Issuu

The First Baptist Church of Redlands

T A PE S T R Y

Aug 2020

Wo v e n To g e t h e r I n L o v e : C o l o s s i a n s 2 : 2

Connect, Grow, SERVE

A Message from Pastor Shawn

Issue No. 8

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19-21

A couple weeks ago we talked about the church at Antioch as a part of our summer sermon series in the book of Acts. The church at Antioch becomes a model of “how to do church” in a multicultural, pluralistic society, like much of the Mediterranean world at the time. This church came out of people being displaced because of persecution. They adapted to all sorts of changes and differences and yet stayed true to the Good News of the Kingdom of God. As a result, the number and kinds of people who came to follow Jesus was beyond anyone’s imagination—except, maybe, God’s. Starting in March we have found it necessary to adapt to circumstances for which no one imagined or planned. We can look back now at the various experiences and resources that we already had that enabled us to quickly make changes. In many ways we have barely skipped a beat in certain aspects of our ministry. Our guiding motto as a church is “Connect, Grow, Serve” and we can see

how immediately people stepped up to make sure that we were connecting, beginning with the most isolated among us, with phone calls. This has continued as we have increased electronic communications. We have learned quickly from our teachers and professors and young people how to use YouTube and Zoom so that we can continue to worship, study, fellowship and do business together. I have heard some people say that they have gotten better acquainted with people that they have known for years because of regular “Zoom” Bible studies. We have been able to reconnect with members who have moved away but are now continuing to be a part of our church family through our worship services online as well as through our Bible studies or other “gatherings” through Zoom. Our youth group and children continue to meet regularly online and participation is better than ever. We have started a young adult group and we are working to develop a Bible study for college-age people. In short, it seems that we are doing pretty well, under the circumstances, with Connecting and Growing. And, just as when we met in person, connecting and growing happens when people take the initiative to participate. Each day we work to get people connected using whatever technology is available to us. And in many cases, connecting happens because somebody decides to pick up the phone and call someone else. This past month we took a big step and had our first congregational quarterly business meeting on Zoom. It was masterfully led by our moderator, Jonathan, and technically supported by our Youth Minister, Nathan. It was long and challenging. But we discovered that it is do-able. We have learned lessons that we could have only learned by trying. The main result of the meeting was that we set into motion an exciting way that we can SERVE. Up to this point during this season of COVID-19, our efforts have been to help our church family thrive during these difficult times. And service is a significant part of this. Now, we as a congregation can begin to turn outward and look to innovative ways to be of service to the wider community around us. We begin with the “Gregory Legacy Grants” to various groups in our local community, our region and beyond. As we explore the best ways to use these grants to make a lasting difference, I believe that our service will go beyond just providing financial resources. I believe that we will find ourselves connecting in more ways to the work that is going on in our community and world. And we will grow as a result. Our financial gifts will be only

the beginning of our involvement and partnerships with others in order to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with those beyond our virtual walls. As we begin thinking in terms of these grants, I think that we will begin to think more generally of how we as a congregation can be involved in service in new ways we have never dreamed of before. I suspect that individuals and families will be inspired and motivated to find ways to make a difference in a world that is struggling and broken. May we continue to adapt to our changing circumstances so that we can continue to Connect, Grow, and Serve. And may we emerge with new resources to share the Good News of Jesus’ Kingdom to a hurting world.

In Christ, Pastor Shawn

COVER

MISSION 8 Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Hong Kong, ABC-International Missions, Iran

1 A Message from Pastor Shawn : “Connect, Grow, Serve”

3 Staff and Contents

MINISTRY

F E L LOWS H I P 9 Small Groups at First Baptist

4 Pastor Nick : “Unity in Christ” 5 Richard W. Steffen: “Waiting” 6 Prayer to God

NEWS 10 Church News

7 Children’s Ministry: “Genuine Unity”

11 August Calendar

S TA F F Rev. Dr. Shawn Zambrows Senior Pastor shawn@fbcredlands.org

Nathan Jones Youth Director youth@fbcredlands.org

Nicholas Quient Associate Pastor nicholas@fbcredlands.org

Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org

Rev. Cheryl Sneller Director of Children’s Ministry cheryl@fbcredlands.org

Isa Terrell Communications Specialist isa@fbcredlands.org

Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music rwsteffen@gmail.com

Richard Colunga Buildings/Grounds

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 15th 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.

