the Proclaimer - Torrance First Baptist Church

Transcription

Torrance First Baptist Church
the Proclaimer
March 2013
Inside this issue:
The Pastor’s Heart
Reflections
We Get Letters:
Wedding Invite
Church Work Day
Daylight Savings
Passover Seder
CRUX Events
Thank You Note
Church Sign Update
CMTA Event
Town Hall Mtngs.
Church Directory
Blood Drive
Attendance/Giving
Just for Kids
Calendar
Singles’ Ministry
TFB Academy
Srs. & Friends
Smile Awhile
Global Outreach
Reflections (cont.)
Sympathy
Hiking Ministry
New Baby
Ladies’ Retreat
Proclaimers are also
available for viewing and
printing on-line:
www.tfbclife.org
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Volume 27 Issue 3
Journeymen to
Peterson’s
Automotive
Museum
March 16 (Saturday)
10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m.
This museum has about 150 vehicles on display in its main galleries on
the first floor. The remaining half of the collection is kept in a "vault," located on
the basement level of the building. During the month of March, they will be celebrating 60 years of America’s favorite sports car, the Corvette. Twenty of them
from all generations will be on display.
The cost is $8 for adults and $12 for Seniors, which we will pay at the
door plus money for lunch at Johnny Rockets inside the museum. We will meet
at the church at 10 a.m. and be back at the church at around 3 p.m.
Contact Bill Harenburg online at wharenburg@aol.com or call 310/5344439 for more information and or to sign up.
Easter Cantata
March 24, 6:00 p.m.
On its tenth anniversary, Randy Vader and Jay
Rouse bring back the musical that defined the message
and mystery of the cross for a decade. On a Hill Too
Far Away is as relevant today as it was then. Greatly
influenced by the John Fischer book of the same title, it
is a clarion call to God’s church to bring the cross back
to the center of our faith.
Bring your family and friends to see this
poignant presentation by our Worship Choir under the
direction of Randy Stager.
Refreshments will be served following the
service.
ON A HILL
First Baptist Proclaimer — Page 2
by Pastor Charlie
pleasure but no deep satisfaction or
meaning to life. They all take you to
the same place, a place of
dissatisfaction, frustration, and
emptiness.
Spur one another on toward
love and good deeds
There is a very
insightful and comforting truth
expressed in the Old Testament
book of Ecclesiastes. It says,
“There is nothing new under
the sun.” The context is King
Solomon searching for meaning
in life apart from God. Since he
is a king he has a great deal of
power and resources at his
disposal so he tries everything.
He discovers that all those
“new” things are not really
new, just a twist on the same
old stuff. All the things of this
world bring only short-term
So why is this insight
comforting to me? Because it helps
me look past all the world has to
offer and find true meaning in God.
If I am willing to learn from
Solomon, it keeps me from going
down some paths that lead to
hopelessness and emptiness.
Jesus said that He came to
give abundant life; life with true
meaning, purpose, value, and
significance. He also said the key to
such an abundant life is a love
relationship with God. True worship
plays a key role in this love
relationship. When we bow before
God, when we praise Him, adore
Him, and thank Him, we are
expressing our love for Him. And the
more we actively express our love
for Him, the more we will
experience the abundant life He
came to give.
We all know that life on
this planet can be hard and
painful. But as Paul said in 2
Corinthians 4: “We do not lose
heart. Though outwardly we are
wasting away, yet inwardly we are
being renewed day by day.”
Worship renews our soul, our
spirit, even when our bodies are
struggling, even though our
circumstances may be hard.
Is your spirit being
renewed every day? If not, then
worship God and allow Him to
renew your spirit.
Pastor Charlie
Spur one another on toward love
and good deeds
by Pastor Rog
Dear Church Family,
To be encouraged is a
blessing. Sadly, many people go
through life without ever knowing
the reality of this truth.
Encouragement can come from
many sources, but the greatest
expression of encouragement
comes from God Himself. As we
read Psalm 63:3-5, we see that
David has been encouraged by
God. He tells us . . .
3
Because your love is
better than life, my lips will
glorify You… 4I will praise
You as long as I live, and in
Your Name I will lift up my
hands… 5My soul will be
satisfied as with the richest
of foods; with singing lips
my mouth will praise You.
As we read these verses, it is
obvious that David was encouraged.
