On Wednesday night I went to a meeting at Central Baptist to meet with representatives from various churches in town to talk about oil prices and to see if there was anything we could do to get a better price this winter. Rev. Michelle Madsen-Bibeau had made contact with several oil companies to see what they had to offer. The end was result was not very promising.
None of the oil companies would offer us a volume discount. They would only offer us the same thing they were willing to offer any other business. It didn't matter if we guaranteed them 6,000 gallons or 40,000 gallons. We ended up feeling that we may as well take the information and try to get the best deal possible for our own churches.
At First Baptist we are looking into the possibility of replacing our oil burning furnaces with new efficient gas burning furnaces. Norwich Public Utilities has regulated rates on gas and is very reasonable. They also offer no interest or low interest loans to do the conversion.
I'd love to hear your comments on the oil companies and the thought of conversion to gas. I'll pass them on to the board of Trustees.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Choir anyone?
Choir rehearsals started up again on Tuesday night. As people made their entrances. I got more and more excited to see everyone. I like summer but it has its down side. When the choir takes it recess for the season, many of the members take a more relaxed approach to church. Between travel and vacations, family visits and work around the house, attendance at worship often dips a bit.Tuesday night was like a family reunion. As each person walked through the door our excitement and energy rose. We also welcomed two new members to the choir. Shawn Rucker and Cindy Costa took us up on our invitation and joined us. New members always help ramp up the energy of the whole group.
We practiced a number of pieces and prepared our first anthem of the season, "God of Glory." It was good first rehearsal. We are hoping that we might even get a few more new members as we roll through September.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Your sphere of influence follows you
Last Monday morning I had a funeral for a man named Frank Duffy. Frank died of a tragic accident and I got the call to do the service. Why? Because I had done a funeral for a friend of his who died suddenly a month ago. Frank's wife was at that service and she appreciated what I said at Dave's service and immediately thought of me.
The truth is that this woman did what so many of our friends do. When they are overcome by life's problems, they look to those who have been there in the past. Your friends will look to you for answers. Your faith, your church, your awareness of God's love are what they will remember and look for.
We sometimes think that we don't have anything to offer people because we are not theologically trained. The truth is that what our friends are looking for are people like you and me who have had a relationship with God. I think about the story of the woman Jesus met at the well in the Gospel of John.
After her encounter with Jesus she told her story over and over again to everyone she met. Only God knows home many people's lives she changed with her story of acceptance and love. So don't be shy. Share Jesus and what he did for you everywhere you go. Then begin to enjoy the ways that God uses you.
PS This was third biker funeral I had in my ministry and it made me think about Jesus and the way he related to people outside the usual influence of religion. I met a number of good people who believe in God but never felt welcome inside a church. Maybe we need to rethink the way we greet people at church.
The truth is that this woman did what so many of our friends do. When they are overcome by life's problems, they look to those who have been there in the past. Your friends will look to you for answers. Your faith, your church, your awareness of God's love are what they will remember and look for.
We sometimes think that we don't have anything to offer people because we are not theologically trained. The truth is that what our friends are looking for are people like you and me who have had a relationship with God. I think about the story of the woman Jesus met at the well in the Gospel of John.
After her encounter with Jesus she told her story over and over again to everyone she met. Only God knows home many people's lives she changed with her story of acceptance and love. So don't be shy. Share Jesus and what he did for you everywhere you go. Then begin to enjoy the ways that God uses you.
PS This was third biker funeral I had in my ministry and it made me think about Jesus and the way he related to people outside the usual influence of religion. I met a number of good people who believe in God but never felt welcome inside a church. Maybe we need to rethink the way we greet people at church.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A great Fall lies ahead of us
On Sunday morning we closed off a busy summer with worship. We had nearly eighty people on hand as our Praise team sang and I spoke about withholding judgment and letting God be God. I encouraged each of us focus on our own walk and to try and honor God with all we do.
Attendance his summer has been very good. Although some have been traveling and others have taken a break from the hectic pace of life and slept in on the weekends, many have made it a point to worship regularly.
I preached a series of sermons on the book of Romans this summer and I hope to have them available this week for those who are interested in reading them. Meanwhile we will be gearing up for a great Fall at church.
Sunday School opens on September 7th and we are expecting a good crowd on opening day. We have classes for all ages, including an adult Bible Study. The adults will be looking at what it means to be church as they study the book of Acts.
Rosie Main, Sandra Lucien Rachelle Weimer, Janet LaFlamme, Doris Calkins, Laura Kreger, Kristen Deptulski, Curt Brockway and I will be serving as Sunday School teachers. George Rezendes, Lori Lord, Cynthia Strouse and Zelda Earle will be helping out.
