First Baptist Church February 2011

WORSHIP THEMES & SCRIPTURES

Feb. 6 - “Turn On The Light” Letting your light shine for the Lord

Matthew 5:13-20

Feb. 13 - “Love That Does Not Let Go” Unconditional Love

Matthew 5:38-48

Feb. 20 - “Make It Right” Making amends for wrongs committed

Matthew5:21-26

Feb. 27 - “One Day At A Time” Trust God. Don’t Worry.

Matthew 6:24-34

GREETERS LAY READERS

Feb. 6 - Matt Scutt & Charlie Miller Jennifer Slocum

Feb. 13 - Eileen & Christian Modaffari George Jensen

Feb. 20 - Mary Lou Hainsworth, Karen & Charlie T. Erma Mullins

Feb. 27 - Barbara Burke & Sue Willson Kathie Lawrence

BIRTHDAYS

5 ~ Karen Taylor 24 ~ Leon Stiles

10 ~ Sheryl Robbins 26 ~ Cindy Ovens

15 ~ Eva Dillon 27 ~ Chapita Shaver

Pastor's Message

Dear Members and Friends,

Recently, I have been reading the book of Acts in the New Testament, both for my own personal inspiration and for sermon preparation. In order to understand what made the early church grow so rapidly and endure intense persecution, this book is necessary reading.

The 2^nd chapter of Acts reports that in addition to being empowered by the Holy Spirit, the members devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayer. And new members were added to the church daily.

They were devoted (committed) to receiving instruction from the Word of God as they had it. They were devoted to fellowship with other believers which means more than just being together but a real sense of connectedness that comes from love of the Lord and love of one another in the Lord. Last and so important, they were devoted to prayer.

What impresses me is that the Christians were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual”, they met together daily (2:41), fellowshipped daily (6:1), searched the Scriptures daily (17:11), and the church grew daily (16:5).

These Scriptures challenge us to ask ourselves, how devoted are we to study of the Scriptures, to fellowshipping together and to prayer? Remember, it is never too late to make changes in those areas of our lives.

~ Pastor Burke

10 Facts You Should Know About American Baptists

(Produced by American Baptist Churches USA)

1. American Baptists believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God that serves as the final written authority for living out the Christian faith.

2. For American Baptist the local church is the fundamental unit of mission in denominational life.

3. American Baptist partake of two ordinances; believers’ baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

4. American Baptist believe that the committed individual Christian can and should approach God directly, and that individual gifts of ministry should be shared.

5. American Baptist take seriously the call to evangelism and missionary work.

6. American Baptist support religious freedom and respect the expressions of faith of others.

7. American Baptists acknowledge that God’s family extends beyond our local churches, and that God calls us to cooperative ministries.

8. American Baptists have been called to be Christ’s witnesses for justice and wholeness within a broken society.

9. American Baptist Churches USA celebrates the racial, cultural and theological diversity witnessed within its membership.

10. American Baptist heed the biblical call to renewal and the need for a vital witness in a new millennium.

ALL DATES ARE OPEN

Would you like to honor a love one or remember someone special? You can by dedicating a Sunday bulletin.

Fill out this slip and turn it into the office to reserve the chosen Sunday for your memorial/honor bulletin. The cost is $10. In purchasing a dedicated bulletin cover, you will help defray some of the church’s operating costs and at the same time memorialize or recognize a loved one. Printed in the bulletin will be the information you provide below. Please send this form to the church office along with your payment or leave it in the offering plate. Additional forms are available in the office.

In Memory of _____________________________________________

In Honor of ______________________________________________

Date Preferred _______________ From _______________________

Community HUBBA Event

The youth of Penn Yan would like to invite all senior citizens to our 8^th annual

“AFTERNOON TEA”

Thursday, March 24

at the Penn Yan Academy gymnasium from 4-5:30 PM.

This event is a gift to the community, there is no cost for attending!

For reservations call the Yates County Office of the Aging at 536-5515.

Please let us know if you need transportation – it will be provided!

Engagement Congratulations !

Judi Gibbs and Russ Scheel are pleased to announce their engagement.

A spring wedding is planned.

Board of Mission Report

In 2010, a budget of $21,900 was adopted. This showed the first increase in 4 years. $600 was added for Missionary Support. This presented a potential deficit of -$2,019.

Although there were times we were not sure we’d make it, your generosity and faithfulness came through. We ended the year with a balance of $176. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Unfortunately, the 2011 budget is $18,405. A decrease of -$3,505. This budget has a potential deficit of $4,181. Your Board of Mission would like to return the excluded items, creating a deficit of $6,081.

Rather than “beating the drums” as we did in Nov and Dec. last year, you will be apprised of where we stand in the monthly newsletter and in the Sunday bulletins.

Now for more pleasant thoughts.

We are again doing Super Subs in support of Yates County Habitat for Humanity. By the time you read this, we are confident that your order is in.

Starting on Feb. 6, we start the “Penny Project” to support the Back Pack project of Milly’s Pantry. In 2010, you raised $810 to feed hungry children during the summer weekends. We will be collecting pennies (nickles, dimes, quarters and dollars are also acceptable) through the end of April. It is amazing the number of pennies that have already been turned in.

In March, we will be taking the “America For Christ” offering. This offering supports ABC/USA mission projects throughout the USA.

Your Bd of Missions

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