A publication of The First Baptist Church of Westfield, NJ BREAKING NEWS! You re watching a news program when suddenly the music changes and flashing across the screen you see the words: BREAK- ING NEWS! You sit up and pay close attention to the news alert, you may even raise the volume and then the good-looking anchor says: Kim and Kanye are married! Really!!! That s breaking news? In whose planet? Certainly not in my little neck of the woods. Is it in yours? Probably not! There have been however other major events that are breaking and tragic news: the recent mass killing in Santa Barbara, California; the abduction of almost 300 young girls in Nigeria; the capsized liner in South Korea; the still lost Malaysian flight 370 and many others. Close to home there are news reports of drunk and otherwise distracted and impaired drivers; children and spouses killed at the hand of loved ones; drug abuse and overdose; physical and emotional abuse and neglect. I can go on and on, but then who wants to continue to hear about so much heartache. Can God just make it stop? As we look to fun in the summer sun when some consider taking the time off from communal worship and from God s activity what is breaking news in your life? What will it take for you to finally and once and for all give your whole heart to God? What do you consider most urgent and important to cause you to stop, look, and listen closely and intently? What is the urgent and that which needs attention now and today, not tomorrow or sometime in the future? No one is outside the scope of being affected by the pace of life, the loss of morals and values, the lack of presence and the overall scattered and cluttered complicated life. People of faith know that with God all things are possible. We also know that God s people have been commissioned to be the agents of change and transformation in the midst of tragedy and pain. If anything is going to change one person and one community at a time, it will have to start with our own heart that seeks deeply God s heart. In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God tells the people the following: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. The most important breaking news that we can still get for our own life and in turn give to others is that God s love is still available for those who seek God with all their heart for they will surely find God s plans of well-being today and a future of hope. I deeply believe that there isn t a situation outside the scope of God s healing touch and transformative power. The key is searching God with ALL our heart! The Bible doesn t say with a piece of our heart, or with half of our heart. God wants all of our heart with its wide range of emotions from doubt to trust, fear to faith, sadness to joy, anxiety to tranquility, hopelessness to hope. God is ready to respond IF we are 100% committed. TRUE BREAKING NEWS: GOD LOVES YOU! HOPE IS NOT LOST! BELIEVE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. Pastor Mayra
page 2 The Messenger Congratulations to the following graduates in our Church family. We praise God for them and all they have accomplished. Devin Araujo Arthur L.. Johnson High School Aaron Cicchino BS-Business Administration; Accounting Montclair State University Suleima Rosario-Diaz MS-Nursing/Certified Adult-Gerontology Rutgers University School of Nursing Nurse Practitioner Katie Engel BS-Business Administration; Management/ Montclair State University MIS Molly Engel AA-Liberal Arts Union County College Nick Flechas Lincoln High School Trent Gabriel BS-Biochemistry & Molecular Biology The University of Maryland-Baltimore County Kassandra Griffin MS-Occupational Therapy Seton Hall University Sirlene Roman MS-Communication Studies Kean University Join us at the Church Family Picnic on June 22nd in Tamaques Park when we will recognize this year s graduates. C ongratulations to of our youth HS graduates, Devin Araujo and Nick Flechas!! We pray that they have a most awesome summer in Youth Group. June 8th is Youth Sunday which will include the youth performing music and a sermon delivered by a certain surprise youth (who's name rhymes with Kevin Mirage-o). While there will be no meeting on June 15th so that we can spend time on Fathers day, youth group will run throughout the summer delivering worship, study, service, and perhaps a bit of fun. Youth Group will crash the church picnic on June 22nd! A couple further out summer events to keep in mind are the mission trip to Athelas Therapeutic Riding in the Catskills during early August and a day trip to Great Adventure TBA in July. If you are interested in providing a dinner for Youth Group please contact Glen Brown. As always if you know of any youth that would benefit from or enjoy a most amazing Sunday evening (5-7:30pm) please invite them to attend and/or put them in contact with Glen Brown or Ricardo Ribeiro. June 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 Men s Breakfast, 8:30am 1 Children s 2 Deacons 3 Sunday meet, 7pm 4 Teach- 5 er s Bible Study, 7p 6 PJ s & Movie Nt, 6-8pm 8 Youth Sunday 10Facilities meet, 7:30pm; Finance meets (time TBA) 11 13 Young 14 Adult Gettogether, 6:30pm 17 18 Agape 19 Supper, 6:30pm 20 25 27 15 9 16 22 All 23 Church Picnic, 12-4pm 24 12 26 21 28 The following topics were dis- cussed at the Sunday Morning Singles Discussion Group. * tional? * What bothers men about women? * What bothers women about men? * Where are you on the humor scale? * What are you grateful for? All are invited to come downstairs for a second cup of coffee and lively discussion. 29 30 Are you conven- Maryann Friscia
