The First Baptist Church of Redlands
TA PE S T RY Woven Together In Love: Colossians 2:2
MAY 2016
ISSUE No. 5
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR SHAWN
Celebrating the Church I have arrived! And while you have been patiently waiting for me, I have been working to finish “well” my ministry in the life of the Baptist Student Foundation at Purdue (The Found) in Indiana, preparing a place for the next person that God is calling into that ministry. As my last official act as pastor of The Found I had the wonderful duty of
We have a history of God at work in and through this church. We have a present that is filled with gifted, talented, committed and loving people, engaged in the work of God in the church, the community and the world.
preaching at the ordination of one of my former students. Andy was a sophomore among the students who welcomed me as pastor when I arrived at Purdue. During his time at The Found, Andy began to sense a call to ministry. He entered seminary shortly after graduation and began serving in a church as the youth minister. For several reasons he put off ordination until this year. For me, however, the timing of all of it was poignant. Ordinations are occasions to celebrate being the Church. It is a time when we gather in partnership with other congregations in the family to acknowledge and affirm God’s call to ministry one of our own. For me to be a part of this ordination the day before I headed west to a new call was the beginning of a season of Celebrating the Church. As I have officially become your senior pastor at the beginning of May and we officially celebrate this new chapter in our life together at First Baptist Church of Redlands with the installation on May 15, it does not escape my attention that all of this is happening as we celebrate Pentecost, the birth of the Church! I love Pentecost! I love the chaos, the inclusion, the breaking down of barriers, the beginning of something that no one could have ever
imagined…something that impacts you and me all these generations later! At Pentecost we are reminded of what we are meant to be as the people of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, going about the mission of Christ in this world in which we find ourselves. And this Pentecost, maybe even in the midst of chaos, we may catch a glimpse of how God has been at work in the life of this church and in my life, now merging our paths for such a time as this. We have a history of God at work in and through this church. We have a present that is filled with gifted, talented, committed and loving people, engaged in the work of God in the church, the community and the world. And we have a future that involves breaking down barriers, opening our arms to welcome and send out a new generation. No doubt this future will involve no small amount of chaos. It will be exciting and uncomfortable. But it will be something the fullness of which we can only begin to imagine. So get ready! We are Celebrating the Church! We are anticipating all that it means for us in THIS season of Pentecost. With Joy…and chaos! Pastor Shawn
COVER
CONTENTS
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The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373.
A Message from Pastor Shawn: Celebrating the Church
All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 10th of each month to tapestry@fbcredlands.org.
Staff and Contents
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A Few Words From Pastor Deena: Pray, Prayer, Praying
MISSIONS
MINISTRY
S TA FF
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“For I Know...”
To My FBCR Church Family
Reverend Shawn Zambrows, D.Min Senior Pastor shawn@fbcredlands.org Reverend Deena Barwick, Ph.D. Associate Pastor of Family Ministries deena@fbcredlands.org Richard W. Steffen Minister of Music rwsteffen@gmail.com
World Prayer Concerns: Egypt, Nigeria, Nicaragua Pastor Richard’s Farewell Luncheon
Linda Gentile Organist Hilary Craw Volunteer Youth Director youth@fbcredlands.org
CALENDAR
FELLOWSHIP
Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org
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Heritage Room and Archive Report Thank You From Mission Commission Church News: Jim and Dianne Creech 50th Anniversary Invitation
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Thank You From Local Outreach May Calendar
Marion Gil Communications Specialist marion@fbcredlands.org Dennis Chenevert Buildings/Grounds
CON TACT S
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
Pray, Prayer, Praying For the past few weeks, I have been teaching a series on Prayer. We have looked at the Greek words Kataphonic (Way of Affirmation using words, images, etc.) and Apophatic (Way of Negation using no words, silence, etc.) and examining what types of prayers we find worshipful, meaningful and/or helpful for a connection to God. A few prayers were explored as to the content and the context of the day and how they could be practical to us today: the Prayer of Hezekiah and Jesus’ Prayer at Gethsemane. We have tried practicing a few different ones: Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina. Since we are so tied into the types of prayers we either learned as a child or practice as an adult, it
