October Courier

Greetings in the Matchless Name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ!

^”For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ¹²Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV)

Did you know that God has a unique custom-made plan for your life? Often times, people ask me, “How do I know if what I am doing is what God is calling me to do?” God has promised us that if we call upon Him and come to Him and pray, He will hear us, and yes, He will tell each of us what He desires for us to do. It is a personal matter with public manifestations.

Our relationship with God is dichotomous in that it is concurrently and interdependently personal and public. The time we spend in the presence of God in prayer and in the study of the Word of God in private will manifest itself publicly in our conversations, attitudes, behaviors, and in all that we say and do.

Over the last two month’s, the sermon series dealt with Right Relations and New Life. In the month of October, we will discuss what it means to “Be Transformed!” and how to intentionally and actively incorporate our faith into every aspect of our life.

One of my favorite quotes is; “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” We will discuss what it means to recognize and actively make life changing decisions instead of just allowing life to happen to us, we are going to become more consciously involved in our day-to-day lives. Frequently, in our day-to-day lives we live as thermometers, simply measuring what is right or wrong, good or bad, and speaking about it but not doing anything to change the position or disposition of the situation. In the month of October, let us commit to be thermostats setting the temperature for how we will function and represent Christ. Let us be metronomes establishing the beat and rhythm for how we respond from day to day. God has a plan for each of us. Let us spend this month earnestly seeking from God what He requires each of us to do.

And, let us commit to do the work of God while we wait for His answer. “²⁹Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” Why not join us for our weekly Bible Study “Breaking Bread” over lunch on Wednesdays at Noon (except the first Wednesday of each month). Give suggestions of the topics you desire to discuss, so we can add them to our list. Do join us for Adult Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., where we are studying Experiencing God. All are welcome!

Merry Moments…

^“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Johnny, a very bright 5 year old, told his daddy he'd like to have a baby brother and, along with his request, offered to do whatever he could to help. His dad, a very bright 35 year old, paused for a moment and then replied, "I'll tell you what, Johnny, if you pray every day for two months for a baby brother, I guarantee that God will give you one!"

Johnny responded eagerly to his dad's challenge and went to his bedroom early that night to start praying for a baby brother.

He prayed every night for a whole month, but after that time, he began to get skeptical. He checked around the neighborhood and found out that what he thought was going to happen, had never occurred in the history of the neighborhood. You just don't pray for two months and then, whammo- a new baby brother. So, Johnny quit praying. After another month, Johnny's mother went to the hospital. When she came back home, Johnny's parents called him into the bedroom. He cautiously walked into the room, not expecting to find anything, and there was a little bundle lying right next to his mother. His dad pulled back the blanket and there was -- not one baby brother, but two!! His mother had twins!

Johnny's dad looked down at him and said, "Now aren't you glad you prayed?"

Johnny hesitated a little and then looked up at his dad and said, "Yes, but aren't you glad I quit when I did?"

The next Women’s Fellowship meeting will be held in the church social hall on Monday, October 2nd at 6:30 PM. This will be a "Welcome Back Pot Luck Supper.” All women of the church are cordially invited to attend.

Choir practice is held on Thursdays at 7:15 PM. All are welcome to join – see Dianne Wagner if you are interested.

Church School resumed with Rally Day on Sunday, September 24^th at 9:15 AM. Please contact Paula DiPietro as class teacher if interested in attending.

The Adult Bible Class will resume on Sunday, September 10^th at 9:15 AM in the church library. The class will be led by Rev. Wesley. All are welcome.

Each 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Wednesday, starting 9/13 there will be a 12 PM Brown Bag Bible Study Class entitled: “Breaking Bread” in the church social hall led by Pastor Judi. All are welcome! Please contact her if interested.

We send prayers and get well wishes to Betty Josephson as she is recovering from a stroke this past July. The last report from her son Fred stated that Betty had moved to a rehab hospital and is improving daily.

We send continued get well wishes to Marge Sorenson as she is recovering from surgery earlier in September.

