January - First Baptist Church Topeka

The Star
January 2014
The Star
January
January2014
2014
Volume
Volume52,
52,Iss.
Iss.11
First Baptist Church
3033 SW MacVicar Ave.
Topeka, Kansas 66611-1811
785.267.0380 | www.fbctopeka.org | email@fbctopeka.org
Page 1
Cheryl Henson, Senior Pastor
Corey Fields, Associate Pastor
Joe Greemore, Interim Associate Pastor
Robyn Aeschliman, Director of Faith Forest
Joe Barnes, Building Superintendent
Will Kubie, Organist/Pianist
Rick Kready, Director of Chancel Choir
Pam DeFries, Chancel Choir Pianist
Boopesh Kumar, CCLC Director
Steve Martin, Custodian
Kay Renyer, Day Care Director
Verlee Sanneman, Office Manager
FBC Foundation’s Annual
&
Saturday, February 1
5:30 p.m.
Gym
Musical Concert by Kansas Youth Chorale
This event is open to the public, invite your friends to join us. The cost is $12.50 per person, $6 per child
(age 6-11). We need lots of unique items for the Silent Auction. Tickets may be purchased from any
Foundation trustee. If you have an item to donate, contact Karen Stryker, 272-4140. Here are some gift
basket ideas:
 Cards for All Occasions Basket: Content Ideas---Card organizer, address book, pens, stamps,
cards (i.e., thank you, sympathy, congratulations, new baby, happy birthday, seasonal, new home,
retirement, wedding, anniversary, just because, encouragement, etc…)
 Art Basket: Content Ideas—crayons, paints, construction paper, play dough, colored pencils,
sidewalk chalk, paint brushes, finger paints, finger paint paper, glitter, markers, scissors, stickers
 Coffee & Tea Basket: Content Ideas—flavored coffees, coffee mugs, creamers, carafe, flavored
teas, tea strainer, creamers, biscotti
 Mexican Fiesta Basket: Content Ideas—chips, salsa, margarita mix, margarita glasses, rim salt,
tortilla holder, salsa/chip bowl, chili pepper towel, Mexican or chili pepper tablecloth
 Baby Basket/Diaper Bag: Content Ideas---onesies, receiving blankets, pacifiers, bottles, bottle
cleaner, wipes, diapers, diaper cream, burp rags, baby toys, grooming kit, safety set (i.e., outlet
plugs, cabinet locks), sippy cups, books, booties, lullaby CD, Purell, baby lotion
 I Love Books Basket: Content Ideas--- favorite children’s books, book characters, book marks, gift
certificate to Barnes & Noble
 Scrapbooking Basket: Content Ideas---paper, photo splits, corner rounders, ribbon,
embellishments, embellishment tools, photo organizing case, album, pages, page protectors, pens,
stickers, scissors
Page 2
January 2014
The Star
The Fixer-Upper
By Cheryl Henson, Senior Pastor
Mike and I recently bought a new house, well, let
me rephrase that, we bought a different house. It is not
new, built in 1939, it is a real fixer-upper! It is obvious
it was once a beautiful house
that has fallen into disrepair.
Mike is great at fixing things.
He has over the years
remodeled numerous homes
and helped each house to have
a new life. As we deep clean,
cut back brush, rake several
years of leaves, trace and
repair
wiring,
guttering,
roofing, windows and more, it
reminded me that we are all
fixer-uppers, and that God is
always at work in our lives to
make us new!
We have torn out four rooms of old carpet to reveal
the hardwood floors underneath. At first glance the
floors seem unredeemable with staples, stains, even
some splotches of paint. I look at them and think they
are past salvaging. Mike, however, looks at the floors
and says, “They are solid. They just need sanded down
and refinished.”
Hmmm, it is all in the point of view. Isn’t it
wonderful that even when others look at us and give up
on us, God never gives up? The apostle Paul writes in
Second Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone,
the new is here!” How will God help you to be a new
creation in 2014? Are there old habits that need cleaned
out? Attitudes that need adjusted? Relationships that
need repaired? Rough edges
that needed sanded down and
polished? The New Year will
bring
a
whole
new
opportunity to allow God to
transform us into his faithful
and obedient disciples who
have new life, new light, new
peace, and new opportunities
to be the creation He intends
us to be.
It might take three
years to get the house in
shape (our other house took
three years) but it will be
worth it all in the end because the house will be given
new life and will once again fulfill its purpose. Our
prayer for you in
2014 is that you
“Therefore, if anyone
will allow the
is in Christ, the new
Master Carpenter
to work in your
creation has come: The
life and help
old has gone, the new is
repair the defects.
May you truly
here!”
shine in 2014.
Finance Update: Our financial
books will close on December 31. Any
contributions for this year must be in
the office or postmarked by or on
December 31, 2013.
