Sunday, November 1, 2009

This weekend is the one where we "Fall BACK" by turning our clocks BACK an hour on Saturday night before going to bed. I know, I know - the change doesn't really take place until 2:00 AM, and if you want to do it then to be accurate, well that is up to you. But I hope to see you this Sunday on time. Otherwise you will be an hour early, and that is fine as well - you can stay for ABF's and Sunday School!

Speaking of that, we have a full complement of services this Sunday:

9:30 AM - all classes and ABF's will meet.

10:45 AM - Worship Service which will include a new song, "Praise Adonai." We will continue our series through First John by looking at 2:3 - 11 and see "Our Obedience to God's Word and Love for One Another Pleases God." Read through it again to prepare.

4:45 PM - Choir practice for the Christmas Cantata.

6:00 PM - AWANA for kids age 4 through grade 6, they will begin collecting their "Food Drive" - please help.

6:00 PM - All Adults and Teens will meet together to observe the Baptism of several new members and to hear testimony of some others who are officially joining our church. Following that special time and a few songs will be our regular Communion Service which always features testimonies of God's goodness and activity in your life recently. Our Benevolent Fund collection will conclude the service, please come prepared in every way.

Don't forget that this Saturday, October 31 will be our "Trunk or Treat" community ministry from 3:30 - 6:00 PM. Come to participate, help, or just see how it works. Pray for good connections with some in our immediate community. And pray that the weather will cooperate - but if not, we thank the Lord that we have a gym into which we can move things.

As we think of Community activity, remember that next Tuesday, November 2 we will host four voting precincts in our gym for Election Day. We can use helpers in the kitchen as well as parking directors to make things run more smoothly. This was a blessing last year and a real testimony to all whom came to vote and worked at the polls. Please sign up to let us know you can help this year; and if you have any kind of safety equipment (orange flashlights, cones, vests, etc.) we can really use it and return it.

One of the main issues on the ballot this year is Issue 3 regarding an amendment to the state constitution legalizing casino gambling in Ohio. We urge you to vote "NO" on Issue 3; go to http://www.votenocasinos.com/ and http://www.aproundtable.org/ for much more information.

A couple of things to plan for coming soon:

1. Youth ministry will have a "Harvest Campfire and Games" on Saturday evening, November 7 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. It will be held at the Jordan's home and will cost $3.00 each. Sign up this Sunday.

2. Another All Church "Soup, Chili, and Bread" Social following our morning service on Sunday, November 8. This is one of our favorite socials as we sample each others' homemade soups, chilis, breads, and desserts. Drinks will be provided, bring your own table service and some friends with you. Sign up this Sunday.

It seems so far that the CAVS are sputtering, but LeBron and Shaq are doing GREAT! I trust the rest of the team gets in line with them very soon, and I think they will. It is a long season - thankfully!

Anybody into or excited about the World Series? Yeah, I didn't think so!

As you prepare your heart for Communion this Sunday, meditate on the blessings of Hebrews 10:10, ". . . we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Reading it in context will give you even greater blessings! Thank God for His marvelous plan of salvation!

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

Sunday, October 25, 2009

It is election / voting season, and here in Streetsboro we have no less than 10 candidates running for mayor! And this is only for two years to fill an unexpired term. Then in two more years, we get to do it all over again. I can't tell you for whom to vote for mayor, but I can encourage you to vote "NO" for Issue 3 concerning casino gambling in Ohio.

I also encourage you to vote "YES" to be in attendance in church this Sunday! Here at Faith we have the following:

9:30 AM - classes and ABF's for all ages. Remember that ALL four ABF's will meet in the worship center with our special guest, Doug Combs. He will share about the ministry of Outreach To Asian Nationals of which he is the executive director. We are glad to have him and his wife, Elaine, here this Sunday.

10:45 AM - In addition to some great songs we will again hear from Dr. Douglas Combs as he shares from God's Word. We will receive an offering of appreciation for his ministry today, so please plan to give toward it.

4:15 PM - Baptism class for those to be baptized on Sunday, November 1.

