September Newsletter 2011
Have you ever walked the beach and found yourself passing an energetic bunch, moving sand, digging deep into the ground, and relaying buckets of water to create…well who knows what? You’re tempted to ask: “Whatcha building?” Or maybe you’ve watched a child build with blocks or put crayon to paper and wonder: “What are you making? What are you drawing? When I was in the Kindergarten Classroom, the 5 year olds had to draw a picture at the top of the page and then write a sentence about it. They didn’t actually know how to write yet, but slowly a few letters would fall into the right places. When they were done, you carefully said: “Tell me about your picture and what you wrote.” One student told Mrs. Baker that he didn’t know what the picture was and when she asked what he wrote he slowly pointed to his writing and said, “I..don’t..know..what..it..is.”
As a church, we head into the fall, building, shaping, and creating in a flurry of activity. What are we building? Some very special Sundays are planned. Many small groups are starting and restarting. Our children’s programs are evolving. Homecoming Weekend is September 24 & 25th. You can see the shapes emerging.
We have an idea about what we are making. But a church is a living organism, the Body of Christ, and while we have plans and goals, we are also asking God the question: “Whatcha building?”
We believe that God’s Holy Spirit is at work in us. “…for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13. There is an expectation that God can do more than we think or imagine. “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.” – Ephesians 3:20. There is a common saying: “God is not finished with you yet.” It applies to churches as well. Come and see the marvelous things the Lord is doing.
Inside this newsletter, you will want to take note of several things:
- Homecoming Weekend Letter with invitations to:
- Sunday Worship with our New Hymnbooks
- Saturday morning Men’s Breakfast
- Saturday evening Daughter’s Dinner
- Can We Call You Survey? – Many ways to serve
- Worship Times for Sept 4th (11:00am) and Sept 11th (10:30 am service with 9:30am classes)
- Beginnings
See you in church! – Pastor Paul Bailey
GENEROUS THOUGHTS
All of us know the story of the Good Samaritan. In fact, this is probably one of the best known stories world-wide. We’ve all read it as Jesus presented it, as an answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” It is a story of kindness and of love. Yet it can also be seen as a story of the appropriate attitude toward material possessions.
The robbers in the story live by the idea that “what’s yours should be mine.” They want what somebody else has and will use any means to get it.
The priest and the Levite in the story are governed by “what’s mine is mine.” They have worked hard for their possessions, and are not prepared to give them up.
The Samaritan believes “what’s mine is yours as you need it.” Even at great expense and inconvenience, he is willing to share what he has.
It’s clear which of these attitudes Jesus endorsed. What have you shared today?
A stewardship reminder from ABCUSA
Worship Highlights for September
September 4
WORSHIP CELEBRATION WITH JAMES STREET METHODIST at Eastwood Baptist, Pastor Bailey and Pastor Baum will bring the message: The Gospel Blimp
- 11am (SPECIAL TIME) Matthew 4:18-25
- Communion will be served
- Combined Choir meets at 10:30am
10:30am WORSHIP BEGINS September 11th
September 11
LIVING CONFIDENTLY in UNCERTAIN TIMES: World Events
- 10:30 Worship Service (9:30am Classes for all ages)
- 10:30am Lamentations 1 & 3
- Education Sunday & Choir Begins
- Staff Recognition Sunday
- Mission Fair and Coffee Hour after Worship
- Wear Red, White, and Blue
September 18
LIVING CONFIDENTLY in UNCERTAIN TIMES: Health & Wholeness
- Joshua 1:1-9
- Dedication of Teachers & Presentation of Bibles
- Child Dedicaton
September 25
HOMECOMING SUNDAY
LIVING CONFIDENTLY in UNCERTAIN TIMES: Future Plans
- Genesis 12 & 15
- Bring a Guest & Meet Some Friends
- Dedication of New Hymnbooks
- Reunion Reception following the service
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WOMEN’S COUNCIL
The Women of the Church are looking for individuals or groups to share their special talents by assisting with the Inspiration Table in the rear of the Church. Please see Donna Price to find out what months are available.
WHITE CROSS BANDAGE ROLLING
All women are invited to come to the Church on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10 am beginning on October 12th to help roll bandages for our White Cross Quota. Please come and enjoy the company of your church family. Bring your own scissors and a bag lunch and any clean sheets if you have them.
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION
Launch Sunday for Christian Education will be Sept. 11, 2011 starting at 9:30 am. We will have a prayer walk through the Christian Education rooms starting at 9 am on September 11, 2011.
