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
October, 2008
Announcing an all-church one-day
Revival Bible Conference on
Deepening Relationships
with One Another
Sun., October 19
Bill Mills
teacher & author
Bringing
You the Encouragement of the Scriptures
Schedule:
8:30 &
11:00 a.m. Service Sermon Time—Session 1
4:30
p.m.-6 p.m.—Session 2
6:00
p.m.-6:45 p.m.— Meal
6:45
p.m.-8:15 p.m.—Session 3
PLEASE BRING YOUR BIBLE
A word from Dr. Hokuf
Dear church family,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. William Shakespeare
said there are “sermons in stone.”
He meant that some of the greatest lessons of life are to be
found in the everyday and common things of life.
Let me tell you one such event.
Janet and I were watching Governor Sarah Palin’s acceptance
speech last week. When she
began to speak of her newborn son, Trig, both of us became alert.
The TV camera switched to the baby boy who was being held by his
sister Piper. They were an
endearing sight. Just then
Piper licked her hand and flattened baby Trig’s hair.
Both of us said, “Did you see that!?”
It is an image that will stick in our minds for years to come.
Those of you who may have seen that event also are
aware that Trig has Down’s syndrome.
Every time he makes a public appearance he is a “powerful witness
to the sanctity of human life” (to quote Dr. Al Mohler).
It is hard to believe, but many people think that such children
should not be allowed to live.
It is estimated that in
In fact, some seem worried about what kind of
example the Palins might set.
Imagine if others followed their lead!
Dr. Andre′ Lalonde, a gynecologist, is concerned
“above all else” that women are free to choose.
He said “The worry is that this will have an implication for
abortion issues . . . .”
Imagine if the unborn baby is seen as a precious human being and a
person! The pro-choice (read
pro-death) crowd seems afraid that a woman might make the righteous
choice to save the baby’s life.
Our descent into a culture of death is the scary thing to me.
When Piper lovingly licked her hand and gently
straightened Trig’s tussled hair, the whole world saw the joy that a
precious little Down’s baby has brought the Palin’s home.
Janet and I hope it stirs your heart, along with the hearts of
those who may believe in abortion.
Maybe they will rethink their ghastly position.
There are “sermons in stone.”
Let us pray that this powerful image of tenderness and love
communicates a powerful sermon.
An ambassador for Christ.
Dr. Stephen D. Hokuf
“TNT” Exploding
Around the World
by Pastor Dan Mohler
On
Sunday October 19, we will be having a one-day revival with Bill Mills.
Bill has been with us before and is a fine Christian man, godly
in character, and engaging in his speaking.
He is president of Leadership Resources (LR).
Bill Mills is taking this organization to the frontier of global
missions. The mission of LR
is to launch pastoral training movements worldwide.
Their focus is Training National Trainers or TNT.
Then those who are trained go out and train others.
This way the cultural challenges are overcome and the cost is
kept to a minimum. Their
strategy is to reach out to pastors in what we would consider “Third
World” countries where the church is growing, but the leaders of these
churches have not had the training necessary to move their churches
toward maturation.
Leadership Resources is often in countries that do
not welcome the Christian gospel.
One of the reasons for their outstanding success is their
partnership with those local organizations who are already working in
the field. Therefore, they
have partnered with such organizations as the Baptist Union, the Bible
League and SEND International.
In Latin America they work with HCJB World Radio and in Africa
and
On Friday evening and Saturday morning, October
17-18, Bill will be at our sister church, First Baptist Church of
Perryville, speaking on Prayer.
He will be here on Sunday, October 19th, speaking on
Deepening Relationships with One Another. The schedule on the 19th
is to have the first session during the first service and repeated
during the second service.
During the Sunday School hour he will give an update on what the Lord is
doing around the world in missions.
Then we’ll come back at 4:30 p.m. for the second session with a
light meal at 6 p.m. and the final session at 6:45 p.m.
Relationships are critical. They
can enrich our lives or cause us great frustration.
Please set this time aside on October 19th to feed
your soul and enrich your relationships.
I have known Bill for almost 20 years.
He is the genuine article, a real man of God.
Pastor John Gauger, pastor of First Baptist Church of Perryville,
says, “He is the finest speaker we have ever had.”
The Fall Festival
We need
church-wide support
As
you read this, we are within 3 weeks of our
6th Annual Harvest Time Car Show & Family Fall Festival.
October 18th—it’s a bit later in the month than last year.
As always, pray that the Lord will bless us with cool, dry
weather. I can’t say enough of how nice it is to see the blue sky and
the fall colors of the mums and corn stalks all mixed together with the
smell of the popcorn intertwined with the sounds of music and the
laughter coming from all the smiling faces on The Festival day.
Throughout the years, I’ve often tried to take a few moments during that
busy day to stop and let it all wash over me—a true blessing. If we get
rain, and we have, we have a rain date—October 25th—to try
again.
By now, many will have already heard about or are
familiar with us looking to the congregation for support with The
Festival. We appreciate those who bake all those wonderful cakes for the
Cake Walk, those who adopt a mum and those who prepare the food at the
end of the day. All the
support brings fun and beauty to The Festival. And, the meal gives the
crew time to catch their breath at the end of the day after working so
hard.
Even with the items mentioned above, there are
still folks who come to me each year who are not able to work The
Festival. They want to know
how they can help and even help some more. One of the most visible items
of The Festival, but least thought about, are the t-shirts that all crew
members wear the day of The Festival. Whether it’s been a sea of orange
or a sea of yellow or maroon, there are 60 plus crew members out there
showing that color. Not only
have they become a memorable keepsake for those who’ve worked that day;
but, they’ve always been a vital part of the safety we need when we have
over 600 visitors spread out over the parking lot and field of the
church. With just a quick glance, Phil (Meekins) or I (as well as any
other crew member) can locate other staff in a hurry among the crowd.
