First News - First Baptist Church of Simcoe

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
June 2009
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As a Christian church, we exist to honour God by
helping local people worship God, grow spiritually,
serve others, and reach their communities and the
world with the message and love of Jesus Christ.
Inside this issue:
Musical—Jailhouse Rock !
The Junior Choir and Youth Singers started practicing in February
for the Mother‘s day Musical ―Jailhouse Rock‖. On May 10th they
presented the story of campers and counselors that learn about
the courage and faithfulness that Paul and Silas had while they
were in jail. Through 35 minutes of skits and songs on the stage
at ―camp‖, including a video presentation from Joni Erikson–
Tada, these singers concluded that God can set us free.
Thanks to Janet Dickson, Jim Carroll, Wendy Freeman and Diane
Dowling for leading the group. Great job everyone !
More pictures on page 10
VBS Crocodile Dock
Community Garden
5
11
Away but not forgotten
11
Money Talk
6
Mission to Ecuador
4
Junior Choir Musical
10
Relay for Life
9
The Bd of CE needs you !
7
Calendar of Events
14
Family Announcements
7
Summer Events
8
Getting to know you
6
Upcoming Dates

Sunday School Grad

DVD, CD & Book Sale June 20th

Strawberry Social

Early worship begins June 21

Music Camp performance July 10
and July 12

Family Camping

Vacation Bible School Aug 10 –14
June 14th
June 20th
July 31– Aug 2
PAGE 2
f ro m E lai n e’ s D e s k...
On April 1st & 2nd of this year, I spent two solid days working with
our Canadian Baptists of Ontario & Quebec (CBOQ) search committee charged with the task of recommending a candidate to be called as
the next Executive Minister of our denomination. For two days, we
interviewed a number of candidates.
It was an incredible opportunity. For two solid days I was privileged
to listen as some strong Baptist leaders from across Canada spoke about leadership, ministry, and mission. I listened as they told stories about their good and bad times leading
churches. I listened as they shared their hopes and dreams for the Church in Canada. When
it was all over, I was exhausted. But I was also pumped full of excitement for the possibilities that face us over the coming years. And the vision for our church that I’ve carried in my
head for the last 3½ years, seemed to have been confirmed by everything I heard.
At 4:00 in the morning on April 3rd (a time of day I’ve only ever seen in my life if
I’ve stayed up that late working on a paper or studying for an exam) I awoke with
a clarity that never happens. In my head was a complete and finely tuned statement that encapsulated the vision I’d thus far been unable to communicate in a
simple and straightforward way. It so grabbed me that I got out of bed, grabbed a
pen and a pad of paper, and began writing. I wrote for 3 hours, unpacking the statement,
testing it for holes, and considering how it might be achieved. There are no holes. It’s totally Scriptural. And I’m as excited today by the statement itself as I was when it first took
root in my head at 4:00 in the morning.
Consider what it might mean for you:
WE ARE BECOMING:
deeply committed followers of Jesus
who
love humanity passionately
Stay tuned for the summer newsletter, in which I’ll unpack this statement a bit more fully.
Elaine Poproski became our Lead Pastor in 2005 after serving for nearly 7 years as our Associate - Family Ministries. Elaine is passionate about seeing people transformed by the love of
Jesus Christ through worship, Bible Study, and relationships with other Christians. It is her
dream that our Church be a place where all people find a sanctuary in which they can meet
God. Elaine grew up in Waterloo and lived in Ottawa and Hamilton before settling in Simcoe.
PAGE 3
Upcoming scripture readings
June 7
Guest Speaker
John Dickson
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
Graduation
Sunday
Mark 1: 16 - 20 &
2: 13 - 17
Mark 1: 21 - 39
Mark 2: 1 - 12;
8: 1 - 10
Jesus calls the
John calling peo- first disciples to
ple to repentance follow. The call is
for those who are
and baptism,
'preparing the way sick, not for those
who are well.
for Jesus.
Mark 1: 1 - 15
WHY I WANT TO GO TO ECUADOR
People are astounded by Jesus'
authority. He's
somehow different
from anyone
they've encountered before.
