The Baptist Beacon

First Baptist Church 340 North 13th Street Leavenworth, KS 66048 913.682.4426

October 2018 Volume 4, Issue 10

REV IT UP Why Do People Decide To Attend Church?

What is the main event in Christian churches each week? For most, the main event each week is worship.

Why do folks go to worship? Is it because of their heartfelt gratitude and love for Jesus Christ, for all that He has

done in their lives, that folks want to worship their Savior, Lord, creator and friend? Or is it primarily because one

views’ worship as Christian obligation and duty, something they have to do? According to recent research by the

Alban Institute, a significant number of Christians go to worship simply because of duty or obligation. Yes, the Lord

God Almighty expects us to worship Him. But, I believe God desires our worship each week out of a sense of loving

gratitude and joy! Worship is to be a uniquely special time to experience the transforming presence of our Lord

through the power of the Holy Spirit. If worship is experienced as a weekly chore, something isn’t quite right spiritual-

ly.

I want to share a good quote from Rick Barger (Alban Institute), in his work “A New And Right Spirit: Creat-

ing An Authentic Church In A Consumer Culture,” regarding worship: “In an authentic church, worship is not a pro-

gram….it is the essential and purest witness of the church. It is the primal expression of its being. It is what the

church does. The event itself is transformational. Because the Gospel happens when the church gathers, the com-

munity and individuals are changed. God goes to work on them. As Paul writes in Romans 1:16, the Gospel is God’s

power (translated from “dunamis” from which we get the word dynamite) to effect salvation. When salvation is under-

stood in its fullest sense, not just to refer to one’s hope beyond death but to a change in one’s present state of being,

the Gospel and thus worship are transformational in the here and now.

By “being saved” we are set free from whatever enslaves us. We are given space from whatever threatens

us. We are made whole. Our spirits are healed. Cynicism gives way to hope. Doubt gives way to faith. Hatred and

bitterness are transformed into love. Fear is transformed into faith. Cowardice gives way to courage. Theologically

speaking, when the Gospel happens to us, we are grasped by God’s eschatological future. Nothing has changed but

everything has changed. All is right. Wow! That sounds great to me, what do you think? What is worship for you?

Or, why do you choose not to go to church? Life’s true meaning and purpose can be found in Jesus Christ. If you

seek transformation in your life by the One who gave you life in the first place, why not begin with worship? Seek the

Lord’s presence while He may be found, through worship grounded in the Gospel that’s Dynamite!

- The Rev

Attendance Record 9/2 9/9 9/16 9/23

8:15 am Worship Service 8 8 13 7

10:30 am Worship Service 151 151 163 161

6:00 pm Worship Service - 22 28 22

Wednesday Evening Services 63 68

August Birthdays & Anniversaries

October Birthdays

01 Denise Hill, Savannah Lingle

02 Doris Cooley

03 Sally Beltz

04 Larry Cantwell

08 Rose Black

10 Michael Hutchinson, Luisa Maxson

11 Steve Miller, Ed Vineyard

13 Rita Cooper

14 Vilva Kindle

16 Anna Frederick

17 Eileen Whitehouse

18 Danny Whisler

22 Rosanne Hill

23 Janice Van Parys

26 David Tuttle

27 Bobby Pyles, Bill Fredrick

28 Frank Geib

29 Ruby Brown

October Anniversaries

14 M/M Charles Beltz

15 M/M Ed Vineyard

18 M/M Jerry Smith

20 M/M Cecil Hayden

White Cross Requests

A sheet is available at the Welcome Center where you can sign up for White Cross requests. Please sign your name on the blank next to the item/s you are willing to provide. Make checks payable to: AB Wom-en’s Ministries. If you are giving cash please clearly mark your envelope “ABW Requests” and include your name. Funds may be turned in at the church office or in the offering. October 15th is the deadline for turn-ing in items.

Halloween Candy Needed

Our Hallow-Palooza event (formerly known as Trunk or Treat) will be October 31, 5:30 – 7 pm. We are collecting individually wrapped Halloween candy. A donation box is available in the foyer. We are also in need of individuals to sign up to decorate a door-way and hand out candy the night of the event. A sign-up sheet is available at the Wel-come Center. Sign up today!

The Pic and Bow

The Pic and Bow will be with us in concert at our Creative Worship Service on Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. A love of-fering will be received to show our appreciation. There will also be a table set up in the foyer where you will have the opportunity to purchase recorded music and books. The Pic and Bow members, Charles Da-vid Smart and Michelle Gawith share a fun and dynamic energy. Together, they create a distinctive musi-cal experience.

