Sunday, June 21, 2009

This Sunday is Father's Day, so here is a joke to get the ball rolling early - some dads can identify with this:

My dad and I were talking the other night about love and marriage.
He told me that he knew as early as their wedding what marriage to my mom would be like. It seems the minister asked my mom, "Do you take this man to be your husband?" And she said, "I do."
Then the minister asked my dad, "Do you take this woman to be your wife?"
And my mom said, "He does."

I need to remind our ladies to bring their "Desserts for Dads" by 9:30 AM this Sunday, it sounds like a nice thing. There are still a few more desserts needed, give Debbie Mace a call for sure to find out more.

Here is another fun thought from my joke resource, "Clean Laughs" at http://www.cybersalt.org/:

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, and dry cleaners depressed?
Laundry workers could decrease, eventually becoming depressed and depleted! Even more, bedmakers will be debunked, baseball players will be debased, bulldozer operators will be degraded, organ donors will be delivered, software engineers will be detested, the BVD company will be debriefed, and even musical composers will eventually decompose.

On a more positive note, though, perhaps we can hope politicians will be devoted.

And as a father (now grandfather) how many times I could say "amen" to this one:

"They say kids brighten the home - that's because they never turn the lights off."

How many dads out there have visited their married, adult children's homes and purposefully left lights on, refrigerator doors open, exterior doors open in the winter, water running, etc.? Isn't "payback" kind of fun? Uh, sorry, I meant kind of "mean!"

Anyway, all this goes to say that I hope all families will celebrate Sunday with Dads in a good way.

This Sunday we will celebrate with a special father, Dr. Renald Showers. As you know this is the Sunday he will be with us to speak at 9:30 AM in our Adult Bible Fellowships (combined) about the upcoming "Rapture of the Church." Then at 10:45 AM he will worship with us and then speak from Scripture about "Why Has God Scheduled Future Events?" I have studied much about future events, but never thought to ask "Why has God scheduled them?" It should be an interesting, educational, and spiritually uplifting time together. And it will be great to have his wife, Eleanor, with him and us as well. Together they are parents of at least a daughter, Marbeth, who many years ago led our oldest daughter, Sarah to Christ at Word of Life camp when Sarah was four years old. And then as God would have it, Marbeth married Paul Golden, whom Beth and I knew in a former ministry when he was in early elementary school (he now works as an administrator at Baptist Bible Seminary!) So you can see that they are a special family to ours. I am glad you will have the chance to get to know them this Sunday.

Remember that there are NO services or ministries at 6:00 PM this Sunday. In fact, with AWANA now over for this season, with Vacation Bible School beginning the evening of Sunday, June 28, and then our Summer Small Groups ministry beginning the week of Sunday, July 5, we will not be having any Sunday evening services until after the Labor Day weekend. Some Small Groups may meet on Sunday evening at various locations (maybe even one at church) but it will be a different format than a "service" as such. Having said all that, please know that we will be giving you more information regarding the Summer Small Groups in the coming weeks, but we have decided that they will begin the week of July 5 (my small group will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning July 7.)

We have been telling you about the GARBC Annual Conference for some time now, and next week it finally arrives at First Baptist in Elyria. I greatly encourage you to try to attend as many of the meetings as you can. The GARBC is a fellowship of churches and people, not only pastors (as some other groups do.) You will receive a schedule for the whole week in this Sunday's bulletin, and I have indicated on it the days and times our church is represented in particular through ministry. There are opportunities for outreach through giving out the plates of cookies, etc. If you are interested in helping with that, let me know and I will put you in contact with the person in charge.

Remember that next Sunday June 28 that Dr. Jim Vogel and his wife, Jeannie will be here to minister in our morning service and ABF time. They are some very close friends of Beth and me, and we are excited for you to get to know them as well. Don't miss this morning!