What is it about
Jesus that drew
such crowds to
him?
by Eva Dixon
I am one of ten children, seven of whom have done, or, are doing Mission
Work. They have done everything from digging latrines, nursing, building
schools and churches to teaching and just plain caring. I saw the video that
we showed to the church in November, which included two of my sisters-inlaw. It was then that I decided that I wanted to be a part of the TEAM.
One of my sisters-in-law is going again this year for her third time. Kathy is from Boston
Baptist Church, as is her sister, Kim Giles. Kim has been a missionary for approximately 30
years.
Last year there were about 6,000 children and 4,000 adults who received gifts. I am presently working towards gathering items for the children’s gift bags. We hope to make them
all the same including crayons, a hot wheels car, a 4 to 6” stuffed toy, face cloth, soap,
toothpaste and toothbrush. I have so far collected 1,000 packages of 8 crayons generously
donated by Home Hardware in Delhi. The adults will receive a dry-goods package that has
enough food for about one month. Last year some members of the team went to a seniors’
home and gave the elderly ladies decorative scarves, which were most gratefully received.
I know that I will get as much if not more from this experience than I give to it
Early Worship begins June 21st
10:30 am
PAGE 4
Ecuador Mission Update
The 10 members of our 2009 FBC mission team are
Sue Baldock, Allison Richardson, Shawn Broughton, Crystal
Brandon, Woodrow Nowell, Eva Dixon, Sue Gill, Julie Forde,
Ann Reid and Vicky Grondin.
They will travel to Quito, Ecuador from December 1 to 8, 2009
. They will lodge and work together to prepare and set up for 5
prescheduled Christmas Outreach events on each of five days.
Each day begins with a time of devotional and prayer. There is a
time for some sightseeing on the final day before departure.
They are fundraising and accepting donations to meet the costs. The cost is
$895 CAD for airfare and $980 US for lodging, food, local transportation.
Book / CD / DVD / VHS Sale
and Strawberry Social
Saturday June 20th
Pre-order your lunch for Sept. 13th !
The Ecuador Mission Team members are
hosting a fundraising lunch as part of
Rally Sunday on Sept 13th. The lunch will
feature a variety of smoked meat, salads,
and dessert/drink. Prices are $10 adults,
$5 children and $25 for a family of 4.
Watch June church
bulletins for slips to indicate attendance, and
preorder food...
Contact: Vicky Grondin 519
426-6522
(vickygrondin@hotmail.com)
or Eva Dixon 519 426-0456
(dixonr@amtelecom,net)
For more information, visit:
www.extremeresponse.org
or www.youtube.com
(search ―Extreme Response
Org‖ to see ER‘s latest videos)
9am —3 pm
Come browse the books, CD;s and movies, while
you enjoy some strawberries with cake !
You can help fundraise by donating gently used
books, DVDs, and CDs.
Bring your donations to the
church ASAP for sorting and
pricing.
Thank You !!!
Donations
Donations can be made through your church envelope by
indicating ―Mission Trip‖ or ―Ecuador‖ on the line ―other‖
showing the amount.
If this amount is to support a specific
individual going on the mission trip,
please also indicate their name next to
that line (You must not be related to
that individual if you want a tax credit
for the donation at year end).
Jay Hoover, Envelope Steward
PAGE 5
Concert ! Sunday, June 14th at FBC Simcoe
Proceeds to the Bible Society Fair Booth
Pastor Isaac was born in the Azores, Portugal but raised in Scotland , Ont. Pastor Ike has been in pastoral ministry for 25 years.
His passion is to bring people into God's presence through inspirational, 'down to earth' preaching & teaching. He believes in the
"team" concept for ministry leadership and desires to see people
use their gifts in service for God.
He will perform music and songs of praise.
Rev. Isaac Amorin
from Tillsonburg Baptist
Vacation Bible School Aug 10—14
Crocodile Dock !
