February 2015 - First Baptist Church of Galesburg

the
FIRST BAPTIST family
.
FEBRUARY 2015
VOLUME 53, NUMBER 02
Seek God for the City 2015
We are excited as February 18th gets closer and Seek God for the City will begin! The forty days to Palm Sunday makes an ideal time to venture into a season of sustained,
hope-filled prayer. Dated February 18 – March 29, 2015. In these significant days, let’s
resolve together as a congregation to seek God in praying the long-unfolding prayers of
biblical hope that Christ will be followed and obeyed in our city and community.
Seek God for the City will help our congregation pray with united, sustained vision for people
of your community. The prayers in this prayer guide are biblically grounded and easy to
pray. Also available as an app for cell phones and tablets that makes it possible to help keep
prayers rolling in the midst of busy lifestyles and schedules.
Seek God for the City will also help us learn the Pray-Care-Share lifestyle. God has called every
believer to co-labor with Him as He brings people into a meaningful, fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s
ways are simple. We all have a part to play that involves three integrated activities: First, we pray for others.
Second, the prayer often leads us to demonstrate God’s love to them. Third, acts of kindness can open ways to
communicate the gospel. These three activities blend into a lifestyle called, “Prayer-Care-Share.” Prayer leads to
Care and opens ways to Share.
We will be kicking off this journey with a 24-hour prayer vigil. Pick up your booklet on Sunday mornings in
the LOFT starting February 1st as well as sign-up for a 30 minute time slot to pray for our congregation as we
begin these 40 days of prayer together.
Area III: Discipleship Summit
Saturday, March 7, Hosted by Bloomington FBC
2015 Pursuing God's Will Together
Summit Presenter: Ruth Haley Barton
Ruth has been a student, a practitioner, a teacher and a leader in the area of Christian
spirituality and spiritual formation for twenty years. Ruth travels widely, teaching and
consulting with leadership teams in the areas of leadership transformation, corporate
discernment, and spiritual community. She has served on the pastoral staff of several
churches, including Willow Creek Community Church. Ruth has taught at the
Wheaton College Graduate School, Denver Seminary, Northeastern Seminary and Mars Hill Graduate School
and is a senior teaching fellow for the Renovare Institute. She has recently joined the faculty of Northern
Seminary as an adjunct Professor of Spiritual Transformation.
Russell Zehr, Minister of Music of El Paso First Baptist Church, will open the day with his saxophone. Russell
grew up in the Graymont First Baptist Church then while a student at Bradley University, he was a member of the
choir and shared many special instrumental numbers as part of Peoria First Baptist Church.
For more information or if you are interested in attending, contact the church office. Registration fee is $30 ($25
early bird before February 7). Registration available online. Worth-ship/…through obedience, not looks or performance by Pastor Martin
2Kings, re-told
The last readings in our D6 material (especially 2Kings 5) were very inspiring to me. What a wonderful way
of turning our world and values upside-down!
There is a young Jewish girl that was abducted by the Syrians. She is not only not bitter about her
fate, but she cares about her slave master Naaman enough to let him know about a hope for healing of his
leprosy.
So far so good. We prefer to give orders downward rather than seeing eye-to-eye. So the foremost
general Naaman passes his request for healing on to the Jewish king—who smells nothing but trouble (“he
must be seeking for a reason to attack…”)
Next development: Enter the prophet Elisha…telling the king of Israel that all will be well—to just go
ahead and send Naaman to him.
Naaman comes with all the power to impress…horses, chariots, mules with loads of silver and gold…the
whole neighborhood must have been traffic-jammed, or pulling back the curtains to watch that show.
Next: Elisha issues the prescription.
Naaman is pretty miffed at this point. He was disappointed on all counts. It was not the king of Israel who negotiated, but his emissary, a prophet.
He did not perform the kind of ritual that Naaman expected. He didn’t even show up!
Elisha had him step into the Jordan, which was not a touristy place, for sure, pretty dirty, in fact. And the
‘how” was important, too. Seven dips, not six, not eight. Was Naaman going to “trust and obey”?
The prophet was not going to accept pay, so that the glory remained with God, not men. The servant
disobeyed.
Another interesting detail: Naaman’s entourage talks him into following Elisha’s instructions (verses 11
through 14) by stroking his hurt male ego…successfully. It does show, though, that his household (including
the Jewish girl) had a measure of love and respect for him. He must have been a decent lord.
Finally, Naaman experiences a total turn-around conversion. Re-read verse 15! But in the prophet’s
household develops a rift about silver and gold. We are all prone to fail, prone to fall. Greed knocks on
Gehazi’s door. He must overcome it. So do we.
It will be easier if we learn to shun gold and silver, and rather travel with a load of “holy soil”. You’ve come
a long way, Namaan!
