I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

John 8:12



Previous Lamplighters

July/Aug 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
Feb 2008
Dec 2007/Jan 2008
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
July/August 2007



 

The Lamplighter, September 08

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Engage Tomorrow

2008 Offering for MD/DE Missions

 Week of Prayer for State Missions

September 7-14

 Church Offering Goal:  $800/State Offering Goal:  $250,000

 A letter from Dr. David Lee

Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware

      One thing is certain about tomorrow.  Tomorrow is uncertain!  A few minutes with the newspaper reinforces that fact.  Jesus said that tomorrow should not be a source of worry for us.  In fact, we should see tomorrow as something to engage, not something to fear.

             We as Maryland/Delaware Baptist have chosen to “engage tomorrow.”  We believe that together we can make a significant difference by giving priority to church multiplication, servicing our existing congregations, developing and supporting our leaders, involving Maryland/Delaware Baptists in Acts 1:8 missions, and by developing resources.

             At the core of this effort is our own spiritual willingness and readiness to answer God’s call to be on mission with Him.  Joshua said to his people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5).

 I believe God wants to do a might work in this strategic region of the world.  We need to join him now.  I challenge you to partner with us in engaging tomorrow by giving to the State Missions Offering.  Each dollar will go directly to make possible these designated ministry efforts.

             If we are faithful and do our part, God will honor His Word.  Together, let’s engage tomorrow!  

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 A word from Dr. HOKUF

 Dear church family,

 Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I trust all of you have had a good summer.  Perhaps you had a chance to get away for a while or take a day trip here or there.  Our youth just came back from their mission trip to Ocean City, Maryland.  They gave a wonderful report Sunday morning.  Everyone was blessed.  Of course it wasn’t a vacation; but, they seemed to enjoy being at the ocean in spite of all the hard work involved with ministry.  A special thanks go to Patricia Culver, the team leader, and Scott Sinclair (First Baptist Church of Perryville), the leader of the young men.  God bless you both.

 As we segue into the fall, we’re looking forward to lots of good things that the Lord has in store for us.  Our week of prayer for state missions is scheduled for September 7-14.  Our goal is $800.00 for the State Missions Offering.  That is also the week that some of our ladies will be attending the Women of Faith Conference in Philadelphia, PA.  Our home Bible studies will be starting back up.  Team Kids will begin again on September 17 on Wednesday nights for the elementary age children.  And our church picnic is Sunday afternoon, September 21.  There are a lot of things going on and coming up.  I hope to see all of you!

 We continue to be emphasizing prayer at church.  I’ve been preaching all summer on that theme.  We still have persons praying around the clock for revival in our midst and for the many needs in our church family.  Please be sure to take some of your own personal time each day to bring these concerns to the Lord.

 May God bless you indeed,

 Pastor Stephen D. Hokuf                     

 

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1 Chronicles 4:9-10

—Prayer of Jabez

 

Jabez was more honorable

than his brothers. His mother

had named him Jabez, saying,

"I gave birth to him in pain."

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel,

"Oh, that you would bless me

and enlarge my territory!

Let your hand be with me,

and keep me from harm

so that I will be free from pain."

And God granted his request.

  

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 Promotion Sunday—August 31st

Meet the new teachers and have some fun

 All classes through junior high will meet for the entire Sunday School hour in the sanctuary.  We’ll have a film, games, and will “meet the teachers” before going to the Robert Hudler, Sr. Fellowship Hall for snacks and refreshments.

 Prizes will be given to those who bring friends who haven’t been to our Sunday School before.  The fun will start at 9:45am and conclude at 10:45am.

 Thank You,

Dave Jackson

 

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Do nothing/grow cold

By Pastor Dan Mohler

 In the great prophetic chapter of Matthew 24, where Jesus is talking about the days just prior to His return, He describes the church in verses 12-13 this way:  “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

 If we truly believe what we say we believe, we should be passionate in our love for the Lord and in serving Him.  When our Lord was on the cross He said, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s Word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21).  And again in John 13:17, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

 The church has several opportunities to exercise your faith by getting involved.  These include:

 Teacher for 4 & 5 year olds

Teacher for grades 6-8

Librarian

Keenagers’ Leader

Social Committee Chairman

Nursery Coordinator

Sunbeams Coordinator

VBS Director (2009)

 The church is going to be weakened in the coming year if these openings are not filled.  A good way to get involved is to share the responsibility with someone else such as being a “team teacher.”

Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could sit in our air-conditioned pews and sing songs.  He expected His people to serve as He served:  sacrificially.                                                 

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 Dan Sheffield

Director, Susquehanna Baptist Association

 will be our Guest Missionary Speaker

 

Sun., September 7, 6pm

 He’ll be sharing re:  his mission trip to Guinea, West Africa

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CHURCH PICNIC

 North East Town Park

Sun., September 21, 4pm-dark

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 Work Day

(lunch provided)

 Sat., Sept. 6 8am

 

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Bill MILLS

CONFERENCE

 Sun., Oct. 19

 Deepening Relationships

with One Another

 Conference Sessions:

      8:30am (Worship Time)

      9:45am (for Youth & Adult Sunday Schools)

      11am (Worship Time)

      5-6pm (Break @ 6pm)

      6:30-8:30 pm

 

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 2008 Harvest Time Car Show

& Family Fall Festival

 It’ll be one BIG Event

Something old, something new--that’s the best way to describe this year’s 6th annual event scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 11am-4pm. For the first time, I have handed the entire Festival part of the event over to Phil Meekins. I am solely overseeing the car show.  It’ll still be one big event with two separate heads.  Now I know what you’re thinking. This is in October and that sounds rather scary. Don’t be frightened. The Harvest Festival has always been an outreach supported by the entire church. It could not happen without the support of the church and the blessing from God--thus, many heads.