By Cyn Cronkwright
Last March I received our Crocodile Dock kit. It is a small lidded barrel
that contains everything we will need to make our VBS great! Imagine
the look on my face when I lifted the lid, and peered inside, and heard
SWAMP NOISES!?? After a little yelp of surprise I realized that on the
underside of the lid was a motion activated sound device to put me in a
“swampy” mood!
I am so excited about Crocodile Dock.! I think it will be our best VBS ever! Group Publishing has outdone
themselves this year. There are so many great ideas!
One of the things I am most pleased with is a new age-appropriate Chadder DVD just for preschoolers. This site is run by Jay Hoover. Chadder Chipmunk is an adventurous, mischievous character that the
kids love. Each day the preschool kids will view a segment of Chadders Bayou Adventure in the Hokeybadjokey Swamp. Kids can’t wait to see each day’s adventure! The continuing drama, comical characters, and cliffhanger endings keep them coming back for more each day. The preschool version will show
real footage of fireflies, crocodiles, spoonbills, opossums and turtles guaranteed to make them giggle.
Chadder’s Theater for the school aged children will be called Dockside Drive-In and is run by
Cindy Rapley. This site is a an integral part of the VBS program - like the glue that holds the day’s message all together. In addition to watching Chadder’s Bayou Adventure, Cindy will give the kids a “Watch
for God” Wristband that they will wear all week. These wristbands will remind kids to keep their eyes
open for things that God is doing in their own lives and all around them - God sightings. Each day a different group will share their God Sighting. Cindy will reinforce the day’s message by giving each child a
“Bible Buddy” with that day’s bible point inscribed on it. Soon you will begin to see these Bible Buddies
appear through out the library.
I just can’t wait for Crocodile Dock to start! I hope that you can stop by to help some time during the week of August 10-14. Even if all you have is few hours to spare, we will be glad of the help,
and you will not regret it when you see the joy on the childrens’ faces! Our Dock is going to Rock!!
Please call me if you would like to be involved in any way, large or small.
PAGE 6
Getting to know you ...
Jack and Cyn Cronkwright enjoy living in Port Dover in the warm months and
in Port Charlotte, Florida in the winter. They spend many hours boating, including
the trip from Port Dover to the family cottage in Gravelly Bay on the tip of Long
Point.
They have three grown children and seven grand-daughters, some of whom have
been involved in the Mother’s Day musical, Sunday school, and Vacation Bible
School. Cyn’s sister Sarah Auld also attends First Baptist.
They retired in 1991 after selling the family business Cronkwright Transport.”
They look forward to hosting the Mabel H. Cronkwright Memorial Fishing Tournament for their extended family each year in Port Dover in honour of Jack’s
mother who was also a long-standing member of First Baptist Church.
Jack is a member of five different Barbershop singing groups, both here and in
Florida. He and Cyn enjoy camping in their tent trailer and are part of this year’s
church family camping adventure.
Cyn and Jack
Cronkwright
They are both members of our church choir. Cyn is the director of Vacation Bible School. Both have
served on various church boards in the past.
Mary Ellen and Larry Moyer will celebrate 20 years of marriage in
July 2009. Larry is currently the president of the Radio-control model
airplane flying club and works as a mechanic at Master Mechanic in
Simcoe. He has a 1967 Oldsmobile that he takes on the road for special
occasions. Larry grew up attending FBC with his parents Bud and
Shirley Moyer.
Mary Ellen has been a florist for many years and is currently working at
Sobeys Flowers. She enjoys gardening at home and has been president
(L–R) Larry, Lauren, Mary Ellen,
of the Simcoe Horticultural Society.
Ben Moyer
Their daughter Lauren is in Grade 10 at SCS. She is very attached to her
cell phone and music ! She has been a Leader-in-Training with the Norfolk County Recreation programs
and is looking forward to being a leader at Camp Onieda this summer. She works part time at the Strand
Theatre doing cash and candy bar sales.
Ben Moyer is in grade 4 at West Lynn School. He has an inquiring mind and is often asking to take things
apart to see how they work. He loves to work hard...including cutting the grass, vacuuming and more !
Mary Ellen and Lauren volunteer in Nursery, Jr Church, power point and sound.
