The First Baptist Church of Redlands
T A PE S T R Y
Apr 2022
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
Issue No. 4
God Still Provides A Message from Pastor Shawn
Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” So the place was called Gilgal, as it is today. The Israelites camped in Gilgal. They celebrated Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month on the plains of Jericho. On the very next day after Passover, they ate food produced in the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped on that next day, when they ate food produced in the land. There was no longer any manna for the Israelites. So that year they ate the crops of the land of Canaan. Joshua 5:9-12 CEB Two years ago the unimaginable happened. We had to make the decision that we would not celebrate Easter in-person in our sanctuary. As we approached Easter Sunday, Lent took on a whole new meaning as most of us were confined to our homes and all of us were worried about what devastation this Covid-19 pandemic would have on our lives and our world. We did the best we could, which was better than we ever dreamed. We discovered creativity and skills we never thought we had. We found new ways to communicate and “gather” that continue to enhance and expand our ministry in ways that we would never have imagined. When I read this passage I try to imagine what it was like for the people of God to eat food produced in the land for the first time in 40 years. For 40 years in the wilderness they depended on the faithfulness of God to provide them food each day—manna. Think about it. There were many who had never tasted food that was produced on the land. Some of the oldtimers no doubt remembered when they themselves would grow food in the ground and on the land. Only, they probably did it for someone else, since they had been slaves in the land of Egypt. I can imagine that they reveled in the taste of the food that they had long forgotten. I wonder about some of the younger ones, who had only eaten manna. Did they like the new flavors? Was it something that they had to get
used to? And if they thought about it, would they worry that they were no longer going to have manna available to them each day? What would happen if their crops failed, or they had a drought, or they had health issues that prevented them from working in the fields? As boring as manna was, it was nice to know that it would always be there. As we are experiencing this Lenten season and anticipating Holy Week and Easter, we are happy that we can be together, in-person, indoors and possibly without masks. We may think that after two years we are back to normal. But what is normal? Things have changed since the last time that we had Easter worship in our sanctuary. For all sorts of reasons, there are people missing from our Easter celebration AND there are people who were not around 3 years ago. Our younger ones may not remember waving palms in our sanctuary on Palm Sunday. Let us take this opportunity to enter into Holy Week and Easter with a sense of expectation and wonder. Let us look at it as something new. Shouldn’t Resurrection be about something NEW? It is okay to enjoy what we have missed, but let us also enjoy what is new. We thank God for providing for us in the “wilderness.” Now we thank God, knowing that God will continue to be faithful to provide for us. Let us remember that not everything was perfect before Covid-19. God is leading us into a new land, with the tradition of the past and the experience of the wilderness, and the power of Resurrection! God still provides. Grace and peace in Christ, Pastor Shawn
COVER
MISSION
1
A Message from Pastor Shawn: “God Still Provides”
2
Staff and Contents
8
Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, India
9
Submitted by Gregg Sneller: “Update from Katrina and Kyle Williams”
MINISTRY 3
Liz Laine: “Marina Pigarova”
Cheryl Sneller: “God’s Guidance, Plan, Blessing and Future?”
NEWS 10 Church News
FELLOWSHIP 4
11 April Calendar
Ann Smith: “Interview with Mike Warren” Richard W. Steffen: “An Inspirational Experience”
6
Carolyn Codd: “Overcome”
STAFF Rev. Dr. Shawn Zambrows Senior Pastor
Angel Florence Office Administrator
Rev. Cheryl Sneller Director of Children’s Ministry
Isa Terrell Communications Specialist
Rhonda Bauer Interim Choir Director
Stephen Stark Senior Maintenance Custodian
Sally Rehfeldt Organist 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.
2
MI NI S T RY
God’s Guidance, Plan, Blessing and Future by Pastor Cheryl God’s Future God’s ways are not our ways sometimes. By faith it seems to work out though. We must keep our spirit open and be patient for the Spirit of God to lead FBCR forward to it’s post-pandemic future. God loves the community of FBCR. It has a faithful history and an important ministry ahead to be the hands and feet of Christ in the community and beyond.
