Current Newsletter - Hamilton Square Baptist Church

JANUARY 2015
HAMILTON SQUARE
BAPTIST CHURCH
NEWSletter
THE
PASTORS
CORNER
GINNY’S PANTRY
Thanks to all the church
members who are helping
with Ginny’s Pantry.
Please continue to bring
the following items:
Canned foods (vegetables,
fruits, soup, fish, canned
meats)
Canned fruits are
especially needed.
Dry goods, sauces, peanut
butter, jelly, Cereals, and
anything that is not
perishable.
********************
Donations may be placed
in the Baskets located at
the front of the sanctuary
by Ginny’s Pantry Easel
********************
The members of this
church have
really supported this endeavor and I and the Pastoral Care Committee
appreciate your generosity.


inNOTE
thisFROM
issue
PASTOR
MESSAGE FROM NEW
MODERATOR

COMMITTEE
UPDATES
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…
Are you a slave to performance-based religion?
Do you truly enjoy the
grace of God? Many Christians know the Bible, attend church and even do
ministry work while they
struggle to understand the
core of the gospel. They
can quote Scriptures about
what Christ did for them,
but they still feel they must
work to earn His love—and
often they end up feeling
unworthy and separated
from God.
Even though Jesus died on
the cross so we wouldn't
have to be judged according
to the law, many Christians
are still living in the Old
Testament. They have never
embraced the reality of New
Testament faith. They are
slaves to performance-based
religion.
The apostle Paul wrote the
epistle of Galatians to challenge us to make sure we
remain in the grace of God.
Do you struggle with legalism? Here are the most
common signs of a legalistic spirit:
1. Lack of true
joy. Jesus didn't forgive us
of our sins so we could be
sour-faced and sad. Yet
I've met hundreds of
Christians who looked like
they were attending a funeral when they came to a
church service. Why? Legalism kills joy. When
someone has an encounter
with God's mercy, their
hearts always overflow
(continued on page 2)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
WELCOME ABORD!
A special Congregation Meeting held on December 28, 2014, the
congregation voted on the Executive Board’s proposal to offer Pastor
McMillan a one (1) year term as Interim/Transitional Pastor. In a vote
that was 43 for and 12 against the congregation voted to extend Pastor
this offer. Pastor McMillan accepted and will be staying on for the next
year as our Interim/Transitional Pastor.
Pastor will be holding office hours every Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday from 9:30am-4pm. Pastor will also be available via phone
and email. His contact information can be found in the 2015 Church
Directory.
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
CONTINUED...
with praise and gratitude. The apostle
Paul wrote: "The kingdom of God is ...
righteousness, peace and joy in the
Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17). There's no
such thing as Christianity without joy.
2. No real victory over sin. All
Christians struggle with temptations.
But a person with a legalistic mindset
finds it difficult to receive the grace of
God to overcome sinful habits. Are
you striving to break free from a particular sin in your own strength? You
cannot do this on your own! We must
admit our weakness and to invite the
Holy Spirit to give us supernatural
power to live a holy life. It is the indwelling Spirit of Christ who gives us
victory—not your straining and
sweating. Relax and let Him live His
wedding rings, go to movies, wear
jeans in church or even own a television! Yet God emphasizes inner holiness rather than outward conformity.
When you walk in grace, the Spirit
will lead you to dress and act in a way
that honors Him, but this will not
conform to a man-made religious
code.
6. Bondage to religious tradition. The Pharisees rejected Jesus
because they couldn't leave Old Covenant religion behind. A legalistic spirit says, "This is the way we've always
done it." Some people rejected a new
move of the Holy Spirit because they
didn't like a new style of music. Some
churches today are in danger of missing God because they want to live like
it is still 1973. Legalistic people tend
to fight any new move of God. Remember: God is unchangeable in His
life in you!
3. Unhealthy performance orientation. God is a loving Father, and He
wants us to lavish us with His affirmation and encouragement. Yet many
Christians don't have a revelation of
God's unconditional love. They feel
they must earn His love by reading the
Bible, praying and performing other
religious tasks. Do you ever feel God is
mad at you because you overslept and
missed your morning devotions? He
wants you to spend time with Him, but
not to fulfill a duty. Chill out and just
enjoy His love!
4. A critical, unloving attitude toward others. People who don't understand God's grace cannot extend
grace to anyone else. This is why some
nature, but He does new things. We
must stay in step with Him.
7. A sectarian attitude toward
other Christians. People who don't
understand God's grace believe they
have a corner on truth, so they cannot
accept the fact that the Holy Spirit
might be moving in other denominations. Some churches even teach that
they are the only people going to heaven. If your church believes they are the
only true Christians, exit quickly. Legalism is toxic! Find a church that embraces the whole body of Christ.
8. Little or no assurance of salvation. People with a legalistic mindset
often doubt their salvation because
they trust their own obedience instead
of Christ. When you receive the grace
of God, the Bible says your heart will
cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Rom. 8:15).
Christians are hateful toward unbelievers. When you understand how
much mercy God extended to forgive you, it's easy to show mercy to
other people who don't deserve it!
When you hear Christians using
harsh language to condemn Muslims, atheists, liberals or gay people,
you have just identified a legalistic
spirit.
5. Obsessive focus on outward
standards of dress or behavior. Some Christian denominations
