The First Baptist Church of Redlands
T A PE S T R Y
Oct 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
WITNESSES
A Message from Pastor Shawn
(Acts 1:8 CEB) “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Issue No. 10
This summer we moved through the book of Acts watching the witnesses to the Kingdom of God as they moved from their small world to the ends of the earth. As we look at the modern missions movement, over the last 250 years, we see a time when people in the west believed that there was no need to go share the gospel. If God wanted “them” to know about Jesus, God would let “them” know. And then there were folks like William Carey and Ann and Adoniram Judson who heard the call of God to go to what was truly the ends of the earth for them to witness to the Kingdom of God. Over the generations, since then we have seen thousands of people from all over the world go to other places around the world to share the Good News of Jesus. We have also seen an evolution of approach and partnership. We have grown in our understanding of “Good News” to include education, healthcare, leadership development, the fight end human trafficking, economic development and justice, earth-care, ministry to survivors of trauma and violence, support and advocacy for immigrants and so much more. Each October we have a “global focus” as we check in with what God is doing around the world. It is at this time that we receive the “World Mission Offering” which supports the work of our missionaries, global servants, and international partnerships. This October we are aware that the Coronavirus pandemic that has impacted every day of our lives for the past 6 months is, indeed, global. Some of our global servants, like Melanie Baggao and Glen and Rita Chapman, continue serving in their national setting. Others, like Sarah Nash and Lauran Bethell, have been forced to work from “home” in the U.S. using technology to connect with their partners in other parts of the world. No matter where they are, the work continues. And just as we are learning new ways to be involved in effective ministry that will go beyond this season, I suspect we are seeing another evolution taking place in how we witness to the Kingdom of God around the world. As we, once again, look beyond our borders, and our daily lives, to see what God is doing in other places around the world, may we be inspired and amazed at God’s power and creativity. May we feel a greater sense of family as we see people who are filled with the same Holy Spirit as we are. And may we grow in our own witness to the Kingdom of God where we live, seeing our neighborhood and community with fresh eyes. Grace and peace in Jesus, Pastor Shawn
COVER
MISSION 7 Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Turkey, Hungary, Mozambique
1 A Message from Pastor Shawn: “Witnesses” 2 Staff and Contents
F E L LOWS H I P 8 Gregg Sneller: “Global Servants Our Church Family is Supporting Update”
MINISTRY 3 Pastor Nick : “A Time for Rest”
NEWS
4 Richard W. Steffen: “What Are We Singing?” 5 Prayer: “Holy Spirit”
10 Church News
6 Children’s Ministry: “Having the Faith of Children”
11 Ocotober 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.
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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 NI S T RY
A TIME FOR REST Pastor Nick Quient
2 Cor 3:17-19 (CEB) The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. 18 All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 17
~ Moving with the Spirit can be a tough thing. It was hard enough six months ago with an election coming up and general social unrest. Now, moving with the Spirit feels like telling the mountains to jump and waiting for it to happen. As we reflect on this passage for today as we move toward Advent, I want us to remember that our transformation as a church comes not from our own efforts or devices or desires. It comes from the Spirit. Many of us—myself included—are waiting to see what the new normal is. In our podcast conversation (episode 22) with Dr. Jeff Woods (Interim General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA), Pastor Shawn and I talked with Jeff about “normal.” What will be “normal” in a few months or years? We don’t know, but we finally are beginning to grapple with the idea of being unsettled. The church of Jesus Christ is unsettled by all of this—and that is in some sense a good thing. Where the Spirit is, there is freedom. We, as the church, the body of Christ, are being given a new way of conceptualizing our mission in the world. There is now a sense of looseness to explore new ways of being and doing church in our times. Part of the transformative process of being a Christ-follower is allowing ourselves to move “from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory,” from joy to joy, from warmth to warmth. All of this—our missional imperative and our transformation—finds its source in the Spirit who gives us life and vitality. So, therefore, may we be overcome by the freedom found in the Holy Spirit as we move together into the new reality of “being church.” Pastor Nick
