The monthly newsletter of The First Baptist Church of Redlands
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TAPESTRY The First Baptist Church of Redlands Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2 APRIL 2015 ISSUE No. 4 Richard T here was a young boy who lived in the Pacific Northwest many years ago. His name was Paul. His parents were the proud owners of one of the first telephones in their neighborhood. The boy was fascinated by the phone, especially when he discovered that inside the telephone there lived an amazing lady. Her name was ”Information, Please” and there was nothing she did not know. One day when he was home alone, he accidentally hit his finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible and he did not know what to do. Then he thought of “Information, Please.” He quickly climbed on a stool, unhooked the receiver, held it to his ear and called into the mouthpiece, “Information, Please.” A small clear voice answered “Information.” “I hurt my finger,” he wailed into the phone. “Is your mother home?” “Nobody’s home but me,” he cried. “Are you bleeding?” “No.” “Can you open your ice box?” “Yes.” “Then go and get some ice and hold it to your finger.” Paul did and that helped a lot. From then on, Paul called “Information, Please” for everything. She helped him with school work, taught him how to spell little words like “fix.” She told him what to feed his pet animals and when his pet canary died, she listened to his grief tenderly and said, “Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in.” Somehow, those words made him feel much better. When Paul was 9, his family moved back east. As the years passed he missed “Information, Please” very much. Some years later he chose a college back out in the Pacific Northwest. When his plane had a layover in the city where he used to live, he decided to dial “Information, Please.” Miraculously, he heard the same small clear voice that he knew so well, “Information.” Paul hadn’t planned this but suddenly he blurted out: “Could you please tell me how to spell the word fix?” There was a long pause. Then came the familiar soft answer: “I guess your finger must be all healed by now.” Paul laughed. “So it’s really you. Do you have any idea how much you meant to me when I was a little boy?” She replied, “You will never know how much your calls meant to me, I used to look forward to your calls so much.” Paul asked if he could call her again when he was back in the area. “Please do,” she said, “Just ask for Sally.” Several months later when his plane landed again in his old hometown, he called. This time a different voice answered. He asked for Sally. “Are you a friend?” the operator asked. “Yes, a very old friend. My name is Paul,” he answered “Well I am sorry to have to tell this. Sally has been very ill these last few months. Actually she has been only working part time for several years because of illness. She died five weeks ago.” But before he could hang up, the operator said, “Wait a minute, did you say your name is Paul?” “Yes.” “Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you. It says: ‘When Paul calls, tell him that I still say there are other worlds to sing in. He will know what I mean.’” Paul thanked her and hung up. He did know what Sally meant. “Other worlds to sing in”: What a beautiful and powerful thought. It is a reminder that there is life beyond the grave. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The story is from Encounters with Christ by J. W. Moore, ChristianGlobe Network, Inc. There are other worlds to sing in
Transcript
TAPE ST RYT h e F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h o f R e d l a n d s
W o v e n T o g e t h e r I n L o v e : C o l o s s i a n s 2 : 2
A P R I L 2 0 1 5 I S S U E N o . 4
Richard
There was a young boy who lived in the Pacific Northwest many
years ago. His name was Paul. His parents were the proud owners of one of the first telephones in their neighborhood. The boy was fascinated by the phone, especially when he discovered that inside the telephone there lived an amazing lady. Her name was ”Information, Please” and there was nothing she did not know. One day when he was home alone, he accidentally hit his finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible and he did not know what to do. Then he thought of “Information, Please.” He quickly climbed on a stool, unhooked the receiver, held it to his ear and called into the mouthpiece, “Information, Please.” A small clear voice answered “Information.” “I hurt my finger,” he wailed into the phone. “Is your mother home?” “Nobody’s home but me,” he cried. “Are you bleeding?” “No.” “Can you open your ice box?” “Yes.” “Then go and get some ice and hold it to your finger.” Paul did and that helped a lot. From then on, Paul called “Information, Please” for everything. She helped him with school work, taught him how to spell little words like “fix.” She told him what to feed his pet animals and when his pet canary died, she listened to his grief tenderly and said, “Paul, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in.” Somehow, those words made him feel much better. When Paul was 9, his family
