Messenger The

First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa

M A Y 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 6 , I S S U E 5

We are a

body of

believers

united in

Christ to

proclaim,

live, and love

according to

God’s Word.

Messenger The

First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa

Creating the Beloved Community

By Rev. Alan Rudnick

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Birthdays &

Anniversaries 6

Book Bound! 4

Budget & Finance 3

Calendar 7

Camp Scholarship 3

Church Leadership 2

Church Mouse 5

CM Mothers Tea 3

CMNS Golf Trnmt 5

Girls’ Group 4

Library 6

Mission

Opportunity 2

Mom’s Bible Study 3

Mother Daughter

Banquet 3

Semi-Annual Mtg. 2

Summer Lunch

Program 4

Sexton Position 5

Youth Groups 4

Community… when we see, read, or think about “community”, what comes to mind? Commu-nity center, community boards, community work-shops, community college, or even that spot on the

Monopoly board game called “Community Chest”? The idea of commu-nity is all around us, but do we really know what true community looks like?

Christians talk about community, but do they really know what community requires? In the book of Acts, it was the beloved community of early believers, aided by the Holy Spirit, which contributed to the spread of Christianity. Why do I call it the beloved community? We read in Acts 2:

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the tem-ple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

This was a beloved community because it was based on the love of Jesus Christ - A love that knew no boundaries. The movement of Christianity and its message of Jesus Christ were radical. There was a sense of equality, trust, grace, forgiveness, and love. People could not get enough of the beloved Christian community! People could not figure these Christians out. Why were they so kind, loving, and willing to share?

Any movement, peaceful or violent, only survives because of a single radical idea. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s radical vision of a peaceful beloved community was based on the idea that skin color did not matter. All people belonged to the beloved community. Dr. King often spoke and wrote about our interconnectedness. He said all of us are tied in a “single garment of destiny…in an inescapable network of mutuality.” Dr. King emphasized that all of us has the power to change ourselves and the world.

The trouble with creating and sustaining the beloved community is that we Christians can be bad at it. Criticism, back biting, un-forgiveness, grudges, judgmental attitudes, insecurity, anger, and fear break down the beloved community within our church and other churches. We fail to live up to the type of radical community Jesus called for us to live.

P A G E 2

The good news is that community can always be healed. Dr. King believed that reconciliation and redemption was the key in the creation of the beloved community. The healing of emotional wounds is centered in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that we must forgive our brother and sisters not one time or seven times, but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:22). In other words, we are to forgive… a lot.

Over the next weeks, I am preaching a series entitled, “Creating the Beloved Community”. Our congregation has created a faith community that continues to grow and thrive but more needs to be done. There are personal and congregational wounds that are holding us back from fulfilling our vision. Remember, our vision is: “We will be a church that encourages passionate disciples of Jesus Christ, shares generously, and graciously serves our community through team ministry.” Creating a beloved community requires each person to:

Trust one another Intentionally commit to friendships and

“breaking bread” together Lavishly share our resources with others Create room for new or different ideas Offer forgiveness to others when they are wrong Ask questions to discover rather than judge

based on emotional perception Share the message of Jesus Christ Graciously serve others Worship regularly at church Devote ourselves to learning afresh God’s word

through group study

In Acts 2, early Christians embodied the above list and their movement exploded. Why? Because those early Christians created a beloved community that was unlike anything ever seen or imagined. We can create such a beloved community here at First Baptist Church.

As Coretta Scott King stated, “The beloved community is not a place, but a state of heart and mind, a spirit of hope and goodwill that transcends all boundaries and barriers and embraces all creation.”

In an age where churches are dying, we continue

to thrive. I believe creating and sustaining the beloved community as found in Acts 2 is the next step in our vision and journey as a congregation. May you begin to intentionally create the beloved community here in our church and in your life.

Love and Grace,

Rev. Alan Rudnick

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Please prayerfully consider serving on a FBC committee or board. If you are interested, please speak to Pastor Rudnick or the chairs. FBC leadership is posted on the bulletin board next to the office.

We have the following openings: 3 people for Christian Ed 3 people for Deacons

SEMI-ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 p.m.

The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 2014 Semi-Annual Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. This meeting is open to all interested in the operation of our church. We hope all will plan to attend.

