The First Baptist Church of Redlands
TA PE S T RY
Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2
DECEMBER 2017
The Full Power of Advent A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR SHAWN
Coinciding with Advent each year is the anniversary of the mass shooting that took place in San Bernardino on December 2, 2015. That horrible tragedy shook us all, but touched many in our congregation very personally. As a result, every mass shooting that has happened since then dredges up some of the old feelings and memories of that horrible day. Yet, it also seems that with each mass shooting we become numb. It is a coping mechanism that helps us to deal with the horror of the fact that mass shootings are happening with more frequency than we can process with our mind and emotions. And so we enter Advent this year. Advent is a season of lament. It is a time in which we bring forth and lay before God those things in our hearts and minds that bring us sorrow and weigh us down. Those things that cause us to ask “why?” for which we feel there is no answer. It is in Advent that we wait on God, asking, “How long?” We remember others who have waited before us: the people of Israel, waiting in all sorts of circumstances, including exile and being conquered as a nation, for the promised Messiah. We wait, with generations that have come before, for the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth promised by the resurrection of Jesus. In the meantime, in the midst of lament, we receive the message of hope, peace, joy and love—glimpses of what is promised, tastes of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Spiritually, and even therapeutically, Advent is the time that we allow ourselves to feel, to ponder, to ask the questions, to wait. We do all of this under the protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We read scriptures and stories of waiting and lament, alongside the newspaper and other information sources of what is going on around us. In the midst of this we discover the hope, peace, joy and love that come from God no matter the circumstances of life. Unfortunately, Advent often gets ignored or pushed into the background with the busyness of the holiday season. We allow Christmas to come seeping in to this season of spiritual preparation. And the trappings of the cultural traditions and even the commercialization of Christmas steal the opportunities of the healing that can happen in Advent. Some who are liturgical purists will observe Advent not allowing anything of Christmas to come before Christmas Eve (night), no tree, no decorations, no Christmas carols, nothing.
ISSUE No. 12 After the season of lament, waiting and reflection, Christmas, then, comes crashing in, just as God broke into our world through the birth of Jesus. Then Christmas is celebrated for twelve days, followed by Epiphany which celebrates the “God-sightings” that come because of Jesus living with us on earth. It is hard to be a purist. However, I encourage and even challenge us to take advantage of this season of waiting, anticipating and lament. Though it is difficult, may we take the time to feel and reflect on that part of us and of life that is difficult. Allow those questions of “why?” and “how long?” to rise to the surface and then put them in God’s hands. Look for those signs and places and messages of hope, peace, joy and love that exist despite the circumstances of life. And in the experience of Advent may the meaning of Christmas, the coming of Christ become real to us and evident in the lives that we live, individually and as a church family in this community and world. Merry Christmas... But all in its proper time. - Pastor Shawn
MISSIONS
MINISTRY
COVER
CONTENTS
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A Message from Pastor Shawn: “The Full Power of Advent” Staff and Contents
Music Ministry: “And the Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed” FBCR in Action
The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373. All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 10th of each month to tapestry@fbcredlands.org. If you would like to be added or removed from the Tapestry mailing list, please email tapestry@fbcredlands.org. Current and previous Tapestry issues are available in digital format at issuu.com/fbcr.
S TA FF Rev. Dr. Shawn Zambrows Senior Pastor shawn@fbcredlands.org Rev. Cheryl Sneller Interim Director of Christian Education cheryl@fbcredlands.org Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music rwsteffen@gmail.com
Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Puerto Rico, Iraq, Tunisia Thank you from Local Outreach
Linda Gentile Organist Nathan Jones Youth Director youth@fbcredlands.org
CALENDAR
FELLOWSHIP
Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org
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Get to Know: Mike Friere
Laci Morgan Interim Communications Specialist laci@fbcredlands.org Richard Colunga Buildings/Grounds
Ask Red
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CON TACT S
Art Corner/Funny Stuff Church News December Calendar
Telephone: 909-793-3289 Web: www.fbcredlands.org Email: admin@fbcredlands.org Office Hours Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Let us know what you’d like to read about in upcoming Tapestry articles or features.! We’re working hard on brainstorming interesting content to make our Tapestry the best that it can be. Feel free to share your ideas, and we’ll do our best to incorporate them! Email tapestry@fbcredlands.org.