God’s Guidance Nearly 6 years ago, after recently retiring from public school teaching, Gregg and I settled into a different state, community, church and home. I had also retired in the past from serving in hospital chaplaincy, Linfield College chaplaincy, pastoral counseling and elementary school counseling. It was time to make myself available to family after living 25 years in Oregon. God guided us to Calimesa.
God’s Plan FBCR membership and serving on the Mission Commission (God loves the whole world) was God’s plan for me. Two years later a FBCR staff retirement came a little earlier than expected. An inquiry was made concerning my possible interest in temporarily filling the staff position. I considered it. But the scope of the ministry was too broad and I was not quite comfortable covering all of the duties of Christian Education and more. Familial responsibilities were also a reality and I needed to keep my hours parttime. Focusing down to my main interest, I replied “children only”. Yes, that fits.
God’s Blessing I am so grateful for the opportunity to step into your lives as Director of Children’s Ministry four and a half years ago. It has been God’s blessing for me. I made significant connections with our Senior members, adults, parents, youth and children. I needed all of you and your gifts to create a meaningful children’s ministry. I experienced the value of intergenerational ministry at FBCR, the gift of friendships and family. God continues to bless me by watching youth and young adults step up and say, “I want to serve”. Also by adults that say yes to continuing the children’s ministry.
God’s Sending As I reflect on God’s guidance, plan, blessings and future, Gregg and I are being sent forth again to ministry as a result of a small advertisement discovered in a Christian publication. Out of curiosity, Gregg and I responded. We were surprised it was such a good fit. Our destination is New York’s Adirondacks, designated as rural and described as the Northern Appalachians (on account of the poverty). Infused with summer visitors by the thousands, they are escaping the cities of the Eastern seaboard for a respite from the heat, humidity and crowdedness. They are searching for a quiet place for their soul to rejuvenate. They come to float on the clear blue mountain lakes, hike through the lush green woods and breathe clean air. Many come unknowingly to receive God’s care for them. A small white historical steepled church, located along side an Adirondack highway, opens up its doors only during the Summer to create community and a refuge for visitors to worship the God of Creation. My hope is that they will also meet the risen Christ. New York’s Adirondacks is certainly beyond anywhere we thought we would be serving in ministry. As we prepare for our summer move, our relationships have been growing with this small church body. We meet on Zoom every Sunday, early in the morning, to worship God. For four months we will serve the summer community but hope to lay down a framework for ministry for others to continue throughout the year in that rural impoverished area. Then we return back home to Southern California. Lord willing we will return the summer of 2023 to the Adirondacks to open up those old church doors and provide the opportunity for seekers to learn more about the amazing but unpredictable God we love and serve.
