January 2016 Tapestry

The First Baptist Church of Redlands

TA PE S T RY Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2

JANUARY 2016

ISSUE No. 1

Finding Peace in Darkness A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR RICHARD

Before I left to go to my home in Florida shortly before Thanksgiving, I began preparing my message for the Sunday I would return, December 6th. The Advent theme for that Sunday would be “Peace.” Little did I know the theme’s significance for that Sunday.

On the morning of December 3rd I left Florida. I had to change planes in Dallas. While in the airport in Dallas, I was shocked to see on the television the horrible news that there had been a shooting in San Bernardino. When I arrived home, I watched, transfixed, the unbelievable news of this horrific event.

During the next couple of days, as people expressed their grief, I kept thinking and praying about what to say on Sunday morning to our congregation of concerned and hurting people. The scheduled theme was to be “peace.” How can one bring a message about peace with the happenings of the last week? As I began preparing, the words of a prayer came to mind, “Give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armor of light, the light that is in Jesus Christ.”

Works of Darkness. That is exactly what we are experiencing.

Gun violence, violence portrayed

and often glamorized in movies and on television, the seeming disregard of human lives, the terrorist attacks around the world and now even here in our safe community. Heart breaking. There were 14 people killed, 21 injured. People of many different backgrounds. People working in a helping profession, helping people in need. Online, I

The boy thought for a few moments and then said,” Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.” saw a video of one of the victims, a young father of six giving the advent reading in his church the Sunday before. Three days later he was dead.

So senseless, so heart breaking.

Works of Darkness.

With that backdrop, my message for Sunday became clear: How to find peace in an hour of darkness. In this New Year message, let me share some thoughts from that message that can help if and

when those dark times come. Dark times that range from personal loss to horrific events that we have seen recently.

First, we must ask for God’s grace to help us see through eyes of faith. The Scriptures tell us “faith is the conviction of things not seen.” I think that means that faith is the way of seeing in the dark and making the darkness bearable, knowing that beyond the darkness there is an armor of light that is in Christ Jesus.

Second, by the grace of God, we must seek to keep a positive attitude.

The Apostle Paul calls it “rejoicing” not because of the situation one is in but in spite of it, knowing that we are the recipients of God’s love and that nothing could separate us from that, not even death. Paul wrote “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor things present nor things to come, nor powers…shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39.

Third, we need to remind ourselves that the Lord’s presence is with us, no matter how dark the situation. The Scriptures tell us “The Lord is near.” Regardless of what we are facing we are not alone. How Continued on Pg. 4

MINISTRY

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MISSIONS

COVER

CONTENTS

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A Message from Pastor Richard: Finding Peace in Darkness Staff and Contents A Few Words from Pastor Deena: Just What Is a Sabbatical?

The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373.

All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 10th of each month to tapestry@fbcredlands.org.

If you would like to be added or removed from the Tapestry mailing list, please email tapestry@fbcredlands.org. Current and previous Tapestry issues are available in digital format at issuu.com/fbcr.

S TA FF A New Year Finding Peace in Darkness cont.

My Thirty-Year Journey With You

Reverend Richard Burke Interim Pastor richardb@fbcredlands.org Reverend Deena Barwick, Ph.D. Associate Pastor of Family Ministries deena@fbcredlands.org Jared Sumners Youth Director jared@fbcredlands.org

Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Worldwide, France, Haiti Winter Camp Memories

Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music rwsteffen@gmail.com Linda Gentile Organist

FELLOWSHIP

Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org

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2015 A Great Year for FBCR

2015 A Great Year for FBCR cont.

Marion Gil Communications Specialist marion@fbcredlands.org Dennis Chenevert Buildings/Grounds

CALENDAR

CON TACT S

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A Music Leader’s Dream and a BIG Thank You January Calendar

Telephone: 909-793-3289 Web: www.fbcredlands.org Email: admin@fbcredlands.org Office Hours Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A few words from Pastor Deena

Just What Is a Sabbatical?

For those who haven’t heard, I was granted a Sabbatical for eight weeks. For those who have heard – the first question has been: “What are you going to do?” For a while, it has been “I don’t really know I haven’t been on a Sabbatical before!”

However, all those questions (and with Personnel Commission’s urging) has caused me to think about, do a little research and a bit of planning too for this Sabbatical.

