P A G E 1 Baptist By-Line N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6 F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H O F H A N S O N 2 1 4 M A I N S T R E E T H A N S O N, M A 0 2 3 4 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Pastor s Letter 1 Helping Hands Financial Secretary & Treasurer s Reports 2 Up-coming Events at First Baptist Church Hanson 3 Executive Council October Meetings Minutes Mission Matters, Plus Poem by a Veteran Birthdays Calendar Contact Information Food Pantry Kid Zone Fun Side 4 6 7 8 Message from Rev. John Marr Dear Christian Friends, The wisest person who ever lived in all the world once wrote these legendary and immortal words. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days, you'll find it again!" (Ecclesiastes 11:1) When I first began studying this verse, I came to the foregone conclusion that it didn't seem to make much logical sense. If you throw seeds on the water, they will float back to the shore; if the current flows in the right direction. But if you throw bread on the water, it will get soggy, saturated, and eventually dissolve. And if it does come back to you, I don't think that any of us would really care to eat it. The text doesn't make much sense until you put it in its historical context, and astutely understand that the phrase was originally spoken in a culture, and society setting where fish provided the basis for economic survival. If you throw bread on the water, the bread itself will not be edible; but it will attract the fish to the surface of the water so that you can net them. Years ago, my Aunt Florence and Uncle Richard bought a 2-Acre parcel of ground in the country near Ithaca, NY. The previous owner had made and developed several fishponds. So my aunt and uncle put water into the ponds and purchased a bunch of 2-inch long little Koi fish. Since that time they have multiplied to number more than 200 Koi fish. Now if you know about fish, you know that Koi fish are beautiful, speckled Japanese carp and come in more than 47 colors and varieties. They are usually tame and domesticated; they will eat right out of your hand. I can caress them on the back, and most of the time they really like it! Now, if I don't see them lurking behind the lily pads, all I have to do is throw a piece of bread on the water, and they will surface from out of the deep, to congregate near the surface of the water. I definitely think that is what the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastics had in mind when he wrote this passage of scripture under divine inspiration. If you are hungry, take your bread and throw it into the water. You'll lose your bread, but you'll come back with a meal for the whole entire family. Just like a crust of bread, a God-given idea can attract enormous resources that come from far corners, out of the darkness. When you give generously to God and His kingdom's ministry, then your gift will be returned to you, and it will be multiplied. Focus on the compelling words of this Bible verse today: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again!" (Ecclesiastes 11:1) Then watch and see how God works in amazing ways. This is a marvelous story and an engaging illustration. As we cast our brand or sow our seed, God will multiply it and, in due time, return a double portion back to you! It returns as an abundant resource or provision. God is a faithful God. God will keep His promise, for sure! One day, when you are up and Heaven, someone will come up to you and profusely thank you for the glorious way that you touched his life with hope, encouragement, and your financial support of the church! The person's words may take you by surprise. Soon another person will seek you out, and then another, and another! As you attentively listen to each one's story, you will begin to discover all the ways that God used your life, when you were completely unaware of it! You will find that it was not only through the major things that you did, but also through the small things - through a spoken word that was full of praise and uplift, a spontaneous act of kindness, a loving and accepting attitude, or a simple prayer of concern. To your joy and to your credit, you will discover that in all of those ways and more, God used you to deposit an external measure of His love in many needy hearts. Please prayerfully and reflectively consider increasing your financial pledge to the church for the new year approaching and to be faithful stewards for the kingdom of Heaven. God bless you for your faithfulness and commitment. Cordially, Rev. John Marr