Contact us: admin@fbcredlands.org 909-793-3289 www.fbcredlands.org Due to the Coronavirus shutdown, our office remains closed until further notice. However, we are receiving mail and phone messages. Staff can be reached by email (see above).

MI N I S T RY

Unity in Christ Pastor Nick Quient

Ephesians 4: 11-13 (NIV) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 11

I really didn’t like this one kid—let’s call him Eric. When we would play semi-league roller hockey, he would go out of his way to shove me around and hack at my hands. He also had a pretty naughty mouth and was never hesitant to call me things that I’m pretty sure weren’t very nice. Of course, he had a mouth guard in so I’m not sure I understood him entirely, but you get the point. Then our little league shifted and Eric was on my team. For our first practice and warm-up, he avoided me like the plague. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye. For my part, I really didn’t like him but I didn’t wish anything bad upon him. Then I finished my warm up and skated over to him and tried talking to him. Nothing but a cold shoulder and some muffled naughty words. The coach noticed how Eric was looked at by our team, but did little to integrate us. I think he just didn’t care much. Then the game started and I realized very quickly that we weren’t going to win this unless we worked together (we also weren’t going to win because we weren’t very good!), and so I just started passing it to Eric. He never scored a goal but he did hit a post or two as the game ended and we skated around. Eric never thanked me or said anything to me, but he did skate off the rink to his mom with a smile on his face and they drove away. He was giggling and talking to her and they went off for ice cream, or whatever they did to celebrate.

Oddly enough, the team didn’t seem all that mad at Eric. In fact, some of them waved at him as they drove off. Eric, being Eric, gave a nod but didn’t want anything to do with us. We didn’t see Eric much after that—I suspect it was due to finances. But I sometimes think back to that and wonder about how it all played out. I imagine that, in some limited sense, is what unity looks like for the church. Sometimes it means getting along with folks that just rub us the wrong way. Other times we will never know the impact of our deeds—however small or seemingly insignificant. Part of being the church is seeking to be unified in what truly matters: we are all on the same team. We are blessed in our unity and diversity. Part of being united in the church is being willing to defer to others, to listen to others, and to esteem others above yourself. Sometimes that means passing the puck to them.

Waiting

by Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music

I don’t enjoy waiting. Whether it’s waiting in line recently at the DMV or waiting for a COVID-19 news update or waiting for it to cool down enough outside that we can comfortably take a walk or waiting to not be the only person singing in our Field Hall on Thursdays, I don’t wait well. Greg Laurie, author and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship talks about waiting: “Waiting time is never wasted time. We need a plan, and then we need to pray that God will help us with that plan. There is a time to pray, and there is a time to move.” (Laurie, G. 2020, July 5. America, This Is Your Wake-up Call.) Waiting. It can make us anxious or bored. But some who have gone before us in the faith have waited in fear; but then their fear became comfort and joy. “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:19-22 NIV). And then in our Bible study on Acts, we read that Jesus told the Apostles to wait: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5 NIV). Their waiting became their empowerment. On GodzDogz, the blog of the Dominican student brothers at Blackfriars, Oxford, we read about this empowerment. “The disciples are charged with the task of spreading the Gospel of Christ, to Jew and Gentile alike. Their place is not behind the locked and bolted doors of a house in Jerusalem, but in the world and among its peoples. Having given them His peace, and His purpose, He now gives them the power which they will need to carry out His divine will.” (Hunt, G. 2013, April 29. Resurrection Appearances - The Disciples in the Upper Room.)

