church email: office@firstbaptistfitchburg.org - www.firstbaptistfitchburg.org

From the Pastor “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

April 1993 was the date of the siege on the Branch Davidian complex in Waco Texas. It's an event that still sticks in my mind today- how one person could be so persuasive using good to do evil. But also how could so many remain united in such ignorance. Immediately after it was over Bill Tammeus, a columnist for the Kansas City Star wrote a short article about it titled “How to Avoid the Davidians”. Bill wrote: “In the Christian tradition, the New Testament book of I John (4:1) quite properly warns people not to be taken in by every religious nut that falls off the tree.” We are commissioned to make disciples of all nations and to do so we must first be grounded in our understanding of the faith and the gospel. Acts tells us in chapter 17 that “..the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” and the early church as well in Acts 2 “They (the early believers) devoted themselves to the apostles teaching..” I hope that you take some time daily with the scriptures as a part of your own personal devotions but I would also encourage you to read and study on your own, test what you hear and see but also to bring your thoughts before the church. As the body of Christ our spiritual health depends on it! Our worship service is open for participation. If you have something you would like to read, a song to sing, a children's sermon to give please let me know. Space is always available here in the Beacon Light for an article and I have received feedback from folks both far and near who enjoy the articles. My prayer it that we can have the unity the Branch Davidians had minus the evil acts and the ignorance they all suffered. Test the spirits... Blessings,

Newsletter of the First Baptist Church of Fitchburg 1400 John Fitch Highway – Fitchburg, MA 01420 Telephone: 978-345-5622 – E Mail: fbcbeaconlight@comcast.net

VOLUME 62 May 2017 NUMBER 05

Forest Gump was asked 3 questions before he could enter heaven

The day finally arrives: Forrest Gump dies and goes to heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. The gates are closed however, as Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter says, "Well Forrest, it's certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we've been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The tests are fairly short, but you need to pass before you can get into Heaven."

Forrest responds "It shore is good to be here St.Peter. I was looking forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure hope the test ain't too hard; life was a big enough test as it was." St. Peter goes on, "Yes, I know Forrest, but the test I have for you is only three questions.

1. What days of the week begin with the letter T?

2. How many seconds are there in a year?

3. What is God's first name?"

Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns the next day and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions. St. Peter waves him up and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers."

Forrest says, "Well, the first one - how many days of the week begin with the letter "T"?

Shucks, that one's easy. That'd be Today and Tomorrow."

The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims, "Forrest! That's not what I was thinking, but....you do have a point though, and I guess I didn't specify, so I give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?" asks St.Peter. "How many seconds in a year?"

"Now that one's harder," says Forrest, "But I thunk and thunk about that and I guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded St. Peter says,"Twelve!? Twelve!? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

Forest says "Shucks, there's gotta be twelve: January second, February second, March second....."

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with this. And I guess I see your point, though that wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I'll give you credit for that one, too."

"Let's go on with the next and final question. Can you tell me God's first name?"

Forrest replied, "Andy."

"OK, OK," said a frustrated St.Peter, "I guess I can understand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the world did you came up with the name Andy as the first name of God?" "That was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied "I learned it from the song.....

"ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN"

Camp Scholarships 2017 from

Central Massachusetts Baptist Association

Once again this year C.M.B.A. is offering a $100.00 scholarship for any camper from a member church going to Grotonwood or Oceanwood this summer.

Application deadline is Sunday, June 11, 2017, to qualify camper must be registered at Grotonwood or Oceanwood before the deadline.

Please forward the applicant’s name, which location going to, camp program name and the date of the camp program to Mark Bigelow for submission to C.M.B.A.

All campers going with Pastor Ken’s, “Fill the Bus” , July 16th to 22nd are already registered and on the C.M.B.A. Camp Scholarship List.

