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
May 6 “On Not Getting Used to the Frogs”
Exodus 8:1-15
May 13 “Captive Thoughts”
Romans 12:1-2
Mother’s Day
May 20 “My Name is Waldo Jr.”
II Kings 5:1-15
May 27 “One
Path to God, Many Paths in God”
John
14:1-14
Pentecost
Greeters
Lay Readers
Milly Bloomquist &
Marge Moulton May 6 Pat Ames
Judi Gibbs & Erma
Mullins May 13 Marge Moulton
Fran Morse & Viola
Gray May 20 Lily Scheel
Frances & Margaret
Hartwell May 27 Erma Mullins
MAY BIRTHDAYS!
May
3 Lyle Conrad May 8 Lily Scheel
May
4 Gene Guild May 18 Helena Cranmer
May
6 Erma Mullins May
20 Kathie Lawrence
May
7 Ed Castillo May 23
Mary Fullagar
May 31 Erik Miller
A message from the pastor :
Once again we have seen the sad formula at
work:
Insane hatred + deadly weapons = tragedy
As more and more of the shooter’s profile is
known, we search for answers as to how this person could go so deeply into his
sick delusions without more whistles being blown. The other HUGE question is
how a person, with this kind of background, was able to buy a murder weapon
only one month ago. With this question in mind, I looked up some statistics
offered by the National Education Association and the Health Information
Network.
¨
In a 2 1/2 year period, 9,976 convicted felons and
other illegal buyers in 46 states obtained guns because of inadequate records.
¨
In one year zero children were killed by guns in
Japan, 19 in England, 57 in Germany, 109 in France, 153 in Canada, and 5,285 in
the USA.
¨
The rate of children’s deaths due to gun violence
is 12 times higher in the USA than in twenty-five other industrialized nations
combined.
¨
57% of the gun crimes use guns from only 1% of gun
stores.
We have to ask the question, are we willing to
sacrifice between 3000 in 5000 children per year for the “privilege” of having
guns available to almost everyone who wants to have one.
(There is more information at www.neahin.org)
I grew up in Illinois,
where guns were common. I bought a single shot 22 rifle when I was 14 years
old. When my grandfather died, I inherited his shotgun. My aunt lived alone,
read Perry Mason mystery novels, and kept a handgun somewhere in her house.
Many of us grew up with guns around. Not far from where my mother lives there
are “Burma Shave” style signs that say, “Guns save lives”. That sentiment is
harder and harder to defend.
The question is, can we
ever come to the point of recognizing that having a flood of guns is not
healthy for our country. Are we stuck forever in a situation where the lunatic
fringe can attack at will? When we were traveling in Europe, I saw the police
carrying machine guns in Italy, trucks full of soldiers sitting along the main
streets of Paris, and machine gun nests in the train station of Rome. I didn’t
like the feeling of being watched with binoculars and marked as a possible
target.
What can we, as the
people of Christ, offer to this world? Jeremiah warned the religious people of
his day that they had healed the wounds of the people lightly by saying,
“Peace, Peace when there is no peace”. (Jeremiah 6:14) Jesus would say, “My
peace I give to you, not as the world gives…” (John 14:27) The price of that
peace was the cross, and the price of our following him is to take our cross
each day and follow him. (Mark 8:34)
Mary Karen Read, 19 a
daughter of a family who are friends of Cathy MacDougall, was killed in the
Virginia Tech shooting. We join them in their time of sorrow and seek the
healing of their family. Indeed, our nation is in need of our prayers for
healing. Jesus promised that God would comfort those who mourn and those who
worked for peace. (Matthew 5:4-9)
Those who seek to be
true soldiers of Christ have a battle cast before us. Jesus has called us to be
the salt of preservation in a deteriorating world and the light of hope in the
places of despair. There are other Cho Seung-Huis, some of whom are known to
us. It is up to those who live in the power of the resurrection to offer them
the way of truth, peace, and healing.
Pastor
John
CONGRATULATIONS
CATHY C. MACDOUGALL
Congratulations to our
own Cathy C. MacDougall were published in the “Nazareth College Connections”
Spring Quarterly for her outstanding artistic work created for last June’s
First Baptist Church Vacation Bible School’s “Fiesta”, opened to all children
in the community. Cathy created and painted a huge Mexican village set, as well
as many of the animal characters needed for the theme. As a result, requests
for help and ideas from other churches were made for her expertise in making
the set. At Jean Brewer’s urging (another PYFBC artist), the set has been
preserved with a spray and is now upstairs in the big room for further use.
