A vow for the new year

 

 

Making plans for your life in the New Year? Could it be that God already has a plan for you and is patiently waiting for you to make that plan a reality?

           

When one considers how everything seems to have a purpose in nature (atoms, genes, plants, animals, etc.), it makes sense to believe that each of us has a purpose as well. On the other hand, if all of creation seems to have just happened without any reason, then this means our minds and spirits must have no reason or purpose as well. How can we trust them?

           

But believers trust that there is a great Intelligence that brought everything into existence.

           

There is a Mind and a Heart at the center of all creation. If that’s the case, then life can only make sense when we seek what the Creator has in mind for us.

           

Jesus, who knew the Mind and Heart of God better than anyone who ever lived on Earth, once said to the erring Peter: “You are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (Mark 8:33, NRSV).

           

Setting our minds on human things can get us into trouble. That’s why it often seems we live in a crazy mixed-up world. How can life ever be fulfilling, without the purpose God has for that life?

           

To set one’s mind on divine things leads us to consider the one vow we should take seriously for the new year. Your will, Lord. Your will and nothing else.

EARLY MONDAY MORNING 

After the Christmas cantata, two people, visitors to our church remarked that they felt and were impressed by the warmth and love in the church.  One said that they had not been in a church in twenty years and was impressed with our multiethnic congregation.  Maybe that is why the cantata, with the blend of so many different voices, was so good.

I put away the Advent wreath.  We’ll leave the banners and other decorations up until Epiphany.  Filled with almost 100 Poinsettias, the church looked beautiful.  Thanks to all who helped decorate.  The hat and glove tree was overloaded.  The youth made a great presentation at the dinner with their drama. Plus, how did you like the stage curtains? 

 

The choir missed a Thursday rehearsal because of ice and snow, so they met early Sunday for a final rehearsal.  The flutiest was superb.  Her husband was the one who sang the week before at worship.  They are from Taiwan.  Plus, did you hear the bongos, tambourine, clavus and ratchet.  Several of Mary Rose’s friends came to hear the music.  It was a very good day.  Praise the Lord.

 The Singers presented a beautiful Christmas concert.  This is a talented group and their work is greatly appreciated.  Bobbie and Joanne sing in this group which is directed by Bill Sempier.

 On Christmas Sunday we drove to our home in Myrtle Beach.  We plan to return on January 2^nd. Pastor Sung and Helen will also be away on a belated honeymoon.  Pastors Joseph and Angelo will be home.

 I want to thank our elected board members and officers for all their work in 2005.  To  those who are going off of boards, thank you for serving.  To those who continue, I pray you will be constantly open to God’s blessings and guidance.  To those newly elected, thank you for accepting the call to serve and be prepared for great things to happen.

Finally, Mary Rose and I thank you all for the Christmas gift presented by the Church Moderator, Kathy Weber. Thank You and Bless You.

 Pastor Morris

 

Stephen Ministry

 In January we are going to have a Stephen Ministry Sunday.  A new class for Stephen ministers will be starting and this Stephen Ministry Sunday will give an overview of the program.  Many of the care receivers have called me about how they are blessed by having a Stephen minister.  People are waiting to be assigned a Stephen minister.  Right now we have nine people trained and commissioned.  We have had calls from people outside the church, who are aware of this ministry and have requested to have a Stephen Minister.

 To become a Stephen Minister, you have to complete a fifty hour training class.  It will meet for twenty weeks, from 7-9:30 pm.  It covers basic communication and caring skills.  It is interesting and will help you in many ways to be a better Christian.  The materials for the training cost $50., but you are asked to cover half the cost, if you can.  Application forms are in the church office and you can speak to one of the Stephen Leaders, Pat Fiorelli or Jillian Buurman. This is a good program.  Deacon Doris Paris says it is the best training she has ever received.  That is a good testimonial.

 Communion will be observed on January 8^th.  Pastor Morris will be away until January 2^nd.

 The Annual Congregational Meeting will be January 29^th.  It will be after church and will begin with homemade soup and sandwiches.  There will be one worship service that day so all can attend.

 A New Tradition? Several have celebrated birthdays or anniversaries by giving a cake or cookies for the coffee hour after church.   Each month one Board (now called Team) takes responsibility for fellowship time.  In January it is the Trustees.  If you would like to honor someone this way, you can call the office or a member of the Team that is serving that month.

 Last month, one of our members, Ann Bogert, observed her 90^th birthday and it was celebrated with a cake given in her honor. 

