Thursday, October 25, 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Last week I spoke too soon by putting the words "Cleveland Indians" and "World Series" in the same sentence. I thought that surely with a 3 - 1 lead in the series we would make it. But I forgot that this is Cleveland, home of "The Drive", "The Fumble", "The Shot", and now, "The Collapse." If you are reading this and gloating, then I hope your team wins. And if you are gloating and your team isn't in the Series, then knock it off! :-)


On Friday Beth and I will be leaving after school to travel up to New York State where on Sunday I will participate in the installation for Bruce Havens
Please keep us in your prayers. In my absence John Saucier, director of our local TEAM JAM (Jesus Athletic Ministry) will be speaking in our 10:45 AM service. Pray for him as he prepares, and if you would like to give to help with this ministry mark a giving envelope, "John" or "TEAM JAM" and put it in the offering.


At 9:30 AM we will continue with our Sunday School classes and Adult Bible Fellowships. Our Men's Fraternity and Ladies "Seeking Him" ABF's continue as well as two others for adults.


This Sunday is the day of our third annual "TRUNK and TREAT" family outreach ministry to our community. The hours are 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, but if you are hosting a "trunk" or helping in any other way you need to be here early - around 2:15 PM would be good. If you have questions see Bill or Debbie Mace who are the leaders. They have planned to have hot dogs and beverages available as well as a few inflatable devices (bounce house, obstacle course, large slide), along with indoor games and pictures. All helpers are welcome and encouraged to dress in an appropriate (fun, not scary or disgusting) costume - run yours by Bill if you are not sure. Thank you for all the candy you brought in so far, and any monetary donations will go toward the expenses incurred with the inflatables and food. Pray for good weather, so far it seems like it will be fine.


Looking ahead to November, prepare to change your clocks BACK an hour on Saturday night, Nov. 3. And on Sunday Nov. 4 remember that our "Faith Promise for Missions" commitment cards are due (you may turn them in anytime before then.) These commitments help fund our missions program and is beyond our normal church giving - that is why it is "by faith." This is a great opportunity to grow in your faith, which is a common prayer for many. Now all we need to do is put it to work.


We need some helpers on Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 6 to help serve special holiday breads and coffee to those who come to vote in any of the four precincts we host. Over the years we have gained a special and favorable reputation among our community by doing this for free. It is a wonderful way to serve others and the Lord, see Beth if you can give us a hand.


November will have a Missions theme and emphasis to it as we consider missions in our sermons and will feature a couple of missionaries later in the month. This will be a great lead in to the holiday season.


Speaking of that, put the Adult Christmas Banquet on your calendar for Saturday evening, December 1st. Food will be catered again by our friend, Dave Milligan, and Pastor and Mrs. Larry Engle of Graham Road Baptist will be our special guests for music and devotional. It is always a good time, plan to attend and invite some others as well.


I am praying that God will bless all our services and events this Sunday. It is a big day for us as a church, and has great potential in the lives of our community and ourselves as we give attention to God and His Word. I pray that all churches that represent the truth of Christ will be blest in special ways this Sunday, do your part in your church.


Pastor Don Workman


Nicholas as Papa's Ohio State Boy (with Brutus)


This is apparently the "new face" he has learned to make - "ooh!"

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Isn't it a great time to be from OHIO in general and CLEVELAND in particular? :-)

Buckeyes football, NUMBER ONE in all the land!

GO TRIBE!! Beat Boston and then on to the WORLD SERIES! (by the way, here is a great story about Paul Byrd that Laura Kieta sent to me, I encourage everyone to read it: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=alipour/071016&sportCat=mlb)

Who would have dreamed that Cleveland would be in the NBA Championship Finals AND the World Series in the SAME calendar year (2007)???




Thanks, I had to get that out of my system!





It has been a joy the past two weeks of this month to open a “note a day” from one or two of you to me as your pastor. Each one has been encouraging - thank you! It is great that this can be stretched through the whole month. The notes from adults have been very uplifting; I didn’t know that the things you mentioned were even noticed. Notes from teens and college students have shown much more maturity and insight than they are often given credit for. We have a great group of young people and young adults. The notes from children are truly unique due to their simplicity (and handwriting!) One in particular brought tears to my eyes when I opened it and read in large letters, some of them backward: “Thank you for being nice to us.” That really made me feel more like Jesus than I have in a long time. One of my personal “rules for living” is that “I will always take time for children.” It is natural and a joy for me to do this, but a note like this brings true reward. Thank you, again, for such a special month!


