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The First Baptist Church of Redlands

T A PE S T R Y

J U LY 2 0 2 1

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

Living Worship A Message from Pastor Shawn

After this year of lock-down and having worship online we have gotten excited about having “live worship,” worship that is happening in “real” time. Some of us are worshiping in-person and some of us are worshiping at home with the live-stream, but now it is possible to worship with FBCR live. I have been enjoying worshiping in-person, but even on the week that I was on vacation in Michigan, I enjoyed “tuning in” online, knowing that I was experiencing worship at the same time with everyone else. Live Worship! But more important than “live worship” is “living worship.” It makes me think about the passage in Romans 12:1, And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all God has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind God will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship God. (NLT) Worship is what we are called to do every day. It may involve the things that we do in a worship service, prayer, singing, reading and studying scripture. But worship is also how we live, how we behave, how we treat people, what we think about. Living our lives as a grateful response to all that God does for us, in the everyday and in the big cosmic picture. What have we learned in the past 15 months about “living worship?” As our lives have been turned upside down, as we have had to figure out how to be church together apart, what new insights have we gained about worship? When we come together, “live,” on Sunday morning, how is that time of worship impacted by our “living worship” every day? And how does that Sunday morning experience impact our “living worship” when we leave that place or turn off the livestream? What are the activities that we do during the week that helps us with “living worship” ---setting aside time for prayer, Bible study, meaningful fellowship, service, anything else? “Living worship” is more likely to become a part of our lives when we are intentional about setting that direction for our lives. May we all become intentional about living worship every day. Grace and peace in Christ, Pastor Shawn

Issue No. 7

COVER

MISSION 8 Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Myanmar, Congo, Iran

1 A Message from Pastor Shawn: “Living Worship” 2 Staff and Contents

F E L LOWS H I P 9 Congregational Quarterly Business Meeting

MINISTRY

3 Pastor Nick : “Loving Living Worship” 4 Richard W. Steffen: “Where Do I Worship?” 5 Prayer to God

Fourth of July Worship Information

NEWS 10 Church News

6 Children’s Ministry News

11 July Calendar

S TA F F Rev. Dr. Shawn Zambrows Senior Pastor

Angel Florence Office Administrator

Rev. Nicholas Quient Associate Pastor

Isa Terrell Communications Specialist

Rev. Cheryl Sneller Director of Children’s Ministry

Richard Colunga Buildings/Grounds

Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music Nathan Jones Youth Director

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 Our office will be semi-open during regular office hours. However, we are still receiving mail and phone messages. Staff can be reached by email (see above). Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

MI NI S T RY

LOVING LIVING WORSHIP Pastor Nick Quient

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (NRSV)

Moving forward is a scary thing sometimes. Nolan is very close to taking his first steps independently of holding onto the sides of things, and I can see it in his eyes: he’s a bit nervous and apprehensive. It is something new for him, even if he is comfortable moving around while holding onto mom or dad. I wonder if that is how many of us feel as we gather in-person. I know I have felt wonder and nervousness as we’ve met in the sanctuary, and I stop and I think: we’ve been worshipping for the last 16 months together! Our worship does not commence when we enter the sanctuary at 51 W Olive Avenue—our worship began the moment we woke up. Living worship is a daily spiritual reality, where we try to answer the question, “Where is God in everything I do?” It is a big question. Such a question asks us to be mindful of what we do in the mundane things of life—the things we often take for granted. Things like playing with Nolan in the sanctuary. Things like watching your kiddos plays sports. Things like singing in church with friends and family. I think God takes a lot of delight in the little things we do, especially if we can see his work in such things. For Christians, worship is not only an activity we do on Sundays. Worship is embedded in our daily lives, our daily rituals, how we treat friends and family and strangers—how we live reflects how we worship God, and how our entire selves are dedicated to God. How can we take worship and give it new life? How can we take delight in singing together again? Whatever we do, may we do so in Spirit and in Truth, worshipping God with wonder and joy as we continue forward in-person together.

Where Do I Worship? by Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music

This year I have spoken several times about reading the entire Bible with my friend Brian; we are using the New Living Translation. Brian led our Choir in worship on the last Sunday the Choir sang in March 2020 before we began our worship services with the First Baptist Church of Redlands using our YouTube platform. Brian has a “heart” for our church; he has led the Choir in practice and in worship many times, and he has been a soloist with us. He was the Minister of Music of the former First Baptist Church of Corona, CA. In our reading we aren’t to the letter of St. Paul to the church at Rome yet – including the inspirational text of Romans 12:1, but I am continually enriched by the references to “worship” in the Psalms. “Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God” (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7a NLT). “Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:1-2, 4 NLT). We will ponder and reflect on our worship this last year and a half for a long time. As I have been engaged in that activity, I’ve allowed myself to remember and to be honest. On March 6, 2020, I worshipped as I was so moved listening live to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the Mormon Tabernacle at the music conference I was attending. On Sunday, March 8, 2020, I worshipped as I was inspired listening live to a wonderful organ recital on the five manuals and pedals Schoenstein Organ in the 21,000 seat Conference Center of the LDS Church. (Brian was leading our Choir here that morning.) I returned to Redlands that same day feeling very empowered about leading our music program, but I quickly joined in the prayerful consideration of how we were soon going to be “doing worship” at First Baptist Church. I will always be so grateful for what I have learned about worship from our church leaders and from our gifted, patient Tech Team during the ensuing 15 months. (I had no classes at Taylor University, Butler University, or the University of Redlands on how to organize and lead a “virtual” church music program.)

