Events
Sunday Mornings
9:30 Worship
10:30 Fellowship
10:45 Sermon Talk Back
Every Week
Wednesdays, 7 pm Prayer Meeting (Julia Bent Chapel)
CommunityPrograms
Coin Club 3rd Tuesdays, 7 pm
Women Infants and Children (WIC) 4th Tues and Wed (all day)
Recovery Programs
Alcoholics Anonymous (Meets Upstairs) Mondays at 9 and 11 am
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 pm
Wednesdays at 11 am
Alanon Fridays at 10 am
Narcotics Anonymous Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm
Codependents Anonymous Mondays at 12:30 pm.
July
Type-O?
“Let us pray for the teens of our church who will spend their summer in Bible Camp.”
- 3rd 6:30 pm. Glens Falls Kennel Club (Fellowship Hall)
- 4th Independence Day. Church office and Basement Store closed
- 5th-11th Youth Group at National Convention, Estes Park, Colorado
- 14th 7pm. Pathfinder Retreat Planning
- 15th 7pm. Coopers Cave Coin Club (Julia Bent)
- 16th 5pm. Adirondack Children’s Theater (Fellowship Hall)
- 20th 4pm. Anniversary Service at Faith Tabernacle Baptist
- 21st 5pm. Adirondack Children’s Theater
- 24th 10am. Women In Ministry Group Julia Bent)
- 30th Open Door Meal (South Street)
August
Type-O?
“Remember the Children’s Ministry Bake Sale. Our kids make great snacks.”
- 5th 7pm. Board of Directors
- 7th 6:30 pm. Kennel Club
- 13th 10 am. Worship Team
- 19th 7pm. Coopers Cave Coin Club (Julia Bent)
- 20th Beacon Deadline Sept/Oct Issue
Worship
Attention all Ushers!
Please! If you can’t make it to usher on a Sunday, please call another member of your team so we can get someone to substitute. (Or, better yet, find your own replacement!)
Summer Worship Schedule
Our Sunday Worship time will move to 9:30 am from July 6—August 31.
July
Ushers:
Nancy Holmes, Caryl Eckler, Peg Moody, Tammy Jones, Barb Ringer
Communion Servers:
Mac Edwards, El Baulsir, Debbie Hill, Clara, Iralene & Mildred LeBarron
July 6
Worship Leader: Kathleen Davie
Scripture: Luke 4:16-21
July 13
Worship Leader: Mary Champion
Steve Dean, Trumpet
Scripture: Isaiah 1:11-20
July 20
Worship Leader: Mac Edwards
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-4
July 27
Worship Leader: Arlene Davie
Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11
August
Ushers: To Be Announced
Communion Servers:
Mary Champion, Steve & Arlene Davie, Don & Meg Shuler, Dee Lavery
August 3
Worship Leader: Peg Moody
Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23
August 10
Worship Leader: Ken Gnade
Scripture: Luke 15:3-7
August 17
Worship Leader: Steve Davie
Scripture: John 3:16-21
August 24
Worship Leader: Shane Ross
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10
August 31
Worship Leader: Tamara Jones
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Happy Birthday!
July
7/2 Ray Haverly
7/5 Cameron Jones
5/8 Jean Baulsir
Alexander Mitchell
John Kirker
Edith Reynolds
Logan Jones
7/9 Steve Davie
7/11 Leah Ross
7/12 Keely Murphy
7/13 Doug Stone
7/16 Michelle Ross
5/18 Harry Crannell
Jon Hildreth
7/20 Sandy Stone
Judy Bell
7/24 Arlene Davie
7/27 Beth Edwards
August
8/2 Jerry Dean
8/5 Iralene LeBarron
Brooke Mitchell
8/7 Wanda Haverly
Marion Fuller
8/9 James Dyer
8/12 Bo Bolster
8/13 Bea Clevenger
8/18 Mary Lou Crannell
8/19 Jean Hildreth
Beatrice Waite
8/25 Robert Fisher
8/27 Marie Ross
8/28 Allen Sheree
Happy Anniversary to:
7/8 Judy & Lindsay Bell
Neil & Elayne Leonelli
7/9 Bob & Betsy Addison
7/24 Edward & Lucille Russell
7/28 Mac & Beth Edwards
8/7 Steve & Arlene Davie
Dave & Donna Fisher
8/10 Bob Medve & Kathie McCoy
8/23 Don & Meg Shuler
Bo & Shorty Bolster
8/30 Doug & Sandy Stone
8/31 El & Jean Baulsir
Shut in list
Please pray for our shut in members:
- Lillian and Cuthbert Crannell
- Marian Fuller
- Walter Hammer
- Elsie Harrington
- Marie Heide
- Lila Morse
- Gus Myhrberg
- John Potter
- Pauline Reynolds
- Leota VanOrman
- Helen Sharp
- Barbara Ward
- Sadie Willette
Type-Os?