MOTHERS THE WORLD NEEDS TODAY Kathryn B. Peck

Mothers with courage, mothers who pray, These are the kind the world needs today. Mothers who think, who study and plan, Mothers who laugh as much as they can. Having the gift that is better than money, The habit of seeing that some things are funny. Mothers whose faith never wavers nor falters; Mothers whose spirits the world never alters. Loving the right and scorning the wrong; Facing the problems of life with a song; Mothers whose bravery transcends their fears; Winning the battle with patience and tears, Never submitting to weariness or sin- Storming heaven's gates until the children are in. Mothers heroic not guilty of whining; Hands graced with service and faxces with shining. Mothers of purity, virtue, and faith. Steadfast in life and triumphant in death; Looking beyond the dark pathway of sorrow, Seeking a home in God's joyous tomorrow, Leading the children, pointing the way- These are the mothers the world needs today!

Summer Camp Trip

July 16 to 22

Fill the Bus……

We have 10 children registered to go…… Fund Raising has begun but your help is needed…. Cost for each camper is $450.00 for the week… Please support by sponsoring a child for a full sponsor ($ 450.00) or a ½ sponsor ($ 250.00) or any other amount you can afford. Please make checks payable to: First Baptist Church and in memo line please write: camp scholarship

Careful Planning Makes a Difference

ANTHONY V. FEROCI, JR. ATTORNEY AT LAW

114 Merriam Ave - Suite 204 Leominster, MA 01453

978-466-5011

Elder and Disability Law Medicaid Planning

Estate Planning

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Worship Leader

Usher Door Greeter

or Coffee Hour We all enjoy these services!

Ingredients: 5 pounds baking potatoes

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tablespoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup ranch dressing

1/4 cup Medium Salsa

1 cup cooked pork bacon (approximately 6 slices)

1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley

Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Place the potatoes in a 12" cast iron skillet or 9"x13" casserole dish and coat them in the olive oil, salt and pepper; fold in the shredded cheese. Bake the potatoes for 60 minutes or until browned on top and tender. While the potatoes are baking, mix together the ranch dressing and salsa in a small bowl until combined. Once the potatoes are done cooking, evenly drizzle on the salsa-ranch dressing, chopped bacon, and parsley. Serve hot.

Recipe of the Month

LOADED SCALLOPED POTATOES

Saturday, May 20th

First Baptist Church

1400 John Fitch Highway

Fitchburg, MA 01420

9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

T Used Household, Decorative, A Hardware Items B Food Table of: L

Baked Goods E

Sweets S

Side Dishes

Books and Videos

Children’s Area:

(to raise money for camperships)

toys, games, crafts, lemonade stand

Snack Bar:

Breakfast and Lunch

May Anniversaries May Birthdays

2. Ronda Becotte 6. Paulo Gomes 10. Peter Sprigg 12. Eric Yangsi 16. June Dawson 16. Betty Rousell 23. Betty Holland 25. Pastor Ken Whitson 27. Connie Gariepy

IF YOU’RE BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY IS NOT HERE, LET US KNOW AND WE’LL INCLUDE IT IN THE BEACONLIGHT! REMEMBER TO NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE WITH ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO YOUR

ADDRESS OR TO OUR MONTHLY LISTING OF BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE

978-345-5622 E-MAIL: FBCBEACONLIGHT@COMCAST.NET

7. Glenn & June Dawson 19. Wilfrid & Connie Gariepy

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Anoura Rose Angelini Bette Adams Cindy Beck Connie & Will Gariepy Daniel Bascomb Debi Cross Deborah St. George Elaine Corzine Graglenn Mitchell Karen Knowles & Family Karen Simpson Kathy Gosselin Kim & Katie Linda Gosselin Mark & Diane Bigelow Mark Gosselin Marsha – return of lung cancer Michelle (Diane Hopes sister in law) Nancy Peters

Prayer List

IF YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST, PLEASE, LET US KNOW AND WE’LL INCLUDE IT IN THE BEACONLIGHT!

REMEMBER TO NOTIFY US WITH ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO THESE LISTINGS. CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE

978-345-5622 E-MAIL: FBCBEACONLIGHT@COMCAST NET

Roberta Poole Ruth Abell & Family Sandra Dorsainville’s father in Haiti Shirley Webster World Mission offering Our Missionaries Our congregation and the communities around us Tim Robinson and Fitchburg Youth Haven

Our Missionaries Rovaughna Richardson