And then at 6:30 PM on Sunday, June 28 our Vacation Bible School begins and will run each evening at the same time through Thursday, July 2 (wow, did I just write "July"?) If you haven't signed on to help in some way yet and would like to, contact Sandi Goodrich and she will "plug you in" - I am sure we can always use more help during this fun, exciting, and ministry rich week.

I have been telling you about our Japan Missions Team and they had a great "Boot Camp" training time out in Danville, Indiana last weekend with some of the administrators from ABWE. The trip is getting close and I can see the team is getting very excited to go. They have trained well, prayed and studied hard, and are ready to help in the ministry with Bill and Becky Petite. Pray for Bill and Becky as they host and guide our group. This is good help, but a little extra work out of their normal "missionary schedule." But I think they are excited as well for our group to come. Remember that we need about 3 - 4 more "Prayer Partners" for some of the team members, see Dennis for details. And don't forget to bring in the various food items you signed to bring - just put them on the table in the lobby.

And speaking of missions trips, please keep Eric Carroll and the team from Cedarville University in prayer that head to south central Spain this weekend for a three week missions adventure (June 21 to July 11.) They will minister through various service projects with some missionaries there. Several team members are still short on financial support, pray that all this will work out in God's way.

In closing, let me give you some Workman family news updates to pray about and rejoice with us in: Sam's parents and grandmother from California have visited him, Sarah and the boys this past week. Grandpa was instrumental in obtaining and assembling a great swingset for the grandboys - thanks Grandpa Ray and Grandma Cindy! Jon and Hannah are through with their teaching this school year and their master's degree work! This was a challenging, but rewarding year for them and they did great! Joshua and Emily are busy with their jobs in the Scranton, PA area as well as with the Student Ministry at Heritage Baptist in Clarks Summit, PA. And Leah is home working various jobs (next up is helping with Dave Milligan's catering at the GARBC conference and the Baptist Mid Missions conference the following week.) Beth has been "cleaning up a storm" around the house now that she is out of school. She is so excited and fulfilled with this. I just yawn and say, "I think I'll watch the game." I have been "mouse hunting" in my garage at home and office at church. So far I have been successful bagging three at home and one at church. But I don't plan on going into the exterminating business anytime soon.

I trust your late spring has been a blessing so far, and next week summer begins. Start it right by attending our services this Sunday, or those of your own church if outside our area. God works through all our churches as we honor Him, His Word above all, and follow the leading of His Spirit Who comforts, guides, and helps.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, June 14, 2009

We had a great time last Sunday evening celebrating the accomplishments of the kids in our AWANA program as well as our graduates for 2009 - thanks for attending. We also wanted to recognize the 20th wedding anniversary this past week of Mary and Jim Horley. Mary serves as our "ministry assistant" which is much more than a church secretary. They enjoyed a midweek get away to the Amish country here in Ohio (not at church expense) and we rejoice with them in this milestone. And I want to congratulate my own parents, Don and Thelma for celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary on June 5 - praise the Lord for loving faithfulness! June seems to be the month for weddings / anniversaries (we have four in my own family), let us know about yours.

We have been telling you about our Summer Missions Trip to Japan which our teens will be on from July 16 - 29. After many months of prayer, planning, and training it all begins to become a reality today (Friday) as they are right now gathering in our lobby to go to the ABWE "Boot Camp" in Indianapolis. This is an intensive time of training which is required for the upcoming trip as well as other churches who are taking similar trips this summer. Please pray for this group over the weekend as they travel, prepare, and bond as a team. They will return Sunday evening. And if you have not connected with one of the group as a Prayer Partner with them, please consider - we still need about 4 - 5 more to partner with one of the team; see Dennis for more information.