“Please welcome Carl Kilpatrick to our congregation today. His telephone number is 444-436-8729, but he has requested we keep this private.”
“Barbara Green remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for another transfusion. She is also is having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of the Pastor’s sermons.”
Congratulations to Our Graduates!
Shae Hill
Shae Hill has been a part of First Baptist all her life. She plans to attend a summer program at ACC and then move on to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI in November where she will study fashion merchandising and marketing.
Tegan Whiting
Tegan Whiting has also been a part of First Baptist from an early age. She will complete her first year of college at ACC and then transfer to SUNY Canton to study Veterinary Management Services, combining her love of animals with leadership skills developed as a youth leader at First Baptist.
Pathfinder Retreat in the Works
Everyone interested in going to Pathfinder is welcome to come to a planning meeting on July 14 at 7 pm.
We would like to get some idea of how many people would possibly attend a retreat at Pathfinder the last weekend in Sept. The thought is that if people don't want to go because of the distance, we might look into having a retreat someplace closer to home. Please let one of the committee members know if you would like to join the group. (Bill and Dee Lavery, Julie Farenell, Peg Moody, Marge Brueder.)
ABMen
The 76th Annual Men and Young Boys gathering will be held at Keuka College August 8, 9 &10. Workshops include:
- Disaster Relief – “When disaster strikes, who will help?”
- Men’s Health – Issues for today
- The Nuts and Bolts of Small Groups
- A Web Site for Your Ministry and Men’s Ministry
The Keynote speaker is the Rev. Bill Dodge, the Executive Director of Utica Rescue Mission. The program for youth includes a ropes course and team building. The Full Conference for men is $130, and includes lodging. For youth, ages 12 – 18, the cost is only $10. More information is available at www.abmennys.org or contact Steve Davie (638-8871 or shdavie@wildblue.net).
The ABMen have started a new Eastern Disaster Relief Initiative initially involving the Adirondack, Capital District and Mid-Hudson/Union Associations. A twenty-foot trailer has been obtained and is in the process of being equipped. It will be housed in Clifton Park. Art Sabourin is heading up the project. We are planning an event in the fall at Clifton Park to learn more about the project and to sign up volunteers. We are trying to develop a roster of 150 volunteers. For further information contact Steve Davie.
American Baptist Women Help with Soup Labels
The Women’s Ministries group has been collecting soup labels throughout the year to help the Springbrook mission, a Baptist outreach to persons with disabilities in central New York. That work has paid off—literally. Esther Johnson received the following thank you note to share:
Dear Friends
How kind you were to donate soup labels to Springbrook. Thank you. Your very kind gift is helping us make the difference in so many loves touched by developmental disabilities. So much of what we do is bring meaning, purpose, and joy into the life of someone challenged by disability. Sometimes it is simply remembering to hold a hand. At other times it means helping someone learn how to care for themselves. So many of the gifts we receive help us make a friendly home for all our residents and participants. Again, thank you for so thoughtfully being a part of this wonderful miracle.
We can redeem the gift [of soup labels] for $50. From all of us at Springbrook, thank you for helping make our world a bit brighter.
David Chancey,
Director of Advancement
An Invitation to Celebrate
A year ago, Memorial Day, we invited our brothers and sisters of the Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church to join us for a celebration in worship and to be with Clarence Dart, a decorated Tuskegee Airman.
Now, we are invited to join with our neighboring Baptist brothers and sisters in a celebration of their church’s 57th anniversary. Let us show our strong support for this occasion and turn out at 4pm on July 20 to worship at the Nelson Street location.
June 16, 2008
Dear Pastor & Congregation,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We the Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Family would like to extend an invitation to your and your congregation to come and help us celebrate our 57th Church Anniversary.
The celebration will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2008 starting at 4:00 p.m. at the church which is located at 15 Nelson Street in Glens Falls. Our theme is “The Church That Is Being Transformed” (Romans 12:1-2).
We have truly come this far by faith, and we are planning a spirit filled afternoon, celebrating this occasion in the name of the Lord. We are looking forward to you, and congregation helping us celebrate this great milestone in Faith Tabernacle’s history.
Dinner will be served prior to the services at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you need more information regarding the program, please feel free to contact the church at 798-5054.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Leonard Oats, Pastor
Bro. Lee Braggs, Anniversary Committee Chair
Pray, Pray, Pray!