Blessings to all!
Illinois Elks - Children’s Care Corporation
The Elks Children’s Care Program Clinic - February 17th
The Elks program locally provides orthopedic assessments by Dr. Steven Potaczek
for children newborn to eighteen. The clinic focuses on addressing pediatric issues
such as: scoliosis, ambulatory impingements due to the feet, ankles or legs, upper
and lower body pain, as well as other various tendon, joint, muscle an done
hindrances. The clinic is held four times a year at the Galesburg Clinic, 3315 N.
Seminary Dr. Galesburg. The doctor examines and assesses children’s physical
health, then provides a prescription if necessary. The Elks assists with treatment
costs if the family cannot meet the expenses.
Appointments are necessary for the clinical exam and can be scheduled by calling the Elks Children’s
Care Program at 1-800-272-0074. Pastor’s Perspective: Devote Yourselves to Prayer
In preparation for the Area 3 Summit of the Great
Rivers Region, I am reading the book, Pursuing God’s
Will: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups,
written by Ruth Haley Barton, who will be the main
speaker.
She writes: “Groups determined to pursue God’s will
together must begin by focusing on the dynamic of
spiritual transformation in the lives of those individuals
who comprise the group.” “Spiritual transformation
occurs as each person engages in disciplines that will
e n a bl e h i m o r h e r t o o f f e r t h e m s e l ve s t o
God.” (Romans 12)
She mentions practices that can be helpful in
embracing what God is wanting to do in an individual
and in the group: Solitude and Silence, Engaging
Scripture for Spiritual Transformation, Prayer, and
Self-Knowledge/Self-Examination. Since part of the
church’s theme this year is “Devote Yourselves to
Prayer,” I would like to reflect on what she wrote about
prayer.
“The further we travel on the spiritual journey, the
more we discover that all of life is prayer and holds the
potential for deepening our intimacy with God.” She
mentions three kinds of prayers that can help us
deepen our intimacy with God. 1) The Prayer of
Trust. It is learning to trust God “in the face of our
own personal questions and complexities,” even as the
Psalmist writes in 131. 2) The Prayer for Indifference.
Letting go of our own desires and agenda to
understand and do the will of God. This is illustrated
by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will,
but Yours be done.” 3) The Prayer for Wisdom. As the
writer of Proverbs says, the beginning of wisdom is to
fear the Lord. The prayer for wisdom is the practice of
not trying to figure out what to do for God on our own,
but to discern the will of God in the midst of what we
are facing. As Jehoshaphat prayed, “LORD, we don’t
know what to do, so our eyes are on you.”
Trusting God, letting go of our own agenda and
seeking wisdom that comes from God leads us to
experiencing God in new and fresh ways. But more
importantly, it causes us to give
Devote yourselves
thanks to God for what HE IS
to prayer, being
DOING! THEN God gets
watchful and
the glory! Let’s make 2015
thankful.
Colossians 4:2
a year of consecrated
prayer. ✟ CARE
A
R
Concerned bout eaching Everyone
…Connecting people on a regular basis in a
small group with an equipped leader to facilitate
developing maturity in Christ, and community
among the members of the group and the church
as a whole.
Sundays
8:15 a.m. - Men Meet
Room 5
9:00 - Friendship Builders
Room 6
11:30 - College CARE
736 N Prairie St
4:00 p.m.- Neighbors CARE 736 N Prairie St
5:30 - Sun PM CARE
1275 N Prairie St
Mondays
1:30 p.m. - Walk With God CARE Group Judson Room
Tuesdays
10:00 - Seminary Estates
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. Wed PM
2nd Floor
The Music Office
All CARE groups will be studying the D6 Curriculum unless noted. Here is the schedule of topics for the month of for
the D6 curriculum:
The week of:
February 1 - Justice - 2 Kings 9
February 8 - Judgement - 2 Kings 17
February 15 - Revival - 2 Kings 22:1–23:30
February 22 - Consequences - 2 Kings 24:1–25:21
The First Baptist family is published monthly by
the First Baptist Church, 169 S. Cherry St., Galesburg, Illinois 61401
Office Hours: 8 a.m.–12 noon, 1 p.m. –5 p.m.
309 342-0149 Fax: 309 342-8895 Email: [email protected] Web page: www.fbcgalesburg.org
STAFF
Senior Pastor..................................Rev Daniel R. Siems
Minister of Worship Arts/Discipleship.Rev Martin Wollin
Administrative Assistant...........................Sherri Kremer
Bookkeeper...........................................Vicki Diefendorf
MISSIONS...
In our community there are
countless people in need of
Jesus’ love and healing touch.
