Sunday, November 2, 2008

The quiz question of the week is: from the picture here what season is it in Streetsboro, OH?? Well, we really already know what season it is, but from the week we have had, it would be hard to tell. And we did not get all the snow they did in PA and NY from the "Noreaster" that even interrupted the World Series (congratulations, Philly fans.) I will keep an eye on the tree in the picture, which is in the front yard of our church. Hopefully it will turn to that beautiful red like last year!

Last Sunday afternoon we held our annual "Trunk or Treat" community outreach, with over 200 visitors to our event. We gave out treats, stuffed animals, popcorn, etc. in addition to a gospel tract, church brochure, and an Upward basketball brochure. It was not only fun to do, but a blessing to meet and talk with many from the community who seemed in no hurry to leave. Thank you to all who prayed and helped! Congratulations to Jeff Sheldon who won the guest vote for the "favorite, most creative" trunk. He received a $25 gas card. We also had a drawing for another card that went to one of our community guests. Here are several pictures of the event, and there are many more. I will leave it up to you to guess who they are (some you can tell right away.)

We are now looking toward the Election Day ministry next Tuesday all day and evening. As long as there are voters, we will be giving out special breads, cookies, coffee, etc. For those who signed up to help, thank you, and don't forget your appointed times. And pray that by providing a place for four voting precincts we will have opportunity to attract some who may need spiritual help or a place to worship. You would do well to view a short video before voting found by clicking on: www.aproundtable.org

As for this Sunday, in preparation to help you on Tuesday, I will speak in our 10:45 AM service from Deuteronomy 4:1 - 10 about "Guiding Principles for Voting This Tuesday." That passage is written to Israel, but since our nation was founded upon Judeo - Christian values we will find four principles that can guide us through the maze of some confusing choices. The best thing anyone can do is to read answers given by candidates to questions posed to them and then sift them through your Biblical / theological "grid." This time on Sunday will hopefully be helpful to us all.

Prior to this time will be our Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships at 9:30 AM. In addition to our regular classes, we will begin an in depth class on "Discipleship" taught by Lila Erb. This is for anyone who wants to know more about what Jesus words, "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me" really mean in living out the Christian life. It will also be a time to challenge and motivate you to more serious living for Him. This class will meet downstairs in our library - small, but intimate!

At 6:00 PM our AWANA kids will study the Bible and say their memory verses along with activity time. This night will also begin their annual Food Drive, don't forget your items. And if you are not in AWANA I am sure you can also contribute to this drive which benefits our Streetsboro Christian Cupboard.

For our teens and adults at 6:00 PM we will be having our Communion Service which will include many testimonies for those who are entering full membership here. It is always a blessing to hear these then vote and receive them into membership. Prepare your heart for this time and be sure not to miss it. At the conclusion we will be collecting our Benevolent Fund offering.

Our Christmas Cantata practices on Sundays at 4:45 PM will continue this week. They have been going well so far. It is entitled, "Tonight Heaven Touches Earth" by Randy Vader and Jay Rouse, and we plan to do it on Sunday evening, December 21 - plan now to attend it and bring someone with you. On that same day our Children's Christmas Program will happen in the morning. But more on all that another time (I think the snow outside on the ground is getting to me!) But before I leave the theme of Christmas, don't forget that you can bring in a CD, MP3, etc. to Doug Carr that contains some of your favorite Christmas music (no "jingle bells", etc.) Doug and his boys will then make a compilation of everyone's favorites into one CD to play prior to our services in December - but we need yours NOW to get it ready. Try to get yours to him soon.

We have been telling you about our combining in with First Baptist, Aurora in their Upward basketball season for boys and girls pre - K through grade 6. Brochures were distributed last week, and a sign up board is in the lobby for you to indicate where you can help (coach, ref, etc.) We NEED your help to make this happen; it is an excellent program for outreach as well as building into the families in our church. Take a look at http://www.upward.org/ to get more information about the program and then please sign on to help.