The Stewardship Campaign is now underway. Sandy Nestor has volunteered to be the campaign leader for this event. When you are asked to pledge to the church what you’re really being asked is what do you want the church to accomplish in the new year? Factor into this decision baptisms, fellowship, Bible study, weddings, funerals, church and parsonage repairs, a smooth running office, and you have to decide personally how much you want to grow in the upcoming year. Pledging to all of the above can turn a proposed budget into an actual budget. Let’s be in prayer as we think of the Stewardship Campaign before us and for the challenging financial year that is ahead of us in 2007. November 12^th is Stewardship Sunday.

The church has a handicap entrance on the Mt. Vernon Street side of the church. It is where the curb is cut away. This is strictly a drop-off spot to access the handicap elevator – NOT a parking space. If you park there it prevents others from accessing the handicap entrance. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Please note that the church office continues to email to the Winchester Star & Woburn Daily Times updates as to the church office & worship schedules and any changes in leadership that may occur. It is the practice of both publications to fit the info community house of worship schedules as space permits (once or twice a month). Both editors have the most recent information and hope to publish it for each paper.

Focus Group & Open Dialog for people of African, Latino, & Asian descent who work and live in Winchester. Location: Unitarian Church.

Exploring Mongolia through photography, music, & film. Location: Griffin Museum.

The supper will begin at 6:00 PM with the auction to follow at 7:00 PM. The cost is $7.00 per person and the signup sheet will be available from 10/29 – 11/13. A table has been reserved for FBC but a head count is needed as space is limited. The sign-up sheet will be on the foyer table from Sunday, 10/29 thru Monday, 11/13. This has always been a popular event so don’t delay when the sign-up sheet is put out.

Monday, October 9th (9:30 AM) GROTONWOOD DAY – see next column; Michael Gwinn Installation

“Face to Face” at the Church in Acres, Springfield. FACE TO FACE is an Opportunity for Search Committees and Pastoral Candidates to meet in a congenial and professional setting. This one-day event is for Search Committees seeking full-time pastors and ministers seeking a new setting for ministry.

The World Mission Offering is the single largest source of financial support for the global outreach God accomplishes through International Ministries. Your gifts to the World Mission Offering make it possible for missionaries to serve in over thirty countries, and for staff to provide vital support to the mission outreach of local believers in even more places. What God is doing in our world today is truly amazing, and the World Mission Offering is a vitally important tool you can use to join God in that amazing work!

Offering envelopes will be included in each week’s bulletin from 10/8 – 10/29 for this cause. Please be generous in a way that will help change the world for the better. You may turn in your envelopes through the Sunday plate or mail it to the church. If paying by check please make it out to the Winchester FBC – WWMS. Thank you.

A little loose change each day can go a long way. Your donations help Love Loafs support World Vision around the world. Please see Joyce Sellers if interested in a loaf to fill and return on 11/26.

Please note that the church office will not be updating its email address from AOL to Verizon for at least 6-12 months. We are waiting for our AOL contract to be up and our pre-printed stationery stock to be depleted. Thank you.

There will be a memorial service at FBC Winchester for Anna Harwood on Monday, October 9^th at 2:00 PM.

Previous FBC Pastor, Rev. Joseph O’Donnell, will be presiding. Current FBC Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Judith A. Wesley, will be giving the closing prayer and benediction.

Joyce Sellers, Diaconate Chair, will keep us informed as details become available.

refreshments

The Board of Christian Education
Thank you to the Property Committee
for providing September’s refreshments.

food donations

Reminder: please check expiration dates on all items donated.
For August we collected nine bags of donations. Thank you!

Today’s flowers are given in honor of Elaclaire Gosselin’s birthday from her loving sisters Bea Costa and Eva Hibbard.

Today’s flowers are given by Sylvia Knight in loving memory of her parents, Edith & Harold Knight.

Today’s flowers are given by Mrs. Betty Matthews and her children in loving memory of her husband and their father, Donald C. Matthews.

Today’s flowers are given by the Outlaw and Long Families in honor of Mattie Outlaw on her birthday.

