A publication of The First Baptist Church of Westfield April 2013 -...
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A publication of The First Baptist Church of Westfield April 2013 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an oppor- tunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 Crocus, daffodils and tulips are beautiful spring blooms, but their bulbs need to be planted in the fall. Last October, I couldn’t help but to buy several bags filled with all the potential flowers waiting to grow from inside the little bulbs. I was filled with energy as I imagined their beautiful blos- soms. My plan was to plant them making sure to read the rec- ommendations so to maximize a beautiful garden in the spring. I was sure that by mid-November, my bulbs would be safely nudged inside the dirt. Imagine what would happen if I didn’t follow up with these good intentions. What if I never got the bulbs out of the bag, never planted them, and never followed the instructions! Good intentions without concrete actions would not fill my garden with beautiful blooms of crocus, daffodils and tulips. An ancient non-biblical prov- erb says that the road to hell is paved with good inten- tions. Ouch! But, if you think about it, good intentions that are never carried out will lead to no- where—dried bulbs, without a great harvest. How often have you told some- one, “I meant to call, but…” “I meant to send you a birthday card, but…” “I meant to tell you how much I appreciate you, but…” “I had every intention to participate, but…” “I had wanted to be there, but…” “I had intend- ed to believe, but…” “I meant to serve, but…” Good intentions that fizzled into nothing. What stops us from following through? The Galatians passage exhorts us not to give up, leave to the side, or neglect to sow that which is good and right into the life of others. There is a great harvest of heavenly goodness if we do not give up or give in to showing care and concern and in leaving our comfort zone to tend to someone else. Let us not just have good intentions, but let us actually do that we know we are called to do. Let us plant now what will bloom later. Keep in mind the possibility before you of a harvest of good and healthy relationships, of won- derful friendships, of productive and focused energy, of kind and generous service, of heavenly out- comes for the kingdom of God. Pastor Mayra THE MINISTER REFLECTS Soon and very soon the congregation will be invited to participate in a Sunday of service. Imagine com- ing to worship for a shortened service and then being sent (commissioned) to serve. All of us together, from the littlest to the oldest, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder scattered in the name of Jesus to serve in our communities and lend a helping hand. We gather for worship and we scatter for service. For those not able to go out, we will have a mission project(s) for you to do at the church to be deliv- ered to someone in need. More information will be forthcoming! Be on the lookout! Get excited! Make a difference! Invite friends to come and serve with you! Got good intentions? Carry them through!
Transcript of A publication of The First Baptist Church of Westfield April 2013 -...
A publication of The First Baptist Church of Westfield April 2013
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at
harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an oppor-
tunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family
of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
Crocus, daffodils and tulips are beautiful spring blooms, but their bulbs need to be planted in the fall.
Last October, I couldn’t help but to buy several bags filled with all the potential flowers waiting to grow from inside the little bulbs. I was filled with energy as I imagined their beautiful blos-soms. My plan was to plant them making sure to read the rec-ommendations so to maximize a beautiful garden in the spring. I was sure that by mid-November, my bulbs would be safely nudged inside the dirt.
Imagine what would happen if I didn’t follow up with these good intentions. What if I never got the bulbs out of the bag, never
planted them, and never followed the instructions! Good intentions without concrete actions would not fill my garden with beautiful blooms of crocus, daffodils and tulips.
An ancient non-biblical prov-erb says that the road to hell is paved with good inten-tions. Ouch! But, if you think about it, good intentions that are never carried out will lead to no-where—dried bulbs, without a great harvest.
How often have you told some-one, “I meant to call, but…” “I meant to send you a birthday card, but…” “I meant to tell you how much I appreciate you, but…” “I had every intention to participate, but…” “I had wanted
to be there, but…” “I had intend-ed to believe, but…” “I meant to serve, but…”
Good intentions that fizzled into nothing. What stops us from following through?
The Galatians passage exhorts us not to give up, leave to the side, or neglect to sow that which is good and right into the life of others. There is a great harvest of heavenly goodness if we do not give up or give in to showing care and concern and in leaving our comfort zone to tend to someone else. Let us not just have good intentions, but let us actually do that we know we are called to do. Let us plant now what will bloom later. Keep in mind the possibility before you of a harvest of good and healthy relationships, of won-derful friendships, of productive and focused energy, of kind and generous service, of heavenly out-comes for the kingdom of God.