Beth and I (as well as Pastor Tom and Sandi) received a gift bag FULL of cards and notes of appreciation from many of you this past month. We sat together and looked through them after Prayer Meeting last evening, and our hearts were blest by the expressions of love from you. Please know the same comes from us, and it is a great privilege for us to serve here with and among you. We love you and are always striving to bring God's best to you. Thank you, again for these.

Look what flew over our house last week as Beth and I were trying to do our Fall yard clean up: It seemed so beautiful and serene for them up there and I thought, "better them than me! I don't think I want to try THAT!" But it was pretty against the backdrop of the blue sky. I was in the midst of using my leaf blower in the yard, and when I saw them I aimed it up at them, and .... not really - that was for my kids! It should remind them of many of dad's stories over the years.

I hope you are building memories with your kids if you have them at home. Believe some of us when we say those years go by all too quickly. We are in the family building business by cooperating with God and His Word as it relates to child rearing and family living. And also how it tells us to relate to Him and each other as we move through the various stages of life beyond child rearing. Listen to and obey His Word for the best results!

A warmer weekend is promised to us as we Look Toward Sunday. Prepare ahead by praying, reading the passage, laying out yours and your kids' clothes on Saturday night, turning your clock BACK an hour this Saturday when you go to bed, use the extra hour in the morning for a good breakfast and maybe some Christian TV programming to warm your heart and spirit up for all that God has for you. And then come to learn and share in good and godly things.

See you then,

Pastor Don Workman
http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I have performed MANY weddings in my ministry time, but I have never heard a bride put it quite this way:

Said the preacher:

"When you walk down the aisle don't look grim."

"We'll then sing a hymn.

"When I stand by the altar, the groom must not falter."

"Ahh, yes," said the bride, "Aisle, alter, hymn." (- copied from Gill Krebs)

This poem must be some kind of haiku or hai karate or something like that with its strange wording.

This week has just FLOWN BY for me, I can't believe Sunday is only two days away. I had to do a lot of yardwork on Monday while the weather was decent. Then I traveled to Skyview Ranch (90 miles one way) on Tuesday for the OARBC fall conference. It was a long day for me, leaving at 7:30 AM and returning home at 10:30 PM, but it was a real blessing. Seeing many friends and hearing some helpful speakers along with other fellowship acitivities was a blessing. And seeing our own Nikki and Bobby Childs was a huge plus - they are doing GREAT in marriage and ministry at Skyview where they live and work. On Wednesday I had to try to work from home as I had several repairmen here to fix our furnace, install Time Warner phone, internet, and TV (which is part of the restructuring of our personal finances in order to give more to our church to help with the budget shortfall), and run various errands, all the while preparing for Prayer Meeting at 7:10 PM. This meeting was also a great blessing as we share and pray together, and we had a guest visit our time while he is in the area on business. A great guy, and we were able to provide a spiritual "oasis" for him. Thursday was full as the regular work of bulletin prep, visitor letters, various emails, calls, etc. occupied the day. Then I left to take Beth downtown to her voice lesson - which is going very well by the way. Continue to pray for her progress, she is at about 7/8's strength now (though she may disagree.) She loves her teacher, a 76 year old lady who is helping her tremendously. We are still praying and looking for ministry opportunities with her and her husband, a former college administrator. Then we made a visit on the west side of Cleveland, and arrived home at 10:30 PM once again! That brings me to Friday, and preparing this note to you this morning. Whew! Tell me about YOUR week sometime, this is therapeutic.

Before Sunday comes, we have a church membership class on Saturday that begins at 9:30 AM and continues until around 1:00 PM. Yes, it really does take this long to cram a 6 to 8 week class into one day. Bring your completed membership applications with you if you haven't already turned them in to me. Rehearse your Christian testimony down to about a 3 minute presentation, bring your water, etc. with you, and you will be set to go. Dress is very Saturday casual - Ohio State Buckeye gear is welcome. And yes, we will be done well before the OSU - Penn State game (Homecoming) at 8:00 PM. Go Bucks!! (for Nicholas, from Papa)

Sunday will be full again with all our regular ministries in action. Beginning at 9:30 AM (try to be early) we will learn and grow through Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships. In a week we will start a six week deeper discipleship ABF taught by Lila Erb. It is open to anyone who wants to know "what it takes" to be a TRUE follower of Jesus Christ. All our other ABF's will function as usual.