4:45 PM - Choir practice for this year's Christmas cantata.

6:00 PM - AWANA for kids, Student Ministry for teens, and Adult service for, well, adults! We will view part 5 of our video series - this time, "Playing the Game with Greatness and Grace." This series has caused us to think seriously about life in view of eternity and play for what is eternally important. Bible study and brief discussion are included with each video.

Don't forget that "Trunk or Treat" is one week from this Saturday (Oct. 31) so please bring your candy this Sunday to give out during the event. And please sign up to participate if you have not already.

We have had a couple of nice days this week, which is an encouraging break from our recent wet and cold days ( and snowy days for you in NY and NEPA.) I was able to get out fishing for a few hours and reveled in God's beauty at this time of year. And the fishing wasn't too bad, either.

Sarah and Sam took Nicholas and Jonathon to a pumpkin patch last week. Nicholas enjoyed a candy apple sucker and Jonathon just enjoyed the time, although he did get some applesauce when they got home. He is standing all the time now on whatever he can hang onto - furniture, walls, stairs, etc. He often lets go and balances just before falling. I can hardly wait for Sarah to have TWO active boys running around to catch.

And speaking of little ones, we rejoice with Dan and Laura Kieta on the birth of Carolyn Elizabeth this past Monday evening. Mom and Carolyn are doing well, though Carolyn still has some test results to come. Looks like another Parent / Child Dedication ceremony is in the future.

Guess what begins next Tuesday? I'll give you a hint: I'm looking forward to it, but even more so looking forward to being with you this Sunday! Pray and prepare you heart beginning now for what is to come then.

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

Sunday, October 18, 2009

My heart goes out to my family and friends in Central New York State and Northeastern Pennsylvania for the early snow they received recently: but I will say "better you than me!" Doesn't sound too sympathetic, does it?

I appreciate all that our "church nurse" Leigh Bueoy shared last week with us concerning staying healthy during this flu season that is already upon us. Use common sense, which being interpreted means: wash your hands frequently. And I am following the advice on the news I heard which said "drinking hot drinks helps kill any bacteria around our mouth and in our stomach." And if hot coffee is good, strong espresso is better!

We are looking forward to a good and healthy Sunday together this week:

9:30 AM - classes and Adult Bible Fellowships for all ages. Great tims for learning, fellowship, and assimilation (look it up.) If you miss, it is your loss.

10:45 AM - Worship service which will feature a Parent / Child Dedication ceremony. Then we will look at 1 John 2:3 - 11 and continue our thoughts on another Foundation of Our Faith, this one being "Our Obedience to God's Word" which pleases our Father.

4:45 PM - the second choir practice for our Christmas cantata. It is not too late to join, we encourage you to come and sing.

6:00 PM - As part of our AWANA time (kids age 3 - grade 6) our older, T & T kids will distribute flyers for our upcoming "Trunk or Treat" in surrounding neighborhoods. Dress warmly. If you can help drive or supervise, see Tim Cobb or Doug Carr. Our Student Ministry will meet for fun and fellowship and to discuss 1 John 1:1 - 7 as it pertains to the "Living Room" section of And our Adults will meet to sing and share, and view the fourth part of our video series, This section is "Calling or Comfort? Choose Your Moves Wisely." This has been a great series, get involved by attending.

Don't forget that next Monday and Tuesday, October 19 & 20 is the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches Annual Fall Conference at Northfield Baptist Church. That is only 13 miles west of us and it would be a shame for you not to attend at least part of it. Dr. Michael Loftis, president of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism is the keynote speaker and "Missions" is the theme of the conference. Click here on: Conference Schedule for information.

And on Sunday, October 25 in the morning we will hear from Dr. Douglas Combs, executive director of the Outreach to Asia Nationals Ministry. More on that next week, but plan now to attend and give to this good ministry.

We have many other opportunities for you listed in this week's worship bulletin, so please look it over. (If I knew how to link you to a webcopy of it, I would. But help here is needed.)