MISSION OPPORTUNITY

Saturday, May 17, 2014 – Dinner for the Women’s’ Veteran Home in Ballston Spa. Members of our church are asked to provide dinner and dessert, as

well as people to help serve the meal, meet and talk with the residents and then clean up. Are you able to assist by making some part of the dinner and/or going to the Veteran’s Home? The menu will be chicken, potato salad, and dessert. We are planning to serve approximately 8-11 people, beginning at 5:00 p.m. There is a sign-up poster in the gathering area. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to help others.

P A G E 3

MOM’S BIBLE STUDY

The Mom’s Bible study meets on alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays. We started a new study called Undaunted by Christine Caine. In the five-session video-based small group Bible study, Christine Caine shares her compelling personal journey and offers insight into how anyone can overcome chal-lenges and pain by putting trust in God. Using her dramatic story, well-known author and speaker Christine Caine illustrates how God rescued her from a life of abuse -- where she was unnamed, unwanted, and unqualified -- into a God-filled and faith-fueled life. This compelling five-session small group Bible study offers life-transforming insights about how to overcome the challenges and often painful circumstances we all experience, and to use those experiences to be a catalyst for change -- in ourselves and those around us. So what are you waiting for? Be the LOVE. Be the HOPE. Be the CHANGE this world needs!

New ladies are always welcome! If you’d like to join please contact Becky Patnode, rebeccapat-node@hotmail.com. Child care provided.

ANNUAL MOTHER DAUGHTER BANQUET Thursday, May 8, 6:00 p.m.

Chocolate & Roses Look for Pot Luck sign-ups in the main lobby. Come celebrate all mothers and daughters!

BUDGET AND FINANCE

We are now through the first quarter of 2014 (believe it or not) and finances are looking on target.

Through March, although our pledges are behind by $3,366, we are only $1,700 below our projections for total income. Our check book is healthy and the Trustees are going ahead with much-needed renovations (we will be discussing these at our May semi-annual meeting).

Our annual audit has been completed by Dave Cox & Laura Marino and found all to be in order. Thanks so much for your expertise and time.

Our Committee met with the Ballston Spa National Bank Trust Department on March 18th. We were very pleased with the 13.16% appreciation in our endowment account for 2013. B.S. Trust Department seems to be right on target while continuing to be safe investors.

A reminder again that ALL expenses MUST be OK'd by the respective boards. PLEASE talk to your Chair people before expending any finances. Lets be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Serving Him together, Mary Ann Becker, Chair

CHURCH MOUSE MOTHER’S TEA

Church Mouse Nursery School will be having their Mother’s Tea the mornings of May 5 - 7. We are seeking volunteers for child care of younger siblings so all Church Mouse mothers will be able to attend. We also need people to help serve refreshments. Please sign up in the gathering area, or contact Cheryl Dunkelbarger, cheryl@bspabaptist.org, 885-8362

CALLING ALL CAMPERS!

Do you know anyone who wants to go to Camp Vick or Pathfinder this summer? Do they wonder how to pay the fees? Did you know that the Capital Area Baptist Association has Camp Scholarships available?

Camp Scholarship Applications are available here. The deadline is May 16, 2014. These applications need to be sent to the CABA office on time. Once the scholarship money is divided among those who apply, it is gone. CABA is glad to have helped children from so many different churches in CABA the past few years and looks forward to doing so again this year. If you have any questions please call the CABA office at 518-374-0288.

P A G E 4

BookBound! meets on the second Monday of each

month at 4:30 p.m. It's easy to be a part! Come to the upper room of the First Baptist Church on the second Monday of each month from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. It's easy to join in! Read the book for the month and come for good discussion. Snack and beverage provided. Come just once or every month! Childcare provided. Let us know if you need it so we may provide care accordingly. Please contact Christine Rudnick, chrudnick@gmail.com.

May 12, 2014 (last for 2013-2014)

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

BookBound!

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BALLSTON SPA BOOK CLUB

SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM

We are still several weeks away from the start of this year’s Summer Lunch Program, but we are busy making plans. Again this year, we will be making the lunches ourselves each day. As of right now, we will have at least three drop-off locations—the church, The Ballston Area Community Center, the Ballston Spa Central School District. We will also be partnering with the United Methodist Church again.