At 10:45 AM this week I will continue our study, "How God Has and Does Deal With Us" (dispensational) by looking at what the Bible says about this age in which we live, the "Age of Grace" or as some may call it, the dispensation of the Church. We may also look at the following ages, that of the time of the Tribulation and the Kingdom. If we can do this, that will pretty much wrap up this study which I hope you have found helpful. As always, I would appreciate your prayers for me as I strive to "sermonize" a study which lends itself better to a classroom setting. Pray that God will make clear the distinction between the Church and the nation Israel in this time in which we live; and that as we forecast the end time events, that we will see how God continues to care for His special people, Israel as well as working us Gentiles into His Kingdom - all based on His grace through Jesus Christ for us.

Please note that this Sunday we will NOT be holding our regular 6:00 PM service or other kids and youth programming due to our Fourth Annual "Trunk or Treat" outreach to our community. This will begin for them at 3:00 PM and continue through until 6:00 PM. For those of us involved in it, we will need to be here about 2:00 PM to set it all up and prepare, and we may need to be around for a bit afterward to clean up. Please bring in more candy to give away and place it in the bin in the lobby. If you would like to host a "trunk" or help in any other way, please let Bill Mace know.

For our Choir, please remember that we are in the season to practice our Christmas presentation, so this Sunday at 6:00 PM (following Trunk or Treat) we will have practice for a little while. I don't think it will be too late. Continue to listen to your CD during the week to maximize the rehearsal times on Sundays.

Remember that at the beginning of our service this Sunday morning we will hold a BRIEF business meeting to vote on the proposal of a few weeks ago, that giving our treasurer the "OK" to transfer any funds needed to pay bills from our building fund IF NECESSARY. This doesn't mean we will, and we hope we do not have to do this. Our giving over the past three weeks has met and exceeded our budget a little bit. But we need it to exceed by more so that we can make up for our current shortfall and end the year in the black. Pray, give, and prepare to vote on this issue this Sunday.

Other important items: church officer nomination forms are on the missions table in the lobby for you to suggest names to our nomination committee - do it soon. There will be sign up sheets for you to help with giving out bread and other items on election day, which is a week from Tuesday. Sign up for various time slots where you can help. We will need your help with the Upward Basketball program we will take part in with First Baptist in Aurora this winter. Both churches will utilize their gyms and personnel to run this quality program for kids and families, but we really need your help as coaches, referees, concessions, scorekeepers, etc. Please help.

I just ordered the Prayer Journal / 2009 Calendar from ABWE for just under $15 (donation) which looks to be a great help in the spiritual walk of any Christian. Way more than just a calendar, it has Bible reading and prayer helps, your own ongoing and weekly prayer/praise lists, and missionary info to assist as you pray for worldwide outreach. You can view and order one (or more) by clicking here Prayer Journal. I highly recommend it to you.

As you prepare for Sunday, consider inviting someone to come with you - you know that word of mouth is best! And I hope that in all our churches that God will work in lives and His victory as we cooperate with His Spirit.

With blessings,

Pastor Don Workman

www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, October 19, 2008

In case you haven't noticed, we are in the last stages of a heated political season - and you say, "No way!" Here is a quote I found about the subject, tell me how accurate you think it is:

"Do you ever get the feeling that the only reason we have elections is to find out if the polls were right?"- Robert Orben

We had a great trip last weekend to Baptist Bible College of PA for the homecoming activities. Part of it all was the crowning of the Homecoming Queen (and King), and I have to report that Leah was not voted as the queen. And the girl who was had a death in the family and could not be there for it all, so she received the crown in Tuesday's chapel service. But all the girls are very good friends, some even in the same dorm. And all the girls and the guys are outstanding young adults, so in this group there were no losers. They give us great encouragement for the future generation.