What is a Sabbatical? The word sabbatical is drawn from Sabbath. The Hebrew word for Sabbath means to “close or rest” and is connected with the last day of Creation when God rested (Genesis 2:3). God both models and commands Sabbath rest for his people. “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11). Jesus acknowledged the importance of rest saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). The Biblical example of Jesus’ own frequent withdrawal to a quiet place to meditate, pray and be renewed is a model. In His ministry, the constant demands of people led Jesus to step away on a regular basis.

The definition sounds clear enough; however, it doesn’t exactly explain

how a Ministry Sabbatical works compared to a Research/Educational Sabbatical typically taken by university professors. Wheat Ridge Ministries defines a “ministry sabbatical” as a period of time, usually three months, when ministry leaders and congregations set aside the leader’s normal responsibilities for the purpose of rest and renewal toward sustained excellence in ministry. A ministry sabbatical is not an extended vacation nor is it an academic sabbatical that normally involves extensive study. A ministry sabbatical is a release from the routine of the call for the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being of the ministry leader.

Recently, I have been feeling a need to care for my soul. I am so busy “doing” that I forget about “being.”

As a member of our pastoral leadership team at First Baptist, I am called to care for my inner life so I can continue to serve others from an overflow of my own relationship with God and not out of duty which can often lead to burnout. So with this Sabbatical granted, now what?

To begin to think about this time, I needed to do a lot of praying to discern what God wanted me to do with this time of peace and reconnection. This part became pretty comical in retrospect! It became a “list of New Year’s Resolutions” almost – wanted to find a better exercise routine, wanted to lose some weight, wanted to read books (there are almost 100 of them stacked up to read!), finish some research and subsequent writing, finish a couple of major projects

around the house and on and on went the list. Even in planning my “rest”, I continued to be “doing” and not spending the time in “being” as God was calling for this time of rejuvenation. The Sabbatical hadn’t even started yet and I had a list long enough to cover 4 or 5 months!

God was calling me to backtrack to the original idea of a Sabbatical – to rest, connect with God, and rejuvenate my soul, my spirit and my physical being. God kept whispering --- “Be still and know that I am God – Be still and know that I am God – “. While there is work to be done, no doubt (still have to cook, eat and do laundry), I am working on a plan for a peaceful Sabbatical. It is my hope to make a couple of spiritual retreat trips to Valyermo, my favorite monastery; spend quality time practicing the technique of Centering Prayer; do a small amount of research to finish a writing project that is almost complete; have some breakfast dates (my favorite meal out!) with a few friends and family and read at least one book. I dearly love to read and will schedule blocks of time – just to read! That sounds pretty heavenly to me right now! Oh! And one more thing – just as all winners announce at the end of a big meet – I would like to go to Disneyland – just once for a day or two! After all, it is puffed up to be “the happiest place on earth!”

Be still and know that I am God – my refuge in times of stress and anxiety; now a refuge in a time of peace, stillness and joy in worshiping our Gracious God. I look forward to being back with you mid-February – just in time for our season of Lent and Easter celebration!

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M I N I S T RY

A New Year

By: Ellie Huynh Worship Commission Chair

On November 19, 2015, we gathered, celebrated and gave thanks for the blessings in our lives and those in our church family at the Agape Dinner. That evening, with its thoughts, its sharing, its food, its words and blessings, was the beginning of a season—the holiday season. Thanksgiving marks a time when we reflect on the goodness around us and is always followed by the coming of Advent. The word “always” is a significant one. The holidays bring traditions, like preparing a special meal or decorating the mantle, stringing lights or baking, hosting or attending gatherings, church services with singing and candles.

However, like the melting candle or fading, flickering flame, “always” usually gives way to “sometimes” and then finally to “not any more.”

Things or people that seem to “always” be around suddenly or slowly fade as well, sometimes leaving broken pieces behind in the midst of a time when we are meant to celebrate a certain wholeness.

Thanksgiving, and the holidays to come, can be a difficult time for some, but is also met with great gifts. One of those gifts is letting go. Letting go of the old; letting go of expectations, ones that are placed on us by others, or simply the ones we place on ourselves.

Another gift is that with each year, the holidays greet us with a different face. One year it may be the face of a stranger who needs help. Another year it might be a friend who needs encouragement, while other years may be filled with the faces of those you never expected to be there.