is often difficult to venture out and try something new without labeling it as belonging to another culture or denomination. None of these prayers are wrong or bad, they are just different than the ones we know and are familiar with using. Once we try a new way of praying, we begin to stretch ourselves into a deeper connection to God. Silence or prayers without words are the harder prayers. We have spent most of our lives praying words – lots of words! Which is us just talking to God. We pray prayers of lament, of praise, of thankfulness, or requests for something or someone. We are also talking and then wonder why our prayers aren’t answered the way we want them to be answered! So, for a while, we decided to practice listening – listening for the voice of God or the Spirit as some call it. No requests, no praise, no thankfulness, no words – just silence. And is that ever hard to those who just want to talk all the time, especially to God! The prayer we are using is “Centering Prayer”. It has five phases to “go through”: Opening Prayer; Beginning Sound; Silence Duration; Ending Sound; and Closing Prayer. It can be used in a group setting or used by an individual. You find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted for the duration of your Centering Prayer. It is recommended to offer this prayer at least once daily. If you want to start with once a week, it is at least a start to trying something new in your prayer life. Before you begin Centering Prayer practice, you
determine a name you might use for God – simple is better: Yahweh, Gracious (God), Loving (God), Father, Jehovah, Master, Almighty just to name a few examples. Once you have that name, you whisper it several times while breathing in and out. Now you begin the Centering Prayer. The Opening prayer is typically a verse or two of scripture, often a portion of a specific Psalm. It is read aloud and then a bell tolls three times. Now for the Duration of Silence. Remember the word you identified earlier? Use that word to bring you back to the silence, listening to the silence. Every time your mind begins to wander, whisper that word until it brings you back to the silence and listen. This time can be 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes in length. At the end of the silence duration, a bell tolls again three times. A closing prayer is a different psalm or scripture than the first one to open the centering prayer. For you tech savvy friends, there is a Centering Prayer app for your phone. The more you practice this prayer, the more aware of the silence and the presence of God while you are in silence. Some who practice this type of prayer keep a journal close by and write a few words down that came to them while in silence. They can begin to see the work of God in their lives as they are attuned to listen to the silence. If you want to know more about Centering Prayer, contact me and we can work through the process together. It is peaceful, restful and a new way to worship in silence while listening for the Spirit to speak to you.
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M I N I S T RY
“For I Know...”
If FBC had a “Choose Your Favorite Hymn” time in worship or other church activity, what might you choose?” When I visited my mother in Indiana last month, I attended worship with her in her church, the same church in which I grew up. When it came time in worship that morning to choose favorite hymns to be sung, a person suggested Hymn No. 417: “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” As we prepared to sing it, my mother reminded me that it was one of my father’s favorites, too. Its inspiration is 2 Timothy 1:12. In writing to Timothy, his “dearly beloved son” in the faith, St. Paul looked past his own circumstances to express concern for the churches and for their ministry. Paul wanted to use his last words to encourage Timothy, and all other believers, to persevere in the faith and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hear again these inspiring words: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the
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By Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music
...I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (KJV) which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (KJV) Daniel Webster Whittle wrote the text of this hymn. A Major in the US Army during the Civil War, Whittle was sent to Virginia from his home in Massachusetts. After having been wounded in battle, which led to the amputation of his arm, he was held in a prisoner of war camp. One night a nurse woke him and told him that one of the soldiers was dying and had been begging for someone to pray for him. Thinking that Major
Whittle was a Christian since he had been constantly reading the Bible, the nurse begged Major Whittle to pray with the dying soldier. Though not sure of his own relationship with God, Whittle reluctantly agreed. He says of that day: “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed earnestly for the boy. He became quiet and pressed my hand as I prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon. I hope to meet him in heaven.” Ten years later at the encouragement of his close friend D.L. Moody, Whittle entered into evangelism. He would work closely with the man who would set to music many of his later songs, and who wrote the music to this song, James McGranahan. Whittle wrote the text of “I Know Whom I Have Believed’ in 1883. He died March 4, 1901 after having written over 200 hymns. The main subject of the song is assurance. And we read in 1 John 5:13 (KJV) another proclamation of assurance: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. This hymn is No. 493 in our hymnal. It may be a favorite of yours as it is of mine.
