Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008

I am thankful for the official arrival of Spring yesterday. But I was not quite as thankful for the snow shower storm late yesterday - it took an hour and a half for me to get home from Cleveland (normally a 45 minute trip.) I am looking forward to the REAL Spring to arrive, not this imposter!

I am thankful for the time Joshua was able to spend at home this week on Spring break. Between doctor appointments, some rest, and some wedding planning we were able to go fishing for part of one day. Once again, mid March is not the best fishing time - at least for us. It was too cold, water too high, or too frozen. Here he is on Lake Erie, notice the ice in the background.

I am thankful for Leah's continued safety in Ireland as she ministers with the Chamber Singers from BBC in various churches there. If you investigate the impact of Christianity in Great Britain currently you will see that the churches there are in need of encouragement. I also know the Lord has done much in Leah's life through this time. And on their day off, can you imagine being in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day?

I am thankful for this week, which many signify as "holy week" when we remember Christ's passion for us leading to the cross, His death, then celebrating His glorious resurrection from the dead on Sunday. We will have a very special service on Good Friday at 7:00 pm for about an hour. It will include music, drama, communion, and time to think about all Jesus did for us. It is something that you won't want to miss.

I am thankful for the blessings that Sunday brings, especially this Easter Sunday. We will begin at 9:30 am with our Sunday school (for children and teens) and Adult Bible Fellowships (3 different ABF's, studies in the books of Daniel, Psalms, and Ephesians), including our membership class. We will continue in our 10:45 am Worship service with some great music revolving around the resurrection theme - come with your voice warmed up. We will consider in our sermon, "It is Finished; It is Done - Rejoice!" You can see it in John 19:30 and Revelation 21:6 and both have very special significance to us. Remember there is NO service, AWANA, or Student Ministries at 6:00 pm this week only.

I am thankful many of you gave so well to our offering last week - thank you. We are still lacking from our shortfall from a few weeks earlier, but if we continue to give faithfully in our tithes and offerings, our deficit will be erased soon. Please help. And remember that we are receiving our special "Easter Offering, 2008" and will do so through next week. So far, the total for that stands at $660 and will help toward replacing the windows in our auditorium, which is much needed.

I am thankful that Beth and I will be able to run out to Indiana for a few days after Easter to see Sarah, Sam, and Nicholas. He is jabbering and making more sense now, and does pronounce many words quite well for his age (18 months.) I have thought for some time now that he is more advanced than most his age, now I am almost sure of it! :-) Maybe we can play in his "fort" that he and mommy made one day. He really enjoyed crawling through it.

I am thankful that "March Madness" has begun on TV today (Thursday) and that so far all of the teams I picked have either won or are winning - except for Kent State's pathetic showing in their first game. Maybe in the next few years this time will become a national holiday! Woe to those who are not into basketball.

I am thankful that God in His goodness gives us all so many things to richly enjoy. May we do that in ways that honor Him and bring Him glory, and much of that will be when we worship Him in our churches this weekend. As this time of year is one of the times the unreligious may consider attending church or considering spiritual things, pray and prepare that God will use you to help them find the Risen Saviour, Jesus.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008

A church in Amherst, Ohio (not ours)

A poor guy somewhere in Cleveland (not me, thankfully)

In case you missed it, here in the general Cleveland and most of Ohio area we had the "snowstorm of the century" - at least so far in this new century. That was last weekend, and many churches (ours included) were forced to cancel morning services and programs. Beth and I were near Philadelphia the whole time (where it was between 40 and 50 degrees) and watched it on the Weather Channel or listened on the internet to local radio stations. Between 24 and 30 inches of snow was experienced by most around here. The recent warm weather has melted a lot of it, but much remains, and "controlled melting" will help avoid flooding.

Because we cancelled last Sunday morning's services, we will repeat much of what was planned, only with a "Palm Sunday" flavor to it. Our 9:30 AM Sunday school and ABF's will meet, along with our membership class. In our 10:45 AM worship service we plan to recognize our recent graduates of our Men's Fraternity group for the past year. All Men's Fraternity "Alumni" will welcome them to "The Fraternity." We will also sing to the Lord and hear from His Word in 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 24 as we consider, "The Obscenity of the Cross." When we understand the meaning of obscene in our day, we can see how the cross fits. That doesn't detract from it, but rather displays the importance of the cross in our preaching and salvation.

At 6:00 PM our AWANA kids program will have their regular activities and time of learning God's Word. Adding to their fun is their emphasis this week, "Backward Clothing Night" which speaks for itself. Our Student Ministry will enjoy fellowship together as they view another segment in the video series, "The Best Question Ever." They will hear about "Time Bandits" as it relates to living life wisely for God. Our Adults will sing, share, and continue our study in "Our Heavenly Rewards" which revolves around 2 Corinthians 5:10. It is my hope that this study will motivate all God's people to deeper Christian living.

Some other items to remember:

- there will be a meeting after this Sunday's morning service for parents interested in having their child(ren) attend Skyview Ranch this summer. This will help organize registration and transportation.