Cathy has her own graphics design business on
Skyline Drive. Not only does she create business advertisements, magazine
covers, posters, brochures and bumper stickers; but she also works with old
photos, cleaning backgrounds and manipulating them so that several generations
of family can be placed in a single piece. She enjoys painting children and
other subjects. Cathy refuses to use any ready made “clip art” in her work, all
is originally done by her own hand. Our congratulations to Cathy as well!
To the Women of the First Baptist Church.
Thanks to all of you for the good wishes and
prayers. Also, thank you for the
stamps. Those are always useful especially since my sister moved to Arizona.
The phone card will be great for this summer when I am working at Pathfinder
Lodge.
Sara M.
Schuyler
(Sara is a recipient of an ABW Scholarship)
RELAY FOR LIFE
It’s that time of
the year again, so get your walking shoes on! The relay this year will be held
at the Firemen’s Field starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 9 and ending at 6
a.m. on Sunday, June 10. In case you’re not familiar with the Relay for Life,
it is a fund raising event to raise money to support cancer research, education
and patient services. Each team is asked to have one of their team members
walking the track at all times. I know we have all had cancer touch our lives
in on way or another and wish there was some way to fight it. This is one way
to do just that and have fun at the same time. See Pam Scutt (536-2719) if you are interested. If you are
unable to participate in the relay but would like to sponsor one of the walkers
or purchase a luminary in honor/memory of someone, it would be greatly appreciated.
WELCOME TO… AVALANCHE
RANCH
–A
Wild Ride Through God’s Word
Avalanche Ranch will be held June
25-29 and will welcome ‘Lil Buckaroos and Wranglers. In order to keep cost to a
minimum we would like to see if you, our church family can help with some of
the supplies we’ll need for crafts, scenery, snacks etc.
Glue dots
Glue sticks
paper towels
Garbage bags snack sized ziploc bags paper
baking cups
Paper cups
plastic spoons napkins
Hand wipes anti
bacterial liquid soap burlap material for tee-pees
Last year we were so blessed with all
you helped us with and it was your generosity that made VBS ’06 such a success!
Your donations can be drop off upstairs in room 200. You may call Tammy Miller
at 595-2893 if you have further questions or if you need someone to stop by to
pick up your donated items. As always, monetary donations are always welcome, be
sure to mark them VBS.
SUMMER MINISTRY
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Camp
Vick is seeking assistance in several ministry
positions this summer.
Male
Counselor: A dedicated Christian man looking to serve God
through ministry to our campers as a part of our full time summer ministry
staff. Must be at least 18 years old.
Volunteer
Positions:
Nurse:
We need volunteer nurses to fill several weeks of the summer.
Male
Counselor: We need to fill two different weeks: July 1-4 and
July 15-20.
Van
Drivers: August 6-10, 13-17, must be at least 25 years
old, have a good driving record and be capable of driving a 12 passenger van.
Work
Weekend Volunteers: Individuals or church groups can help open
camp. Outdoor and indoor work needed. Workdays happen every Saturday in May.
Contact: Jillene Narraway at 716-492-4494 or campvick@abc-nys.org
Do
You Know… Necia Smith
Necia is a widowed mother of one son, Steve and
grandmother of three. Necia retired from DSS after 29 years. She loves antiques
and collects antique buttons. She is an avid reader, active on boards and a
regular at church service.
Do
You Know… Scott
and Sheryl Robbins
Scott
and Sheryl are an active young couple and live on Old State Route 14. They love
the outdoors and traveling – state that there is no place like our Lakes. Scott
grew up in Florida. Sheryl is a native of this area, and is employed by the NYS
Health Department regulating the public water supply. She grew up in the church
and is in the choir.
Do
You Know … Margaret Mills
Margaret has been a member since 1929 and is a
widow with three children, 6 grandchildren, and one great grandson. She worked
with Taylor Law Office for 25 years and as Milo Town Clerk for 10 years.
Margaret has served on boards in the church, and is a regular attendee for
worship services. She belongs to Women’s Club, the Women of the Moose, and
worked at the American Cancer Office as a volunteer. Margaret loves to play
cards, read and do cross-stitch. She has 10 baby quilts finished and ready to
give as gifts.
CHURCH
WORLD SERVICE - A
Tradition of help. A legacy of hope.
Serving the world for 60 years. Tools & Blankets Program
Church World Service meets human needs and
nurtures self-reliance through programs of social and economic development,
emergency response, assistance to refugees, education and advocacy, and ecumenical
relationships.
Sunday, May 13, is Tools & Blankets Sunday.
Inside this newsletter you will find a donation envelope. Thank you for putting
caring into action. Each blanket wrapped around the shoulders of a displaced
family, each home rebuilt, each hoe placed in the hands of a farmer, each cup
of clean water, is an expression of your love…and hope…for your local and
global neighbors. The Tools & Blankets program support the many
life-changing projects of the Church World Service global assistance program.