To My FBCR Church Family By Pastor Richard Burke Dear Church Family, Let me tell you a story. Twenty months ago, an easterner arrived here with his starched shirts, ties and even a tuxedo. Little did he realize he would soon be putting away his tuxedo and starched shirts, instead only wearing ties on Sunday and would be enjoying a wonderful more relaxed lifestyle. Of course, that only represented externals. Internally, little did he realize that he would be experiencing something much more profound. It was a sense of community, and not only community, but also a loving community that in the months to come would make his life much richer. The easterner’s story began in June 2014, when he was invited to interview for the position of interim pastor. He spent three very busy days meeting with the Personnel Commission and a cross section of people from the church family. Having just finished an interim ministry assignment on Long Island, New York, and having always wanted to live in Southern California, he was excited about the invitation. However, little did he know how memorable this visit would be and what the next twenty months in his life would mean. When he arrived, he was certainly impressed with the beautiful and well-equipped building and the many programs of the church but it was the loving spirit that, almost immediately made him know that this was the place he wanted to serve next. Now twenty months later, that easterner gives thanks to the Lord for the privilege of serving at FBCR. It has been an experience that has far surpassed any of my expectations. I thank you for making me feel so welcome, as if I had always been a part of the church family. I am thankful for the care, wise counsel, and patience of staff, executive council, commission members, worship service participants and volunteers that supported me. I am also thankful for the encouragement and love that our church family members gave to me week after week. Then there was the “icing on the cake�- the farewell service and dinner at which you honored me. I still feel like I am on Cloud Nine as I remember that special day. Thank you to all who planned and prepared one of the finest farewell celebrations anyone could have. Thank you to everyone for the cards, the gifts, and all the expressions of love that you gave to me. It has been a privilege to serve during this transition period between the outstanding ministry of Pastor Joe and the arrival of another special servant of the Lord, Pastor Shawn. It has been a privilege to be your interim pastor and I want you to know that you will always remain in my heart and in my prayers. In Christian love, Pastor Richard
I thank you for making me feel so welcome, asif I had alwaysbeen a part of the church family.
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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
Egypt An Egyptian Christian named Bishop Garas who was imprisoned for blasphemy was recently released and declared innocent. A fake Facebook account was set up in his name, and though he maintained his innocence, he was found guilty of defaming Islam. He was sentenced in September 2012. He lost his job as a teacher and spent more than three years in prison. His case dragged on and on because the judges kept postponing it, calling it a sensitive issue. Though he has finally been cleared, he is still at risk of violence at the hand of vigilante Islamists. Pray for Bishop as he begins to put his life back together. Pray for employment opportunities and personal safety. Pray that others who are suffering in prison may also be released.
Nigeria In Nigeria, the Islamist group Boko Haram continues its reign of terror, and the stories are heart wrenching. It has been two years since the abduction of the schoolgirls that first brought Boko Haram to international attention as the target of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. More than 200 of those girls are still missing, though the BBC reported that a recent video showed about a dozen girls who claimed to be part of that group. However, these are not the only children kidnapped by Boko Haram. CNN reported that the group mistreats children so badly that when the captives are offered the chance to become suicide bombers, they willingly volunteer in order to escape the hunger, violence, and abuse. Additionally, girls and women who manage to escape from Boko Haram are viewed with suspicion and ostracized because others fear that they still might be loyal to the group. Voice of the Martyrs shared first person testimony from a woman named “Regina” whose son was killed by Boko Haram fighters when they came to her village in 2014. Her oldest daughter is still missing and Regina worries that her daughter has been “married” to one of the fighters. Regina continues to affirm her faith in God, but asks for help being able to forgive. Pray for Regina and others who have lost so much at the hands of Boko Haram. Pray for God’s power to break through this darkness.
