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Pastor's Corner
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Can you feel the energy? I can. All three of our Sunday worship services are filled with a joyful, expectant atmosphere. People are delighted to see one another. People are eager to engage the Word. People are yearning to have their lives shaped by the hope of the Gospel. People are expressing Christ’s love to this world through service. I feel it all around us. These are wonderful days to be part of what God is doing in and through First Presbyterian. Here are few more ways to plug in: Gathered Prayer: Dunham Chapel
3rd Tuesdays, 7 to 8PM
September 21, October 19 and November 16 We believe it’s time to step up the prayer power in our church. But there’s no reason that has to be boring! Three special prayer services are planned. They will feature worship music, guided times of prayer and praise, and a focus on seeking God for our city and world. See you there. The Blessing Experiment: Pilot Project Launching This winter, I will be leading a 12 week series on the deep meaning of blessing in Scripture. This series will include a daily prayer guide and small group resources. But I need help developing them. I’m looking for a group of 10-12 folks to meet me for six weeks of Bible study on blessing, use of the daily prayer guides, and evaluation. Right now I’m looking at Monday evenings beginning October 4. But I could do a midday class as well. If you’re interested, let Jaci know. Bethel Bible Series Beginning Sept. 15, we will be forming a new Bethel Bible class. This two year course gives students the entire sweep of the story of Scripture. Dean Cooper, Alec Flynt, Suzie Thompson, and Chuck Barber are part of our stellar teaching team. I’m looking forward to being a class member. To find out more, join us for an informational meeting this Sunday, Sept 5 at 11:45. Or contact Alec.
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On August 29, I’m taking up a sermon cycle that a number of you have been asking for. The 12 message series is entitled, The Need for Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters. We will be looking at each part of the Apostle’s Creed. Have you ever had any of these questions:
• Why do Presbyterians say they believe in the catholic church?
• Did Jesus really go to hell?
• Who are the quick?
But even more importantly, why do Christians have creeds at all? Why does it matter that we define our faith—doesn’t that just create divisions among people? The Need for Creed will explore how important it is that we each carry this portable story of the gospel in our minds and hearts. We will look at the daily implications of what we affirm about our God and why it matters to the world. Each week, we will consider the Scriptural underpinnings of what the Creed affirms. I’m having a great time getting ready for the series. We have a beautiful faith. The view of the world encompassed by our Story is simply thrilling. And it’s all in the Creed. Could it be that this is a good time for you to invite that neighbor, that friend, that co-worker to come see what First is all about? Bethel Begins
We’ve been advertising the return of the Bethel Bible series. I fully endorse this two year, comprehensive study of the whole story of Scripture. With over 400 Bethel graduates in our congregation, we know the value of this program. Bethel deepens faith, stretches minds, and energizes spirits. Bethel creates committed members and grows new leaders. With Alec Flynt, Dean Cooper, and Chuck Barber among the teachers, class is going to be scintillating! Now, I know, two years seems impossible to do. So here’s the Bethel Challenge. Commit for the fall: that’s just 13 sessions on Wednesday nights. If Bethel doesn’t rock your spiritual socks, you’re free to walk away with our blessing—at least you will have read a lot of Bible in that time! But we think it will make such a difference in your faith that you’ll be clamoring for the next 39 lessons to begin! Call Alec for more information. P.S., I’m stepping up to the Bethel challenge myself—see you in class!
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It’s great to be back in town and back interacting with you. I love to be at all three of our Sunday worship services, each with a unique accent of style but all similar in having such a sweet spirit and love for God’s Word.
We have some great events coming up in August as we start back into the program year. One of the most interesting books I’ve read is entitled,
Eternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson. In his decades long experience working with indigenous cultures, he discovered an amazing reality. In every culture not yet touched with one of the "major" religions, there was evidence of the hope for a saving, redeeming figure. In other words, there was a point of contact with the person of Jesus. The idea of a God who came to rescue his people resonates with indigenous cultures. I found that discovery fascinating. To think that our God has been planting seeds throughout the religions of man so that when the true light appeared, people would recognize him!
Well, I’m happy to tell you that Don Richardson will be preaching at all three services on Sunday, August 22. He’ll also be doing an evening presentation at 6:30PM. Don is a popular, dynamic speaker and it’s quite an honor to have him. This will be a truly unique mission message for us.
On Tuesday evening, August 17, at 6:30 PM, we will be kicking off a new fellowship for men. There will be a "manly" dinner followed by a rousing presentation. Former LSU head football coach Jerry Stovall will be speaking on "Faith and Football." Those who have heard Jerry teach know how dynamic a communicator he is. This is a great evening for men to bring friends and neighbors. Location to be announced.
The new Confirmation Class will gather for a "lock-in" at the church on Saturday night, August 14. This is a great time for the kids in this intensive one year program to get to know each other, their teachers, their youth advisors and their pastor. As you pray for your church, pray especially for this important year of study and gospel presentation.