This trip also afforded us an opportunity to stay a couple of nights with Joshua and Emily in their apartment. We had a good time with them, and it is great to see how well they have and are adjusting to married life. The place they live has beautiful grounds, and even a private pond! How nice to come home and go fishing without a lot of time or equipment involvement. And how nice when you can have results like a 20 inch bass!

Beth and I traveled through Pennsylvania and decided to come home by way of New York State - a bit longer, but an opportunity to view the fall foliage of the northeast - it is in different stages, but all was beautiful. (looking north up Skaneateles Lake, one of the pristine Finger Lakes and 5th cleanest lake in the U. S. A.) I appreciate Pastor Tom and Deacon Jeff taking responsibility for the services last Sunday, I heard only good things about their ministry.

My secretary / ministry assistant Mary has been on vacation this week, so I have been running behind all week. I don't have the Sunday bulletin done yet, but I will try to remember the pertinent things coming up.

We have all our services functioning this Sunday: 9:30 AM Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships - don't miss this learning opportunity. 10:45 AM is our Morning Worship Service with some great music, upward focus, and continuing look at "How God Has and Does Deal With Us." This is a study in the dispensations and their related covenants with God. This Sunday we plan to look at the dispensations of Law and Grace and see how the covenants fit with them. You can prepare by reading Exodus 19:1-8, Romans 3:9-20, and John 1:11-13 among others. As always, I will make appropriate application to our lives today, especially as we look at the age of Grace in which we now live. And through them all I hope we see God's loving and faithful hand to us. At 6:00 PM we have all our family ministries functioning: Adults will meet in the worship center for a time of fellowship and study in God's Word. Student Ministry for teens meets downstairs, and the AWANA program for kids meets in the gym and downstairs. Don't forget your Bibles, uniforms, and friends! Also, at 4:45 PM our choir Christmas cantata practice continues, be sure to be here.

Please remember that the OARBC annual conference is being held next Monday and Tuesday, October 20 - 21 at Skyview Ranch in Millersburg. This is for everyone in any church, not just pastors. And if you can't attend both days, try to go to at least one of them - it will be worth it.

On Saturday, October 25 I plan to hold a membership / baptism class for all interested in either. It will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude around 1:00 PM. Please fill out a membership application ahead of time, and do let me know you plan to attend by dropping me an email, call, or note it on one of the cards in the pew rack on Sunday. This will most likely be the last class of this nature before the end of the year (which means before the annual elections meeting of the church in December as well) so try to carve out the time. And if you are one of our young people who are currently under our watchcare membership because you were under 16 when baptized, you need to take this class to complete your formal membership here. Do it now.

Speaking of elections, ours here at church is coming at our annual meeting for business on Weds. December 3 at 7:00 PM. Please mark that date on your calendar and attend it. To help with the process, there are ballots for officer nomination suggestions on the missions table in the lobby. Please read it over, fill it out, then place it in the white box on that table. Thank you for praying and taking part.

If I am remembering correctly, I think it is on Saturday, October 25 that our teens will have an outing to a corn maze and other activities. They are to leave the church at 2:00 PM and arrive back at 9:00 PM. You better check with Dennis and Barb to be sure, but I think this is right. They can give you all the other details.

Remember to bring in candy to be given out at our fourth annual "Trunk or Treat" for our community that we will be hosting on Sunday, October 26 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. You can put it in the bin in the lobby. Also, we still need more "trunks" to be hosted, and more helpers - there is a sign up sheet on the table in the lobby, please do so this Sunday so that we can plan accordingly. Again, don't forget to bring your candy in this week - we still need a LOT more. And any leftovers I will eat through the week - no, no, really we will use it to give away during the general election day on November 4 when we host four precincts here in our church. That day will also need several volunteers to "wo - man" the kitchen all day. Beth will have a sign up sheet for that soon.