Nicaragua
Praise God for the work of David and Laura Parajon, our medical missionaries to Nicaragua. In 2015, Dr. Laura was chosen as one of three “Rural Heroes” by the World Organization of Family Doctors. Rural Heroes are “five star doctors”: care providers, decision makers, communicators, community leaders, and team members. Through their work training “health promoters” in rural communities, lives have been saved and communities are healthier. Praise God for calling such outstanding people to the mission field in Nicaragua.
-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.
Pastor Richard’s Farewell luncheon
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F E L L O WSHI P
Heritage Room and Archive Report By Dianne Creech, Historian
During the past several months the Heritage Room Committee and the Archive Committee have been working to relocate and develop the church archives and transform a classroom into a beautiful heritage room. We have been making progress. The new Heritage Room area has been painted, carpeted, new window coverings and new display cabinets have been installed. The room is beginning
to take on a new bright and wonderful look. Furniture has been restored, cleaned, moved in and new tables and chairs purchased. All the archive items stored in an old storage area have been moved, boxed in new cartons, filed, sorted and rediscovered. Many items will be on display for the first time in years. All of this has taken a great deal of time, energy and patience. The Archive Committee has been building displays with materials found in the archives and all around
the church facility. The Archive Committee is asking the church family if you have pictures or items you would like to share with the archives and Heritage Room, if so please bring those items into the church office. See me or phone me at 909-793-5667. It will be exciting to see new things. We hope to have an open house this fall so all of you can enjoy the Heritage Room and its historical items. Thank you for your encouragement and interest.
if you have pictures or items you would like to share with the archives and Heritage Room please bring those items into the church office.
Thank You from Missions Commission By Liz Laine, International Missions Chair
The Missions Commission would like to thank the congregation for their generous donation of supplies to our ABC shelter home Deborah House in Tijuana. The totals were:
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Adult size blankets
items of boy’s clothing
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Children’s blankets
dozen bath towels
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sheets
Along with some money to pay an outstanding water bill, the supplies were delivered by Jose Mendoza on April 24th.
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Church News
Dianne and Jim Creech 50th Anniversary Celebration Dianne and Jim Creech Invite the church family to our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Saturday, May 21, 2016 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The First Baptist Church of Redlands Chapel
51 West Olive Avenue Redlands, California No gifts please. Cards only!
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C A L E N DA R
Happy May Birthday To...
Photo courtesy of Cathy Zander The Local Outreach Commission would like to thank the congregation for their generous donations of food, gift cards and cash, for the Annual Family Service Easter collections. The youth assembled 10 boxes of food, including $140.00 of Stater Bros. gift cards. A special thanks to the youth and leaders. Also, thanks to Marie and David Hamilton for the contribution of oranges and lemons. Thanks, Cathy Zander
Church Picnic
Join us for a BBQ, potluck, pie-baking contest, bounce house, water balloon toss, and lots of great fun and fellowship on June 26 after the service. The Diaconate will be selling hot dogs for $2, and hamburgers and veggie burgers for $3. The rest of the meal is a potluck and you are asked to bring an item based on your last name. Individuals should bring enough for 4-6 and families should bring enough for 8-12. A-H: Please bring a salad I-P: Please bring a dessert Q-Z: Please bring a side dish
Pastor Shawn Zambrows Installation Service
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Join us for the Installation Service for our new Senior Pastor, Shawn Zambrows on May 15 at 2 p.m. Our church, as well as other community leaders will be welcoming Pastor Shawn to our church and our community. Come celebrate our new pastor and the future of our church.
Summer Schedule Spring is almost over, and that means that FBCR will be starting its summer schedule! Sunday school classes will end on June 5 and our last Thursday Night dinner until Fall will be on June 9. Our summer schedule will officially begin on June 12. Check in with us to learn all of the exciting summer schedule changes!