Yes, it’s still blazing hot summer, but your church is ready for a new season of equipping you to press deeper into Christ every day, and then to extend his love further into your world.
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I am so thankful to be on the staff of a church that has as its mission statement, “Deeper in Christ, Further into the World.” If this was only a statement to have on our publications that would be nice but at First Presbyterian Church we really mean what it says. As Pastor Gerrit reminds us, our mission field begins when we go out the door after service Sunday! We are both serious and intentional about being missional – from our downtown homeless ministry to far-away places like Spain, Russia, Middle East and even further. All of this is because of YOUR faithfulness not only in your giving but also in your willingness to go yourself. At the present time we have three of our families out on the mission field. Mac and Ashley are in Rwanda, Johanna is in Spain and Rebecca is in the Middle East. In addition to these full time missionaries many of YOU have been “on the mission field” this year. Already this year close to 30 from our congregation have been to Romania and the Middle East to attend a mission conference, coach at a sport camp or minister to Gypsies….and this isn’t counting all the places Whitney Alexander has taken the youth on mission trips! We are serious about the Great Commission here!
On the Sunday of July 18, Mac, Ashley, Lilly, Duncan and Ella Jade shared about the last two years in Rwanda with Living Water. Ashley is as busy teaching English to two groups of pastors as Mac is with water wells! And on Sunday, July 25, our Sport Team to the Middle East will share their life changing story at each service. And at a later date we will hear from the team that went to Romania.
Coming to FPC the weekend of August 14 and 15, will be Bishop Albert Ratkin and his wife Elena and their son to share about their “Word of Life” Christian school in Kaluga, Russia that we help support. This is one of only a very small number of Christian schools in all of Russia! Mitzi and Chuck Barber will host a dessert at their home on Saturday evening for Albert to speak informally about his ministry in Russia. He will also be giving a brief report on this ministry at all Sunday services and as many Sunday School classes as possible.
The following weekend of August 21 and 22, we are extremely pleased to have Don Richardson a Christian missionary, teacher, author and international speaker who worked among the tribal people of Western New Guinea, Indonesia. He demonstrates in his writings how, hidden among tribal cultures, there are usually some practices or understandings, that he calls "redemptive analogies", which can be used to illustrate the meaning of the Christian Gospel, contextualizing the Biblical representation of the incarnation of Jesus.
In 1962, he and his wife Carol and their seven-month-old baby went to work among the Sawi tribe of what was then Dutch New Guinea in the service of the Regions Beyond Missionary Union. The Sawi were known to be cannibalistic headhunters. Living with them in virtual isolation from the modern world involved exposure to malaria, dysentery, and hepatitis, as well as the threat of violence.
Don will preach at each of our three Sunday services and will teach Sunday evening on themes from his book, Eternity in Their Hearts with dessert to follow. We encourage you to not only attend these services but this is a wonderful opportunity to invite someone to attend with you. Don will be accompanied by his wife Carol who will be singing for our services. Don is the author of some forty books on missions, many of which he will be bringing with him for purchase.
I will be looking for you and so excited about these opportunities to learn what God is doing through us.
In Christ,
Dick Gates
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I loved General Assembly. Those are words I never thought would pass from my lips! But the annual gathering of pastors and elders from our denomination was so spiritually uplifting that I just can’t help but say it: I loved GA. For one, it’s great to see colleagues and be encouraged by their fellowship. For another, the emphasis in the EPC is on worship and witness. We sang often, prayed before every (and I mean every) report, and lifted missionaries up as celebrities. We had a day of training in what it means for the church to look outward towards its community.
And I heard two stunningly good sermons from Professor Richard Pratt. He showed us how the mission of the church is not an-add on activity but goes all the way back to the original purpose of humanity. In Genesis 1, we realize that humans were made in the image of God, and blessed in order to multiply. Thus, our purpose has ever been to fill the earth with the image of God for the sake of the joyful glory of our Creator God. Have you ever thought of that? Dr. Pratt went on to show that in Christ, the mission remains the same. Though now we are multiplying the restored image of God. All who are in Christ are a new creation. We are a new humanity, redeemed for the glory of God. So as the church spreads the gospel, more and more fallen people are remade in Christ, and so God’s glory increases. The ultimate goal being an earth prepared to receive her king at his second coming. I bought the DVD in case you’d like to hear more about that. The assembly also overwhelmingly approved recommendations from the Interim Committee on Women as Teaching Elders. ("Teaching Elders" is the EPC term for pastors.) The EPC has been unique in recognizing freedom of practice on this issue. Our denomination respects those who read the Scriptures in accord with centuries of tradition and thereby do not call women as pastors. We also respect faithful readings of the sense of Scripture that lead to embracing women as pastors. The key was allowing freedom of practice for both sides. This issue could potentially have divided our denomination. Instead, we realized that people who submit to Scripture as the infallible Word of God nevertheless can have different interpretations on this issue and still be within the bounds of orthodoxy. Thus, there will never be a "quota system" for churches that do not have women elders or pastors. But at the same time, if we wanted to call a woman as a pastor, we would have a way to do so. Since I served on that committee this year, it was especially heartening to see our solution embraced. We are in a great place denominationally. There is theological clarity and abundant love. There is a missional spirit and a welcoming atmosphere. There is a heart for Christ Jesus and a great heart for the world he came to save. For us, that’s a great fit.