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M I N I S T RY 4
“And the Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed”
“ And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 40:5 (KJV) What exciting words! In them we find the promise of hope, peace, joy, and love. These words from the Jewish prophet Isaiah were written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon, an English Baptist preacher and theologian (1834-1892) gives insight to these wonderful words: “There is nothing that shall hinder the coming of the Lord to us, and when he comes, there is nothing that shall stand against him.” And those words are the text of the 4th movement of Messiah by George Frideric Handel. The libretto (lyrics) of Messiah was written by Charles Jennens, a friend and collaborator of Handel. Musicologist Watkins Shaw describes the text of Messiah as “a meditation of our Lord as Messiah in Christian thought and belief.” Handel composed the entire 259 pages of musical manuscript in just 24 days – all 53 movements, and this masterpiece is the 6th of the compositional style of oratorio that Handel wrote. Handel was born in Halle, Germany, but he took up permanent residence in London in 1712. And in 1727 he became a naturalized British citizen. But it wasn’t in London that Messiah had its premiere performance: it was in Dublin, Ireland. Handel’s decision to give a series of concerts in Dublin in the winter of 1741 came because of an invitation from the Duke of Devonshire. After arriving in Dublin on November 18, 1741, Handel arranged for these concerts to be held at the Neal’s Musick Hall on Fishamble Street. These concerts were so popular that a second series was quickly arranged; but Messiah wasn’t presented in either series, even though the entire musical entity had been completed the previous September.
By Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music In early March of 1742 Handel began discussions with the appropriate committees for a charity concert, to be given in April, at which he intended to present Messiah. He was given permission from two cathedrals to use their choirs for this occasion: St. Patrick’s and Christ Church. In the choir were 16 men and 16 boy singers. Two women guest soloists and several men from the choir sang the solo parts. The orchestra in Dublin included strings, two trumpets, and timpani. Handel had his own organ shipped from London to Dublin for the performance! Seven hundred people attended the premiere on April 13. The audience was expected to be so large that the men were asked to remove their swords and ladies were asked not to wear hoops in their dresses. Handel conducted 30 performances of Messiah but none of them were at Christmas time. Handel always thought of it as a Lenten/ Easter composition. One of those performances was at Bristol Cathedral in Bristol, England, in August 1758. In that audience was John Wesley, the English minister who founded the Methodist denomination. Afterward, Wesley wrote about that experience: “I doubt if that congregation was ever so serious at a sermon as they were during this performance.” Handel himself was very fond of the work. His annual benefit concerts for his favorite charity—London’s Foundling Hospital, a home for abandoned and orphaned children— always included Messiah. And, in 1759, when he was blind and in failing health, he insisted on attending an April 6 performance of Messiah at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. Eight days later, the day before Easter, Handel died at home. Written 146 years before the founding of our church, the Ministry of Music at FBC has had a deep admiration of Messiah and all of the music of Handel.
On Christmas Eve last year, operatic soprano Ms. Angel Blue joined our choir to present 4 movements of the work. On Christmas Eve this year, the Choir will share “And the Glory of the Lord” from Messiah. Doris Billings, our organist for 40 years, played “Hallelujah” from Messiah as her postlude on many Easter Sundays. Our organist Linda Gentile played that selection on November 19 as the postlude. In our FBC Choir Library there are 5 individual choral pieces written by Handel that are not from Messiah, and our Worship Choir sang “Hallelujah, Amen” by Handel last month in worship. We also have 30 copies of the complete vocal score of Messiah. Those copies were a gift by Bruce and Fleury Laycook in memory of Bruce’s mother Florence. And those copies were used by our Chancel Choir (now called our Worship Choir) as they presented the Christmas section of Messiah to our community 25 years ago. The Worship Choir will practice “And the Glory of the Lord” every Thursday evening at our rehearsals (7:45 pm). And you can stop by, practice, and sing that song on Christmas Eve. Our prayer is that our sharing this song will have the same goal that Handel wrote at the end of Messiah: SDG. “Soli Deo Gloria.” “To God alone the glory.”
George Frideric Handel
FBCR IN
ACTION
Don’t forget to share your photos of FBCR events, services and gatherings with us! We’d love to see the year through the eyes of our members. (Kid photographers are welcome, too!) FBCR’s kids treating us to a song during Worship
Nathan Jones “collecting” the Youth at Family Service Day
Enjoying a well-deserved meal at Gourmet Pizza after a full day of volunteering
A gorgeous display of flowers on Veteran’s Day, dedicated to those who served our country Enjoying time together at Family Service Day
The Youth helping God’s Kids with a Sunday School project
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M I S SION S
Worldwide Prayer Concerns “But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” –Hebrews 10:32-33
Puerto Rico www.internationalministries.org
Puerto Rico continues the rebuilding effort from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Of the 114 Baptist churches on the island, 26 were destroyed and 40 sustained serious damage. The American Baptist Home Mission Society is working to raise $1 million to assist in rebuilding these churches. Pray for our IM global servants who continue to minister in the the relief and recovery efforts, especially Ingrid RoldanRoman and Madeline Flores-Lopez. Pray for all of our partners who are working to bring Christ’s hope into the places that experienced such catastrophic destruction. Pray for protection from disease for all the people of Puerto Rico. Pray that American Baptists would give generously to support their brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. Pray also for Dr. Josue Gomez, a Puerto Rican church leader who will become president of ABCUSA in 2018.
