Sunday, September 28, 2009

Earlier this week Beth and I had some wood flooring installed in our living room. This has been a needed project for many years. I got a great deal on it from my friend, Mike, who is the owner of the flooring company my father and uncle worked for over many decades. I trust their installers because I know they will do it right. The biggest blessing of the whole thing was that about 45 minutes after meeting the installer (whom I didn't know before) I was helping him pray to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior! Though it was Monday morning and I was tired, I could sense that our initial, friendly conversation was taking a very serious turn towards the subject of spirituality, eternity, and the needs that God had been working in this man's life. He was very receptive as I was very ready to pray with him. We had good fellowship throughout the day as he worked, which carried over into Tuesday as he finished. Please pray for Dominic that he will continue to read the Bible and material I gave him, and that he and I will be able to arrange some meetings together in the days ahead.

For this Sunday we have all our classes meeting at 9:30 AM. Some good studies for Adults are continuing, you need to be involved in one if you haven't been already. Pray for Pete as he will be visiting his parents this week and I will be filling in for that class as we study from James 2.

In our 10:45 AM service we will continue our study in looking at God's Plan for all time through the dispensations. "How God Has and Does Deal With Us" will be our theme this week as we look at Genesis 3 - 7 where the dispensation of Conscience is key. I will finish our look at the first dispensation of Innocence by seeing how the Edenic Covenant fits here, then continue through the dispensation of Conscience and see how the Adamic Covenant factors in. Don't be confused, it will all make sense. Though dispensationalism can be a controversial subject, we make no apologies for subscribing to this view of Biblical interpretation. Pray for me as I attempt to "sermonize" this subject which is much more given to flat out teaching.

Our 6:00 PM time includes ministries for the whole family. AWANA for kids continues to go well. Our teens time will take a turn toward Missions with some exciting news and future events. Adults will continue with part 3 of our video series on the life of the Apostle Peter, hosted by Michael Card in Israel. Jesus and His disciples have wrapped up their ministry in Galilee for the last time and turn toward Jerusalem. Come and learn about the land, the situation, and how much like Peter you and I are.

Please note that coming up next week, on October 3 & 4 will be the Streetsboro Quilt Guild Show that is held in our building. Last year over 500 people came to our facilities to view the quilts and it all turned out to be a positive experience for them and us. I anticipate this year being the same. I need your prayers as this year they are having a ribbon for the "Pastor's Choice" quilt, and I know nothing about the intricacies of quilt making. If someone REALLY wants that award, they should probably make a quilt with a cross stiched picture of LeBron James on it. That would win my vote for sure!

Also next weekend there are opportunities for you in our area to attend some meetings that emphasize missions around the world. We have all the information on the bulletin board about these, so I will only mention the basics here. On October 4 (Saturday) there will be a regional meeting for the Voice of the Martyrs meeting in Aurora. Also that day will be another meeting at Bethlehem Baptist in Orange Village with representatives of the Jewish Awareness Ministries discussing whether or not we are living in the shadows of the great tribulation. With the financial news of the past week, I would not be surprised if we are. And at Bible Baptist in Bedford that same evening (Oct. 4) there will be a meeting with one of the speakers from the Voice of the Martyrs ministry speaking as a former Muslim. Wow, I can hardly figure out which one to attend! Knowing me, I will run around and catch a bit of all of them. Hopefully you will not let this day pass without taking in some of it.

Our Christmas Cantata choir rehearsals begin at 4:45 PM on Sunday, October 12, but we will tell you more about that as it gets closer.

Our son, Joshua, just celebrated his 23rd birthday this past week on September 23. How time does fly! We are thankful for him and are glad that he and Emily are doing well now into their fourth month of married life.

And Nicholas celebrates his 2nd birthday this Sunday, Sept. 28. Beth and I were going to try to make a fast trip out and back, but it may not happen this week. I am sure his mommy and daddy have some special things planned for him, beginning with going to the local high school football game tonight! He will love it.