He was on a spiritual mountaintop as
we say. You know, it is difficult for
us to praise the Lord when we are
experiencing sorrow and
despair, but when our lives
have been encouraged by the
Lord, praise becomes natural.
These verses relate to us
three encouraging truths about
(Continued on page 11)
We Get Mail
All Church
Work Day
Saturday, March 9
Come one, come all to help keep the Lord’s church
building in good repair. Come anytime between 9 and 4 and
stay as long as you are able.
A Continental breakfast and also a light lunch will be
served. Be blessed as you serve the Lord!
Passover Seder & Potluck
March 30 (Saturday)
6:00 p.m.
Join us in the Gym as we participate in an actual Seder as a way to
connect with the heritage of our own Christian beliefs and to see how the
practices of the ancient world are still relevant to Christianity today.
The Passover Seder Plate (above right) is a special plate containing
six symbolic foods used during the Passover Seder. Each of the six items arranged on the plate have special
significance to the retelling of the story of the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.
Learn what each food represents to the Jews and taste some of the elements. You will also: see how
Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us; see the Lamb of God pictured in the Old Testament and revealed
in the New; appreciate Communion, its roots in the Last Supper and the significance of God’s promise, When
I see the blood, I will pass over you”; and have an opportunity to bring family and friends to a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you’re adventurous, you can bring a Jewish dish (see Nathan Montgomery for recipe) or just make
your own creation for the potluck. We are asking for a suggested donation of $3/person or $10/family to off-set
the cost of the Seder elements which will be provided.
Announcing 2013
Summer Camps
March 3
12:30 ~ 4:00 p.m.
Jr. High and High School students will leave the church at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, and head
for Go Kart World in Carson. The cost of $15 includes 4 rides, ground track, a drink and a churro. Bring a
sack lunch or $$ to buy lunch. Parents should pick up their student(s) at 4:00 p.m. from the church.
You may want to bring a few extra quarters to play around with the abundance of arcade games.
Thank you Stamp
Savers!
To those of you who have faithfully given
your used stamps to TFB, we were able to give a
$50 check to the Doors of Hope Women’s
Shelter. Little things do count.
Thank you again,
Barbara Cabarrubias
Town Hall
Meetings in March
Mark your calendars and plan to attend one of our
special meetings to go over the suggested changes to our
church Constitution. They are scheduled to be held in the
FIC Room at:
4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3
and
9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 9
New Church Sign
As you can see, for those of you who
attend on Sundays, the new church sign is in the
process of being installed. Below is the
architectural concept of what it will look like.
Barring any problems, it should be up and
running by Easter.
New Church Directory
We are updating the directory and
want to make sure we have correct
addresses for all who want to be included in it.
Please call the office ASAP if you have a new
address, phone number, or e-mail address to let us know.
We want to make the new directory as accurate as possible.
Also, if you weren’t in the last directory and would
like to be in it, please call the office to give us you
information.
2013 Directory
Blood Drive Results
Thank you for giving 23 pints of
blood at our recent Drive. Because the
need is so great, we will be having another one on
Saturday, August 24, from 1-7 p.m. Mark your calendar.
Christian Ministries
Training Association
Attendance & Giving
Saturday, April 20
7 a.m. ~ 4:30 p.m.
This annual Convention takes place at
the Pasadena Convention Center. Teachers and
children’s workers are invited to attend. There
is an exhibit hall and 4 workshop times with
several tracks to choose from. Check it out at
cmtaconvention.org.
Only 10 spots are available, so sign up
in the patio with Levana ASAP.
AVERAGE WEEKLY
ATTENDANCE
FOR JANUARY
=
334
Thank you for giving
approximately $39,224 in the
month of January.
Just for
w
lo
l
ye
KIDS
12
5p Prayer
Gathering
24
25
26
6p Committees:
Fellowship,
Finance, GO,
Outreach & Wor.
7p Deacon/ess
Meetings
7p Ad Ops
27
20
Upcoming April Events:
29
22
15
8
2
1
Anx. Reserved for
Loaves & Fishes
30
6p Passover
Seder & Potluck
11:30a Seniors to
Glendale Theatre
& lunch
6:30p Singles’
Dinner Out
23
10a Journeymen
to Peterson Car
Museum
7p Share & Care
16
9a Town Hall
Meeting
9a All-church
Work Day
6:30p Singles’
Game Night
9
11a Loaves &
Fishes
SAT
FRI
4/5: Women’s Ministries Dinner & Movie, 6:30p
4/13: Nawa/Grindle Wedding, 3:30p
4/26-28: Women’s Retreat @ Thousand Pines
28
21
19
18
17
14
10:30a Circle of
Friends
7
THU
7p Beacon Light
13
6
WED
Daylight Savings 7p C.E. Committee
Spring Ahead on
Saturday p.m.