The Messenger page 3 JUNE 22nd, 12-3pm TAMAQUES PARK It s warm and it s spring and it s time for our annual CHURCH PICNIC!! Bring your family and friends and join us in the fun!! During the picnic we will honor our graduates with an added special treat, so come by and help us celebrate! (Christian Ed will provide the burgers and hotdogs; please bring a side dish). Sign up on the bulletin board outside the office. Birthdays 6/4 Trent Gabriel 6/5 Vickie Koslowski 6/6 Melissa Virzi 6/8 MaryJane Schnitzer 6/11Owen Martin 6/12Chris Mancinelli 6/13 Janet Winey 6/20Tyler Barton 6/21Tom Ball Kathy Barton 6/22 Jesse Kline 6/25Kaleigh Spinner 6/30Wanda McCloud Anniversaries 6/1 Allen & Mary Chin 6/3 Ken & Cheryl Thomas 6/7 Mike & Mary Dobos 6/12 Dudley & Doris Painter 6/13Matt & Jaime Barton John & Marie Vastano 6/20 Barry & Ann Hinman 6/21 Dean & Elaine Pratt 6/27 Bill & Kathy Barton 6/30 Luis & Hilary Araujo This Children s Sunday children will lead worship in a way that emphasizes each one s special gifts. Let's pray about it and look forward together with the goal that this Children's Sunday be a time for children to share their gifts with God and with the congregation; a thank you to teachers and to those dedicated to serving the children; and as a church family aspire to become more involved in helping children to know and to love Jesus. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. (Matthew 19:14) Here at the church! July 22-24, 10am-Noon- - - Sign up Today! Music, Bible stories, Games, Crafts, Mission projects and snacks! Calling folks interested in helping to speak with Carleen Morris or Katie McGuire about opportunities. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. ~Psalm 86:10
page 4 Choir Notes CONGRATULATIONS to three of our Ringers: Katie Engel, Bells B23-C22, on her degree from Montclair State University to Molly Engel, Bells E27- F26,, who will graduate from Union County College after the summer session and then attend Montclair State and Johnny Klikushin, Bells B9-C8, who will be attending Union County Magnet HS in Scotch Plains come September CONGRATS also to soprano, Sirlene Roman, on her degree from Kean University and to Paul Koslowski, who is retiring after teaching music in Linden for 45 years... PRAYERS... continue for 8 month old Gavin Singer, son of former choir member, Cristen Redeker Singer and her husband, Kyle, and grandson of former choir members, Jim & Nancy Redeker, as Gavin undergoes chemotherapy in his fight against cancer. Those who remember the Redeker family can follow a journal o f h i s b a t t l e a t w w w. c aringb r i dg e.or g/ vi s it / gavinsinger. As Kyle and Cristen write Fight on, Gavin, Fight on... And THANKS... to our Chancel Choir for leading us in song most Sundays from September to May: Jessy Brown, Wendy Engel, Ann Hinman, Donna Lind, Cherie Parker, Sirlene Roman, sopranos; Pam Greenlaw, Carleen Morris, Elaine Pratt, Bette Savage, altos; Lee Romano, Dot Waugh, tenors; and Paul Clark, Paul Koslowski, Steve Lind, basses. to our Ringers (from lowest bells to highest): Steve Lind, Molly Engel, Carleen Morris, Katie Engel, Wendy Engel, Bette Savage, Dot Waugh, Donna Lind, Lil Wheeler, Judy Klein, Johnny Klikushin. to our Song Leaders who lead us in the contemporary songs each week, and will also lead the worship music during the summer months: Marlee Araujo, Melanie Della Peruti, Ann Hinman, Erin Klein, Maggie McGuire, Carleen Morris, Elaine Pratt, Glen Brown, guitar, and Devin Araujo and Ricardo Ribeiro, drums to our extra voices who sing with the Song Leaders and Choir from time to time: Katie Engel, Molly Engel, and Colleen McGuire to the members of our Orchestra, who this past year added to their time in worship Katie Engel and Carleen Morris, flute; Trent Gabriel, Johnny Klikushin, Maggie McGuire, clarinet; Owen Martin, tenor sax; Jake Brown, Sarah Housel, Paul Koslowski, Tyler Martin, Daniel Singh, trumpet; Carl, Joe, Melanie Della Peruti, trombone; Kathy Briedis, Glen Brown, Nova Spinner, violin; Linda Battle, Beth Hanscom, cello; Devin Araujo, drums, and Steve Lind conductor and to our Children s Choir, who will sing on June 1 before starting their summer break: Michael Klikushin, Jeffrey Morris, Julie Morris, Olivia Morris, Trevor Morris, Lucas Rosario, Olivia Rosario, Michael Singh, Kaleigh Spinner, Gabriel Singh, Erin Klein, director; Judy Klein, rehearsal accompanist... As the choirs and instrumentalists take a bit of a break from the regular schedules, God be with you til we meet again. Happy Summer, everyone. Music in June Children s Choir June 1 Youth Music June 8 Song Leaders June 1, 15, 22, 29 M issions News The Messenger Memorial Day Grand Marshall of the parade was Chick Miller!! Picture take by Ken Wooster My visit to First Baptist was a trip down memory Lane. It was so wonderful to see so many old friends and to be welcomed with so much love. Thank you to the Deacons for arranging a delicious lunch. God bless everyone, Lois Alpaugh...Dot Waugh, and Lil Wheeler for helping with the May Messenger...Warren Hanscom & Paul Clark for changing those hard to reach sanctuary bulbs....carleen Morris for sorting out the CE closet and other Sunday School areas. Rev. Ann Borquist, Missionary to Brazil, earned her Doctor of Ministries Degree from Palmer Seminary on May 17, 2014. Congratulations to Ann and Bruce on this wonderful achievement. Women s Book Club Saturday, June 21,10am The group will discuss My Life in France, by Julia Child. Kathleen Borchers will provide refreshments. All are welcome. E-mail Bette for add l info: elzsvg@netscape.net.
