Sunday, September 30, 2007

Exciting news from the Workman home this past week: Joshua and Emily (Hedges) got engaged at Niagra Falls! Emily is from Orchard Park, NY, not far from the falls. She was surprised, Joshua was relieved she said “yes.” The ring is beautiful and paid for, and they returned to BBC with stars in their eyes after an exciting weekend to ring the bell, rejoice with the girls, and for Joshua to customarily get thrown into Lake BBC by his dorm guys - what fun! And both sets of parents rejoiced with each other and look forward to further blessing from the Lord in their lives together.

This Sunday we continue all our regular programs and services – all ABF’s and classes meet at 9:30 am and have been a real blessing. Our Ladies ABF will continue to meet in the gym along with our Mixed Adult ABF. Our Men’s Fraternity will meet downstairs and our Senior Adult ABF meets in the auditorium. Please strive to be there early so that we can take full advantage of our time and opportunities for fellowship and learning.

Our 10:45 am Worship service will feature a brief video regarding our upcoming “Senior Money Matters Seminar” and we will continue our study in the area of personal stewardship. “Discipleship Means Stewardship” is what we will think about this week. If we say we are a Follower of Christ (disciple) then it demands that our lives are reflecting His complete control over us. We will look at Luke 9:23, 14:25 – 33 and some other passages. Please read these over in preparing your mind and heart to get the most out of our study.

At 6:00 pm our exciting evening programming continues. AWANA kids learn the Word of God and have fun as well. Don’t forget that this week is “Crazy Hair Night” – I can hardly wait. And adults are welcome to join in (though some say theirs is crazy every week.) All middle and high school students will enjoy their time together and will study from Matthew 6:25 - 34 about "The Truth About Worry." And our Adults will continue Andy Stanley's “The Best Question Ever” video study with part 3 “Living on the Edge.” Many wrong moral decisions made by people are usually preceded by a series of smaller, unwise choices. Be sure to see this video in order to not “Live on the Edge” toward sin and destruction, but rather on God’s way of safety and blessing.

An item for those of you who are “Worship Service Personnel" (singers, musicians, ushers, greeters, public pray-ers, offering thot contributors, tech people – anyone who is involved in our public services in ANY way) – we will have a meeting together next Sunday, October 7 at 4:45 pm with Pastor Tom and myself to touch base on continually making these services efficient and smooth flowing. We will also talk about the philosophy of our various services so that we all are on the same page as to how it all fits. Please make this a priority if you are involved in any area above – we don’t have these meetings often (probably should) so you need to attend.

Next week is the Streetsboro Quilt Guild 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Show that will be held in our gym. Please know that since they will be using the whole facility for several days that there will be no other activities going on then. The organization has promoted it heavily and a record turn out is expected. If you are into quilts and related things, don’t miss this. Beth has contacted some of you about providing “quick breads” to give out that day as a ministry – don’t forget to make yours, and if you would like to help in providing some but were not contacted, please see her or just drop it off.

Our “Senior Money Matters Seminar” is two weeks away, so we need you to turn in your reservation form as soon as possible in order for us to plan for materials and lunch. That includes YOU who are members and attenders here at Faith. And by the way, if you can help (not just seniors, but everyone) provide food for the lunch, please turn in a note to us to let us know. Again, the dates are Thursdays, October 11 and 18 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm each day. The lunch is free, so we will need your help providing that. It is a great opportunity to serve others.

Well, our Nicholas turns ONE YEAR OLD this Friday, September 28. Sarah has planned his party for next weekend, which will make it better for many of us to attend. Beth and I will be going on Friday afternoon and returning Saturday evening. We praise the Lord for the health and growth He has given Nicholas, and for the fine job of parenting Sam and Sarah are doing. Please continue to pray for them.

Keep thinking about your personal life of stewardship to the Lord as we approach this Sunday. And pray about the subject matter of your ABF’s and classes. Pray that God will give you boldness to invite someone to come with you – many are out there who might just take you up on the offer. And keep your own heart in tune with the Lord through reading His Word and prayer as we together “Look Toward Sunday.”

Pastor Don Workman
www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, September 23, 2007

As I begin this note, I remind you that this goes out to all those from our church (who have email and internet access) as well as just as many outside our church who are interested in our ministries here at Faith, or are friends / family of the Workman family and want updates as to what we are doing and how it is going. Thank you all for allowing me to accomplish a few things at one time (always good) by doing all these things in one "swoop."

With the title of this issue "September 23" I am reminded to wish our son, Joshua, a Happy 22nd Birthday this Sunday! Wow, where has the time gone? Please pray for him as he is in his important senior and final year at Baptist Bible College, PA and looking forward to the next steps of life and ministry after this school year.