Sometimes, the face of the holidays may transform into a feeling or simple solitude, as one sits alone, listening, waiting, or making room for miracles to happen. Miracles that appear as old traditions continue, fade, or are reborn, and new traditions begin to grow.

Whether we feel blessed by the faces that fill our tables or homes, or blessed by the company of rooted quiet, one thing we can be sure of is, as it is written in Colossians 2:7, we are “rooted and built up in Him and strengthened by the faith, just as we have been taught, overflowing in thanksgiving.” And we are joined together as one, as we gather our

The Afterglow

The greetings and cards have ended, The glad celebrations have ceased With the angels ascended to heaven, The Wise Men returned to the East.

But the light that once shone on a manger Still brightens the world from afar, And listening hearts still hear angels, And wise men still follow a star.

-Ellis Rowsey

many pieces and celebrate the miracle of being needed and a part of what God has intended all the time—that we are the pieces, bound together to make wholeness here.

And now, with the holidays ended, we are left with an afterglow.

The lingering light that reminds us of the love that has led us through darkness and illuminates our path forward into a new year. A new year filled with hope, joy, and peace.

Finding Peace in Darkness

Continued from Pg.1

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often that promise has kept us from quitting during difficult times and given us a peace that although we can’t explain it, we know it is there.

Fourth, ask God, by His grace to help us to not be so overwhelmed by the darkness that we forget the “Great Commandment” to love the Lord our God and our neighbor as ourselves. One positive thing that came out of this horrible terrorist

attack was a gathering of local clergy and government officials at the Islamic Center of Redlands to show our love and support for this dedicated Muslim congregation, who abhorred this act of violence as well.

As we experience dark times in our lives, each of us has a choice. We can let them swallow us up or we can cast off the darkness and put on the armor of light that is in Christ Jesus.

There is a thought provoking

story of an old man talking with his grandson: “My son, there is a battle going on between two wolves inside all of us. One wolf is evil, full of hate, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies and pride. The other is good, joyful, peace loving, humble, hopeful, kind, caring and truthful. The boy thought for a few moments and then said,” Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”

MY thirty YEAR “Process” WITH YOU By: Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music

It began with a call one August afternoon in 1985 from Pastor Dan Wingerd, who told me about First Baptist Church of Redlands, where he had been serving for about a year.

It seemed as if I had known him for 20 years. FBCR was looking for someone to lead the music program.

Pastor Dan spoke of the wonderful, talented people there.

Very soon after that, I visited the church. I stood alone in the back center doorway and saw a beautiful sanctuary. I remember praying: “God, if this is where you want me, I will happily and joyously serve you here.” That next month, I was invited to be the organist for a Sunday service. I was, however, told that few people would be in church that morning, but the staff and most members would be at the annual Church Retreat.

After a warm time of conversation about music at the home of George Riday, I led the music in worship as the new Minister of Music on October 6th.

Making it a stress-free service was an enthusiastic choir and organist, Doris Billings. What followed was 23 years of wonderful music with Doris.

And she even came out of retirement until we found “our Linda.”

That fall the church wanted to again start up a children’s choir, and we did. We recently experienced a success with that ensemble we started up so MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, when “The Young Group” sang in worship. All eight youth who sang together that Sunday had sung in the children’s choir here when they were younger.

It wasn’t long before I had heard of Green Lake and the summer

church music program there. In my first spring here I was excited about going. And then I was reminded: “you know, we ARE having a baby this summer.” And we did, and I went to Green Lake for the first time the following summer and went on to serve as President of the national Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians.

The following year we began a hand bell choir. For 10 years, ringers met weekly to play bells and to share their music on Sundays.

As the children became youth, we began “Rejoice”, a Christian musical experience where kids sang weekly Sunday evenings and regularly in worship.

After Eric Goddard told me of his family’s move to Chattanooga, I found myself alone again in the sanctuary asking God another question. “God, I’m not 35 anymore, but if you think I can learn a new repertoire and learn an exciting way to accompany songs, I will continue to happily and joyously serve you here.” And the reception, commitment, focus, and love of serving that I found in our Worship Ensemble was very affirming.

I have really valued discussions on worship through these last 30 years. I remember a seminar at Green Lake in 1991 on new hymnals, and that is where I was first introduced to The Worshiping Church, the hymnal in our sanctuary. I also remember the conference at LIFE Bible College in 1993, where Pastor Joe DeRoulhac took us to see what it would be like to broaden our worship experience and have a “blended” service.

