Sunday, July 26, 2009

Our Missions Team to Kagoshima, Japan has been gone for a week. We have had a few updates on their ministry and how they are doing via a Facebook page set up by Dennis. Some of you have had difficulty accessing this page, so I have copied for you (below) the most recent note about them. It is a few days old due the fact that they have been ministering at a camp and have not had internet access. I believe at this writing today (Friday) the camp is over and they are resting and sightseeing a bit. Please continue to pray for their health, safety, and that their ministry will end strong. They arrive home this Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland. Here is the note:

Another full day. We started the morning off helping adults practice their English in an class taught at city hall. Bill uses this as an opportunity to have connections with those outside of the faith. Bill and Becky have been twice as busy as we are so keep them in your prayers. We had an awesome lunch at Nebashema. You cook the meat yourself over a small grill in the middle of the table. Everyone loved the food and had a great time. We then went to an overlook of the entire city of Kagoshima. It's been very overcast the last two days and have not been able to see the top of the volcano. We're hoping for the kids sake that it clears up and we get to see an eruption. We than had a few hours to do some shopping.After supper at the church we spent the rest of the evening in meeting planning and packing for camp. We will leave early Wednesday morning and be there for three days. There are 40 kids registered- a full camp- praise the Lord! Please be in prayer, the next three days are really intense ministry but as we reminded the kids tonight this is what they've trained for the last six months and now it's "go time". We will not have internet access for the next three so we will post agin after camp. There is also a solar eclipse here tomorrow- hoping the clouds part so we can see this rare sight. Prayer request: 40 kids coming to camp! Many opportunities to show Christ love12 team members - health and strength (some are tired, some still sunburned but nothing major) Safety as we do a lot of activites at camp. National pastors. Bill, Becky and Natalie.

It sounds like prayers are being answered and things are going well. Pray that they continue this way.

As for us here at home, we will continue this Sunday with our regular services in the morning and our two Small Groups in the evening. At 9:30 AM all our Sunday school classes and Adult Bible Fellowships will meet - be sure to attend one, these are great learning and fellowship opportunities. At 10:45 AM we will sing, pray, give, and hear from God's Word in the small book of Jude as we consider, "Church Creeps - How To Spot Them." Even though Jude warns the early church (and us today) that "certain persons have CREPT in unnoticed" that doesn't mean we can't spot them. He gives us some characteristics of these creeps, and as we know these we will be better prepared to spot them. Read it over and make your list, then come and see how yours compares to mine.

At 5:00 PM two of our Small Groups will meet as they have been for the summer. The Mace's group will meet at the Jordan's home (about a mile and a half from the church) and the Sterner's group will meet at the church. These groups involve food, prayer, and fellowship along with a study and discussion from God's Word. Give it a try if you haven't attended yet.

The Workman's group which meets on Tuesday at 7:00 PM will NOT meet this week, but will resume on August 4. That is because we will be on vacation (at home) this week seeing a lot of attractions in our area. Our whole family will be together which is always very special but stretches our house and makes me wonder how we ever did it when all six of us were home at once with one and a half baths. Now we have added three spouses and two little grandboys (with all their "stuff") so it is an exciting time. But it will be all too brief. When I look around and see the house in more disaray than usual, I don't become despondent but am reminded of Proverbs 14:4 that says, "Where no oxen are, the manger is clean..." This has nothing to do about any derogatory comment about my sons, but the application to me is that when no kids or grandkids are home, the house is pretty much the way you left it in the morning when you went to work. But if the kids (and especially grandkids) are home, then there is evidence of their presence which is usually suitcases and toys everywhere, and a lot of noise and activity. And as you know, I would rather have it that way - at least for awhile!!

Uh oh - I hear them coming home again from a little shopping excursion! I got as much work done as I could while everyone was gone, now time for a little break with Nicholas to one of his favorite places: Dunkin Donuts!

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Pray and Prepare our hearts for God's message and work in our lives.

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

NEWS FLASH!! JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER UPDATE FROM DENNIS:

Japan update 07/24/09
It's Friday night as I write. The past 3 days have been incredible (with no internet access). We are to the point of absolute exhaustion. Not only us, but also the Petite's and Natalie. I don't quite know where to start.

Wednesday we went to camp. We cleaned the two story building and weeded the yard and mowed it. It wasn't too bad. It was a full day with many tasks to complete. After hearing the camp schedule at camp orientation I started to understand what was before us. Bill Petite stated we would be tired at the end. I didn't see how that could happen, but I trusted in his advice.

The next morning we finished our "to do" list only 30 minutes before the children arrived, including planning our games locations and logistics, plus skits and cooking, etc. The 1st-6th graders were full of energy.