At the end of November our year-todate deficit was $2,626.49. Please prayerfully
consider how you can help to eliminate the deficit
by December 31.
— 2013 Year-to-Date Finance Report —
Receipts (Offerings/Tithes) ................ $ 475,750.27
Expenses ........................................... 478,376.76
Deficit.............................................. ($ 2,626.49)
December 21-January 2—Cheryl Henson, 338-2161
January 4-5 — Corey Fields, 379-3852
January 11-12 — Cheryl Henson, 338-2161
January 18-19 — Joe Greemore, 303-856-5489
January 25-26 — Corey Fields, 379-3852
Please make note of Pastor Corey’s
new cell phone number. For
pastoral needs during the week,
please call the church office,
The Star
January 2014
Please remember in your prayers. . .
Beverly Axmann (Fred & Katie Loseke’s daughter);
Cindi Bramlage’s father; Sally Burgess; Kaitlin
Chanay; Ann Cousins; Grayson Iwrin (Allan & Joyce
Robinson’s great nephew); Brad Johnson; Mary
Johnson, John Koger; Calvin Kopp; Evelyn Leesman;
Michaela Lira (Ken & Rita Nichol’s granddaughter);
Greg McLaren; Sandy Milligan; Vivian Pitts; Jo Richardson;
Ray Robinson; Bob & Helen Satzler; Laura Semler; Mardine
Wilson; those who are homebound, and their caregivers.
BackSnack with Harvesters
Another semester of school will begin in just a
couple of weeks and we are in
need of volunteers to help with
the BackSnack program.
We need volunteers to pick
up the backpacks from the
school, fill the backpacks with
pre-packaged food (see
photo), and deliver the
backpacks. This is done on a
weekly basis. On a typical week, the backpacks
are picked up at McClure on Monday by a
volunteer, filled on Wednesday by another
volunteer, and delivered on Thursday by yet
another volunteer. Whitson doesn’t use backpacks,
we use plastic grocery sacks for them. The food is
prepackaged and assembled in a clear plastic bag
which then goes in either a backpack or plastic
grocery sack. The food is intended for one child for
one weekend. Extra food is added when the
children are out of school longer than a normal
weekend. Volunteers can help just once a week or
once a month. This year we are helping 55 children
at McClure and Whitson Elementary Schools.
If you wish to participate in this exciting local
mission opportunity, contact Verlee in the church
office, 267-0380.
We want to thank those that have helped this
past semester. They include: Kris Chanay,
Margean Cress, Doug Jacobs, Joan Kerchner,
Boopesh Kumar, Jean Lamb, Carolyn Lillie, and
Fred & Katie Loseke.
Page 3
News from White Cross
Each year our White Cross receives a request in support
of one of the Home Missions. This year our request was
for support of the Wichita Community Church in
Anadarko, Ok. A few items were requested for
Christmas (2 cars, 2 games and a Bible). Other items
requested were a quilt, clothing for all ages, schools
supplies, football, kickball, paper products and craft
supplies. Many thanks to Margean Cress for delivering
the items to Anadarko.
White Cross meets at 9:00 a.m. in Room 207 on the
fourth Wednesday of every month, except December.
Any lady is invited to join them.
Theresa Hodges, right, and Margean Cress are going over the list of
items and supplies to be delivered to Wichita Community Church in
Anadarko.
If you wish to sponsor altar flowers during 2014 for a
special birthday or anniversary, or in remembrance of a
loved one, please contact the church office, 267-0380.
The cost is $40.00. After worship service, the cut flower
bouquet is divided into 2 or 3 smaller bouquets and
delivered to a member in the hospital or those on our
homebound list. During December the altar flowers are
poinsettias for the sanctuary.
Page 4
January 2014
American Baptists respond to
Colorado flooding
In response to the Colorado flooding, American Baptist
Churches USA released $10,000 in One Great Hour of
Sharing disaster relief funds through American Baptist
Home Mission Societies to American Baptist Churches
of the Rocky Mountains. Causing injuries, fatalities and
billions of dollars in property damage, the flooding was
a result of heavy rain that fell in the region Sept. 9-15.
“The flooding in Colorado affected many people—
not only those who have been publicized but many
downstream,” says the Rev. Dr. Steve Van Ostran,
executive minister of American Baptist Churches of the
Rocky Mountains. “Having worked with several
disasters, I am keenly
aware that one of the best
ways to give to disaster
relief is the One Grout
Hour of Sharing offering
because we work through
established and trusted
partners who are already
in the community.”
I want to thank the church for the lovely poinsettia and
Christmas card. I also thank Joan Kerchner for bringing
them to me.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
— Charlotte Gallaway
I would like to thank the church for my pretty
poinsettia. It is staying so fresh looking. I really enjoyed
the visit with Joan Kerchner.
