July 2008

Table of Contents

Pastor’s Column
Announcements
Thank You
Calendar
Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

Worshipping God

• Worship Schedule

Growing Together

• Stewardship
• Vacation Bible School Thanks
  

Serving Others

• Opportunities to Serve Others
• Deacon Ministry Teams

“Celebrate True Freedom!”

As we approach July 4th, the idea of freedom and independence has been on my mind. We as a country and as individuals value freedom, but many in our day and age find Christianity confining and constraining, an enemy to personal freedom. This view is in part due to our modern, Western understanding of freedom as being able to “think anything we want to think, and do anything that we want to do,” without relying on an outside authority or power. So how can one with such a view come to accept Christianity and Jesus Christ?

A book that I read during my vacation was very helpful in suggesting an answer. The book is called The Reason for God, written by Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. While there is much to comment on and commend in the book, one of the things that I want to share in this column is Keller’s take on true freedom. Keller contends that freedom is not simply “doing anything I want to do.” In fact, in many cases, confinement and constraint can actually be liberating. The “restriction” of gravity allows us to move and keeps our atmosphere from floating away so that we can breathe. Even as our country fought and won our independence from England, that did not eliminate our need for government, an authority that limits and constrains certain behaviors. If we had no enforceable laws, we would live in anarchy, imprisoned in our own houses for fear of what others might do to us in their “freedom.” Therefore, freedom is not the absence of limitations and constraints. Human freedom flourishes within the context of the right limitations and constraints, those that fit our nature and liberate us (Keller, p. 49).

According to Keller, love is a great example of how true freedom works. One of the principles of love is that you have to lose some independence to attain greater intimacy. To experience the joy and freedom of love, you must give up some personal autonomy. And in the most radical way, God—in God’s love for us—constrained Himself when He became a limited human being in the person of Jesus Christ who suffered, sacrificed and ultimately died for us human beings. When we truly respond to Christ’s love, then doing what pleases God should not feel oppressive to us at all. Rather, like a person deeply “in love,” you will be motivated to know everything and do everything in your power to bring pleasure to your beloved. You won’t be afraid of giving up some of your “freedoms,” because you are finding your true freedom in your beloved. And when that beloved Person is Jesus Christ, the Truth and Love of God, then we will experience what John 8:32 promises: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

May true freedom be yours as you celebrate Independence Day this year!

— In Christ, Michael

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Church-wide Ice Cream Social

Sunday, July 20, 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Hosted by the Deacons.

Bring your favorite ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and desserts to share.

Invite your friends!

 

Property Committee Update

As you have probably noticed, we are getting a lot of work performed on the Church making it more pleasing to the eye and allowing easier access to Church activities.

About a month ago, Bobby Chapman and Son started the much needed painting to the exterior of the Church. They have completed about half of the painting at this time. They have the back and the front of the Church to paint, which will complete this project.

Several months ago we completed the handicap door on the main floor of the church, thanks to the generosity of Ethel Southall and donations made in the memory of Walter. Upon her death enough money was received from memorial gifts to have a handicap door installed which allows direct access to the fellowship hall. Upon completion of the door a wall will be installed to create a hallway into the fellowship hall, allowing for additional secure storage. Additionally, a canopy will be installed over the door to shade the door and provide protection from the elements.

THANK YOU’s

Attention Prayer Time,

Kindness like yours makes a difference. Thank you thoughtful and kind people for your prayers. I have been feeling much better.

Your friend, Dennis Tingen

___________________

Farmville Baptist Church Members,

Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughtfullness through my ordeal. It was very much appreciated.

God Bless You All, Michael Watson

___________________

Dear friends and family,

I’ve returned safely back home! Thank you all for your prayers and financial support. Our team was able to teach English to 60 people while we were there, and we were able to hand out 1600 gifts to restaurant workers inviting them to Macau Baptist Church. Mainly, though, God used us to show his love simply by creating friendships with the people. In supporting me financially and sending me on this trip, God also used you all in this mission. And because of your prayers, no one got sick, all of our travels went smoothly (our luggage kept up!), everyone was safe, and we got the opportunity to share about Christ with people who may never hear it again. So, thank you!!