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What Are We Singing? by Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music The title of my October 2017 Tapestry article was: “What Are We Singing?” I was beginning my 33rd year as the Minister of Music here, and it was enlightening to me to see what songs we had sung during the past year. Those 108 titles were “psalms, hymn, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19 CEV). They included “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (words by Charles Wesley in 1739; music from Lyra Davidica in 1708) and “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, written by Matt Redman in 2011. Sharing music in our worship services in 2017 was a community endeavor. Suggestions for songs came from our church musicians; we chose our songs in Staff meetings because they supported the theme of the service; we practiced them in rehearsals during the week and on Sundays; and we shared them – inspired by God’s Spirit – with you in worship. How things have changed these last 6 months! Below are the titles of the music shared in our YouTube FBC services from March 22 through “Kick-Off Sunday” on September 13: 50 songs over these 26 weeks. The suggestions for the songs we have included come from our musicians and from those who watch the services. We talk about them in Staff meetings. We practice them, but not
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Amazing Grace, arr. by Twila Paris Answer, The (Let Streams of Living Justice) Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest), by K. Jobe Be Thou My Vision Bring Us Hope, by Ruth Elaine Schram Change My Heart O God Christ Arose Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Colossians 3, by J. Peske Come Christians Join to Sing Come Thou Fount Count Your Blessings Crown Him with Many Crowns Drum Circle For the Beauty of the Earth God Is Here Great Is Thy Faithfulness Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Men’s Ensemble) Grow Something New
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at in-person rehearsals. And we share them with our faith community stretching around the world on Sundays using YouTube. A joy of “doing church” this way is that you can listen again and again to a particular song that has blessed you. Musicians in a family have shared some of our songs where they have recorded the vocal parts and the accompaniment. Other songs start with a piano base line recording by me which is made available to other musicians through Google Drive or YouTube. On those songs the musicians use a digital device to play the piano part, have the music in their hands, have headphones on, and have another digital device ready to record their music. Those recordings are made and submitted to our Tech Team who works their magic: taking individual musical digital lines and creating the inspirational offerings that we hear on Sundays! If you have participated, thank you so much. If this sounds as if it might be an endeavor that you would wish to try, we have very experienced, knowledgeable, clear, and patient leaders ready to show you how. Please let me know if you would be interested. To God be the glory for the things He has done.
Lord I Need You Grow Something New (Reprise) Mighty to Save He Comes My Redeemer Lives, by D. Zschech Here I Am Lord Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Here I Am to Worship One Bread, One Body Hold Us in Your Grace Psalm 23, by Lillian Peske using Wevideo Holy, Holy, Holy Revelation Song Holy Spirit Living Breath of God We Live, by Superchick Hosanna, by Brooke Ligertwood How Deep the Father's Love for Us How Great Thou Art I Then Shall Live If My People Will Pray, arr. by Christopher In Christ Alone Jesucrista Basta Jesus Is Lord Jesus Loves Me Just a Closer Walk with Thee (organ/piano) Kingdom of God Is Justice and Joy, The Life Is Full of Surprises, by J. Peske Lifesong Lift Every Voice and Sing
by Pastor Nick Quient
Holy Spirit Your gifts and callings are unique and varied You call us as One Body to live as one You empower this body to righteousness and justice and mercy You have called us to freedom and to live without fear Kindle within us a fire for your loving kindness May we be overcome by your gentleness May we be spellbound by your grace Holy Spirit, living breath of God, make us one Devote us to serving you in the world Give us vision and energy and endurance for the calling you have before us May we bring delight and joy to your eyes And may we one day move with you into your eternal kingdom And may that heavenly kingdom be made present here on earth Through our hearts and our hands May we pierce the darkness with your light Amen.
