IMPULSE March – April 2014
First Baptist Church, 6025 New Hartford St., NY, 14590
315-594-9371
Website: www.firstbaptistwolcott.org
SUNDAY: R.A.C.E. Time 9:30 AM --- Worship 10:30 AM
TUESDAY: 4pm Bible Study & Prayer @ Wolcott Estates
WEDNESDAY: 7pm Bible Study & Prayer
FRIDAY: Women’s Bible Study 10:30AM
From the Pastor’s Study : A Challenge for Lent
The season of Lent is upon us. Traditionally this has been a season of spiritual reflection and
renewal as we prepare to relive again the events of Holy Week and the infinite love of our Savior
for us that they represent. Part of this preparation time involves the discipline of fasting coupled
with prayer. While fasting is commonly associated with the practice of denying oneself food or
other things we would normally indulge in, I would like to challenge us to consider a different
kind of fast this year, one involving denial of self in the area of our relationships first in our
families and then in the family of God, inside and outside of our church.
The following is taken from a series of articles on Creighton University’s Online Ministries
website entitled Choosing Lent-Acting Lent: “ One of the real graces of Lent has to do with
forgiveness and reconciliation – mercy and healing. This is never simply a matter between
Jesus and me. It always has something to do with my family and with my relationships – how
we are with each other. What in us needs mercy and healing? What patterns that we have need
our reflections and common family choices and actions this Lent?”
(http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/conversion.html)
This “fast” could involve intentionally choosing to give of ourselves and our time for the sake of
our relationship with a family member or a brother or sister in Christ. Giving of our time and
attention is the greatest gift we can give to another. But this idea of self-denial goes much
deeper, into the realm of healing damaged relationships through forgiveness and reconciliation-mercy and healing.
Are there relationships we have that are strained, where we act as if everything is ok on the
surface, but know that there is something unresolved between us or are there relationships
which have been completely severed? I believe that as we pray and meditate on the verses
below, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us ways in which we can seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
It will not be easy and it may involve risk-taking, confession and humility on our part, but the
freedom and joy which result from the healing will be worth the price and will count for eternity.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than
yourselves.
3
Ephesians 5:21 (NIV): 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV): 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there
remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the
altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV): 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the
calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one
another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV): 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every
form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you.
Update: The Way Forward
Since January, a number of us have been meeting every other week to try and discern
how God might want us to be organized as a church so that we can be most effective in carrying
out the purposes for which we exist. We have reviewed what the functions of our church are
and have seen that they fall into 2 broad categories, stewardship/support and ministry/mission.
Our two goals are to find a way to efficiently provide the structure necessary to be good
stewards of our resources and to equip and facilitate our church body (that's all of us) to be the
hands and feet of Christ in ministry as we seek His leading as our Head.
My goal is to develop a basic outline for our new structure at our next meeting to be held
on March 11 at 6:00 pm at church and then to share the results with all of you individually to get
your perspectives and input. All are invited to this upcoming meeting and we covet your prayers
as we move forward with this important work.
The Puritan Catechism by Charles Spurgeon, Questions 11-15
Question 11:
What are God's works of providence?
Answer 11:
God's works of providence are his most holy, (Psalms 145:17) wise, (Isaiah 28:29) and powerful,
(Hebrews 1:3) preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. (Psalms
103:19; Matthew 10:29)
Question 12:
What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the state wherein he was
created?
Answer 12:
When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of lifewith him, upon condition of
perfect obedience; (Galatians 3:12) forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, upon pain of death. (Genesis 2:17)
Question 13:
Did our first parents continue in the state wherein they were created?
Answer 13:
Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the state wherein they were
created, by sinning against God, (Ecclesiastes 7:29) by eating the forbidden fruit. (Genesis 3:68)
Question 14:
What is sin?
Answer 14:
Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of the law of God. (1 John 3:4)
Question 15:
Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?