Pastor Mayra
THE MINISTER REFLECTS
Soon and very soon the congregation will be invited to participate in a Sunday of service. Imagine com-ing to worship for a shortened service and then being sent (commissioned) to serve. All of us together,
from the littlest to the oldest, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder scattered in the name of Jesus to serve in our communities and lend a helping hand. We gather for worship and we scatter for service.
For those not able to go out, we will have a mission project(s) for you to do at the church to be deliv-ered to someone in need.
More information will be forthcoming! Be on the lookout! Get excited! Make a difference! Invite friends to come and serve with you! Got good intentions? Carry them through!
page 2 The Messenger
NEWS n NOTES
Choir Notes…
THANKS to the 15 members of the FBC Orchestra who inspired us in worship on March 17: Flutes: Katie Engel, Carleen Morris, Kelly Yang; Clarinet: Maggie McGuire; Tenor Sax: Owen Martin, Darian Siegel; Trumpet: Tyler Martin, Paul Koslowski, Ryan Siegel; Trombones: Carl Della Peruti, Joseph Della Peruti; Violin: Kathy Briedis; Cellos: Beth Hanscom and Linda Battle; and conductor, Steve Lind. The orchestra will add their mu-sical gifts to worship again in May... THANKS also to Tyler Martin for playing trumpet on Palm Sunday, to Glen Brown, guitar, and Devin Araujo, drums, for playing during wor-ship in March, and to Steve Lind and Katie Engel for run-ning bell rehearsal on March 7… CONGRATULATIONS go to Melanie Della Peruti, on her role in Morristown HS’s produc-tion of Smile… and to cellist, Beth Hanscom (and Warren too!) on becoming for first-time grandparents!
Music in April
Chancel Choir April 14, 21, 28
Song Leaders April 7, 14, 21, 28
Chancel Ringers
April 7
Westfield Chorale
CD — update
Final editing is now complete. A special 25th Anniversary booklet will be included with the double CD and this effort took longer than expected to develop and produce. The CD release date will be an-nounced within the next few weeks, and we thank everyone for their patience — if you wish to place a last minute order, contact Bill Mathews immediately.
New e-mail Rev. Suleima Rosario– Diaz [email protected]
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 Jr. Musical Club, 7:30pm
4 Christian Faith Practic-es, 7pm
5 6 Men’s Breakfast, 8:30am
7 8 Deacon’s, 7:30pm
9 F&F, 7pm 10 Musical Club Concert, 1pm
11 12 13
1 4 B ap t i s m Sunday
15 Council, 7:30pm
16 17 Agape Supper, 6:30p
18 19 Family Night, 6pm
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21 22 23 24 25 26 May Mes-senger arti-cles due
27
28 29 30
2013 Stewardship - as of February Receipts:$26,206 Budget: $32,287 Thank you for your faithful stewardship in making sure our ministries continue to grow.
Ongoing calendar on back page.
George & Maryjane Schnitzer 5075 Palermo Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45244
In memory of
Charles A. Shaunesey Charlie was an active member of First Baptist since 1969. He served as a Dea-con, Moderator, Lay Minister and in many other areas. Former Senior Pastor, Bob Harvey added... “Charlie was the best front door greeter ever”!
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Camp Lebanon Scholarship Donations We would love to hear that many of our FBC children will have a meaningful week at Camp Lebanon and other Chris-tian camps this summer. However,
sometimes families need some financial support to do so. We need your help! If you would like to make a dona-tion of any amount, please leave a check in the church office with the memo "Camp Lebanon Scholarships". Your gener-osity is greatly appreciated!
Grace Lee Thompson Scholarship Applications are available on our website and in the narthex. Scholarship awards assist members of First Baptist Church in pursuit of higher education. Return the applications to the church office Attn: Grace Lee Thompson Scholarship Com-mittee. Deadline is May 19, 2013.
Bring along a favorite dish of yours and join us on Wednesday, April 17, 6:30pm, for our Agape Pot-luck Supper!
Attention All Men... Join us on Saturday, April 6, @8:30am, for some breakfast and conversa-tion, Feel free to invite a friend or neighbor! Contact Carl Della Peruti for more information.
Attention recent or upcoming graduates: First Baptist would love to know of your recent accomplishments. Would you kindly call or e-mail the office to let us know if you have completed your studies, whatever level of education you’re at, so we may acknowledge them? Send name of school, degree, and date of graduation to the church. You can e-mail [email protected].
Protect your child’s precious years of childhood!
