Benson Baptist News January 2017 SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Attendance & Offering Upcoming Events Looking Ahead SLT Minutes Birthdays Staff & Contact Info. John Sievering Senior Pastor Pastor.john@omahabbc.com Scott Jones Family Pastor familypastorscott@gmail.com Tiffany Schlup Office Administrator office@omahabbc.com Website www.omahabbc.com Facebook www.facebook.com/ BensonBaptist Twitter http://twitter.com/ DirectorofComm Are you ready to run? Do you have a hobby that you really enjoy? Well I love running! Running is a form of exercise that you either love or completely dislike. On average I run 3-4 miles a day, but I have also ran a half marathon and I would like to train for a full marathon. To run a half or full marathon it takes a runner many months of training in order to build up endurance, a proper diet, and mental skill. Most people can t just wake up one day go outside and run 26.2 miles without stopping. If you are that person congrats! However, for us other folks we need some training. :) In Hebrews Scripture talks about the most important race the race of life! Hebrews 12:1-3 says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won t become weary and give up. If you have ever been to a marathon you will notice that runners typically start the race early in the morning when it is still brisk outside. Once the race starts and the sun comes up many runners will take off their jackets and throw them on the side of the road (The jackets in the race I ran were donated to a local shelter). They do this because they are warm and the jacket is extra weight that could potentially slow them down. Just like how things in life can be a burden or weight, we need to do away with anything that will hinder us from Christ. This may mean you need to limit your TV, electronics, busy activities, shopping, eating, etc. Whatever it is that is keeping you away and distant from Christ needs to be given up so that you are able to run the race. To be honest running is hard especially when you first start. Your lungs hurt, it s hard to breath, and you don t think you can actually run far enough. However, over time and training daily, your body will adjust and running will become easier and even enjoyable. Your endurance will be built up, your breathing controlled and you know you can run the distance because you have done it before. This is a similar type of training that we need to have with God s Word. When we get into His Word we will recognize that there are things that we are currently doing that don t align with Him. Sometimes we don t want to or aren't ready to change and when God continues to press in to our training it can hurt. It hurts because he is training us to run from our sin instead of living in it. However, once we learn to run with His instruction it will become easier. We will be able to recognize when sin is creeping into our lives. Instead of running into sin we will be running towards God. Do you have your running shoes on? Come and join me in the race of life! I can guarantee the finish line will be worth it! Tiffany Schlup 1
FOR THE RECORD - DECEMBER December Offerings Received : 12/3 $TBD 12/10 $3,002.00 12/17 $2,886.00 12/24 $1,372.00 12/31-$TBD December Attendance : 12/3 123 12/10 109 12/17 121 12/24 73, Christmas Eve 70 12/31-TBD UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION Monday, January 1, 2018 New Year s Day New Year s Day! The office will be closed in observance of the Holiday. Tuesday, January 2, 2018 SLT Meeting There will be an SLT meeting at 7:00pm. Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Wednesday Activities There will be no Wednesday night activities Happy New Year s!!! Saturday, January 6, 2018 Pancake Fundraiser There will be an All You Can Eat Pancake Fundraiser 9:00am-1:00pm. Cost for attendance is $6.00 per person. Children 5 and under will eat free. During the event there will also be a silent auction, bake sale, quilts to participate in. All funds will go towards the Costa Rica Missions trip! Sunday, January 7, 2018 Anna s Baby Shower Ladies please join us at 2:00pm in the FLC for a baby shower honoring Anna Hake. Anna is registered at Target & Babies R Us and her nursery theme is the floral nursery theme at Target. When purchasing gifts off her registry make sure to print off the registry to take to checkout. RSVP to Becca Jones (218-731-0545) by January 2, 2018 if you plan to attend the shower. Friday, January 12, 2018 Young Adults Bowling We will go bowling! Please look for the location and time in upcoming bulletins/ Facebook. Monday, January 15, 2018 Office Closed The office will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Wednesday, January 24, 2018 No Frontlines There will be no Frontlines this week. Friday, January 26-27, 2018 Youth Lock In The Youth will have a Lock-In from 9:00pm-7:00am here at the church. Saturday, January 27, 2018 Food Pantry Our Pantry will begin at 9:00am! If you are interested in volunteering please contact the church office at office@omahabbc.com. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 2