On our trip to Baptist Bible College last week Beth and I saw many friends and remembered special times. Of course we were asked many times how things at church are going, and it was with great joy that we could report an excellent mood and spirit among us.


It is unfortunate that not all churches experience this, and even more unfortunate are the ways they try to handle it. I heard of one church whose pastor, in a novel effort to reduce pent up frustrations among the church members, suggested this idea: Rev. Thaddeus Bump surprised his congregation at the Jester Hill Community Church one Sunday morning by calling for everyone in the church to seek out someone who had offended them during the past year and slap them across the face. It is reported that the Sunday service was extended for an extra forty minutes!


Not the best idea Rev. Bump ever had! And my prayer in this is: "Lord, keep your servant back from doing stupid things."




Our "Senior Money Matters Seminar" is going on right now in our gym, and about half the attenders are new this week. Our goals are that good information will be given, questions will be answered, more effective stewardship will result, and some contacts are made with community members who don't attend any church. Thankfully we have acheived all these goals. This seminar series has been a wonderful success! And thank you to all who helped with the free lunches.



This Sunday the Browns have an "off" week (or should I say a "bye" week), so there is no excuse for not being in church. In fact, when the Browns are playing is a TERRIBLE excuse to miss church! We look forward to great fellowship and learning for all in our ABF's and classes at 9:30 AM. Be here early so that we can begin on time.


In our 10:45 AM service our series on "Being Faithful Stewards" has gone well, and our songs have been an uplift. This week in our study we will look at various scripture passages rather than just one in considering, "Why We Give as Stewards." Application will be made and hopefully a greater understanding will be acheived to see why we give what we give. It will all boil down to the blessing of God in our lives to greater or lesser degrees. Please don't forget to consider your Faith Promise for Missions commitment - and please return your cards anytime. Though the deadline is November 4, you can turn them in at any time. And remember that your participation in this helps set our missions budget for 2008.


After our morning service we will get together in the gym / fellowship hall for one of our semi - annual "Soup & Chili Suppers." These are always a favorite among us as we sample some of your best offerings. Bring your own table service, drinks will be provided. This is the closest we get to a Chili "burnoff", so bring your best stuff.


Sunday evening at 6:00 pm all our AWANA, student, and adult ministries will be going on. Adults will view Andy Stanley's next installment video in "The Best Question Ever" series by seeing what a gift God has given us in counselors and advisors in the decisions we make. We have all benefited from this study and appreciate Andy's unique and winsome way of speaking. Our AWANA kids, and possibly our teens will help in distributing "Trunk or Treat" flyers in our community, so come dressed for the outing.


We need MUCH MORE CANDY for "Trunk or Treat" on October 28. Please bring yours and put it by the display in the lobby. There are also other items needed such as apple juice, hot dog buns, coffee, cups, stirring sticks, etc. Then we need volunteers to help with parking assistance, children's activities oversight, etc. Please sign up so we know you will help. Due to expanding the food and activities this year we are charging a small price, but remember this money goes to reimburse for the costs of food and inflatable rides, etc. This is NOT a fundraising adventure for us. And we are not setting a precedent, but rather just giving all this a try. Our main goal is that these things will RETAIN our guests a little longer so that we can get to know them better, and have them know more about us. So, please join in and pray about it, and help as you can.


This is all for now, I appreciate you reading and praying about our activities and the upcoming Sunday services. Please look over our website, and try our podcast if you haven't for a while. Ask God to work in all our hearts this week that we will be drawn more closely to Him, and that some will come into a relationship with Him that have never had this before. And may He be glorified in all our churches this week.


Pastor Don Workman
http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/
http://fbcstreetsboro.podbean.com/




Our Jon at a televised University of Oregon football game with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit!





Our Hannah thrilled to be with the University of Oregon "Duck" mascot!!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Sunday, October 14, 2007



Our "Senior Money Matters Seminar" is going on as I write this with 20 in attendance. Dave Brunswick, our instructor has spent most of the morning explaining the various options of Medicare. It is a confusing issue, but through Dave's explanation those in attendance received much help. Then they transitioned to discuss "inheritance taxes" and related issues. The seminar continues next Thursday, October 18 in the areas of money management as it relates to life expectancy, legacies left, increasing income and decreasing taxes, and the various financial vehicles available to accomplish your stewardship goals as they pertain to family and church. Plan to attend, even if you could not attend today. And THANK YOU to all who provided for the lunch - it was appreciated by all.

