Messenger The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa We are a body of believers united in Christ to proclaim, live, and love according to God’s Word. Messenger The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Birthdays and Anniversaries 6 BookBound 6 Budget & Finance 3 Calendar 7 Code Blue 2 Christ’s Cupboard 3 Christian Ed 2 Church Weekly Emails 5 Church Mouse Nursery School 5 Community Christmas Choir 4 Deacons 5 Election Day BBQ 4 Falling Leave 5K 4 Library 6 Men’s Fellowship 4 Missed Sermons 4 Shelters of Saratoga 4 World Mission Offering 2 OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 10 One of the reasons I love living in the Northeast is the seasons we experience. I love the fall most of all. The air becomes crisp and cool, the colors of nature deepen and ripen and blaze. Originally, this season was simply called “harvest”, because that’s what happened this time every year. (Ever wonder why we call it “fall?” We North Americans are the only ones who do, and it comes from an old English expression “the fall of the leaf”. This expression has since died out in England, but took root here in America. Interesting, huh?) Eventually, it became known to the rest of the world as autumn, from the Latin word ‘autumnus’, meaning to increase. I like this name more than “fall”, because it expresses the Biblical connotation of harvest more accurately. Jesus says in John 4:35 that “the fields are white unto harvest…” What is He saying? He is telling the disciples that the potential harvest has increased, and now is the time to reap! We tend to think that autumn is a time for quietness and reflection, a time when things begin to age and move toward the cold sleep of winter. Jesus says the very opposite! In Matthew 9:37 -38 He tells His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” This is a time to mobilize, to prepare, to move into the fields with all the tools needed for a successful harvest. A time to allow the Holy Spirit to energize us and fill us with compassion and love for a world ripe for harvest into His kingdom. A time to be fearless and courageous enough to move into that “fallen” world as the victorious Church of Jesus Christ. My prayer for each of us is that we will allow Him to ‘autumnus’ (increase) our love for Him and others, so we may be the workers who respond to the Lord’s call! Happy Autumn! The Fields Are White unto Harvest... By Terry van den Heever
Transcript
Messenger The
First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa
We are a
body of
believers
united in
Christ to
proclaim,
live, and love
according to
God’s Word.
Messenger The
First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Birthdays and
Anniversaries 6
BookBound 6
Budget & Finance 3
Calendar 7
Code Blue 2
Christ’s Cupboard 3
Christian Ed 2
Church Weekly
Emails 5
Church Mouse
Nursery School 5
Community
Christmas Choir 4
Deacons 5
Election Day BBQ 4
Falling Leave 5K 4
Library 6
Men’s Fellowship 4
Missed Sermons 4
Shelters of
Saratoga 4
World Mission
Offering 2
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 8 V O L U M E 1 0 , I S S U E 1 0
One of the reasons I love living in the
Northeast is the seasons we experience.
I love the fall most of all. The air
becomes crisp and cool, the colors of
nature deepen and ripen and blaze.
Originally, this season was simply called
“harvest”, because that’s what
happened this time every year. (Ever
wonder why we call it “fall?” We North
Americans are the only ones who do,
and it comes from an old English
expression “the fall of the leaf”. This
expression has since died out in
England, but took root here in America.
Interesting, huh?)
Eventually, it became known to the rest
of the world as autumn, from the Latin
word ‘autumnus’, meaning to increase. I
like this name more than “fall”, because
it expresses the Biblical connotation of
harvest more accurately. Jesus says in
John 4:35 that “the fields are white unto
harvest…” What is He saying? He is
telling the disciples that the potential
harvest has increased, and now is the
time to reap!
We tend to think that autumn is a time
for quietness and reflection, a time
when things begin to age and move
toward the cold sleep of winter. Jesus
says the very opposite! In Matthew 9:37
-38 He tells His disciples, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers are few.
Therefore beseech the Lord of the
harvest to send out workers into His
harvest.” This is a time to mobilize, to
prepare, to move into the fields with all
the tools needed for a successful
harvest. A time to allow the Holy Spirit
to energize us and fill us with
compassion and love for a world ripe for
harvest into His kingdom. A time to be
fearless and courageous enough to
move into that “fallen” world as the
victorious Church of Jesus Christ. My
prayer for each of us is that we will
allow Him to ‘autumnus’ (increase) our
love for Him and others, so we may be
the workers who respond to the Lord’s
call!
