THE COMMUNICATOR Volume XXVII No. 7/8 July/August, 2018 KEVIN S KORNER The church is a diverse, worldwide body of believers. Within this large Christian community, there are differences and disagreements. But there are also many shared traditions, convictions and objectives. At the center is our proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord. As we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, diverse segments of the global church have distinct emphases and practices. Our own congregation fits primarily in the tradition known as evangelical. Granted, that s a slippery term. In today s cultural context, being an evangelical Christian can mean many different things, depending on whom you ask. Some associate the phrase with a particular kind of conversion experience. Some tie it to positions on particular political issues. Others link it to style of worship or affiliation within a certain denomination. It s not easy to pin down the meaning of evangelical. But I m guessing that if you ask folks in our own fellowship what it means for Grace Baptist Church to be an evangelical congregation, you ll start to hear certain beliefs and practices repeated. Most of those are probably captured in a statement recently released by the National Association of Evangelicals. NAE s purpose is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelical Christians. Toward that end, NAE published the following statement. I share it with you as food for thought and as a way of reflecting on what it means to for us to be who we are within the larger body of Christ. It s titled, Evangelicals Shared Faith in Broad Diversity : Evangelical Christians are people of faith. Our diversity ranges across geography, race, politics, education and economics. In the words of the Bible, we are among a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9). We identify ourselves by our spiritual convictions in the authority of the Bible, salvation through Jesus Christ alone and living out our faith in everyday life, especially sharing the good news of Jesus with others. We share the historic Christian beliefs in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected to life. Many Christ-followers claim the name evangelical, because it is the Bible s original word for good news. Others prefer to be called born again. Some choose Christian or avoid titles in favor of simple faith. Because there are millions of us in the United States and far more of us in other countries around the world, there are subgroups identified by where we live, how we vote, the level of our education or even our local cultural expressions. Each has distinctive beliefs and practices that may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable to one another. Sometimes these subgroups or their leaders are identified as typical of all evangelicals even though there is no consensus, connection or communication between them. What all evangelicals share in common does not require organizational connection, denominational affiliations or shared leadership. Our common bond is personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Throughout history and ongoing today is the compassion and care that evangelical Christians have for others. This has led to sending
missionaries, founding colleges, building hospitals, feeding the hungry, seeking justice for the poor and serving as the agents of Jesus in a broken world. The variety of evangelicals and our many causes have led evangelicals to approaches that differ from one another and that even cause conflict both with society at large and with other evangelicals. We have both succeeded and failed but we have not given up. We return to the teaching of the Bible and the leadership of Jesus in our quest to be faithful to our callings to love God, love our neighbors and share our faith. Our identity is in our faith in the midst of our diversity. * With these affirmations in mind, prayerfully reflect on your own identity as a follower of Jesus, and our congregation s identity in the contemporary world. As this statement highlights, the term evangelical is rooted in the Bible s word for good news. So in our life together as Grace Baptist Church, let s continue to be good news people, sharing and showing our faith through our words and deeds. Let s do so locally among one another, and globally as part of God s church in the world. We commemorate the end of the Korean War on July 27, 1953. On July 28, 1914, World War I began. The Deacon of the Month for August is Leah Smith. August 1 is Air Force Day. August 4, 1790 U.S. Coast Guard was established. August 7, 1782 the Purple Heart Medal was established. August 14, 1945, Japan surrendered, ending WWII. August 19 is National Aviation Day. The articles for the September/October newsletter are due by the first Sunday in August (Aug. 5). Included in this bimonthly issue will be articles on: Back to School, Fall, Church Anniversary, Halloween, Columbus Day, and special calendar of events. Faithfully, Pastor Kevin * For more information on the NAE, visit www.nae.net FROM THE COMMUNICATOR STAFF By Jenny Boswell, editor and administrator assistant The Deacon of the Month for July is G.C. Rogerson. On July 2, 1926, the U.S. Army Air Corps was established. On Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2018 our nation will celebrate its 242 nd birthday. This day commemorates the formal adaption of the Declaration of Independence by Congress on July 4, 1776. The Day Care and the church office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 to celebrate! JULY/AUGUST NEWS FROM THE DAY CARE CENTER By Amy Shumpert (assistant director of the Day Care Center) CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES CLASS OF 2018 We have several teacher s aides here @ GBDCC to celebrate! Silvia Quarles & Elizabeth Wright Lackey HS Savannah Elder LaPlata HS Our feet are wet and we are enjoying our summer program. The children and staff are having fun indoors and out with many exciting activities, games, and snacks! Kids Under Construction is the special summer theme around the Day Care! Hammers, Bulldozers,