 The planning stages are where it can get rather hectic. Phil and I have always worked close together and I even closer with Kathy Gray. Phil though, has always been willing to let me run with the ball and be there as my back up. After 5 years, I felt that I could no longer run at full speed to oversee both sides. At that point, Phil stepped up to take The Festival side so that I could concentrate on the car show. Phil will add a new spark to The Festival--keeping some old and adding some new. He also has great plans for the Youth Rally that precedes The Festival on Friday night. With the car show, I have been gathering up our trophy sponsors, getting flyers out to the car owners and getting donations to fill the goodie bags.

  Please continue to pray for The Festival, the Youth Rally, the Car Show, the people who will attend, the sponsors, the workers, Phil and I and the Lord’s ongoing blessing of this event.  As we get closer to The Festival, we will be having frequent meetings. These meeting are an important part of the planning. Please check the web site (www.fbne.net) and Sunday bulletins for dates and times. In addition, if there are any questions, see Phil or myself and we will be very glad to help.

 Dave Bibey  

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Children celebrate Custom Garage program

Prepare for fall—team leaders needed

The boys and girls in Children’s worship enjoyed having the Youth Ocean City Missions Team lead each Sunday in July.  The team had “on the job training” each week.  It was a wonderful experience for all.

 The doors will be closing on our Custom Garage summer program for the boys and girls in Children’s Worship.  After a brief break on a tropical island (VBS 2008 theme), we’ll finish out our summer program.  We spent weeks learning about the tools needed to Be Ready, Be Strong; Be Smart and Love God and Love Others.  Looking in the tool box they learned Bible truths each week and the knowledge of how to use them in real life.  At the filling station they made their own fun snacks.

 We hope the boys and girls enjoyed our Custom Garage as much as Mr. (Dave) Bibey and Mr. Tim (Glace).  After the study we celebrate with the boys and girls.  Celebration Sunday will be August 24.

 We are now preparing for our fall program.  Due to health concerns, Tim and Kathy Glace asked for a leave of absence from our team so we’re looking for new team members.

 In September we hope to present a special Children’s Worship Day.

 In Christ’s Service,

 Patricia Culver,

Children’s Worship Team Member      

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Youth Ocean City Mission Trip

Thanks for your support

The Ocean City team had an early start on Saturday, August 9.  After picking up C.J. Johnson-Aremu at People’s Plaza we were on our way.  (C.J. had just finished a 6 week science camp and he was off again with us to Ocean City.  What commitment!)

 This year’s trip was made possible by a young man from First Baptist Church of Perryville, Scott Sinclair.  Thanks to his willingness to go as a chaperone for our boys he completed our team.  The team bonded with Scott quickly.  He was soon called Uncle “Skoot.”  After a safe arrival, we found our new accommodations very convenient.  The church had annexed some rooms over the First Street Chapel to house 20+ girls and 20+ boys as well as a fellowship hall with pool tables, computer access, dining hall and chapel.

 Saturday night was orientation where we heard the rules of the camp and our assignments for the week.

 We were divided into two teams, each having their own campground.  Scott was assigned three team members, Chrissy Hall, Jimmy Hall, and Ryan Perry, who were familiar with the program.  I had our two new recruits, Christopher Bibey and Sabrina Vance, as well as C.J. Johnson-Aremu.  They did a wonderful job at Sunday worship and at the campground.  Sunday we had to do the worship service for adults.  Each campground had 5-10 families show up in addition to children.  Then we went to Ocean City West for their morning service where we heard a good message on Honesty and Integrity. We were challenged for the next 48 hours to speak truth and live truth.

 Monday (and every day) each team was headed for assigned campgrounds by 8:15am and worked until 11am.  Each campground had 15-20 children each day.  I had a number of teenagers who became great helpers throughout the week.

 The youth were involved in afternoon ministries from taking water to the lifeguards, “Parents Night Out”, and cooking 100 cupcakes (thanks to Chef Ryan and Chef Jimmy).  The rest of the team took care of decorating.

 Family Night was Western Night.  So we all showed up with cowboy hats.  Everyone loved those hats!!.  After cleaning the dining hall and fellowship hall, Thursday was a free evening.  The team went swimming, out to dinner, and took a trip to Assateague to see the wild ponies and enjoy the beautiful beaches there.  Friday was our good-bye day at the campgrounds.  The children were sad to see us leave.  We were sad to go.  Friday night was a long night working at the International Coffee House for 100+ internationals that work at Ocean City for the summer.  They received free coffee and donuts and played games with our teams.  We cleaned up after 12pm or so.  It was a tired team headed to bed.

 Saturday we were up early and cleaned all the rooms upstairs, packed the van and headed home.  God blessed us with beautiful weather and a wonderful team.  We pray many seeds were planted and that God will continue to bless our work.  You would all be proud of each person on the team.  It was a learning experience for all of us.  God stretched each of us and truly enlarged our territory.

 My prayer is that each team member will commit early to go next year and that some young adults will commit to chaperone.

 We have special thanks for all your prayers and financial help--and, a very special thanks to Scott Sinclair.  “Well done thy good and faithful servant(s).”

 Goodbye from Ocean City until next year,

 Patricia Culver

Youth Ocean City Mission Team Leader, 2008

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Ruthie JARRELL In Concert

Singer and songwriter from Taylorsville, NC

 “Her concerts encourage, uplift, and change lives.”

 Sun., Sept. 28, 6pm

 ©love offering

 

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