You may be pondering what
difference one can make in
addressing so many needs.
Together, we can make a difference by supporting the America for Christ (AFC) Offering 2015.
The theme this year–“Discipleship: A Journey of Grace,” based on Titus 2:11-13–is a
wonderful reminder that Jesus’ public ministry was all about connecting and caring for people in
need. On each day of his journey, the compassion of Jesus was felt by someone somewhere.
The AFC Offering 2015 reminds us that when grace happens we receive not a nice
compliment from God but a new heart. We receive a transformed life that becomes the hands,
the feet and the prophetic voice of Jesus Christ in our communities and as we connect with
people every day.
How do we see the grace of Jesus Christ at work in our community? We are encouraged by
this year’s theme to come alongside people as they journey through life. We are asking you to
join us in giving generously to this year’s AFC Offering 2015 and help us to reach our goal in
support of home mission that is making a difference. We will receive this special offering on
March 22nd, our goal is $1200. We also ask you to be like Jesus by connecting and caring for the
people in need around you. Let’s bring America to Christ!
MISSION MOMENTS
Ann & Bruce Borquist
Ann and Bruce have served in Brazil since 2004. They currently coordinate two national
departments for the National Baptist Convention of Brazil (Convenção Batista Nacional, or
CBN) and its 2,800 churches: the Integral Mission Network and the office of Leadership and
Ministry Development. Through these two departments, they provide training, conferences,
consultancy, information resources and networking that strengthen the ministries and leadership
of state conventions; the auxiliary associations for women, men and youth; and local churches.
Ann and Bruce also serve as professors and consultants for JAMI, the
Convention’s cross-cultural mission agency. JAMI equips and supports the
CBN’s missionaries who share the good news of Jesus Christ with unreached
peoples in Brazil and around the world. Ann and Bruce are
honored to be part of the growing response of “majority
world” churches to the Great Commission, as these churches
increasingly send and support their own missionaries.
In addition to their ministry in Brazil, Ann and Bruce serve as
consultants in church-based community and economic development, servant
leadership, holistic mission and spiritual growth for partner conventions around
the world. Stewardship
February Schedule
4th - Hate Sin Wear Pj’s
Sausage upside-down cornbread, green
beans & drumstick
11th - Disobedience Bring or wear a heart Fish Sticks, carrots & sugar cookies
18th - Pleasing God Write about a time you were kind to someone
Beef & noodles, mashed potatoes, green
beans & sherbet
25th - NO AWANA!!
Understand riches can deceive you.
Think about, discuss or pray about the verse
that relates most to your life:
Revelation 3:17
“You say, ‘I am rich, with
everything I want; I don’t need a thing!’ And you
don’t realize that spiritually you are wretched and
miserable and poor and blind and naked. TLB
Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain
the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mark 4:18-19
Others, like seed sown
among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of
this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the
desires for other things come in and choke the
word, making it unfruitful.
Luke 12:15
(Jesus said) “Watch out! Be on
your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life
does not consist in the abundance of his
possessions.”
Proverbs 23:4-5
Welcome
Orientation
Sat., Feb. 7th
9:00 a.m.
Luster Fellowship Hall
Finishing with lunch together
at noon!
If you are interested in finding out more
about the church and our desired core
values please attend this important
orientation.
Contact the church office if you
would like to participate Don’t weary yourself trying
to get rich. Why waste your time? Riches can
disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!
Ecclesiastes 5:11
The more you have, the
more you spend, right up to the limits of your
income. So what is the advantage of wealth-except perhaps to watch it as it runs through your
fingers! TLB
1 Timothy 6:10
The love of money is the first
step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have
even turned away from God because of their love
for it, and as a result have pierced themselves
with many sorrows. TLB
Galatians 6:8
If (a person) sows to please his
own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of
evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual
decay and death. TLB
The poorest man in the world is the man
who has nothing but money.
Thank You Notes
Glen & Marilyn Egli - Thank you
to everyone for prayers, cards,
concerns, cookies, etc. We have
been so blessed!
Darrel & Belle Steck - Thanks to
our church family for all your
prayers, visits, phone calls and
recent holiday greetings and gifts.
As we grow older with health
problems we appreciate your
concern and caring so very much.
Opal Chaney - Thanks to everyone
for the Thanksgiving & Christmas
baskets. It is nice to be
remembered. Thanks to Terry &
Cara for delivering both baskets.
Katy & Dwight Emstrom - Thank
you so much to all who fixed our
Thanksgiving & Christmas treats.
They all were delicious. Thanks
to Marcy & George for delivering
Thanksgiving basket and to Larry
& Dolly for bringing the
Christmas treats on a very rainy
day.