On September 21 we will have Doris and Ricardo Mayol with us for worship. They serve as American Baptist missionaries in southern Mexico. Our folks have been to the northern border area to work in churches. The Mayols will share their experiences working in the hills and villages near the southern tip of the nation. It should be a great day.
On September 28 we will launch our 40 days of purpose and walk together through Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life. On that Sunday we will witness the baptism of two of our newest members, Luis Pabon and Ashley Stewart. Then I will preach a message entitled, "You Are Not An Accident!" This will be the first of six weeks of pointed messages that deal with topics in Warren's book. During the week we will have several Bible study opportunities to discuss the book, the sermons and corresponding scripture passages.
On October 19 we will invite old friends back for a special day. We will look back at our church's history and also mark my becoming the longest standing pastor of First Baptist Church. We will talk about the ministries of folks like Rev. Walter Schoepfer who came in 1957 and saw a great resurgence in the ministry. Our Sunday School and youth ministry programs were bursting at the seems. Some of our leaders today grew up under his watch.
We will remember Rev. George H. Strouse Sr., a missionary at heart, who came and made our city the focus of his evangelistic messages beginning in 1913. We will celebrate the ministry of Rev. Percy Kilmister who inspired a generation of leaders in the 1930's and walked with us in a time of great stress in our nation. We will reflect back on the ministries of Rev. Vernon Price in the late 60's and early seventies, Rev. A.S. Brown at the end of the 19th century, Rev. Herbert Wise in the early years of the 20th century and those pioneers and founders of our ministry, Rev. John Sterry and Rev. William Palmer. It will be a great day and I hope you mark your calendar.
So stay tuned. The clock is running and I hope to see you all this Fall.
Attendance his summer has been very good. Although some have been traveling and others have taken a break from the hectic pace of life and slept in on the weekends, many have made it a point to worship regularly.
I preached a series of sermons on the book of Romans this summer and I hope to have them available this week for those who are interested in reading them. Meanwhile we will be gearing up for a great Fall at church.
Sunday School opens on September 7th and we are expecting a good crowd on opening day. We have classes for all ages, including an adult Bible Study. The adults will be looking at what it means to be church as they study the book of Acts.
Rosie Main, Sandra Lucien Rachelle Weimer, Janet LaFlamme, Doris Calkins, Laura Kreger, Kristen Deptulski, Curt Brockway and I will be serving as Sunday School teachers. George Rezendes, Lori Lord, Cynthia Strouse and Zelda Earle will be helping out.
On September 21 we will have Doris and Ricardo Mayol with us for worship. They serve as American Baptist missionaries in southern Mexico. Our folks have been to the northern border area to work in churches. The Mayols will share their experiences working in the hills and villages near the southern tip of the nation. It should be a great day.
On September 28 we will launch our 40 days of purpose and walk together through Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life. On that Sunday we will witness the baptism of two of our newest members, Luis Pabon and Ashley Stewart. Then I will preach a message entitled, "You Are Not An Accident!" This will be the first of six weeks of pointed messages that deal with topics in Warren's book. During the week we will have several Bible study opportunities to discuss the book, the sermons and corresponding scripture passages.
On October 19 we will invite old friends back for a special day. We will look back at our church's history and also mark my becoming the longest standing pastor of First Baptist Church. We will talk about the ministries of folks like Rev. Walter Schoepfer who came in 1957 and saw a great resurgence in the ministry. Our Sunday School and youth ministry programs were bursting at the seems. Some of our leaders today grew up under his watch.
We will remember Rev. George H. Strouse Sr., a missionary at heart, who came and made our city the focus of his evangelistic messages beginning in 1913. We will celebrate the ministry of Rev. Percy Kilmister who inspired a generation of leaders in the 1930's and walked with us in a time of great stress in our nation. We will reflect back on the ministries of Rev. Vernon Price in the late 60's and early seventies, Rev. A.S. Brown at the end of the 19th century, Rev. Herbert Wise in the early years of the 20th century and those pioneers and founders of our ministry, Rev. John Sterry and Rev. William Palmer. It will be a great day and I hope you mark your calendar.
So stay tuned. The clock is running and I hope to see you all this Fall.
A new generation of faithfulness is spotted.
I am sorry to be on the "old guy" kick but I have another one for you. I just received a link to a news report that featured Kate Strouse Canada and her daughter, Lily. Kate is a community organizer and a proud parent. She has taken her faith to the next level and is making a difference for people in her community. In this report she talks about the toxins in flame retardant materials and how it affects children.I am so proud to know this young woman and to say that I watched her grow up. This is one more of the joys of long term ministry. You can see the seeds that were planted in your ministry take root and sprout in a new generation. I'm sure that Kate will also plant a few seeds of her own in Lily's life and that will make God smile.
