February Newsletter
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way – a voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. – Mark 1:2-3
Those were the words spoken about John the Baptist who called people to come out to the wilderness to be baptized in the Jordan River, to prepare the way as God’s kingdom was coming near in Christ Jesus. God has spoken to many people in the desert throughout human history. Moses and the people traveled 40 years in the desert. Prophets and patriarchs spent time in the desert. It was a welcome place. Malcolm Muggeridge writes:
“What the wilderness offers is its emptiness and barrenness…and silence. Not a tree or a street, not a building, not a telegraph pole, not a road or vehicle in sight. Nothing to suggest human habitation, apart from an occasional skinny sheep and goats, or vultures flying through the sky. So in the wilderness, the world seems far away…All the habitual pursuits of the ego and the appetites are suspended. I love the wilderness because, when all these pursuits of the mind and body have been shed, what remains…is an unencumbered soul, with no other concern than to look for God.”
Lent is a time for stripping away all that encumbers us so that we might fully devote ourselves to God. We take a walk in the desert, so-to-speak, listening afresh for his still small voice.
But the desert can also be a place of danger and hardship. Jesus entered the desert only to be tempted. Deserts are hard places to live. The environment is not conducive for life. For many, life can feel like a wilderness journey. In this season of lent, we remember that Jesus walked a wilderness road. In the 1970’s, I remember an old song that went like this:
Jesus walked this lonesome valley.
He had to walk it by Himself;
O, nobody else could walk it for Him,
He had to walk it by Himself.We must walk this lonesome valley,
We have to walk it by ourselves;
O, nobody else can walk it for us,
We have to walk it by ourselves.You must go and stand your trial,
You have to stand it by yourself,
O, nobody else can stand it for you,
You have to stand it by yourself.
This Lenten season we will walk with God in the desert, together, aware of the risks, but preferring to listen for His voice, calling to us in the wilderness, so we won’t be ever alone again.
WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS FOR FEBRUARY 2012
February 5 SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Light of the World, Matthew 5:14-16, Communion Sunday; Commissioning for the Mission Trip, Soup R Sundae – Luncheon to benefit our camping program for children & youth
February 11-18 MISSION TRIP TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
February 12 GUEST: Rev. John Buskey, Outdoor Ministries ABCNYS
February19 TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS John 12:20-21
LENT BEGINS! OUR COOPERATIVE LENTEN SEASON THEME:
Walking with God in the Desert
Once again, we will be collaborating during Lent with the Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church, First Baptist in Manlius, Chittenango Presbyterian Church, and First Baptist, Syracuse in Jamesville. We will be sharing common messages each Sunday, common study groups, and this year, a common Ash Wednesday worship service at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse in Jamesville.
February 22 ASH WEDNESDAY at First Baptist Church, Syracuse – Launching Lenten Series
For those of us who seek to live as God’s people today, it is essential that we understand the stories of Scripture as more than ancient history. The ancient stories of the Bible describe God and define the faith walk of his people. God’s people come to know him by what he does, not by attempting to define him with precise doctrine. God’s people come to live the way he desires by remembering, retelling, and reliving his great redemptive acts.
Like the ancient Hebrews, we need deliverance from bondage. We need to be amazed by God’s power. We need to respond to his voice. As we wander through the deserts of our lives, we need to set our feet firmly on the foundation of depending on God and living by his every word. Their story is our story.
The desert is one of the richest and most helpful images of the Bible. In the hardship and struggle to survive in the desert, we find a metaphor for surviving the desert experiences of heart and soul. We realize that life moves from one desert experience to another. The heat of suffering during these times can be overwhelming. We may be weary and thirsty and find little or no refreshment. And yet, God is with us. He is our provider and our protector, and he will give us just enough. While no one looks forward to the desert experiences of life, knowing that in the heat of those desperate times God will provide just enough is hope enough to live significant and purpose-filled lives.
Is your church or congregation going through a difficult times? Either corporately, or in their individual lives? The loss of loved ones? Unemployment? Crisis’s of faith? During these desert times, it’s easy to think God has disappeared. In this whole church experience, spend four weeks on what you and your congregation can learn through desert times and discover that it’s only when we are totally dependent on him that we find God is closer than ever.
February 26 FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT: Walking With God in the Desert – Why Me?