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The first day of summer—at least according to the calendar. Temperature wise, it’s more like the 40th day! I hope you and yours will at least have a change of pace during these summer months, and hopefully some time in a cooler place. As you read this, our team will have just returned from General Assembly in Denver—at least the EPC knows how to pick a beautiful, cool spot! General Assemblies are a rich time of fellowship, worship, training and church business.
Following worship on July 4, I plan to head for Brevard, North Carolina to join Rhonda for some vacation and writing in the mountains. Rhonda’s mother and I share a birthday, so we always enjoy celebrating together. Meanwhile, I know you’ll enjoy the sermon series on Galatians that Alec is preparing. Our church renovations are moving along steadily. A sample of the new ceiling has been installed, and it’s beautiful! After worship yesterday, a number of our members wrote Bible verses on the floor under what will be the new chancel. It thrills me to think of standing above the verses and prayers of this congregation! If you haven’t written in a verse yet, come by soon before the rest of the flooring is done. So far, I’m happy to report that we’ve not yet had to borrow any money for construction costs. I’d love to keep that going. If you have been planning a gift to the Capital Campaign this year, and make it sooner rather than later, that will postpone our having to use our construction line of credit. This congregation has been amazingly generous, and with all of us working together, we’re going to make our goal! Please continue to keep our many mission trips in your prayers this summer. There are so many members, youth, officers, staff and pastors travelling all over. It’s great to be part of a church pulsing with mission energy. And I never tire of reminding all of us that mission begins as soon as we step outside the doors of the church. Our primary mission fields are right in the lives that we live. The co-workers, neighbors, family and friends we meet every week are the very ones to whom we have been sent with the love and the words of the gospel of Christ. Happy summer to you all.
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I’ve really enjoyed our sermon series on Acts. For a long time, I’ve wanted to work on those great sermons and stories from the early days of the church. Your response has been very encouraging, too. I’m glad I could piggyback on the great sermons of Peter and the dynamic evangelism of the apostle Phillip. So what’s next? Well, we’ve got one more from Acts: the conversion of the man whom we came to know as Paul, a story so important it’s been told four times in Scripture! Then, on Father’s Day, we’ll have a look at Biblical stories of fathers. After that, we’ll be taking up a four week look at Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Alec will be preaching that entire series. I recall how important it was for my development as a preacher to prepare four sermons one right after the other. I told Alec it’s like one of those serving machines on the tennis court: Sundays just keep coming at you, faster and faster! We’ve been working on the texts together, and I’ll be in worship for the first two, but basically, this will be Alec’s series. He’s a preacher of rare quality and I know you’ll want to be there to support him. The truths from Galatians he’s already uncovering are thrilling! Then, later in July, we’ll follow our tradition of summer studies of Old Testament stories. We’ll be looking closely at the four chapters of the Book of Jonah, that prophet who ran from God’s call on his life. During that series, we’ll enjoy our annual hymn sing at both the 9 and 10:45 services, August 8. At the end of August we welcome Don Richardson, whose insights into the yearning for the one true God in “primitive” cultures around the world have changed the very face of evangelism. The fall will see us take up “The Need for Creed.” We’re going to be looking at the Biblical texts which underlie each of the phrases in the Apostle’s Creed. Every wonder why we say I believe in “the holy catholic church” or what it means to say that Christ “descended into hell”? We will look not only at the meaning of these affirmations but also consider why each and every one is critical to the way we live our lives in this 21st century world. At Christmas, I’d like to take up famous carols again. I’d love to hear from you if there is a carol whose Biblical underpinnings you’d especially like to explore. And I’d like to hear from you if you have a great “back story” on any beloved Christmas hymns.
Thanks for meeting me every week over the great texts of Scripture. I look forward to engaging the Word with you week by week as together we go deeper into Christ and hear him send us further into the world. Get some rest this summer, and in your change of rhythm, may the Triune God of grace address you in fresh, and refreshing, ways.
