Christmas Eve, 2009

This early edition of "Looking Toward Sunday" reminds us all of our special Candlelight Christmas Eve service here at Faith. It begins at 7:00 PM and will end about an hour later, leaving much time for family get togethers. This service features all the special songs and readings of the season. I hope you will make a special effort to attend, whether it is ours here, or yours at your church. We have invited the congregation from First Baptist in Aurora to attend and minister with us, so we look forward to welcoming them.

Please invite someone to attend and enjoy this service with you! It may make a real difference in their lives now and forever.

We will have our regular Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships this Sunday at 9:30 AM. We will then worship together at 10:45 AM featuring some special music from our cantata last Sunday as well as other Christmas songs. I will speak about "Our Blessings in Christ's Coming to Earth" from Hebrews 2:5 - 18, a great passage not always associated with Christmas. Read it over to prepare your heart and spirit for the day.

Note that there are NO services or other meetings for any groups this Sunday. Also there are NO midweek meetings next week, as well as NO service, etc. on Sunday, January 3, 2010.

We are planning to have our Communion service in the morning service on Sunday, January 3 so please plan for that. And our teens will be having their annual New Year's Eve "All Nighter" party which is safely planned and executed by Dennis and Barb McMichael. After 20 years they are "pros" at this kind of thing, so ask them any questions you have.

Please keep all our families who are traveling this week in prayer. I also hope that as you remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus our Savior that this season will be full of meaning and joy. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Pastor Don Workman

http://www.faithbaptiststreetsboro.org/ (we are having difficulty with our website but hope to fix it soon.)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

How is your Christmas shopping going? Only 7 more shopping days left. I read about a lady who, when fumbling through her purse to get her wallet, the store clerk noticed a TV remote control she was carrying.

"So, do you always carry your TV remote around with you?" the clerk asked.

"No" the lady replied, "but my husband refused to come Christmas shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could legally do to him for not coming and helping."

Fair warning to all us men!

This Sunday is annually a big day for us here at Faith Baptist - you won't want to miss any of it:

9:45 AM - continuing learning and living through our Sunday School and Adult Bible Fellowships. Classes for all ages and four ABF's from which to choose.

10:45 AM - Christmas celebration through songs of the season and then the presentation of our adult choir cantata, "Joy Came Down." Through songs new and old, as well as Biblical readings we will all be reminded of the unique birth of Jesus the God - man into the world. Come rejoice together.

6:00 PM - Our children and students will present their program, "Ready for Christmas." Through this musical/drama you will be blest by the ministry and hard work our kids have put into this program. They are excited to do it, please come share in their excitement!

As I mention these two events, please remember adult choir that the dress rehearsal is this Friday (tomorrow night) at 7:00 pm. Bring a snack to share at the break time.

And parents, please have your kids here early for their dress rehearsal on Saturday from 9:00 am to noon. Please be here early for pick up as well.

Our youth group will have their annual Christmas shopping outing from 1:00 - 7:00 pm this Saturday. Again, be here early and ready to go. Any questions, call Dennis McMichael.

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service is always a special blessing. It will take place here at 7:00 PM and will last approximately an hour, not too long to add to your family Christmas tradition. We hope to be joined by some folks from First Baptist in Aurora, which will make it an extra special evening. Introspective Christmas carols and rehearsing the story through readings will give us all a deeper appreciation for Christ's birth. Don 't miss this special time.

Our UPWARD basketball ministry for kids is in full swing. We are completing the evaluations this evening (Thursday), but if you missed it please see Dan Kieta to arrange a time for your child. This promises to be another exciting time of basketball and ministry in the lives of kids and families. Brochures are all over the place in our church for information, and I hope to get it on our website soon. Again, if you can help by coaching or referreeing please sign up soon. Pray for this ministry as we are in the organizing stage for the coming year.

We have begun to tell you about the "Weekend of Outreach and Worship" (WOW) that will take place on January 16 and 17, 2010 and will be a joint effort between our church and First Baptist, Aurora. More information is on our website as well as in our bulletin this week. Please be praying about who you can invite to this special time of comedy, song, challenge, and worship. It will be a great time, plan to attend.

Well, in listening to the "Messiah" everyday in my office I am trying to get my mind in a proper mood for this season. The "Hallelujah Chorus" just came on, so I must go now to sing it. God bless you as you prepare for this Sunday.

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

Nicholas (age 3) had one of his first experiences with Santa Clause where he could remember and recognize him. After receiving a candy cane from a Santa in a store, Nicholas saw another Santa the next day in another store. As the Santa tried to say who he was to Nicholas, Nic said, "I know - you gave me a candy cane, remember?" I think Santa #2 bumbled his way out of that one. Sarah said they went to another store the next day where there was a "group" of Santas for some reason, but she veered Nicholas away from that encounter - it would be too much for a 3 year old to comprehend!