3
F E L L O W S H IP
Interview with Mike Warren
by Ann Smith
Michael Warren was born in Frankfort, Germany in 1948. He was born in a German hospital which had been taken over by the US Army and restaffed by American doctors and which became the 97th General Hospital. His parents met in Europe and were married there. His mother was what was known as a “war bride.” She left her homeland in Denmark to marry a US soldier. His father stayed in the military for another 20 years. His mother was a homemaker. When his father retired from the Air Force, he became an insurance salesman. Because his father was in the military, Mike grew up in many different countries and states. He graduated from Rubidoux High School in Riverside, CA. Mike is the oldest of four children. His brother, Ted, became a car salesman. Ted and his wife are happily retired. Mike’s brother, Bobby, is developmentally disabled and blind. He lives in a group home in Jurupa Valley. His sister, Patty, who recently passed away, was living in Moreno Valley. He met his future wife through mutual friends. Mike knew Zack Earp from the Vietnam Veteran’s Center and Martha knew Judy Earp from the Riverside County Health Department. The couple invited their friends to join them for a double date on April 1st in 1998. Mike says he felt “interested” in Martha and asked her out again. They dated for a year before he proposed. They were married by Martha’s father, Dr. Ralph Hone, whom some longtime church members will remember. The wedding took place in the Hones’ backyard and was attended by their families and of course Judy and Zack as well as many other friends. The couple still joke about the date of their first date. Mike’s first memory of church is when he was at Catholic Mass with his parents. He says he found it hard to stay awake. He went to Catholic school for the 3rd and 4th grades. In the church where he grew up and at his Catholic school, religion seemed to have a lot of complicated rules and customs. Like a lot of people, he put all of it out of his mind until he became an adult. Then he started to think about Christ and ask lots of questions. When he married Martha, her mother, Harriet Hone whom many church members will also remember, asked him to come to Redlands First Baptist Church. He accepted her invitation and says he is forever grateful to her. He found that following Jesus is not as complicated as it seemed to him as a child. He accepted Christ as his Savior and joined the church, becoming an active member.
4
Mike’s favorite Bible story is that of David and Goliath. He likes it because David was a “little guy” whom no one thought had a chance to defeat Goliath in battle. David’s trust in God enabled him to go forward without fear and conquer a huge challenge. He likes the Beatitudes because they promise the hopeless and downtrodden that a better time will come. His favorite hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (hymn 45 in our hymnal) is related to how he came to accept Christ.
He says he truly believes God directed him there. He got the help he needed. He met other vets who were struggling with similar issues. They were helping each other work through their problems. With their help, he began to believe in himself again and get his life back on track. His counselor was a fellow vet whom he calls “Saint Frank.” This counselor suggested that he think about God and what He would want Mike to do and to listen to Jesus. He says it was the best advice he ever got.
When he came back from Vietnam in 1971, it was with a feeling that he had done his duty and served his country honorably as his father and uncle had done in WWII. He was very surprised and disheartened by the negative attitudes he encountered when his fellow Americans found out he was a Vietnam Vet. He took it personally. Like most of his fellow vets he internalized these feelings and got on with his life. It did not go well. Vietnam was always in the back of his mind and after a few years his memories and feelings became more and more intrusive. His life started to go downhill. He was divorced, had difficulties with his job, and started drinking. He was in jail for drunk driving when he heard about the Vietnam Vet Center in Riverside.
The second half of the second verse of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing says: Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; he to rescue me from danger, bought me with his precious blood. Mike says that he feels these words were written especially for him.
An Inspirational Experience Richard W. Steffen
I am very grateful to the First Baptist Church of Redlands for the opportunity to participate in the Western Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association last month in Long Beach, CA. Composer Eric Whitaker began the conference with his keynote address thanking choral directors for their committed efforts in the encouragement of singing these last 2 years using digital resources. (The last conference sponsored by ACDA Western was in March 2020 in Salt Lake City.) The conference ended with an amazing concert shared by the Gospel Honor Choir conducted by Rosephanye Powell. Dr. Powell was the weeklong adult clinician at the 2017 Conference for Church Musicians at the American Baptist conference center in Green Lake, WI, and it was joy for me to learn from her there. Conferences such as these through the years have provided me with new ideas, time for learning by sharing with others, and rejuvenation. Thank you.
5
Overcome by Carolyn Codd “Overcome”---my Word Gift for 2021. Martin said it, we sing it, “We shall overcome”. But shall we? Or will we be overcome? We’re surrounded by fear, anxiety, grief; Lies, disease, division, devisivevness; Anger, hatred, racial injustice. We are feeling depressed, nervous, oppressed; And, at times, even defeated. So, can we overcome? It’s a challenge: We should overcome. A command: We must overcome. We’re determined: We will overcome. A possibility: We can overcome. A promise: We shall overcome. But, who are “We”? I myself will overcome. I will overcome myself. You will overcome. You and I will overcome. We shall overcome. We ourselves, together, with God’s help, will overcome. We need, we ask for God’s help. Listening to His directions, we find a way: Seek and speak truth---not lies. Shine, reflect God’s light wherever we go--Truth and light overcome darkness. Along with truth and light, give love--Love casts out fear, transcends hate. Jesus said it, “I am the way, the truth and the life”; “Love one another” Paul said it, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Martin said it, we still sing it: “We shall overcome”. Now--- Shall we?--- Will we?