have taught that God demands strict
conformity to dress codes. Some
churches in the past have condemned makeup, jewelry, pants and
short hair for women. Others taught
it was wrong for Christians to play
sports, play cards, dance, wear
One true encounter with Jesus will
cause you to know that God has
adopted you—and that He will never
abandon you.
The apostle Paul wrote: "Where the
Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). If you haven't experienced this freedom, ask the Holy
Spirit to fill every area where legalism has distorted your understanding of God.
Don't fall for a graceless Christianity. If you see any of these warning
signs in your life, invite the Holy
Spirit to set you free from legalism.
Stop striving, repent of pride and
ask God to open your eyes to the
reality of His amazing grace.
Originally from “8 Signs of a Legalistic
Spirit-and How to Break Free” by J.
Lee Grady, former editor of Charisma.
A WORD FROM
THE MODERATOR
Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas
season and a wonderful and exciting new
year.
January 11th
LAY LEADER
Fran Walter
GREETER
Bud Woodward
January 18th
LAY LEADER
Elma Scott
I would like to thank everyone for putting their
trust and faith in me, electing me as your Moderator.
With God’s help, along with your help, I will do my very
best to follow the direction God has for His Church.
We have so much to look forward to as we begin a
New Year. I know that as we all join together as one
working for the same goal we will see all the great and
wonderful blessings that God has in store for Hamilton
Square Baptist Church.
I am excited and I hope that you are also. I know
that as we
continue to pray and seek God’s direction and work together keeping our eyes focused on Him, He will lead us
and guide us each and every step of the way as we move
forward.
GREETER
Hope Burd
January 25th
LAY LEADER
TO FRAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.
Thank you for all of the guidance and direction you
have given me as we worked together for the past serval
years. Thank you for all of your dedication, hard work,
and time as you gave of yourself out of love for God and
for His Church, Hamilton Square Baptist Church.
We all thank you so much. You are the best.
Jackie Johnson
GREETER
Betty & Elijah
Hutchinson
Blessings to all in Christ Jesus,
Anna Venettone
Moderator
2015 DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE
Church Directories for the year 2015 can be found in the church vestibule. Electronic copies can also be
requested by calling the church office at (609) 587-8585 or by emailing [email protected].
COMMITTEE
UPDATES
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
The members of the Christian Ed Committee have been reviewing
various Sunday School curriculum options for use in the new year. After
narrowing the choices down, the 2015 curriculum has been chosen. The
committee selected Buzz, by Group, and is known as the ‘instant Sunday
School’, and offers the advantage of ‘if it’s in the lesson, it’s in the box’.
This option not only makes it easier for Sunday School teachers to either be
prepared on the Sunday they will teach, but offers fun, biblical based
lessons for the students. The current Sunday School teachers (Jennifer
Snyder, Julie Fanella, Brandy Moncada, and Janet Stevens, along with
substitute Laura McQuigg) are all excited to start using the materials with
children at HSBC. If you would be interested and willing to join the
Sunday School team, which involves a commitment to lead the class of
students once every 4-5 weeks, or be willing to substitute for other
teachers, please contact Jackie Johnson at (609)320-5096, or via email at
[email protected]. No experience is necessary, just a love of
children, and a love of our Lord!
We continue to explore the position of a part-time Youth Pastor.
Princeton Seminary has been contacted and asked to post the available
position, and Rev. McMillan and the committee has been reaching out to
contacts who may know of any interested candidates.
While summer seems in the distant future, planning for VBS will
start in January. Programs will be looked at, through various companies
and resources, with a selection of the theme, as well as HSBC’s dates for
2015 Vacation Bible School, being made by February or March. Watch for
more information as in future bulletins and newsletters.
JANUARY BIBLE STUDY
Two (2) weekly bible classes
will be held throughout January. Classes will be held:
Every Monday at 6pm
Every Wednesday at 1pm
The January Bible Class series
and scripture schedule are as
follows:
Book of Nehemiah:
God Rebuilds Us
January 5th & 7th:
Nehemiah 1:4-11
January 12th & 14th:
Nehemiah 4:1-5
January 19th &21st:
Nehemiah 4:15-23
January 26th &28th:
Nehemiah 6:15-19
If you know of someone who would be interested in joining our
committee, or have any questions, please call/email Jackie Johnson, (609)
320-5096, [email protected].
Happy New Year to everyone!
Christian Education Committee
LOOKING AHEAD FROM THE WORSHIP
COMMITTEE
Sunday, January 4 - Service by ABCNJ with reception to follow
Saturday, January 10 – 10:00 a.m. “Undeck” the Halls
The committee could use help in removing our Christmas decorations. If you can help it would be greatly appreciated.
Monday, January 12 – 7:00 p.m. Worship Committee meeting.
The committee would like to invite anyone who has questions,
suggestions, comments, or concerns about the worship experiences at
HSBC to attend our meeting. We will put you first on the agenda. Your input is always welcome!
The Worship Committee would like to gratefully acknowledge all
who worked so diligently to make our Advent/Christmas season a truly
blessed event.
Thanks to Rev. McMillan, Bill Burd, the choir, the praise team, the
Pastoral Care Committee, World Circle, Shirley Adams for her holiday wassail, Elma Scott for taking care of our poinsettia orders, Gina for all those
extra bulletins, and all bakers, decorators, and service participants. You are
the epitome of stewardship in the use of your time and talents. God bless
you all!

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