Continue to pray for one another as some are sick, some recovering from surgeries, and some expecting babies any day now. These are all dear people and members of our "Family of Faith" so pray, share, and help where you can.

May God bless you as you prepare for His worship and fellowship this Sunday here at Faith or at your church. Let me know how your services go and share the blessings with us all by commenting below.

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

Joshua and Emily were able to visit her family in Buffalo last week and attend the Browns - Bills game, which was pretty pathetic. They left just before the Browns kicked the field goal to win the game at 6 - 3. Here is a picture of Leah and Hannah in more healthy days for each of them this past summer. They have both been fighting colds and sickness. And Sarah has been protecting my grandboys from the flu, even though they do have the sniffles. Here they are at bedtime: they don't look too tired, do they?

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I had a good week last week. It included running into LeBron James and his family (star of the NBA and Cleveland Cavaliers) while Beth and I were in Akron. He loves his family and his hometown, so all you other NBA cities out there might as well give up trying to lure him away from here. We had a good Sunday of services last week, which included our communion service. And then I had a great day fishing. I thank the Lord for giving many blessings like these along the way as we live for Him. Certainly I have many "uneventful" weeks, and I am really thankful for them, too. I hope you had a good, or at least uneventful, week.

This Sunday we continue with all our regular services:

9:30 AM - Sunday School and four Adult Bible Fellowships. Studies include 1 Thessalonians, Colossians, the Life of David, and Fighting Spiritual Battles. Classes and fellowship for ALL ages, so no reason to miss it.

10:45 AM - Worship service of songs, giving, and look at God's Word in 1 John 2:3 - 11. Here we will see how "Our Obedience to God's Word" is one of the "Foundations For Our Faith" that John describes. Each week builds on one another, so this is another "building block" in the series. Read the passage over ahead of time, and maybe even the whole book to see how it fits.

4:45 PM - the first choir practice for this year's Christmas cantata for adults. Even if you have not been involved before, check with Pastor Tom about singing this year.

6:00 PM - ministries for children (AWANA), Students (grades 7 - 12) and all Adults. AWANA kids will enjoy a bonfire, so dress warmly and invite a friend. Students will continue their study in "My Heart, Christ's Home" and this week will focus on the Dining Room (read 1 John 2:15 - 17.) Adults will view and discuss the third part of our video series, "When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box." This time John Ortberg will challenge us to "Resign as Chairman of the Board." These studies have been helpful in our relationship with God, so don't miss it.

Remember our mid-weekly Prayer and Bible times on Weds. at 7:00 PM and Thurs. at 11:00 AM. I believe this Thursday is the monthly OASIS meeting as well, so check with Rosemary as to what to bring.

At 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 15 we will have our next church deacon / board meeting. Please pray for our wisdom and working together with God and each other. The fall season brings the important duties of new budget preparations and deliberations on new officers. Your prayers and participation in regards to these are appreciated.

I gave a pretty thorough run down of some upcoming events in last week's post in this blog, so click back there to review them. Don't miss these great opportunities for personal growth and fellowship!

In a few weeks it will be the election day on Tuesday, November 3. We will still plan to give away the breads, coffee, hot chocolate, etc. as we have done in the past. One very helpful area of volunteers needed is several parking lot attenders to guide traffic in and out of our lot smoothly. We did this last year and it was a TREMENDOUS help. The officials even commented on how smoothly it all went once we started it. We will need many to assist in this way, so if you can help please let me know. We especially need some "early birds" who can assist before the polls even open. There are four voting precincts here and many opportunities to serve those who come through our doors. Pray we can continue to "put our best foot forward."

I don't know how to advise you regarding flu shots; but I have instructed our ushers to escort anyone out who begins to make "oinking" sounds! I really shouldn't joke about such things - rather I want to encourage you to take whatever steps necessary to ensuring your personal health and that of those around you here.

I leave you with some thoughts from my reading today in Proverbs 8:35 & 36 from the writings of William Arnot, a Scottish pastor and scholar of the late 1800's:

(about Jesus) "There is no salvation in any other, and they who refuse or neglect Him cast themselves away."