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Ministry Executive Update
Our move to the gym (First Presbyterian East) has been successful. All feedback indicates enthusiasm for our new worship home. While our eighty-seven year old Sanctuary gets her well deserved rest and a new wardrobe, we adapt to our new surroundings and ever changing landscape outside and enter to worship our God and King who remains steadfast and strong. We have precious few places for fellowship and coffee but we’re making do and filling the void by getting to Sunday school class early. And get this, our average attendance in the first four Sundays in May in 2009 was 690. Our average through the first four months of May this year is 789. That is an average increase each Sunday of 99 friends and family. 17%!
Our Mother’s Day Out program concluded another very successful year. Under the direction of Whitney Weiner, our teachers have worked diligently to create a loving, learning environment for our kids. Enrollment has steadily increased. We’ve added classes. A survey of our MDO parents indicated a 98% Very Satisfied response. Increasingly we are developing a reputation for excellence in the Baton Rouge Community and over the past academic year we became self supporting financially. Several years ago our Session made a difficult decision to make changes, casting a vision for the future that looks much like what we now see on the ground floor of our education building four days a week during the school year. This is truly worthy of thanksgiving and praise.
If you venture up to the third floor of our education building, our Baton Rouge Christian Counseling Center, under the direction of Dee Adams, continues to set the standard for Christian based counseling in Baton Rouge. Founded nineteen years ago, our program has touched the lives 7,629 clients (a couple or family is counted as one client) for a total of 72,227 hours. Our BRCCC currently operates with 13 counselors (5 full-time and 8 part-time) and under Dee’s most able leadership, these faithful servants extend the love and wisdom of Christ for healing and help in time of need.
What a church we have! God is at work in this place. If anyone wants to join in, they are welcome. Barry Phillips
Ministry Executive
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Life in the Gym
We’ve had three Sundays worshipping in the gym. I must say, you all have been great! You’ve shown a great spirit of adventure and exhibited a lot of patience with the inevitable bumps such a change brings. I’ve really enjoyed the cozy feeling. It’s great to be able to see all of you! We’ve had a more informal feeling without compromising the dignity of our worship.
When I walked into the gym after being away so long, I was stunned. It looked so beautiful, and so, well, worshipful! People worked really hard: Barry Phillips, Nancy Spiller, Dean Cooper, Lindy Weiner, all the audio visual team and all the sextons. Of course there were many others, your staff gave heart and soul, hours and effort to make our “sanctuary” special.
Life in the gym has caused me further reflection on a decision we made five years ago—to have a single Sunday school hour. I agonized over the dip in attendance we took when we made one service later and two services earlier so that no one worshipped at a convenient time. That’s a decision I’ve thought and rethought a thousand times. But losing that single Sunday school hour has made me realize anew all we gained from it. The impact on Sunday school is striking. Not having a defined Sunday school hour affects children, youth, young adults, and everyone else. We are a discipleship church. The designated hour for discipleship reflected our commitment to press deeper into Christ. We’ve rebounded in attendance with a congregation that expects and loves a strong emphasis on congregational communities at a special hour. I miss that hour! I know that a number of you are also feeling the pinch in your classes. As tempting as it will be to stick with these more convenient worship times next year, I won’t forget the importance of Sunday school to our life together! Construction Update Work proceeds rapidly on our renovations. You can see pictures week by week by visiting our website and clicking on Renovation Progress Blog. Can you believe how empty the sanctuary looks? Cangelosi and Ward are committed to moving us along as quickly as possible. But let’s all keep praying for their work and safety. And, as ever, my heartfelt thanks for your generous contributions that have kept us from borrowing any money to date and insure the project will be completed!
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Three years ago, as we contemplated joining the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church), my deep desire was that we would realize that we were joining much, much more than a small American denomination. I yearned for us to be making a move that more deeply connected us to the world church. Attending the World Reformed Fellowship assembly in Edinburgh, I realized those hopes are true. It was truly amazing to be with representatives of Reformed churches from all over the world. The historic, Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ is being upheld and shared by our brothers and sisters around the world.
I got to meet one of my heroes, Archbishop Henry Orombi from Uganda. As head of 10 million Anglicans, Henry (as he told me to call him) has been rallying the world church to stand against the tides of liberalism in the west. We heard from a Korean pastor who has a humble little congregation of 50,000! Our music was led by Irish musicians Kristen and Keith Getty, the folks who wrote “In Christ Alone.” I ate lunch with a man from Bangladesh who once participated in a severe beating of a Christian who dared to witness to him, only to become a Christian himself after the man returned to forgive him and share Jesus. We heard reports on the Reformed churches in India, China, Australia, and Indonesia. Os Guiness gave a masterful analysis of post modern culture in the west and how the gospel relates today. We met the leader of the Confessing Church movement in Scotland and broke bread with fellow Americans Ron Scates from Highland Park in Dallas and Dean Weaver from Pittsburgh. When we joined the EPC, we connected with a world full of Christians dedicated to spreading the gospel joyfully throughout the world. Thanks for sending us. I’m sorry we were an extra six days away from you—but the Icelandic volcano reminded us sharply that we are not in control of this world. That too was a story of God’s amazing provision and the small miracle that we could get a sermon recorded in the Scotsman hotel back to you on a Sunday morning. It’s good, really, really good, to be home with you again.