Of all the monies that go out for the different
parts of The Festival, the crew shirts are among the most expensive.
There has always been a voluntary request of $5 from crew members to
help off set this expense. It has been up to the crew member to drop it
into the offering plate marked for The Festival. No record is made of
what comes in for crew shirts; but, we have always tried to have a shirt
for all those who have been a part of the crew. This year we would like
there to be no exception. With the cost of everything going up, so have
the prices of shirts and the shipping. With that, this year we have
asked for additional support in outfitting the crew. If you are not one
who bakes or tends much to flowers, then this may be a place where you
can help. For every $10 that comes in as designated to “The
Festival—t-shirts”, you can “Outfit a Crew Member.” Not only will it
help on the safety level, but it also helps the families who have
several members working The Festival.
There are many different things that many different
people can do for The Festival outreach. Some will happen and go almost
unnoticed—all will be done for the glory of God. But the one thing
that everyone can do is pray. We will see anywhere from 400 to 600
people or maybe more pass through the grounds of the church in one day.
And, as we are now studying in Children’s Worship, it’s a tremendous
opportunity for all of us to show the fruits of the spirit during the
harvest season.
God’s Blessings,
Dave Bibey
YOUTH RALLY
with
Sammy
HALL
Sammy
Hall
began his professional musical career as a lead singer for a rock group.
His life began spiraling downhill from the age of 13 and by the
age of 21 he was a full-fledged alcoholic and increasingly dependent on
alcohol and drugs. When he
saw his best friend die from an overdose, he began to recognize his life
was in turmoil. He turned
his life around when he turned his life over to the Lord and Savior.
He has
ministered to over 1,500,000 young people
and has seen over 50,000 give their lives to Jesus
Christ. Hall is straight up
and tells the truth.
We are expecting a sanctuary full of youth to hear
Sammy Hall's testimony and his music! We’re providing food for everyone
Friday night. We need donations of several large
crockpots of sloppy Joes and pans of brownies or cookies for
dessert.
Contact Lee-Ellen Van Voorhis to help
out.
===============================================================
(lunch
provided)
Sat., OCT 4
8am
MD/DE MISSIONS Offering Received To Date:
$322.
Our church goal is $800.
The rooster’s crowing . . .
The
rooster’s crowing
and it’s time to get cracking.
It’s almost harvest time again and everyone is getting busy
especially the boys and girls in Children’s Worship.
We think the boys and girls are going to enjoy our farm theme and
down to earth fun as they get hands on experience on a farm.
Through examples of Jesus
and His parables, children will grow crops of love, sprout joy, plant
peace, and hopefully produce some patience and pack a bushel of kindness
from each other.
They’ll be busy making
cards for special friends who have lost a special love one.
They’ll be creating their own special vegetable person for our
Fall/Harvest Festival grand prize.
They’ll create bags to be in our fall Car Show and they’ll all
love our toe-tapping music.
Maybe if you are real lucky, you might “get” to hear some of the country
songs.
So don’t be surprised to
see funny prize-winning vegetables and watch out for their hog-calling.
You never know what may show up.
We are in
need of a new team leader
for our third Sunday activities.
If you love “crafts” and kids, we could really use you.
Our theme is carried
throughout the month.
The first Sunday Patricia
Culver introduces the theme for the month.
This month it’s “Love” followed by the other “Fruits of the
Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22-23.
The second week is
followed by
Week three is craft and
snack day where the kids have hands on projects to make and share.
The fourth Sunday will be
lead by Tina Gibson with some toe-tapping music.
In the Parable of the
Sower, Jesus said that the seeds scattered on fertile ground would
produce an abundant harvest.
We pray that we as Children’s Worship workers are creating fertile
ground so our kids will have a “Faith That Grows.”
Don’t forget to come on in and join us on the farm and help in
the harvest of the young souls.
“We can use you.”
In Christ’s Service,
Patricia Culver
Children’s Worship Leader
Let’s fill
200 shoe boxes
Many of you have had a
part in making these heartwarming stories a reality as well as bringing
joy to millions of children and their families all over the world.
Most important of all you’ve had a role in bringing hope and the
Good News of Jesus Christ to these boys and girls.
It’s time again for
Operation Christmas Child (OCC), so dig out those shoe boxes or purchase
plastic ones. Make sure the
plastic is flexible such as Sterilite or Rubbermaid.
Pray about what God wants
you to do. Remember, the
shoe boxes are tools to reach others for Christ.
Thousands have been saved because of this ministry.
We would like to set a
goal of at least 200 shoe boxes for our church to collect.
Perhaps you can fill a shoe box in honor of, or in memory of
someone.
Samaritan’s Purse asks
for a donation of $7 per box to help with shipping costs.
If you are preparing more than one box, make one combined
donation, checks preferred.
Something new
This year you will be
able to donate online. Go to
www.samaritanspurse.org
and click on the EZ give button for instructions.
If you are unable to
donate the $7 shipping cost, please do not let that keep you from
filling a shoe box. Our
church has a special OCC fund and much of that money will be donated
toward shipping costs.
Dedication Sunday is
November 16th (both morning services).
We would like to have the shoe boxes brought to the church by
that day. However, you can
bring yours to the
Brochures with complete
instructions are available in the front vestibule and in the educational
wing, along with copies of a letter that the children may complete and
put inside their shoe boxes.
We ask
most of all that you pray for this ministry and the children that will
be receiving the shoe boxes.
It is the power of prayer that has made OCC such a phenomenal
success.
Nancy Hudler