We have begun a new mid-week prayer meeting! All are invited to come together in the Julia Bent Chapel on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm for an hour of prayer. The format is simple: we share what is on our hearts for the first 10 minutes. Then we pray for 50 minutes. You need not pray aloud. You may pray by sharing a scripture. You may not preach. The Pastor will not preach. At 8:00 we sing “Blest Be the Tie” and depart. Join us!
Open Door News
By Arlene Davie
We will be preparing and serving at the Open Door on Wednesday, July 30.
We appreciate all who help with this local mission of our church.
There are ten who sign up to be casserole makers, and five dessert makers. Monetary donations go toward buying the vegetables and pans. We also need workers to serve the meal.
The menu this month is goulash, broccoli and cupcakes.
Pastor-Congregation Relations Committee
By Steve Davie
The committee held a regular meeting on June 4 at Jerry Dean’s home. Topics of discussion included:
- the critical financial situation the church is facing, which includes using about $100 a day from savings to meet the budget expenses;
- the need for more help in the office which will depend on volunteers since there is not enough money in the budget;
- the lack of students being signed up for the Nursery School for the fall and the possibility of it being closed;
- the possibility of supervised youth skateboarding at the church on Sundays;
- the possibility of a Seminary Intern;
- the need for adult study programs; and other topics.
- We had a productive time discussing the Ministry and Mission of First Baptist.
With Brooke finding a new job in Albany, Caspar will use some of his vacation days to reduce his work schedule for the summer to be home with Silas during summer break. The Pastor’s Summer Schedule will be in the office Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you need to reach him on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays for emergencies, please try his home phone (793-3823) or cell phone (338-6072).
If you have any questions, celebrations or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact: Caspar Green, Steve Davie, Jerry Dean, Nancy Holmes, Shane Ross, or Don Shuler.
Basement Store News
The Basement Store continues to contribute to the needs of the church and community.
Plans are already being made for a yard sale (September 12-13) and for the annual Christmas sale (November 7-8). Mark your calendars now!
Since May, the Store has given financial support to:
- First Baptist Church
- Adirondack Vets Home
- The Domestic Violence Project
- 2 persons in the community with substantial health issues
- The Homeless Youth Coalition
- The Summer Lunch Program
- First Baptist Graduating Seniors
Some Thoughts about Renewing Our Ministry at FBC
By Kathleen McCoy
We have acknowledged that at current levels of giving, we will run out of funds within three years—and that announcement came before the current decline in the economy.
We are at present blessed with a congregation that loves the Lord but seems unable to initiate positive change in the direction of our ministries and our fundraising sufficient to ensure that FBC can move within two to three years from maintenance mode to full-blown mission mode.
I recently read that the word crisis comes from the Greek krisis, which means opportunity. Times of crisis call for imagination to see the opportunities inherent in the trouble.
We are commanded to “Seek . . . first the Kingdom of God” and assured that our needs will then be met. Kingdom ministry comes first; institutional survival is secondary to contributing heavily to winning souls and helping the needy. These are Christ’s fundamental principles.
Our Lord preached that those who are willing to lose their lives will save their lives. In other words, we need to go for broke when it comes to surrendering to Christ. If that is true on the individual level, it cannot be any less true for the Church. We have to be willing to do the work of Christian ministry in any form that is acceptable to the Lord. That means we as a church must be willing to change, to give, to sacrifice, to be changed, and even to face the possibility of death—if that is what the Lord requires. He sees his kingdom as a worldwide network of saved persons working together to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and guide the lost to Christ, not as a certain number of buildings.
Dr. Paul Borden, Executive Minister of Growing Healthy Churches, recently wrote: “I find that many in denominational life want congregational transformation and reproduction more for survival reasons than Kingdom reasons. . . . If the survival of a congregation and in turn the survival of a denomination is the reason for acting God will not bless. Transformation and reproduction are about advancing the Kingdom of God, not saving institutions, regardless of how long they have been in existence. And advancing the Kingdom of God always involves faith (or risk) which means we must always be willing to lose now in order for God to provide more in the future.”
Christ is our leader; we are all his sheep. Christ’s church is a body of people who pray together, work together, give together, live and love together, and listen to each other, but who are willing to make tough choices, major sacrifices, and go in directions that don’t fit the mainstream culture in order to better serve God.
We are called to be humble, to pray, to give, to preach, and to be proactive in ministry. Therefore, failure to act is itself an action. It is the refusal to choose.
Our faith demands we act—but prayerfully, in as much unity as possible, and with humility and service to God’s greater good (for the community and his kingdom, not just our church) as our motives.
