MESSENGER

Vol. 150, Issue 4
May 2008

From the Pastor’s Heart
When you receive this newsletter, I hope to be fully recovered from my surgery. I also hope our April showers will bring plenty of May flowers to enjoy. What a beautiful time of year when mother nature shows us a picture of the resurrection of new life. And what a life it is as we worship and serve our risen Savior.
There are several special services during May that you should mark your calendar for and plan on attending:
• Thursday morning, May 1 at 6:30 AM is our annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The theme this year is, “Prayer: America’s Strength and Shield.” Our guest speaker is Chaplain Glen Bloomstrom, the Ft. Leavenworth Command Chaplain. Join us for a good hearty breakfast ($5.00) and a time of praying for God’s blessings upon our beloved country.
• Who can forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11. On May 10, 1908, Ann Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day at the Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. It had the four fold purpose of: 1. to honor our mothers, 2. to bring families together, 3. to make us better children, and 4. to brighten the lives of good mothers. It was in 1914, that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day across America. The Deaconess Team will honor our Mothers on Sunday, May 11during each service.
• Also on May 11, the AWANA clubs will honor those AWANA participants with an award ceremony and picnic. The entire church family is invited. The picnic begins at 6:00 PM on the front lawn of the church. A hot dog meal is planned.
• On Sunday, May 18 we will honor those who are graduating from High School and College during both worship services. If there is someone from your family who is graduating this year, contact the church office so they can be put on our honor list.
• The last Sunday of the Month, May 25, is Memorial Sunday and we will honor and remember those of our church family who have gone home to be with our Lord during this past year. We also will be treated to a special concert by the “Calvary Echoes” from Wichita, KS. This Southern Gospel group will sing during both worship services that day. A special love gift offering will be taken for them.
What a privilege is ours to be a part of God’s family here at First Baptist Church. As the song says: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God - I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod; For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” I hope to see you each Sunday in May as I will have God’s Word in my hand and God’s Message in my heart.
Bro. Randall

Bible Book of the Month: Lamentations
This book is a collection of five poems expressing deep sorrow about the destruction of Jerusalem. The poems, sometimes called laments, are presented as being spoken by the city of Jerusalem and by the writer, who is called “the prophet.”
The prophet realized that Jerusalem was being punished because its people had sinned, but the suffering seemed greater than what their sins deserved. Still, there was hope. Someday, God would be merciful again if the people would give up their sins and turn back to him.

Prayer Breakfast
You are encouraged to attend the National Day of Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 1, 6:30am. The guest speaker is Chaplain Glen Bloomstrom, Command Chaplain at Fort Leavenworth. Please RSVP to the church office at 682-4426 by April 29. Cost is $5.00 payable at the door.

AWANA Awards Night
All AWANA Clubbers will be honored at an award ceremony on Sunday evening, May 11, 6:00pm. Come and join in the celebration of their accomplishments.
 
Graduates Honored
All graduates of High School and College will be honored in both of our worship services on Sunday, May 18. If you or someone in your family is graduating, please contact the church office. We would like to know what school you are graduating from and the degree earned (if college).

Busy Spring for AB Women’s Ministries
With spring comes a busy time for American Baptist Women’s Ministries. We’ve just hosted our first Association meeting for the Missouri River Association. It was great to get together with the women in the Kansas City area and welcome them to our church, especially our new addition.
Our next event is our All Daughter Brunch on May 10. I know you all will want to see all the decorated tables. This is the third year that we have had hostesses decorate tables, and I know you won’t want to miss this year to see how our clever hostesses have decorated the tables to go along with our theme “Loving Edges.” Please sign up at the welcome center and join us for a fun-filled morning.
June 6-7 is our Central Region Conference at Cross Wind. We try to take a van full and always have some exciting tales to tell when we return. Registration forms are in the foyer. Pick one up and try to join us this year. You will have a great time.
I treated myself to a new devotional book, titled God’s Promises for You, with scripture selections from Max Lucado. I know the Bible is full of God promises, but this book has them condensed into one small book, and every day I read a new promise, each one labeled, “Love,” “Faith,” “Hope,” “Worry,” Truth,” etc.
Contentment was one of the topics that really spoke to me. The Scripture reading of 1 Timothy 6:6-10 talks about our desire for money: “Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people. The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow.” Max Lucado relates that we are not a very satisfied people—we want the vacation of a lifetime; we want fun all the time, good food (now he’s getting personal); if only I were prettier, I’d be happy; if only I were thinner, I’d be happy; if only I had more money; I’d be happier, if only I had a better job; if only; if only; if only; we could go on and on. One of the richest women in the world has just revealed her discontentment recently when she selected a recent book of the month choice for her millions of viewers and then claimed its concepts as a “new religion.” Oprah because of her wealth and popularity is able to influence and convince many unchurched and unsuspecting people that this is truth. Our society seems to equate wealth with correctness and truth and believe those who have attained great popularity. Only Christ can satisfy the longings of the heart. Many times in the New Testament we are warned of false prophets, and as we can see, they come in many forms right into our living rooms in the afternoon along with the latest in fashion and wonderful giveaways. We must be on guard at all times.
Let’s all start enjoying the wonderful weather and look for all of God’s promises in our daily lives.
Have a blessed Mother’s Day as you enjoy your families!
Marilyn Edwards, President, AB Women’s Ministries

