I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:12
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Dec 09/Jan 10
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The Lamplighter
September, 2010
Connect . . . Everyone needs a Carolyn
I
thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of
you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel
from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV)
Every time I remember Carolyn Acre, I remember her with
joy. She is the friend who told me about Jesus Christ, the salvation we
can have through faith in Him and the relationship He desires to have
with us. Because of Carolyn my life was changed for eternity.
It has been many years since I have seen Carolyn. But I
pray for her often and thank God for her every day.
All over
Because of the partnership between the Baptist Convention
of Maryland/Delaware and the Southern Baptist churches in our two
states, we are able to be the Carolyns for many of those who are waiting
to hear the message of hope. In Deep Creek, Julie Duvall is working
tirelessly to reach out to the campers and skiers who visit the area
year round. She offers Sunday morning worship services, connects with
the local community, provides hand warmers in the winter and water
bottles in the summer. But most of all she demonstrates the love of
Christ through servant evangelism every day.
David Jackson and a team of church planters examine
areas in which there is no church presence. Along with an assigned
church planter and seeking God’s guidance through prayer they strategize
the most effective way in which to reach a community.
New churches are being planted at a record pace in our
convention. That translates
into new believers at a record pace.
This past year the
State missionaries are working daily. . . .
With your partnership we can rejoice in the results.
How can you be a part?
Pray daily for
Give to the Maryland/Delaware State Missions
Offering and to the Cooperative Program.
There is a financial cost to ministry.
While the missionaries cut every corner possible, Bibles,
facilities,
Join the work that is being done.
Be a Carolyn for someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good
work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV.
State Missions Offering
Week of Prayer, Sep. 12-19
Church Goal: $400
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Imagine Your Life Without Fear
“Fear seems to be in the driver’s seat these days.
We are troubled and anxious.
Finances are tumbling, rockets are launching and seemingly solid
institutions are teetering.”
There is an antidote to fear . . . trust.
If we trust God more, we fear less.
“Jesus didn’t want us to live fearfully.
He often reminded us, ‘Fear not.’
Looking at Jesus’ statements about fear points us toward
steadiness in the face of fearful circumstances.”
FEARLESS is a new book by Max Lucado.
We will be using this book as well as a DVD series in
youth through adult classes in our
fall campaign titled:
Living Fearlessly
in 2010.
This will be a six week campaign beginning Sunday, October 10, 2010.
Timely and impactful, you won’t want to miss a Sunday learning
how to live fearlessly in the midst of fearful circumstances.
Pastor Dan
Excerpts from Fearless by Max Lucado
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CHANGE—It’s time has come
Culver hangs up a hat
In every phase of life there are changes.
Changes that most of us find hard or challenging or even scary.
(I know I do.) Well one of those
“times to change” has come into my life.
A few years ago I sat in church as a young mother
of six trying to enjoy the sermon while keeping six active children
happy and content, praying God would provide a ministry just for kids.
He did? Children’s
Worship was born. Through
the years I have watched it grow and change.
I/we have witnessed hundreds of children come and go through our
doors. We have survived
growing pains to the point of having our own space upstairs in the
education wing. God has
blessed this ministry with fantastic leaders starting with Earl and
Peggy Simmers (who took leave from their home church to organize and
train a Children’s Worship staff). Then came Mr. and Mrs James Given,
Robert, Dorothy and Bobby Hudler, Ray Sommers, and countless others.
The past few years we started team teaching with the Bibeys and
Glaces.
So it is with a heavy heart that I hang up my
Children’s Worship hat. I
know this is the time to move on.
I don’t know what doors God will open for me; but, I want to be
sensitive to His leading.
The years have been packed with wonderful leaders, musicians, piano
players; but, best of all “fantastic kids”.
Pray for wisdom for direction as I start this new journey.
Your sister in Christ,
Patricia Culver
Editor’s personal note from the heart:
Patricia Culver has served with the children in Children’s Worship since
1976—34 years! Remarkable!
She faithfully wrote articles for The Lamplighter re:
Children’s Worship, during that time, as well.
I had the
privilege of working with Patricia Culver for 10 of those years.
The team I worked with was Ray Sommers, Director, Patsy Delp,
pianist, and Patricia. I
must say they were probably the best years of my life.
All of us worked together on the weekly children’s service as
well as extra activities i.e. hayrides, outings, Christmas programs, and
banquets. Patricia was
always a key part of the ministry.
She was super with the children.
She earned their respect and she earned my respect, as well.
THANK YOU, PATRICIA, for
your dedication for 34 years.
THANK YOU, for mentoring my children and the countless children
passing through our doors.