This Sunday is kind of "normal" for us before we have some special Sundays in the next few weeks. For this Sunday we will have our regular classes and ABF's at 9:30 AM which I hope you will attend or at least give it a try if you are not regularly involved. Then at 10:45 AM we will worship the Lord together in our service of song, fellowship, and the Word of God. I will continue with you what we began last week, "What Happens When We Step Out of Line in the Church?" We will continue to look through 1 Corinthians 5, move back to Matthew 18, then end with 2 Corinthians 2:7 - 8 and Isaiah 29:17 - 24. At least that's the plan. Read them over ahead of time to prepare your own heart for this time together. In our 6:00 PM service we will sing together and then hear a bit from some guest missionaries, Cecil and Sonnee Hines who are with the Independent Faith Mission going to South Africa. It is always a blessing to meet new missionaries (especially those from West Virginia) and to hear how God has and is leading in their lives. These are some dear servants of God that I am just getting to know, and Cecil has been so gracious and persistent in his contacts with me. Encourage them by your attendance and giving in an offering to them.

You have been hearing about some special speakers and events coming up soon, and I want to remind / prepare you for them:

Sunday AM, June 21 - Dr. and Mrs. Renald Showers will be with us in ABF's and Morning Worship. He is a pastor, teacher, writer, and authority on the subjects of dispensationalism as well as all things Israel, both past and present. We don't often get to have men of his caliber with us, so don't miss this time.

Sunday AM, June 28 - Dr. and Mrs. Jim Vogel here in our services. During our 9:30 AM ABF hour Jim will meet with our men and Jeannie with our ladies to teach about some important issues to both. Then Jim will speak in our morning service. They serve as leaders in the national GARBC and you will be blest by getting to know them. They are great friends of Beth and me and have been for many years. Plan to hear them.

In between these Sundays will be the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches Annual Conference (June 22 - 26) at First Baptist in Elyria. You can get more information at: www.garbc.org and I hope you will plan to attend at least part of it. This is an association of CHURCHES, not just pastors, and is geared toward the people of the churches. You will learn, grow, and be blest as you attend. Please keep in prayer myself as I present a workshop on Tuesday; as Beth sings several songs at the Ladies Luncheon on Weds. (which Jeannie Vogel hosts); as Beth is chair and judge for the Girls Voice catagory of the "Talents For Christ" competition on Thursday (scholarships for kids involved); and as our own Dennis and Barb McMichael are presented with the prestigious "Outstanding Christian Service Award" on Friday morning. More involvement than usual from our church, but we are glad to help. We will be telling you more in the next week about how you can be involved as well.

And don't forget about our annual Vacation Bible School coming up June 28 - July 2 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM each evening. Many have signed up to help, but if you have not done so yet, please consider helping. Our theme is It should be fun and interesting, especially in the middle of the summer. More on this to come.

In all the information about these things I almost forgot that June 21 is Father's Day and our ladies ministry is planning a "Desserts for Dads" special for that day. See Debbie Mace for details; there is a sign up sheet in the lobby for this also.

And our own Dan Oreskovic is offering for free a self - defense class on Thursday evenings 7:00 to 8:00 PM through the summer for anyone age 13 and up. Dan is well qualified to do this, see him for questions or to sign up.

I am thankful to be involved with an active church, a ministering church, and a healthy church - not three churches, but all rolled into our own church. We praise God for all He is doing in and through us and as we all pray and contribute our "time, talents, and treasure" we can be sure of it continuing. This cannot happen without YOU and your involvement. This reminds me of a quote from Warren Weirsbe in his book, "On Being a Servant of God", p. 136 that Beth copied for me:

Countless volunteer workers in local churches could devote that same amount of time to a part - time job or time with their families, but they're content to wait and receive their wages when their Lord returns.

Thank you for having an "eternal perspective" and giving your effort and energy to the Lord's work through our church, or the church that many of you as friends attend. Your time is not taken for granted in preparing and serving through your ministry areas. I hope this will give you encouragement to do your best as we "Look Toward Sunday." God bless you!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Sunday, June 7, 2009

With the nice weather we have enjoyed, picnic season is upon us which fits this little story well:

A Jewish rabbi and a Catholic priest met at the town's annual 4th of July picnic. Old friends, they began their usual banter.