Farewell to Susan
After 20 months of inspired service to us as a Ministry Specialist, Susan Nash is concluding her official tenure with us. When I look back over her tenure, I can hardly believe all she has helped to accomplish. She encouraged us to sharpen our vision and led us to our mission slogan, “Deeper in Christ, Further into the World” as well as inspiring the team that created a church logo that suits us so perfectly. She constantly taught us to communicate better, both within the staff and within the congregation, ultimately leading us to see the need for a Director of Communication. The entire presentation of our church to our members and the community is incredibly improved. Susan inspired hundreds of women to grow in their faith through her teaching ministry and through her leadership of a restructuring of the Women in Ministry. It’s no accident that participation in worship, studies, mission and ministry have all risen during these 20 months. Susan did what we asked her to do: whip us into shape. I know that personally I am deeply grateful for her friendship, her mentoring, her support, her insights, her coaching, her faith and the deep love she developed for this church. Simply put, Susan got us to another level as a church. All with good humor and a warm heart. Her official duties end April 30, but she will be in and out of Baton Rouge at least through August. Be sure and tell her how much you appreciate all she has done.
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FPC YOUTH MINISTRY --- SPRING, 2010 The twelfth annual youth gala was an amazing evening at the Camelot Club on Friday, March 26th. Lindsey Spiller and the band provided dance music all evening long, and every participant had an awesome time. The silent auction is very important every year as we raise proceeds for the purpose to enable our young people to attend at least one summer youth mission trip to either New Orleans or Jamaica. The silent auction had 85 items this year, and the enthusiasm was felt by many.
This youth gala would not have been possible without the help of Cindy and Ron Zumstein securing the Camelot Club again this year. The theme, “Night of Wonder” was amazing. Cindy Zumstein, Charlene Belk, Mitzi Barber, Rebekah Rains, Danny White, Adrienne Bennett, Jamie Senyard, Linda Jennings and the youth ministry team did an awesome job spending numerous hours arranging all the details of this special church event. Thank you for planning an elegant evening in downtown Baton Rouge.
Our middle school and senior high students are in the midst of their fourth quarter of the year and have approximately five weeks till final exam time. Our graduating seniors (approximately 26) have only about twenty days of high school remaining till final exams. Graduations begin about May 10 and continue through May 30th. Please encourage these students for completing their studies with excellence and preparing for attending college in the fall.
Our Senior Recognition was held last Sunday at the 8:45 and 11:15 worship services. The graduating seniors were treated to lunch at De Angelo’s restaurant on Jefferson Hwy. This was a sweet time of fellowship during lunch. Thank you for joining us for at least at one of the worship services.
CRAVE (Middle School Youth Group) and E320 (High School Youth Group) will continue to meet through the month of April. We will have our annual youth CRAWFISH BOIL on Sunday, May 2nd at the home of Pete and Lin Sturgis from 4-6:30 pm. Please come join us as we celebrate another great year.
Our Summer Youth Trips are being planned as you read this newsletter. The first mission trip is in New Orleans: May 30th – June 4th at Trinity Christian Community (an EPC mission) near Carrollton Avenue and I-10 on Joliet Street. This is a fantastic opportunity for the middle school and high school youth to reach out to our neighbors and help them continue renovating after Hurricane Katrina. This trip costs $150 per person (scholarships are available). Please contact Adriane Bennett at 620-0239 or email her at Adriane@fpcbr.org. Charlie Daigle, Howard Tull, Adriane Bennett, Rebekah Rains, Hannah Vanbiber, Sarah Vanbiber, and Whitney Alexander are leading this amazing trip.