P A G E 2 Ladies, if you want to spend a morning having a good time and joyful fellowship, then join us each Tuesday at (Year-round)! October 2016 We are definitely in the throes of fall. Rain, Indian Summer and the beautiful colors of the leaves. In September we went to I Hop for breakfast. Special guests were Sue and Bill Burge. Breakfast was good. A garden party at Betsy and Silvia's home was next on our agenda. A beautiful day for touring the garden and having goodies out doors. Of course at any garden party hats are a must! A talk and slide show about White Cross and the different countries where our missionaries are and how our money is spent was given by Chris. A day of brain teasers hosted by Nancy was enjoyed by all. In October we started out going to lunch at Lorenzo's in Middleboro. The restaurant set up a nice area of tables for the 18 of us so we could see and still talk to each other. Next meeting we enjoyed talking about past Helping Hands Halloween parties and pictures to prove some of the good costumes. We talked about the good old days of making your own costumes and dunking for apples and donuts on a string. Business meeting and luncheon followed with bring your own lunch. Coffee and punch was provided by our hostess. The quarterly Love Offering was due. We are still collecting items for the Scituate Animal Shelter.; Boxes of books that have been donated for our Kentucky mission have been sent out. Frank set up the movie "Miracles From Heaven" for us to see. A story about a young girl with a fatal illness only to recover from her condition after falling out of a tree and a visit to heaven. Thanks for all the box tops and cans and bottles for the Kentucky mission. Have sent out 250 box tops to the school. The holidays will soon be upon us. Our service project for November is to provide tea breads to the food pantry for their holiday food baskets they distribute. Can't wait to eat my stuffing! YUM! Our functions and purposes are service and outreach, self-development (sharing & learning) and fellowship (overcoming aloneness). We invite all ladies of the church and their friends to join us anytime. November Planned Activities: Nov 1st - 10:00 AM talk with Liisa Budge Johnson Nov 8th - 10:00 AM Meet at Wingate. Nov 15th - 10:00 AM Business Meeting & Bday. Decorative Lunch box Auction. Nov 22nd - No meeting - Happy Thanksgiving Nov 29th - Trip to Enchanted Village at Jordares in Avon. Meet at 9:30AM to carpool *Food Pantry tea breads due Nov 13th or the 15th. Financial Secretary Report 8/31/2016 TREASURER'S REPORT 9/30/2016 Mortgage Committed $ 46,774.00 Total Amount Given This Month $ 3,646.00 Total Amount Given To Date $ 12,866.00 Current (General) Total Annual Pledge $ 75,000.00 Total Amount Given This Month $ 5,096.00 Total Amount Given To Date $ 19,273.00 Missions Total Annual Pledge $ 18,038.00 Total Amount Given This Month $ 1,268.00 Total Amount Given To Date $ 4,729.00 Receipts To Date: Pledges: $ 19,273.00 Misc.: $ 2,431.00 Rent: $ 4,200.00 Loose: $ 264.00 $ 26,168.00 Checkbook Balance: $ 22,834.33 On Hold: $ 10,094.34 In/Out Payables: $ 0.00 Available Funds: $ 12,739.89 Mortgage Fund: $ 27,562.61 Memorial : $ 6,090.12 Expenses Report on Greeter s Table.
P A G E 3 Dear Congregation & Church Supporters: If you are planning to bake for this Fund Raiser please bake at least 5 dozen of each cookie or candy item. Also, please let us know what you will bake. Use the bulletin insert to sign up or call the Church office. All proceeds to fund roof repairs. The Deacons are offering a light supper (soup/stew, bread, dessert) following will be the conclusion of Amazing Grace."
P A G E 6 MISSION MATTERS By Wanda MacCurtain Faith, Hope, and Love, But the greatest of these is Love. 1 Corinthians 13 :13 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD a project of Samaritan s Purse-NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK is November 14-21. Operation Christmas Child is a fantastic way to get your church involved in the evangelism and discipleship of children around the world. Every Shoebox Gift is an opportunity to share the gospel. Children around the world have been blessed by shoebox gifts for over 20 years. Since 1993 Samaritan s Purse had the privilege of delivering more than 135 MILLION Shoeboxes to children in over 100 Countries!! The generosity of First Baptist Church Hanson is GREATLY APPRECIATED. Your shoebox gifts are bringing Good News and Great Joy TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. Please return your gift-filled shoeboxes to the church by SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13 th. The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM) and Rhode Island held their annual Mission Conference October 14-15.The theme for MISSIONWORKS this year Walk with me. I am listening. What is your story? Throughout the two day conference there were Reports from the Mission Fields