February 15, 2009

Today is Friday of Valentine's Day Weekend - fair warning, guys (as I write that I speak to myself!) But I woke up not feeling so great today. I have been around a lot of people with that "flu" that has been going around, but side - stepped it so far. I don't think I have it, but I do hope to feel better soon. All this talk goes right along with this little story with which many of us can identify:

The following notes from parents excusing their children from attending school have been around a while but if you haven't seen them, I'm sure you will get a kick out of them:

"Please excuse Freddie from being away yesterday because he had the fuel."
"Please accuse Michael from being absent on January 30 because he was aleing."
"George was absent yesterday because of a sore trout."
"Please excuse Betsey from being absent. She was sick and I had her shot."
"Joseph has been absent becuz he had two teeth taken off his face."
"My son is under doctor's care and should not take fisical education. Please execute him."
"Please excuse Ralph from school on Friday. He had very loose vowels."

We have a lot of kids around our church, and I can hear many of them saying things like this - not to be dishonest, but you should hear some of the things I hear - FUNNY!

As I reported last Sunday in our bulletin insert, we are rejoicing in how well God is blessing us through our attendances and through your faithful, consistent, and sufficient giving. I am grateful that almost all of us still have our jobs (though a couple are looking.) Our Faith Promise for Missions giving, which is above our regular giving to the general fund, has been strong and on target. That has allowed us to run on the "plus" side in our general fund, and that is how the whole thing is suppose to work. All this is evidence of God's goodness and grace to us as a church, and we thank Him for that. Please continue to attend and give, you are really the one who will benefit most from it. Our ministries are going well because of this, and we are able to consider stretching in other ministries, too.

As I mention jobs and economy, pray for some of our people who travel distances at times for their work. Todd Miller was in Florida for work related duties this past week, and was to arrive back home yesterday. Just as Todd came home, Dan Kieta left yesterday for China until Feb. 28 for his work (software security) for Sherwin Williams. Pray for these families when dad is away, and pray for all of us who travel many local miles for work. Whether to China, Florida, Cleveland, or local - all deserve regular prayer.

This Sunday we are glad to have all of our Sunday School and ABF classes meeting at 9:30 AM. This is a great time of learning and fellowship. Some ABF's are continuing their studies in the books of Daniel and Luke; another just began a new study in "Apologetics: Knowing What You Believe and Why." All are worth getting up and ready for early.

In our 10:45 AM worship service we will be encouraged together as we sing, share, and study from God's Word. This Sunday we will continue our study through the book of Ezra, in chapter 4 where we will be encouraged: "Don't Let Adversity Hinder You From Doing God's Work." If you read this chapter over, you will probably say to yourself, "this sounds a lot like situations in some churches." That is too bad, but often too true. Pretense, lying, tattling, outright opposition - all too familiar in some churches today. And note that this has always beset the people of God. It is sad when we bring it on ourselves; but if we haven't, then our defense is through God. Come and be encouraged this Sunday.

This Sunday morning we will have a visiting missionary family with us so that you can get to know them. Jason and Adele Rice and family are aiming to minister in Slovakia - they will have a display and you will be briefly introduced to them. They are going to be in our area (they are from Meadville, PA) and took me up on the offer to stop by. I will introduce them and you will hear from them for a few minutes in our service. Beth and I will not be able to host them in the early afternoon, so if anyone would like to have or take them to Sunday dinner (I think they have two or three small kids) please call me soon.

At 6:00 PM our AWANA kids will learn, memorize Scripture, play games together, and will be wearing their clothes inside out! Don't forget. Our Teens will enjoy their fellowship and learning time together by looking at John 21:1 - 19 as they continue their study in the life of the Apostle Peter. This passage shows how we can have New Hope, even if we have miserably failed Jesus. Our Adults will sing and share together, and we will hear from Pete Kendrick as he talks about the "Seven I AM's and Seven Names of Jesus." That should be interesting, and Pete is always well prepared.

Our Upward basketball ministry continues tomorrow (Saturday) up at First Baptist in Aurora. Stop by if you can anytime from 8:00 AM to noon - the games are exciting and all have a great time together.

Remember that ALL TEACHERS need to attend the Christian Education meeting this Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Our new coordinator, Sandi Goodrich, would like a meeting to organize, touch base, and go over any needs you may have. Please make this meeting a priority.

Our OASIS group ("Older Adults Sharing In Streetsboro") will meet next Thursday, Feb. 19 at 11:00 AM for their monthly prayer, Bible study, and luncheon. This is a great time, and those of us in the office that day are always grateful that they include us!! I usually go home in the evening and tell Beth, "Oh, I'm not too hungry tonight." She always says, "Have you been hanging out with that OASIS group again?" If you can, come and find out what it is all about.

We are excited about our Student Ministry going again this summer to Japan to minister with our missionaries there, Bill and Becky Petite. They will give us more information about this trip this Sunday, please pray for them and be considering how you can help financially in the next few months.

It dawned on me this past Tuesday that last Sunday was the "anniversary sunday" for Beth, me, and our family here at Faith. We have now begun our 18th year with you, amazing when we look back at the pictures (sorry I don't have any right now in the computer to share - maybe later.) It is even more amazing and humbling when we think back over the years, through tears and trials, through joys and blessings, of all God has done here. We are thankful to be involved and praise the Lord for all He has accomplished in us together as pastor and people. We are in a wonderful time right now, and we anticipate further blessings as we remain loyal and faithful to Him in all ways. Rejoice with us!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/