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“Get up, it’s Easter!” Those are words I’ll probably say when the alarm goes off in the dark Sunday morning. Wake up. You have a resurrection to celebrate! The deeper truth in trying to rouse my bleary mind is in a poem from four hundred years ago: “Rise heart, thy Lord is risen.” Those words by English pastor and poet George Herbert are among my favorite in this season. Chances are high I will read them well before dawn on Easter morning preparing for our services. Rise heart. Thy Lord is risen. Easter worship is the intersection between the act of our hearts and the work of God in raising Jesus from the dead. Easter joy doesn’t just happen. First, there has to be some fact that Easter is based on. The dead Jesus got up. A crucified man lived again. In flesh and bones, Jesus rose. Second, there has to be a movement of my heart, mind and will towards that great fact of resurrection. I have to rouse my spirit to worship. I have to apply my mind to the implications of death’s power being shattered. I have to lift up my heart to the place where Jesus is now: risen and ascended to the Father’s right hand. I can’t wait for the music to lift me or a preacher to stir me. No, first I have to speak to my heart (“Get up, you!) to worship, believe, and rejoice according to the greatest fact of all history (“Thy Lord is risen!”). Herbert went on to say, “Sing his praise, without delays!” Yes, let’s do that together this Sunday. No delay, no hesitancy, on our hearts or minds. We stir ourselves to raise our hearts to the glory of the news that Jesus is raised. Happy Easter World Reformed Fellowship
The week of April 11, the Assembly of the World Reformed Fellowship (WRF) will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland. Delegates from around the world will make their way for a week of worship, prayer, and presentations on the state of Christian mission across the globe. The WRF is a growing body of believers in the Reformed (i.e. Presbyterian) tradition. Across the global south, historical, Biblical Christianity is booming, and this conference is an opportunity for Reformed Christians from north and south, east and west, to see one another, to hear what God is doing and to consider how to bring the gospel to the world in the 3rd millennium. I’m honored and thrilled to be representing our denomination at this conference. (Yes, the location is definitely part of the appeal). I’m also thrilled that Alec Flynt will be joining me so that our “young buck” can have his eyes opened to the global reach of our faith. I’m also so pleased that our church is sponsoring the attendance of Dr. Victor Cole, a theologian from Nairobi, Kenya now serving as academic dean at the Nairobi Evangelical Theology School. Please pray for travelling mercies on the 700 who will attend.
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I think you can tell a lot about a church by the way the congregation celebrates together. I’ve always been impressed by how much fun our people have together. And next week, two of our favorite events are coming up. On Friday, March 26, we have the annual Youth Gala. Once again, we’ll be back at the Camelot Club. The view from the top of the Chase building is spectacular. The team planning the event has promised us a Night of Wonder. I always love seeing Presbyterians dancing, politely but vigorously outbidding each other at the silent auction, and generally enjoying the evening. Plus, we all pull together for this event that supports our youth mission program. The tickets are expensive—that’s part of how we raise funds. But the marvel is that there are always tickets given to Whitney and me to be given away. Anyone who wants to go, gets to go—that’s one of the biggest joys for me. And as an added bonus, once again the location of our Youth Gala is downtown. We love our city and love supporting it! This Sunday, you’ll find our bright eyed youth staff at every entrance with tickets for you to purchase. The next time we celebrate together is just two days later, on Palm Sunday. We have a single service at 10AM and it begins outside! North Boulevard will be closed in front of the church for the morning. We will gather on the front steps, hear the shofar blown, and begin our procession of Palms around the Boulevard. The children (and Amos our faithful donkey) will lead us. Then, we will worship together in our sanctuary, enjoying the children’s choir and a beautiful service of “blended” worship. The message is entitled, “Words from the Cross.” Next, it’s back outside for a picnic on the grounds, with activities for children such as the Easter egg hunt, and special music the adults will enjoy. It’s a great time to be a church family in our Louisiana spring! Those events will lead us into Holy Week. We have some special services planned: • Monday, March 29, 7PM in the Sanctuary: Men’s Prayer Gathering. Prior to the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, there will be two city wide gatherings for prayer and teaching. Our church is hosting the event for men. I will be speaking on “They Go Where You Go: The Crucial Importance of Christian Dads.” Preston Coles will lead music.
• Our own Jill Rigby Garner will be speaking at the event for women, to be held at Miracle Place Chuch in Baker the same night at 6:30PM. Her topic is “Champion Moms Raise All Star Kids.” Please keep Jill and me in your prayers.
• Thursday, April 1 at noon, we will offer communion in the chapel in recognition of Maundy Thursday, followed by a light lunch.
•Thursday, April 1 at 7PM, Old State Capitol auditorium, Bruce Kuhn will present The Gospel of Luke. This riveting performance is an excellent event for bringing guests and neighbors. Tickets available in the church office.
•Easter Sunday evening, 6:30PM, Bruce will present The Acts of the Apostles in our sanctuary. All this is in addition to our Easter Sunrise service at 6:30AM on the lawn between the sanctuary and chapel. Dress is very casual and breakfast follows. Then, we have two festival services of worship in the sanctuary. Contemporary is at 8:45 and Classic Reformed at 11:15. Bruce Kuhn will be joining me in presenting the resurrection stories at both. The message is entitled, “Idle Tale or Wondrous News?” It will be an amazing ten days in the life of our church. I hope you will plan to be there every minute and bring all your neighbors! Habitat Completion Last Saturday we dedicated the Dana House that has risen from a slab to be a home in just two weeks. We’re so grateful for our many dedicated servants, including Craig Gardener, Jean Rohloff, Ella Rein Wheeler and Joann Thurston who provided great leadership. There remain some important finishing tasks, and workers are needed on the next four Saturdays to complete the job.