Iraq CatholicLeader.com.au and other sources
Efforts are underway to rebuild the Iraqi city of Qaraqosh, which had been the largest Christian city in Iraq, before being invaded by ISIS. During the occupation, ISIS forces worked to erase traces of Christianity from the town. Some of the refugees from this city ended up in Australia, and now several Australians are raising money to help rebuild the city so that families can return. Pray that Christians who fled from ISIS control would be able to return to their homelands. Pray for those who lived under ISIS control to find healing from all the trauma they endured. (The horrific stories now emerging about life under ISIS are too graphic to print in the Tapestry.) Pray that Christians, Muslims, and Jews would be able to live in peace with their neighbors in the Middle East.
Tunisia
OpenDoorsUSA.org
Pray for the growth of the church in Tunisia, a nation which is 99% Muslim. While foreign Christians were in Tunisia decades ago, the native church has grown since the year 2000 when Christians began using satellite TV and the internet to share the gospel. Mustapha, a young father and convert from Islam, now works as a pastor and shared some of the challenges faced by Tunisian Christians. He shared that since the church of native Tunisians is so new, they don’t have other models to follow. They have to develop their own organizations and training programs. They have to write their own worship songs, because they speak a different dialect of Arabic than Christians in other countries. They also are having to learn how to relate to the Bible in a personal way, since that is not how they viewed the Koran. But Mustapha shared that in the past decade, his church has grown from 6 people to 90 people, across various generations. Pray for the gospel to continue to bear fruit as these Christians share with their neighbors in Tunisia. Pray that these leaders can get the training and support that they need to know how to care for their flock.
-Jonathan Peske
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If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
A huge thank you to our First Baptist volunteers, working Family’s Service annual Fall food drive! 24,500 pounds of food collected! A fun time and an enjoyable lunch at Gourmet Pizza. - Thanks from the Local Outreach Commission
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F E L L O W SHI P
Get To Know: Mike Friere By Ann B. Smith
Mike was born in San Bernardino. He grew up near Devore. He counts himself as a second generation immigrant. His father was born in Santiago, Chili. He was drafted into the army and trained in electronics. After leaving the Service, he worked for IBM in Chile. When he was offered a transfer to the IBM office in the US in the 1970’s, he took it. He met and married Mike’s mother in the US. Mike has an older brother who works in the UCR Technology Department. Mike works as IT support for DIP specialty foods. Mike was brought up in the Catholic Church and went to a Catholic School. At the school, there was a church service (Mass) once a week. Mike remembers being attracted to the traditional stained-glass windows as well as the architecture and painting style when he was in the First Grade. When he reached High School, Mike felt himself growing dissatisfied with the rote aspect of Catholic worship. He began to ask himself how he should think and act to make Christ real in his life. He began to explore his church options. In this way, he found himself drawn more closely to more open theological stances than the strict hierarchy in which he had been reared. Protestantism appealed to him because he found more options for personal growth. He was living in Ontario when he met Holly, who encouraged his search. They were married in 2015 and moved to Loma Linda. They began seriously looking for a house and a home church and felt at home at First Baptist. One of the things Mike likes best is that the adult Sunday School classes offer a wide spectrum of inquiry – theology to science to discipleship. He also
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Photo courtesy of Mike Friere
appreciates the freedom of opinion that is accepted here. His favorite Bible Story is of the Lost Sheep. He identifies with the wandering sheep. He appreciates that Jesus valued him and came looking for him even before he had made a firm decision about his own religious position. Mike’s favorite Christian song is 10,000 Reasons to Bless the Lord. He feels especially close to the Lord when he thinks about cosmic creation. He can be awed by a sunset or the coloring of the clouds while marveling that the Lord of all that still loves and values him.