moved back east. As the years passed he missed “Information, Please” very much. Some years later he chose a college back out in the Pacific Northwest. When his plane had a layover in the city where he used to live, he decided to dial “Information, Please.” Miraculously, he heard the same small clear voice that he knew so well, “Information.” Paul hadn’t planned this but suddenly he blurted out: “Could you please tell me how to spell the word fix?” There was a long pause. Then came the familiar soft answer: “I guess your finger must be all healed by now.” Paul laughed. “So it’s really you. Do you have any idea how much you meant to me when I was a little boy?” She replied, “You will never know how much your calls meant to me, I used to look forward to your calls so much.” Paul asked if he could call her again when he was back in the area. “Please do,” she said, “Just ask for Sally.” Several months later when his plane landed again in his old hometown, he called. This time a different voice answered. He asked for Sally. “Are you a friend?” the operator asked. “Yes, a very old friend. My name is Paul,” he answered “Well I am sorry to have to tell this. Sally has been very ill these last few months. Actually she has been only working part time for several years because of illness. She died five weeks ago.”But before he could hang up, the operator said, “Wait a minute, did you
say your name is Paul?” “Yes.” “Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you. It says: ‘When Paul calls, tell him that I still say there are other worlds to sing in. He will know what I mean.’” Paul thanked her and hung up. He did know what Sally meant. “Other worlds to sing in”: What a beautiful and powerful thought. It is a reminder that there is life beyond the grave. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The story is from Encounters with Christ by J. W. Moore, ChristianGlobe Network, Inc.
There are other worlds to sing in
The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373.
All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 10th of each month to [email protected].
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A Few Words from Pastor Deena: What About Our Unanswered Prayers?
A Message from Pastor Richard: There Are Other Worlds To Sing In
Youth Ministries Update: The Freedom Found at Winter Camp
Help Us Replace Our Sound System; and Apply for a College Scholarship
Missions Commission Update: You’re Invited to the Mission Summit
What Has Pastor Deena Meant to You? and The Road to Ordination
Becoming Reverend Deena: Five Questions On Ordination
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A few words from Pastor DeenaWhat about our unanswered prayers?
God calls us to pray unceasingly. Seems like a tall order, doesn’t it?
Scripture also tells us to be specific when we ask for what we want. That feels a little selfish, doesn’t it? As I shared with you in a sermon on Sunday, Nov. 9, when praying for suffering to go away – sometimes it doesn’t. We worked through a passage in James 5:13-18 also known as “The Prayer of Faith.” This passage, at first glance, would indicate that if you ask for it – it will happen. Just like in Matthew chapters 7, 18 and 21 – the sayings of Jesus could, and have given, rise to the mistaken belief that prayer might be a “blank check” and God is some kind of home shopping network. God has given us free will to follow Jesus in discipleship; he hasn’t given us blank checks. James contrasts faith in prayer with the reality that those who stand firm for God often suffer in the struggle. Faith does not inoculate believers from trouble. Sometimes it seems far from it. When we feel we can pray for something and it will happen – and when it doesn’t, we feel we are in the midst of trouble. James cannot imagine a Christian community that is not inspired by prayer both for healing and for thanksgiving. James is calling us to dialogue with God in moments of prayer to strengthen the spirit and inspire the practice of freedom. James offers us this as well: Is someone sick? Pray for them! Is someone happy? Sing songs of praise with them. However, we are still plagued with the nagging truth that some of our prayers go unanswered. Or at least not answered the way we believe they should be answered.
Remember on that Sunday, I asked you “How many of you have at least one prayer that you are offering to God that you feel God isn’t answering in a timely manner?” The word James uses means “made whole and forgiven.” When we anoint with oil and pray for healing, we should anticipate God’s response. Prayer for healing depends on many factors, but spiritual wholeness should be our highest desire with any prayer and for all our prayers.
