Sunday, April 6, 2008

Sorry for no "looking toward sunday" note last week - I was preoccupied with someone very important in my life: Beth and I spent a few days with Nicholas and his parents, which cut into my week but was well worth it. And you know, my back never did hurt from this "horsie" ride! And Beth was thrilled with her opportunity to help Nicholas learn to "color." Now our refrigerator is beginning to look like it hasn't looked like in many years!

I just saw this one and it brightened my day, maybe it will for you, too if you need it:

Our boss told us that she is planning a salary raise. One of the guys asked, "When does it become effective?"
The boss answered, "As soon as you do."

And, I am not proud to admit it, but this one made me laugh as well:

An 85-year-old widow went on a blind date with a 90-year-old man. When she returned to her daughter's house later that night, she seemed upset.
"What happened, Mother?" the daughter asked.
"I had to slap his face three times!"
"You mean he got fresh?"
"No," she answered, "I thought he was dead."

For this Sunday we look forward to a great day weather-wise (if we can trust the forecasters) as well as a wonderful day worshipping the Lord. We have had some new attenders in our Adult Bible Fellowships at 9:30 AM and they are thrilled with the learning opportunity. We offer three studies for adults from which to choose in the Bible books of Daniel, Psalms, and Ephesians. All are related to life and include great fellowship as well. If you don't know which to attend, come and we can help you. We will also continue our Membership Orientation / Class in my study. Our Sunday School for kids and teens also continues during this time, I don't know all their subjects of study, so maybe the teachers can let me know.

In our 10:45 AM worship service we have a great blend of songs, hymns, scripture memory (2 Timothy 1:7, 8a) and some other special things. I plan to talk with you from the Bible about the Constant Temptation we face as the People of God. If you read Hosea 3 and the surrounding chapters, it should prepare you for this talk. We will also see how to put off or overcome this temptation in our lives and live as the "overcomers" God intends for us. Please pray about this time.

At 6:00 PM we will hold our AWANA time for kids - be sure to wear your favorite team's colors for "Spring Sports Night." I hope there are not any Chief Wahoo protesters around then! Our older Students will view the next segment in the video series, "The Best Question Ever." This study was so helpful to the adults that I asked our leaders to go through it with the teens, and they have found it very helpful and life changing. Our Adults will sing, fellowship, and continue our look at 2 Corinthians 5 by studying the Criteria for establishing Our Heavenly Rewards. We have been blessed by the many adults who gather after this service in the lobbies talking and getting to know each other better, so don't run off too quickly.

Thank you for giving to our Easter Offering this year which totaled $1,230 and will go toward window replacements in our building. We hope to get going with the lower level very soon, probably with glass block, then as funds come in we will replace the auditorium windows (I can't believe I just typed, "winders" and had to correct it!)

Don't forget the special things on Saturday, April 5 - the Women's Missionary Fellowship at 1st Baptist in Green in the morning and then the special 85th birthday celebration for Art Goodrich at the Maplewood Care Center. Bring a card and stop in and see Art from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and be a blessing. We have a lot of other opportunities for growth and ministry in our weekly bulletin and on the bulletin board in the lobby, so please be sure to look them over. We will are planning our annual spring clean up around the grounds and building and will let you know more when we set that date. I hope you will help.

As you know, this note I write goes out to many, many of my family and friends outside our church who have interest in what is going on in our church and the lives of our family. Thank you for your interest and prayers. I have told you a lot about Joshua' basketball successes recently, but we also have another huge success in our family that is equally as exciting. As Jon and Hannah (Young) work out in Oregon at the Brookings Harbor High School, their team (the Bruins - Yea!) recently played all the way through to the Oregon State High School Athletic Association Championship basketball game for their division (4A) at Oregon State University in Corvallis. They lost by only 3 points and were runner up in the state! WOW!! Though disappointed, they are excited about the prospects for next year as they have the core of their team back, including the Oregon state coach of the year and the player of the year! Our Jon serves as an assistant coach with the team and is the school's Athletic Director. He is also overseeing a huge sports complex renovation and other improvements through this coming year. Hannah has been to most of the games to cheer them on, even in the midst of her own teaching and graduate work. So, they are busy, but God is blessing, especially through the spiritual impact they have in a public school. Please pray for them and all the public school personnel and students you know.

We have about 15 who have signed on to our group ("Faith Baptist Church Streetsboro Faithful") through their "Facebook" account - join us if you haven't yet. And be sure to check it and contribute your thoughts and improvements. Pictures and videos are welcome. And even if you are not part of our church but are interested, you are welcome to join as well. Hey, maybe this is the beginning of our "virtual church!"

Well, pray for and attend your REAL church this Sunday. God has been doing some wonderful things among us here, and I hope the same goes for your church. Pray for all and yourself to be ready for what He has for you this Sunday

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/