Hi! I’m Red. I’ve lived up in the FBCR bell tower for many years, so I’ve learned a thing or two about life. Whooo needs advice? “Red” might be any one of our wise church members, sharing advice and solving problems with flair. (Who knows, maybe YOU will be tapped to become Red for a question or two!) Got a dilemma or musing that you’d like Red to ponder? Something you want to hear a wise old owl’s point of view on? Email tapestry@fbcredlands.org, subject line: DEAR RED. (Note: We’ll keep your details anonymous! Questions may be edited for content and length)
Dear Red, Holiday meals with extended family are becoming a nightmare since we found out that our young daughter has a pretty severe gluten sensitivity. We’ve changed our cooking habits at home so she doesn’t feel left out. The problem is that my wife’s aunts and uncles and cousins don’t seem to understand how important it is to check labels. Every time we visit, they sneak her little “treats” like chips and cookies, then when we catch her nibbling, they look sheepish and tell us that she wanted it and they figured she would be fine with just a little. Or if we have a big dinner, they’ll say that each side dish we ask about is safe, then halfway through the meal will comment “oh, it actually does have bread crumbs mixed in. That’s ok, right?” (No!) We’ve told people numerous times that she can’t have it. They don’t have to deal with the physical symptoms and resulting mood swings that our daughter gets when she eats any gluten. It’s not a “trendy diet.” We are doing our best to keep her safe, and I don’t understand how they can constantly “forget!” I’m tired of feeling like I have to follow behind my daughter every second to make sure she’s not given something unsafe. How can I finally get through to these people? My guess is that they simply don’t understand what it is like to have a food allergy. (You should have seen the time I ate a mouse who’d just eaten cheese... my feathers started falling out and I kept flying into telephone poles from the dizziness! Apparently I can’t handle dairy!) People that have never had the issue may think it’s just like mild indigestion to be fixed with Tums, or something that she will just “get over” or even think that you’re being paranoid or following a fad. If it happened to them, they’d GET IT. Navigating food allergies is HARD. And I’m sure that it’s even more stressful when the person with allergies can’t always make correct food decisions, like a child. They think it’s harmless spoiling. If there are family members that you feel would be responsive to hearing it, try having a friendly conversation a week before the event, telling them about what happens to your daughter’s body when she gets gluten, and suggest some easy food substitutions for the next time they cook. (like “you can use this brand of flour instead,” or “look for wheat on the label”) Say something like “I know cooking for a big group of people with different food needs can be tough, so I wanted to help clarify what’s safe for us and see if I can help answer any questions or help cook.” It’s possible they just didn’t pay attention, think that you’re judging their own diet choices, or forget because it’s not always on their minds like it is for you. Unfortunately, we can’t always make someone see another’s point of view, and it sounds like you can’t trust the food options your family brings at this time. So to keep your daughter safe until you’re SURE they truly understand, you’ll probably need to bring your own gluten safe foods. Find out what type of meal will be served, and bring some gluten-free versions to add.. Your family might even try them and see that they taste just as good! Also make sure to bring some safe snacky foods for the waiting times, and if unsafe ones are within reach of your daughter, ask the host if they can move them to a higher place. Do whatever you have to do to keep her safe, even if that means posting a sign by the snacks (“Please ask parents: some kids are allergic”), or not letting her out of your sight. If your daughter is old enough to communicate, you can start teaching her which foods to avoid and why. She probably doesn’t like to feel sick, and I’ll bet she can practice asking you first before eating something, so that it won’t “hurt her body.” These are skills she’ll need when she faces birthday parties and Sunday School snacktime anyway! Finally, while you can ask, it’s unrealistic to expect extended family to change their diet (or favorite recipes) to fit your daughter’s needs, but they should be willing to at least not purposefully give her food that you’ve forbidden. If they refuse to comply with your rules, you’ll have to take a hard stance and not attend events where food is served, arrive after mealtime, or host things yourself. It may ruffle feathers, but your daughter’s health and safety is first and foremost. Perhaps drawing a hard line is what will be needed to show how serious you are. Good luck! -- Red
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C A L E N DA R
CREATIVE CORNER
Sunday School Crafts from God’s Kids
FUNNY STUFF
God’s Kids created a life-sized Goliath inspired by their Sunday School lesson! Do you have a drawing, painting, comic strip, or photo of a craft project you’ve made that can be featured in the Art Corner, or a joke you’d like to share? Send it to tapestry@fbcredlands.org.
Adopt A Family
‘Tis the season for sharing and giving! First Baptist is sponsoring a family from Family Service, with the Adopt a Family program. Our family consists of two adults, and two young children. Local Outreach will have a sign up for your gift, on the patio, following the Sunday worship service. Deadline for the gifts is Dec.10. Thank you!