6
MI S S ION
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
UKRAINE Please continue to pray for the war in Ukraine and all the ways it is rippling out into the entire world. Pray for those who are living in the cities that are under attack, fearing for their lives. Pray for food, water, medicine, and relief supplies to be let in. Pray that the military conflict would not continue to expand. Pray for Liz Laine’s friend Marina and the millions of other women and children who have fled into neighboring countries, seeking shelter and safety, but leaving husbands and fathers behind to fight in self-defense. Pray that they will one day all be reunited with their loved ones. Since Russia and Ukraine produce nearly onethird of the world’s wheat, pray for us to find ways to get wheat and other food supplies to other nations of the world so that everyone has enough to eat. Pray for a miraculous change to come over Putin and pray also for the soldiers who are being lied to as they follow his orders into war.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO www.internationalministries.org Ann and Bill Clemers shared a heartwarming story in a recent journal update about how they took their HEAL Africa schoolchildren on a field trip to the Goma airport. The airport officials were excited to meet the children, and the kids enjoyed the chance to see how things worked in the terminal as they had a mock check-in and security screening. They even climbed onto the plane: the kids got to buckle into the seats and imagine what it would be like to take a real plane flight. Ann shared that one girl was so overwhelmed that she could “sit on a real airplane” that she burst into tears. Praise God for the way these children were able to have a special experience through the work of the Clemmers. Pray that this reinforces for the children how much they are loved by God. Pray also that all of us who take the privilege of air travel for granted would be reminded of the many blessings we enjoy each day.
INDIA www.persecution.org The State Assembly of Haryana, India, has introduced an anti-conversion bill similar to ones passed in other Indian states. The bill sounds innocuous, banning conversions that are forced or coerced, but in practice, the ambiguity of such wording has led to the harassment and intimidation of Christians and churches in the states where these anti-conversion laws do exist. Pray that this bill will not be enacted in Haryana and that all citizens of India can practice and share their religion freely.
- Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
7
Global Servants
Update from Katrina and Kyle Williams presented by Gregg Sneller
Katrina and Kyle Williams serve in Chiang Rai, Thailand, training and supporting Southeast Asian leaders who are seeking to build bridges across tribal lines in the Mekong region of Thailand. Using state-of-the-art techniques, these men and women are combating human trafficking, which affects so many ethnic minorities. In partnership, Katrina and Kyle seek to point them towards God’s kingdom, where captives are set free, as they strengthen human rights and dignity in the area. Below is an example of the work they do.
There are many tools global servants need to do their job well; support, prayers, many positions require a high level of education, patience (this tool is not always in my belt) and many more. Some tools are easier to obtain than others. Some tools are so simple I don’t think of them as tools. I never gave much thought to my passport. This little book full of stamps was not difficult or even expensive to obtain. There is plenty of paperwork needed to live overseas that causes my blood pressure to rise a bit, but it’s never been my passport. It was always a given that because of where I was born I could obtain such paperwork without much to do. So, when God called Katrina and me to this work we could easily reply “Yes!”. What I am painfully aware of now is that it isn’t as simple for many people around the globe to cross borders as it is for Americans. Some passports aren’t as easily accepted as ours. Some have stipulations, some are cost prohibitive. Some people will never be granted a passport no matter how hard they try. Imagine being born without a state or nation that claims you as their own. Imagine having no birth certificate, no documents that record your official name or date of birth, no one willing to provide you with the information even needed to apply for a passport. Imagine living your entire life encircled by a square mile of walls. What do you do if God calls you to become a pastor? In the case of Dr. Wado and his team, you build a seminary right where it’s needed. The Kawthoolei Hope Theological Seminary was dreamed up by Dr. Wado and his team to serve their people who could not otherwise attend seminary elsewhere because of their stateless status. Without a country, they cannot receive passports or obtain other vital paperwork necessary for travel and school entrance. What is so easy for us in the US is near impossible for them. Currently there are 3 programs at the seminary. Each program has 10-15 students attending. Students that attend the bible college physically situated in Mae La (a camp of about 40,000 people) are now able to continue their education without the burden of trying to navigate nearly impossible hurdles of attending seminary in the Philippines or elsewhere.