As I close I would like you to pray for Art Goodrich, a long time member here at Faith. At is approximately 82 years old and has been having several physical issues in recent months. He has been in Robinson Hospital this past week with a lot of fluid in his chest among other things, and has been put on hospice care about mid week. I will be leaving now to be with him and Tom, as Art is slowly declining and may be with the Lord very soon. He knows Christ as His Savior, please pray for a gentle transition from this life to the next whenever that time comes. Pray for Tom, Sandi, Jessica, and Justin as well as Tom's extended family. Thank you.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Though I try at times, I am not much of a golfer. But I can appreciate the following story, and though a little long, it really gave me a good laugh for the day:

A golf pro dragged himself into the clubhouse looking as though he'd just escaped a tornado.
"What's wrong?" a woman asked.
"I just lost a game to Houlihan," the pro said.
"What? But Houlihan's the worst player I've ever seen. How could he have beaten you?"
"He tricked me," the pro said. "On the first tee, he asked for a handicap. I told him he could have 30, 40, 50 strokes - any handicap he wanted. He said, 'Just give me two gotchas.'"
"What's a gotcha?" asked the woman.
"That's what I wanted to know," the pro said. "Houlihan said, 'You'll see.' Then, as I was teeing off, just as I had my club poised, he grabbed my shorts and gave me a wedgie and screamed out 'Gotcha!'"
"I can guess what happened," the woman said.
"Sure," the pro said. "That gotcha threw me off, and I missed the ball completely."
"Understandable," the woman said. "But still, that's only one swing. How did he win the game?"
The pro answered, "I couldn't swing well the rest of the game because I was watching out for that second 'gotcha!'"

See, I'm still laughing, and probably you are, too! Doesn't that make your day look better?

Last Saturday we had a great time hosting the Alumni and Friends event here at our church. About 40 attended and a good and informative time was had by all. You can read more about it on BBC's website by clicking here.

And then last Sunday was a tremendous blessing as the BBC team stayed with us and ministered in our service. President Jim Jeffery spoke in both our combined ABF's and our Morning Worship service, bringing challenge and blessing to all. Geoff Ellsworth co - led our worship time, we appreciated the variety his ministry brought to our service. Afterward there was a lot of interaction at the BBC display as many got better acquainted and some gained further information regarding college life and BBC in particular. It would be great to host them in the future.

As for the near future, we are looking forward to a great day this Sunday. We will be back to all our regular times and services. Kids have moved up to their new classes, but adults stay in theirs. It all begins at 9:30 AM, please be early for some coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a snack to start the day.

In our 10:45 AM Worship Service we will sing and give, then continue our study in the general subject of Dispensationalism. This Sunday we will look at Genesis 1 & 2 as well as some other passages as we start "Once Upon A Time . . ." and consider the dispensation of Innocence and see how the Edenic Covenant fits into this frame. As with all the dispensations, we will see what responsibility God gave to man, how man was to respond to God, but failed and was judged, and what the resultant consequences were. We will see that God deals with us similarly today and see how we should positively respond to and work with God.

At 6:00 PM we have our full range of family ministries. Our AWANA for kids got off to a great start last week and continues this Sunday. Likewise for our teens; in addition to their fun fellowship they will continue their study in Ephesians, this time from 3:14 - 21. And our Adults will view the next installment of the video series on the life of the Apostle Peter filmed on location in Israel. Much of the Biblical basis for it comes from Luke's gospel.

Some of our activities will wind down a bit for awhile, but don't forget about our Weds evening (7:00 PM) and Thursday morning (11:00 AM) prayer groups. This is a very special and important time for all who attend, and many blessings result from this fellowship in prayer and Bible study.

We had a good board meeting this past Thursday evening. Continue to pray for our plans and God's direction in the life of our church. And pray for our board members as men and family leaders. This reminds me that soon we will be asking for your nominations for various officers in our church, see the bulletin board for those positions and give us any questions you may have.