Holiday Happenings Pointsettia Dedications
Every year, we adorn our sanctuary with colorful pointsettias, dedicated to our loved ones. If you would like to reserve a pointsettia, look for the sign up sheet on the patio following Sunday’s worship. The cost is $7 per pointsettia.
Hanging of the Greens
Don’t miss our annual Hanging of the Greens event, where the whole family can help decorate our sanctuary for Christmas! Thursday, December 7th at 7 p.m., immediately following Thursday Night Dinner.
Christmas Eve Service
Join us for Christmas Eve in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. on December 24th.
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Happy December Birthday To...
DECEMBER
Marge Emrick - 2 Johndalene Mitchell - 3 Janet Johnson - 5 Alexander Brown - 7 Melinda Kluza - 7 Alex Lowe - 9 Emma DeDoes - 10 Matt DeDoes - 11 Tracy Agboke - 12 Fred Bandel - 15 Charlie Zureick - 16 Allison Kishimoto - 17 Lyla Schultz - 17 Kate Applebee - 18 Luthor Parks - 18 Jose Mendoza - 21 Darla Dillow - 22 Scott Nelson - 22 Katie Zabaleta - 22 Colin Melcher - 23 Ross Melcher - 23 John Biswas - 25 Nicholas Daniel - 26 Melody Wolfe - 26 Chris Keierleber - 27 Erin Estey - 28 Janet Lee - 28 Brendan Morgan - 29 William Sullivan - 31 Carol Townsend - 31 Ellen Tseng - 31 Maja Whitley - 31
Pray for Good Health
Sunday
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Pray for Youth
Monday
Pray for Guidance
18 Pray for Compassion 19 Pray for the Injured
6:30 p.m. Diaconate, Lounge 7 p.m. Christian Ed, Mezzanine Fin. & Prop., Judson Hall Local Outreach, Library Worship, Boardroom
Pray for Hope
25 Pray for Joy
8:30 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday Classes Plymouth Village 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting Merry Christmas! 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
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Pray for A Loving Heart
8:30 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting, 9 a.m. Sunday Classes Plymouth Village Board Room 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting
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Pray for the Homebound
7 p.m. Prayer Meeting, Board Room
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Tuesday
11 Pray for Puerto Rico 12 Pray for Courage
8:30 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 9 a.m. Sunday Classes Plymouth Village 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting
10 Pray for the Weary
8:30 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9 a.m. Sunday Classes at Plymouth Village 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting
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Pray for Our Commissions
Pray for Patience
Pray for Pastors
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Pray for Mustapha in Tunisia
10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery
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Friday
10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Dinner, Fellowship Hall 7 p.m. Hanging of the Greens
10 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
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Thursday
5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6:45 p.m. Classes 7:45 p.m. Choir Practice
10 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
Pray for Comfort
28 Pray for Redlands
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5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6:45 p.m. Classes 7:45 p.m. Choir Practice
Pray for the Children 10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery
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10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery
Pray for Family Service
10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery
21 Pray for Peace in Iraq 22 10 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
Pray for Humility
5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6:45 p.m. Classes 7:45 p.m. Choir Practice
10 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
1 p.m. Miriam Circle 6 p.m. Men’s Fellowship
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7 p.m. Decorating Committee, Lounge
13 Pray for Missionaries 14 Pray for the Grieving 15 Pray for Generosity
7 p.m. Decorating Committee, Lounge
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Wednesday Pray for Peace
Pray for America
Pray for Local Outreach
Sunday
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9 a.m. Sunday Classes 10:15 a.m. Worship Service
30 Pray for Our Staff
7:30 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
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7:30 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
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7:30 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Women’s Bible Study, David’s Corner
9 Pray for the Homeless
7:30 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
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Saturday
DE C E M BE R 2 0 1 7
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The First Baptist Church of Redlands 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands CA 92373-5243 909-793-3289 | www. fbcredlands.org
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit No. 2111
Consider Holiday Gifts that Help Fresh out of ideas for people on your gift list? Can’t face the crowds at the Mall? We have the answer for YOU!. Check out the selection of charity brochures on the patio table and in the office. Fun and thoughtful gifts ranging from a Bible for $10, to farm animals, fruit trees, medicines, bicycles, etc; all the way up to over $100. Your gift can multiply over the years as with animals, poultry and small business loans. Please consider a humanitarian gift for folks on your list. Thank you.
Save The Date: Deena’s Retirement Luncheon has been rescheduled to Jan. 14th, 2018!