8
Our office has been leading various topics since September, almost all of which have been online due to COVID restrictions. I have had the privilege and honor of spending a little time learning and sharing with two groups of students from KHTS. I have been so impressed by their dedication and their eagerness to learn. Classes are mostly taught in English, which is many of the students’ second or even third language. I am amazed by this as I struggle in all but English. I find hope when I see how leaders like Dr. Wado and his students are responding to the challenges they face and their eagerness to answer God’s call on their lives. Thank you church family for your support for the Williams as they creatively serve and work with our partners.
Marina Pigarova by Liz Laine
In the 1990’s we hosted a Ukrainian exchange student, for a year, through the American Field Service program. Her name was Marina and she graduated, at the end of her year, from Redlands High School. She returned to her home city - Odesa, Ukraine, and we have kept in touch ever since. While on a mission trip to Hungary our daughter, Jennifer, visited her in Odesa. Marina married. Her husband Eugene and daughter Margarita (age 10) are her family now, parents have passed.
By God’s providence, Jennifer and her family are now living in Vienna, Austria. Two weeks ago Marina realized she and her daughter were not safe and needed to drive to Jennifer. By law her husband is prevented from leaving. They drove, by themselves, across Romania and Hungary to Vienna. An Austrian church member has offered a 5 month loan of a house which they are renovating. Marina is busy buying 2nd hand furniture, bedding etc. The church also offers German language classes. She can talk to her husband daily by cell phone. As of 4 days ago he says he has water and electricity but food is in short supply. The Austrian government can offer her free health care, schooling and the right to work.
9
News HAPPY April BIRTHDAYS TO...
WEDNESDAY Dinner MENU
5
Beverly Niss
18
Jim Williams
5
Richard Rogers
21
Marla Steffen
April 3 – Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas, Spanish rice and beans; Churros for dessert
8
Sophia Kishimoto
23
Barbara Ford
9
Ruth Wardschenk
27
Carolyn Hampton
12
Raymond DelRosario 27
Wally Powell
12
Tom Herron
27
Robert Yocum
12
Charles Walker
28
Anya DiJohn
13
Kay Kallander
29
Amy Carpenter
13
Allyson Zabaleta
29
Ginni Fogle
14
Rosy Sarkar
30
Judi Harrington
15
Richard Steffen
Submissions for the Tapestry should be sent to tapestry@fbcredlands.org by the 15th of each month.
In Memory *Correction*
Mary Jane Auerbacher 9/21/1922 to 1/22/2022
April 10 – Chicken, Baked Beans and Veggies, Corn Bread; Apple Cobbler for dessert April 17 - Tamale Pie, Black Beans, Fresh Salad; Cinnamon Rolls for dessert April 24 - Lemon Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Veggies; Brownies for dessert
For Your calendar Lenten Recital The congregation is invited to a half-hour Lenten organ recital presented by our organist, Sally Rehfeldt, on Thursday, April 14, at 11:30 A.M. at the First Congregational Church of Redlands. The program will include music by Mendelssohn, Vierne, Diemer and Bach. Miller-Trayhern Scholarship All First Baptist families who have someone who will be a college student during the coming year are encouraged to apply for the Miller-Trayhern Scholarship. You do not have to be a member of the church to be eligible. Applications are available on the FBC Redlands Website, and can also be picked up in the church office. Please submit applications no later than May 30, 2022. Thank you Reception for Pastor Cheryl Sunday, April 24, following worship, Church Patio. Come express your appreciation for the service that Pastor Cheryl has given as Director of Children’s Ministry.