Happy Autumn!
The Fields Are White unto Harvest...
By Terry van den Heever
P A G E 2
CODE BLUE
Code Blue Saratoga is a walk-in, emergency homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs that offers a hot meal and a warm and safe place to sleep when temperatures in the city are below 32 degrees or there is significant snow fall. Your generosity helps feed and shelter 800 individuals each year.
This month our Mission Board will be collecting items to help Code Blue stock up for another winter. A collection box is in the Gathering Area.
Donations needed: Heavy winter gloves (such as ski gloves) Men and women thermal underwear Heavy socks Winter coats (gently used are ok) Winter boots Blankets Pillow cases (anti-allergen preferred)
WORLD MISSION OFFERING
You Are The Salt Of The Earth ~ Matthew 5:13
International Ministries through World Mission Offering, invites us to “pass the salt”, not only around the table, but around the globe. Salt, as ordinary and plentiful as it is, possesses a unique power. Unlike any other seasoning, salt unlocks the subtle flavors in almost any food, enhancing them and bringing new sensations to our taste buds. When the Lord says to his followers, “you are the salt of the earth,” he is urging them to go into the whole world and unlock the good that he is doing so others can be touched by the power of the saving grace of God. As followers of Christ, we too are the salt of the earth, seasoned with the love of the gospel and called to carry that love to all the earth.
The 2018 World Mission Offering focuses on three areas of holistic action: Health and Wellness, Abolishing Global Slavery and Economic and Community Development. Our gifts to this offering help enable International Ministries global servants, volunteers and international partners to “pass the salt” by sharing the good news of Jesus in word and deed.
The month of October has been designated as World Mission Offering month with a particular focus on Sunday, October 21, with a goal of $1,700.
THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Our Sunday School classes are now underway this fall for children and adults. Thank you to Kathy Laing for organizing such a wonderful Sunday School Kickoff Breakfast!
We are very excited for the return of our Advent Workshop which will be held on Sunday December 2 following our worship service. There will be a lunch and beautiful crafts to make for children and adults. It’s a fun time to get to know each other better and make some really nice items to help decorate for home for the Christmas season. Or you can give them away as gifts to your friends and family.
Barb Waldo will be directing a children’s musical called “Angels Aware” for Christmas Eve. We hope to have all the kids involved in this super fun and festive play!
Don’t forget to check out our wonderful church library that has amazing books for children and adults. The library is open right after our service each Sunday.
Becky Patnode, Chair
BACKSTRETCH MINISTRY
THANK YOU to all those who donated items for the Backstretch workers. We took 2 car loads this year.
WHITE CROSS
A big THANK YOU to all the ladies that rolled bandages for White Cross. A special THANK YOU to Diane McGarry for hosting. We rolled 50 bandages and cut 100 squares for the Congo.
P A G E 3
CHRIST’S CUPBOARD FOOD PANTRY
1st Saturday 8 - 10 am (10/6) 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 9 - 11 am (10/2 & 10/16) Every Thursday Evening 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Happy Fall Everyone! Our fresh fruit and vegetable initiative this summer was overwhelmingly successful. Patrons where thrilled with the farmers market feel of the pantry and 90% of them picked the fresh food choices over the canned. A special thank you to Debbie Jorgensen for her personal goodies from her garden, and to Keith for helping me unload and keep fresh all the weekly deliveries of new produce. For the fall we will continue this program with apples, potatoes, onions, cabbage, and other produce based on availability
July and August were record numbers for the pantry of patrons fed. We continue to appreciate
the monthly mission inspired church giving, the Elks for their donations, our “secret Cereal lady” and all the private donations that keep our pantry running. Please know that at times the pantry may seem more barren. This is to help us give out more of the less chosen products before they expire or before we get new shipments.
New for fall will be a crockpot program starting in November where patrons will get a crockpot and recipe and ingredients for a crockpot dinner. If response is good we will continue a crockpot meal-deal every month through the winter. For December we will provide our annual Ham dinner sign up for patrons. I am looking for an extra volunteer to help with the organization of this event if anyone is interested please let me know.