Waiting. During these days of waiting, I have been remembering the inspiring spiritual songs that we sang together in the sanctuary before March 22. I rejoice that we are singing spiritual songs weekly together through our YouTube digital worship service. One of those moving songs is: “Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me).” The inspirational words of this song were written by J. Wilbur Chapman in 1910. A fellow Hoosier, he developed the summer conferences as director of the Winona Lake Bible Conference in Indiana, a conference I attended a few years later. I grew up singing those words as a hymn with music by Charles H. Marsh (1885-1956). Marsh had a connection with Redlands! He was a professor of music at the University of Redlands from 1919-1926. And he had a connection with First Baptist Church: the University’s Women’s Glee Club performed their “Home Concert” in our sanctuary on May 19, 1920, with Prof. Marsh conducting. (Redlands Daily Facts. 2020, May 15. 100 years ago in Redlands: University of Redlands Girls’ Glee Club gives home concert.) The music that we sing to the words of Chapman was released by the contemporary Christian band Casting Crowns. Nearly 100 years after the words were penned, this musical setting first appeared in their 2009 album Until the Whole World Hears. These words inspire us, whichever music is used; inspire us as resurrection people! “One day when heaven was filled with His praises, one day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin — dwelt among men, my example is He! (Chorus) Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; buried, He carried my sins far away; rising, He justified freely forever: one day He’s coming—O glorious day! One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain, one day they nailed Him to die on the tree; suffering anguish, despised and rejected; bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He. (Chorus). One day the grave could conceal Him no longer, one day the stone rolled away from the door; then He arose, over death He had conquered; now is ascended, my Lord evermore. (Chorus). One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glory will shine; wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! (Chorus)” J. Wilbur Chapman (1910)

by Pastor Nick Quient

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8 (NRSV

From the Book of Common Prayer: O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

C hildren’s ministry

Genuine Unity Although we strive to “stay safe” and make safe choices for ourselves and others to avoid the Covid 19 virus, so many are unifying and mobilizing for ministry. We are still called to be the “hands and feet of Christ” and we are part of the process of uniting with God to “usher in the Kingdom”. Perhaps this time of not being socially active in person is a call and challenge by God to reset our priorities and focus. We can dream and plan for new church ministry avenues. We can wrestle together on-line how to be more nurturing in the care of our Church family and visibly available to serve in our community and God’s world. Here are some examples: Recently the Christian Education Commission met on Zoom and we started to dream. What if we started small virtual prayer and support groups for our public school teachers in the Fall? What if we expanded the number of safe conversational places for small fellowship and prayer groups. What if we added just plain fun groups? The dreams can go on and on. When it is safe for all of us to meet physically together again, what if we added the virtual ministries to our outreach options? Many have enjoyed the more intimate opportunity over Zoom to connect with others. It is pure joy to engage in “movement BINGO” with God’s Kids and Snowman (a more politically correct hangman game) with the Junior Disciples. We are sharing our lives and our prayers with each other in a more genuine way.

I have had the privilege to be involved in these Zoom gatherings during this pandemic time: • An American Baptist Home Ministries Zoom conference entitled “Space For Grace”. Encouragement for the wounded healers who continue to practice ministry amid the pandemic and “Black Lives Matter” movement. • National African American Mission Conference: “Missions Reimagined”. The aim is to see African Americans and multi-ethnic churches mobilized for global missions. • Instead of meeting at Green Lake, Wisconsin this year, The American Baptist International Ministries Conference was live-streamed. They highlighted global workers in their own settings for 30-minute updates. On the IM website they will continue to be available for viewing after August 1. • One of the curriculums we use at church, Group Publishing, hosted a national Children Ministers gathering to encourage and share ideas with each other. • Other Zoom Meetings: Regional church gatherings, FBCRedlands’ worship service, Commission Meetings, Sunday School, Book Study, Junior Disciple and God’s Kids. Rev. Chris Roush, from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, is reigniting the “Growing Young” project aligned with the Fuller Institute. Last winter an FBC group was planning to join the discussion of where the church was headed in the 21st century at Camp Arrah Wanna in Oregon and then go to a national mission site in Kodiak, Alaska. The pandemic has altered our physical lives and it often affects our social and mental lives. Yet we continue to share and pray for each other in perhaps a more intentional and genuine way.