Our fall season of Adult Bible Fellowships and Sunday School for kids at 9:30 am has gone very well with great attendance. I know that our Ladies "Seeking Him" and our "Men's Fraternity" electives have grown in attendance each week. It is still not too late for any of you to get involved with these or any other ABF (two more from which to choose.) And it is always a blessing as I "walk the halls" during this hour and listen to the teaching being given to our teens and kids in their classes. Thank you, teachers for this important work and being faithful to it.

We completed our look at 2 Corinthians last Sunday - if you would like to hear any of the sermons in it go to : http://fbcstreetsboro.podbean.com/ and you can listen or download them to listen later. I apologize for the length of the last one, but I really wanted to finish the series last week, so thanks for "hanging in there." And pray that I don't review so much in the future.

This Sunday in our 10:45 am Worship Service we will begin a new series under the general idea of "Stewardship." For the next few weeks we will look at various scriptures as we consider the wide range of what management / stewardship in our lives toward God is all about. Sure, we will address the money issue, but I think there are many other related areas, some even more important than money. This Sunday we will consider "Being a 'STEWARD' with What God Gives Us" which will serve as some introductory thoughts about the subject while giving us some challenging ideas from the Bible (Proverbs in particular) to apply to our lives. Come prepared.

Our evening programming at 6:00 pm continues to be a great blessing to all who attend. Our Adults were blest by the first video in the series "The Best Question Ever" by Andy Stanley. Some good applications were made in our lives through our brief discussion that followed it - don't miss it this Sunday. Our AWANA children and leaders are having a wonderful start to a new season also. It is still not too late to have your kids involved. Our student ministry will continue their series, "Dares from Jesus" and this week will consider "Go Long - the Truth About Investing" from Matthew 6:19 - 21 (hey, sounds like it will fit well with our morning series!) Pray for Dennis and Barb McMichael as they lead our students in thinking long range - hard for teens to do!

Some of you have noticed in the local newspapers that our church will be the host site for the 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Quilt Show, which is actually sponsored by the Streetsboro Quilt Guild. They sought our facility this year because they anticipate a record turn out, as well as the fact that we provide the kind of ADA equipped facility they desire. Plus with our gym and kitchen arrangement, it was ideal for them. So, there could be 1,000 or more who will be going through our building October 5 & 6 (who knew that many were into quilting! - why did the ladies look at me that way when I asked if there was going to be a foul shooting contest?) Please note that any food sales, admission price, and the fundraising quilt is all done by the guild and not our church. We did suggest that the proceeds from the fundraising quilt (some kind of Civil War pattern, again I'm clueless) would go to our friend, John Saucier and the TEAM JAM ministry he leads (click on 'TEAM JAM' to go to website.) They agreed, and we are glad to help. Though they will pay us a fee to use the building, this is outside our normal way of functioning, and we are not resorting to some other kind of way to raise funds here in our church. It is mainly our interst to serve our community another way and to get to know many more personally. See me if you have concerns or questions.

On October 11 and 18, 2007 (two succesive Thursdays) from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm each day we will be hosting the "Senior Money Matters Seminars" for the benefit of senior adults, those about to be, and those who care for them to help answer questions in regards to Medicare, Inheritance Taxes, Will I outlive my income?, and How to Increase Income and Decrease Taxes. These are all important issues and we are pleased to have an expert, Mr. Dave Brunswick, come to address these topics. Dave has various certifications in this field and his approach is a Biblical and Christian one. Please consider attending and inviting others. We will be giving a FREE LUNCH on both days, and most likely will ask you to help provide food and serve. Please let me know if you will help, thanks.

Don't forget that we are collecting candy to give out on October 28 for our Third Annual "Trunk or Treat" contact with our community. We got a few bags this past Sunday, which is not bad for short notice - but we will need MUCH MORE, so please help. Just deposit it in the bin by the display in the lobby. And be sure to sign up to help, especially if you are hosting a "trunk" in your car or van so that we can plan effectively.

Whew! Be sure to put all these things on your schedules, and help as much as you can - we need you.

In a week Beth and I plan to make a quick trip to Indiana to celebrate our Nicholas' FIRST BIRTHDAY! Can you believe it? Thank you for sharing his first year with us, you have literally watched him grow by means of the pictures I include with these notes. Rejoice with us in this special event because your prayers for him have had an important part in his early life. I know that Sarah and Sam fully appreciate this as well. They would also ask for your continued prayer as Nicholas is exploring his "independence" now: through "walking" (Sarah said crawling has been very infrequent for the past few weeks), through "weaning" by trying all kinds of new foods, and by "wailing" every time he doesn't get his way or mommy / daddy leave the room. Well, now the fun REALLY starts - and Beth and me are smiling real big! They can do it, they were well trained.