Answer 15:
The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself but for his posterity, all mankind
descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first
transgression. (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12)
Friday Morning Women’s Bible Study will begin a new study based on
“A Confident Heart” on March 7th at 10:30 AM. Stephanie Cushman will lead the
study which will be at her house. 12500 Countryman Rd. Wolcott, NY 14590. A
Confident Heart is a NY Times best seller book which gives a Biblical basis for
confident living.
CareNet collection during Month of February was over $300. Thank You
Church Camp
It’s hard to believe with the weather that we have been having but summer camp is
just around the corner. The Casowasco brochures have arrived and the children have
been busy choosing what program they want to attend. This year we have 5 children
from our church definitely returning to camp and one possible.
For the last several years our church family through donations and fundraising
has made it possible for the children of our church to go. Through hard work and
dedication the church has paid 100% of the cost of camp.
This year we will be also doing fundraisers to pay for the camp tuition. Watch
the bulletin and impulse for information on the upcoming fundraisers.
To all of our church children that have never been to summer camp, and have
questions about camp, feel free to talk to one of the kids that have already gone.
Dakota Anderson – 6th year going to camp Casowasco
Kirsten Bean-4th year going to camp Casowasco
Helen Flint-4th year going to camp Casowasco
Robert Flint- possible 3rd year
Monica Tohafjian -2nd year camp Casowasco
Jordan Anderson- 2nd year camp Casowasco.
Each one of these children has come back from camp with wonderful memories. If
you think that you want to go or you know a child that goes to our church that might
be interested, please let members of the board of Christian Ed know.
Kid Humor from Boys Life
Joey: What do you call a dog that's crazy?
Ralphie: What?
Joey: A mutt case.
Ben: Which is the tallest building in the world?
Ron: Which?
Ben: The library: it has the most stories.
Chris: What did Pinocchio say to the barber?
Roger: I don't know. What?
Chris: “Just a whittle off the top, please.”
Jack: What does a clock do when it's hungry?
Larry: I don't know.
Jack: It goes back four seconds.
MARCH INTO Camp Ministries!
Vick & Pathfinder Informational Meetings for
Church Leaders, members, parents, and those who would like to learn or partner with us in this vital ABC
Ministry. Come and learn about this exciting mission work here in NY State. Learn about opportunities
to partner with us as we introduce people to Christ, and equip them to grow and to minister. Learn how
you can be a key support. Learn what VP Ministries can do for you and your church. Presented by Rev.
Dr. John Buskey, C. E. O. of V.P. Ministries. TWO local opportunities: Sunday March 16 at 3:00 PM
Dessert at First Baptist Church Williamson, 4212 Main St. Williamson, 14589-0104 Sunday March 16th
at 7:00 PM Dessert at the Federation Church Port Byron, 35 Tex Pultz Pkwy., Port Byron, 13145
Missions Trip to the Dominican Republic
We praise God for his goodness to us, and for the opportunities that he gives us
to share the Gospel. From June 28th – July 5th, Kathy Delano and Sally Burgess, along
with several members of the Williamson First Baptist Church, will be on a missions trip to
the Dominican Republic. Missionary coordinator in the Dominican Republic, Madeline
Flores, has several projects in mind for the group. The projects include light repairs to
their retreat center, painting at the Inglesia Bautista El Redil Church (sister church to
Williamson FBC), providing daily VBS lessons, and sharing an afternoon at a leper
colony. The missions team greatly appreciates your support for the trip through prayer for
God’s work to be accomplished there. In addition, a list of supplies that may be donated
will be available soon. Finally, financial contributions towards this trip may be given
Kathy or Sally, or mailed to Wayne Schultz, 6627 Lake Ave, Williamson, NY
14589 (checks made payable to FBC Williamson Deacons.) We welcome your
support/participation in this missions trip in whatever way God leads you to do so.
Chicken BBQ
Spring is coming soon and the smell of a chicken BBQ is making its way through the
First Baptist Church of Wolcott. That’s right the church is once again going to be doing a
chicken BBQ. Last year the church held its first Chicken BBQ and it was a HUGE HIT.
So this year on May 17, 2014 we will be holding our second one. With one year’s
experience under our belt this year will go much smoother and be even better. The
proceeds going into our campership fund. Tickets will be going on sale soon. A half of a
chicken will be $6.00 and a dinner will be $9.00.