Blessings on the Hope Filled Journey, Pastor Cheryl

missions

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

hong kong LA Times and personal communications Please be praying for Hong Kong as there is a lot happening there right now. You may remember Angela, who was a University of Redlands student who was part of our congregation but is now home in Hong Kong. She shared that they are experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 and having to stay home again. Additionally, the LA Times has been reporting on the increasing restrictions being placed on the people of Hong Kong by China. The Times reported in July that some protesters decided to stand in the mall and hand out blank pieces of paper--and were soon arrested by the police dressed in riot gear who claimed they were in breach of the law. Pray for the people of Hong Kong to have courage and for them to feel God’s presence in the midst of these difficult times.

abc-international missions internationalministries.org In July, the World Missions Conference was held online. Pray for all those who took part to feel the stirring of the Spirit and respond to the call of the Spirit on their life. Pray that each of our Global Servants feels encouraged and empowered as they reflect on the online conference. Pray for the work of American Baptists around the world as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Iran www.persecution.com and Anglican.ink International Christian Concern asks for prayers for Ismaeil Maghrebinejad as his appeals wind through the Iranian Courts. Ismaeil is a 65 years old member of the Anglican church who converted to Christianity about 40 years ago. He was first arrested in January 2019 and later released on bail. In January 2020, he was sentenced to three years in prison, but in July that sentence was overturned. In that case, he was accused of “insulting Islamic sacred beliefs” because on social media he had responded to a joke about Iranian clerics with a smiley emoji. He still faces two other sentences of a year or more in prison for “propaganda against the state” and membership in a “Zionist Evangelica Christian group hostile to the regime.” Pray that his appeals will be quickly resolved and he will be cleared of all charges.

- Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.

fellowship

SMALL GROUPS AT FIRST BAPTIST Greetings, First Baptist! While we have not been able to meet in person, this does not mean that we don’t have opportunities to spend time together! Many of us have started prayer groups, Bible studies, and book clubs—among many other things! Below is a more detailed list. You are more than welcome to invite a friend or two to join you in the group! We are discovering, in this time, that the impact of our church extends far beyond Redlands!

wednesdays -Wednesday Night Book Study starts @7:00pm, and the book is “Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul.” This is a timely and interactive discussion-based time together and there is no such thing as being too late to this party! Sunny Hyon (gladthoughts@gmail.com) is the primary curator. Feel free to contact her for more information. thursdays --

MONDAYS -Acts: Going Deeper starts @7:00pm on Zoom. In this study, Pastor Shawn takes you deeper into the narrative found in the Book of Acts, far beyond what we do on Sundays. Feel free to contact Pastor Shawn (shawn@fbcredlands.org) for the Zoom information. Young Adult Fellowship starts @7:30pm. The young adults at FBCR (and beyond) eat together and enjoy games and movies/tv shows. Pastor Nick and Garrett Zambrows are the curators of this group and if you are interested, just contact either one of them (nicholas@fbcredlands.org; gzambrows@gmail.com). The Zoom login info is 892 738 4265 and the password is 1526.

God’s Kids (4 years old through 2nd grade) takes place every other Thursday night @6:30pm. Pastor Cheryl guides the kiddos through crafts and games during this time, and it is a real treat! Contact Pastor Cheryl (cslearner@gmail.com) for more information. The Corner Booth is a men’s fellowship group that starts @6:30pm on Zoom. The conversation centers on the sermon from the previous week. You can contact Donnie Allen (email4dea@gmail. com) for more information. Youth Group (6th-12th grades) starts @7:00pm, and is curated by Nathan Jones. You can contact him for more information (cymroboriqueno@ gmail.com). Topics range but the conversation and teaching are always formative and inclusive.

TUESDAYS -Bible Study for College Students starts @8:00pm and is designed for people who’ve recently finished high school. This group is studying the Gospel of Mark and is curated by Rod Zambrows (zambrows@gmail.com) and Alli Kishimoto. Feel free to contact Rod for more information.

friday -Jesus According to Scripture begins @6:30pm, and is curated by Pastor Nick. Each week looks at a specific description of Jesus in the New Testament. Come as you are! The Zoom login info is 892 738 4265 and the password is 1526.

