Volume XXXIV, Number 3 March 2015 Newsletter Lenten · PDF fileVolume XXXIV, Number 3 March...
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Sunday, February 22—First Sunday in Lent Sermon: “Coming Down From the Mountain” Matthew 7:1-9 Sunday, March 1—Second Sunday in Lent Sermon: “What Does Being Born Again Look Like?” John 3:1-17 Sunday, March 8—Third Sunday in Lent Sermon: “Lifting Your Cup to Christ” John 4:5-42 Sunday, March 15—Fourth Sunday in Lent “Sermon: “Here’s Mud In Your Eye” John 9:1-41 Sunday, March 22—Fifth Sunday in Lent Sermon: “Can These Bones Live Again?” Ezekiel 37:1-14 Holy Week Palm Sunday, March 29 “The Passion and the Promise” The Sanctuary Choir presents an inspiring musical for Holy Week. Maundy Thursday, April 2 Communion Service, 7:00 P.M. Easter Sunday, April 5 “Sermon: “An Easter Heart” John 20:1-9 Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell is a Christ-centered community sharing God’s love with the world. Sunday Schedule 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship Office Hours Monday 9:00am-12:00pm Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-1:00pm Church Staff George Hawthorne Pastor [email protected] Casey Stauffer Director of Children & Family Ministries [email protected] Kristin Paluszka Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries [email protected] Barbara Green Director of Music/ Organist Trish Simpson Administrative Assistant Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell Skippack Pike & Lewis Lane, P.O. Box 122 Blue Bell, PA 19422 Volume XXXIV, Number 3 March 2015 Newsletter Lenten Worship GRACE NOTES
Transcript of Volume XXXIV, Number 3 March 2015 Newsletter Lenten · PDF fileVolume XXXIV, Number 3 March...
Sunday, February 22—First Sunday in Lent Sermon: “Coming Down From the Mountain”
Matthew 7:1-9
Sunday, March 1—Second Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “What Does Being Born Again Look Like?”
John 3:1-17
Sunday, March 8—Third Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Lifting Your Cup to Christ”
John 4:5-42
Sunday, March 15—Fourth Sunday in Lent
“Sermon: “Here’s Mud In Your Eye”
John 9:1-41
Sunday, March 22—Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sermon: “Can These Bones Live Again?”
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Holy Week Palm Sunday, March 29
“The Passion and the Promise”
The Sanctuary Choir presents an inspiring
musical for Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday, April 2
Communion Service, 7:00 P.M.
Easter Sunday, April 5 “Sermon: “An Easter Heart”
John 20:1-9
Grace Baptist
Church of Blue
Bell is a
Christ-centered
community
sharing God’s
love with the
world.
Sunday Schedule
9:30am Sunday School
10:45am Worship
Office Hours
Monday 9:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday-Friday
9:00am-1:00pm
Church Staff
George Hawthorne
Pastor
Casey Stauffer
Director of Children &
Family Ministries
Kristin Paluszka
Director of Youth & Young
Adult Ministries
Barbara Green
Director of Music/
Organist
Trish Simpson
Administrative Assistant
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell Skippack Pike & Lewis Lane, P.O. Box 122 Blue Bell, PA 19422 Volume XXXIV, Number 3 March 2015 Newsletter
Lenten Worship
GRACE NOTES
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
A Note From the Pastor...
Dear Friends,
It’s been an interesting start to 2015, to say the least. We’ve already had to cancel our Sunday services twice.
The storms we’ve experienced seem partial to Saturdays and Sundays, which doesn’t seem quite fair to me, but at
least we’re not living in Boston! Of course, the winter season is not nearly over so let’s hope for the best. I am at
least praying that we won’t have to cancel church any more this year!
It’s hard to believe that February is coming to an end. February marked many things – Groundhog Day and
Valentine’s Day and most importantly, the beginning of Lent. February also saw the traditional parties before the be-
ginning of Lent – Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Brazil, Pancake Day in many places, Fastnacht (I think that
means fried donut) Day in Pennsylvania.
The season of Lent is intended to be a special time of prayer, mediation, and spiritual preparation for Easter.
But our busy, hectic world seems to have little space for the kind of meditation that truly allows Lent to be a spiritual
benefit to us. Today we are distracted by so many things. In 1943 during the height of World War II, poet T. S. Eliot
caught this dilemma in his poem Ash Wednesday:
Where shall the word be found, where will the word
Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence
Not on the sea or on the islands, not
On the mainland, in the desert or the rain land,
For those who walk in darkness
Both in the day time and in the night time
The right time and the right place are not here
No place of grace for those who avoid the face
No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the voice
I hope that you will make a real effort to carve out some Sabbath-time and truly experience Lent in a real way
this year. Attend all of our services if you can and set aside a little time each day for prayer and meditation. Though
our world seems disruptive and intrusive, most of the noise that blocks out our spiritual time is voluntary. But Eliot
wrote this poem during wartime, a time when he served as an air-raid warden. So it is in the midst of rationing, black-
outs, and bombs that he wrote:
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
So may it be for all of us this Lenten season.
