The social room was a medical clinic, the activity center a dental clinic, the choir room an eye clinic, the lady s lounge the clothing boutique and Fellowship Hall the social services fair. Fifteen FBC volunteers joined the team alongside volunteers from a number of local churches including, City Bible, First United Methodist, Grace Bible an unusual coalition of evangelical and mainline churches. Compassion 2016 will take place here at First Baptist Church on Saturday, October 8. You can review volunteer opportunities at downtowncompassion.org and learn about the history and guiding philosophy of the Compassion movement at www. compassionconnect.com. And though the services are offered on a volunteer basis, there are certain unavoidable cash outlays: food, insurance, equipment. You can donate to Downtown Compassion through a dedicated gift to First Baptist Church. And most of all, you can pray for this loving outreach to our neighbors, which Rev. Ed Kelly calls Jesus with skin on. Dr. David L. Wheeler

7 28 SEPTEMBER 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 9:00 am 10:00 am Sunday School :00 am LABOR DAY 11 8:45 am 10:00 am Sunday School 12:30 pm Olson Memorial Service :45 pm Dinner and Bible study :30 am Men s Breakfast 18 8:45 am 10:00 am Sunday School 12:30 pm Fellowship Dinner 19 Trumpeter content due 20 7:00 pm Diaconate Meeting 21 5:45 pm Dinner and Bible study :45 am 10:00 am Sunday School :45 pm Dinner and Bible study Trumpeter mailing Dates and times are subject to change. Please contact the FBC office to verify.

8 Periodicals Postage Paid at Portland, OR (USPS ) is published eleven times a year (February December), 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 MEN S BREAKFAST at FBC Mr. Wells helped build the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, assisted on various lunar and Mars missions, and spent 50 years at 8:00 am, for the return of the as a thespian. Please join us on September 17, 2016, Men s Breakfast at First Baptist Church. Special Guest: Alan Wells

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