Bible Verse of the Month

“Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there.  Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the doors of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things."

Malachi 3:10

Eastern University Touring Choir

Monday, May 12, 7 p.m.

We are pleased to be able to host once again this group of 28 college students from our Baptist school in St. David’s, Pennsylvania.  It is inspiring to hear their choral music and their youthful zeal for Christ.  We hope you will not only want to come, but also bring a friend to this encouraging event.

   Communion Offering for

Grotonwood-Oceanwood

May 4

Anticipating a large group to be attending this summer from our church, we are eager to do our part to help our Christian camps succeed. 

Both camps help extend the ministry of our church by offering programs in the woods and at the beach.  Christian camping plays an important role in our outreach.

Your generosity is very much needed.  Please use the enclosed envelope.

ORIENTATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

We have been blessed with several visitors to our worship who have expressed  interest in joining us as members of this congregation following Jesus.

We will be forming a group to discuss what it means to be one of us in the next several weeks.

If you or someone you know has an interest, please contact the office (508-672-5381).

Church Flea Market

Saturday, May 17

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

266 New Boston Road

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of Louise DeFarias and others from the Patriots Party group, they are sponsoring a flea market to benefit the church and its many ways of reaching out to people. 

It is our hope that everyone will have something to donate to the cause.

New Boston Road is a great location on a Saturday morning.

For drop off and pick up information, contact the church office or Louise directly 508-672-0250

NEW CLASS COMING SOON!

In Search of “The Kite Runner”

Reflections on universal themes from the book.

Your choice of two meetings each week:

Tuesdays at 7 p.m., beginning April 28

Or

Saturdays at 10 a.m., beginning May 3

See Elizabeth to register or for more information.

FROM THE TRENCHES……

A check for $5000 was received from the estate of FRED HALLAS.  Fred loved our church, its music ministry and was active in the Sunday Evening Club.  If you would like information or help on how to remember the church in your estate planning, contact our treasurer Al or pastor Don.

DEBRA JEAN received the Edward VanderHey Scholarship which our church has endorsed at Andover Newton Theological School for seminary students from Southeastern Massachusetts.

CHERYL CROSSLEY-O’BRIEN was married to Don Simmons Sunday, April 13.

DAVID WIGGINS successfully completed basic training in Texas in his new career in the Air National Guard of Rhode Island.

ELIZABETH WATSON and KATHY BRENNAN were leaders at a retreat sponsored by the Conference of Baptist Ministers on the Labyrinth.

MEETING MATTERS

Twelve from our church participated in the Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts that was held at Whites of Westport.  This is the first annual meeting held in our region.  Attending were Pat and Ted Bigos, Marilyn Greene, Debra Jean, Catherine Keech, Don Mier, Denise and Ed Soares, Al and Sharon Vieira, Elizabeth Watson, and Dave Weed.  Members of the youth group also participated.

RITA LEBEAU organized a meeting for residents of Fall River and United Interfaith Action to meet with officials of the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority at Barresi Heights to talk about public transportation.

BARBARA BERRY gave the opening testimony.  The Herald News picked up on this issue in a recent editorial.

BOARD OF DEACONS was pleased with the response to the prayer meeting it sponsored on behalf of the church.  Their next one will be in June.

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES raised the issue of the adult entertainment zone at its last meeting.

One of the Lenten study groups led by Debra Jean has decided to form a new Christian fellowship in our church for people looking to develop new friendships.

WHAT IS ON THE PASTOR’S MIND?

In an effort to stimulate the national economy, the federal government will be sending rebates to taxpayers beginning this month in the amount of $600 for individuals and $1200 for couples.

This is quite an investment by the government for the sake of the people.  Will you be willing to invest part of your rebate in the work we do for Christ as a church?  When your rebate check arrives, WILL YOU GIVE 10% OF IT AS A TITHE for the mission of Christ being undertaken in our church?

·        TITHING IS BIBLICAL.  It is a way of opening our lives to the blessings of God.   Malachi 3:10

·        TITHING IS A REMINDER  that all comes from God.  Psalm 24

·        TITHING BUILDS FAITH AND SPIRITUAL SELF-ESTEEM.  As helpful as tithing is for the church, it is even more helpful to the tithee. II Corinthians 9:6-15

Just as your rebate check will be like an unexpected and unearned windfall, we trust that you will use it well and consider a tithe as a worthy investment in the Kingdom of God.  You may bring your tithe to worship any Sunday morning or mail it directly to the office.   Thank you.

Your Pastor,

Don

THE BACK PAGE

NOTHING IN RETURN

As long as we look for some kind of pay for what we do, as long as we want to get something from God in some kind of exchange, we are like the merchants.

If you want to be rid of the commercial spirit, then by all means do all you can in the way of good works, but do so solely for the praise of God.  Live as if you did not exist.  Expect and ask nothing in return.  Then the merchant inside you will be driven out of the temple God has made.  Then God alone dwells there.  See!

This is how the temple is cleared:  when a person thinks only of God and honors him alone.  Only such a person is free and genuine.

Meister Eckhart