Recent studies reveal that more and more chil-dren are losing their innocence before they reach the age of12. Young children are worried about sex, popularity and their looks. How can this be? What can parents do? Parents are invited to attend a seminar and dis-cussion led by Pastor Mayra on this very im-portant topic. Children will enjoy a su-pervised PJ Movie Night during the seminar. Dinner will be served to all at 6p.m. The semi-nar and movie will begin at 6:30 p.m. Please be a part of this important discussion, as we help our children grow together in faith and maturity.
Showtime: Friday, April 19th Drop-off: 6p.m. * Pickup: 8p.m. Now Playing: Bee Movie Big Screen: Church lounge A bar-bee-que dinner (hot dogs & more) for children and their families will be served! Please bring a pillow and sleeping bag / blan-ket & wear comfy pj’s! Reserve your seat by April 15th to Miss Katie.
Q. Why did the bee cross the road?
A. Just bee-cause!
for the children...
Carleen Morris & Katie McGuire
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Women’s Book Club Saturday, April 20, 10am
We will discuss “Caleb’s Crossing” by . Geraldine Brooks. Atossa will provide refreshments. Contact Bette Savage for add’l info. [email protected]
American Baptist Women’s Ministries of NJ is holding their spring rally at FBC, New Mar-ket, on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Registration begins at 9:30am. Luncheon will begin at 11:30am.. Love Gift Speaker is Pastor Mayra. Contact the church office asap if you are in-terested.
The focus this month is on food. Our faithful meal volunteers made din-ner for 15 adults and children at the
Presbyterian Church as part of the FISH program for home-less families. Linda Johnson made chicken, Maryann Friscia pre-pared cavatelli and broccoli, Terry Wooster brought a healthy salad and Janet Winey added lemon cupcakes for dessert. We are looking for more volunteers. Could you help by providing one course- meat, side (starch or vegetable), salad or dessert three �mes during the year? We’re not looking for gourmet meals-just the same type of healthy meal you might make for your family. See the sign-up sheet on the bulle�n board.
The Sunday School children are con�nuing to care for their seedlings which will be planted in the Home First Community Garden.
Remember to bring items (especially proteins) for the Food Pantry Box in the narthex. Your dona�ons are taken to First Bap�st Church in Elizabeth regularly. Thank you to Maryann Friscia for helping with delivery!
Are You Called?
Have you ever gone shopping in downtown Westfield in late
afternoon? Have you had the experi-ence of navigating around or through the large crowds of teens who ‘hang out’ there? What is your reaction – happiness, indifference, annoyance? We see it as an opportunity! An opportuni-ty to provide a safe place for teens to meet, and an opportunity to open a dialogue with these young people. In partnership with Young Life Central Jersey, in mid-March, FBC launched After School: Underground in Har-vey Hall on Fridays from 3-5 pm. Teens can stop by for free snacks, and hang with their friends in a safe space super-vised by Young Life and FBC volunteers. The intent is not to preach at the youth; it’s just to give them a space to be, and to begin to foster relationships of trust. Here’s where you come in – we are looking for FBC volunteers for the fol-lowing:
Supervising the space – not just standing in the corner and chaper-oning, but being open to conversa-
tions with the teens. If the thought of that terrifies you, we will provide training and guidance. Food donations – This can be a batch of brownies, cookies (homemade or purchased) or other snacks. You can just drop them off and go. Monetary donations – We will also be supplying beverages (e.g. – hot chocolate in the winter, lemon-ade in the spring, etc.) and using the church’s popcorn cart – your monetary donations can help to fund these small purchases. Please make checks payable to FBC with the notation “Underground”. Prayers – Everyone can do this one – please pray for our successful discernment of God’s will for reaching these young people.
Before you say that’s not for me, please take the following short questionnaire –
Do you belong to the FBC Youth Group? Could this be a ‘mission’ for the Youth Group – to come, to reach out and talk, to model Christian compassion….? Are you retired, or unem-ployed, or working part-time, or not working, with a few hours to give on a Friday? Can you com-
mit to coming at least once – and see how it goes? Come with a friend for moral support if you want. Remember, God does not call the equipped; He equips the called! Do you like to bake, but have felt that ‘doing Sunday reception’ is too big a job? Could you bake some brownies or cookies every few months? The teens will be sure to appreciate your homemade treats! If you are feeling called to this min-istry, please contact Jim Lloyd at 973-615-6881, email [email protected], or sign up on the sheet on the church bulletin board outside the office.