Responding to disasters
– When disaster strikes, CWS partners on the scene to provide shelter, food,
blankets, recovery kits, counseling – the basic needs to survive. And CWS stays
long after the headlines have faded, helping families and communities rebuild
lives and livelihoods.
Assisting refugees
– Some 11.5 million people worldwide are currently refugees, uprooted from
their homes and countries by persecution and armed conflict. CWS provides aid
and education at refugee camps, helping to reestablish community in spite of
chaos. And, we help meet the needs of returning when it’s safe to go home.
Putting caring into
action – Each year some 2,000 communities across the
U.S. join in locally-organized, interfaith CROP WALKS that help support the
work of Church World Service both around the world and here at home. These CROP
WALKS share some $4 million annually with local hunger-fighting initiatives
such as food banks, pantries, and community gardens.
Raising awareness –
advocating for change – Informed and active
citizens – people who think critically and put their faith into action – can
help to build a better world for all of God’s children. CWS’s connection to
partners around the world inspires and informs our work in education and
advocacy.
Check
out the bulletin board by the Great Room for a list of international and
domestic shipments for 2006. For frequently updated program information, visit
the CWS web site at www.churchworldservice.org.
Thank You!
To all for making my birthday
“bash” such a success. Thanks for coming, for all the beautiful cards and a
special thank you to those who donated refreshments, helped in the kitchen and
a special thanks to John for his kind words. It’s good to be able to celebrate
a joyful event with friends and family at age 90. Thanks to my church family! -
Millie
Judi
Gibbs, who has been a member of Penn Yan First Baptist Church for 50 years, has
written our church column for the Chronicle-Express for about two years. Judi
has decided to no longer write the column for personal reasons.
As
of April 27 Shelly Bicksler will assume this responsibility. Shelly is a member
of First Baptist Church and sings in the choir.
Judi
has kept us informed of our church’s activities in the Chronicle-Express each
week, as well as highlighting members’ celebrations of birthdays and other
noteworthy events of the life of members.
Judi
has served on many church committees. She has also been lay moderator of the
church and is currently vice moderator.
Thank
you very much, Judi, for the outstanding writing of the columns you have done
as our news reporter.
ABMEN NYS IS GOING BACK TO CAMP!
Work
weekend at Camp Vick – May 11& 12, 2007
Cost is $25- payable
to Outdoor Ministries on arrival. Bring warm clothes, sleeping bag and such and
tools. We plan to replace a roof on at least one cabin and do some general
spring-time cleanup of downed trees and brush. Meals include – Friday evening,
and Saturday breakfast and lunch. Don’t worry you’ll be home in plenty of time
for Mother’s Day. We start Friday evening at 6 p.m. and end after lunch on
Saturday. Ages 14 on up – There is plenty to do no matter your age. We do need
a head count so please let us know if you plan to attend. Call Joe Flockemer at
315-638-8997 or email abmennmail@verizon.net with
the number attending from your church. Camp Vick is located on Sandbank Road in
Sandusky, NY southeast of Buffalo. It is a rustic children’s camp utilizing
both cabin and platform tents for sleeping quarters and provides all the
adventures of a typical summer camp. Swimming, boating, sports and crafts are
interspersed with Bible study and worship. Children learn about God, and have a
great time while they do it!
Finger Lakes ABW Ministries
ABW Ministries of the Finger Lakes will hold its
annual meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, at Canandaigua United Church. The
meeting will include breakfast and elections. Tom Crowell, Manchester Baptist
Church, will be the guest speaker, talking about a recent trip to Egypt. Be
sure to watch the Sunday bulletins for carpool information.
The Mary Read
Scholarship Fund
For everyone who has
been touched in some way by the tragic event at Virginia Tech and wants to
reach out, but are not sure how; The Read Family would like to make it known
that a scholarship fund is being established in the name of Mary Karen Read at
her high school in Annanale, VA. It will take some time to set up that fund. In
the meantime, many people have requested information about how to make a
donation. Two options have been set up for those wishing to make a contribution
now.
St. Anne’s Church Pal-Mac
Rotary
136 Church Street 101 East
main Street
Palmyra, NY 14522 Palmyra,
NY 14522
Funds will be held
by these two organizations, and then transferred to the scholarship/memorial
fund once it is established.
Clearly note that
the donation is intended for the Mary Read Fund, either in the memo line and/or
in an accompanying note. The funds will
be established to honor Mary’s memory. Contact Mary Courtney with any questions
at mmourtne@rochester.rr.com
or 315-597-5076
*personal
condolences can be sent to Mary’s parents at :
Peter and Cathy Read
8507 Bromley Court
Annandale, VA 22003