Soon after that, I was worshipping weekly in my La-Z-Boy recliner in my family room. Strange but Spiritual; unusual but uplifting; digital but devotional. Christmas Eve 2020 – between the raindrops – touched me; gathering on the Church Patio with our new artificial tree as we hummed carols in masks. And Easter 2021: in-person, although the music leaders where on the Education Building top floor walkway! May Day 2021 Worship: a joyful inperson experience with a hope for Pentecost Sunday 2021 in-person and inside! We are not the first in this faith journey to experience worship in various places and different situations. Noah lifted back the covering of the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. Two months later, God said to Noah, “Leave the boat, all of you. Release all the animals so they can be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth.” And he did! AND he built an altar to the Lord and worshipped God (Genesis 8 NLT). And later God said to Abram (afterword called Abraham), “Leave your native country, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and you will be a blessing to others. And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him” (Genesis 12 NLT). He worshipped God there. God is not calling us to “leave” as God did Noah and Abram. But could God be calling us to “leave” our comfortable, safe, familiar “way” of worship? Now that we are worshipping again in our sanctuary in-person, can we discern where, how, when, how often, with whom, and why God may be calling us to worship our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer? In addition to our sanctuary? In addition to Sunday mornings? Oh, those empowering words: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1 NIV). May God continue to bless us as we worship.

by Pastor Nick Quient

God of wonder and joy We thank you for your Spirit Guide us through this time Where we have wronged you and others, show mercy Where we are missing your word, speak to us You are mighty and just Show us the way of life and light We thank you for the ministry of your Son and your Spirit Keep us mindful of the work you have for us In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit One God—Forever and ever Amen

C hil dr e n ’s ministry

“Jesus loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so…”

The children’s Christian Education has resumed in-person at First Baptist Church of Redlands. Children check-in will occur at 10:00 a.m. Over the summer they will not regularly be in the main Church service. The Junior Disciples Summer session will be held upstairs in the Christian Education building. God’s Kids will be held inside and outside of Judson Hall. Preschoolers and Infants will be in the downstairs rooms in the infants and old toddler room. Look for the colorful signs to direct you. Preschoolers through 2nd grade are learning about people in the Bible that regularly talked to God. By the time July is through they would have heard about Hannah praying for a child. Hannah’s child, Samuel, listening and responding to God’s voice. The shepherd David that became King and David and Jonathan that were best friends. God loves us and the Bible tells us so in the example of these men and women who loved, trusted and served God. The children know the story of the birth of Jesus and how he died on the cross for the sins of the world. They learn about the people in the Bible. We sing the “Jesus Loves Me” song, too. What else can we do as a Church family? We can show them by our example how we love, pray, listen, and respond to God’s voice. They need to witness us learning about Jesus and attempting to follow in His footsteps. They need to understand how we are called to put our lives in the hands of the Spirit of God and go willingly where the Spirit leads us. A high calling for we adults! The Junior Disciples, grades 3 through 5, have invited some who have walked with God in many capacities and for many years to their summer session to share their journeys. How do these people know that “Jesus loves them”? For ten sessions over this Summer they will cover topics such as: The Bible, Tithing, Global and Local missions, Baptism, Communion, Prayer, Sermons, Worship and Hospitality. There will be no children programming on Sunday July 4th and September 5th. We will enjoy the opportunity to meet as a Church family. Thank you for your faithfulness to our First Baptist Church of Redlands’ children and friends.

Blessings, Pastor Cheryl

“ART ON THE LAWN” 9:00 - 11:00AM Children events coming up and guided by retired public school art instructor Lori Powell: •

July 10th: assemblage, reusing/recycling to create structures (ex. robots) •

August 7th: weaving

Geared toward God’s Kids and Junior Disciples. Younger disciples are welcome accompanied by their adult.

These photos are of our first “Art on the Lawn” in June. Leo Politi: In his adult years Leo’s images were drawn from Los Angeles. He also illustrated 20 children’s books with one winning the prestigious Caldecott Award. He highlighted cultural diversity and peace. Lori Powell, public school art instructor now retired, has used his inspiration as she has led children in creating with oil pastels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Politi

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

MYANMAR info shared at online prayer meeting Liz has been praying online with others from the US who have family and friends in Myanmar. Please continue praying for the people of Myanmar and the overthrow of the military coup. The military government is continuing to kill protesters and a daily curfew begins at 7 pm. Many citizens have decided to take up arms against the government, but they are no match for the modern weapons and air power of the military. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled, taking refuge in churches, camps, or even in the jungle. Others have tried to emigrate to China or Thailand, but COVID makes crossing national borders much more difficult. Medical supplies and food are desperately needed, since the military cut off supply routes. Pray for a breakthrough that will help the people of Myanmar once again experience peace under a democratic government that respects justice. Pray for our friends in Bamaw and for the future of the Roberts Mission School.