And then there were these questions: What should we be doing in worship? What is it that inspires the folks in the pews? When is lots of music TOO MUCH music? Should

we clap in worship? (And during that discussion, I recall: Psalm 47:1: “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.”)

Through the years Bruce Laycook and I have had many meaningful conversations about learning theories involving “process” and “product.” For me, it is in that “process” that we experience the real-life work of the Christian journey, and where we join with each other to serve musically and love doing it.

So today I see that in the Christian life the “product” precedes our “process,” even though that sounds foolish. But St. Paul says, “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” The divine “product” was made complete on the cross, through that lifechanging, amazing grace. And yet we are called to be actively, excitedly, intentionally committed to the “process”: sharing with everyone around us the glorious news of the Gospel.

And I am so blessed that I had that great fortune to have a large portion of my life’s journey here at First Baptist as part of my Christian “process.” Thank you so much to the committed work of so many through these 30 years.

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M I S SION S

Worldwide Prayer Concerns “But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” –Hebrews 10:32-33

Worldwide How many Bibles do you own? It is probably a safe bet that most Tapestry readers own multiple Bibles in various translations. But for believers in some nations, they can’t easily obtain Bibles due to governmental or societal restrictions; so having a personal copy of God’s Word is a precious gift. Voice of the Martyrs brings Bibles into 68 “hostile and restricted” nations and delivered over 1.2 million Bibles in 2015.

Often these Bibles are traditional print books, smuggled in and printed on high quality paper so that they are durable. But VOM also takes advantage of modern technology to distribute the scriptures. A digital Bible can be easily hidden on a small chip or even emailed into a hostile country. Christians can share content using “bump” transfers between phones or through public Wi-Fi connections. Audio Bibles allow Christians to listen, even if they can’t read. And VOM also shared that women in Muslim nations who wear head scarves can secretly listen, since their ears are not visible. In addition, VOM distributes Bibles in graphic novel format so that children can hear the good news. Praise God for the courage, determination, and ingenuity of these devoted brothers and sisters as they spread God’s Word all around the world.

France Pray for Kyle and Katrina Williams’ family as they continue their training in France. They are ABC missionaries who, along with their four children, will ultimately join Glen and Rita Chapman in the Congo. They are adjusting to life in France and learning to speak French. Katrina shared a story about their five-year old practicing the phrase “Je mange a la cantine” to tell his teacher that he is going to eat lunch in the cafeteria; and then building up the courage to tell his teacher on his own. Pray for the family to continue to find Jesus beside them as they journey forward in faith, training for their new life as missionaries to the Congo.

Haiti Pray for our ABC missionaries who minister in Haiti. This month marks the six-year anniversary of the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that devastated the already poor country. Steve and Nancy James serve as medical consultants, using their training to help local medical centers. Kihomi and Nzunga serve as a vital link between International Ministries and the Haitian Baptist Convention. Nzunga teaches theology at the Christian University of Northern Haiti, trains assistant professors in teaching and writing books, administers a scholarship program, and visits and preaches in churches. Kihomi works with families in the areas of counseling, family planning, and women’s health issues. Pray for God’s hope to break through the darkness in Haiti. Pray also for a peaceful response to the run-off election in late December.

-Jonathan Peske

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

Winter Camp Memories By: Jared Sumners Youth Director Winter Camp 2016 is just around the corner. February 13th we’ll head to Cedar Crest. To get us excited for camp, I thought I’d share these memories from last year.

Preparing to head up a mountain can be scary. How much colder will it be? Will the wildlife come out to play? Is there a special kind of tree into which I can plug my Xbox? The questions are endless. So one can imagine our anticipation.

We knew the weekend was full of possibilities.

But the scariest unknown is always the possibility that we may have to share part of ourselves with the world.

Folks will be quick to say, all a teenager wants is to be known. But being misunderstood is something we all dislike. And for a species so averse to being misunderstood, we share very little of our true selves with others. We spend an excessive amount of time building a public appearance: our clothes, gadgets, styles, and affiliations. Even our opinions have a tendency to be formed with an audience in mind.

And as online life grows, the more we can pick and choose the parts of

ourselves we display to the world.