Money Talk
We have raised $3,800
of the $5,800 for the
cost of the new dishwasher.
Can we raise the balance?
If you can help, mark
―dishwasher‖ on the ―other‖
line of your offering envelope.
Give Thanks!
Our financial givings for 2009 are consistently
up from where they've been over the last 3
years. But we still aren't quite
breaking even! Please consider increasing your givings and as summer
approaches, please don't forget to
send in your offerings.
PAGE 7
Family Announcements
Lincoln Mark Aldon Ridpath was born on
May 13th, 2009. He
is the fourth grandchild for Paul and
Cathy Davidson.
Lincoln is the
second child of Erin
and Mark Ridpath
who live in
Ancaster.
Cathy Davidson and
her grandson Lincoln
Lincoln is a new
baby brother for
Eden.
Ann—Marie
Victoria
Cookson
was born Tues.
May 19th,
Shirley Cookson with her new
2009...a new
grandchild for
grand-daughter Ann–Marie
Jim and Shirley
Cookson, and Don and Betty Loucks.
Anne– Marie is the first child of Dale and Sarah
Cookson of Jarvis.
Shirley and Jim are
thrilled to have the first
grand –daughter to
spoil !
Betty & Don Loucks
The Board of CE needs YOU!
The Board of Christian Education exists to ensure that an educational program is available for all
ages and at all stages of their faith development. Our programs range from Sunday School (9:30
– 10:45 a.m.) to Junior Church and Nursery (10:45 – 12:00 p.m.) to Vacation Bible School.
The following needs have been identified for September 2009. Please consider if you might be
able to help out in any of these areas. Any of our Board members would be happy to answer
your questions or give you more information about the jobs.
1.
Nursery Volunteer - An adult is needed every other Sunday to provide child care in the
nursery during Sunday School time: 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. This position would start in September and finish in June.
2.
Sunday School teachers needed for all ages. Help out for a semester or a full year.
3.
Jr. Church / Nursery Coordinator – Someone willing to oversee the volunteers who provide
child care during the church service. Responsibilities would include provision for weekly
snacks, maintaining toys, purchasing new items needed, and calling to remind volunteers.
Please talk to Carla Aitken (428-7592) or Carolyn Bridge (426-5804) if you can help out.
PAGE 8
Music Camp Presentations
of the musical
― Rescue in the Night—The story of Daniel and the Lions Den‖.
will be on Friday July 10th at 7:30 pm
and Sunday July 12th at 10:30 am.
This program is now full. Please come see the performances !
Contact: Janet Dickson 519 426 9378
Family Camping at Pinehurst Conservation Area
near Paris. Campsites are booked individually in the same area of
the campground. All programming is spontaneous and optional.
―Let‘s go fishing this morning, to the
beach this afternoon, campfire is at our
site and meet at the showers for a
night walk. ―
Contact : Wendy Freeman
519 429 2920
Vacation Bible School
VBS is a program for ages 4—12 from 9 am until 12:00 Monday
until Friday. This year‘s theme is Crocodile Dock….Where Fearless
Kids Shine God‘s Light. Participants do crafts, group games,
drama, music, snack, and bible theatre. Cost is $ 10 for the week.
Pre–registration is suggested.
Boys and girl s over the age of 12 are needed
to be junior leaders.
Contact: Cyn Cronkwright
519 583-1903
Kidzfest ‗09
This event is an evening meal followed by a concert. The event is sponsored by
four local churches including First Baptist, Simcoe.
More details will be available from the church office.
519 426 3273
PAGE 9
The team members are
Mary Ellen Moyer
Baptist Feet First is the name of our
team in the Relay for Life event at Port
Dover Composite School. This fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society
takes place on June 5th and 6th beginning at 7 p.m. It’s an all-night event that
finishes at 7 a.m.
You can drop in and join the team
members as they take turns walking
the track at PDHS for 12 hours
through the night.
See the many people who have given their time to this
cause.
See the display boards of photos recognizing those
that have met cancer in their lives.
Watch as cancer survivors are introduced and walk a
lap together to celebrate their battle.