Please pray and prepare now for services coming on Sunday. Your worship experience will be enriched as you do this.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Please pray for Sarah, Sam, and Nicholas as they move this Saturday to their new home from their small apartment where they have lived for the past 7 years. Nicholas has been trying to transition from the crib to the "big boy bed"; pray that a new place will make a new bed work a little better for him.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Beth and I had a good, fast trip out to see Sam, Sarah, and Nicholas last Friday and Saturday. We delivered our old sofa bed to them for their new house, which they closed on last week and hope to be in by the end of the month. We re-celebrated Nicholas' second birthday with some gifts, some Dunkin' Donuts (with SPRINKLES!) for breakfast, and then play time with his new train set. He is a busy little boy when awake! It was a nice visit, even if it was brief. And we thank the Lord for safety in travel.

Beth and I will be taking a little longer trip this Friday through Sunday as we attend the Homecoming activities weekend at Baptist Bible College in PA. A few key men in our lives are retiring, and we thought it would be good to be there for them. Also, our daughter Leah, is in the running for Homecoming Queen and if it happens it will be nice to be there.

In my absence this Sunday, our own Pastor Tom Goodrich will be speaking in our 10:45 AM service about the various "I AM" statements that Jesus makes in the Gospels. In addition to that he will be leading worship in our service as he does each week. Please keep him in prayer this Sunday.

At 9:30 AM we will be holding our regular ABF's and Sunday School for all ages. Three adult groups meet each Sunday, and soon we will start a new ABF geared toward beginning discipleship for those who are new to Christianity or would like to go over some very basic truths. Lila Erb, our 91 year old saint who has taught this kind of course many, many times to new and developing Christians will be the teacher. Please indicate your interest to attend this ABF which will begin November 2 at 9:30 AM to us so that we can prepare accordingly.

At 6:00 PM this Sunday we will have all our groups meeting as usual. Our Adults will view part 4 of the video series on the Apostle Peter's life - this has been a real blessing to us. Our teens will meet for their time of study about "The Christian Walk" from Ephesians 5:1 - 17. This time also includes a game time and good fun. Our AWANA kids will be having a Bonfire after their club time, and this always includes food! Kids, plan to bring a friend, and don't forget your Bibles, lessons, and uniforms.

Our Women's Ministry will be meeting this coming Monday evening at 7:00 PM. See Debbie Mace on Sunday for any details.

Our Senior Adult group will be going to the "Seniors Day" at Skyview Ranch in Millersburg next Thursday, October 16. They will be carpooling, and this Sunday you can sign up and get the other details of when to leave and return.

I announced last Sunday that we will be holding a Membership Class on Saturday, October 25 from 9:30 AM to about 1:00 PM for all interested in joining our church or knowing more about it prior to joining. If you would like to attend, please let me know by jotting a note. Also, for any who will be officially joining, there is a brief membership application we would like you to fill out and bring with you. Pick one up in the office.

Some items of worth to attend in the future:

October 20 - 21 is the OARBC annual conference held at Skyview Ranch this year. This is a first time try at convening at the camp, and I hope you will try to attend at least one day of it. Let me know if you have questions or would like to attend.

Our fourth annual "Trunk or Treat" outreach event will be on Sunday, October 26 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. We are collecting candy now for it, you can bring yours and place it in the bin in the lobby. Also, don't forget to sign up to help or host a trunk. This is a lot of fun and a great way to meet our community, so plan to participate in some way.

I am planning to attend a seminar this afternoon at Case Western Reserve University featuring Marcus Buckingham who has researched and written several books on the subject of personal strengths and operating within them. I have read at least two of his books on the subject and heard him speak a couple of times on video, but this will be live. It is an intriguing subject to me, but being a "solo" pastor makes it difficult to operate in my strengths realm 85% of the time. Hopefully I can share some of this with you sometime for your own benefit.

Sunday should be a great day weatherwise, and it will be even more special as you pray, plan, and prepare for it ahead of time. As you do this you will gain the most from the day and your ministry to others will be more effective. I hope that God will lead and bless you as you follow His direction for your course this Sunday.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

PS - I hope to have the "Podcast" site (see the box below) updated soon - keep checking it.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

What an eventful week this has been regarding finances and politics nationally. We are moving closer to a remedy (I think) with our nation's economy, and we all pray that it will be the correct decision for now and the future. I hope our situation doesn't resemble this little quote:

"Today I went to buy a toaster and was given a bank as a free gift."