God bless you all as you prepare for Sunday to worship God together and enjoy fellowship with one another. For those outside our church we pray for God to bless your pastor and services in great ways.

Yours in Him,

Pastor Don Workman

www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

PS - Our digital camera of five years has finally "bit the dust" at the most inconvenient time for Beth and me, so we are looking for a new one (they are MUCH more expensive than anticipated.) We would like to know how you like YOUR camera, and what kind you would suggest? But with these prices, we may not be able to pull off the purchase this week - maybe a family Christmas gift!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Thanks for praying about the things I mentioned last week: my poison ivy is better; Sarah and Nicholas are better; and our Hannah is better as well. Praise the Lord for His healing work and how He has made our bodies. There are many others to pray for, and on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm we spend time doing just that. We also have a short Bible study, and a lot of time for sharing - give it a try if you have not done so recently.

We had a great start to our new ABF's last Sunday at 9:30 am. The Ladies "Seeking Him" study was well attended, the "Men's Fraternity" had more guys than we anticipated, the continuing ABF on "A Harmony in the Life of Paul" was almost too full, and our senior adult ABF studying "Living For Christ in a Fallen World" (Ephesians) had a great time. All our children and teens moved to new classes for Sunday School, so it was an exciting time last week. If you didn't make it, plan to come this Sunday and join the blessings.

In our 10:45 am Worship service we have a great blend of hymns and other worship songs as always. We will sing one of my all time favorites, "My Hope is in the Lord" - study the theological background of the words and you will see why I love it. We will also sing a new song for many (but not all), "Holy is the Lord" originally done by Chris Tomlin. And then we WILL finish our 2 Corinthians study by looking at chapter 13, especially v. 5 where they (and we) are commanded to "test" & "examine" ourselves to see if we are "in the faith." This is a good exercise for all to do, and a lot of it will come from the book of 1 John. Please pray that as some do "examine" their spiritual standing that the Holy Spirit will reveal any need they have.

At 6:00 pm our AWANA program for children will continue after a great start last week. It is for those age 4 through grade 6 and it is not too late to join - invite friends and neighbors. Our Student Ministry for teens also began with much enthusiasm and excitement. Their overall topic of study for the Fall is "Dares from Jesus" where they discover the truth and are dared to live by it. This Sunday in addition to a lot of food and games they will study from Matthew 5:38 - 42 discovering the "Truth about Retribution." Read it over ahead of time. On September 22 they will enjoy a Picnic at the Hudson Springs Park, plan now to attend.

Also at this time our Adults will begin the video study, "The Best Question Ever" with Andy Stanley who is one of America's most engaging speakers - and not just because he is related to his dad! Don't forget your study guide, and please be prompt as we will need to begin right at 6:00 pm. And don't miss this first session as you will find out what the Best Question Ever is!

Coming up in about a month will be our Third Annual "Trunk or Treat" outreach event. You will be hearing more about it soon, but this Sunday we will begin collecting candy to hand out to those who come. With this being our third year, we have established an excellent track record in the community, so much so that our local school superintendent agreed to allow us to distribute flyers to all the children in our elementary schools - all 1100 of them! So, you can see that we really will need a LOT of candy! In the past we have had about 200 visitors, but I think this year will be much more. Visit your local Wal-Mart, CVS, or Walgreens and pick up some candy and drop it off at the display in our lobby. Thank you.

I want to thank Rosemary Scott, Ray and Marge Linderman, Ron and Chris Sterner and many others for initiating a gathering of senior adults from across northern Ohio to enjoy a "retreat" of sorts in lieu of the Seniors Retreat that Camp Patmos on Kelly's Island had in the past. This year they didn't have it, so our group decided to have their own! About 30 came from as far away as Bowling Green and Marblehead, OH to enjoy great food, many games, and a time of fellowship in singing and the Word of God. A highlight was having Pastor Lynn Rogers and his wife, LaVerne here to enjoy it. Pastor Rogers was director at the camp and this retreat in particular for many years. All had a great time on a beautiful day! The only thing missing was Lake Erie. Here are a few pictures of their gathering here at Faith:

Pray and prepare your heart for all services this Sunday in all of our churches. Here at Faith we are so thankful for a good mood and spirit from God and toward one another. May God's people be challenged and instructed as they are encouraged in His Word and by great songs. And why not invite someone to attend with you this week? All they are waiting for is for you to ask them to come with you.

God bless,

Pastor Don Workman

www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, September 9, 2007

I love it when my senior adult helpers clip news items for which to pray about - we used to do it for our Wednesday evening services, but this habit has slidden. It would be great to have others pick up this ministry again. Anyway, one of my faithful readers, Lois Sarver (now in Dallas, TX for five months) gave me an article that was not about prayer requests, but amusing quotes, so I thought you would enjoy a few selections:

- "If you lend someone $20 and then never see them again, it was probably worth it."