Teacher dedication and Bible presentation will be on September 18, 20
WHY? MAKING SENSE OF GOD’S WILL – Adult Education on Sundays
Adam Hamilton is back with reflections on some questions many Christians ask. You are invited to explore various perspectives with the Adult Class at 9:30 am in the Lounge. Each session is complete in itself and does not require any homework.
- 9/11 Why do the innocent suffer?
- 9/18 Why do my prayers go unanswered?
- 9/25 Who Can’t I See God’s will for my life?
- 10/2 Why God’s love prevails
MIRIAM CIRCLE:
Will not be meeting in Sept. The first fall meeting will be held on Wed. Oct. 5th at 11 am at Tony’s Restaurant.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD:
With back to school sales, now is a good time to buy small items for the shoe boxes which will be collected in early November.
PECAN AND CANDY SALE will be through September. Order blanks are available. We were notified the cost of pecans has increased by $2.00.
SAVE THE DATE FOR A GOLDBUG PARTY scheduled for September 29th at 6 pm in the Church Lounge. This is an opportunity to earn some money for yourself and for the church by selling any gold jewelry (broken or otherwise) you don’t want. It’s interesting to watch the appraisals. Those who attended our successful party in June enjoyed the fellowship and snacks as well as making some money. More information will be available. You may want to invite some of your friends.
SCULL-CRAFT CALENDARS FOR YEAR 2012 will be available to buy at the same price as last year. Shipping/handling costs have increased, but we are not raising the price. $6.00 per calendar. Payment at the time of the order would be appreciated, with check made out to Helen Stone. Deadline for order is Oct. 30.
THE DAUGHTER’S DINNER will be on September 24, 2011 at 6 pm in Titus Hall. It will be a roast pork dinner. Ticket prices are $13.00 for adults, $6.50 for children 6-12 and FREE for children 5 and under. Reservations need to be made by September 18, 2011 by calling the church Office at 463-1930 or Brenda Mertz at 699-9206. Entertainment by Light of the World ballet group.
Tickets will be sold on September 4th during coffee hour and September 11th during coffee hour.
Men’s Bigger Breakfast!
“Imagine the power of thousands of men worldwide simultaneously raising their voices in praise and prayer – be a part of that power.” Saturday, September 24, 2011.
Men from Eastwood Baptist are inviting men from the surrounding churches to joins us for a
“Bigger Breakfast” at Eastwood Baptist
Saturday – September 24th – at 8am
3212 James Street – Syracuse
Baptist Men in the United States and Canada will be joining Baptist Men in Europe and Africa on September 24, 2011, for a “somewhat” simultaneous men’s breakfast. Begun in the United Kingdom in 2008, Baptist Men from across England gathered in churches, homes, and restaurants at 9 a.m. for breakfast and more. Besides sharing a meal, The Bigger Breakfast became the forum for challenging men to focus on their role as spiritual leaders.
Reservations can be made by calling the church office: 463-1930 or email: ebcabc@twcny.rr.com
Junior & Senior High Youth
Saturday, September 17th
9am – 1:30pm
On September 17th, there will be a Day of Service in the Syracuse area for Junior & Senior High youth. We’ll meet and finish at Fay Road Baptist Church, Syracuse – but we’ll head out to different worksites during the morning hours. Call Laurie Hadlick if you can go!
INVITATION to CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are invited to become a member of the Eastwood Baptist Church congregation. Our congregation is composed of members and non-members, seeking to be a community, the Body of Christ in the world. Church membership is an important way of establishing our commitment to a worshipping community of disciples of Jesus Christ. If you have been thinking about becoming a member, please speak to Pastor Bailey. A membership orientation with the pastor and the Membership Commission will help answer questions.
Membership usually follows one of these paths:
- Baptism by immersion, or
- Transfer of membership from another Christian Church, or
- Experience, the personal declaration of faith in Christ.
INVITATION to BAPTISM
Several times a year we extend an invitation to youth (6th grade or older) and adults to declare their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism by immersion. The early Christians, after gladly receiving the Gospel, were baptized to publicly be counted among the followers of Christ. Baptism is on outward demonstration of an inward decision.
- Christians follow Christ’s example (Mt. 3:13-17)
- Christ directed us to be baptized (Mt. 28:19)
- Baptism is a way to make your faith public (Acts 2:41)
- Baptism is a visual picture of the Christian life (Romans 6:4)
Speak to Pastor Bailey of your interest or questions.