Soup Supper Continues
Soup suppers will continue through the month of May and then there will be a change. Wednesday meals will continue, but soup “might” be served but it could be sandwiches, bar-b-que or another delicious meal. Your help is needed for Desserts & for Helpers. Signup sheets are at the Welcome Center. The menu will be announced the week prior as always. Contact the church office or watch for information in the bulletin.
Sunday, May 4 will be Marriage Covenant Sunday
With the attack upon traditional marriage by secular society, we are paying a heavy price in our country. Besides the moral chaos that results, research by the Institute for American Values now shows that the cost to taxpayers of divorce and unwed childbearing is conservatively estimated for the nation and all 50 states to be at 112 billion dollars.
One of our goals for our church is to Strengthen the Family. We will do that by exploring the word “covenant” as it applies to our Lord’s Covenant with His bride, the church. We will then explore the implications of that for the institution of marriage. Couples will be given an opportunity to renew their wedding vows.

VBS, June 9-13, 6:30-8:30 PM
If you are willing to be a part of Vacation Bible School in either teaching a class, leading/helping in music, leading/helping in crafts, providing recreation, leading/helping in the kitchen or just helping anywhere, please mark the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center, mark the registration pad or contact the church office.

AB Women’s Ministries Summer Conference
The Summer Conference/Retreat will be held June 6-7 at Cross Wind Conference Center, Hesston, KS. “Pruned to Bear Fruit” is the theme of this year’s Retreat. Registration forms can be picked up at the Welcome Center, or through the church office.

Youth Sponsor?
If you would be willing to be a sponsor at a youth event during the summer, please contact Kyle Emery in the church office or at 620-200-1107.

New Beginnings Outing
Come join us (New Beginnings) for fun and fellowship. We will be traveling to Jamesport, MO on Tuesday, May 20 at 9:30 AM. Journey back in time for a delightful day in this quaint Amish community. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office.

Loving Edges All-Daughter Brunch
Saturday, May 10, 9:30 AMPlease be our special guest for this year's All Daughter Brunch. The theme is "Loving Edges." Our guest speaker is Linda Sanford, wife of Chaplain and Pastor Sam Sanford of Leavenworth. Please feel free to invite a friend, neighbor, or family member to join you. All you need to do is register yourself and all guests on the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center or call the church office at 682-4426 by May 7.

2008 Central Region Summer Camping Program
Our church will provide camping scholarships to Region camps of ½ the camp cost up to a $100 maximum. Here’s how the church scholarship works: if a camp costs $110.00, the church will pay $55.00; if a camp costs $210.00, the church will pay $100.00.
If you would like to help get one or more children to camp, place your donation in the offering plate marked “camps.” Camp registrations are due to the church office no later than April 27 for June camps.

Tidbits from our History
The last service held in the church at 6th & Seneca was on November 4, 1956. The present site at 13th & Osage was purchased in July, 1953. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new church was held on August 28, 1955, with pastor Charles C. Gardella, city dignitaries, and members of the congregation taking part. The first service at the new location was held November 11, 1956, led by Rev. Ray Schroeder. At this first service and indeed for the next three years only the basement was completed and services were held there. The finished sanctuary was first used on November 29, 1959.
Another anniversary celebration will be held on July 6, 2008. Former Pastor Rev. Melvin Roy will be the guest speaker. Special music will include Rev. Leland Foreman and wife, Jean who served as our Assistant Pastor and organist. A covered dish dinner will be part of the festivities. Mark your calendar today!