To give flowers on an OPEN Sunday, please contact Eleanor Kulakowski, Interim Flower Chairperson, at email her at S.Kulakowski@ATT.net

There are many Christian Churches in every community around the world that proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

World Wide Communion Sunday is an attempt to let the world know we have something in common with all our brothers and sisters in Christ, His body broken – His blood shed. We are united as one for this brief moment as we observe the World Wide Communion Sunday Service on this day.

12-5PM Leadership Conference with Pastor Judi in the social hall. This is your opportunity to know what has been and what will be occurring with each group in the upcoming months. We will share ideas and offer support as we work together. There will be a catered lunch provided so please RSVP to Rev. Judi by October 1^st. Thank you.

GROTONWOOD DAY is filled with great food, games, and lots of family fun. For more information, please call 978-448-5763.

Tentative deadline - 2007 Committee Proposed Budgets due to Finance Assistant. To be confirmed via committee memo and weekly bulletin calendar.

FINANCE SPEAKER REGARDING 2007 PLEDGING – PLEDGE CARDS ENCLOSED IN WEEKLY BULLETINS THRU 12/3.

6:00 PM Green Street Baptist Church Annual Ham & Bean Dinner & Holiday Auction. Sign-up sheet available on Sunday, 10/29.

6:00 PM FBC Christmas Tree Lighting, Carols, and Snacks to start the Advent Season

So far today, God; I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or even indulgent.

I am very thankful for that, but in a very short time God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from that moment on I'm going to need a lot of help! Amen

Test your knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures (aka: Old Testament) with these questions.

1.            How many books are there in the Hebrew Scriptures?

2.            What is the longest book in the Hebrew Scriptures?

3.            What is the shortest book in the Hebrew Scriptures?

4.            What is the first book in the Hebrew Scriptures?

5.            What is the last book in the Hebrew Scriptures?

6.            Who is the oldest man in the Hebrew Scriptures?

7.            What man is mentioned more often than anyone else in the Hebrew Scriptures?

8.            Which six books of the Hebrew Scriptures tell the stories of Israel’s kings?

9.            What book in the Hebrew Scriptures is composed primarily of hymns, songs, and poetry?

10.       What five books are called “The Book of Moses”?

The Women’s Fellowship last met on Monday evening June 5, 2006 at the home of Betsy Goeke. Five members were present. Those attending: Betsy Goeke, Marilyn Marnell, Shirley Parker, Joyce Sellers, Ann Tisdale.

Devotions were led by Betsy Goeke. Betsy opened with the Prayer of St. Francis, quotes from Daily Devotions and Treasured Scripture.

The Secretaries report, having been included in the Kindly Courier, was accepted with no corrections or additions.

A Thank You note from the "Meals on Wheels" program for our yearly donation of $50.00 was acknowledged. A motion was made and seconded that a $50.00 donation be made to the "Meals on Wheels" program for the current year. Betsy will deliver "Meals on Wheels" on the last Thursday in July.

As is our custom the June meeting is informal, a time for fellowship and to enjoy a meal together. We closed our meeting reciting the Mitzvah Benediction.

First Women's Fellowship meeting for the fall season will be held in the church social hall on October 2nd at 6:30 PM. This will be a "Pot Luck Supper". All women of the church are cordially invited to attend

The Adult Bible Class will resume on Sunday, September 10^th at 9:15 AM in the church library. The class will be led by Rev. Wesley. All are welcome.

We send our continued prayers to Lisa Goss and family on the summer passing of Lisa’s dad, Richard “Goose” Goss.

We send continued get well wishes to Marge Sorenson as she is recovering from surgery earlier in September.

We send prayers to Rush Harwood and his family on the passing of his wife and long-time church member, Anna Harwood on August 27^th. Please see memory block in this Courier for more details.