(Cont’d on 10) 9

News

sundays --

HAPPY August BIRTHDAYS TO...

Womenâ€™s Study begins @9:00am, and is curated by Holly Allen on Zoom. They focus on the study of Scripture each week. Feel free to contact her (hollylovesdjv@gmail.com) for more information!

Martha Mendoza

Noelle Tapia

Daniel Brown

Dorothy Sease

Ethan Miller

Anna Tapia

Danielle Parks

Doris Young

Dale Barwick

Terri Friend

Anne Sandel

Herb Dominguez

Lauren Zabaleta

Ralph Haag

Hien Huynh

Muriel Wagner

Beth Goodwin

Susan Rogers

Teresa Stein

Amy DeDoes

Middle School & High School Sundays begin @9:30am on Zoom. They are currently going through the lectionary text of Romans. Contact Nathan Jones (cymroboriqueno@gmail.com) for more information including the login material. Zoom Church Gatherings begin @10:15am. Join Pastor Nick, Allison, and Nolan (if he is awake) on Zoom for the entire worship service. The Zoom login info is 892 738 4265 and the password is 1526. Zoom Church Fellowship begins @11:30am, following the service. We will meet for 30 or so minutes to spend some time laughing and reflecting together as the church. The Zoom login info is 892 738 4265 and the password is 1526. Junior Disciples (3rd-5th grades) meet @4:00pm on Sunday evenings. Curated by Pastor Cheryl, this time together focuses on bible crafts, dances, pictures, and really creative activities for our JDs! Contact Pastor Cheryl (cslearner@gmail.com) for more information!

Cindy DeRoulhac

Andrew Winter

Michael Warren

Caroline Ray

Lauryn DeDoes

Dennis Chenevert

Submissions for the Tapestry should be sent to tapestry@fbcredlands.org by the 15th of each month.

Pray for Peace of Mind

Pray for Inspiration

Pray for the Weak

those Struggling

7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship

7 p.m. Wednesday Night Book Study

7 p.m. Executive Council online 8 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper

9 a.m. Sunday School classes online (check with leader) 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 4 p.m. Junior Disciples

7 p.m. Wednesday Night Book Study

19 Pray for

7 p.m. Wednesday Night Book Study

12 Pray for Store Employees

26 Pray for Humbleness

8 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

Pray for Kindness

7 p.m. Wednesday Night Book Study

Wednesday

24 Pray for Missionaries 25 Pray for feelings of 31 Pray for Single Parents Unforgiveness

7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship

7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper

7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship

18 Pray for the Weary

Pray for the Ill

17 Pray for Hong Kong

11 8 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

Pray for Youth

Pray for Postal Workers

8 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

Tuesday

7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper

7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship

7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper

Monday

23 Pray for Wisdom 30 Pray for Growth

9 a.m. Sunday School classes online (check with leader) 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 4 p.m. Junior Disciples

16 Give Thanks for Connections

9 a.m. Sunday School classes online (check with leader) 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 4 p.m. Junior Disciples

Sunday

Due to current need to “Shelter at Home,” all in-person meetings are either canceled or moved online.

Pray for Faith

Pray for Teachers

7 p.m. Youth Group online

7 p.m. “Corner Booth” Class online (check with leader)

6:30 p.m. God’s Kids

27 Pray for Educators

7 p.m. Youth Group online

7 p.m. “Corner Booth” Class online (check with leader)

6:30 p.m. God’s Kids

20 Pray for Church Leaders

7 p.m. Youth Group online

7 p.m. “Corner Booth” Class online (check with leader)

6:30 p.m. God’s Kids

7 p.m. Youth Group online

7 p.m. “Corner Booth” Class online (check with leader)

6:30 p.m. God’s Kids

Thursday

Pray for Change

6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture

28 Pray for ABCInternational Missions

6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture

14 Pray for Accountability

6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture

7 Pray for Students

Friday Pray for Iran