Pastor George
MARCH IS HOSPITALITY NETWORK MONTH
Our guests move in on Monday, March 2. Many thanks to our Grace Baptist volunteers for all the help they will
provide during the month. And thank you for your flexibility as activities and meetings are re-located during the
month. Volunteers are still needed—please check the board in the narthex and sign up where needed. Remember to
pray for the families that are staying with us this month.
Coordinators Don & Betty Helpa
Assistant Coordinators Harold Mathues, Gwen Mandel
Dinners Coordinator Barbara Longenberger
Supplies Coordinator Nancy Burns
Overnight Coordinator Sue Jenkins
Transportation Coordinators Harry Jenkins, Bob Allmond
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
Dear Grace Baptist Friends, As we journey through our communities, we see countless people in need of Jesus’ love and healing touch. You may
be pondering, what difference one can make in addressing so many needs. Together, we can make a difference by
supporting the America for Christ (AFC) Offering 2015.
The theme this year, “Discipleship: A Journey of Grace”, based on Titus 2:11-13, is a wonderful reminder that Jesus’
public ministry was all about connecting and caring for people in need. On each day of his journey, the compassion of
Jesus was felt by someone somewhere.
In “Meditations of the Heart”, Howard Thurman, African-American author, philosopher, theologian, educator, civil
rights leader and founder of a multi-cultural church, wrote:
“I will lift up mine eyes. Scarcely knowing it, I have become increasingly self-centered, my mind focused
upon all the details of my little life and the endless trivialities of a daily routine. I hover over all my little
aches and pains, my petty annoyances, my little frustrations… Then out of no place comes sometimes a
gentle, sometimes startling reminder and I lift up mine eyes… I will lift up mine eyes to life, that I may
read the guideposts along my way and not miss the important turning in the road. I will lift up mine eyes
to love, that I may not close the door of my heart to the knocking hand, the tender cry, the anxious reach.
I will lift up mine eyes to God, that I may meet His spirit not only in the high place, the great moment, the
penetrating call, but also in the byways, the little duties, the stinging irritations and the sad and bottom-
less renunciations. And for me this is enough.”
We learned that we should live to love because true freedom in Christ enables us to do so by the power of the spirit
in our life. The outworking of God’s grace will be seen most often during difficult times. God’s grace is being
manifested in our lives as we gladly seek to help others carry their burdens.
The AFC Offering 2015 reminds us that when grace happens we receive not a nice compliment from God but a new
heart. We receive a transformed life that becomes the hands, the feet and the prophetic voice of Jesus Christ in our
communities and as we connect with people every day.
We are encouraged by this year’s theme to come alongside people as they journey through life. We will receive the
America for Christ Offering beginning Sunday, March 1 and continuing through the month of March. Please
give generously and help us reach our church goal of $2,675 in support of home mission that is making a difference.
In His service,
The Grace Baptist Board of Missions
Betty Helpa, Sue Jenkins, Jackie Light
Oneida Ortiz, Steve Longenberger, Katherine Thetgyi
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
SHINE Youth Group News
World Vision’s 30 HOUR FAMINE THANK YOU for supporting our youth group as we went hungry to help the hungry! Miss out on making a donation? No worries! There’s still time to give by writing a check made out to World Vision and giving it to Kristin Paluszka. We know what we do today makes a difference for to-morrow—the number of kids dying every day from preventable causes like hunger and disease has dropped from 32,000 in 1990 to just over 18,000 in 2012. Thanks for helping us work toward 0!
Our goal: to raise $840 to help feed and care for 24 kids for a month OR 2 kids for an entire year!
Mark these dates on your calendar!
Sunday, March 1: Youth Group lunch! Right after church, we will pile in the bus and drive down to Michael’s to have lunch together and hang out. We should be back to church around 1:30-ish.
Sunday, March 15: Youth Group meeting, 7:00-9:00pm
Friday, March 20: Trip to Sky Zone in Oaks! $10 per person. Our jump time is 6:30-8:00pm. Meet at church at 5:45pm. Eat before you come or bring money for snacks. If you have been there before, please bring your jump socks so we don’t have to buy new ones. See Kristin to sign up. There are only 14 seats on the bus! Parents, please be sure to fill out the waiver. Look online at http://www.skyzone.com/oaks/OnlineWaiver?WaiverType=Paper or pick up a paper copy at church. Up to three people can be put on each waiver.
Saturday, March 21: JAMBERRY PARTY! All youth group girls (Middle and High School) are invited to come at noon for lunch and some Jamberry fun. Jamberry nail wraps are a fun way to do your nails. If you are not familiar, you can visit Tina’s website http://tinakraipovich.jamberrynails.net/. (Tina was the Jamberry Rep who came out to our Vendor Fair in November.) Along with lunch we’ll see what kind of fun things Tina has planned. Each girl will get to pick a sheet of nail wraps. You will be able to buy more things if interested.
