YOUR APRIL/MAY 2018 Two teams from Blue Ridge Baptist Association churches are now home from the Dominican Republic where they distributed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes March 3-17. God blessed the over 1500 shoebox gifts that were freely and lovingly given to children; some that never had been given a gift before! There was a different team of volunteers each week. Thanks to all who served! We are looking forward to new folks attending next year who have not served on a short term mission trip like this before. It will change your life! To see more pictures, go to https:// lightshinepics.smugmug. com/OCC-DominicanRepublic
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AT WORK
OUR TRUE POWER SOURCE…
UPCOMING EVENTS
The story is told of someone who plugged a power strip into itself and then couldn’t understand why the system wouldn’t turn on! We get a kick out of such tales, yet how often do we try to “power” our own lives? We frequently think we need to be the source of our own strength, joy, peace, energy and wisdom. Jesus doesn’t teach us to find life within ourselves — or in any human being or earthly circumstance, object or philosophy. Rather, calling himself the good shepherd, Jesus says, “I have come that [my sheep] may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We don’t access that abundant life by “plugging into” ourselves. Instead, Jesus invites us to plug into his power — and joy, peace, hope, truth — through prayer and Scripture, worship and service, fellowship with other Christians and the beauty of God’s world. During this busy season for churches, take the time to remember to “plug in” to Jesus...
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with special guest artist CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT & band Chris is a well known musician and worship leader and has won awards with Word Music and The Gospel Music Association. Integrity Music and Maranatha have recorded his songs over the years. He has a powerful testimony and the Savior's heart
Invitation are out and we are awaiting your responses… Please join us for this catered event at a beautiful location to honor you, Our Pastors!
and Staff
Want to let others know what’s happening in your church? Want to know what other churches are doing? Let Us Know! BRBA will add your events to our newsletter
Wednesday
April 4, 2018 8:00 am Bonnie’s at the Red Byrd 19409 Shepherdstown Pike Keedysville, MD
OPPORTUNITIES Frederick Rescue Mission is offering opportunities for groups to serve in their Summer Enrichment Camp. This camp focuses on kids who are in 1st – 5th grade who are lower income, at risk for making grade level, or homeless. We are in need of churches who will commit to serve a week at camp (Monday – Thursday from 9:00- 3:00) We are looking for 5-10 volunteers who are ages 16+ that would come for one week that would be willing to come alongside our Director who would help carry out the day’s activities. You may be asked to play board games, assist with craft projects, listen to a child read and essentially mentoring the kids in the program. Our hope is for the kids to be loved on by church members and get connected to local churches. The weeks that are available are June 25th- Aug 9th, we have two camp locations, one in Thurmont and one in Frederick. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Teri Kwiatek at tkwiatek@therescuemission.org or call 301-695-6633x215. This is a great opportunity for those who want to go on a local missions trip! ______________________________________________________
What is ReFRESH®? ReFRESH® is a time for you to come apart from the distractions and chaos of life and seek the face of God. It’s not about church growth or the latest worship fads. ReFRESH® Northeast is designed to ReFOCUS, ReENERGIZE and ReFRESH pastors, key church leaders and those who have a thirst for a fresh move of God in the Northeastern region of the United States. more information at http:// newengland.refreshconference.org/ This is a great local opportunity for our pastors’ and spouses.
COOPERATIVE PROGRAM SUNDAY APRIL 8, 2018
The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries. It presents a unified and comprehensive budget, throwing a funding blanket over statewide, national and international missions and ministries. It provides a long‐term sustainability for our entities. When a church makes their missions giving as a percentage of their church budgets, it provides consistency and stability. It adheres to our long term Baptist principle that "we can do more together than alone." The Cooperative Program mitigates competition between entities thereby allowing a balanced Acts 1:8 Strategy. It levels the playing field, and makes a place at the table for small and ethnic churches. Every church can stand hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, on level ground, as partners in the gospel (large and small churches, new, growing or graying churches, and ethnic churches).