Friendship Day
Come and be a part of May Friendship Day, Friday, May 6th at Weeks Hall of the First Methodist Church at 10 a.m. The theme is “Gathering at God’s Table” and we will be sharing a salad luncheon with Christian women of all denominations. We hope to see you there. - Church Women United
Lacey Marie Wardschenk — 1 Nick Miller — 1 Martha Hone-Warren — 2 Claudia Brown — 3 Patty Frost — 4 Aaron Steffen — 7 Henry McLaren — 8 Corin Jones — 9 Jessica Mendoza — 9 Miletta Updegraff — 10 Deborah Crowley — 11 Bruce Laycook — 11 Zachary Beltran — 12 Jason Lowe — 13 Ryan Carpenter — 15 Richard Popovich — 16 Liam Fisher — 17 Virginia Chapman — 18 Neera Daniels — 22 Margaret Bierschbach — 23 Mike Aguirre — 23 Abby Kishimoto — 25 Doris Stephens — 26 Paul Espinosa — 28 Barbi Carpenter — 29 Jim Hollenberg — 29 Janet Roberts — 30
Romberg Tree Service Were you wondering where we got those beautiful palm branches for Palm Sunday and Holy week? We got them here, as we do every year, at Romberg Tree Service. If you would like to contact him for services, he can be reached by phone at (909)7933731 or by email at brian@ rombergtreeservice.com
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Pray for Pastor Shawn
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Pray for the Grieving
Monday 3 Pray for the Ill
Tuesday
for Richard 30 Pray Steffen
8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 10:15 a.m. Worship Service Plymouth Village 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 4-6 p.m. GriefShare, 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting Lounge
29 Pray for Dennis
4 Pray for our Youth
Wednesday
for Church 24 Pray officers
7 p.m. Prayer Meeting, Lounge
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Pray for Linda Gentile
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Pray for Missionaries
12 p.m. Miriam Circle
17 Pray for Volunteers 18 Pray for ABWM Projects
6:30 p.m. Diaconate, Lounge 7 p.m. Christian Ed, Mez. Worship, Board Room Local Outreach, Library Fin. & Prop., Judson Hall
for Commission 11 Pray for Teachers 10 Pray Meeting
8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 7 p.m. Executive Board, 10:15 a.m. Worship Service Lounge Plymouth Village 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 4-6 p.m. GriefShare, 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting Lounge
Missions
23 Pray for World
Pray for our visitors
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dental team
16 Pray for Nicaragua
8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at Plymouth Village 4-6 p.m. GriefShare, Lounge
Pray for Angel
Pray for Deborah House
8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at Plymouth Village 4-6 p.m. GriefShare, Lounge
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8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting 2 p.m. Pastor Shawn Installation, Sanctuary
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8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers 9 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship Service 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting
8Pray for Pastor Deena
8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast at 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting, 8:45 a.m. Nursery/Toddlers Plymouth Village Lounge 9 a.m. Sunday School 4-6 p.m. GriefShare, 10:15 a.m. Worship Service Lounge 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 11:45 a.m. Prayer Meeting
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Sunday Pray for Nursery Workers
6 Pray for Parents
Friday
5:45 p.m. Thursday Night Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes
26 Pray for our cooks
Praise for the Good News 10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery 5-9 p.m. Put It Together, David’s Corner
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10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes
Team
Pray for God’s Kids
10-11 a.m. Play Day in the Nursery
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19 Pray for the Worship 20 Pray for our JD’s
5:45 p.m. Birthday Night Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes
12 Pray for the Choir
10-11 a.m. Play Day 5:45 p.m. Thursday Night in the Nursery Dinner 6:45 p.m. Classes
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Thursday
Pray for the work of Family Service
Pray for our Church Facilities
Praise for the Creechs
9-5 Put It Together, David’s Corner
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9 a.m.-noon Women’s Bible Study David’s Corner
for our Church 14 Praise history
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Saturday
M AY 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
Church Picnic FBCR will be having its annual church picnic on June 26 immediately after service. There will be food, games, fellowship, and much, much more. Diaconate will be selling burgers and hot dogs but the rest of the meal will be potluck, so bring your favorite foods and share them with your church family! Please contact the church office for more information.
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