We do have a body of people who love Christ and a few long-running missions and projects that do make a difference. The congregation is comprised of committed and talented individuals, but many or most seem to feel stretched thin in time and money due to family obligations, career demands, fixed incomes, or poor health.
Our congregation is not alone; many “old First” churches face dwindling resources. The post-9/11 boom in church attendance appears to have ended, and numbers are again far below those of the ‘40s and ‘50s that filled the pews.
We need an update on the progress of the pastor’s recent call for $5,000 for the Myanmar crisis. This call seems significant as a litmus test of our resolve and ability to fund ministries whose need we cannot deny.
We are blessed with a pastor who understands the plight of the congregation as well as the Christian mandate to become involved in meeting community and mission needs wherever we see them. Our pastor has obtained civil recognition as an altruistic and visionary young leader in the community, and as a courageous and insightful preacher of the true Gospel of Christ. He has guided the church through many important processes: reorganization of boards, rewriting the constitution, revising our service of worship, reassessing our fundamental mission, and furthering our giving. All of these have been positive steps toward the evolution of FBC to an emerging ministry. Yet we seem stymied in going further, in making any real decisions about the direction ministry will take when the funds run out. And time is running out.
So … A Proposal
I propose that we prepare now to address, at the next regularly scheduled (trimester) business meeting, the direction of ministries at First Baptist Church. I suggest we take pains to make sure that as many members of the congregation as possible attend this meeting, and that all of the Board of Directors members attend. I propose that we place on the agenda of this meeting the immediate formation of a Ministry Task Force. The text of this proposal that follows will constitute my motion at the next business meeting.
I propose that this Ministry Task Force include two members of the Board of Directors, one youth representative, one person appointed by the pastor, and two members-at-large to be elected by the congregation. In addition, the pastor, moderator, and vice-moderator will be members ex-officio, as per Article 8 Section 5 of the Constitution (amended October 22, 2006). If there is overlap between any two positions, one more member-at-large or Board of Directors representative may be added to the group, but that is not necessary. Ideally everyone on the Task Force will be willing to invest energy and time for two years. Every member of the Task Force should be a spiritually discerning person first and foremost.
The group will be charged with researching and advising the congregation on the following specific issues, as well as any other related issues they may identify:
- the best option for First Baptist, given its top priority of reaching out in the love of Christ, considering the benefits and drawbacks of several options for congregations in decline, examining the following:
- current research and wisdom on church renewal and transformation,
- advice and insights from church leaders who have led successful transformations,
- and advice by New York leaders of ABC on church transformation and renewal;
- the advisability and feasibility of either obtaining historic church status for our building or determining that changing locations or merging with or starting another church or some other option is necessary for effective Christian ministry;
- ways to solicit funds from members that will be both scriptural and forward-thinking, such as tithing, fundraisers, and bequests (of money, market funds, real estate, cars, and endowments);
- any new ministries that would fulfill our mission to reach out to community needs in the name of Christ and that would be feasible.
In addition, the Task Force will provide the congregation with a preliminary report by the next trimester business meeting, and will continue to meet and to interact with the congregation for as long as the congregation deems it is needed.
I would urge the Task Force to begin and end each meeting with prayer, and in support of the work of the Task Force, I would challenge the congregation to make a prayer commitment, to pray regularly for the guidance of the Task Force, the pastor, and the ministries of First Baptist Church, that God’s will be done and his kingdom furthered by our actions. In initiating Wednesday prayer meetings before even seeing this document, the pastor has already begun this work.
This is a time for imagination, for faith, and for action. I pray we will pull together to see what Lord has in store for us as his agents in our community.
Bibliography
American Baptist Churches-USA. The Ministers Council. “Self Care and Renewal Resources.” Retrieved 10 June 2008. http://www.ministerscouncil.com/ OnLineManual/SelfCareandRenewal.aspx
Borden, Paul. “Advancing the Kingdom.” Growing Healthy Churches. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2008. Advancing the Kingdom."http:// www.growinghealthychurches.org/art/art_463.shtml
Brink, Sam. “Giving and the Emerging Church.” Retrieved 10 June 2008. http:// www.abc-usa.org/Resources/Stewardship/GivingEmergingChurch.pdf
Mann, Alice. Can Our Church Live? Redeveloping Congregations in Decline. Alban Institute, 1999.
North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy. Retrieved 10 June 2008. http://www.abc-usa.org/Resources/Stewardship/NACCP08_Report.pdf
“What I Learned from Bill Easum.” Growing Healthy Churches. Retrieved 10 June 2008. http://www.growinghealthychurches.org/art/art_464.shtml