Newsletter - First Baptist Church of Kennett Square

Blood Drive Results: 26 donors came out; raised 23 donations to help 69 area hospital patients.
FBC CONNECTION S
Oct. 2014
Our Vision
First Baptist Church, a Christ Centered, Holy Spirit led Community, Employing our Gifts to meet the
Needs of individuals and families, Empowering people to grow into Mature Followers of Jesus.
J OURNEY W ITH J ESUS
There are a lot of times a pastor has the opportunity to hear words of thank you that really should be spoken to the
entire congregation. Today was one of those days. I was making my way across the welcome center when one of
the many people who attends the Midday Miracles AA group stopped me, “Are you the pastor here?” It was an
honest question…I was traveling incognito wearing my blue jeans and polo shirt. “Yes, I am the pastor.” “Hello,
I just want to say thank you for letting us meet in this space, it is a beautiful picture of Christianity at work.”
“A beautiful picture of Christianity at work.” I started to think about that for the rest of the afternoon. What does
Christianity at work look like? In the mind of the young woman I was talking with it has something to do with
gracious hospitality. Opening your doors to people who are seeking to improve their lives, working to overcome
addiction and who are supporting each other as they take it one day at a time. There is something very Christ like
in the way our church is continually open to multiple AA groups, providing them space to do the work they need
to do as they pursue sobriety and peace in their lives. Thank you for being a people who share the space God has
blessed us with, you bear witness to graciousness of God with your hospitality.
My mind started to wander to several other conversations I have had over the past few weeks. As we have pursued
a deeper understanding of the Mission, Vision, Values of FBC several people have shared these thoughts…
“Pastor, this is not easy”
“Pastor, I believe I may have been selfish with my gift”
“Pastor, You are not making it easy for me”
I want to assure you that as I prepare these messages each week I am wrestling with what the scriptures are
calling us to. I agree with many of the thoughts shared in response to the messages each week. Living as a
“Mature Follower of Jesus” is not easy. It takes work. It is a journey. Praise God we do not have to accomplish
it relying upon our own strength…we have the Holy Spirit alive and well at work inside us helping us mature and
grow each and every day. Praise God we do not have to accomplish it alone. We have the privilege of
journeying together as a community of faith: learning, encouraging, supporting and speaking honestly with each
other as we journey towards spiritual maturity. Praise God we have the promise shared by the Apostle Paul, “that
he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6
My prayer is that as we continue to grow in our ability to live out our Mission, Vision and Values we will hear
more and more people stop us and say, “This is a beautiful picture of Christianity at work.” At this point we will
give God all the praise, honor & glory and thank Him for allowing us to have some small part in being an answer
to the prayer we are so familiar with, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done, On Earth as it is in Heaven.”
Pastor Dan
Connections
Next Senior Event
Oct. 30th at Noon
“Mother Goose’s Tribute to
Mothers of the Bible”
Told by Diane Albertson
Our Favorite Storyteller!
~ ~ ~ ~
Let’s Have Fun!
Oct. 11th, will be the next
Men’s Breakfast
All men & boys invited to
attend at 8:00 AM.
Please sign up in the
Welcome Center so “the chef” knows
how many to prepare for. Eat & share
a time of Prayer and Devotions.
Bring something from a Mother Goose
nursery rhyme or come dressed
as one of the characters!!
OCTOBER 26, 2014
~ ~ ~
Of course, there will be something
delicious to eat. . . Maybe. . .
“Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie”
- or- “Hot Cross Buns” !
A Simple Way to Help J.A.M. Daycare!!
J.A.M. Christian Daycare is enrolled in the GIANT A+
School Rewards. Last year we earned $642.00! This was
used for teaching supplies. Please register your bonus card
so we can accumulate points for a cash reward for the daycare. This program is separate from the other Giant Store
programs such as the gas points. It won’t affect those points.
To register online, log on to www.giantfoodstores.com/aplus
You will need our daycare ID # 05759. More information is
at the welcome center or contact Cassandra or Judy Kurtz.
Each year, congregations
promote the World Mission Offering (WMO) to focus
on the biblical imperative to share the good news of
Christ “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Churches
us WMO materials to build worship and educational
programs, encouraging congregational understanding
and participation. Gifts to the WMO enable the giver
to support the entire spectrum of IM’s mission.
Generous giving through the WMO is the single
greatest source of support for all of IM’s work around
the world. WMO dollars help to grow and sustain IM’s
ministries and global staff who serve in more than 70
countries worldwide.
ABW WOMEN’S
MINISTRIES
of
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
“WHITE CROSS”
Youth gathers weekly for
meetings on Wednesdays at 7pm.