Sunday, March 22: Providing dinner for the Hospitality Network guests staying at church for the month of March. We will make them dinner and share a meal with the guests. Sign up with Kristin so we can figure out who is bring-ing what!
Sunday, March 29: “Breakfast for the Needy” in Norristown. This was one of our Faith In Action Sunday projects in October. As a church, we will now be going four times a year to help out with this ministry. The Youth Group will do the first one! Watch for details regarding time to meet (which will be EARLY). We will meet at church, take the bus over, and return in time for the church service at 10:45am. Wear a youth group shirt. See Kristin if you need a shirt and to sign up!
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
Parents’ Night Out Friday, March 6th for ages 3-10 years old from 6:30– 9:00 pm. Only $5 a family for a night of a games, crafts, laughs, and fun. Please contact Casey Stauffer (610-389-2387 or [email protected]) by the WEDNESDAY before as spaces are limited.
Sky Zone Come get all your wiggles and jumps out at SkyZone in Oaks, PA on Friday, March 20th from 6:30– 8:00 pm. $10 a person.
Community Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 4th Activities and games begin at 10:30am. The hunt will begin at 11:00am. We will be collecting small individually wrapped candy starting in March for our third an-nual Community Easter Egg Hunt. Please bring candy donations to church by Sunday, March 21st.
Congregational Care Corner
This month our Congregational Care Corner is focused on MELVINE KING. Mel has
been living at Dock Meadows for about seven years. She enjoys visits from her family and
her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When you visit Mel, the first things you notice are all
of the beautiful pictures on the walls of her apartment.
Mel painted these pictures from greeting cards and
postcards. She enjoys reading, watching movies and
doing word search puzzles.
Mel's address is Dock Meadows, 2343 Bethlehem Pike, Apt. 101, Hatfield, PA
19440. We are sure she would love to hear from her friends at Grace Baptist
Church.
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
On Sunday, February 22, Diane Lambdin was welcomed
into membership. Her new member sponsor is Linda All-
mond. Diane, a Blue Bell resident, comes to us from
Spring Mill Baptist Church. She works as a custodian with
Colonial School District and “loves working with older
people and children that are less fortunate.” Welcome to
Grace Baptist, Diane!
Pastor Appreciation Sunday was held on February 1.
This was an opportunity to thank all the ordained members
of our congregation who are serving in various ways in
their communities and around the world.
Kathy Kautz Arango George Hawthorne
Betty Beaman Nelson Hayashida
Dwight Bolick Doris Kramer
Helen Davis Gomes de Silva Jean-Luc Krieg
Douglas Hargis Nicholas Salios
Linda Haughton Tim Schwartz
The choir finishes their Sunday practices by sharing a Bible
verse and prayer. If you wish, please follow along with
them as they study God’s word in March.
March 1 Psalm 42:11
March 8 1 Thessalonians 5:8
March 15 Hebrews 6:19
March 22 Acts 10:43
March 29 Psalm 130:7
We extend Christian sympathy to Linda Lin on the
death of her cousin, Lin, Sung-Wen, in New York City
on February 9.
Because of Hospitality Network hosting for the month
of March, many classes and activities will be re-located
during the week and on Sundays. Our classroom areas
will be used as “bedrooms” for our families.
Congratulations to Davis Rhea
and the Wissahickon Middle
School Gold Robotics team!
The team made it to the Uni-
versity of Pennsylvania FLL
2014/2015 World Class Cham-
pionship Robotics Competition
and won the 1st place Team-
work Award! Great job guys!
Easter Flowers 2015
If you would like to order a lily or azalea to be placed in the sanctuary for Easter, please use
the special insert in the Sunday church bulletin or contact the church office (215-628-2077).
The deadline to order flowers is Sunday, March 22. You may pay with cash or check pay-
able to “Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell”.
Azaleas (red, white or pink 8” pot) are $11 each
Lilies 6” pot, single stem, 3-5 blooms are $8 each
8” pot, double stems, 6-7 blooms are $15 each
12” pot (aka a tub), 14-20 blooms are $28 each
You may take your flower on Easter Sunday or leave it to be planted on the church property after Easter.
Hallelujah! March 20 is the first day of Spring!
P.O. Box 122
437 Skippack Pike & Lewis Lane
Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-628-2077 FAX 215-628-1950
www.gbcbb.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell
If you would prefer not to receive future mailings, call or e-mail and let us know.
The monthly newsletter is also available at the church website.
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 8.
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour the night before so you’re on time for church!
March Birthdays
4 Stephen Scharf 12 Elaine Fitch
5 Laura Kronmiller 13 Samantha Scharf
7 Gil Heebner 14 Will Lehman
8 Carolyn Paullin 16 Adam Naroznowski
9 Jordan Ledbetter 22 Haruko Arango
9 Rose Salios 23 Michael Erik
10 Bill Burke 25 Sabrina Mathues
11 Reena Philips 27 Bob Foell
11 Supriya Philips 29 Diane Lambdin