We need your help in several areas. First of all, please pray for the success of the program. We have an opportunity to impact the lives of many children and their families. We want the love of Christ to be mirrored in our concern for them. We also need volunteers to make and deliver lunches. There will be a spread sheet that you can sign up on in the entrance to the church. Please consider how you would like to help. If every able-bodied person volunteered for only one day this summer, we would be in good standing. Lastly, we are in the process of collecting the necessary funds for the program. We have sent fund raising letters to many businesses and organizations in the village. If you feel led to help financially please note on your checks that the funds are to be used for the Summer Lunch Program, and you can mail them or just drop them in the offering plate. It is a blessing that each year we seem to be in a better financial situation due to grants (Walmart and Stewart’s) and donations that come in throughout the year. The more we collect, the more children we can serve, and the more creative we can be with the lunches.

We will be having an organizational meeting on Thursday, May 22 here at church for all who are interested in volunteering. It will begin at 6:30 and should not be a long meeting. Please come if you are able, so we can begin to finalize our plans.

Thank you in advance for your help. Pat Rogers and Karen Jones

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2

SLP Organizational Meeting Thursday, May 22, 6:30 p.m.

YOUTH GROUPS

High School and Middle School Youth Groups High School youths meet for Bible Study on Tuesdays (May. 6, 20 & 27) at 6:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, (15 W. High St.) Middle School youths meet on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. On May 8 we will meet at the Presbyterian Church, (22 W. High St.) and alternate locations between our church and the Presbyterian Church. Check the church calen-dar for specific dates and locations. As always, if you have any questions about our youth events, feel free to contact our Youth Minister, Stephen Stewart, 878-7408, sstewart1389@yahoo.com.

GIRLS GROUP

Kate Dashiell leads a group for middle school and high school girls. It is a time to talk, watch movies, do fun girly stuff and just hang out! The group meets every first and third Sunday nights, 5-7 (May 4 & 18) on the second floor of FBC. Please contact Kate with any questions, 732-823-7974, k8dashiell@ymail.com.

P A G E 5

CHURCH MOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL

Besides our regular program at The Church Mouse, there are so many exciting events that we look forward to every year. Easter is always a wonderful time to share the story of Christ rising from the dead. The 3 year old classes bake a biscuit with a marshmallow in it. This symbolizes Jesus in the tomb. When the biscuit bakes, the marshmallow disappears, symbolizing Jesus’ resurrection. I asked one of the students to tell me about this, and with great enthusiasm, he told me, “We had a marshmallow Jesus who rose from the dead.”

All of the other classes had Easter celebrations as well. The students had a great time coloring eggs and mak-ing beautiful Easter cards for their parents. Pastor Alan

shared the Easter story with each class in chapel.

The Pre-k class is observing the growth of the bulbs they planted in the fall. Each day the weather helper goes out with an adult to measure their growth. Be watching for beautiful daffodils, tulips, and crocuses!

The Church Mouse Parent Organization treated the staff to a “Spa Luncheon” at the end of April. This wonderful group of parents always plans a won-derful lunch and presents the teachers with items from a “wish list” for their classroom. We are so thankful for their generosity! There were even massages for the teachers this year.

We will have our annual Mother’s Day Teas the first week in May. The children will be busy making special gifts, cards, desserts and placemats

for their Moms. We are looking for volunteers who would be willing to watch the siblings of our students during our teas, or to help serve refresh-ments. If you are interested in helping out, please contact me in the Church Mouse office, 885-8362.

The teas will be held on Monday through Wednesday, May 5-7, from 10:50- 11:30am.

Thank you.

We will be marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 24th. There will also be a bake sale that day on the church lawn. Praying for sunny weather!

Enjoy God’s beautiful creation! Serving Him together, Cheryl Dunkelbarger

It’s not too late to sign up or donate to:

CHURCH MOUSE NURSERY SCHOOL GOLF TOURNAMENT

at Pioneer Hills Golf Club 3230 Ballston Galway Road

Saturday, May 17th, 2014 Entry fee: $75.00

Sponsor a hole for $50; Donate raffle items Proceeds to benefit the children at The Church Mouse Nursery School.

Please contact: Keith Sprenger 885-7000 proshop@pioneerhillsgolf.com

or Cheryl Dunkelbarger 885-8362 cheryl@bspabaptist.org

SEXTON POSITION

The PSRC has contracted My Team Home & Office Services to clean the church weekly. We have had no viable candidates apply for the sexton position and were depending on volunteers to do basic cleaning in the interim. We are still looking for a person to take on the other sexton duties such as setting up for events, opening and closing the church, doing light maintenance and repair work. If you are interested in finding out more about this job (which is a paid position) please contact a member of the PSRC for more information. Email resumes and references to psrc@bspabaptist.org

Serving in His name, Carol Gerbing, PSRC chairperson.