I am tempted to give you some upcoming activities for October, but since it is only half way through September, I will wait. Let's not rush summer's ending (Fall begins on Monday.) But let's enjoy this great weekend that is forecast to be beautiful.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Beth's healing and progress on her voice. She saw her surgeon last week at the Cleveland Clinic, and now two months after her surgery he is very pleased with the way she has healed. As far as we now know, she will not have to see him again (though we would like to continue the relationship.) And she is already three weeks into her vocal lessons / therapy to regain and strengthen her singing voice. She is doing this through The Cleveland Music School Settlement (click on the name for the website) located downtown on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and right behind it's Cleveland Institute of Music. After hearing her in a couple of lessons so far, I agree with the surgeon in the assessment that there is no reason she should not, in due time, regain her singing voice to where it was before all this happened. Praise the Lord, and continue to pray. Thanks for your interest.

I will close for this week, but before I do let's see if I can find a recent picture of Nicholas, hmmm -- ah, here is one: He has now transitioned out of the high chair to a booster seat. Mainly because "the new baby" will need the high chair. Didn't I tell you?? Sarah and our SECOND grandchild are due in late March, 2009! Then the fun (and the pictures!) will begin again! What great friends you are to let me share our grandkids with you!

Pray for all our ministries, churches, pastors, and services this Sunday for the Lord to continue to be glorified in our lives. May others come to know Christ as Savior this week and may many be strengthened in the faith they have in Him!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Kids have been in school for about three weeks now; it probably seems a lot longer to them, which can be evidenced by this little interaction:

The child comes home from his first day at school. His Mother asks, "Well, what did you learn today?"
The kid replies, "Not enough. They want me to come back tomorrow."

And doesn't this kind of sum up our Christian walk? We will never learn it all, whether on earth or heaven, so we need to keep "coming back tomorrow" to God and His Word. I hope you do just that.

To help you in your walk with God we offer you many opportunities. Our main ones are our services on Sundays and Wedsnesday evenings (yes, don't forget about our prayer and Bible time on Weds. at 7:10 pm.)

This Sunday begins our regular schedule for the year. At 9:30 AM our Sunday School for kids begins a new season as kids move to their new classes and continue in a fun learning environment. Have your kids there a little before 9:00 AM to participate in the fun opening time downstairs. Then they move to their classes. And don't forget there is also a nursery CLASS ( yes, more than just babysitting) that Beth teaches. Start them in the beginning to know that God loves them.

Our Adult Bible Fellowships continue at 9:30 AM with fellowship, sharing, and prayer is a part of this time for adults. This Sunday will be special in that we will meet together in the auditorium to watch and hear a special presentation from Dr. Jim Jeffery. Plan to be here early so as not to miss anything.

In our 10:45 AM service this Sunday we will have several guests from Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania. Geoff Ellsworth will be our guest worship leader, something we have not done before but looks to be a special time as he works with our leaders and instrumentalists. And then BBC's president, Dr. Jim Jeffery will speak in our service, bringing a message from 2 Timothy 2 about "Portraits of Faithfulness." Paul's last words on earth (at least most scholars feel 1 & 2 Timothy were written just before his life on earth ended) are important, and his focus was to encourage his own disciples, like Timothy, to continue to train others. I am looking forward to hearing Dr. Jeffery develop this theme and stir my heart to continue this important work. I know you, too, will be challenged.

Note that at 6:00 PM we begin our regular season for AWANA for kids, our Student Ministry for teens, and our Adult gathering for fellowship and Bible study. Get your kids, your neighborhood kids, and friends from school involved with AWANA right from the beginning this year. Our jr & sr high students will meet downstairs for fun and fellowship and will begin a study "For God's Glory" this week in Ephesians 1:3 - 14. (Our Youth group will also be enjoying a "mini golf outing" next Saturday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 pm - see Dennis for details.) And our Adults will meet and view part 1 of a video study on the life of Peter. We will have a bit of discussion following it. There is value to it as it shows on location in Israel many of the places and archaelogical sites that are significant to Jesus, Peter, and the Gospels. And in looking at Peter's life from a unique perspective, we will find ourselves often "in the same boat" with him as he encounters and walks with Jesus.

Please remember that this Saturday, Sept. 13 we will be hosting the Regional Event for Baptist Bible College as they reunite alumni and make new friends in the Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and western PA region. It will take place from 4:30 - 6:30 pm and if you registered to attend please be on time or early. Also, some have volunteered to help set up and serve, and you should be here by 3:00 PM to help our friend and caterer, Dave Milligan. If you are available and would like to help, please give me a call.