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We are truly in “high season” at the church. A Habitat build is under way and going great. This weekend we host a marriage and parenting conference. Lenten communions, studies and prayer times are going strong. Attendance at all three Sunday services is running high. The Youth Gala will soon dazzle us with the finest, funnest Presbyterian party ever. Construction crews are beginning our epic renovation. Youth are signing up for summer mission trips. We are fully staffed and everyone is working hard. These are indeed great days. We are very blessed even as we seek to be a blessing to our community and our world. It’s a joy to see you engage a life joined to Christ through participation in your church. And, there’s much more to come. I’d like just to highlight a couple of items: March 14: Don’t Change Your Clocks! Last year, we had a huge attendance boost when we rebelled against the spring time change. We asked folks not to set their clocks forward until after Sunday worship. That meant everyone got to postpone losing that hour of sleep. It was great fun, and we even got a lot of good press in the community. So, the session has once more declared a spring time change rebellion. All three morning worship services will begin as if we stayed on Central Standard Time.
We’ve also taken steps to correct the small problems in this idea. There will be a lunch served immediately following the 11:15 service so we can calm those hunger pangs and help you get fed quickly and back on track with the rest of your day. Also, if the third service still seems too late for you, perhaps this would be a great Sunday to visit one of our other services. We long for all our worshippers to be multi-lingual in their worship language. Finally, if you have transportation issues related to the schedule, just let us know and we’ll get you a ride! Broadway Actor Presents Luke and Acts One of the most moving theatrical experiences I’ve had was attending Bruce Kuhn’s performance of the Gospel of Luke. Bruce simply presents the gospel as a storyteller. This one-man show is riveting. I felt as if I were meeting Jesus. Rhonda and I were wholly absorbed as the story unfolded, and then devastated anew by the crucifixion and thrilled by the resurrection. Bruce’s performance was like nothing I had ever seen or heard.
That’s why I’m so thrilled that Bruce will be joining us for holy week! On Thursday, April 1, Bruce will perform Luke up through the crucifixion. Then, on Easter Sunday, April 4, Bruce will present the resurrection narratives at worship. Finally, on Sunday evening, April 4, Bruce will present Acts as we celebrate how the news of the risen Jesus swept the world.
Let me level with you here. Remember how Ken Bailey was way better than you expected, even with all our promotion? Bruce Kuhn will deliver the goods. Make whatever arrangements you have to make (there won’t be any videos) and don’t miss Luke and Acts!
The Thursday, April 1st 7PM performance of Luke is a ticketed outreach event, to be held at the auditorium of the Old State Capitol. Tickets are free, but you have to have a ticket and seating is limited. We’ll have a park and ride shuttle service from the church. The Sunday, April 4, 6:30PM performance of Acts is in our sanctuary and you don’t need a ticket. This is a great opportunity to bring neighbors, friends, nonbelievers, and family.
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Construction: Challenges and Opportunities
It’s starting! The movers have been preparing the lower and top floors of the sanctuary building. As you read this, construction teams from Cangelosi and Ward should have begun their work. We’re finally, truly renovating our church for the present and future generations. Alleluia! Your faithfulness made it possible. We’ll be able to worship in our sanctuary on Sundays through April 18. But there will be changes going on all around us. That will be exciting. It will also be challenging. In my life, I find that if I anticipate a change, I can cope when things are not like they used to be. When I get surprised by a change, I tend to get a bit cranky. During these historic days of renovation, I think it will be very helpful to expect arriving at church and finding things out of place, or that we have to walk a few more steps, or use a different entrance. Things will happen that we don’t anticipate; stuff will tempt us to get mad. Let’s anticipate all of that so we can be ready. Let’s plan now to give each other grace, to come a bit earlier so we’re not pressed for time, to look for the interruptions in routine that mean progress is being made. Let’s plan now to stay committed to worship, to one another, to this ministry even as we live through half a year of topsy-turvy. The goal is worth the journey! Loving Luke!
What do you make of this? The current sermon series, scheduled early last summer, concentrates particularly on Luke’s Gospel.. Kenneth Bailey taught us mainly from Luke. The Broadway actor coming to present the gospel to us Easter week is doing Luke. Mary Willson is teaching a women’s Bible study from—you guessed it—the Gospel of Luke! All without intentional coordination! I see the Spirit’s guiding hand as our congregation seeks to truly meet Jesus in every moment and season of life. Recently, in a note, Mary wrote, “Sometimes I get overwhelmed with joy as I think about what a privilege it is to read God’s Word in community and grow more like Christ alongside one another. We know a good God and a tender Father!” That’s it! That’s what we’re after as a church—to read his Word in community and grow more like Jesus alongside one another. So, jump in with us. During Lent, we have extra opportunities: every Wednesday at noon, we have a brief service of communion followed by lunch. Every Sunday night, we’ll gather for teaching on the next week’s gospel lesson followed by small group discussion. Plug in this spring! Houses and Websites
Please take note that our Habitat blitz build begins this Friday, February 26. We particularly need folks who can work on week days. Sign up info is in this issue. Finally, be sure to go to www.fpcbr.org and check out our new website design. Months in the making, this new site offers visitors and members quick access to our ministries and resources. Surf around First for a while.