While God may or may not provide physical healing, he will always offer wholeness and forgiveness. During my sermon on that Sunday in November, first, we wrote down our unanswered prayer and then on the back of the paper, we rewrote the prayer so that it was a prayer that asked for wholeness and forgiveness in the situation, event, or
illness. We then placed the papers in an envelope, sealed it, addressed it to ourselves and put it in a basket to be saved for three to four months. Lastly, you were thoughtfully encouraged to let God work with your prayer for these few months. That time is now. Your envelope (if it was addressed) will be mailed to you this week. Before you open the envelope think back to your original prayer, your rewritten prayer and to what degree that prayer has been answered. If it hasn’t, think about rewriting it and taking it to God again in prayer. If it has, offer a prayer of thankfulness! If you wish to share that prayer, please send me an email or a note with your prayer story. (If you didn’t receive a prayer envelope in the mail this week; there were three that weren’t addressed or signed. You may go to the office and see if one of them is yours.) My rewritten prayer was answered in God’s way in February – but not the way I was “directing” God to answer it. Instead God answered it in a better way. I am so very thankful that I live in God’s grace and forgiveness. I am honored to serve Jesus with this congregation. I offer you this prayer as you contemplate the prayer sent back to you: “Gracious and Loving God, we are humbled by the grace offered to us in this time of struggle, doubt and fear. We are grateful for the gift of prayer. Guide us and show us the way as we continue to grow in faith and learn in prayer. Amen.”
-Pastor Deena Barwick
“Gracious and loving God, we are
humbled by the grace offered to us in this time of
struggle, doubt and fear. We are grateful
for the gift of prayer. Guide us and show us the way as
we continue to grow in faith and learn in
prayer. Amen.”
MIN
IST
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4
E a s t e r S u n d a y Celebrate
with
A p r i l 5 W o r s h i p Se r v i c e : 10 : 15 a .m.Easter egg hunt for ages 2 to f ifth gradeimmediately fol lowing worship service
The First Baptist Church Of Redlands
Preparing to head up a mountain can be scary. After
all, you can never be sure what you’re going to find once you’ve climbed a few thousand feet. How much colder will it be? Will the wildlife come out to play? Is there a special kind of tree into which I can plug my Xbox? The questions are endless. So one can imagine our anticipation as we prepared for camp. We knew the weekend
was full of possibilities. But the scariest unknown is always the possibility that we may have to share part of ourselves with the world. Folks will be quick to tell you all a teenager wants is to be known. But being misunderstood is something we all dislike. And for a species so averse to being misunderstood, we share very little of our true selves with others. We spend an excessive amount of time building a public appearance: our clothes, gadgets, styles, and affiliations. Even our opinions have a tendency to be formed with an audience in mind. As online life grows, so does the more we can pick and choose the parts of ourselves we display to the world. My Facebook friends might be surprised to find out there’s more to me than
Ultimate Frisbee and coffee (though admittedly not much more). The photos we post to Instagram are invariably on our good side. How then are we to be understood? How are we to share our true selves when it’s unpopular, uncommon, and downright terrifying? Enter camp. Camp is a magical place where all of a sudden it’s normal to think hard about your real opinions; to sit in circles and share deep, difficult parts of our lives with strangers; to sing and dance to loud worship with wild abandon; and to meditate alone in nature. It’s an invitation to in every way to be completely and utterly ourselves. Driving up the 330, we saw snow on the side of the road just before we arrived at Camp Cedar Crest. Seconds after we parked, snow was airborne, being mostly wielded by junior high boys. We moved into our cabins and surveyed the nature in which we found ourselves. It was stunning. Soon camp was in full swing, consisting of worship, debriefing, fellowship, games, food, more games, more singing, and very (very) little sleep. (At this point I’d like to give all my thanks to the heroes of Winter Camp: Amy Carpenter, Kate Sumners, and Nick Tate.)