We also will gladly accept any adult or child winter coats, winter boots, snow pants, or gloves, scarves and hats, new or used in good condition. These items go very quickly on our free table and it is heartbreaking to see patrons in the winter months without proper attire. Please clean out your closets and send any unneeded items our way!
On a personal note, I am sorry that I have not been regularly at Sunday worship and as visible to the congregation. It has been a trying time for my family due to some family issues. Pastor has reached out to me multiple times and I appreciate his support and the support I have received from the congregation.
For October 7 we will collect BAKING ITEMS: cake, cookie or brownie mixes, flour, brown or white sugars.
For November 4 we will collect TURKEY DAY EXTRAS: stuffing, gravy, cranberries, anything that helps make a Thanksgiving better!!!
With a servant’s heart, Mandy Hardt Appell
BUDGET AND FINANCE
Through the month of August our pledges were ahead by $2,293, while our non-pledged giving was ahead by $17,798, which continues to show great commitment from our congregation. Through the month of August, FBC’s expenses were $159,727 and income was $155,458, leaving a deficit of $4,269. We continue to have a very healthy checkbook balance of over $54,000.
The Budget & Finance Committee would like to thank those members of our congregation who took the time to attend our most recent Budget & Finance Committee meeting, which was held on Sunday, September 16. We appreciated your interest, questions and concerns. As always, FBC’s Budget & Finance Committee is here to support the FBC family and the work that our members do in God’s name. Please let us know what your thoughts are, and how we can support FBC from your perspective.
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.
In God’s Service, Troy Filburn
P A G E 4
12TH ANNUAL FALLING LEAVES 5K RUN Saturday, October 6, 10:00 am
Come join in this fun 5K fundraiser! Start and finish at Kelly Park on Ralph St. in Ballston Spa. Hosted by United Methodist Church, proceeds will benefit Veterans and Community Housing Coalition (VCHC). Registration forms are available on the bulletin board or UMC website ballston-spaumchurch.org/falling-leaves-5k-run.html
All registered participants will have a chance to win gift cards donated by local businesses!
ELECTION DAY BROOKS CHICKEN BARBEQUE Tuesday, November 6, 4-7 pm
at First Presbyterian Church 22 West High St.
The locally famous Brooks Chicken Barbeque will be here in Ballston Spa! Eat in or carry out, seating is available. Reservations are recommended. Call 518-885-5583 on Nov. 6. All proceeds go
to FPC Deacons Fund and the Ballston Area Clergy Association Fund which support families in financial crisis in the Ballston Spa area.
All are welcome to join THE COMMUNITY CHOIR OF BALLSTON SPA
to present:
30-45 minute rehearsals on Wednesdays at 8:20 pm starts October 3—December 5 at the First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa (22 W. High St.)
Presentation will be on Sunday, December 9, 6 pm at First Baptist. For more information contact Eve Kenyon at [email protected], 518-885-6515.
MISSED A SERMON? Sermons from past years to last week are available on the church website: bspabaptist.org. Archived audio CDs of entire worship services are also available. Request a copy from the church office.
To: Shelters of Saratoga, 14 Walworth St. Saratoga Springs
When: Friday, November 2, 5:30—7:00 pm
What: We will be serving and eating a meal with the residents of Shelters of Saratoga. We will be serving about 33 people, so if you can’t come, please help provide part of the meal.
Menu: Pot Luck!
We will meet: At FBC, leaving at 5 pm
If you would like to participate please use the sign up sheet and print your name, phone number and what you will bring. We need cooks and 5 people to go and serve.
See or call Pat Stack for any further information or questions. If you don’t have a t-shirt, please see Debbie Porter or Jude Pierre.
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP & COFFEE
All men are invited to the Men’s Fellowship on Thursdays at 10 am at Russell’s Deli (303 Milton Ave. Ballston Spa) for fellowship and prayer. Each week the men’s group joins in casual conversation about contemporary issues and Christianity.
We had a great start to our school year. Orientation went very smoothly, and thankfully there were not many tears on the first day. We had our Parent Night’s on September 24 and October 1. This is a great opportunity to connect with our parents and share
valuable information. It is so important to work closely with our parents to make this school experience a great one for their child.