10
11
Pray for Reflection
Pray for Good Health
Reception for Pastor Cheryl
11:30 a.m. BYF
10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed
Ministry Opportunity Brunch Judson Hall
9 a.m. Sunday School Classes
24
- Easter Sunday -
11:30 a.m. BYF
10:15 a.m. Easter Celebration with Cantata
JD Easter egg hunt
9 a.m. Sunday School Classes
7 a.m. Redlands Easter Sunrise Service, Redlands Bowl
the Resurrection
17 Give Thanks for
- Palm Sunday -
9 a.m. Sunday School Classes BYF Breakfast Burrito Celebration 10:15 a.m. Worship and Celebration with Palms 11:30 a.m. BYF Diaconate Commission Meeting Judson Hall 5 - 7 p.m. “Stations of the Cross”
10 Pray for Rest
11:30 a.m. BYF
10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed
9 a.m. Sunday School Classes
3
Sunday
Pray for Service People
Pray for Our Leaders
25 Pray for Calmness
18 Pray for Mercy
7 p.m. Local Outreach Commission (zoom)
11
4
Monday
7 p.m. Executive Council online
26 Pray for India
19 Pray for Tolerance
7 p.m. Commission Meetings
Pray for the Angry
Pray for Ukraine
12
5
Tuesday
Pray for New Friendships
Pray for the Cooks
7:15 p.m. Choir Practice
6:30 p.m. Dinner
5:30 p.m. Gatherings
27 Pray for Boldness
7:15 p.m. Choir Practice
6:30 p.m. Dinner
5:30 p.m. Gatherings
Williams Family
20 Pray for the
7:15 p.m. Choir Practice
6:30 p.m. Dinner
5:30 p.m. Gatherings
13
7:15 p.m. Choir Practice
6:30 p.m. Dinner
5:30 p.m. Gatherings
6
Wednesday 1 Pray for Hope
Friday
Pray for Congo
Pray for Honesty
6:30 p.m. Corner Booth online
28 Pray for Humility
6:30 p.m. Corner Booth online
21
- Maundy Thursday -
7 p.m. “Contemplative Service of Darkness”
11:30 a.m. Lenten Recital, The First Congregational Church of Redlands
14
6:30 p.m. Corner Booth online
Pray for Safety
29 Pray for Kindness
22 Pray for Survivors
- Good Friday -
7:30 p.m Redlands Area Good Friday Service: “Seven Last Words,” First Lutheran Church
15
7 Pray for Quality Time 8 Pray for Justice
Thursday
April 2022 Pray for Neighbors
Pray for Ukraine
Compassionate Hearts
30 Pray for
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
23 Pray for Rejoicing
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
16
Palm Saturday Workday
9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study: “Spiritual Gifts”
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
Encouragement
9 Pray for
7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It
2
Saturday
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
Holy Week Palm Sunday - April 10 - 10:15 AM - Worship and Celebration with Palms - 5:00-7:00 PM - “Stations of the Cross” Opening and Reception Maundy Thursday - April 14 - 7:00 PM - Contemplative Service of Darkness Good Friday - April 15 - 7:30 PM Redlands Area Good Friday Service: “Seven Last Words” - at First Lutheran Church Easter Sunday - April 17 - 7:00 AM - Redlands Easter Sunrise Service - Redlands Bowl - During Sunday School - JD Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn - 10:15 AM - Easter Celebration with Cantata