We sang often and we sang loud. We sang a song whose refrain was one word: “Freedom.” It was fitting that the focus of our worship should be on this particular creative attribute of our Maker: that He made us free, and He loves to see us unchained. Camp can be the cure for the common desires: to be known and to be free. Younger generations want to see in others one thing above all: they want people to be “real.” Camp affords us all a chance to be “real,” to be genuine. My favorite part of our weekend was Saturday night. After our worship, after the message, after a bunch of students decided to try this Jesus thing for real, we met together as FBCR Youth in a cabin. We went around our circle and everyone shared something true about themselves, and they offered real encouragement to someone else in the group. Hearing our youth be honest was amazing, but hearing them encourage and bless each other was the best thing I’ve seen out of them yet. They shared freely of themselves. Here’s to more ... -Jared Sumners, youth director
YOUTH MINISTRIES UPDATE
The freedom found at winter camp
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The Miller-Trayhern Scholarship Fund was founded in 1969 by
donations from the family of the late Phyllis Miller and Dr. Ward S. Miller. The fund may be used for those pursuing an undergraduate degree or a post-graduate degree. Applicants may be in any year of their degree program this coming fall term and it is not necessary that they be associated with The First Baptist Church of Redlands or a Baptist denomination. This scholarship is intended for applicants who have demonstrated their Christian commitment through active participation in the church of which they have been a member; demonstrated serious regard for their academic studies, and demonstrated financial need.
Preference is given to:— Those typically 28 years of age or younger who have demonstrated their Christian commitment through active participation in and /or service to the church.
— Those who have exhibited a serious regard for their studies as demonstrated in their scholastic record during the previous academic year.
— Applicants who have been actively involved at the First Baptist Church of Redlands.
— Applicants indicating an interest in Christian ministry or a church-related vocation.
Completed application and required paperwork must be submitted or postmarked by May 31. A new application is required for each year. To apply, pick up a form and submit your application to the church office. Please contact 909-793-3289 for more information.
Let’s hear it for 1990s. The Berlin Wall had just fallen and we were
watching the Cold War come to an end. We were rocking out to Vanilla Ice, wearing our neon jackets and sporting our baseball caps backwards. The first web browser was just released. Cell phones were the size of bricks and Tickle Me Elmo was the hottest thing on the market. The First Baptist Church of Redlands also had a new sound system. Since our current sound system was installed a lot has happened both around the world and at First Baptist. We have had well over a thousand Sunday morning services, hundreds of memorial services, countless weddings and dozens of other
special events. A stage was built placing musicians and preachers under the current speakers. Our music and service styles have evolved and the key components of our system have aged. The Finance and Property Commission recently approved soliciting bids to replace our current system. So far three reputable
companies have evaluated our sanctuary and are preparing proposals to provide us with a reliable system that will serve our congregation well into the upcoming decades. Our goal is to select a system that will provide even sound throughout the seating area while being an unobtrusive addition to our beautiful sanctuary.
Once a system is selected and a budget is set, we will begin active fundraising to help make this system a reality. In the meantime, if you would like to help jump start this project you may designate a donation by placing it in an envelope and designate “Sound System” before dropping it in any Sunday’s collection plate.
-Tom Herron, chair of the Finance and Property Commission
Help us replace our sound system
Apply for a college scholarship
The freedom found at winter camp
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MIS
SIO
NS
Congo
Thailand
Worldwide Prayer Concerns
If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being
partners with those so treated.” –Hebrews 10:32-33
Nicaragua
-Jonathan Peske
Pray for the fundraising efforts of the family of Kyle and Katrina Williams who are building their support network so that they can join Glen and Rita Chapman at the pastoral training school in Kikongo. They are excited to help train pastors in Kikongo and the Chapmans are eagerly awaiting the partnership of the Williams family. Pray that funds would flow to them so that the family can be released to the mission field. Please also continue to pray for Glen as he travels around the villages sharing the Jesus film and preaching. Unlike the circuit-riders who went on horseback, Glen travels by powered parachute. He is blessed by the way this technology facilitates his travel to remote locations. Praise God for his provision and continued safety.
Please pray for Mark Carpenter as he leads another dental team to Nicaragua. There are so many logistical details to iron out on a trip that involves flying internationally, shipping medical supplies, coordinating between multiple organizations and gov-ernment agencies, and more! Pray for the Holy Spirit to be preparing the way for the team and providing for them in large and small ways as they make these plans. Pray that when they travel this summer, they would be kept safe from harm. Pray that God would prepare each member of the team for this journey so that they will be able to bless each person that they interact with in Nicaragua. Pray also that Mark would be blessed with Jesus’s peace.