Speaking of appreciation, THANK YOU to everyone who contributed a note or card to me this month. It was a great idea to have me open one or two of your notes daily through the month of October. These notes included kids and teens as well as all adults, and it has been a blessing to me and Beth. You mention things in our ministry that have helped you that I often overlook or take for granted. My prayer is that we all can grow together and in the Lord as we serve Him by serving one another.

This Sunday we continue all ABF's and classes at 9:30 am. One change is that the mixed adults ABF that meets in the gym will begin a new study about "God's Answers to Man's Questions." This will be Biblically based and sounds to be very practical.

At 10:45 am we will worship through songs (including a new one, "What Can I Do?" by Paul Baloche) and the Word of God as we continue to consider the area of being Stewards that please God. This week we will consider the "How and Why We Give" which will look at passages about new testament giving, and a little about how we get our money at church. This will include a brief look at the "den of thieves" passages from Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 2. As you look those over, can you tell me what is unique but related about them as a whole? Remind me to ask you about it this Sunday.
Sunday evening at 6:00 pm our Adults will continue the "Best Question Ever" video study with Andy Stanley, this time seeing the "Time Bandits" that would rob us of our time if we let them. Our AWANA kids (age 4 - grade 6) will enjoy a bonfire as well as their learning circle time, and a special council time. If you bring a friend, shares are DOUBLED! Maybe I will try the same with our adults! Our middle and high school students will meet downstairs in their room at church and enjoy an active, fun and food filled time of learning and fellowship on their level.

Don't forget that it is that time of year when we begin practices for our Christmas programs. The children up through 8th grade teens will meet during the usual "junior church" time to begin working on their program, and all adults (includes teens in grade 7 and up) that want to sing in the Cantata need to meet at 4:45 pm. Both programs will take place on Sunday, December 16 and we will tell you more about it later. But please be present to practice NOW.

Put on your calendar that a week from this Sunday (October 21) will be one of our favorite socials together, a "Soup Social" right after our morning service. The bulletin will have the details as to what to bring. Plan to stay and enjoy the time, especially if it is more seasonally cooler as it is today.

Don 't forget that our "Faith Promise for Missions" program is underway. You have and will receive bulletin inserts explaining it if you are not familiar with it, or click to go to this page on our website: http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/index.cfm/method/content.DC3D7542-1A3B-4CEC-B0119AADAAAD5705 for a complete explanation of it (under our "missions" page if it doesn't work for you.) Please pray about what commitment you can make by Faith to contribute to our Missions program, and remember that this is beyond your normal giving to church. In this way our general fund benefits, and our missions program is funded. You can turn in your commitment card at any time, but we would like them back no later than Sunday, November 4. And if you did not get one of these commitment cards, please let me know.

I have been telling you about "Trunk or Treat" coming on October 28. I won't go into more detail now, other than to remind you to continue to bring in bags of candy to be given out to our community kids who attend. And also pray that I will continue to avoid temptation every time I walk past that "stash."

The Quilt Show that we hosted was a tremendous success! Over 500 people attended the event, and $500 was given to the "TEAM JAM" local sports outreach ministry through the fundraising baskets. Please remember that NONE of the fundraising, bake sale, etc. was our part as a church - we only provided part of our building. Again, we will try to address any concerns related to this on Sunday.

Beth and I leave in an hour (Thursday, 3:30 pm) to go to Baptist Bible College for some homecoming events tomorrow (Friday.) They involve Beth singing and both of us giving a very brief testimony. We plan to leave early on Saturday to head back home and be ready for Sunday - please keep us in your prayers.

Last week was a wonderful, though brief, time with Nicholas and his parents as we celebrated his first birthday. It had a "Dog - Dog" theme, and he was allowed to have his own cake and eat it too as most one year olds experience. He wasn't sure about Papa's gift of an Ohio State "Brutus" doll (this kind is OK for boys), but he will surely come to love and cherish it. Now, Aunt Sandi's (Goodrich) marching drum was another story! He learned in a snap how to do it, and I must say his coordination at marching and drumming is extraordinary! I am pretty sure he is some kind of prodigy! :-)

Well, I better close and get home to finish packing - you know how guys are about such things. Even though this will be a busy few days for me I do look forward to Sunday with you and trust you will prepare you heart and mind for all God has for you. Pray for those around you, for open doors to invite and talk about the Lord Jesus, not only church. May your church and your Sunday be filled with His Spirit and the blessings He brings.