— Evelyn Leesman
I want to thank Pastors Cheryl and Corey for their
hospital visits. And, also to Winnie Davis and Sharon
Harry for delivering a bouquet of the altar flowers and
our many church friends for their cards and prayers.
May God Bless us all.
— Marie Boaz
We thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity
for remembering us at Christmas with a staff love gift.
We are blessed to be working with you and for God at
First Baptist.
— Pastor Cheryl, Pastor Corey, Joe Barnes,
Steve Martin, Will Kubie, and Verlee Sanneman
The Star
The Footsteps of Paul
Dear Friends,
Imagine retracing the steps
of the Apostle Paul and
experiencing a glimpse of
his missionary journeys.
Travel to Macedonia where
Paul was called to go in a
dream; see where Paul
opened the Gospel to
“outsiders” and observed the eagerness of the believers
to study the Word. Journey to Corinth and Athens,
where Paul preached to a curious crowd and told them
about the “Unknown God” they needed to meet. Travel
to Ephesus to see where the Apostle to the Gentiles
labored for three years, giving birth to the Ephesian
church.
This is a 13 day journey,
aboard the Norwegian
Jade of the Norwegian
cruise line. Our travel
dates are November 10
through 22, 2014.
You are invited to join me and Dr. John Williams,
Executive Minister, on a ABC Central Region
sponsored Biblelands cruise of a life time. Travel with
friends and fellow pilgrims on a journey of discovery
and faith. We will act as your hosts as we join with
others touring with Educational Opportunities and
retrace the steps of Paul as he carried the Gospel to the
world.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joe Kutter
Former Senior Pastor of
FBC-Topeka
Brochures are available in the
church office and library.
The Star
January 2014
Page 5
Handbells were refurbished.
Mortgage Freedom Day—Sept. 29.
Remodeling and painting the youth room.
Grand piano in the sanctuary was refurbished.
Pack 143 now meets at First Baptist.
Performance of the African Children’s Choir.
Page 6
January 2014
The Star
New Interim Associate Pastor
Rev. Joseph Greemore will be our interim associate pastor of
children, youth, and small group ministries for six months, beginning
January 1, 2014. Many of you might recall him being here last year
on December 30 when he sang “Joseph’s Song” to his new son for
special music and later he preached. We welcome Rev. Joe and his
family to FBC-Topeka.
Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, and Small Group Ministries
Job description: The Associate Pastor will provide discipleship opportunities for the entire congregation with
special focus in the areas of children, youth, and small groups under the direction of the senior pastor.
Specific Duties:
1. Oversee children’s, youth, small group programming through mentoring, equipping, and sustaining the
lay leaders. This includes, but is not limited to, Faith Forest, Youth Sunday School, Wednesday and
Sunday night activities, and Children’s Church.
2. Coordinate retreats and special spiritual formation experiences of prayer, witnessing, and service for all
ages.
3. Challenge and coach people into intentionally living as disciples of Jesus, and to equip the laity to utilize
their spiritual gifts through matching volunteers with their spiritual gifts.
4. Personally follow up with visitors and prospects with children and youth, as well as overseeing the
process by which they receive communication from the church.
5. Serve as the pastoral liaison and attend monthly meetings to the following Board of Ministries areas:
a. Children and Youth Education
b. Adult Education
c. Evangelism
6. Attend weekly staff meetings.
7. Attend monthly Board of Ministries meetings.
8. Assist with the Upward sports program.
9. Assist with the Connexion service and attend planning meetings.
10. In cooperation with the Senior Pastor, the Board of Ministries, and other professional staff, the Associate
Pastor will lead and shepherd the congregation to spiritual growth through the ministries of preaching,
teaching, and pastoral care. These may be accomplished through the following:
a. Preparing and delivering Biblical sermons.
b. Teaching and interpreting the Bible in formal and informal settings.
c. Maintaining loving and supportive personal contact with families especially those with children
and youth.
d. Providing pastoral care and counseling as the need arises, including bereavement, relationship
counseling, spiritual direction, and visitation with the sick and needy.
e. Providing leadership in important ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, dedications, etc…
Updated December 2013
January 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
New Year's Day
8 am - 5 pm Day Care (Monday-Friday)
5
8:30 am Worship
7
6
5 pm Badminton, gym
9:15 am Faith Forest
11 am Senior Walking
12 Noon Fellowship Lunch
9:30 am ConneXion
1 pm Prayer Group
10:45 am Traditional
5:30 pm Staff Relations
4 pm Youth Bible Study
6 pm Cub Scouts
3
13
8
1-3 pm Pickleball, gym
4 pm Care
5 pm Badminton
9
6 pm Upward Practice
7 pm Chancel Choir
Saturday
4
10:30 a.m. Upward
Referee mtg.