With love, Emily Caviness

CALENDAR

Upcoming Church Events

June 30-July 3……………. PASSport Kids camp (Eagle Eyrie)

July 4………………………… Office Closed

July 6 …………………………Jail Ministry

July 13 ……………………….Church Council Meeting

July 13-18…………………. PASSways camp for Youth (Wingate Univ.)

July 20………………………..Quarterly Business Meeting

………………………………….Ice Cream Social

July 21 ……………………….Newsletter Articles Due

July 27 ……………………….Laity Sunday

………………………………….Youth Outing

Sunday Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

Church Business Meeting, Sunday, July 20, 9:45 a.m.

There will be a Church Business Meeting on Sunday, July 20, at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. A Book of Reports will be ready for members to pick up on Sunday, July 6. On the agenda will be a report from the Property Committee regarding the painting of the building and the installation of a new handicapped door entrance to the Fellowship Hall, and a recommendation from the Nominating Committee regarding our Sunday School director, chief teller and head usher. Committee chairs are asked to turn in their reports by Thursday, July 3.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

July Worship Services

7/6 “Invitation to Rest”—Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

7/13 “Extravagant Investment. Extraordinary Returns” — Matthew13:1-9, 18-23.

7/20 “Wheat and Weeds Together”—Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42.

7/27 Laity Sunday—Dr. Rodney Dunning preaching.

Summer Sanctuary Choir Schedule

During the months of June, July and August, the Sanctuary Choir will rehearse on Wednesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided. We invite anyone who would like to sing to join the choir during these months!

Laity Sunday in Worship

July 27, 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, July 27 will be our Laity Sunday in worship. This will be an entirely lay-led service planned by our Music and Worship Committee. Dr. Rodney Dunning will be our guest preacher. Dr. Dunning is a physics professor at Longwood, and he and his family—wife Tammy, and children Sarah and Olivia have been members of FBC since 2007.

Welcome New Members!

Larry O’York and Marcia Morgan joined the church on June 1, and were married here at Farmville Baptist on June 28. Larry and Marcia live at 700 Stepheny Street, 392-5521. Welcome Larry and Marcia!

John and Deborah Slade joined our church on June 8. John and Deborah live at 906 High Street, 392-5382. Welcome John and Deborah!

Children’s Worship Service

During our main worship service we are also offering a Children’s Worship Service, for children kindergarten to second grade, in the Fellowship Hall. Children in those grades will leave the sanctuary following the children’s lesson and will typically return to the adult service in the sanctuary during the offertory. Older children are welcome to sign up to be “guest readers,” serving as worship leaders on the specific Sundays for which they sign up. Children’s church will take place every week except the third Sunday of each month, when Edith Ann and Katherine Austin will continue to lead missions activities.

Sermons Available Online

MP3s of sermons from previous weeks of worship are available on the worship page of our website under: http://www.farmvillebaptist.org/worship.php.

GROWING TOGETHER

Stewardship Report

Prorated Budget…………………….. …$136,076.05

Receipts (as of 6/22).……………….…$101,915.75

Difference…………………… …………. <$34,160.30>

Passport Kids! Camp

On June 30 to July 3, Chris Landrum, Thea Cheuk, Erin Copeland, Jewel Moore, Amanda Elsaesser, and Breanna Smalley left to attend Passport Kids! Camp at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg, VA. Beth Cheuk, Kathryn Copeland, David Landrum, Janet Moore and Amanda Johnston will serve as chaperones. Please remember them in your prayers as they travel and as they attend this wonderful four-day camp.

Wednesday Night Activities

We will take a break from our Wednesday Night Activities during the months of June, July and August. We will resume our regular Wednesday Night Suppers and activities in September.

Youth News for July

July 6…………………No evening youth activities for the Holiday Weekend

July 13…9:30 am…….Prayer Send Off for the Youth

…………….10:00 am…..Youth Leave for PASSways Camp

July 18..TBA…………..Youth arrive home from PASSways Camp

July 20 ..6:30 pm ……Church Wide Ice Cream Social

July 27 6:00 pm……. Youth Outing

Youth PASSways Camp

Thanks to the hard work of the youth, their parents, the youth committee, and generous donations we have raised $2,151 toward the cost of camp this summer. However the total cost of camp is $3,520. As of right now each camper will need to pay $136.90. We have ten youth going to camp this year :Charlotte Cave, Sarah Cave, John Copeland, Matthew Covington, Carter Chassey, Lindsey Davis, Carter Gantt, Alesha Jackson, Whitney Southall, and Tabitha Tatum.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL THANKS

I want to thank everyone who made this year’s Power Lab VBS a great success. I truly couldn’t have done it without you! This was my first time as a director. Thank you for trusting me as your director and for all of your efforts. We had an average of 45 children this year. And because of your hard work they were able to enjoy crafts, science experiments, an awesome “science lab” environment; nightly skits, Bible Blast, recreation, and snacks.