Pray for Jeni Pedzinski, who is headed to Thailand to work as the senior administrator of the New Life Center. The center works to help rescue women who have been vic-timized by human trafficking. On April 18, Jeni Pedzinski will be ordained and com-missioned for missionary service. Pray that as she starts this new chapter in her life, her gifts and training will be a blessing to the staff and women of the New Life Center. Praise God for the work of the New Life Center over the years and for the lives that have been redeemed through the power of the gospel.
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MISSIONS COMMISSION UPDATE
Did you know that the Biennial Mission Summit is coming up?
Our church is one of many from across the nation sponsoring this event, so the registration fee for our church members is only $40. The Biennial Mission Summit is the American Baptist Churches USA national gathering and provides a unique opportunity to come together, share ideas, and learn from one another about what is happening in the life of our churches today. I invite you to consider attending this event so that you might represent our church and bring back inspirational new ideas, understandings, passion, and energy to FBC Redlands. In addition to worship, speakers, and fellowship, this summit will be organized around “conversations.” The Mission Summit conversations will form the heart of the Mission Summit and provide an open opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful discussion on topics important to the life and ministry of American Baptist Churches today. Curious as to what these topics are? The following is a selection of the many important conversations to be had in June:
Discipleship – How can we develop mature and faithful followers of Jesus Christ in a world where so many of the traditional practices seem not to work?Living Out Our Cultural Reality - What does the fact that the U.S. is multicultural mean for our ministry
as we move into the future?Next Generation of Leaders and Congregants – How can we work alongside the next generation of leaders to co-create a future ministry together that includes all generations?Pastoral Attrition - There is an increasing pattern of pastoral attrition — people leaving the ministry, especially after the first five years of ministry. How can we curb this trend?Spirituality – How can I deepen my relationship with God, allow faith to play a more vital role in my life, and discern what God’s next steps are for my life?Volunteerism – How can we partner in ministry with the increasing number of persons looking for meaningful work apart from their paid or pre-retirement positions?Women in Ministry - Women in ordained ministry continue to be under-represented in ABC ministry in terms of the proportion of ordained women who are available to serve, especially in significant leadership roles. How can these barriers be overcome?Burmese Refugees - How can we better understand and alleviate the plight of refugees who have fled from atrocities within Burma as they await resettlement and arrive in the USA?The Gospel in a Rapidly Changing Society – How can we engage Christ’s presence in a rapidly changing world?Human Trafficking – How can we build upon the strides already made in curbing human trafficking in prostitution, agriculture, labor, and other areas?Immigration – How can we partner with what God is up to with respect to U.S. immigrants and immigrant congregations?People with Disabilities – What
should ministry look like with respect to people with disabilities?Poverty – The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow. How can we better understand and deal with the causes of poverty?Violence – Violence dominates the media headlines. What should the role of the church be in dealing with violence in today’s world?Alternative Models of Pastoral Ministry - Many small congregations are unable to employ full-time, seminary trained pastors. How can we create, support, and encourage congregations to embrace new models of pastoral leadership?Community Networking – This is now the “age of networking.” How can church leaders partner with community leaders in order to create the types of communities that God desires?Congregations of the Future – How can traditional congregations experience the new forms of congregational life that are emerging?Congregations without Buildings – Increasing percentages of church budgets are going toward the maintenance of a church building. What might a congregation look like with no physical building?Missional Church – Many ABC congregations have embraced a missional model of ministry. What have we learned and what are the next steps in this approach?Revitalizing Aging Congregations – Many congregations include a significant number of older adults. How can these congregations find new life and hope that extends beyond a survival mentality?