HANDICAP DROP-OFF

The Winchester Multi-Cultural Network is hosting an International Open House on Saturday, September 23rd from 10-11:30 AM at the Winchester Public Library. Come to meet and greet members of the network and to find out what kinds of activities they have planned for the fall. There will be a tour of the Winchester Center and a potluck supper. For more information email office@wmcn.org or call 781-729-7100.

Sunday, October 1^st is World Wide Communion Sunday. There are many Christian Churches in every community around the world that proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

American Baptists have sent missionaries throughout the world to proclaim the good news Gospel of Jesus Christ. The present day missionaries are not what they use to be – they have much needed skills to back up their preaching. Today’s missionaries are doctors, nurses, teachers, carpenters, and much, much more. They are the strength and refuge to the most vulnerable.

Reverend Judi can be contacted at the above-listed email address and telephone number.

Please note that the church office will not be updating its email address from AOL to Verizon for at least 6-12 months. We are waiting for our AOL contract to be up and our pre-printed stationery stock to be depleted. Thank you.

There will be a memorial service at FBC Winchester for Anna Harwood on Monday, October 9^th at 2:00 PM.

Previous FBC Pastor, Rev. Joseph O’Donnell, will be presiding. Current FBC Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. Judith A. Wesley, will be giving the prayer.

Joyce Sellers, Diaconate Chair, will keep us informed as details become available.

refreshments

food donations

Today’s flowers are given by the Outlaw and Long Families in loving memory of Guy T. Outlaw.

Today’s flowers are given by Mrs. Shirley Parker in loving memory of her husband,

10:00 AM Last Summer Worship (Communion) Guest Musician: Jennifer Wright.

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Rev. Judi will have Office Hours on these two days this week only. Please note on your calendars. Thank you.

9:15 AM Adult Bible Classes resume with Rev. Judi as teacher. If interested please see Rev. Judi. All are welcome.

12:00 PM “Breaking Bread” – a weekly Bible Study & Brown Bag Lunch hour.

It is very important that all Chairpersons attend this meeting or send a committee member.

12-5PM Leadership Conference with Pastor Judi in the social hall. Please RSVP by 10/1.

GROTONWOOD DAY is filled with great food, games, and lots of family fun. For more information, please call 978-448-5763.

Ten Little Christians

Ten little Christians standing in line. One disliked the preacher, and then there were 9.

Nine little Christians stayed out very late. One overslept Sunday, and then there were 8.

Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven. One took the low road and then there were 7.

Seven little Christians chirping like chicks. One disliked music, and then there were 6.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive, but one lost his interest and then there were 5.

Five little Christians pulling for Heaven's Shore, but one stopped to rest, and then there were 4.

Four little Christians each busy as a bee. One got his feelings hurt, and then there were 3.

Three little Christians knew not what to do. One joined the sporty crowd, and then there were 2.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done, differed with each other, and then there was 1

One little Christian can't do much ‘tis true, brought his friend to Bible study, and then there were 2.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more. That doubled the number, and then there were 4.

Four sincere Christians worked early and late. Each won another, and then there were 8.

Eight splendid Christians if they doubled as before. In just so many Sundays, we'd have 1024.

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
you belong either to the building
or the wrecking crew!

THE SMILE OF GOD IS THE GOAL OF YOUR LIFE.               EPHESIANS 5.10

1.            GOD SMILES WHEN WE LOVE HIM SUPREMELY (Hosea 6.6; Mt 22.37-38)
2.            GOD SMILES WHEN WE TRUST HIM COMPLETELY (Hebrews 11.7; Psalm 147.11)
3.            GOD SMILES WHEN WE OBEY HIM WHOLEHEARTEDLY (Psalm 100.2; Psalm 119.33)
4.            GOD SMILES WHEN WE PRAISE AND THANK HIM CONTINUALLY (Heb 13.15; Ps 116.17; Ps 69.30-31)
5.            GOD SMILES WHEN WE USE OUR ABILITIES (Ps. 37.23; Ps. 33.15; I Ti 6.17; Ps. 33.15; Is 45.9)

QUESTION:

Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust Him most?

church news

refreshments

food donations

church news

refreshments

food donations