My Facebook friends might be surprised to find out there’s more to me than Ultimate Frisbee and coffee (though admittedly not much more).

And photos we post to Instagram are invariably on our good side.

How then are we to be understood? How are we to share our true selves when it’s unpopular, uncommon, and downright terrifying?

Enter Camp. Camp is a magical place where all of a sudden it’s normal to think hard about our real opinions, to sit in circles and share deep, difficult parts of our lives with strangers, to sing and dance to loud worship with wild abandon, to meditate alone in nature – it’s an invitation to in every way be completely and utterly ourselves.

Driving up the 330, we saw snow on the side of the road just before we arrived at Camp Cedar Crest. Seconds after we parked, snow was airborne, being mostly wielded by junior high boys. We moved into our cabins and surveyed the nature in which we found ourselves. It was stunning. Soon camp was in full swing, consisting of worship, debriefing, fellowship, games, food, more games, more singing, and very (very) little sleep. (At this point I’d like to give all my thanks to the

heroes of last year’s Winter Camp: Amy Carpenter, Kate Sumners, and Nick Tate.)

We sang often and we sang loud. We sang a song whose refrain was one word: “Freedom.” It was fitting that the focus of our worship should be on this particular creative attribute of our Maker: that He made us free, and He loves to see us unchained.

Camp can be the answer to our common desires: to be known and to be free.

Younger generations want to see in others one thing above all: they want people to be “real.” Camp affords us all a chance to be “real,” to be genuine, authentic.

My favorite part of our weekend was Saturday night. After our worship, after the message, after a bunch of students decided to try this Jesus thing for real, we met together as FBCR Youth in a cabin. We went around our circle and everyone shared something true about themselves, and they offered real encouragement to someone else in the group. Hearing our youth be honest was amazing, but hearing them encourage and bless each other was the best thing I’ve seen out of them yet. They shared freely of themselves.

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F E L L O WSHI P

Children’s Service

Dennis’ 25 Years Celebration

Richard’s 30 Years Celebration

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Polar Express Night

Cantata Sunday

Hanging of the Greens

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C A L E N DA R

Happy January Birthday To...

A Music Leader’s Dream and a BIG Thank You

With enough music to call our worship on Sunday, December 6, a concert, I want to thank so many people who made my 30-year celebration so meaningful to me and my family. As we gathered for worship with hearts still aching from the tragic events of the previous week, the Advent theme of “peace” was so timely and needed. FBC and I are thankful for the music in worship of: the gifted Linda Gentile, the BYF accompanied by Jared Sumners and Brian Wolfe on guitar, the JD Choir and the Children’s Choir Alumni led by Eve Fisher and Jonathan Peske, the Worship Choir, the Worship Ensemble, Ellie Huynh and Doris Baker singing “O Holy Night”, Abby Kishimoto singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, Fleury and Bruce Laycook, soloists, on “Peace, Peace”, instrumentalists Orville Chapman, Scott Nelson, and Mary Wolfe, and the Men’s Ensemble, led by Ron Gentile and singing Ron’s new lyrics. I thank Dale Barwick and Scott Medlin for running 18 microphones that morning! And thank you for the memorable luncheon with: my favorite soups by Shelley Skinner, Joanne Stringer, and Jim Ortiz; for all the salad preparation by Diane Creech, the delicious appetizers and desserts by Renie Price, Ashley Hansen, Hillary Aguirre, and Anne Hansen; Redlands’ No. 1 MC Mike Reynolds, Scott Nelson and Linda Gentile for the music, heartfelt tributes by Pastor Deena Barwick, Dennis Chenevert, Debbie Crowley, Bruce Laycook, and Joe DeRoulhac, the great slide show and memory book by Tom Herron, and the words and new wardrobe from Pastor Richard Burke. I thank the church, the Worship Commission, and the Personnel Commission for the beautiful clock and stereo system for my new office!!! And my deepest thanks goes to Angel Florence, whose creativity, planning, and direction from start to finish made the entire day a great success.

Richard W. Steffen

Birthday Celebration!

You are cordially invited to a birthday celebration in honor of Betty Jo Graves’ 90th birthday being held January 24th in Fellowship Hall. immediately after the service. Please contact Craig Graves at 909466-0576 for more information and to RSVP. Please RSVP by January 16th.