Hydraulics, Cherry Pickers & Wrecking Balls are the creative group names throughout the center to identify each developmental age group. The classrooms are filled with bulletin board displays, artwork, banners and excitement! Most of our time is spent outdoors riding bikes, playing in the sprinkler and enjoying time spent with friends. Cooperation, team spirit, friendship, love, respect, caring and sharing are daily lessons being taught as we progress through the summer months. We kicked off the month of July with our annual Hot Dog picnic lunch to celebrate Independence Day. The attire was festive as the children and staff wore red, white, and blue. Grace Baptist Day Care Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. The Charles County Outreach Librarian visits us monthly. In June, she left us the necessary materials to participate in the summer reading program. The library offers lots of fun and exciting prizes and incentives to keep the children reading throughout the summer months, including Blue Crabs tickets to attend the Southern MD Reading Nights & free treats to Rita s. The school-age children have the opportunity to borrow books over the summer from the Charles County Mobile Library. Our center and all readers will have the chance to win many cool prizes throughout the summer for their participation. Some of our Day Care children will be participating in Grace Baptist Church s VBS/Game On! (June 25-29). This is an exciting event and a great way for our church to reach out to our community and Day Care families. The first day of school for the 2018-19 school year is Tuesday, September 4. Grace Baptist Day Care Center is currently enrolling for the 2018-19 school year. Our preschool classrooms are currently enrolling and our Before/After school groups are full. We will be closed on Friday, August 31 for a teacher planning and set-up day to prepare for the first day of school. Have a safe and blessed SUMMER! MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Bethany Holder became a member of Grace Baptist Church after being baptized on May 20, 2018. We welcome her to our church family s membership. THE SCRIPTURES SAY... About a nation s relationship with God Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. Psalm 33:12 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Proverbs 11:14 For dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nation. Psalm 22:28...Where Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (All verses quoted from the Holy Bible (NIV)) POETRY CORNER WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN By Richard Gold What is a Christian How can you tell Is it where they are on Sunday Or is it to head away from Hell To go to Church on Sunday To worship and praise the Lord This is as all men should They should learn and do the Word But when we leave the doors To walk in life from day to day It is how we follow the word And not just lip service pay
JULY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES UPCOMING EVENTS FOR JULY Birthdays: Brandon Sams 07/05 Debby Holder 07/09 BJ Mitchell 07/12 Ann Hess 07/12 Diane Zanakis 07/13 Amber Wood 07/19 Dillon Propes 07/19 Connie Curtin 07/23 Jake Smith 07/28 Darren Smith 07/30 Anniversaries: Richard and Penny Gold 07/02 Chris and Cathy Rozar 07/03 David and Cathy Stouffer 07/05 Mark and Keishia Fells 07/12 Robert and Janet Tuck 07/13 James and Ann Hess 07/29 AUGUST BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES July 1 Lord s Supper July 4 Independence Day --- Closed July 6 Youth Retreat (July 6-8) July 7 Deacons Meeting July 11 Business Meeting July 14 Movie Night July 15 Fellowship Meal July 17 Westside Stitchers July 18 Bible Study July 25 Bible Study July 29 Church Council Meeting UPCOMING EVENTS FOR AUGUST August 1 Bible Study August 4 Deacons Meeting August 7 Westside Stitchers August 8 Business Meeting August 11 Movie Night August 15 Bible Study August 22 Bible Study August 26 Church Council Meeting August 29 Bible Study Birthdays: Ann Wood 08/04 Willis Cayden Proper 08/06 Jordan Holder 08/12 Mia Fells 08/13 Tristan Sams 08/14 Amalia Proper 08/18 Rachel Proctor 08/20 Faye Rogerson 08/26 Anniversaries: Ron and Jeannie Strickland 08/03 Tommy and Emmajean Jenkins 08/18 ******************************************* The Secretary (Jenny Boswell) and Pastor Kevin have new E-mail Addresses. They are as follows: Jenny Boswell jennyboswell5@gmail.com Pastor Kevin - revkevh@comcast.net These addresses can also be found near the top of our weekly bulletins.
MINDY S PEACE By Mindy Adams It s July and summer is finally here. Time for backyard cookouts, swimming pools and summer vacations. Just remember there is a place and time for everything, Don t forget while packing for your vacation, wherever that may be, to invite God to go with you. I hope you all have a spectacular 4 th of July and a blessed summer. When August gets here many of us go on those last days of summer vacations and then have to get ready for the new school year. New clothes, school supplies, lunch items for the new lunch boxes. Try to get some rest during those hot, long summer days. Crab Soup By Arlene Berts GRACE S RECIPE BOX 1 lb. Fresh crab meat 1 (10 ¾) can tomato soup 1 (11 ½ oz) can green pea soup 3 cups milk 2 tbsp butter 1 cup chopped celery ½ cup finely chopped onion 2 bay leaves ¼ tsp. Hot pepper sauce ¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper to taste Sauté celery and onion in butter until soft and golden. Add soup and milk, then crab meat and seasonings. Simmer for about half an hour. Makes 2 quarts (Maryland is for crabs. This soup is a must during the summer time) Hot German Potato Salad By Jenny Boswell 1 ½ pounds of potatoes (about 4 med.) cut into halves 3 slices of bacon 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup) 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon of salt ¼ teaspoon of celery seed Dash of pepper ½ cup water ¼ cup vinegar Heat 1 inch of salted water (1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup water) to boiling. Add potatoes. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook until tender; 20-30 minutes. Drain and cool. Fry bacon in 8-inch skillet until crisp; drain bacon on paper towels. Cook and stir onion in bacon fat until tender. Stir in flour, sugar, salt, celery seed and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is bubbly; remove from heat. Stir in water and vinegar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Crumble bacon into hot mixture, then slice in warm potatoes. Cook, stirring gently to coat potato slices, until hot and bubbly. (5 or 6 servings) AMERICA My country tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring. Our fathers God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright With freedom s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King! Samuel Francis Smith