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION TRIP
- FEBRUARY 11-18 (Saturday – Saturday)
- Douglass Dowty, Bonnie Miner, Phyllis & Paul Bailey
- Cooperative trip with Emmanuel Baptist Church of Albany and the sponsoring church, First Baptist, East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
- Ministry with Haitians in the Dominican Republic: Health Clinics in the small sugar cane villages (bateys) and construction on the Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana.
Join us in prayer during the 9 days of travel and ministry!
- Safe travel to La Romana and health while serving.
- Many will come and be ministered to with the clinics
- Days of work on the hospital will be fruitful
- God will take the opportunity to strengthen our faith as we seek to encourage the faith of the Haitians.
- Opportunity to meet with our missionary partner– Kristy Engel
We’re collecting:
- Used Eye Glasses
- Children’s Tylenol
Follow our adventure through regular “Eastwood UPDATE” emails throughout the week.
Coats for Kids Campaign a Success!
We worked to collect winter coats and winter wear, especially for children, and give it all away on Sunday, January 22nd. Many thanks to: Doug Dowty, Carol Sampson, Bob Sampson, Laurie Hadlick, Darlene Long, and the rest of the Mission Church Learning Experience Team.
SAMARITAN CENTER TRIP
On Sunday, January 8, 30 members of Eastwood Baptist Church (child, teen, and adult) went to the Samaritan Center to cook, serve, and clean up dinner which included sloppy joes, macaroni and chef salads, fruits, and cookies. The meal and companionship were very much enjoyed and appreciated by the dinner guests. The many EBC hands did, indeed, make light work. Thank you again, one and all, to those who helped make the day special to those in need in our community.
YOUTH OVERNIGHT
Once again this annual event included the hiding game: Man (& Woman) Hunt
NEW ACCOUNTING AND CHURCH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
In an attempt to simplify and organize our financial and membership records, we are switching over to a program called Power Church Plus. Thanks to Joe P., Barry, Tom, Margaret, Brenda N., Marilyn, and all the rest!
ANNUAL MEETING
ANNUAL MEETING was Sunday, January 29th. In an attempt to broad the audience, we will officially begin the meeting as worship begins. Commission Reports will be given during the service and we will reflect our call to ministry from Jesus “You are the salt of the earth”. The meeting will continue downstairs following the service with a Brunch prepared by our Boy Scout Troop 7. If you would like a copy of the Annual Report, dedicated to Ed Kimbrell, pick one up at church or call the office and we’ll mail you one.
REMEMBERING IN PRAYER
- Hal DeWolf is recuperating in Cooperstown from surgery.
- Amy Wentling, Norma Tippett’s mother died peacefully at Van Dyne on Saturday.
- Marilyn Sinclair is much improved at the Iroquois for rehab
- Domincan Republic Mission Trip Feb 11-18
DEACONS RETREAT
DEACONS RETREAT was Saturday, January 28th from 9am – Noon. Following a brief time of worship, there was training on: Serving Communion, Assisting in Baptism, Finding Your Way around the Kitchen, and AED training. Our guests were from the Missio Church (meets at Palace) who came to address how they work to develop Christian disciples in their congregation. In a related activity, our Deacons worked on the new annual theme for 2012 on the Spiritual Life.
EASTWOOD BAPTIST HISTORICAL NOTE:
“On Sunday morning, January 23, 1927, services were begun in the house of Eastwood Hose Company 2, 117 South Edwards Ave, with attendance of 68. The first Sunday School classes were held on the same day, with an attendance of 54.”
PASTOR’S SCHEDULE CHANGE AGAIN
In an unexpected change in the teaching schedule at OCC, Pastor Bailey will be generally out of the office teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning with the start of classes, January 23rd. (Not Tuesdays and Thursdays as previously announced).
ADULT CLASS
JOURNEY THROUGH THE PSALMS – The Adult Class will explore many types of psalms with a video featuring Pastor Mary Lou’s Old Testament professor. You are invited to share in the discussion or just listen at 9:30 am in the Lounge. Each session is complete in itself.
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION
Soup R Sundae is approaching quickly (February 5 following worship). If you would like to show off your culinary abilities, now is the time! We need a variety of soups. If you lack culinary talent (like Darlene), you can bring in ice cream or sundae toppings.
EBC WOMEN’S GROUPS
We are having a Valentine Tea on Feb. 12th from 1-3 pm in Titus Hall. Please come and join us for tea and sandwiches + dessert. If you have a favorite tea cup, please bring it. A Love Gift Offering will be taken. Please invite your friends, Relatives and daughters 4 yrs. and older.