Cal
Here is the link if you would like to see and hear Kate and Lily Canada. Cut and paste it into your browser.
http://www.wbaltv.com/video/17394025/
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The joy of special occasions
I have had a number of weddings this year. I think that is a good thing. It suggests that maybe the announcement that marriage is an outdated option in modern life, was a bit premature. People are still making a commitment to one another. People still believe it is important to have God's blessing on their relationship.
This past weekend I had two services. The first was at the Norwich Inn & Spa. A couple from the southern part of the state wanted to be married at the Norwich Inn & Spa and they received my name from the front desk. (I think that is cool!) It was a small ceremony that had to move inside because of the weather. At 2:35 Geoffrey Cypher and Sherry Hospidar were married. Sherry's four year old daughter showered us with rose petals during the service providing us with a light moment. After wards the couple and their guests went to lunch and I headed off to get ready for my second wedding.
Wayne Morse Jr. and Kimberly Perry were set to be married at 5:00 p.m. at a friend's house in Griswold. As opposed to the first wedding where I had only met the couple once before, I have known Wayne since he was a little boy. I watched him grow up in our Sunday School and advised him in youth group meetings.
Wayne's parents were so proud of him. He has grown into a fine young man. He chose a delightful young lady to be his bride. The sun came out about 4:00 p.m. and everything was a go on their end. The back yard was bright and alive with color. Mums lined a path to the little area where the couple would exchange their vows.
Whenever I stand up for a couple that includes someone I watched grow up, I thank God for long term ministry. I get to see people move through life and get to enjoy watching them graduate from school, get married, start families and get established at work.
I am already watching a third generation grow up as I move through my 24th year at FBC. I look at pictures of Lily Canada and I can't help but think of meeting her mother as a cute 9 year old in my first days here at church. It does make you feel old, but it is worth every minute.
Well here are a few pictures of Wayne and Kim's wedding. You'll see the whole group, the couple with Wayne's parents (Wayne & Cindy) and Wayne's grandparents (Harry & Dot Calkins.)
Cal
This past weekend I had two services. The first was at the Norwich Inn & Spa. A couple from the southern part of the state wanted to be married at the Norwich Inn & Spa and they received my name from the front desk. (I think that is cool!) It was a small ceremony that had to move inside because of the weather. At 2:35 Geoffrey Cypher and Sherry Hospidar were married. Sherry's four year old daughter showered us with rose petals during the service providing us with a light moment. After wards the couple and their guests went to lunch and I headed off to get ready for my second wedding.
Wayne Morse Jr. and Kimberly Perry were set to be married at 5:00 p.m. at a friend's house in Griswold. As opposed to the first wedding where I had only met the couple once before, I have known Wayne since he was a little boy. I watched him grow up in our Sunday School and advised him in youth group meetings.
Wayne's parents were so proud of him. He has grown into a fine young man. He chose a delightful young lady to be his bride. The sun came out about 4:00 p.m. and everything was a go on their end. The back yard was bright and alive with color. Mums lined a path to the little area where the couple would exchange their vows.
Whenever I stand up for a couple that includes someone I watched grow up, I thank God for long term ministry. I get to see people move through life and get to enjoy watching them graduate from school, get married, start families and get established at work.
I am already watching a third generation grow up as I move through my 24th year at FBC. I look at pictures of Lily Canada and I can't help but think of meeting her mother as a cute 9 year old in my first days here at church. It does make you feel old, but it is worth every minute.
Well here are a few pictures of Wayne and Kim's wedding. You'll see the whole group, the couple with Wayne's parents (Wayne & Cindy) and Wayne's grandparents (Harry & Dot Calkins.)
Cal
Post number 200
I feel a little bit like AROD or even Tom Glavine, poised to hit a landmark but not able to hit the homer or win the game to strike the mark. I've been standing on 199 posts for almost a week. I have wanted to write but every day I've been too busy or each night I have been too tired. But here it is: This is the 200th post on First Baptist Life.
These posts have chronicled life at First Baptist. They have explained some of the things we do, noted some of our beliefs and traditions. These posts have included photos of activities and even paid tribute to some of the people who have made our congregation the place we all know and love.
Thank you for reading. I hope the next one hundred, two hundred and more posts will entertain and delight you as you keep coming back for more.
Cal
These posts have chronicled life at First Baptist. They have explained some of the things we do, noted some of our beliefs and traditions. These posts have included photos of activities and even paid tribute to some of the people who have made our congregation the place we all know and love.
Thank you for reading. I hope the next one hundred, two hundred and more posts will entertain and delight you as you keep coming back for more.
Cal
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