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C hildren’s ministry
Having The Faith of Children Having the faith of a child is hard work for an adult. “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” 2nd Corinthians 5:7 The El Dorado fire started Saturday, Sept. 5th with a pillar of dirty smoke pumping itself skyward. Over the hours and days it grew and some of our FBCRedlands Yucaipa people were evacuated. The next day the Junior Disciples’ Summer Zoom Gathering PRAYED for God to show the fire fighters the best ways to handle the fire; for everyone affected to remain alive and for higher humidity and little wind. Fortunately for Yucaipa and resulting from the heroic work of our fire fighters the fire pushed east and north and they were allowed to return to their homes. The following Tuesday, Gregg and I pedaled our bikes from Calimesa on a mission: deliver Yucaipa’s children’s Sunday School packets, kicking off our new Zoom Bible classes. We coasted down the small slope of our drive-way and on to the street. The morning was cool and there was no wind. Half-way down the street I was collecting water droplets on my sunglasses. The mist had rolled in. We traveled alongside the Yucaipa Regional Park and one could smell the brittlely dry hillsides damp with mist. At the next stop I commented to the Junior Disciple and family that God had heard our prayers for help. I admit as an adult I tremble when I pray for something with the children. I so want them to witness the love and greatness of God. Adults tend to worry and are painfully aware of all the intricacies of living. We know God can do it but will God do it? I am so grateful to God for answering the Junior Disciples’ prayer so visibly that day. I called my Mom later that day and asked if there was a marine layer at the beach that perhaps had moved up to the Inland Empire. She replied, “no, it is perfectly sunny down here”.
Blessing On Your Journey of Faith, Pastor Cheryl
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Sunday School Packet delivery
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
This month we offer prayers of praise for the way the Holy Spirit has been at work around the world:
Turkey www.persecution.org Voice of the Martyrs shared about a Syrian church leader in Turkey who has been serving by transporting sick people to the hospital during the pandemic. One of the men he transported was the father of a church member but a devout Muslim. When he reflected on all the ways that Christians had cared for him while he was sick, he decided to follow Jesus. Praise God for the way that acts of service and love truly can transform hearts.
Hungary www.internationalministries.org Praise God for the growth of the English Bible Study that is being led by global servants Amanda and Jon Good in Debrecen, Hungary. There are many people from other countries in their city. Jon and Amanda have been blessed as they have led both Christians and non-Christians in studying the Bible.
Mozambique www.persecution.org Praise God for the release of two catholic nuns who had been kidnapped and held for three weeks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISCAP). The group has been fighting as violent insurgents against the government of Mozambique for three years. The nuns were part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery and received medical and care support after their ordeal.
- Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
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f ell o wship
Global Servants Our Church Family is Supporting Update I Part 1 by Gregg Sneller
The American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, now known as International Ministries has been around since 1814. We as a church are privileged to partner with the work of International Ministries as they touch lives around the world. At our September Missions Commission meeting we made a decision to distribute funds to 13 individual Global Servants or couple teams in the amount $11,700 over the next year. Who are these people we will support as a church family? The first five are: Melanie Baggao: In partnership with the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary of the Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development, Melanie, as a student in the Seminary’s Master in Religion program, is focusing on learning the Arabic language and culture, building relationships and preparing for future ministry in Arabic-speaking cultures. Melanie, a former middle school teacher, is also volunteering as a teacher at the Seminary, assisting some students in their English studies. She is currently ministering alongside other global servants as well as Lebanese Christians to assist those who have been impacted by the recent explosion that has devastated so many people in Beirut. Mylinda Baits Mylinda is a pastoral artist and trainer. Serving as a global consultant for Training Through Restorative Arts, she partners with IM colleagues, national church leadership and social