Probably younger folks don't remember these kind of "free gifts" banks gave out for opening accounts. And though it brings a smile, some of us wonder if that little statement may come true if it all doesn't settle down soon. We pray it does.

Today and tomorrow our church is the site for the Streetsboro Quilt Guild annual show. We tried this last year with them, and it all worked out well. And this year their show is even bigger. It is too bad it will all be gone Saturday evening, because the quilts are truly beautiful and interesting. This year in addition to all other awards, they had me give a ribbon for the "Pastor's Choice" Award. It was really hard to pick one out of so many wonderful quilts! But in the end, I went with my instincts and chose the "Ohio State" Quilt. I told the ladies I couldn't help it, I'm a guy! But it did have a lot of intricate work and much research involved - they listed all the schools in the University and even listed many of the famous alumni and what they are now doing. So, that should give my choice some justification! If you are around and have time, it would be worth stopping by to see all the displays.

I mentioned last week that Art Goodrich was in the hospital and not doing too well. As the Lord would have it, Art went to heaven this past Saturday evening and his service was last evening (Thursday.) It was glorifying to the Lord and honoring to Art's memory. Continue to pray for Pastor Tom and the rest of the family and for us as a church body, we will all miss Art but appreciate all the good traits he was known for and the fact that he knew and loved the Savior, Jesus.

This Sunday we have all our regular ministries and services all day: 9:30 AM Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowships; 10:45 AM Worship Service; and 6:00 PM Service and AWANA. In our morning service we will continue our look at "How God Has And Does Deal With Us" by considering a few more of the Dispensations (Human Government, Promise, and maybe Law) and the corresponding Covenants (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic.) You can prepare by praying for me and by reading over Genesis 8 - 15, and Exodus 19.) This all sounds like a lot, and it is, but we will look through as much as we can in the time we have. I am thankful that God has helped me as I strive to apply these truths to us today by seeing their significance at the time and for all time in God's Plan. And the cross of Christ and His ultimate Resurrection is hovering over all of it. The same will be true this week.

Remember that our 6:00 PM service will be our regular Communion Service. Come with your hearts prepared through self examination and prior thoughts about Christ's sacrifice for us. Then come to share a short testimony of how God has been at work in your life recently, and we will conclude with our Benevolent Fund offering. This is always a special and well attended service, don't miss it.

Our Fourth Annual "Trunk or Treat" Community fun time will be held on Sunday, October 26 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. It is the same time as the city's event, but ours is one hour longer so that hopefully those who come may linger a bit to enjoy games and refreshments. And in this way we will hopefully have an opportunity to get to know them better. We have made great inroads and a good reputation through this event with our community, and we hope this year will build on the past. You can help by signing up to host a "Trunk" from you car, or go together with a friend on one. And all can help by bringing in candy to give away - bring it this week and put it in the bin in the lobby. We will need volunteers for other areas, so see Bill and Debbie Mace for questions or suggestions.

If you have not done so yet, please remember to register to vote in the election next month. I think you need to be registered 30 days prior, so time is running out, do it quickly. Those of you living in Streetsboro need to check the cards you receive in the mail that will direct you to your polling place, as I understand many of them have changed. We will be hosting four precincts here at our church, and we expect 1500 - 2000 people to come through our building that day. We will again give out various breads that you provide, see Beth if you have questions. And if you can help in the kitchen that day, or help direct traffic during the busy times, we would really appreciate that - please let us know if you can help.

Well, Nicholas turned TWO last Sunday, and he had a wonderful birthday weekend! Friday he went to the local high school football game which was SO exciting! And then later in the week he was able to take some of his birthday gift money and buy a "Thomas" Train set for the table / track his mom and dad found at a second hand store. Beth and I plan to make a fast trip out and back today and tomorrow to take some things to them, and to see Nicholas ever so quickly. I don't like short trips like this with him, but they are better than none at all.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday, as well as hearing from many of you who we know that are outside our area. As we all look toward Sunday may we prepare, pray, and participate in our services to the glory of God.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/