First Baptist Church

224 Main St. Penn Yan, NY 14527

 (315) 536-9821 e-mail: pyfbc@usadatanet.net

Rev. John R. Tharp, Pastor

 

 

WORSHIP WITH US

 

June 3      “As You Wish” means “I Love You”

              John 15:1-17

 

June 10     “When God Seems Distant”

              Job 23:1-17

              Children’s Day

 

June 17     Special Presentation!

              Father’s Day

              Service will be held at Camp Good Days

 

June 24     “Over the Hedge”

              Psalm 139:1-12

 

 

 

Greeters                                                                            Lay Readers

Gladys Kjar & Shane Furman           June 3                   Fran Hartwell

Eva Dillon & Erma Mullins               June 10            Margaret Hartwell

Service at Camp Good Days                   June 17            Erin Ahearn

Charlie Miller & Matt Scutt                   June 24            Erma Mullins

                                        

                                        

 

                     JUNE BIRTHDAYS!

4 ~ Laverne Chaapal                    21 ~ Gerry Lane

5 ~ George Slocum                     25 ~ Diane DeLooza

5 ~ John FM Tharp                    25 ~ Warner Gibbs

11 ~ Bessie Bliss                 25 ~ Stan Ovens

16 ~ Tom Tharp  

 

             

                   KEEP YOUR FORK

      

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things “in order”, she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

 

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

“There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.

“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.

“This is very important,” the woman continued…”I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say…

 

“That surprises you, doesn’t it?” the woman asked.

“Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorite part because I know that something better was coming…like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: “Keep Your Fork”…”The best is yet to come.”

 

The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven that he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.

 

At the funeral people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question “What’s with the fork?” Over and over he smiled. During the message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come…

 

WELCOME TO… AVALANCHE RANCH

                                                          –A Wild Ride Through God’s Word

 

In just a few weeks we will be welcoming children through our doors of First Baptist for VBS 2007. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show them God’s love. You can help by volunteering your time to serve snacks, assist in classrooms, or by “saddling up to herd them to their destinations.” Cowboy hats are welcome! Come have fun and laugh. Perhaps you aren’t available during the day, you can support them by providing snacks or any of the items below. Monetary donations are welcome too.

See Barbara Burke, Sue Willson, Pam Scutt, Greg Marion or Tammy Miller.

 

Glue dots ~ Glue sticks ~ paper towels ~ Garbage bags ~ Paper cups

snack-sized ziploc bags ~ paper baking cups ~ plastic spoons ~ napkins

Hand wipes ~ anti bacterial liquid soap ~ wiggley eyes

 

On Tuesday, June 26, there will be a special guest visiting our VBS. Edith Davidson from the Utica Tabernacle Baptist Church will come with Burmese Children, clothing and artifacts. Supporting this theme, our mission project will be collecting school supplies for the refugee children at the UTBC.

             

 

Just a reminder that there will not be a newsletter for the month of July. Start to plan now for what is coming up for your group in the months of August and September. The deadline for articles for the

 August newsletter will be July 20. Remember, this is the place to advertise what is happening within your group, and what events are coming up. Communication is the key to involvement!

 

 

Calling all Ladies…

All the women of the church are invited to join the Mary & Martha Circle and the Fellowship Class for lunch out at the Antique Inn! The date has been set for Wednesday, June 20. To reserve your spot call Marge Cornell at 536-6607.

 

 

LET’S CELEBRATE!

FAMILIES!     CHILDREN!     FATHERS!

 

On Sunday, June 17, our worship service will be held at Camp Good Days.

Following the worship service we will come together for an all church picnic!

There will be games for the young and the young at heart.

Hot dogs, rolls, beverages and ice cream will be provided.

Bring your own table service

and

A dish to share

Picnic will be held rain or shine!

 

HAVE YOU MET…

 

Polly Logan

Polly has been a member of FBC since she was a child. She is the wife of Bob, and mother of three, Jane, Tim and Loni, all whom are married. Polly is a grandmother of six, a retired teacher and an avid reader. Involved with many areas of the church, Polly taught Sunday School and served on various boards and Circle. Polly goes the extra step to help others.

 

Jim & Eva Jean Best…

Jim and Eva Jean have been married since 1958 and have a daughter Norma Jean, and 2 grandsons, Matt and Eric. Eva Jean worked at WT Grant for many years, retired from D’Amico Plumbing and Heating, and served on various boards. Jim worked for years at Ayers Dairy, and is retired from Penn Yan Express.