Each 3rd Wed. of the month
Youth will enjoy having a light
supper and fellowship together
ahead of their meeting.
Organized at the conclusion of WWI, White Cross
offers a variety of opportunities to provide urgently
needed supplies for health, medical and social ministries throughout the world. In 2012-13, White Cross
net needs in 22 countries through gifts to 40 IM partner organizations with a total value of $334,604. ABW
has a long history of participation and leadership in
White Cross—from rolling bandages to preparing
health kits. And men, youth and entire congregations
are increasingly participating with them in this critical
ministry.
Connections
Pastor Dan Shares
Some Thoughts
Pastor Dan’s Personal
Spiritual Retreat
You may have noticed on the
church calendar during September
that I took a couple days to step
aside from the busyness of
ministry for a time of personal
spiritual retreat. It is a part of my
spiritual disciplines that keep me
focused and growing as we seek
to become a Christ centered, Holy
Spirit led Community. You may
ask, “What do you do during these
times of spiritual retreat?” Well,
no two look exactly the same but
there are themes that run through
them all. I intentionally remove
myself from the busyness of
church life, I slow down and
spend time in prayer and study of
the scriptures. I usually spend
extended times in quiet, waiting
for that still small voice of God to
lead and direct me. I may spend
time in worship, work on an
upcoming sermon series, or read a
couple of books that I have not
had time to get to yet. I started
this practice a number of years
ago when I was beginning to
sense within myself a spirit of
being weary with the never ending
demands of ministry. As I am
disciplined in taking these times
of personal spiritual retreat I find
that God meets me in the quiet,
restores my soul, and energizes
me for the work ahead. If you
notice one of these times of
personal spiritual retreat on the
calendar please say a prayer that
God would meet me in a special
way and I wait upon Him.
Pastor Dan
“Empowering People to Become
Mature Followers of Jesus”
Part of our vision is that FBC would be a community that
empowers people, young and old, to continue their spiritual
journey and grow into mature followers of Jesus. Companions in Christ is a spiritual formation group that
helps people focus on questions such as:
How is God working in my life?
How am I being formed in the likeness of Christ?
What practices will open me to God’s leading?
Our first Companions in Christ group, “Embracing the Journey” will meet for six weeks starting in late
October.
We will meet at First Baptist Church, Kennett Square, 7pm – 9pm
October 28, November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 9
Each participant will get a guidebook that will direct our conversations. ($8.00)
If you are interested in participating you may sign up in the Welcome Center, or talk with Pastor Dan.
Space is limited, so if you are interested please be sure you can attend most meetings and sign up soon.
Pastor Dan
“Connections
“Connections””
First Baptist Church
415 West State Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-444-5320
FAX: 610-444-0480
Pastor: Rev. Dan Nicewonger
Editor: Sandy Lundquist
WEB SITE:
firstbaptistkennettsquare.org
W ORSHIP S ERVICE: 1 1: 0 0
S UNDAY SCHOOL FOR
ALL AGES: 9 : 45
B IBLE STUDY TUES: 1 :3 0
P RAYER G ATHERING: 7: 0 0
Y OUTH GROUP WED: 7: 0 0
J.A.M. Christian Daycare
610-444-1795
Judith Kurtz, Director
First Baptist is Handicap Accessible
TRUNK OR TREAT
Oct. 26th — 4-6 PM: Treating
6-7 PM: Cook Out
This is an opportunity for Dress Up and
“Trick or Treating” along with games to play.
Come with your decorations already done,
or have fun decorating your car/truck or
trunk for Not Too Scary Halloween right here!
Adults are welcome to dress up too. . .
The C.E. Board has great assorted ways to
share the message of Jesus!
You can donate candy for this
“Whoo Cares” Event.
See the Display Table in the Narthex.
Great time of Fellowship!
Women’s Mini Retreat
The women of the church are invited to our
Advent Moring Retreat, Consider Mary.
On Sat., December 6, from 9:00 am until
1:30 pm we will meet here at church to prepare our
hearts for the season of Advent. This event will give
each woman a time to enjoy breakfast and lunch
with friends as we listen to the Christmas story
brought to life with music, art, poetry, devotions and
reflection. Nancy Nicewonger will speak about the
joy and trials of the ministry of Mary, the mother of
Christ. You will be amazed at the details of this
story you may have missed over the years.
Space is limited, so please register soon.
Tickets will be available on Sunday mornings for $5,
or send a message to Nancy through the church
office. Scholarship help is available as needed.
Feel free to invite others as we share this wonderful
chance to take a break from the hectic holiday pace
and spend time thinking about how we each have a
special place in God’s plan.

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