Pam Almon
Debbie Tattersall
Cindy Rapley
Vicky Grondin
Julie Forde
Patrick Forde
Eva Dixon
Crystal Brandon
Carla Aitken
Sue Gill
Jen Winsor
Gabi Winsor
Their goal is $100.00 per person for a total of $1300.00.
See the glow of light from the luminaries that are lit in
memory of loved ones that have passed
away.
Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour
overnight event as we come together and
fight to make cancer history.
Visitors and Cheerleaders are welcome !
If you want to sponsor a
walker or the team ,
please donate through
the pledge sheets provided by the team.
Do Not donate through the
church offering envelope for the
cancer walk, the Church cannot
give tax receipts for this.
Tax Receipts are provided by the
Canadian Cancer Society !
(L– R) Cindy
Rapley, Pam Almon, Julie Forde, Vicky
Grondin, Jen Winsor and (in front) Lauren Moyer
served hotdogs outside Sobeys on May 30th to
raise funds for their Relay for Life Team.
Contact Carla Aitken (519) 428-7592
or Sue Gill (519) 428- 9730 to find out more details. !
Jr Choir & Youth Singers Musical
PAGE 10
Jailhouse Rock !
Tiffany Forde
is the camp
director
The campers have arrived in their nifty
yellow bus as the counselors look on.
City girls Naomi Auld, Heather Dowling
and Madison Reid are lost without their
cell phones and hair dryers at camp !
Guards Aliya Kooistra and Erica
McKay watch jail mates Floyd Feere
and Kody Forde act as Silas and Paul
Staige Harvey waits for the
King’s orders (Isaiah Dowling)
while Julia Dickson and Kennedy
Harvey sing “Let us Pray”
Jack Gill and
Sihler Baldock
take their turn
being the
guards in the
camp skits
The story of the innocent prisoner.
(L-R) Tristan
Franks, Callum Reid, Staige
Harvey, Alex Forde, Wesley Freeman,
Kennedy Harvey
Jack Gill and Kody
Forde sing “Let us
Pray”
Parents Sue Baldock, Sue Gill and
Floyd Feere arrive to save the
campers from the storm, but the
campers have decided to stay !
They now know
the way to freedom !
Away but not forgotten . . .
PAGE 11
Judith Coombe and her dad Bruce Coombe appear in the June
2009 issue of Canadian Living (pg 157—159) In the article, Judith tells
of the mission trip to New Orleans that she and her dad did together
with volunteers from Alymer Church. The article is a Father‘;s day
tribute as well as an explanation of their time spent in New Orleans
repairing a day care facility. Judith‘s online journal and photos are at
www.loveforce.ca
Bruce Coombe was our minister
Bruce and Judith Coombe
until 2005. Judith and her younger
in New Orleans
sister Wendy grew up attending
FBC Simcoe. Judith and Wendy both live in Toronto, where
Judith is the manager for bands and Wendy teaches primary
school . Wendy was married in July 2008. Their mother Sue is
a retired teacher and was a member of our church choir for
many years. Bruce is retired from ministry but continues to volunteer at Sprucedale young offenders facility as a yoga instruc- (L-R) Rev Bruce Coombe, Wendy,
tor.
Judith and Sue Coombe
The full magazine article is available in the church library area.
FBC Community Garden
Project
Patrick Forde has been gathering people together with the common interest of planting their own garden. Marianne and Grant
Irvin have given them the use of land at their
home and the planting is ready to begin !
Waiting for new life
to appear in the garden
Check the summer newsletter to see how this
project progresses and the impact it has on
people‘s lives.
Sunday School Graduation
We will celebrate the past year of Sunday school on June 14th at the 11:00 service.
Join us to recognize the teachers and students of each class.
Grade 3 students will be given a bible from the church.
There will be a slide show of events throughout the year.
After the service the board of CE is providing hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone !
Please bring a salad or dessert and plan to stay for lunch.
PAGE 12
Opportunities for everyone
The Caring Cupboard
The Seniors
Lunch will resume
in September !
Can you add these items
to your shopping list ?