One last thought – in Matthew 18:5, Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” Are you called? Elaine Pratt, Chair, Evangelism Committee
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April
Birthdays
April 1 Carl DellaPeruti Liz Klezer April 2 Norm Lauritsen April 6 Pastor Mayra April 7 Evans Antoine April 8 Deirdre Clark April 11 Hope Lloyd Carleen Morris April 13 Wendy Engel April 15 Tyronne Singh April 16 MaryAnn Friscia Dave Housel Jim Lloyd April 20 Molly Engel April 22 Oscar Morong April 25 Jay Kakileti April 28 Allison Johnson
Anniversaries April 6 Warren & Beth Hanscom April 17 Tom & Norma Jean McGuire Wendell & Trish Scott
If we missed a birthday or anniversary, please let the office know.
Pam & Alan Greenlaw, Carl DellaPeruti, Mary Dobos, Cherie Parker, and all those who helped with the Spaghetti luncheon Linda Johnson, for help with of-
fice work while Nancy was on vacation. Jim Lloyd and Trish Scott, helping out with “Underground” Beth Frantz and Dot Waugh for help with March Messenger. Ricardo Resende as an addition to our Sound Sys-tem rotation Cheryl Rosario for the beautiful Spring bulletin board in the hallway
Terry Wooster for heading up our Easter Flower ordering. Dot Waugh for her continued efforts in assigning Sanctuary Door Greeters.
MEET, PRAY, LOVE
While we’re not sure whether churchgoing makes you happy or whether happy people tend to be religious, research shows that people who below to a faith-based community, regardless of reli-
gion, and attend services more than once a week, live as many as seven years longer than people who don’t.
Plus, churchgoers are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, are satisfied with less money, and have less stress and a built-in social network. If you belong to a faith communi-ty, you’ll benefit even more if you volunteer. If you don’t belong to
one, seek new places of worship that suit your current values and beliefs.
cit: AARP: 3/13
Life is fragile handle with prayer …
Do you faithfully pray every day? __Yes __No __want to improve Do you have a prayer partner? __Yes __No Are you interested in prayer walks with others around the vicinity of the church? __Yes __No Are you part of the prayer team? __Yes __No Do you have time to come on Wednesdays at noon for prayer and meditation? __Yes __No
Participation in Bible study How important is the Bible to you? __Very __Not so much __what is the Bible? How important is it to get to know what the Bible says? __Very __Not so much What is the best to way to learn from the Bible? __internet __by myself __with others Does the Bible have relevant guides and answers for daily life? __No __Yes ___Maybe Do you need to be taught how to study the Bible? __No __Yes __Maybe Is the Bible the Word of God? __No __Yes __Maybe
The church is the place to teach how to pray, how to meditate and study the Bible, and how to gain daily strength to confront daily life – consider joining a prayer group, a bible study and watch your faith grow! The last session of the Christian Faith Practices Course has been scheduled for Thursday, April 4th at 7 p.m. Our topic will be: The Discipline of Study of the Bible.
OO URUR PP URPOSEURPOSE 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.
170 Elm Street Westfield, NJ 07090
Office: (908) 233-2278 Fax: (908) 233-0555
e-mail Pastor Mayra Castañeda [email protected]
Bill Mathews [email protected]
Katie McGuire [email protected]
Nancy Lambros [email protected]
CC HURCHHURCH SS TAFFTAFF
Rev. Mayra Castañeda, Senior Pastor
William R. Mathews, Minister of
Music
Katie McGuire, Director of Children’s
Ministries
Nancy Lambros, Church Administrator
Adriana Rodriguez, Custodian
ONGOING CALENDARONGOING CALENDAR Weekly, unless otherwise noted. Sundays: 9:00 a.m. Singles 9:15 Adult Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School (pre-school-5th grades) 11:30 a.m. Children’s Choir & Youth Song Leaders rehearsals 11:30a.m. Prayer Team meets (monthly, April 7) 5 p.m. Youth Group (6th-12th grades) Tuesdays: 7 a.m. GRUB w/ the Guys (1st Tues. of ea. mo: April 2) Wednesdays: 12Noon “Conversations with God” (prayer time) in our sanc-
tuary 10:30am Women’s Writing Group (2nd Tues of ea. mo.) 1-3 p.m. Knitting/Hobby Group (2nd Wed of ea. mo: April 10) Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. The Hearing Society (a non-profit org): Speech
Reading Class 7:15/8 p.m. Chancel Ringers/ Choir Rehearsal Saturdays: 10 :00 a.m. Women’s Book Club (monthly, April 20)