 

Ethiopian Mission School

 The tiny Korean missionary to Ethiopia who spoke here in November has endeared herself to many in the congregation.  Her work at the mission has a nursery school-kindergarten with plans to build five buildings, upgrading their school through the primary grades. The total cost of this project is $70,000.00. Several have already given toward this school  project and $10,000 has been sent to begin construction. The Mission Team asked the congregation permission to use $15,000 from the mission endowment as a dollar for dollar match toward this school.  If you give any amount in January, it will be match dollar for dollar up to $15,000.

 Deacon Jaebeum Jung was a missionary in Ethiopia for many years and knows the work first hand.  He is very enthusiastic about this project.  Pastor Joseph plans to travel there and see the completed school.

 This is an ambitious project for our congregation.  We can only do it with God’s help.  Mark your check Ethiopian School.

 

Deacons Plan for New Year

 At their final meeting of 2005, the Deacons agreed to a plan to allow Pastor Morris to go into  semi retirement.  It was hoped that a new Pastor could be in place this past fall, then in January, but since this has not been in the Lord’s plan, they have asked him to stay part time, preaching several times

each month and administrating the office and ministry until the search committee has a candidate.  This continues our ministry and allows him time to develop his golfing skills.

 New church structure

In May we voted to adopt a New Constitution and operate with a Church Council. Since September, the Church Council has been meeting and there is a notable difference in the Team (Board) meetings. The focus now is more on ministry and service.

 

 

 

   

We, as Christians, have the wondrous story of love of God. Jesus, our Savior, came to us as a baby in a manger around two thousands years ago. Today, combined choir of VREBBC sang ‘The Wondrous Story’ together. It was wonderful. I felt really awesome to sing in the choir. It is a great privilege for me to be able to praise God. Especially ‘The Wondrous Story’ of Jesus Christ. I really want to applause all the members of the choir. They did a wonderful job. One thing I thought of was this: ‘Do we, possessors of the wondrous story, share it with whom need it so badly?’ If we sing or possess the story for ourselves only, there will be so many people who cannot benefit from the wondrous story and perish. Jesus Christ, born in a manger of Bethlehem, wants to be introduced and told to the unbelievers by ‘us’, I believe. Let’s make the story spread and spread into the end of the world in year 2006!

Christmas dinner was something! Food was good! Hand Bell was good! And the play was good! Walter’s song was good, too! By the way, who’s the guy who played ‘Leon’ in the play? Didn’t he play awesome? Whose son is he? Silly me! Anyway, I was impressed by all the young boys and girls who participated in the play. They did their best and it was wonderful. I saw the future of our church thorough them. The future of our church will be bright! God will use the guys in his ways. Our responsibility is raise them well with God’s words and prayer. I believe that God’s work will go on and on miraculously through generation to generation at this church. Let’s make our vision clearer in year 2006!

How can you tell ‘Merry Christmas’ in Korean? You can tell ‘Sung Tan Choo Ka Hae Yo!’ In Korea, they also say just ‘Merry Christmas’ between Christians at Christmas season. Also, they say ‘Sung Tan Choo Ka Hae Yo!’ to each other. ‘Sung Tan’ is ‘Christmas’. ‘Choo Ka Hae Yo’ means ‘celebrate’. If you say ‘Sung Tan Choo Ka Hae Yo!’ to the other person, she or he will also respond with the same greeting: ‘Sung Tan Choo Ka Hae Yo!’ Could you try saying ‘Sung Tan Choo Ka Hae Yo!’ at least ten times to Korean sisters and brothers on Christmas day? Then you will be loved by them and the Christmas Korean greeting will be part of your memory, for sure! Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pastor Joseph

 

     ASSISTANT PASTOR

I want to wish all of you a very Happy New Year.  May God grant each of you the joy filled wishes of your heart, may He draw you to an ever closer relationship with Jesus, and to His comforter the Holy Spirit. This past year has been one of many ups and downs, joys and tears’, but through it all God was faithful!

I look forward to this New Year, and the challenges it will bring, because each challenge is an opportunity for us put our faith in to action.  We must remember not to lean on our own understanding when a problem comes upon us, we must lean upon Him more than ever before, blessed by the knowledge that His will always be with us. 