- there will be NO Wednesday evening service on March 19, because we will have our annual Good Friday service at 7:00 pm.

- next Thursday at 11:00 AM is the OASIS group prayer time followed by their montly luncheon.

- please remember to bring your regular tithes and offerings from last week with you this week to add to your offering for this week (in other words, don't miss a week.) Our budget really suffered due to the weather situation last week and we need to make it up.

Thankfully our Cedarville students (Bobby, Eric, Stephanie) made it back to school safely last Sunday/Monday following their Spring break. Leah Workman is spending her break in Ireland with the Chamber Singers of BBC ministry trip. She just emailed us this note: "I wanted to let you know we got in ok. the flight was fine; weather was good. it rains everyday here, but i guess that's normal. we went out to town after our concert tonight - had some real fish 'n chips. :)" Please pray for that group's ministry as they return March 24, and Jessica Goodrich will pass them mid - Atlantic as she takes a school group to minister in England for their Spring break!

Last Friday Joshua and the BBC basketball team played in their first ever NCAA tournament. They lost to the number one seeded team, but played well. Click on video picture, then the black arrow to see 3 of his 22 points - he is #55. This was his final college game and he has represented us all well by being named to the National Christian College Athletic Association All East Region First Team. And then just yesterday he was named to the NCCAA Division II All American Team! Now not only are we the church that has produced 3 homecoming queens, but now an All American player, and a Marine captain helicopter pilot (Justin Goodrich)!

God is good to us, and I hope you show your appreciation to Him by being obedient and making every effort to prepare for and be here this Sunday.

See you then,

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Here is Nicholas' latest fun adventure with mommy - learning to be a chef!
He (and we) is thankful to have such a fun mommy.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE BED THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

For you information, last week I did not send out this note because I ran out of time. Beth and I were going out of town for the conference season ending tournament that Joshua and the Baptist Bible College team was playing in which was hosted at Cazenovia College in Central New York. We left on Thursday, and felt we were "dancing" around the weather situation. Well, we did get involved in a storm, and that is why we were not at church last Sunday morning. We did not even have a place to stay when we got there, all places were full. But the Lord miraculously opened a room for us in the wonderful "Brae Loch Inn" when a lady decided to leave early and we were able to get that room - the best room in the Inn at a reduced rate. God is good!

By the way, BBC won the tournament, and to top it off, Joshua was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. We were all pleased, proud, and yet humbled by God's goodness to us. With this win, it qualified BBC to go to the big NCAA Division III National Tournament!! (click here for the brackets) This is a first time ever, historic occasion, and has been a goal for the team for at least the past four years. We thank the Lord they finally made it. Therefore, Beth and I will be leaving today (Thursday) after school to travel to Collegeville, PA (near Valley Forge) where BBC will play the host team from Ursinus College at 8:00 PM on Friday. (click on college name for info) That team is big and good, but BBC has done extremely well recently, winnning the past 10 out of 11 games.

We are leaving Thursday because they are forecasting a storm for Friday and into Saturday. We hope to get back here on Saturday, please pray that the weather will cooperate. And that is if BBC loses, but if they win, we will come back on Sunday. I am scrambling right now to make sure my bases are covered for Sunday just in case. And Pastor Tom will be gone as well on Sunday as he is flying Thursday evening to California to attend the wedding of his nephew. Please keep us in your prayers.

The plan for Sunday involves our Adult Bible Fellowships at 9:30 AM where we feature three different groups who are studying either the books of Psalms, Ephesians, or Daniel. These ABF's just began last Sunday so it is not too late to get involved. Our children and teens also meet at this time.

At 10:45 AM we have some great songs and will feature a special presentation to our guys who recently completed the "Men's Fraternity" season this past year. I also plan to speak about "The Obscenity of the Cross" from 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 24 as we begin to think more and more about Christ's suffering, death, burial, and resurrection for us as we approach the Easter season. The radio news just said the storm is suppose to go from Friday through Saturday evening - I hope Beth and I make it back.

Sunday evening at 6:00 PM we plan to sing and share, then continue our study about "Our Heavenly Rewards" which I hope has been an interesting and encouraging study of what will happen to believers when in heaven. Our AWANA group and teen ministries will also meet. The teens will continue their video study on "The Best Question Ever" so don't miss it.

Soon you will be hearing more about our Good Friday and Easter services, pray and plan now to have your heart ready. They will be a blessing!

We still have a lot of ice on the trees around here. Some have lost power, but most has been regained now. It is beautiful, but can be dangerous - be sure to wear your protective helmet when passing beneath trees!!

Again, Beth and I appreciate your consideration toward us as we strive to finish Joshua's college basketball career with him. It is tiring and expensive, and at times inconveniences our services, but it only happens once in life. He has represented the Lord and all of us as a big family well. Please pray for our safety in travel, and we hope to see you on Sunday.

And did I remind you to: BE SURE TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

PS - something went wrong with the blogger site as I was trying to insert more pictures - I hope I didn't break it! Hopefully it will be fixed for next time.