-Nathan Jones, chair of the National and World Missions Commission
ABC’s Biennial Mission SummitJune 26-28, 2015
Overland Park, Kansas City
You’re invited to the Mission Summit
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FE
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OW
SH
IP
1. Why did you want to be ordained?I didn’t. Many of the retired pastors here at the church kept encouraging me, ‘Have you thought about ordination?’ I had been licensed by the church; and so licensing gave me authority to do weddings, funerals, memorial services, visitations in hospitals, that kind of thing. Ordination, I felt, was not something I wanted to pursue because I didn’t have a master’s in divinity; but they kept encouraging me saying, ‘You would be a great pastor! Ordination is just a process of solidifying your faith, validating your call into the ministry, and
defining your personal statement.’
2. At the beginning, why didn’t you want to be ordained?I didn’t feel like I was qualified. I didn’t have a master’s in divinity. I just never felt like I was worthy. And quite frankly I was licensed to do everything, so why ordination? The purpose of ordination was to really go through the process. Once they convinced me of that, I got it! Walking through it now, I really get it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do the work, it was that I didn’t think I was worthy, and I didn’t have the education.
3. How did it feel to go through this whole process?It was grueling. It was a lot of hard work. If no one has ever written out their faith statement based on this set of criteria for American Baptist, they really should. I’m struggling with what some of these things are; so to be able to write down that I still struggle with this or I don’t know if this is true — the results or outcome of actually writing it solidified what my faith is, what my values are. I now know why I believe what I believe. Where before it was just like well, I believe it. But why? Well, I don’t know, it just feels right. Well, now I have Scripture to back me up and I have research that backs up those faith statements that I didn’t know before. So that was the most rewarding part of the process. While it was a lot of hard work, I have appreciated knowing where I stand with my faith and knowing what I struggle with as a Christian.
4. So was it worth it?Absolutely. It absolutely was worth it. I think I would challenge anyone to put into writing what their faith is, to really struggle with it. It was a challenge to do, and no one needs to struggle with it the way I did in depth
for ordination, but I think just knowing why they believe what they believe, and what their resources are, is just a wonderful thing. It was a wonderful connection with God — I spent a lot of time with God during that period of time. I got to know God on a much more personal basis than I had before. It was worth it.
5. How has the church or the church members supported you through this process?There’s been an overwhelming amount of support, even when I was convinced that this isn’t what I should do or could do or what I was being called to do. There were many, many people who said you have absolutely been called to do this, we can see that in your work, in your demeanor, in your personality. There isn’t one person here who has not supported that process. There was an overwhelming amount of support to do it, even when I didn’t think I was qualified — they did. I am truly humbled by the amount of support I have been given to do this process. I am sincerely grateful for their faith in me.
Becoming Reverend Deena
Photo by Tom Herron
Five Questions On Ordination
9
Thank you Deena for breathing new life into the children’s program at FBC. It is so delightful to hear the many voices and to see the hordes of children enjoying simply being at FBC and all of their activities — Sunday School, children’s presentations, Junior Disciples, Easter egg hunts, weekend dinosaur hunts, and many more. The fun they have attracts so many of our little and not-so-little ones. You have had many innovative ideas and have given support and freedom to the children’s teachers. Your giftedness has been seen in many other areas, including generous hospitality and leadership in Mustard Seed, and much more. Well done, and blessings as you continue your ministry.-Sandy and Dick Carlson
Deena’s strength and servant spirit blessed me and my family in so many ways during our time at First Baptist Church. She handles her work so faithfully with the children’s ministry while also running a company, teaching at Cal Baptist and being a gourmet chef in the kitchen. When she invited me to join a women’s Artists Way group at her home, I knew I had found a kindred spirit in Deena. I am so grateful for her selfless service.-Ali Rafter
Deena is a great example for young women — and even old women! — to ignore those who say “but a woman shouldn’t be a minister; she can just teach Sunday School.” She has persevered through many obstacles, listening to the voice and call of God, rather than naysayers. -Berva Smith
What has Pastor Deena meant to you?
Some topics Deena needed to work through in her
ordination paper and presentation:
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Trinity, Humanity, Sin, Salvation, the Bible, the Church,
Social Responsibility, Eschatology.
TOPICS The Road To OrdinationStep one: Recognize your call for ministry and seek recommendation from your local church to pursue ordination.
Step two: Fill out an application for the Center of Ministry; which includes answering a few personality surveys and writing out your personal statement of faith.