If you are willing to help with ticket sales, let Lucia know. If you can help coordinating
other ways please let a member of the board of Christian Ed know. But make sure you
get your appetites on and buy a couple of tickets to support the children from our church
that are going to camp this summer.
Here is a list of items that we will need for the BBQ, all donations need to be dropped off
at church no later than Thursday May 15. The more donations that we receive, the
higher the profit for our children. In April a sign-up sheet for volunteers will be put
UPDATES
January 18th was a fun evening of games, food and projects. We visited with friends we don’t
get to see very often and stretched our minds and bodies with Apples to Apples and the Wii
game most. Sheets were ripped for our bandage quota with the help of even our youngest
participants.
Dakota Van Houten, our Scholarship girl received her Birthday & gift card on January
13th, and wrote: “Thank you, it was much needed and greatly appreciated. Great to hear from
all of you, I am back in classes and it’s crazy”.
February 9th Our church family filled and packaged 19 boxes and 4 smaller gifts as
encouragement to our college students, families and friends who could use a “Spirit lift”. 12
packages were mailed, 11 were hand delivered. Lois J was walking back to her room after
playing games at “activities” when I met her at Oswego. Jim C was thankful for the visit from a
friend and we talked Income Tax assistance. Ruth S was getting use to the suggested eating
habit that was encouraged so her body had time to digest her foods. Eliza H was busy having
her hair done, but also enjoyed the visit. Other Comments:
Thank you so much for the care package she received earlier this week! She
was very excited and very appreciative of everything! It is great to be a part of such a
great church family! Thanks so much God is good! Melecka P.
Thank you for the care package. It was well received and all the treats enjoyed!
I loved getting something from home and knowing people still think of me. Ben G.
“What a wonderful surprise!! Classes going well but are not easy. I am also a
lifeguard at the pool, volunteer teacher for Sunday School, and participate in a girls
Bible study. The care package, prayers and support are such an encouragement to
me.” Helen P.
UPCOMING
Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service to held Wednesday March 5th,
7PM at Huron Presbyterian Church
A Lenten Devotional will be available at the church for individuals and families to use during lent.
Our Sunday morning message will coordinate with the Devotional. There will also be an activities booklet
for the younger worshippers to use.
LENTEN LUNCHEONS As in the past, Soup and bread luncheons to be held at Noon on
Wednesdays throughout Lent at the Faith United Methodist Church.
Thursday, April 17 Maundy Thursday Service 7PM
Friday, April 18, NOON: Good Friday Observance
Easter Sunrise Service in Northup Park 7AM , April 20, 2014,
followed by breakfast then Easter Worship.
Ecumenical Lenten Luncheons will begin at NOON and held at Faith United
Methodist Church 12223 Oswego St. Wolcott, starting Wednesday March 12 th. Area
clergy are invited to chose a Wednesday to present a 15 -20 minute Bible/ spiritually
related topic and their church will be responsible for the food that week. Pastor Dave
Parker will be the presenter on Wednesday March 19. If you would like to offer a pot of
soup/ chowder/breads, etc. Please let Lucia know.
The tentative schedule of Wednesdays is:
March 12-Russ Roth (Huron Pres.)
March 19-Dave Parker (FBC)
March 26- Walter Stuber (FPC-Wolcott)
April 2- Jake Denny (FUMC)
April 9
Save the date
ONE VOICE UNITED IN PRAYER
National Day of Prayer Thursday May 1,
2014. Wolcott public prayer gathering to be held at bandstand at NOON on NDP Thursday. “So
that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:6
Saturday May 3rd. CROP Walk
Saturday, May 17th Chicken Barbeque Fundraiser for Church Campers
Saturday, June 21, Fried Dough sales Strawberry Festival in park.
Sunday July27 to Thursday July 31st evenings Wolcott Council of Churches
Vacation Bible School
We’ll be looking for you this summer!
Northup Park Wolcott
July 27th -31st
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Ages 3 through 11
Questions? 594-9371
God Loves You!