October is Fire Prevention month. We will be walking to the Union Firehouse the week of October 15. The firefighters will be visiting our school on October 18. Our fall field trip will be the Fall Harvest program at Brookside Museum. The classes will meet there for the program, then walk home, weather permitting.
Pete and Donna Martin with Village Photo will be coming to take our class pictures on October 16 and 17. Donna and Pete are great to
work with, and they always give the school a percentage of their sales.
We had our introduction to chapel time in September. This month we will tell the story of Creation and Noah’s Ark. The children love going into the sanctuary for chapel. I love their enthusiasm and beautiful voices as they sing. Thank you Mrs. Morelock for playing the piano for us!
Every year our staff focuses on one or two scriptures. This year our verse is James 1:19. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow
to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” We are focusing on being really good listeners, with our students, with our parents, and with each other!
I am so thankful for God’s provisions and protection over The Church Mouse. Please keep us in prayer
throughout the year. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Serving Christ together, Cheryl Dunkelbarger
CHURCH WEEKLY EMAILS Have you been receiving our weekly emails of FBC Happenings? If not and you would like to, please email the church office and we will add you to our list. We would like to keep everyone updated on what’s going on at our church. Email addresses will be kept private and used only for First Baptist Church’s purposes.
THE BOARD OF DEACONS
As Deacons we are here to serve. Each month on Communion Sunday, the Deacons receive from the congregation special gifts placed in the Communion Giving Envelopes.
These monies help us to serve those in need. We assist those in need through specific requests that come through the church office, the Ballston Area Clergy Association (BACA) financial assistance fund, or some other avenue. These requests are normally emergency situations in nature and may have come as the result of a loss of a job, an unexpected medical expense or higher than expected seasonal expenses such as energy costs.
Whatever the nature of the request the Deacons have been able to respond due to the generosity of the gifts that we receive through the monies placed each month in the Communion Envelopes. The Deacons thank you and remind you that your generosity allows us to serve, fulfilling the nature of a Deacon.
NOVEMBER 12, 2018 The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Phaedra Patrick
DECEMBER 10, 2018 The Snow Angel
Glenn Beck
BookBound!
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF
BALLSTON SPA BOOK CLUB
CHURCH LIBRARY
Children’s Books: 1. The Pumpkin Patch Parable
by Liz Curtis Higgs 2. Fancy Nancy Too Many Tutus
by Jane O’Connor 3. Wallace and Grace and the Lost
Puppy by Heather Alexander
Children’s Books & CDs: 1. The Fox and the Falling Leaves by Julia
Rawlinson 2. Apple Trouble! by Ragnhild Scamell 3. When the Leaf Blew In by Steve Metzger
Children’s DVDs: 1. Lord of the Beans by Veggie Tales
~ A lesson in using your gifts. 2. The Dinosaur Hunter by Feature
Films for Families ~ .Dr. McCabe excites a poverty stricken small town with the hunt for a T-Rex skeleton.
Adult & Family DVDs: 1. Facing the Giants by Sherwood Pictures ~ a
defeated football coach discovers how faith plays out on the field and off.
2. Life of a King by Millennium Entertainment ~ true story of one man’s inspiring mission to better the future of inner-city youth in Washington DC.
Adults Books: 1. Escape from the Deep by Alex Kershaw ~ the
epic story of a legendary submarine and her courageous crew.
2. Fire of Heaven by Bill Myers ~ Revelations two witnesses have been chosen. Will their own human weakness undermine the mission?
3. If Mama Goes South, We’re All Going with Her by Lindsey O’Connor ~ in the midst of the demands of motherhood you don’t have to feel depleted. With God you can change direction.
4. Make Love Last Forever by Gary Smalley ~ how to stay in love through all the stages of life.
Enjoy! Mary Morelock & Jenny Staulters
If we missed your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know! [email protected]
October Birthdays
2nd Dianne Cox 2nd Dave Fresn 3rd Hayes Patnode 5th Carol Melander 5th Carson Olsen 6th Jim O’Connell 7th Brennan Livingston 11th Molly Filburn 12th Stacey Anderson 14th Lee E. Anderson
14th Dan Wright 15th Allie Johnson 15th Peter Weiss 19th Krista St. George 25th Todd Anderson 26th Wendy Manzer 29th Krystal Hinckley 30th James Pritchard