5p Prayer
Gathering
11
10
5
7p Lauran Bethell
Circle
4
3
TUE
2p Sing @
Royalwood
4:30p Town Hall
Meeting
MON
SUN
Saturday
New Covenant (Korean) Prayer: 6 a.m.
Friday
Ladies meet @ Denny’s for Bkfst.: 9 a.m.
Thursday
Ladies’ Bible Study: 2 p.m.
Worship Band Practice: 6:30 p.m.
Next Step Bible Study: 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Bible Study Fellowship: 9:15 a.m.
T.F.B. (K-6th grades): 6:45 p.m.
Jr. High QUEST: 6:45 p.m.
Small Group Bible Study: 6:45 p.m.
Choir Practice: 7 p.m.
New Covenant (Korean) Bible Study: 8 p.m.
Open Volleyball: 8:15 p.m.
Tuesday
BSF Leaders: 9:15 a.m.
High School Revive: 7 p.m.
Monday
Ladies’ Prayer: 10:30 a.m.
Open Basketball: 6:30 p.m.
Worship Services:
9:15 & 11 a.m. Worship & Witness: 6 p.m.
Adult Sunday School: 8:15, 9:15 & 11 a.m.
Children’s Church: 9:15 a.m.
Patio Fellowship: 10:30 a.m.
Children & Youth S.S.: 11 a.m.
New Covenant Children’s S.S.: 11 a.m.
New Covenant (Korean) Wrshp: 12:45 p.m.
New Covenant (Korean) Fellowship: 2 p.m.
Sunday
Recurring Weekly Events:
Enjoy Time with the Singles’ Fellowship
Please invite anyone of any age to join us.
Game Night ~ Saturday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. ~ Meeting
place - Brandon Kroelinger’s, 1666 W. 257th Street, #3,
Harbor City. Bring snacks to share.
Dinner Out ~ Saturday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. ~ Meet at
Paddy-O’s Irish Pub, 20320 S. Western Avenue at Del Amo
Blvd.
For questions, suggestions, or more information, call Brenda-Jean Shephard, 310/901-0816.
“It’s not safe out
there. Or is it?”
It’s a messy world. As I finish writing this, the law
enforcement officers in Southern California are on high alert,
searching for a former officer who has apparently gone on a
Psalm 119:41-48 The Waw Strophe
vengeful killing spree. A huge blizzard is covering the northeast
By Laura Springer, M.Div., Th.M.
with several feet of snow. It’s not safe out there. Or is it?
God promises to keep his people safe, but this does not mean
he will keep them out of distress. God’s version of safety differs
from ours. It’s also better than ours. The psalmist knew this all too
well. He was surrounded by taunting enemies that sought his harm.
Here in the waw strophe, his present distress once again weighs on
his mind and he brings his burden to God.
the psalmist lays out his request (vv. 41-43),
“God knows the truth First,
for God’s steadfast love (covenant love) and
and he is not surprised by asking
for salvation from enemies (v. 41). He recognizes that
our trouble.”
any ability to face his taunters comes from trust in
God to keep him safe in the midst of trouble (v. 42). He ends this section with an echo of his request, asking
that the word of truth--the promise of safety--would remain on his lips as he places his sure hope in God’s
rules (v. 43).
Next, the psalmist lays out the results of trusting God, recognizing his own responsibility to
cooperate with God’s work (vv. 44-48). The psalmist intends to obey and seek God’s ways, knowing that the
result is true freedom (vv. 44-45). He intends to proclaim God’s truth, wherever he might be, knowing that
God’s Word is the source of true delight (vv. 46-47). The psalmist closes the waw strophe by declaring his
intention to approach God’s Word in a worshipful and attentive manner (v. 48).
So what should we do when life is not safe? First, we confess our distress. God knows the truth and
he is not surprised by our trouble. Second, we keep deciding to trust God, who loves us and gave himself for
us. Only he can keep us safe through our distress and bring an outcome that is better than we could ask or
think.
