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

The Lamplighter

December 2011/January 2012

 

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Is God beginning to shake America and the world?

By Dan Mohler

Joel Rosenberg suggests that the answer is “yes” (see joelrosenberg.com).  He goes on to say that God allowed 9/11 to happen to shake America . . . to get our attention . . . to wake us up (see Haggai 2:6-7, 21-22; Hebrews 12:25-26; Matthew 24:29-30).

 

He goes on to point out that nine of the ten costliest hurricanes in American history have happened since 9/11.  2011 has become the worst year in American history for natural disasters, with ten separate catastrophes costing $1 billion or more.  This year we have seen the worst outbreak of tornadoes in nearly half a century.  And, the worst fires in the history of Texas during the worst drought in the history of the state.  We saw the biggest earthquake on the East Coast since 1875 and the biggest earthquake in Colorado since 1882.

 

At the same time, our economy is being shaken to its core with 42,000 factories shut down since 9/11; 14 million have lost their jobs; millions of families have lost their homes and Washington is running up the national debt to over $15 trillion.  And, half of all Americans fear we’re heading for another Great Depression.

 

It’s beginning to feel like we are out in the middle of a frozen lake and we’re hearing the ice beginning to crack.  We haven’t plunged down into the icy waters yet; but, we’re not sure where to step or whether we can get back to the safety of the shore.

 

But God is not only shaking America. The Lord said through the prophet Haggai, “I will shake all the nations”.  Japan is suffering her worst disasters since World War II with an earthquake, tsunami and multiple nuclear meltdowns.  Australians have faced devastating flooding this year (of Biblical proportions).  God is shaking the Arab world through revolutions and uprisings.  Russia is suffering the worst drought in 100 years.  China is suffering its worst drought in 200 years.  The earthquake in New Zealand left one-third of the buildings in Christchurch facing demolition.  Last year, God shook Haiti with the deadliest earthquake in nearly 500 years and the second deadliest in all of human history.

 

Joe Rosenberg suggests four reasons why God is shaking us.  He wants us to repent.  God’s own people have been running after the rebellion of the world, now He is saying “stop, turn around and come home”.  He is shaking us because He wants us to remember there is no one else who can satisfy us or give us true peace.  He is shaking us because He has a mission for His church.  He is shaking us because Jesus Christ is coming soon.

 

“But,” someone may ask, “what makes this time different from all the others?”  The answer is Israel.  They are back in their land after more than 2000 years.  This is the super sign of Biblical prophecy (see Ezekiel 27).  This is the sign that says we are in the last days just prior to the return of Christ.

 

 

John 16:33 (Amplified):  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!  For I have overcome the world.  [If I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

 

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Adopt-a-Family

Women on Mission are sponsoring the Adopt-a-Family for Christmas Angel Tree.  Select an angel on the angel tree in the rear of the sanctuary and follow the instructions on the back.

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Greetings from the Pastor

Dear church family,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our church is now officially 55 years old.  We celebrated with a minimum of fanfare; but, we did recognize the event.  On Saturday before our homecoming, Faye Spencer Martin went home to be with her Lord.  Faye was our founding pastor Bradley Spencer’s wife.  She was only 38 years old when our church began.  They served the Lord here nearly 10 years.  The last church they ministered in was the New Providence Baptist Church in New Providence, Pennsylvania.  Her funeral will be held there Friday, December 2.  Her only surviving child is Ellen Laube who was a teenager back in those years.  I have been given the privilege of officiating at her service.

 

 

I remember her as a quiet and godly Christian lady who loved her family, her church and her God.  In her eighties and nineties she was afflicted with dementia, as is my own dear mother.  Over the past 4 1/2 decades she was able to return to our church on numerous occasions to visit.  I know she prayed for us throughout her lifetime, as long as she was able.

 

She and Bradley were instrumental in starting 5 different Baptist churches during their years together.  I am especially grateful to God for them.  You see it was through them that I was brought to faith in Christ as a 5 year old!  Paul said it this way, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15 NIV).  They had beautiful feet.

 

I am so glad that somebody planted a Baptist church in our town.  I wonder how many towns there are that still lack a witness to the glorious gospel?!  I wonder how many people would gladly hear about and believe in Jesus if they just had someone come and tell them?

 

With that in mind our newly ordained Rev. Phil Meekins has started a church on the other side of North East called New Beginnings Christian Fellowship.  For the past month they have been averaging 20 persons for their 8:15 a.m. service at 479 Red Toad Road.  Please pray for this exciting new outreach.  Brother Phil is reaching those that few other churches seem to be able to.  Let’s all pray for and cooperate with God in this fledging spiritual endeavor.

 

Your fellow servant,

 Dr. Stephen D. Hokuf

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Shoeboxes are on their way

Coordinator of Operation Christmas Child, Nancy HUDLER, reports—our Relay Center received 1,766 shoeboxes (114 from our church).  Our Northern Delmarva area received 14,818 total shoeboxes which was up form 13,112 received in 2010.  The shoeboxes are on their way around the world.

 

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Reconnect @ Christmas party

The annual Women on Mission (WOM) Christmas party will be held at Judy Veasey’s home on Monday, December 12 at 6:00 p.m.  Bring an appetizer, salad, etc. and cookies to exchange.  We will collect our gift money and give it to a special person.

 

Judy’s home is always beautifully decorated.  We catch up with our friends while smelling baked goodies, seeing the flicker of candlelight, and listening to Christmas music.

 

If you need a ride, let one of us know.  It is a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and reconnect with Christian friends.

 

Hope to see you there.

Brenda Sommers,

Secretary.

  

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Christmas Cantata

Presentations

Combined Choirs of

 

First Baptist Church

of North East

and

North East United Methodist Church

 

Sun Dec 11, 6pm

@ FBC, NE

 

Sun Dec 18, 7pm

@ NEUM Church

(NO 6pm service @ FBC)

 

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POEM

by Jacob PERRY

 

Listen to that lovely sound

The birds a singing

at the crown.

What is it that we await?

Is for the opening

of heaven’s gate.

For what is it that we will find?

Is the One who made all that’s divine.

It is He, He is the One,

the One that made the

heavens and the sun.

But when you see Him

please don’t run

For He is God’s only Son.

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CANDLELIGHT Service

Sat Dec 24

7:30pm

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Come worship

The KING

Sun Dec 25

11am

NO  8:30am  &  6pm services

NO Sunday School

 

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 Focus on the true meaning

of Christmas

 

   

A few years ago, my Christmas season centered on the arrival of a baby—our second child, due December 23.  Exhausted with pregnancy, I skipped out on holiday gatherings, did less decorating and baking than usual, didn’t send cards and didn’t plan a holiday dinner, assuming—correctly, it turned our—I’d be in the hospital then.

 

It was a strangely quiet Christmas season, with our focus on the impending arrival.  But once our baby was born, in the last hour of Christmas day, all the missed parties, caroling, cookie-indulging and even present-opening paled in comparison.  All that truly mattered was God’s gift to our family of this one very special baby.

 

Isn’t this how Christmas should always be?  Seasonal activities are fun, but they hold meaning only if they deepen our focus on the coming of one very special Baby—the Christ-child.  Hold him in your heart this season, as I held my newborn that Christmas night.  If the hustle and bustle distracts you from the Baby, put an end to it.  If traditional activities prove more stressful than joyous, consider what you can let go of to embrace the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, God’s gift of love.

 

—Heidi Mann

 

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