As for Jonathon (9 months), his only concern in life is "where is my mommy?" and that is OK.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I trust you had a great Thanksgiving weekend. I am sorry I did not update this with a new posting last week, but I was fairly busy as you can see from these pictures: We enjoyed family time together in Indiana, and it was great.

Now we turn our thoughts and efforts to December activities, which are many. Our business meeting this past Wednesday evening went very well and I appreciate all who participated in the "business" life of the church. The 2010 budget and proposed officers all passed almost unanimously. To our Deacon group we are thankful Jeff Sheldon will serve for a second term, and we welcome Dan Oreskovic as a new deacon. Dennis McMichael has served well for two terms (six years) and must go off, but we don't keep him too far away. In fact, we plan to recommend him to our church body as an elder next year (following our training time.)

This Sunday our ministries are as follows:

9:30 AM - Sunday School and 4 Adult Bible Fellowships meet as usual. But we trust the learning will be UNUSUAL and beneficial.

10:45 AM - We will sing together and concentrate on our Communion Service. Whether or not you have seen "Cardboard Testimonies" somewhere, you will be blest by seeing them. And then YOU can participate in our own "3 x 5 Card Testimonies" by noting briefly what you once were and how Jesus Christ has changed your life. That will be our theme for the service, "Transformation" which comes by the Truth of God's Word and Spirit. Be thinking about how Christ has TRANSFORMED your life either recently or over the years and prepare to share it briefly. Please note that we will receive our Benevolent Fund offering which is in great need as we have had more requests for help among our own people recently. A lot of needs are among us, but your loving generosity will meet needs and encourage hearts. I can't wait to hear of testimonies along this line in the future.

4:45 PM - our choir practice continues for the soon coming cantata, "Joy Came Down" which will be featured in our morning service on Sunday, December 20 at 10:45 AM. Not too far away, so don't miss the practice.

6:00 PM - Our AWANA kids will learn from God's Word and join in some fun games. This Sunday features "Sprawl Night" where you wear warm p.j.'s or sweats and bring a blanket and pillow. Hmmmm, sounds like an easy night for the leaders!!

Also at this time our Adults and Students in grades 7 - 12 will meet together to hear a report from our own missionary to Nicaragua, Shelley Grimm. She will tell us and show us what God has been doing through her in the ministry there to children, single mothers, and other women through the local church. If you would like to give to help in her home ministry travels, use an envelope and mark "Shelley" on it and we will get it to her. Also, if you were not able to give to Pastor Igor Bagirov's ministry last Sunday evening and wanted to, mark a giving envelope "Igor" and we will get that to him.

"The Great Cookie Bake" which is a wonderful ministry to our local businesses. We have done it for the past four years or so and have made a real seasonal impact in the lives of secretaries, business owners, store clerks, etc. They can't believe we would take the time to bake homemade cookies and bring them to them in the busy days leading up to Christmas. It is just one more way to show kindness in the name of Christ in a world that needs it desperately. There is a sign up sheet at church if you want to participate, or see Debbie Mace if you have questions.

Our annual adult Christmas Banquet is coming on Saturday, December 12 at 6:00 PM. This is a great time every year, including a wonderful catered buffet, fellowship in fun, song, and God's Word. The cost is $14.50 per couple, plus an optional gift to exchange ($5.00 to $10.00). This year Pastor Drew Carroll (and Megan) will be here to bring a short devotional. If you know any folks from their church, please give them a special invitation to attend with us. We have also invited their church to join for our annual Christmas Eve Service which is sure to be a blessing.

Remember that our year end "Gifts for Christ" offering will be given to the ministries of Skyview Ranch. They have had some financial difficulties as many ministries have, so we want to help. We appreciate their camps and retreats for our kids and many others and we want to see the camp continue. So, use the special offering envelope in your packet or mark one "Gifts for Christ" to give. Thank you.

UPWARD basketball registrations are in full swing, and are in fact due this weekend to get the early discount of $55 (later will be $65.) We have distributed more flyers than ever before around Streetsboro, Aurora, Northfield, and the surrounding area. We expect a great response, BUT WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! Please sign up as we need more COACHES and REFEREES, as well as general help. Training is available, and it is not hard. This ministry is done in cooperation with First Baptist, Aurora and was a great success last year. We are praying for an even greater impact this year in the lives of kids and families and YOU can be a big part of it. Please sign up this week to help, and to register your kid(s).

To turn your thoughts to Communion and Christ's transforming sacrifice for us, meditate on these words of a blessed, old hymn:

Love brought my Savior here to die on Calvary,

For such a sinful wretch as I, how can it be?

Love bridged the gulf ’twixt me and Heav’n, taught me to pray,

I am redeemed, set free, forgiv’n, love found a way.

(refrain) Love found a way, to redeem my soul,

Love found a way, that could make me whole.

Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,

Love found a way, O praise His holy Name!

(here is where you can hear the tune: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/f/lfoundaw.htm ) Wow, do I miss those days!

God bless you, see you Sunday!

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