Step three: If accepted, spend two days at the Center of Ministry
interviewing with a psychologist who will determine whether or not you are ready for ministry.
Step four: If recommended for ministry, the psychologist will list out some issues that you will need to work on with a spiritual director or theological mentor.
Step five: Research, write and defend a detailed ordination paper covering
your personal faith statement, reasons for seeking ordination, Baptist polity, Baptist ordinances, call to ministry, and professional and theological competence.
Step six: Your congregation meets, asks questions, affirms your call to ministry, and votes for affirmation.
Step seven: Celebrate with an ordination ceremony!
Becoming Reverend DeenaFifteen years ago, I was on a task force that was looking to hire someone to take over our growing children's program. We interviewed Deena and knew right away that she was the match to our search. Not long after, I was honored to sit with a great group of women who helped Deena. We loved sitting around Deena's dining table (always with delicious food!) dreaming up things we could do or add to the life of our church. Over the years, Deena single-handedly changed our children's program from one that was lacking, to a prosperous program with volunteers, classes, events and music. Thank you Deena for everything you've done not only for my own family but for the many lives you've touched in our church. We celebrate with you and love you!-Amy DeDoes
For over 15 years, Pastor Deena has been a loving, distinct presence in our lives - when we were single, married, and through each of our children’s lives. In the midst of life's demands, responsibilities, and struggles, Pastor Deena has served as an extension of God’s love to our family, as well as hers. She has hiked, camped, and fished; she has cooked, baked, and cleaned. She has dug, planted, and pruned; she has babysat, nurtured, read and sung. She has guided and taught, mentored and listened. She has preached, prayed and lived her life to the fullest. As she begins another journey in her life, we are grateful to refer to her as a sister in Christ, fellow sojourner, pastor, and a friend.-Ellie and Hien Huynh
CA
LE
ND
AR Happy April
Birthday To...
10
A dozen of our youth right before heading out to winter camp on March 13.
You’re invited to a birthday dinner in your honor! April birthdays eat free on Thursday, April 9 in the Fellowship Hall at 5:45 p.m.
The Menu: Pasta with Italian sausage, garlic bread, vegetables, salad, and birthday cake and ice cream
VOLUNTEER AND EAT PIZZA
Saturday, May 29 a.m. to noon
Redlands Family ServiceJoin us on the first Saturday of every month to serve at a wonderful local non-profit. Serving
activities vary, but can be anything from cleaning to organizing. Bring your whole family and wear closed toe shoes and comfy clothes as we help Family Services with special projects. Afterwards please join us for a FREE lunch at
Gourmet Pizza! Sponsored by the Local Outreach Commission
Sunday, April 193 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Return to church on Sunday for Pastor Deena’s ordination ceremony.
CELEBRATE PASTOR DEENA’S ORDINATION
For ages 2-5Mondays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Now through April 27$40 fee, scholarships available
Classes are sponsored by the Christian Counseling Service and will take place at the First United
Methodist Church, 1 E. Olive AvenueMove With Me is a group where you can
work to build better relationships with your child through fun, positive interactions
incorporating music, rhythm, dance, and movement. Simply engaging one another in
this positive way helps parents regulate a child’s behavior and communicate love, joy,
and safety to them. It is a great opportunity to enhance the parent-child relationship, while
learning new skills in a fun, active way.
DANCE WITH YOUR TODDLER
HEAR DEENA’S “SACRED STORY”
Thursday, April 96:45-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel
Pastor Deena has had an incredible journey of finding out who Jesus is and why she follows
her calling today. Come and listen -- you won’t be the same after hearing her story.
SERVE = CONNECT+GROW
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who took on the form of a servant.”
Philippians 2:7Let's find a place where you can connect
and grow through service! Please speak to any member of the church staff for more
information.
11
Sund
ay
Mon
day
Tues
day
Wed
nesd
ay
Thur
sday
Fr
iday
Sa
turd
ay
AP
RIL
20
15
56
78
910
11
1213
1415
1617
18
1920
2123
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22
Pray
for C
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9-11
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:30
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34
For a
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