P A G E 6

LIBRARY CORNER

Since May celebrates mothers, our selections are mainly about mothers too!

Children’s Books:

1. Is God Always with Me? by Crystal Bowman Give your child the security of knowing God never leaves us—ever!

2. If Jesus Walked Beside Me by Jill Roman Lord 3. Mama, How Long Will You Love Me? By Anna

Pignataro 4. Along Came You by Karona Drummond 5. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown 6. I Love You, Too! By Eve Bunting 7. Someday by Alison MeGhee & Peter Reynolds 8. Piglet and Mama by Margaret Wild 9. Always Copycub by Richard Edwards

Children’s Books and CDs: 1. The Night Before Mother’s Day by Natasha

Wing 2. Mother’s Day Surprise by Stephen Krensky 3. I Love You More by Laura Duksta 4. Mommy Is a Soft, Warm Kiss by Rhonda

Gowler Greene 5. Who Wants a Dragon? by James Mayhew 6. I Love You Mommy… by Catherine Vase 7. Me and My Mom! By Alison Ritchie

Children’s DVD:

1. The Penniless Princess A Veggie Tales lesson in true worth.

2. Princess and the Popstar A Veggie Tales lesson about being yourself.

3. Madame Blueberry A Veggie Tales lesson in thankfulness.

Adult Books:

1. A Woman’s Touch by Amy Nappa The fingerprints you leave behind.

2. Seasons of a Woman’s Life by Lois Evans Are you afraid that...you’ll never reach the end of dirty diapers? Your teenager’s rebellion will never end? Fear not. Seasons change.

3. She Who Laughs, Lasts!

compiled by Ann Spangler Laugh-out-loud stories from today’s best-known women of faith.

4. A New Joy by Colleen Townsend Evans As a

modern woman finds adventure in the Beatitudes.

5. Coping with Your Husband’s Retirement by

Roslyn Friedman and Annette Nussbaum How to enjoy time together (and time apart) with the new man in your life—your retired husband.

6. Why Children Matter by Johann C. Arnold offers biblical wisdom and common-sense advice.

7. Endangered by Johann C. Arnold your child in a hostile world.

Adult DVDs:

1. The First of May Fearing he will be sent back to foster care, Cory runs away to the circus with a colorful rest home escapee. Carlotta’s love, sacrifice and lesions in life and self-worth may lead him home.

Enjoy! Mary Morelock

May Birthdays 5th Derek Hensler

6th Rita Drew 7th Shawn Becker 10th Mary Morelock 12th Kevin Krogh 13th Julie Hinckley 13th Colleen Pierre 13th Joseph Townson 16th Delores Leber 18th Scott Audette 18th Bethany Rodriguez

19th Brenda Pelliccia 22nd Brittany Jean Mitchell 23rd Garry Mundell 25th Kelly Hensler 27th Leda Staats 29th Erin Manzer 29th Sherry Wardell 31st Dawn Hughes

May Anniversaries 1st Joseph and Christina Kraszewski 5th Kevin and Lesa Krogh 23rd Jason and Karen Kersch 27th Keith and Kim Sprenger 29th Walter and Susan Talmadge 30th James and Cynthia Pritchard 31st Laura and Dan Conklin

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The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa

202 Milton Avenue

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

The First Baptist

Church of Ballston Spa

202 Milton Avenue

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

(518) 885-8361

www.BSpaBaptist.org

Church Office Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Church Staff

REV. ALAN RUDNICK, PASTOR ALAN@BSPABAPTIST.ORG

DARRYL DREW, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC DARRYL@BSPABAPTIST.ORG

RITA DREW, CHOIR DIRECTOR RITA@BSPABAPTIST.ORG

JUSTINA DANISON, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR JUSTINA@BSPABAPTIST.ORG

CHURCH SEXTON

STEPHEN STEWART, YOUTH MINISTER STEPHEN@BSPABAPTIST.ORG

KATE DASHIELL, YOUTH WORKER K8DASHIELL@YMAIL.COM