LOOKING AHEAD February 4 There will be a Super Bowl Party here at the church at 5:00 pm! February 23-24 The Youth will attend the awake conference in Pella, IA. The cost is $34.00 per person. February 24-Our Pantry will begin at 9:00 am! If you are interested in volunteering please contact the church office at office@omahabbc.com. February 28 There will be no Frontlines. SLT MINUTES DECEMBER 2017 Present: Pastor John Sievering, Pastor Scott Jones, Lorraine Arnett, Ron York, Ernie Denniston, Jon Mayo, Donna Donner, Rick Parks Devotions: Brought by Donna Donner Minutes: previous meeting were approved. Finances were examined with no major concerns noted. Budget discussion: Proposed budget was reviewed and the following changes from the 2017 budget to 2018 budget will be presented to the congregation for approval Pastor John: 2.5% increase, Continuing Education increased to $1250, and he has agreed to remain in the house for all of 2018 Pastor Scott: 4% increase. Administrative Assistant and Custodian: 2.5% increase. Organist: No increase. Eliminated $1000 to Kristi Johnson Lambert Increased Nursery to $4300 (based on hiring 2nd person for Sunday's at $10 per hour) Increased KIDS to $1100 ($750 + $350 for bounce house) Reduced Camp Ministries to $2200. Pastor Reports: Pastor Scott- Written report of November activities and upcoming events was received. Discussion of Wednesday night programing occurred, decision to continue with meals every Wednesday with increased supervision. Pastor John- Leadership training was discussed with Feb 16/17 dates being targeted. Work environment was discussed, Ernie, Pastor John, and Jon will follow up to address concerns. New Business: Food pantry was given go ahead to put PayPal link on their Facebook page to make contributions from outside sources easier to obtain. Worship Without Worry seminar date was presented (Dec. 14 from 9:30-3:30) Old Business: Fellowship fund was discussed with a greater emphasis towards identifying needs with in the congregation. New members: none Prayer Concerns: Budget, holiday programing, Mission Trip finances and preparation. Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Next Meeting: January 02, 2018 Ernie will bring devotions Respectfully submitted- Jon Mayo 3
PRAYER CONCERNS Prayers for those with medical issues and recovering. Prayers for budget, holiday programing, Mission Trip finances and preparation. Prayers for SLT Team: Ernie Denniston, Jon Mayo, Lorraine Arnett, Rick Parks, Ron York, Ryan Carlson, John Watts, Donna Donner. Prayers for building on the momentum of neighborhood outreach. NEW YEAR NEW MIND Have you been thinking about what this New Year will bring? I am a planner and I like to have my schedule lined up knowing that my husband and I are spiritually stable, financially stable, emotionally stable, and staying in shape. Although, this may be what I hope for and try to align with unfortunately it s just not how life always works. Life can be difficult, but at the same time we can recognize that life is so good! Why? Because God is good! Even in the midst of tribulations if we really look we can see God moving allowing us to see and experience joy. James 1:2-8 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. Life is a gift given by the magnificent creator. He designed each one of us with a drive to be in a consistent relationship with Him. He deeply wants to pore into us reaching our innermost being. He wants to know that when times get tough we will persevere and still say God you are good! Will you take the opportunity to look at life s difficulties this year, as a chance to show God just how much faith you have in Him? He is waiting for you to respond to His call to be in a deeper relationship with Him than ever before. Will you answer the call? Tiffany Schlup SERVING OPPORTUNITIES...IS GOD CALLING YOU? Food Pantry The month of December we served 242 families; 713 people! Would you like to be apart of this Ministry by donating? We would be so grateful for donations of the following: *Cereal *Peas *Macaroni and cheese *Spaghetti sauce *Canned Beans *Peanut Butter *Green Beans *Instant Potatoes *Corn *Rice Stuffing *Main dish (ravioli, hamburger helper, spaghetti O s, etc.) Donations can be dropped off at the church Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry! 4
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & SERVING CHRIST S W D O R Ecclesiastes 5: 1-7 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, My vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. 5
January Anniversaries Ernie & Michelle Denniston January 8th Bud & Jan Young January 18th Jon & Holly Mayo January 27th JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Ed Bullock-January 7th Tim Herd January 9th Jon Bullock January 10th Robin Hauger January 15th Cassie Nelson January 15th Pastor Scott Jones- January 18th Stella Watts January 20th Jacque Hedrick-January 21st Fisher Lewis January 23rd Kathy Harris January 24th Emily Young January 25th Nita Johnson January 26th Benson Baptist Church 6319 Maple Street Omaha, Ne 68104 Phone: 402-551-1512 E-mail: office@omahabbc.com 6