where updates were given about Habitat in Lowell, Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries in Lexington, Murrow Home in Oklahoma and Food Pantry of Hope ( First Baptist Church Melrose). Rev. Sharon Koh our new Executive Director of International Ministries at American Baptist Churches U.S.A. opened the Saturday morning conference devotion and worship with her message On the Road. As she spoke she reminded us that There is only God s mission God s mission of reconciliation. What did he do? He gave us Jesus. Walk with me. (Lord s intention do not walk alone.) As we attended workshops and listened to speakers we learned how to be better equipped to have intentional conversations with the other and develop better listening skills as we minister in war torn areas and neighborhoods we are unfamiliar with. We learned how to reach out to ex-offenders will be given to our three Christian camps. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to Sandra Dorsainvil (TABCOM Director of Missions and Stewardship) and to the MISSIONWORKS planning team!! AMERICA FOR CHRIST OFFERING has sent First Baptist Church Hanson a THANK YOU for our generous gifts to the 2016 Offering. ( This is a budget item )
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS Judy Fuller - 08, Brett Trumbull - 08, Betty Borges - 10, Barbara Burt - 11, Heather Dickerson - 20, Sandra Rigo - 22, Carl Heick - 24, Nancy Murphy - 24, Cindy Dickerson - 25, Carlos Borges - 26 P A G E 7 November Birthdays for our International Missionaries Please remember them in your prayers as they spread God s message around the world. Jeni Pedzinski(Cambodia)-2, Leslie Turley(Japan-Okinawa)-2, Kim Brown(Thailand)-3, Kit Ripley(Thailand)-11, Stan Slade(Global Consultants)-16, Leo Lindero(Thailand)-17, Ruth Fox(Thailand)-24, Joel Hoefle(Development Workers)-24 Contact For More Information: Deacons: Carol Lane - 781-585-2631; Helping Hands or Memorial Gifts: Tangra Deyesso - 781-293-7693; Hospitality: Cheryl Eastman - 781-856-9301; Missions & Evangelism: Wanda MacCurtain - 781-293-3502; NOVEMBER 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Helping Hands 2 3 4 5 8:30AM Band Rehearsal., 10 ish Choir Rehearsal 6 8:30 AM Adult Bible Study; 9:15 AM Choir, 10 AM Communion Worship Service / Sunday School / Child Care 138:30 AM Adult Bible Study; 9:00 Band Rehearsal, 10:00 AM Worship Service / Sunday School / Child Care *Coffee Fellowship 20 9:00 AM Adult Bible Study; 9:15 AM Choir, 10:00 AM Worship Service / Sunday School / Child Care 27 ***9:00 AM Adult Bible Study; 9:00 Band Rehearsal, 10:00 AM; Worship Service / Sunday School / Child Care 7 8 Helping Hands 14 15 Helping Hands 21 22Helping Hands 6PM Family Night 28 29 Helping Hands 9 10 6PM Executive Council Meeting 11Veteran s Day 12 8:30AM Band Rehearsal, Choir Practice. 16 17 18 19 8:30AM Band Rehearsal, Choir 23 24Thanksgiving 25 26 8:30AM Band Rehearsal, Choir 30 1 2 3 8:30AM Band Rehearsal, Choir *Coffee Fellowship after the worship service with Q & A on Pastor s schedule and Roof. ** Operation Christmas Child Boxes are due back Today. ***First Sunday of Advent. Please contact a Deacon if you & your family would like to light a candle.
HANSON FOOD PANTRY Hours : Tuesday - 12PM 6PM - 8PM 228 High Street, Hanson! Did you know that the Hanson Pantry now provides food to Pembroke residents? As with Hanson clients, they just need to provide proof of residency. For donations, First Baptist Church is being asked for the following food items: coffee and brown rice, as well as the following personal care items: toilet paper, shampoo, and dish detergent, deodorant and toothpaste. The Dollar Tree is a great place to find these items at a reasonable price. Paper and plastic bags are always needed. As always, any donations are greatly appreciated. Starting in 2015 Please leave donations at either entrance of our church in the provided receptacles. Like them on Facebook! Log into Facebook and Search for: Hanson Food Pantry 2015 or copy this in the address line of your browser. https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Hanson-Food-Pantry- 2015/375916832588832?fref=ts KID ZONE! Youth Group Our youth has joined forces with the Hanson Congregational kids for activities and events. Contact Kathy Fuller (781-293-7997) to get involved! FBCH Sunday School This fall s focus will be on the fruits of the spirit with each week highlighting a different fruit and what it means in God s plan for you. P A G E 8 The Fun Side of Church Copy-righted material, all rights reserved. First Baptist Church of Hanson 214 Main Street Hanson, MA 02341 Phone: 781-293-3502 Fax: 781-293-2265 E-mail: fbchanson@verizon.net Website: www.firstbaptisthanson.org Sharing Christ s Love Reaching Out With Joy