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GOD’S WORD AT WORK… VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
ASSISTANT PASTOR Friendship Baptist Church, Waynesboro, PA, has an immediate opening for an Assistant Pastor. More information can be found at their website: https:// fcbc.church/ index.php/new-jobs/
MUSIC & WORSHIP INTERN Faith Baptist Church in Knoxville, MD is currently seeking a candidate to serve as a Music and Worship intern from May 21 through August 26, 2018 to provide worship leadership while the Associate Pastor of Worship is on sabbatical leave. Interested candidates should send a resume and, if available, a video link to Pastor Duane Musgrove at duane@faithsbc.org by April 20, 2018. Additional information about FBC can be found at http:// www.faithsbc.org
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This is a photo of the KRAYNAK family before they lost their husband and father last year, Pastor Tim Kraynak, to cancer. Aliza Kraynak and her children NEED OUR HELP! The Blue Ridge Baptist Association will be teaming up with the South Central Baptist Association of PA to do some needed work at the Kraynak home this spring, and we need laborers who can help do the work. Jesus said, "to love thy neighbor as thyself" and we all know that love is an action word. This widow and her children need our assistance as we go to help them in a time of great need. Below is a list of the some of projects that need to be done around their house: 1. Power wash house to remove mold 2. Repair downspout so they line up with the ground drain. 3. Repair split seams in the living room ceiling. 4. Repair split corner seams in the bathroom. 5. Fix the hole in the bathroom wall caused by lack of door stop, and repair fan. 6. Replace thermo coupler on the gas stove in the living room. 7. Clean up weeds & poison ivy. 8. Pressure wash deck. 9. Check gutters for leaves. 10. Take swings off the swing set and replace. 11. Put up a shelf in the garage. If you can be a physical blessing to this widow and her family, contact Joi Hilton at (240) 818-8760 or joi@blueridgebaptist.org. We will coordinate the time for trips to Peach Bottom, PA and gathering needed supplies and materials to do the work. Blessings, Bruce Conley; Director of Missions
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SWEET ENCOURAGEMENT Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Stephens, came up with a plan after sharing the Bible story of Jesus’ resurrection. She gave each one of her students an empty plastic egg and said, “We are going to take a walk outside, and I want each one of you to find one sign of life and put it in your plastic egg.” The children soon returned from their walk, depositing their eggs on the teacher’s desk as they made their way to their seats. Inside one student's egg was a lady bug. In another was an ant. Others had collected flowers, twigs, blades of grass and leaves to fill their eggs. But one egg had nothing in it. Mrs. Stephens silenced the giggles with a look of warning. When she asked Danny, a young boy with Down Syndrome, why he had not put anything inside his egg to show signs of life, his face broke into a huge grin as he responded, "Because the tomb was empty." Danny got it. He truly understood the profound truth of Easter. The empty tomb is the ultimate sign of life and a miracle like none other! Excerpts of an Easter Devotional titled “The Tomb Was Empty” by Mary Southerland
IN OUR CHURCHES
SENIOR PASTOR
FIGHT OPIOIDS. BUILD COMMUNITY. TOGETHER. Be there as we launch One America West Virginia! The One America Movement and the Hope Dealer Project invite you to join us as we launch our fight against opioids in the Eastern Panhandle. We’ll build relationships with each other and our partners from Washington D.C., talk about the heroin crisis in a real way and share a meal.
Buck Valley Christian Church Resumes may be sent to the church at 2281 Harmonia Rd. Warfordsburg, PA 17267 or call 717294-3940 for questions.
"Nobody can do it on their own," as one father whose son died of an overdose put it to a reporter. "But no drug dealer, nor cartel, can stand against families, schools, churches, and communities united together." The One America Movement is a national organization that brings people together across divides in society to address pressing social problems in their communities. We're building a movement of Americans who are tired of being divided, who are tired of poverty and drugs and crumbling communities and who want to stand together to build a stronger country. The Hope Dealer Project is a newly formed non-profit organization located right here in Martinsburg, WV. It’s aim is to serve the client who is struggling with drug addiction. We want them to know that they are NEVER alone and we will stay with them throughout their recovery journey. KICK-OFF EVENT SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2018 MARTINSBURG, WV (see event website for final location)
3:00PM - 6:00PM For Questions, Contact Areesa Somani: areesa@oneamericamovement.org Sponsored by the One America Movement, the Hope Dealer Project, the Jefferson County Health Department, Covenant Baptist Church, Adas Israel Congregation and a growing list of faith communities in Washington DC and West Virginia dedicated to fighting opioids together. ________________________________________________________
CHURCH PIANO PLAYER Emmittsburg Community Baptist Church is seeking a piano player to serve each Sunday from 9-11:00am. For more information, contact Pastor Joe Engel at Pastorengel@gmail.c om
P/T MUSIC AND WORSHIP LEADER Harvest Pointe Community Church, Charles Town, WV. This position could become full time as the church grows. Contact Harvest Pointe for more information at elders@hpcc.com or
May 12, 2018 9:00am - 12 noon Fellowship Baptist Church , Middletown, MD Key presenter will be Ron Blankenship, Montgomery Baptist Association joi@blueridgebaptist.org for more information
This Spring - BRBA volunteers will be putting together 2 new vehicles for use by our churches. Please see the insert for more information.
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This Spring - BRBA volunteers will be putting together 2 new vehicles for use by our churches: 1) our new Disaster Relief trailer 2) a new 2nd block-party trailer We need volunteers to serve on committees and laborers to plan and outfit both trailers so that they will be ready for summer use. If you can help or your church can donate an item listed, please call the Association office at (240) 818-8760, or email joi@blueridgebaptist.org
THE NEWS JOURNAL OF THE BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
You can subscribe to the online version of our newsletter at www.blueridgebaptist.org
APRIL 2018 April 1
Easter Sunday
April 4 8:00am
Pastors’ and Staff Breakfast Bonnie’s at the Red Byrd BRBA
April 28
Special Needs and Church Conference BCM/D
May 2018 May 5 10am-1:00pm
Pastor Appreciation Brunch ThorpWood Mountain Retreat BRBA
May 6
Senior Adult Sunday SBC
May 12 9am-12pm
Deacon Training BRBA
May 13
Mother’s Day
May 13
Christian Home Week SBC
May 20
Baptist Association Emphasis Week SBC
April 7 9-12:00
VBS Training First Baptist Hagerstown BCM/D and BRBA
April 8
Cooperative Program Sunday SBC
April 9-10
ReFresh Northeast
April 12
Can We Talk Conference BCM/D
April 13
VBS Rally BCM/D
April 15
Baptist Doctrine Sunday SBC
April 21 9-12:30
Church Security Seminar BRBA
May 21-23
Ports of Call Conference BCM/D
April 21
VBS Expo #3 BCM/D
May 27
Life Commitment Sunday SBC