Our awesome scenery was created by Margaret Stombock, Thea Cheuk, and Erin Copeland. Also by those who helped move tables and chairs. A great thanks also goes out to Tammy Dunning for registering students; to Gail Cave for leading music; to Jordan Whiley, Jay Lynn, Jewel Moore, Sarah Cave, Charlotte Cave, John Johnston, Doris Weaver, and Alesha Jackson who acted in skits throughout the week, served as guides, and worked in other areas.

The children were taught stories about Jesus’ miraculous power by Don Kyper every night. And Beth Cheuk took on the awesome responsibility of teaching the pre-schoolers with the assistance of Katherine Austin and others. Farrah Schmidt and Laurie Mills provided crafts each night. Ken Copeland and David Schmidt led recreation. Elizabeth and Sandy Covington made sure all our Power Lab crew members were fed. There are so many people who jumped in and helped all over the place all week: Kim and Lindsey Davis, Allison Newman, Cindy Landrum, Sarah Dunning, Sarah Tolley, and Carter Gant. Our guides kept everything running smoothly: Janet Moore, Kathryn Copeland, Patti Trent, Anita Lynn, and Doris Weaver. And last but certainly not least Michael Cheuk who took pictures for our finale slide show each night. Because of his hard work the children were able to star in their own movies each night. You can view all of the awesome photos on our children’s website.

Again this year the children donated both money and food, which will be distributed to FACES. The total cash offering was $139.78!

Thanks again for everyone’s hard work and support!

-Amanda Johnston

SERVING OTHERS

Missions Week for the Hispanic Church in Kenbridge, VA

August 18-22, 2008

The Southside Baptist Association is inviting churches in the association to participate in a missions week to help the Hispanic Church and its pastor, Rev. Juan Carlos Gascon. Please save this date! Details about this week will be forthcoming.

Opportunities to Serve Others

Please consider helping these important community programs through the summer months in the following ways:

• Help unload the FACES food truck each Friday (between 10 a.m. until noon, N. South St., behind RugRats). Help distribute food on Saturday mornings beginning at 8 a.m.
• Contact Meals on Wheels (392-8797) to serve as a substitute driver.
• Habitat for Humanity is looking for groups to provide lunch for their construction crews working on the Buckingham House. They can also use volunteers to answer phones, enter data and plan events. Contact Pam Gills at 392-6627.

Food Pantry Donations by Girls State

Many thanks to the delegates of Girls State of Virginia for their contribution of over 620 cans of food to our emergency food pantry! Darlene Bratcher addressed the Girls State assembly at Jarman Hall Wednesday, June 20, and thanked them for their contribution and support.

Benevolence Fund Report, January 1—June 23, 2008

Deacon Ministry Teams

The following Deacon Ministry Teams are now in place to serve those in our congregation and others in our community. Information about these teams is posted on our Deacon Ministry Teams bulletin board on the main floor of the church. If you’d like to join one or more of these teams, please contact team leaders for more detailed information regarding each ministry team.

• Senior Adult Ministry: led by Jack Davis and Bobby Huskey
• Bereavement Ministry: led by Kathryn Copeland and Joyce Davis
• Casserole Ministry: led by George Carter
• Homebound Ministry: led by Drue Martin and Jack Davis
• Guests and New Members Team: led by Chuck Daniel

The Jail Ministry Team invites you . . .

On the first Sunday of each month from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., a small team visits the Piedmont Regional Jail to lead the female inmates in a time of singing, devotion and prayer. This ministry requires no specialized talents, just an open and flexible spirit. Please contact Anita Lynn, 391-3751, for more information and to participate.

Meals on Wheels

SCOPE Meals on Wheels provide approximately ninety plus meals per day to local residents. It takes at least 10 drivers each day to make the deliveries. Currently there is a need for drivers. If you can help please call Hoke Currie at 434-392-8797. This is a great mission opportunity!