Wednesday and invitation was given with many children making decisions for Christ. Quite sad, Bill stated that when the children were encouraged to attend church the children said "what's church". Most of the children never heard the name of Christ. Only about a handful of children are Christians.

We are now home exhausted and ready to sleep. I can't possibly put everything into words or writing. You'll have to come to the August 2nd church service to hear it all first hand! That's Sunday August 2nd at 10:45am.

Parents, we are fairly certain your child won't have time to call home tomorrow. If you don't hear from them in about 12 hours then we'll see at the airport. This is not our original plan, but we are being flexible with our schedule. Please work with us : - )

To all, we will try to post pictures tomorrow in about 12 hours. Good night. We need rest.

PS All the team is on home stays (sleeping in Japanese homes) tomorrow night (Saturday). That should be a treat never to forget!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

The past week seemed to go by quickly - it only seems like last evening I was talking with our missions to Japan group, but it actually was last MONDAY evening! Speaking of the team, they arrived safely in Japan today (Friday) about 10:00 AM after a trip of about 29 hours. Here they are on their layover in Chicago: Praise the Lord for a safe arrival, now for some rest and to the work at hand. Pray for their ministry in the next two weeks or so - in our Sunday bulletin you will receive a detailed schedule for them so that you can pray intelligently for them.

We had a great "missions emphasis" weekend last week, beginning with hosting a youth group from Minnesota who was on their way to New York City for ministry. That week is done and they are now on their way back here for a quick overnight (Friday night) before heading back to MN on Saturday. Pray for them and if you see any activity at church late at night, you will know who it is. But if some want to think that it is faithful and diligent Pastor Workman working away, that is fine as well. Just don't tell them!

This Sunday we have our regular services in full swing: 9:30 AM Sunday school for all kids and 3 Adult Bible Fellowships from which to attend studying the book of Colossians, the book of Luke, and "Following Jesus" (sounds like discipleship to me.) Plan to attend one for your own benefit.

At 10:45 AM is our morning Worship service of songs, praise, giving, and hearing from God's Word through the small book of Jude, second to last in our New Testaments. Read it over (maybe twice, it's only 25 verses long) as I plan to point out some "Church Creeps" in it after some literary introduction (always applicable to life) to the book. This will probably be the basis for looking at some other "Church Creeps" in other places in the NT which God warns the church to look for. And if any of you "Church Creeps" are reading this, we've got your number so don't come here to try anything to disrupt God's work among us!!

On Sunday evening our "Summer Small Groups" continues to flourish. They both meet at 5:00 PM, but the Mace's group meets at the Jordan's home and is studying the book, "A Life That Matters" by Ron Hutchcraft. The Sterner's group meets at church at 5:00 PM and is studying various passages in the Word which contribute to deeper fellowship with God and each other. Both groups also involve food and fellowship, and the Mace's group has a program for children.

On Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM there is also a Small Group that meets at our home (Beth and me) and we are studying about "Fighting Spiritual Battles" through a booklet in the "Building Up" series from Regular Baptist Press. This time also involves prayer, fellowship, a light snack (well, maybe not too light.) We don't have a formal children's program, but they are welcome and bring their own toys, activities, and dvds. All groups have been well attended and are a blessing to all. If you are not involved in one it is not too late to join in, just pick up one of the flyers on the lobby table and contact your host to let them know your plans to attend.

Though our summer schedule as a church is more relaxed from now until Labor Day, please strive to attend and be involved in what we do have going on for you. Remember our weekly mid - week gatherings for prayer and Bible fellowship: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Thursdays at 11:00 AM.

As for a few prayer / informational items: please keep Pete Kendrick and family in prayer as his dad, V. Ben Kendrick, went to be with the Lord and his funeral was today (Friday) in Indianapolis. Some have also inquired about the arrangements for Loeta Biltz' funeral, and they are: calling hours here at our church on Monday evening (July 20) from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and the funeral will immediately follow. The service at the cemetary will be on Tuesday with a luncheon provided by and back at our church to follow. Please keep these families in prayer.

I am overjoyed to report that when I saw Larry Elam at Akron City Hospital today he was dressed and ready to go home! This is truly an answer to prayer for him and his family since his heart attack last month damaged 80% of his heart, mainly the upper part. Larry has shared some extremely special things with me as his pastor about being right on "death's door", it caused my own heart to beat faster as he told me of it. I hope one day he can and will share this with our whole church family, it is an intriguing blessing to hear of his experience with God and His Holy angels at such a crisis moment in life. Continue to pray for Larry as he strives to follow the program to strengthen his heart and circulation. He has lost a lot of weight through this ordeal, which is a blessing in disguise.