CONGO International Ministries and New York Times Pray for the city of Goma, where Ann and Bill Clemmer serve as ABC Global Servants, as it rebuilds from the May 22 eruption of nearby Mt. Nyiragongo. The lava flow burned schools, churches, and over 500 homes. Thousands have been displaced and the water supply was contaminated when lava entered the main reservoir. Pray that relief aid reaches those who need it most. Pray for rebuilding to proceed quickly so that people can return to their homes. Pray also for the ministry of Ann and Bill as they work in the health care field.

IRAN Voice of the Martyrs Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reported an amazing story. There was a house church leader in Iran who was driving with two boxes of New Testaments in the trunk of his car. When he saw that he was approaching a police checkpoint, he pulled over and left the boxes on the side of the road. Later in the day, the police chief noticed the boxes and took them home, thinking they must contain some sort of contraband. When he discovered they were Bibles, he wasn’t sure what to do. But since the Persian New Year was approaching, he decided to give them to friends and family members as they visited his home. VOM, who had provided the Bibles, discovered this turn of events when they received a call from one of the women who had received a Bible and called the contact information inside. Pray that the stories of Jesus will impact all those who received these Bibles in such an unlikely way. Praise God for the the ways in which He is able to make things happen that we would never expect. - Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.

f e ll o ws hip

CONGREGATIONAL QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING Sunday, July 18, 11:30 am, in the Sanctuary (in-person)

RECITAL RECAP “Celebrate through Sound” on May 30 was a wonderful event as we honored our former church organist Linda Gentile. Our experience featured Linda on her selections on organ. piano and organ duets, the skit “A Family Quarrel”, and our tribute to heroes with “America, the Beautiful.” My thanks go to many: Mike Reynolds as Master of Ceremonies and reader, Wendy Peske as reader (and chairperson of 2009 organist search committee), Scott Medlin on sound, Paul Hansen on visuals, Jonathan Peske as instrumentalist player and manager, our greeters at the sign-in table, our ushers, and our FBC Staff for their work in making the event so meaningful. And I am so thankful to Linda for the opportunity to work with her for over 10 years. She led at our organ and piano 500+ Sunday worship services, many weddings and memorial services, and 11 Christmas Eve services. A DVD (audio and video) of the event is available for you; please let me know if you wish to have a copy.

FOURTH OF JULY WORSHIP Casual, bring your lawn chairs or blankets. The service will be interactive and conversational. We will have communion. Masks are optional.

Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music

Ne ws

HAPPY JUly BIRTHDAYS TO...

The Way Home Written by Rev. Sarah Are

Rhiannon Fisher

Benjamin Kronberg

Marcia Melcher

Ruby May Price

Yholddy Jones

Bob Welles

Sara Graham

Irene Coggins

Do you think,

Niki Farmer

when the church voted for all

Chanda Lowe

Paul Williams

Linda Hollenberg

Teri Jensen

Do you think,

Allie Baker

when your parents had their first fight

Donnie Allen

with you sleeping peacefully in the next room,

Elizabeth Updegraff

Solace Huynh

Laura Hunt

John Parke

Loretta Bueermann

Norma Martinez

I don’t know for sure,

Barbara Stein

but I do know that I want to ask hard questions with you.

Rod Zambrows

So here it goes—

Lloyd Savage

Robert Carpenter

Paul Espinosa

Do you think, when they got to the end of the Edmund Pettus bridge they asked, “Where do we go from here?”

people to preach and lead that they asked, “Where do we go from here?”

that they asked in hushed voices, “Where do we go from here?” Do you think that maybe people have been asking this question for as long as we’ve been asking questions?

“Where are you from? Where does it hurt? What do you need? And where do we go from here?” I pray,

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

I trust, I believe— if we keep asking, we just might find our way home.

Pray for our Country

Pray for Grace

13 Pray for Peace

26 Pray for Compassion

7:15 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed

7:15 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

19 Pray for Congo

7:15 p.m. Bible Study for College Students

Pray for Recovery

11:30 a.m. Congregational Quarterly Business Meeting in Sanctuary

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Baby Dedication, Sanctuary and Livestreamed

Youth Ministry

18 Pray for

Baptisms

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed

Pray for Conflict Resolution

7 p.m. Bible Study in John

7 p.m. Executive Council online

7 p.m. Bible Study in John

28 Pray for Businesses impacted by COVID

Pray for Migrants

27 Pray for Recovery

Pray for Doctors

7 p.m. Bible Study in John

7 Pray for Parents

7 p.m. Bible Study in John