Remember to Seek First the Kingdom and He will provide for your every need.  Pray for the pastors, that God, the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, would continually lead, guide, and protect them. Pray for the Search Committee, that they too would seek God’s leading and provision of the right candidate.  Pray also for the various board members, that this year they would be blessed with the wisdom and discernment that could only come from God.  Above all pray for each other, reach out and touch another member of our community, we all long for fellowship, so call, visit or write someone, and be God’s instrument of LOVE.  May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and give you peace throughout this coming year.

Your servant in Christ, Pastor Angleo

 

 

 YOUTH PASTOR

 Finally we are in the middle of last month of the year. Lots of out door Christmas decorations and songs tell me that it is Christmas season. When I was child I always, like others, dreamed of good gifts from Santa but now I am dreaming of Jesus Christ who has been blessed me such wonderful ways, especially for the youth ministry. I cannot thank him enough. Couple days ago Helen and I talked about how much God blessed the ministry - youth retreat, lock-in, movie night, garage sale, Saturday meetings, fall festival, and Christmas play. God blessed me, and He brought many people and volunteers more than I had deserved and prepared. We thanked Him and said that for the next year we would work harder than this year.         

 Now I like to talk about Christmas play. Folks, please remember we have such wonderful youth students and people who helped for the Christmas play. Students worked very hard for couple months and they expressed their talents. Jennifer and Steven showed their leadership. Young-min’s acting was incredible – you are like one of actor in the Hollywood. Nicole and Simon, your solo part was great. Did you see the dance done by Jannica, Meredith, Jennifer, and Joyce? It was beautiful, and I thought I was in the Las Vegas. Thank you guys!!! Most of all I give my best thanking to those who worked as minor characters – Katie, Olivia, Dan, Tony, Jonathan, Brian, Daniel, Jessica, and Chris. You guys worked like a group of second violins in the Orchestra. Without your effort it did not work very well. Oh! Thank you Stuart, Pat and Doug, the Wise men. You guys really looked like wise men. And also so I will not forget Chris who covered areas that I could not see, Kathy who provided all costumes, Man-hee Lee who donated curtain material. Do you know? Surprisingly what you provided was exact amount I expected (no more or less), and Tae-soon Yang who played piano very well.

Yes, we worked all together and we made it. It was a good success. Again THANK YOU ALL!!!       

To all of my brothers and sisters in the Lord, I wish you a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

 

From your brother in the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

JOIN STITCHWORKS

Do you knit or crochet? Join Stitchworks!
  Use your God given talent to help those in need.

Where: Van Riper Ellis Broadway Baptist Church

(Upstairs in the Ed. Building)

When: Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Bring your lunch, bring your needles, bring a friend and fellowship with us.

CAN’T ATTEND?

Join us by:

1-Making7x9 inch patches of 4 ply acrylic yarn to donate

2-Donating 4 ply acrylic yarn

4-Donating money to purchase yarn

 

 

 

SCHOOL NEWS
  The 3 year old class

Mrs. Fanning
  Mrs Pitt

Happy New Year to everyone, from the 3 year old class. We hope your holidays were happy and healthy. This month the colors will be black and white, the shape of the month is the STAR and the number is 5. We will be discussing water, ice and snow. There will be a few science experiments with freezing, melting, sinking and floating. We will be discussing the Artic, Eskimos and Polar Bears.

The earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to Him. Psalm 24:1

  

The 3 year old ½ day class

Mrs. Matasker
  Miss Dunat

The 3 year old 1/2 day class in January will be making snowflakes and snowmen along with reading stories and singing songs.We continue learning the alphabet, numbers and colors. The focus in religious education will be kindness. We get ready to say goodbye and thanks to Amy Dunat for her patience and dedication. Good Luck and God Bless.

 

The 4 year old class

Mrs. Formosa
  Mrs. Bravin

In the 4’s this month we will be learning about hibernation and how animals prepare for the cold winter. We will continue to learn about pairs and patterns and we will learn how God teaches us to be patient. We will be praying for warm weather.

 

The Kindergarten Class

Mrs. Wetzel
  Mrs. Devereaux

January – A start of a brand new Year in Robin and Leslie’s Kindergarten

A time of  “wintertime things” – building snowmen, throwing snowballs, drinking hot chocolate, (our kindergarten is the official hot chocolate zone).Our classroom will soon turn into a blizzard of snowflakes made by the children. It is wonderful walking into our winter wonderland each morning!

This month we will be learning the sound/symbol Jj – The letter for Jesus, January, Joys and Jolly snowmen.

 

When the baby was eight days old, he was…named Jesus….the time came for Mary and Joseph….present Him to the Lord. LUKE 2:21-22

 

WISHING ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!