Well I must go to prepare for some special visitors who are coming to spend a couple of weeks with Papa and Bella: Oh boy(s), is this going to be fun! Nicholas and Jonathon are also bringing their parents and other relatives (Hannah, Jon, mommy, daddy, and returning Aunt Leah,) and this time next week we will be ready to have our WHOLE FAMILY here for a vacation week. But we plan to be in our service on Sunday morning, August 2nd to hear the report from our Japan missions team. Put that on your calendar as well, don't miss it.

Pray for one another as we look forward to worshipping God together this Sunday. And you "Church Creeps" - remember what I said!!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Beautiful summer weather has been ours this week! I am sorry for those in northeastern PA and New York State where it has rained a lot during this time; I hear it may be on it's way to our area from Indiana soon. But it has been a glorious week here in Streetsboro!

How about a smile to begin with?:

When the Jones family moved into their new house, a visiting relative asked five year old Sammy how he liked their new home.

It's terrific!" he said. "I have my own room, Mike has his own room, and Jamie has her own room. But poor Mom is still in with Dad!"

Isn't it fun to get the perspectives of little ones? We had plenty of opportunity for that at last week's Vacation Bible School. The week went well and we thank all who made it happen.

This Sunday we have a special service at 10:45 AM: Our Japan Missions team will lead the service in congregational singing and a few special songs. These will be some of the songs they will use with the group in the Japanese church. It will be a chance for them to "run through" the songs with a "live audience" before they leave for Japan very early on Thursday, July 16. We will also hold a brief "commissioning" time for the group as we send them to this ministry from our church.

This Sunday morning we will also be hosting a small team from Baptist Mid Missions as part of their "Candidate Training Week." Administrator Mark Seymour will lead another young couple, Jeff and Jenn Cunningham in our Sunday School and ABF time at 9:30 AM. The Cunningham's will speak with our teens and college age group about how God led them to this point in their lives. This will be helpful for our young people and young adults who still may be considering what God would have them do with their lives. Mark Seymour will speak with some of our ABF's in the auditorium from John 14 about "How to Pray for Your Missionaries." Then in the 10:45 AM service the Cunningham's will share in a testimony and then minister in our children's church, and Mark Seymour will preach in our service.

Following our morning service we will have an "all church dinner" to fellowship together and get to know our missionary guests better. Please bring all your own table service, a dish and dessert to share, and drinks will be provided by the church. If you have been to our dinners before, you know how it goes. Please plan to stay for this time, it shouldn't last long but will be meaningful to our guests.

We had a great beginning to our Summer Small Group ministry last week. The Sterner's group met at church at 5:00 PM last Sunday with about 15 present for supper, prayer, a Bible study, and fellowship. Then last Tuesday at 7:00 PM the Workman's group met at their home with 15 present as well. This Sunday the Sterner's group will NOT meet (due to the dinner earlier), but the Mace's group WILL meet at 5:00 PM at the home of Joe Jordan. The Tuesday Workman group will meet next Tuesday as scheduled. There are some informational flyers for each group on the lobby table if you have not received one already. And if you have not been contacted by a group leader yet, choose one of the Small Groups to attend, but let the leader know you will be coming. This ministry has been a great blessing already and will continue to be so through the summer!

Our mid - weekly prayer and Bible times will continue as usual through the summer: Wednesday at 7:00 PM and Thursday at 11:00 AM. Both times are different, but are a blessing. Plan to attend if possible.

Well, after this Sunday it looks like things will slow down a bit as far as church activity goes. Our Sunday AM services and ABF's will continue, our Small Groups will continue, and our mid - weekly prayer times will go on. Other days and times can be great opportunities for you to nurture your own spiritual life and that of your family. I hope you can enjoy one another through informal fellowship and maybe even "day trips" together - wherever you live you have worthwhile things around you to experience. If not, why do so many people from other areas come to your area for vacation trips?? Our family will spend a week of vacation at the end of July here at home as all our kids and their families gather here to do just what I described above. Our area here has a lot to offer, so if you think yours does not, then please come see us. The only requirement is that you have to attend our Sunday morning services and I have to sign your bulletin so that you can prove to your home pastor you were in church while gone! I would be happy to do so and even more thrilled to see you, maybe even serve as a "tour guide." (as long as lunch is on you!)

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the box below. And feel free to leave your comments in the box below that. Some have tried and had trouble with this, but keep trying. Your comments won't appear immediately because I have to "moderate" them to make sure anonymous people don't leave obscene remarks - but that is does not include any of you.