Marge Coon - This is a note to
thank all my friends at First
Baptist while I was going through
chemo & radiation from January
to November last year. The
doctors have said the cancer is
gone. Thanks for the cards, food
and prayers while I was going
through all my treatments. It’s
friends like you that make life
worth living. I’m so thankful for
all of you. Remember that God
loves you & so do I. I couldn’t
have made it without your
prayers.
Galesburg Rescue Mission & Women’s
Shelter - It is hard to realize that
2014 is past. Praise the Lord for
all His goodness, grace, and
mercy to all of us in 2014! Now
with the arrival of 2015, a new
year of ministry opportunities and
challenges are before us. But our
gracious Heavenly Father has
once again so beautifully and
wonderfully supplied our needs
through each of you. Thanks so
much for all your faithful and
sacrificial support that makes
these ministries possible.
Judson University - On behalf of
the staff, faculty and students at
Judson University, I would like to
thank you for your faithful giving.
Judson is doing amazing work
because of the dedication of our
generous donors and church
support. Many thanks to your
congregation, and congratulations
for changing the lives of students
her at Judson, who are shaping
the lives to shape the world!
Church Women United
Will not be
meeting in
February! See
you at the next
scheduled meeting on
March 5th.
American Baptist Women
Tuesday, Feb. 10th
169 S. Cherry St.
Luster Fellowship Hall
9:15 a.m.
Join us for a special time
in Women’s Ministry! Name
Day
Tanner Maulden
Chelsea Stevenson
Alissa Kremer
Kay Johnson
Caroline Baxter
Michael Inness
Marcia Selman
Mark Hartman
Allison Ryner
Mackenzie Landon
Leola Schlaf
Robin Ryner
Brittany Galloway
Ann Schertz
John Bodenhamer
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13
13
14
14
19
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20
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23
25
26
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If your birthday is not listed, we may
not have your information in the office.
3rd Sunday every month
9 - 10 a.m.
In the LOFT
We offer blood
pressure
screenings
thanks to a few
of our nurses
in the congregation
volunteering their time.
Stop by the LOFT and get
it checked out! 22
Washington's Birthday
8:00 AM Men Meet
9:00 AM Friendship
Builders
10:00 AM Worship
11:30 AM College
CARE
4:00 PM Neighbors'
5:30 PM Sunday PM
8
1
15
8:00 AM Men Meet
9:00 AM Blood pressure screening
9:00 AM Friendship
Builders
10:00 AM Worship
11:30 AM College
CARE
4:00 PM Neighbors'
5:30 PM Sunday PM
8:00 AM Men Meet
9:00 AM Friendship
Builders
10:00 AM Worship
11:30 AM College
CARE
4:00 PM Neighbors'
CARE
5:30 PM Sunday PM
CARE
8:00 AM Men Meet
9:00 AM Friendship
Builders
10:00 AM Worship
11:30 AM College
CARE
4:00 PM Neighbors'
5:30 PM Sunday PM
Martin Va…n Balance
Sunday
2
9
16
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:00 AM Staff Meeting
1:30 PM Walk With
God CARE Group
23
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
1:30 PM Walk With
God CARE Group
Office Closed
Presidents' Day
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
1:30 PM Tuscarora
1:30 PM Walk With
God CARE Group
Newslette…ticles Due
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:00 AM Staff Meeting
1:30 PM Walk With
God CARE Group
Groundhog Day
Monday
February 2015
3
17
10
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:00 AM Seminary
Estates CARE
24
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:00 AM Seminary
Estates CARE
8:30 AM GAMA
9:15 AM ABWomen
10:00 AM Seminary
Estates CARE
7:00 PM Church
Boards
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:00 AM Seminary
Estates CARE
Tuesday
4
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
5:30 PM Family Dinner
6:10 PM Awana/Trek
6:10 PM PM CARE
25
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
5:30 PM Family Dinner
6:10 PM Awana/Trek
6:10 PM PM CARE
18
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
5:30 PM Family Dinner
6:10 PM PM CARE
6:10 PM Awana/Trek
11
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
5:30 PM Family Dinner
6:10 PM Awana/Trek
6:10 PM PM CARE
Wednesday
5
12
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:30 AM Worship
planning
4:30 PM Praise Team
26
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:30 AM Worship
planning
4:30 PM Praise Team
19
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:30 AM Worship
planning
4:30 PM Praise Team
Lincoln's Birthday
8:30 AM Staff Devotions
10:30 AM Worship
planning
4:30 PM Praise Team
Thursday
27
20
13
6
5:00 PM Streaks Early
Bird Indoor
Friday
Valentine's Day
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9:00 AM Welcome to
First
Saturday
FIRST BAPTIST
family
169 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401-4595
Return Service Requested
FIRST BAPTIST family
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