Annual Meeting

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SEND YOUR CONDOLENCES

It is with great regret we share the passing of:

Max Dodson

Jan. 19, 1935 - Dec. 8, 2015

Max Dodson Memorial Service

The Annual Meeting is being held on January 31st The memorial service will be on in fellowship hall immediately following church January 2nd, in the Sanctuary at 2 p.m. service. Childcare will be provided.

Reagan Crowley— 1 Lori Powell — 1 Sam Zureick — 2 JoAnne Stewart — 4 Joseph DeRoulhac — 5 Ed Irvin — 5 Paul Zander — 5 Seth Medlin — 6 Dori Dominguez — 6 Bethany Atchison — 8 Taylor Herron — 9 Anita Holmes — 9 Riley Miller — 10 Judy Miller — 10 Delia Horelle — 11 Nina Zureick — 12 Natalie Olson — 14 Brian Wolfe — 15 Craig Baker — 16 Aidan Huynh — 22 Kaitie Savage — 22 Andrew Bierschbach — 23 Betty Jo Graves — 23 Arnold Nelson — 23 Johnie Nottingham — 24 Scott Bierschbach — 25 Cathy Zander — 26 Mary Lee Marelocke — 27 Mark Estey — 28 Elise Huynh — 29 Jim Sharp— 31

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Pray for Pastor Richard Burke

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Pray for Men’s Breakfast

Monday

Pray for Pastor Deena Barwick

Center

Pray for Jared Sumners

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

18 Pray for U of R

for our 19 Pray Educators

Services 4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 7 p.m. Christian Ed-Loft Worship, Board Room Local Outreach, Library Fin. & Prop - Judson

Meeting

24/ Betty Jo’s Birthday party 31/11:45 a.m. Annual

Pray for ABC Missionary Mylinda Baits Haiti

4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 7 p.m. Exectuvie Council, Lounge

for ABC 26 25 Pray Missionaries Dan and

8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers Sarah Chetti - Lebanon 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 11:30 a.m. Prayer meeting Plymouth Village

for Richard 24/31Pray Steffen

8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 4-6 p.m. Grief Share, 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at Lounge 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting Plymouth Village

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Pray for Office Volunteers

4-6 p.m. Grief Share, Lounge 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting

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Tuesday

11 Pray for the Blessing 12 Pray for Family

8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9 a.m. Sunday School at Plymouth Village 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:45 a.m. Executive Council Meeting

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8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9 a.m. Sunday School at Plymouth Village 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting

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Sunday

Pray for Greeters and Ushers

Pray for Miriam Circle

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Pray for ABC Missionary Marilyn Raatz- Kenya

12 p.m. Miriam Circle

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for Building a 13 Pray Generation

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Wednesday

Pray for those in Need

Pray for Angel Florence

Pray for Child Care Staff

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Pray for Youth Hope

10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery

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Office Closed

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Friday

Pray for Dennis Chenevert

Charland - Zambia

Saturday

Pray for the Salvation Army

Pray for Veterans

Pray for Christian Counseling Services

Pray for ABC Missionary Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes Mexico

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9 a.m.-noon Women’s Bible Study David’s Corner

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9 a.m. Family Services

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for ABC 30 29 Pray Missionary Kathy

10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery

Praise for Active Duty Military

10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes

Jonathan and Thelma Nambu - Philippines

for ABC 28 Pray Missionaries

5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes

for Health Care 22 21 Pray Professionals

10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Birthday Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes

Celebrants

14 Pray for Birthday

5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes

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Thursday

J A N UA RY 2 0 1 6

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

Annual Meeting Please join us for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 31st immediately following worship service. The menu includes Jim’s Killer Chili and chicken noodle soup. Thursday Night dinner prices apply. Childcare service is available. Please contact the church office for more information.

Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit No. 2111

Thursday Night Classes The following are Thursday night’s two Adult classes (which will meet Jan 7 - Feb 4, 2016): The Controversial Issues Class led by Lloyd Howard and Josh Morgan will meet in Judson Hall. The class focuses on difficult issues regarding our faith as baptists.

The theme of Pastor Richard’s Thursday night Winter Bible Study is “How to make the best of times out of the worst of times.” It is a study of the New Testament book of 1 Peter. The class will explore the often asked question: in times of darkness, how can I live in hope?