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We enjoyed a wonderful weekend with Dr. Kenneth Bailey speaking on “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes.” I was so heartened by the great attendance at his presentations on Sunday morning and evening. We are a church full of people who love the Scriptures. Spiritual “romance” was in the air as we were shown jewel after jewel in the stories of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7 and the parable of the loving father and his two sons in Luke 15. My thanks go out to Mitzi Barber and Alec Flynt and their crew for all the coordinating of Dr. Bailey’s visit. I hope this will give all of us a boost in our study of Jesus. I know it makes me even more enthused to be teaching the Meeting Jesus series from now through Easter.
I’m so delighted that we can name our next Habitat project the Dana House. Dana Othmer was our construction leader on the last house and spent many hours on the build. Though the effects of a heart attack have left her in a nursing home in Jackson, LA, we are still inspired by her faith and the faith of her family. This year, we are also partnering with three other churches for the build: Abounding Love, South Baton Rouge Presbyterian and River Community Church. The two week “blitz” build begins Feb. 26. We need folks of all skill levels, and also folks who can serve by bringing refreshments to the crews. Sign up at church this Sunday!
This Sunday, February 7, the annual Congregational Meeting will occur as a combined Sunday school hour in the sanctuary, beginning at 10:10. It will move at break-neck speed reviewing 2009 and revealing plans for 2010.
I once recommended in this column Tim Keller’s A Reason for God. This very readable best seller takes a fresh look at answering the hard questions people have about the Christian faith. I’m delighted that our Theology Group will be studying it this winter. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 to 3PM at the home of Barbara Molstedt. The first meeting will be Feb. 10 and we’ll look at the introduction and chapter 1. We’d love to have some new faces. Just let Jaci ( jaci@fpcbr.org) know you’re coming. The book is readily available in stores and by internet.
We’re having a two part event March 5-6. The Friday night event is meant to encourage and strengthen marriages, while the Saturday segment focuses on parenting. So, this year’s Marriage/Parenting Conference has something for everyone in family relationships.
As you can see, First is on the move. Jump in with us as we go deeper in Christ and further into the world!
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There’s so much going on around here it makes me breathless! Pervading everything is my deep gratitude for the generosity of our congregation. We are on schedule for renovations to begin in mid February, thanks to more than $4.4 million in pledges. We’ll also be able to maintain mission and ministry at the same high level thanks to wonderful pledges to our annual fund. Even in a "choppy" economy, you have made giving to God through your church a priority. It is deeply humbling and terrifically exciting to me, all at the same time. So let’s take a look at some of the highlights of what you are making possible:
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: January 31. Dr. Ken Bailey will teach a combined Sunday school at 10AM and a major presentation following dinner at 5:15PM. See Jesus as you’ve never seen him before!
Congregational Meeting: February 7. You won’t want to miss the annual meeting of First Presbyterian, Inc. as we unveil the construction timetable, present highlights of the 2010 budget, introduce the newest staff members, meet our Habitat family and much more. Congregational meetings aren’t dull around here!
Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build: Begins Friday, February 26. We’ll be building our third Habitat home. This time, partners from Abounding Love, River Community and South Baton Rouge Presbyterian will be working with us.
Parenting Conference: March 5-6. Friday night will focus on the single most important aspect to parenting: your marriage, while Saturday will concentrate on the details of being an excellent Christian parent in today’s world.
Youth Gala: March 26. Once more in the Camelot club, high atop the Chase building overlooking the city, First Presbyterians will enjoy a festive night of support for our youth mission programs.
More details about all of these great events are in this issue. Meanwhile, I’ll close with a brief update on the finest church staff anywhere! I hope you’ll have a chance to meet Molly Klein, our new Nursery Coach. Molly will direct a re-vamped Sunday nursery program which focuses on the theme of "So Loved." Mary Willson has arrived fresh out of Gordon Conwell Seminary and has hit the ground running as our new Director of Women in Ministry. She’s a fabulous teacher and overall just great fun. As January ends, two longtime nursery workers will be winding up their service to our church. You may want to stop by and write a note of thanks in the memory books for Anna and Kendra. Finally, we’ll all be sad that Susan Nash’s season of consulting with us is coming to a close. She has been so much a part of the fabric of our church life that it’s hard to believe 18 months have already passed. I hope to prevail upon her to extend that time just a bit more, till the end of April. We’ve got an incredibly good staff team. I encourage you to get to know them—invite them for lunch or dinner or coffee. You’ll see just how much they love the Lord and his people!
Gerrit has compiled a set of devotionals. Click here to read them.
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