change organizations to seek justice, healing and transformation through restorative art and creative expression. Compelled by Jesus’ prayer that the kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, Mylinda creates spaces where servant leaders and those who do the hard work of rescue, relief and restoration can be nurtured and renewed. As sinner and saint, she sees beauty in broken places, wonder in wounded people and life in loving God and others. Lauran Bethell Global Consultant Lauran is a global consultant for human trafficking. Her main goal is to encourage new grassroots projects addressing the exploitation and abuse of women and children, many of whom are victims of trafficking. Lauran consults extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas to teach, train and consult. In 2004, Lauran directed the first International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP) Global Conference, bringing together the leaders of faith-based organizations from all over the world who are dedicated to meeting victims of prostitution and human trafficking with healing in Jesus’ name. Global and regional ICAP conferences continue to meet regularly, offering networking for transformation and hope. Lauran serves on the AntiTrafficking Committee of the European Baptist Federation and on the boards of Make Way Partners and Justice and Care. She has collaborated with governmental agencies, non-government organizations and a spectrum of faith-based groups. She has testified
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before the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate committees as they drafted and revised U.S. antitrafficking legislation. In 2005, Lauran was honored with the Human Rights Award of the Baptist World Alliance, and in 2009 she was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Palmer Seminary for her “longstanding and focused ministry of justice and compassion.” grassroots projects addressing the exploitation and abuse of women and children, many of whom are victims of trafficking. Moise Joseph and Rev. Deliris Carrión-Joseph are starting a new ministry among Haitian, Central American, and African migrants that have made their new home in Tijuana, Mexico. Moise is a business entrepreneur, and Deliris is a pastor and occupational therapist. They have been invited by “Vision de Migrante,” an organization formed by Haitians and Baptist Churches of the Regional Baja Convention interested in helping migrants. Moise and Deliris strongly believe that God uses us all wherever we live, and new opportunities are open for those who trust in the Lord. They will be using their skills and three different languages to help migrants and migrant communities to achieve their new beginnings. a new ministry among Haitian, Central American, and African migrants that have made their new home in Tijuana, Mexico.
FBC ZOOM BUSINESS MEETING Sunday, October 18 at 2:00PM Internet: To join by Computer or similar device (the ID and password). Phone: To join by landline, dial +1 669 900 9128. Then enter 984 2224 3961 followed by pound (#). Then enter the password cajonolive # ( 225 666 5483 #).
Glen & Rita Chapman Glen and Rita have been instrumental in transforming the Kikongo pastoral training school into the Baptist University of Congo (UNIBAC). Glen is vice-rector of UNIBAC, where he teaches Old Testament, Hebrew and Baptist history. Rita runs the library, teaches English and works with the wives of theology students. Rita and Glen both are very much immersed in the life of the community and the church through village ministry, transportation and environmental ministries such as beekeeping, raising rabbits for agricultural training and planting trees for reforestation, lumber, firewood, charcoal and fruit. Next month we will introduce you to more Global Servants with whom we partner. It’s a gift to be able to support and care for many people who are tangibly touching lives around the world with the love and care of Christ.
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News HAPPY October BIRTHDAYS TO... 1 Camaryn Crisantes
11 Jaxson Aguirre
1 Walker Price IV
12 Bethany Kronberg
2 Juliet Aguirre
12 Paige Mann
2 Jerry Grady
12 Lynn West
2 Samuel Medlin
13 Holly Morrell
3 Marcie Meek
14 Matt Guzman
4 Jaleel Daniels
14 Madelynn Hansen
4 Sunny Hyon
15 TJ Herron
4 Fredrik Whitley
18 Kerri Poyle
5 Bill Cunningham
19 Wendi Darwin
5 Finn Whitley
23 Thomas Matthews
7 Doris Baker
23 Shirley Rieger
7 Matt Carpenter
26 Ashley Miller
8 Angel Florence
27 Paula Savage
9 Bryan Tapia
30 Tim Richardson
10 George M. Thomas
30 Ann Barber Smith
Submissions for the Tapestry should be sent to tapestry@fbcredlands.org by the 15th of each month. The Donation Center of Family Service is accepting FOOD and HYGIENE items only. No clothing or household goods. All non-perishable items are welcome especially pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, and pancake syrup. These items can be dropped off at Family Service, Monday-Friday @ 9:00AM - 4:00PM.