(about v. 36) "A sinner, though he cannot do the least good, can do the greatest evil. The Almighty only can save him, but he can destroy himself."

May we do our best to encourage others to the Savior and away from their own self destruction!

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

Nicholas had a fun party for his 3rd birthday and his brother Jonathon enjoyed his first party with his brother. They love each other and have fun together, and Jonathon watches EVERYTHING his big brother does!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Wow, October ALREADY! Many of us can't believe how quickly time goes by, but I think it goes quicker the older we get. I have a theory as to why that is, but I won't get into it here. Unless your first name is "Ein" and last name is "Stein," you may not understand! Oh, it is such a privilege to be in such elite academic company! Baloney! I almost sound like the Gnostics that I have been castigating in our Sunday morning series from First John, but more on that later.

I didn't get this note out last week due to my attendance at the "Council on Dispensational Hermenuetics" at Baptist Bible Seminary in PA. It was a time of stretching and learning, and was good to be in the academic setting once again, even if I did only understand half of what they were talking about!

This Sunday we continue with all our classes for kids and teens as well as four Adult Bible Fellowships at 9:30 AM. Bible learning and fellowship are partners together for you if you attend. If you don't know which one to attend, we can direct you, so just come and look forward to God's blessing.

In our 10:45 AM Worship Service we sing in praise to God and then give to Him because it is what is right and proper. We will continue our look through First John by returning to 1:5 - 2:2 as we consider that "Our Personal Righteousness" is Foundational to Our Faith. Come and find out what that is and what it is not, and how it should make a difference in our daily lives. We began it last Sunday and will build on it this week.

Our 6:00 PM service for Adults and Teens will be our Communion Service. This is always a time of blessing as we sing and share in testimony of God's working in our lives recently. That is all possible because of the impact that Christ's sacrifice for us has made in our lives. I hope you will come prepared to participate and to share - and if so, you will leave fulfilled. Also during this time our AWANA ministry for children will go on, and I believe this Sunday will feature double bonus shares for sections learned!! Wow!!! (note for adults: we will return to our video series the next Sunday evening.)

Here are some reminders of events for this month:

Oct. 10 at 10:00 AM will be the Akron Area Women's Missionary Fellowship at Graham Road Baptist Church in Cuyahoga Falls. Sign up to go is on the lobby table, car pooling should be available.

Oct. 12 at 7:00 PM is our own Women's Ministry Meeting here at church. See Debbie Mace for details.

Oct. 15 at 5:30 PM is our church board meeting. Any agenda items should be directed to me. I don't remember what we are doing for the supper for our guys, but I think something is in the "works." If you would like to minister in this way to help, let me know.

Oct. 19 and 20 will be the Annual Conference of the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches at Northfield Baptist. This is not very far away from us, and I really encourage you to try to attend as much of it as you can since it is this close. It will help you get a better "feel" for our church association across the state. Dr. Michael Loftis, president of ABWE will be the featured speaker and the whole conference will have a missions theme.

Oct. 25 in our combined ABF's and then our Morning Service we will hear from Dr. Doug Combs, president of Outreach to Asia Nationals. This is a new appointment for our friend, Doug, but is really a continuation of his ongoing ministry in China, India, Myranmar and other places in that area of the world. This will be a great follow up to the OARBC missions emphasis.

Oct. 31 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM will be our annual "Trunk or Treat" community outreach event. I believe Bill Mace will be asking you to bring your candy to give away now, so I am telling you today so that you can surprise him when he gives the announcement this Sunday. Shhh .... suprise Bill by getting a head start on it, he won't know how to take it!

Now you have no excuse to miss any of the events for October coming up. Please keep all these in your prayers and plan to participate.

Reminder: the Streetsboro Quilt Guild Show is going on here in our building today through Saturday. If you see all the cars, or need to stop by the building for something, please be aware. And pray that we can touch some of the hundreds of people who will be coming through our building this weekend.

As you "Look Toward Sunday" with me, let us meditate on God's Word to us from 1 John 1:7 - "but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

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