Next Event for Seniors & Friends
Glendale Centre Theatre
March 23 (Saturday)
Crazy for You is a romantic love musical with a book by Ken Ludwig,
lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New
Gershwin Musical Comedy," it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930
musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as
well. Crazy for You won the 1992 Tony Award for Best Musical. The plot:
When Bobby Child's mother forces him to foreclose on a theater (an action that
would lose him the heart of Polly), he decides to put on a play to pay the
mortgage. Though the production is unsuccessful, it lays the foundation for
career success and true love.
We will leave the church at 11:30 a.m. and go to lunch before the play.
The cost is $22 plus money for lunch.
If you want to sign up and/or want more details for any of our Seniors & Friends’ outings,
call Terri Mullin at 310/639-0396.
Smile Awhile!
More “You Think English Is Easy?” (continued from last month)
How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the
same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in
which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which
an alarm goes off by going on.
English was invented by people, not computers,
and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which
of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the
stars are out, they are visible, but when the light are
out, they are invisible.
You lovers of the English language might enjoy
the following:
There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more
meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is
“UP.”
Why do we speak UP and why are officers UP
for elections, and why is it Up to the secretary to write
UP a report?
We call UP our friends. And we use it to
brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP
the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.
We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP
the old car. At other times the little word has real
special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for
tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is
special.
A drain must be opened UP because it is
stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but
we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed
UP about UP!
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of
UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desksized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page
and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a
list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot
of your time, but if you don’t give UP, you may wind
UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding
UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.
When it rains, it wets the earth and often
messes things UP. When it doesn’t rain for awhile,
things dry UP.
One could go on and on, but I’ll wrap it UP
For now my time is UP. So it’s time to shut
UP. The rest is UP to you.
Author Unknown
From Dr. Paul (Bobby) Gupta
President of HBI Global Partners
TFB Global Outreach
Missionary News
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Chennai, India!
It is with great joy that I write to
share with you an experience I had last week. I was assigned the
responsibility to teach a course on “Planting and Growing
Churches” that would have an impact in covering the earth with
the Glory of God as the water covers the sea.
As part of the process, I invited 5 guest speakers who are
practitioners in multiplying churches across the nation of India.
One of them was our alumnus, Dr. Paramandam. He [had come]
to HBI in the mid-seventies, a [wealthy] businessman from a
Hindu family…[who had] been introduced to the power of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. This resulted in the whole family turning
away from their idolatry and embracing the Gospel…. In great
gratitude, he read the Scripture [and] felt the call of God in his life. He ended up at HBI and graduated with
a Bachelor of Theology in 1978. In 1979 HBI decided to shift gears to equip people with a strategy of not
just proclaiming the Gospel but proclamation [along] with making disciples. An international pastor, by the
name of Rob, decided to be part of our strategy and wanted to have a national that he could work with in
establishing a worshipping community. Paramandam had just graduated….and HBI introduced
Paramandam to Rob which resulted in HBI students [beginning] on a consistent basis to go and serve in a
triad partnership to help establish the first worshipping community. No one dreamed...what God was going
to do….
The new paradigm fascinated Paramandam as he heard God say to him that he needed to go to the
place [where he had grown up] and start a church. It was very challenging because in the city of Chennai
this was where all the evil was taking place…. Paramandam began proclaiming the Gospel by preaching in
the streets along with our students and within the first 10 days, 12 families [had] responded. From that base
he began the ministry! Today God has helped Paramandam to plant 133 churches around Chennai and
different parts of India as far as Manipur.
I was so encouraged to know just one of our graduates was able to make such an impact. Over
10,000 men and women have graduated from HBI. They are all serving the Lord all over the...world.
Friends, I just wanted to say thank you for your faithfulness in praying, supporting and helping HBI
to fulfill its vision of building transformational leaders to disciple the nation….
I spent two weeks in China equipping the believers and church movements, casting vision and
helping them to understand what a nation would look like when the task was complete. I wish you had been
there to listen to the purpose statements that came [from the various] groups that were present. One that
caught my attention was “When the task is completed in China, every home would be a worshiping center
every day as they equip men and women, boys and girls so that the Bride of Christ is prepared for the
coming of our Lord.” ...This is a new day and God is doing great things! Doors are opening, the Church is
expanding and the message is available.