YOUTH HOPE NEEDS: Canned meat Peanut Butter Chicken Jelly Canned goods Cereal Rice These can be dropped off at Youth Hope Redlands: 1175 W Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA 92373
1. Order in advance online at tinyurl.com/FBCRTakeOut. **NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MIDNIGHT** - All orders must be made in advance. (If ordering online is not an option, call the church office and leave a message with a phone number to reach you) 2. Make payment online on the donation page of our website or write a check to be given to server upon pickup. $7 adult; $4 child (11 & under) 3. Come to the church parking lot between 5:45 and 6:15 PM, park in a designated space and remain in your car. 4. Place a paper with your name on it on your dashboard. 5. Wait for someone to bring your order to your car. Your meal will be packaged to-go. Please wear a mark for the safety of your server. For those unable to drive-in, delivery is available. MENU October 7 – Oven Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Vegetable with Cobbler for dessert October 14 – Meat or Veggie Lasagna, Roasted Veggies, Garlic Bread with cookies for dessert October 21 – BBQ Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Veggies and Roll with Chocolate Pudding Pie for dessert October 28 – Tamale Pie, Black Beans and Roasted Veggies with Upside Down Pineapple Cake for dessert
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Pray for FBCR
26 Pray for the Josephs
7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship
7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper
19 Pray for Brang Ying
7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship
7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper
9 a.m. Online Sunday School 7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 7:30 p.m. Young Adult 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship Fellowship 4 p.m. Children’s Sunday School 6 p.m. Men’s Fellowship Dinner
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10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 2 p.m. Congregational Meeting 4 p.m. Children’s Sunday School
9 a.m. Online Sunday School
18 Pray for Endurance
9 a.m. Online Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 4 p.m. Children’s Sunday School
7 p.m. Executive Council online 8 p.m. Done With High School Bible Study
5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Drive-In Take-Out
7 p.m. Youth Group online
6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth”
without privileges
7 p.m. Youth Group online
6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth”
Separated Families
22 Pray for
7 p.m. Youth Group online
28 Pray for Mozambique 29 Pray for those
Pray for the poor
Pray for Our Nation
6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth”
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7 p.m. Youth Group online
6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth”
27 Pray for Mercy
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5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Drive-In Take-Out
Pray for Zoom Leaders
5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Drive-In Take-Out
14 Pray for Uplifting Words when speaking
5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Drive-In Take-Out
Pray for Hungary
Pray for College Students
Pray for the Chapmans
6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture
30 Pray for Recovery
6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture
Pray for Ja Seng Brim
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 3 p.m. Zoom Mafia Young Adults
31 Pray for Tolerance
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 3 p.m. Zoom Mafia Young Adults
Pray for Humility
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 3 p.m. Zoom Mafia Young Adults
Financial Wisdom
17 Pray for
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 3 p.m. Zoom Mafia Young Adults
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7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It 3 p.m. Zoom Mafia Young Adults
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Saturday
23 Pray for Lauran Bethel 24
6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture
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6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture
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6:30 p.m. Jesus According to Scripture
6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth” 7 p.m. Youth Group online
2 Pray for those continuing to suffer from the fires
Friday
1 Pray for Good Health
Thursday
7 Pray for Melanie Baggao 8 Pray for Empathy
Wednesday
8 p.m. Done With High School Bible Study
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8 p.m. Done With High School Bible Study
13 Pray for Mylinda Baits
Pray for Turkey
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Pray for Faith
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Pray for Missionaries around the world
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7:30 p.m. Young Adult Fellowship
Pray for Understanding 8 p.m. Done With High School Bible Study
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Tuesday
7 p.m. Acts: Going Deeper
Pray for Spiritual Growth
Monday
9 a.m. Online Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship online (tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands) 11:30 a.m. Zoom Church Fellowship 4 p.m. Children’s Sunday School
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Sunday
All gatherings and studies are online through Zoom. Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m. at tinyurl.com/FBCRedlands.
O C TO B E R 2 0 2 0
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