I trust the Lord will bless you as you prepare for worshipping Him this Sunday. It is a privilege and duty for us to gather to do this good thing - isn't it great that as we honor God He chooses to bless us in return? Come with "clean hands and a pure heart" (confession and motive check) and God is sure to bless!

Pastor Don Workman
www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Due to the long days and driving time involved, I was not able to get this note to you last week. But we had a good week at the GARBC Annual Conference in Elyria, Ohio. My workshop went well, Beth's singing and judging in the "Talents for Christ" went well, and it was a special time last Friday when Dennis and Barb McMichael were presented the "Outstanding Christian Service Award" from national representative John Greening. It is always nice to see friends that you may only see once or twice a year at things like this. And it was also special for Beth and me to see our former church, First Baptist of Cincinnatus, New York represented by student Ben Hicks in the preaching division of the TFC. We appreciated the time to attend and minister at this conference. Next year it will be held in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Right after this conference we returned to go directly into our Vacation Bible School week each evening. Though we were tired, we were blest by seeing all the kids involved in the "Polar Extremes" theme. They learned the truths of their Bible lessons well and had fun while doing it. Thank you to all our teachers, helpers, and anyone involved in making it happen.

For this holiday weekend we have our regular services on Sunday morning. Classes and Adult Bible Fellowships will meet at 9:30 AM, and if you have not attended this time recently please give it a try. It is great for kids and adults alike. Then at 10:45 AM our morning worship service will feature a good mix of songs to the Lord as well as a message from portions of Deuteronomy 8 & 9 as we consider the "Danger of Presumption About God's Grace on Our Nation." God is good to us and we must always be aware of taking His good grace on us for granted. This reminder by way of Israel's history will be timely for us this weekend.

July is shaping up to have a missions emphasis. We were just contacted by a desperate youth pastor from a church in Minnesota looking for a place for his 20 teens and 4 adults to stay overnight on their way to and from a ministry trip to New York City. They will be here the next two weekends with their ministry in between. The place they had lined up fell through at the last minute, and even though we don't know them, we are glad to offer our floor (and pew) space to "crash" as he calls it. Just wanted you to be aware of this.

Then on July 12 we will host a small team from Baptist Mid Missions as they prepare their recent candidates for missions service. They will minister in our ABF's, combined high school and college ages, our morning service, and children's church. Then we will enjoy a time of fellowship with them at our all church dinner right after the service, please plan to bring your items and stay for this good time.

That morning will also involve a Commissioning of our Japan Missions Team who will minister from July 16 - 29. They are "raring" to go, prepared and "pumped" for it. Dennis and Barb have prepared them well for this ministry and we look forward to the things God will do through them and teach to them about His work. Please remember that any of the supplies you signed up to bring are needed no later than Sunday, July 12 so that all can be packed well. And if you have not signed on to follow the progress of the group, I think you can do it at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=205520380439&ref=nf If that doesn't work for you, contact Dennis and he can work it out with you. The team has reached 100% of their support, for which we greatly praise the Lord! $14,000 is not easy to raise in this tough economy, but it shows the heart of not only our church but many interested and invested friends - thank you!

Once this group leaves for Japan things will "quiet down" a bit as far as activity goes on the homefront. Our Sunday bulletins and this note will probably be kind of "slim" as we settle into the summer weeks ahead. Many will be on vacation at various times, so your presence in our services when you ARE home and not on vacation will be needed and appreciated. And please remember you can send or drop off your regular giving at any time. As you know, our financial obligations NEVER take a vacation!!

Don't forget that our "Summer Small Groups" will begin this coming week. This Sunday at 5:00 PM the group led by Ron and Chris Sterner will meet at the church. Then on Tuesday, July 7 the group led by Beth and me will meet at 7:00 PM at our home. The group led by Bill and Debbie Mace will have their first meeting on Sunday, July 12 at 5:00 PM at Joe and Nancy Jordan's home. If you signed up to attend a group (and about 75% of our available adult members and attenders did) then you should be contacted by one of the leaders. In the event you did not get contacted or didn't sign up and want to attend, please see one of the leaders mentioned above. Since food is involved in each group, please RSVP the leaders so that they can plan accordingly for you. Each meeting will last about an hour to an hour and a half, maybe longer if supper and games are involved. And please note that these groups replace our regular Sunday evening service and ministries at the church for the summer.

Remember that our regular prayer and Bible times on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Thursdays at 11:00 AM will continue through the summer as usual. These are important times, don't miss them.

I think that is all for this week. Have a safe time at your gatherings this weekend and remember to always represent Christ well!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/