One last word, thank you for helping [a recent container of books to reach the campus.] We have
two more containers that need to be shipped. [It costs] $10,000 per container to clear customs. If God leads
you to have a part [in providing for the cost to ship these containers], please donate. Your generous giving
will help us make a difference in building transformational leaders for the discipling of the nation.
Praying for you and may the Lord bless you,
Bobby Gupta
Continued from p. 2
the Lord. First, He is a God Who loves us
abundantly… “Your love is better than life,” David
reminds us. God’s love is also steadfast. May we
understand that true love is not a fickle emotion; it
is an act of the will. Our great God doesn’t love us
because we’re “loveable.” No He loves us because
He wills to love us. Yes, He loves us with an
everlasting love that can never be cancelled. It is as
David told us…“a love better than life.”
Second, He is a God who satisfies. David
mentioned that “his soul will be satisfied as with
the richest of foods.” Food can be satisfying, but as
we all know it is a satisfaction that soon passes.
How different is the nourishment which the Lord
Jesus gives to us. Certainly the woman at the well
understood this for just one drink of the water of
life which Christ supplied, would satisfy her
completely. She would never thirst again (John
4:14)!
Third, David reminds us that God is a God of
joy. Singing lips come from a joyful heart, and a
joyful heart comes from experiencing the joy of
Jesus.
As we continue on our journey of discipleship
with the Lord Jesus, may we rest assured in the
great love and care He has for each of us.
Yes, it is a wonderful blessing to be encouraged
by our wonderful Lord, and as He encourages us,
may we also take the time to encourage one
another.
I’m resting in His great care,
Pastor Rog
Please pray for the following families
that have recently lost a loved one:
Vicky Stager lost her step-dad, Ray, and
Ruben Perez lost his grandmother, Espy.
Hiking
Ministry
Friday
March 29
7:00 p.m.
Meet in the church parking lot and we will
carpool to the Royal Palms County Beach in San
Pedro for our full-moon hike. Contact Art
Sigsbury, sigsbury@ca.rr.com, or call 949/4586062 if you have any questions.
Ladies’ Retreat at Thousand Pines
April 26-28
Ladies, sign up for our annual retreat at Thousand Pines. Save your
rustic spot with a $50 deposit. “New cabin” ladies, please reserve with
full payment--space for the new cabin is limited to the first 26 who pay.
The speaker is Sherri Alden. Through life's amazing moments and profound disappointments, Sherri is learning
to follow Jesus and longing to help others know Him...not just about Him. Her desire to creatively connect,
influence and draw other people to the heart of God is expressed through her gifts and experience as a speaker,
worship leader, worship curator and programmer/producer/director of services, special events, national
conventions and concerts. Sherri enjoys being on the team at Slingshot Group, a ministry serving churches across
the nation through pastoral staffing and coaching. She also invests her energy in teaching at Biola University,
actively mentoring and equipping next generation leaders. She is married to a great guy and has three wonderful
kids who love life together in San Juan Capistrano, California. Worship Leader is Toni DeJesus-Coloma!
Activities offered:
* Arte Shoppe
* Malt Shop
* Big Oak Café
* Massages * Afternoon Tea
* Frisbee Golf
* BINGO
* Rec Equipment
* Paintball
* Hiking Trails
* Confidence Course Mountain Bikes
* Shuttles to Lake Arrowhead Village for Shopping
* Lake Arrowhead Queen Boat Tour
* Crestline Shopping and Dining
* Foosball, Air Hockey, Ping Pong, Basketball, Board Games and more!
Cost: $165 for the NEW CABIN! $149 for Rustic. Sign-up at the WM table in the patio; the bus is available too.
The Proclaimer is a monthly publication of the First Baptist Church of Torrance, California, located at 2118 West Carson Street (6
blocks east of Crenshaw). Sunday services: 9:15 a.m. Worship Gathering (Contemporary Service); 11:00 a.m. Blended Service
(with Sunday School for all ages); and 6:00 p.m. Evening Service. Mid-week events for children and students: High School Revive;
Jr. High Quest; and Task Force Bravo for children.
For more information, contact the church office: 310.328.5030 or info@tfbclife.org or visit us on the web at www.tfbclife.org

the Proclaimer - Torrance First Baptist Church

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