For our Board Members, please remember that our next meeting is this Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 PM. We will eat together, then meet. Email me any last minute agenda items you may have. And for others, please pray for our men to wisely guide our church in the next steps.

Earlier on Thursday at 11:00 AM our OASIS senior group meet for prayer and then will enjoy their monthly luncheon together. Anyone 55 and over is welcome to this time of good food and fellowship.

Several of our guys are gathering Friday evening and part of Saturday to replace some windows downstairs with glass block. Don't forget. And thanks to all who have done a bit extra in the way of cleaning, sprucing up, and fixing up around our facilities to prepare for the gathering on Saturday evening. It is a great testimony of love to the Lord and His church.

Lastly, I want to thank you for your prayers on my behalf last weekend as I spoke at the Men's Retreat for Emmanuel Baptist in Toledo. They were a great group of men who were involved in worship to God and attentive to His Word. The meeting place was wonderful and the fellowship with them and response from them was very encouraging. Your prayers "availed much" on my behalf and I thank you.

Prepare you heart now for what God has in store for us all this Sunday. If you are a part of another church I know God is big enough to bless in abundant ways where you are as you prepare your heart. Pray for your pastor to have freedom and clarity as the Word goes out. And may those who don't know our Savior who come be impressed enough with our worship to declare, "God is truly among you!" ( 1 Corinthians 14:24 - 25) resulting in their own salvation to Christ.

God bless you!

Pastor Don Workman

www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, September 7, 2008

(sorry, no pictures this week as my home computer is acting up for some reason. I will have to take care of it next week.)

Just a quick note this week as I will be leaving momentarily to travel to Camp Michindoh in Hillsdale, Michigan to meet with 54 men from Emmanuel Baptist Church of Toledo, Ohio to speak three times at their Men's Retreat. This is the most men they have ever had registered for a retreat, so I look forward to a great time. Please pray for me and them, for safety and the Lord to bless the three talks I will give between Friday night and late Saturday afternoon on their theme, "A Privileged Adventure: Working With God's Man in God's Church."

As for us here at Faith, this Sunday is our Annual "Dinner on the Grounds" Day. Dress is very casual and comfortable as we hope you will plan to attend the whole time together. It begins at 9:30 AM with our Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships. Then continues with our Morning Service at 10:45 AM with great songs and hymns of worship to God and hearing from His Word. I will use various Scriptures as we consider, "Let' Get the Big Picture." Actually it will deal with God's Big Picture for mankind and His relationship to us, from before history began to after history ends. Sounds like a long talk, but it won't be that long. This is a continuation of a study we began a couple of weeks ago, plan to attend to maintain continuity of it in your heart.

Following the service we will have some games for kids and yes, some friendly competition for adults. Or you can just fellowship and watch. But don't leave. About 2:00 PM or a little after we will begin our brief afternoon time together which will feature a few songs and then a talk by guest Richard Mook who will tell of God's provision and providence in his lifetime through some horrific losses of family, jobs, etc. But it will end on a positive note to see how God brought him through and sustains him today. It should be inspiring to us all.

Remember that next Sunday, September 14 many of our fall programs swing into full gear, especially AWANA. Call us if you have questions, and be sure to invite and bring kids around you who are age 4 through grade 6. Our student ministry for teens will be meeting on a regular basis, and our regular evening service will be back after a summer of small group meetings.

In the morning of Sept. 14 we will host the President and some staff from Baptist Bible College of PA in our combined ABF time as well as having BBC President Dr. Jim Jeffery speak in our morning service. Plan to come to be informed, instructed and blest.

That's all for now, I need to run. But I look forward to your prayers on my behalf this weekend for the retreat and then our Sunday service. And remember to pray for the Biltz family as they host an open house for Kurtis on Saturday (tomorrow) just before he leaves for his obligation to the U.S. Marines on Sunday. Plan to stop by and encourage Kurtis and his family.

God bless,

Pastor Don Workman
www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org