"This baked ham is really delicious," the priest teased the rabbi. "You really ought to try it. I know it's against your religion, but I can't understand why such a wonderful food should be forbidden! You don't know what you're missing. You just haven't lived until you've tried Mrs. Frobisher's prized Virginia Baked Ham. Tell me, Rabbi, when are you going to break down and try it?"

The rabbi looked at the priest with a big grin, and said, "At your wedding."

You always have to watch out for jokes that start like this, but this one was OK (at least I thought so.)

Here is our lineup of services for Sunday:

9:30 AM - Sunday School and ABF's (3 Adult Bible Fell0wships from which to choose.)

10:45 AM - Worship service. In addition to some great songs, we will worship God by looking at His Word in Matthew 18 and others as we consider, "What Happens When We Step Out of Line in Church?" This is a subject that is good to bring up when there is no particular reason to do so, and that is where we are now - thankfully. But it is good to understand and agree upon before any incident arises. Please pray for this time together.

6:00 PM - Our Annual AWANA Awards and Graduates Recognition service. A special time of honoring those who made achievements in life recently. There will be a cake and ice cream fellowship afterward. Plan to attend this special time together.

Please note that on Monday at 7:00 PM there will be an organizational meeting for this year's Vacation Bible School. We will hold our VBS the week of June 28 - August 2 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM nightly. That is not far away, so please make this VBS meeting on Monday a priority. And thank you to the many who have signed up to help in some way, it should be a fun time of ministry together. Kids - start inviting your friends and relatives NOW.

We have been telling you about our Summer Small Groups ministry and have had over 70% of our available adult population sign up to participate! That is a wonderful turnout! Groups will begin soon, so stay tuned.

Our Japan Missions Team has raised over 95% of their support and only lack about $1,250 to complete their needed financial goal (about $14,000 total.) They plan to attend the ABWE Missions "Boot Camp" in Indiana next Friday through Sunday. This is a requirement for short term mission teams of this nature. Please pray diligently for them, give a little extra to help them reach the top in their financial need, and if you are on Facebook please consider joining the "FBC Teens to Japan '09" group (click on it to go to that site.) Oh, the trip is scheduled for July 16 - 29 and a big part of their ministry will be teaching English as a means of bridge building with our missionaries there, Bill and Becky Petite. If you have questions, Dennis and Barb McMichael will be glad to answer them for you.

Make plans now to attend the GARBC Annual Conference at First Baptist Church, Elyria, Ohio at the end of the month on June 22 - 26. Elyria is only about an hour west of us and rarely does this annual conference get this near to us. The theme this year is "Cutting Straight" from 2 Timothy 2:15 and will address the issue of proper Biblical interpretation. There will be workshops and other daily activities for the whole family, as well as some opportunities to minister by serving in the nursery, baking and giving out cookies, etc. Please let me know soon if you are willing to help at any time during that week.

Dr. Renald Showers will be the keynote speaker at this conference. He is an authority on this topic of Biblical interpretation, as well as Bible prophecy, and the subject of God's plan for Israel past, present, and future. We have the great privilege of having him speak here at Faith on the morning of Sunday, June 21 prior to the conference beginnings. You will not want to miss what he has to share from God's Word in our ABF and AM service time that day. And please plan to give generously to the expenses involved in bringing him and his wife to be here with us.

And before I forget - The King's Brass (click on link) musical ensemble from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN will be at the Grace Church in Middleburg Hts. on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM. They are a WONDERFUL group, you will be blest by hearing them. Try to attend.

There are more things to share, but I will stop for now. God is good to us, and I thank Him for the opportunities to grow and serve that He gives us. Take advantage of these things. And prepare your heart for God's day on Sunday - pray, meditate on His Word, and plan things ahead so that you can give God your best.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

We rejoice in that Nicholas got his first cast off with no problems, and now has a smaller cast on his leg below the knee for the next three weeks. He is healing well. And we also rejoice that Jonathon his little brother has slept through the night a few times recently, which is exciting for mom and dad. Thanks for your prayers for both of them.