8 am ROMEOS
Day Care & Office Closed 7 pm Chancel Choir
6:45 am Men's Breakfast
9:30 am Adult Sun. School
Friday
10
11
8 am-12 Noon Upward
BB & Cheerleading, gym
8 am ROMEOS
5 pm Badminton
6 pm Upward Practice
12
18
13
14
15
8:30 am Worship
5 pm Badminton, gym
6:45 am Men's Breakfast
9:30 am Esther Shaffer, F. H.
9:15 am Faith Forest
7 pm Roseberry Circle
11 am Senior Walking
1-3 pm Pickleball, gym
6 pm Upward Practice
7 pm Chancel Choir
9:30 am ConneXion
12 Noon Fellowship Lunch
9:30 am Adult Sun. School
1 pm Prayer Group
10:45 am Traditional
5:30 pm Ministry Team mtgs.
4 pm Youth Bible Study
6 pm Upward Practice
5:15 pm Living & Active
21
16
22
17
8
1
7 pm Topeka JUMP Board
19
20
21
22
9 am White Cross
8:30 am Worship
Martin Luther King Holiday 6:45 am Men's Breakfast
9:15 am Faith Forest
Office closed.
11 am Senior Walking, gym 1-3 pm Pickleball, gym
9:30 am ConneXion
2 pm Jane Circle, Parlor
12 Noon Fellowship Lunch 7 pm Board of Ministries
9:30 am Adult Sun. School 5 pm Badminton, gym
1 pm Prayer Group
10:45 am Traditional
Noon Nicaragu Mission
Trip Fund'g Lunch
6 pm Cub Scouts
29
22
24
8
1
25
23
6 pm Upward Practice
8 am ROMEOS
7 pm Chancel Choir
5 pm Badminton, gym
4 pm Youth Bible Study
26
8:30 am Worship
27
28
9:15 am Faith Forest
5:30 pm Adult Ed
9:30 am ConneXion
6 pm Children & Youth Ed
9:30 am Adult Sun. School
10:45 am Traditional
4 pm Youth Bible Study
5:15 pm Living & Active
29
30
31
5 pm Badminton, gym
5 pm Badminton
25
8 am-12 Noon Upward
BB & Cheerleading, gym
6 pm Upward Practice
7 pm Foundation
19
13
22
18
8
1
Mid-Winter Conference in Hesston, Kansas
8 am-12 Noon Upward BB
& Cheerleading, gym
8 am ROMEOS
1 pm Cub ScoutsPinewood Derby
5 pm Badminton, gym
First Baptist Church
The FIRST BAPTIST STAR (USPS: 194-960) is published monthly for
$25.00 per year by the First Baptist Church, 3033 SW MacVicar Ave.,
Topeka, KS 66611-1811. Periodicals postage paid at Topeka, Kansas.
3033 SW MacVicar Ave.
Topeka, Kansas 66611-1811
785.267.0380
785.267.9148
www.fbctopeka.org
email@fbctopeka.org
Periodicals Postage
Paid
at
Topeka, Kansas
POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to The First Baptist Star,
3033 SW MacVicar Ave.,
Topeka, KS 66611-1811
Note: Dated Material Enclosed
5th Sunday—Sunday, December 29
9:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Sunday School (Children and Adults will
attend their respective class.)
Combined Worship, sanctuary
Harold & Crystal Wolgast will be reading
stories of our favorite carols.
Are you ready for some
basketball?
The Upward
basketball games will
begin January 11 at 8
a.m. in our gym. If you
have never attended a
game before, we
encourage you to do it this year. You will be
amazed to see the young families that are sitting
in the stands in our gym watching their son or
daughter play basketball or lead cheers.
Pastor Corey is still looking for scorekeepers and
referees. If interested, please contact the church
office.
Looking Ahead
On March 30, Rev. Dr.
David Schirer will speak at
the combined Sunday
School at 9:30 a.m. in the
gym. Schirer is the director of Cross Wind Camp and
Conference Center in Hesston, Kansas.
Wednesday Family Night Returns
Wednesday Family Night will
return in March and April, and
will be held for 8 weeks. Like
last fall, different groups will
plan and serve the meal and it
will be freewill offering. If your family, small group, or
Sunday School class would like to prepare one of the
meals, contact the church office. The first meal will be
on March 5, which also happens to be Ash Wednesday.
Following the meal we will have our Ash Wednesday
service in the chapel. On March 12, Kevin Cook will
talk about his faith and his job. Besides being an
accomplished attorney in Topeka, he also serves as one
of newly elected county commissioners. Adult
Education committee is working to complete the
programming schedule.
From your staff:
Pastor Cheryl,
Pastor Corey,
Joe, Steve, Kay,
Will, and Verlee.