You will be GREATLY missed!
WELL DONE!
Fondly,
Kathy Gray
Trail Boss reviews Saddle Ridge Ranch
As the Trail Boss of Saddle Ridge Ranch this year,
I am delighted to share with you a little bit about the time spent at
the ranch this summer for VBS.
The week began with ranch hands and cowpokes
arriving Sunday evening, excited to begin Roundin' Up Questions and
Driving Home Answers! Everyone worked hard at the ranch teaching and
learning to ask God when they need answers, for James 1:5 teaches if we
lack wisdom, ask God. He will give us the answers we need.
Throughout the week, cowpokes of all ages
participated in various activities as they visited different parts of
the ranch. Everyone gathered at
"Who Am
I?"
"Does God
Care About Me?"
"What is
God's Plan for Me?
"How Can I
Be Like Jesus?"
"What Do I
Do Now?"
Other things experienced each day were crafts @
Blazing Star Stables, missions @ Firefly Cavern, recreation @ Mustang
Mountain and snacks @ the Big Sky Grill. During the week cowpokes were
able to participate in a special mission project through Samaritan's
Purse, called Operation Christmas Child. They were invited to
bring in items to place in shoeboxes to send to underprivileged children
around the world. Along with the many items, cowpokes donated enough
money to cover the cost of shipping 22 filled shoeboxes!
On Wednesday, the ranch had a surprise visitor.
'Joey' the horse made a trip over to the Ranch from Fairwinds Farm. Ted
and JoAnn Dawson visited, too, and helped educate the cowpokes about
caring for and riding horses.
The week at Saddle Ridge Ranch ended with an
awesome Shindig on Friday night! Cowpokes and ranch hands gathered in
As time has passed since the week at Saddle Ridge
Ranch, my job as Trail Boss has come to it's end. Before I go, I'd like
to say THANK YOU!
To all Ranch Hands ((This includes all those
that prepared or helped with grub.):
Thank you for your love and devotion to Jesus and
the cowpokes. It was an honor to serve with you!
To all b>Cowpokes::
Thank you
for visiting the ranch and bringing your friends for a visit, too. I
enjoyed seeing your smiling faces and hearing your excitement!
To all the b>parents::
Thank you for your time and energy to get your
darling cowpokes to and from the ranch each night. Thank you even more
for entrusting us to share Jesus with them. I pray that each of you and
your families have been and will continue to be blessed!
To all b>prayer warriors::
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And last, but most importantly, to God, our
heavenly Father:
Thank you and praise you for the invitation to join
You in the work that You are doing. By being Your hands and feet in this
world You have allowed me the opportunity to have a front row seat to
see Your plans unfold. I am
continually blessed to experience You and Your love for me as I bring
all my questions and cares to you. You are an amazing God! Thank You for
loving each and every one of us, so much, that You gave Your only son,
Jesus, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but shall have
everlasting life!!
Abundant blessings,o:p>
Tina M Gibson, SRR Trail Boss
*Thank you, Houser family for your generous service and
willingness to share your time and animals!
**Thanks to Ace Hardware for donating the moon bounce and
machines!
***Thanks to Herr’s Foods for the potato chips
and pretzels.
And thanks to McDonalds for paper goods.
VBS STATS: PTL!
There were a number who made a profession of faith.
PTL!
There were 90 cowpokes.
PTL!
There were about 50 ranch hands.
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Reminders
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
Non-perishable FOOD DONATIONS and personal hygiene products are ALWAYS
appreciated by folk in our community.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING!
CHURCH FLORAL DECORATIONS
for the sanctuary, halls, and doors:
Please notify Kathy Gray @ the church office IF/WHEN you’d like
to place an arrangement/s wreath/s, etc.
USED CLOTHING:
WE DO NOT ACCEPT CLOTHING.
Please remove any bags of clothing you’ve put @ the entrances.
COMMUNITY/INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH:span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
We’re collecting the following for various charities:
Aluminum can tabs, plastic bottle caps, lids, etc. & wheel
chairs, crutches, walkers, etc.
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Sun., Sep 19, 4pm-dusko:p>
Crouch Pavilion
Please bring plenty of food! o:p>
Church provides paper
goods/utensils.
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It’s aspan style="mso-spacerun:yes"> “WHO DID IT?” mystery.
It MUST be one of our ladies; but, I haven’t actually seen her.
She put some new floral arrangements in the ladies’ bathroom and
posted a thoughtful poem—nice change. BUT, I DO KNOW who created the
beautiful yellow rose bouquet in the sanctuary—Linda Gocolinski.
Thank
you Linda and secret decorator.
Kat, The
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