- "Remember, it's the second mouse who always gets the cheese."

- "When everything's coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane."

- "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once."
- "A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour."

I will admit that last one was true of me a few times on my trip home from New York State a couple of weeks ago. There are more quotes I will save for another time - thanks, Lois!

This Sunday is special in the fact that our Fall season fully begins. At 9:30 AM we begin a new lineup of Adult Bible Fellowships as follows:

- For all ladies there is the "Seeking Him" series by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and others that will address personal revival. This will partly be in a video format with workbook and will meet in the Worship Center.

- For men the Men's Fraternity study on "The Quest for Authentic Manhood" will meet downstairs for guys who did not attend this program last year, or need to make up some sessions they missed last year. Workbooks will be available for those who ordered them.

- Pete Kendrick will teach a class for both men and women in the gym that continues the study "A Harmony of the Life of the Apostle Paul."

- We also plan to offer again our senior adult ABF in the gym for those interested.

Our Youth Bible Fellowships and Sunday School for kids will continue to meet at the same times with new quarters beginning and some moving up to a new class. Please pray for each group and plan to participate if you have not been in this good habit. Oh, and be there EARLY.

At 10:45 AM we meet to Worship God through song, giving, and hearing His Word. Read over 2 Corinthians 12:11 - 13:14 as we hope to wrap up this study by considering, "Where Do We Go From Here?" In closing this letter to the Corinthians Paul speaks sharply to them to "Grow Up" then to "'Fess Up" and then encourages them to "Make Up." As always I will strive to make all this applicable to us today, and believe me, it unfortunately is! Please come with a heart to hear.

At 6:00 PM our Fall season gets into gear with our AWANA program for kids age 3 through grade 6. It will begin a new season, so this will be a great time to invite friends and others to come. And adults, tell your friends who have kids this age about this fine ministry. And be sure to be ready when God brings your way (grocery store and Wal - Mart lines) people who don't attend church but have kids this age. Invite them to come and check it out.

Our Student Ministry (grades 7 - 12) will begin their new season as well at this time in their room downstairs. In addition to food and games their Bible study will be from Matthew 5:21 - 26 on "Get Past It."

Our Adults will meet in the Worship Center at the same time for songs, testimonies (come prepared to share) and our time of Communion at the Lord's Table. Remember, for true Christians this time is not optional, but one of the key commands from our Savior Jesus to attend so that we can be reminded of His great love and sacrifice for us. Never blow that off by giving this time to lesser pursuits.

As always, we meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM for a time of fellowship in prayer and God's Word - in that order and priority. This also involves a healthy time of sharing in requests and updates, and overall is a blessed time together to encourage us during the work week. It lasts until about 8:10 PM, but the blessing lasts the rest of the week. Don't be intimidated about prayer, we will not embarrass you in any way. Just join in with a good heart for others, and for your own needs as they arise.

On Friday, September 14 our Senior Adults will be hosting a "Camp Patmos" Day here in our gym and are inviting all senior adults in and outside our church to attend. It will begin at 11:00 AM and include a nice lunch. I am not sure what all they have planned as for activities, but it is sure to be fun! Call Rosemary if you have questions.

You will be hearing more about a "Senior Money Matters Seminars" that we will be hosting in October (11th and 18th.) It will be well worth it for not only seniors adults, but those who want to know more about Medicare (confusing), planning, retirement issues, etc.

Thanks for your interest and prayers for our family. Beth is suffering from late summer allergies; I (Don) have a case of poison ivy on my arm (yard work was never my thing, this is why); Hannah in Oregon was sick a couple of weeks ago but better now to visit a ministry friend in Dallas, TX; Sarah was sick and suffered a perforated eardrum that is not quite healed yet; and our little Nicholas has a case of "pink eye" and fluctuating fever. He has been to the doctor about 3 or 4 times in a little over a week, and now has come down with a bit of a rash due to a possible allergic reaction to Amoxicyllan (sp?) Sarah said for the most part he seems fine, except for being somewhat "lethargic." Whenever I call he still "talks" to Papa loudly while beating on the table with his drumsticks at the same time. Please pray for him, I think he is on the mend.

By the way, our son in law, Sam, started a new season leading the student ministry at Oakbrook Church in Kokomo, IN last week with over 110 kids and all their parents! Praise God! Click on this link to look over their "Oakbrook Student Ministries" website (recommended for those UNDER 25 years old.)

May God bless you as you "Look Toward Sunday" with me in His Church, for His Glory!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

PS - Papa "taught" Nicholas to drive the car on our last visit (as you know, they teach you this in Grandpa school) - now he LOVES "driving" daddy's car, and even a tractor at the Indiana State Fair!