The Messenger page 5 Welcome new member Mallisa Odogbili! Attention Young Adults You are invited to Sirlene & Marcelo s on Friday, June 13 @6:30pm to just hang out, chill, and have fun! Contact Sirlene if you are coming: sirleneroman@hotmail.com Preaching in July and August Please share with me your childhood most favorite Bible stories and I will use these for the sermons in July and August. Thank you! Pastor Mayra Acknowledgement of servant leadership with grateful thanksgiving to: Wendell Scott for his service unto the Lord and the Church as Moderator for the last 4 years. Janet Winey for her service as Chair of the Missions Committee Evangelism Committee together with their Chair, Elaine Pratt; Ken Wooster, Barron Cashdollar, Judy Klein and Luis Araujo. Christian Education Committee: Dean Pratt, Allison Johnson Pastoral Relations Committee: Allen Chin, Chair; Elaine Pratt, Barron Cashdollar, Katie Virzi Deacons Committee: Carl Della Peruti, Pam Greenlaw Outgoing co-chair of the Facilities and Finance Committee: Tyronne Singh COMMITTEE CORNER CHURCH COUNCIL The objective of the Church Council is governance and to lead our Faith in Action Ministry towards a Disciple-Making Church. The elements of a Disciple-Making Church include prayer, inspiring and vital worship of God, relevant education/discipleship and impact mission. The pathway to be taken is through: *A PRAYERFUL AND DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH *FAITH BASED AND GIFT BASED MINISTRY *COMMITTED LEADERSHIP *BROADENING PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS IN LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY *LEADERSHIP AND TEACHER DEVELOPMENT *EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE *TASK FORCE INITIATIVES FOCUSED GROUPS *GROWTH AS A UNIFIED BODY IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST Members of Church Council are the Senior Minister/Pastor, Moderator, who acts as chairperson, the chair/co-chairs of Deacons each of the church s committees and two at-large members. (see new full Committee List on next page) The committee regularly meets on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. from September through June. Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory. Wendell O. Scott, M.D. Former Moderator and Chairperson Church Council
170 Elm Street Westfield, NJ 07090 ph: 908.233.2278/fax: 908.233.0555 e-mail Pastor Mayra Castañeda pastormayra@verizon.net Bill Mathews wrmaago@gmail.com Katie McGuire katiem218@aol.com Glen Brown glen@wholestep.org Ricardo Ribeiro simplyricardo@yahoo.com Nancy Lambros firstbaptist.westfield@verizon.net @pastormayra @fbcwestfield SUMMER Ongoing Schedule Weekly, unless otherwise noted. Sundays: 9:00 am Singles Gathering (Harvey Hall) 9-11:30am FBC Childcare 9:15 Adult Bible Study, led by Pastor Mayra 10:30 am Worship Service 10:45 am Children s Sunday School (pre-school-5th grades) 5 p.m. Youth Group (6th-12th grades) Tuesdays: 7 a.m. GRUB w/ the Guys (1st Tues, June 3) Wednesdays: 12Noon Conversations with God (prayer time) 1-3 p.m. Craft Group (2nd Thurs, June 12) Saturdays: 10 :00 a.m. Women s Book Club (monthly, June 21) First Day of Summer! C HURC H ST AFF Rev. Mayra Castañeda, Senior Pastor William R. Mathews, Minister of Music Katie McGuire, Children s Ministry Coordinator Glen Brown, Youth Ministry Coordinator Ricardo Ribeiro, Assistant Youth Ministry Coordinator Nancy Lambros, Church Administrator Adriana Rodriguez, Custodian O UR PURPOSE Coming together in joyful worship, we re here To share the reality of God s love, To connect our lifestyles to Christian truth, And to put our faith into action through responding to needs in our community, nation, and world.