But first...please join us in a potluck for
all ages to celebrate the end of the Sunday School year.
* flaked canned meat
. Mark your calendar for a potluck June
14th after church.
* small peanut butter
* BBQ sauce
* sugarless jam
* sugar
* large cans of apple juice
* ketchup
Teddy Bear Picnic
Please bring your donations to the box in the
Library Area.
For the JK/SK Sunday school class
Sunday June 14th at 9:45 am
Bring your Teddy or another
friend !
REFUEL Your Faith FESTIVAL
A variety of Live Christian Bands will
perform in Delhi June 12 to 13
Rain or Shine.
One day or two day passes
are available.
More information is available
at www.refuelfest.ca
First News is a monthly publication
intended to communicate events and
news of our church family. If you have
something to add or a suggestion for
the newsletter, please email the church
>>> firstbaptist@kwic.com
Contributing Writer: Sarah Auld
Online
Information
Did you miss getting the
last few newsletters?
Kent Rapley has added
it to our church website.
http://www.simcoefirstbaptist.com/
newsletters.pdf
Would you like to read
of Nathan Carroll‘s
mission trip to Kenya ?
updates
Log on to http://
kenyaimaginathan.blogspot.com/
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
129 Young St. at Talbot St.
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 1Y8
Phone: 519 426-3273
Layout Design: Janet Dickson
Email: firstbaptist@kwic.com
Production and Distribution: Eva Dixon
www.simcoefirstbaptist.com
What Can I Do For God
PAGE 13
Christians and ―hope-so Christians‖ tend to ask God to take action for them on many, many
problems. Prayers almost always contain what might be compared to a shopping list of please
God do this or that petitions. There‘s nothing wrong with using these petitions – up to a point.
The verse in Scripture that we use to justify our requests is found in Matthew 7:7-8: Ask and it will
be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone
who asks receives; he who knocks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Jesus
meant what He said. Asking God in Jesus name for help is perfectly acceptable.
We need to remember, however, that God in His own right and through His Son, gave
each of us work to do in connection with the right to receive help. Noah, Moses, Joshua, Joseph,
Isaiah, and a host of other Old Testament people were given great tasks to do. Each of them
heard from God that He would be with them and never leave them, answering their requests for
help. In the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus gave everyone, great or small
among his followers, work to do: you are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world, settle
matters of dispute quickly, do not resist an evil person, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and many similar instructions we are to follow along with our prayers. We cannot ex-
pect to pray for help if we are going to do His work on earth just continuing living a life that does
not reflect our faith and love in God and His Son.
Jesus gave Peter the task of feeding His sheep – His people – and in the last verse of Matthew, He told His Disciples, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all I have commanded
you….‖ Are we then also His disciples once we have accepted Him as Lord and Master? I believe
the answer to be yes, and therefore that commandment applies to us, as do those referred to in
Matthew. One final example: consider the task to which Paul was called, which eventually cost
him his life.
What happens if we do not follow these commandments and do the work He has given us
to do? Perhaps the answer is found in Revelation 2:5 – a passage which was the topic of last Sunday‘s sermon: Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from it‘s place. And again, In Revelation 3:16: Because you are luke-
warm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
If you say, but I have no ability to do work for Christ, it‘s not my thing, then you need to
give your head a shake and read 1 Corinthians 12 and 13, Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and I Peter
4:9. Those are references to the gifts we have all been given: some are great, others are small, but
whatever we have been given to do, we are to do that work with humility and love, as Paul wrote
to the Ephesians.
The question becomes, then, not ―What can God do for me and why didn‘t He do it as I
asked‖, but ―What can I do for God? Please help me as I work for you.‖ When you have prayed
that prayer, then go ahead with your shopping list. You might even find that it has become
shorter. God answers every prayer in His time. He also loves those who show their love for Him by
doing His will through the Holy Spirit.
Think about it.
Jim Newell is a member of Glen Acres Baptist Church. He is retired from the newspaper business where he was a
writer/reporter and editor. Many years ago, he mentored Elaine
when she took on editing the Glen Acres Connection .