Pastor Don Workman







Thursday, October 4, 2007

Sunday, October 7, 2007

I don't know about where you live, but here in northeastern Ohio the leaves are starting to turn colors (mostly in the reds) and some are even falling off the trees. I love fall, I don't like what follows. But I am thankful to be alive to experience it all. I say that because last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I was very sick (which means I didn't think I would make it.) Well, it turned out to be from a fairly sudden stopping of the prednisone I was taking for poison ivy. They didn't tell me you had to "come down" gradually. I didn't even know I was "up there." All I knew is that my poison ivy was gone, and I was glad. After a doctor visit and a shot of something, I felt much better by Saturday afternoon. Just in time to go to my urologist appointment yesterday for a check up, through which I was given a good report.

But Beth is another matter - early this week one of her back molars broke in half, which resulted in a root canal (actually five roots in one tooth.) That was $1,100 we didn't plan on. Now she has to get the "cap" put on in a couple of weeks, an additional $900 that we didn't plan on. I am thankful that we did sell her car last week, which will pay for the cap - glad I didn't spend that money too early!

We both plan to go to Indiana this Friday and Saturday for Nicholas' birthday celebration and should be back on Sunday - healthy we hope! After how I felt this past weekend we are glad his party was changed to this week. We can't wait to see him, last week he got his first "big boy" haircut!

It has been very busy and interesting around our building with the set up and judging of the Quilt Show. Tomorrow and Saturday is the actual show, if you are into quilts and in the area you shouldn't miss it. I did go out there and offered my expertise to the judges, but in a polite way they told me to "bug off." I took the hint! Really they are very nice and extremely talented ladies.

Reservations for our "Senior Money Matters Seminar" are coming in for that program next week. We will need some help with the lunch on both this coming Thursday, October 11 and the next, October 18. If you can help set up, serve, and clean up we need you. If you can provide sandwiches and chips for Oct. 11 please let us know. We will have sign up sheets available on Sunday.

"Trunk or Treat" is scheduled for Sunday, October 28 and we need many helpers along with all the candy to give out. Bill Mace is heading this up, please see him if you can help or have questions.

This Sunday our 9:30 AM classes and ABF's continue their various studies and fellowship. They all have been well attended, we encourage you not to miss it.

Our 10:45 AM service will continue with our series on "Stewardship" by looking at Luke 10 and the familiar parable Jesus gave there. "Being Generous Stewards That Please God" will be the theme of our talk. We will also be distributing our "Faith Promise for Missions" commitment cards which we would like returned by November 4 - please prayerfully consider your part. We will be putting inserts in the next four Sunday bulletins explaining in detail what it is all about if it is new to you.

At 6:00 PM our Adults and middle - high school Students join in the worship center for our monthly Communion service. This whole time is given to songs, testimonies, a brief look at God's Word (this time from Matthew 26:17 - 30) and participation in the elements that remind us and represent Christ's sacrifice on our behalf. We are prone to sometimes forget even important things in our lives, and God knows that. That is why He gave this COMMAND for us to gather and remember through a service like this. Make it your priority this week.

Our AWANA kids will have their time of learning and fun at 6:00 PM. Part of that will be wearing Cleveland Indians paraphenalia (sp?) celebrating the fact that they are one of the BEST TEAMS IN BASEBALL and still playing in October. GO INDIANS, BEAT THOSE YANKEES - no matter how LeBron feels about it!!

Here are some words of advice that some gave to me, that I hope will be helpful to you:
- Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
- Never buy a car bigger than you can push.
- Drive carefully - it is not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
- Accept the fact that some days you are the pigeon, and other days you are the statue.

Thanks for reading these weekly notes. Don't forget to look over our website if you haven't for awhile. And be sure to check our podcast site at http://fbcstreetsboro.podbean.com/ to listen to past sermons. Thanks for your consistent giving and prayers for me and others. May God bless you as you prepare your heart for all He has for you this Sunday.

Pastor Don Workman
www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org