Check Out Our New Online Giving Option Don’t have cash or a check?

You can give an offering to the General Fund online through PayPal at http://paypal.me/donatelfbc or use your smart phone to scan the QR code below.

Go to your app store and download a QR Code App for the ability to scan the code.

If you do not already have a PayPal account, you will be prompted to cre-ate one when you go to the link.

PayPal may charge you a small fee if you do not have your account linked to a bank account.

First Baptist Church of Leavenworth will not track your online giving. Do-nations through PayPal will not appear on your yearly giving report.

Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, an opportunity to encourage our pastor and let him know how much we care. Your words and support are special gifts that are greatly appreciated. If you feel led to express your appreciation for the Pastor beyond that, gifts would be gratefully received. If you have any ques-tions contact Lisa in the church office at (913) 682-4426. Thank you!

Deacon Nominations

The Nominating Committee is asking for church members to nominate men for the position of Deacon. The Biblical qualifications for the office of Deacon can be found in Acts 6:1-7 and 1 Timothy 3:8-13. There is a box and paper slips located at the welcome center. Please write your suggestions on the paper and deposit them in the box. Suggestions will be taken through Sep-tember 30.

Parent’s Night Out

The next Parent’s Night Out will take place Friday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to bring your children, please sign up at the Welcome Center.

Leavenworth County Life Chain 2018

The National Life Chain is the largest peaceful, prayerful, pro-life, public witness in the world. More than 1500 cities across the US and Canada are expected to participate on Sun-day, October 7 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Our church will be participating in the Leavenworth Coun-ty Life Chain on 4th Street in Leavenworth by the Country Club Bank. For more information, see the flyer in today's bulletin. Please see http://LifeChain.Net for more information. If anyone is interested in being the coordinator for our church please call the church office (682-4426).

Game Night at the Church

As the weather cools off we turn our attention to indoor activities! A game night is being planned for Saturday, October 20th from 5 – 7 p.m. for anyone who would like to join in. Bring your fa-vorite board games, card games and snacks. Coffee and water will be available. See Sharon Whisler for more detail.

Hey Parents are you looking for a safe place to take your kids for Halloween? Check out our

Hallow-Palooza event (Formerly known as Trunk or Treat) on October 31, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This event will take place

inside again this year.

Central Region Announces New Executive Minister The American Baptist Churches of the Central Region has

called the new executive minister, Rev. Dr. Gregg Hemmen. Dr.

Hemmen is a native of Steamboat Rock, a small farming communi-

ty in central Iowa. He has a B.A. in Religious Studies from the Uni-

versity of Sioux Falls, an M.Div. and M.A. in Counseling from

Sioux Falls Seminary, and a D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theolog-

ical Seminary.

Dr. Hemmen has served three congregations in his 25 years of pastoral minis-

try: Wentworth Presbyterian Church in Wentworth, SD, while going to seminary; Cane

Creek Baptist Church in Hillsborough, NC; and First Baptist Church in Rapid City,

SD. He is married to Rev. Dr. Diane Lynn Janssen Hemmen who serves the Hermosa

United Church of Christ, First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, SD, and Rapid City

Regional Hospital in the chaplaincy department. They have two children, Ainslee, a

junior at Rapid City Central High School, and Eli, a freshman at Rapid City Central High

School. Rev. Hemmen will be attending the ABCCR Annual Gathering, Oct. 12-13. He

is expected to assume his duties in November.

Luminaries 2018

The South Brown County Ministerial Association extends an

invitation to you and our church to attend the 28th annual Horton,

Kansas, Christmas Luminaries, on Sunday, December 2, 2018, from

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Luminaries transform ten city blocks into living,

dramatic scenes of the life of Christ. Men, women, and children of the

Ministerial Association Churches take their places as Bible characters

in a setting of live animals, colorful props, costumes and music. The

Bible-times atmosphere is enhanced by 1300 glowing candles

(luminaries) outlining the route from scene to scene. The Luminaries

make a great family event or an outing for youth groups, Sunday School classes, Sen-

ior Citizen groups and others. Everyone is invited to fill their cars and drive through. A

free will donation may be dropped in a receptacle at the end of the route to support the

South Brown County Ministerial Association benevolence outreach. In case of inclem-

ent weather due to rain or ice, the event may be cancelled. People who are traveling

from a distance are advised to call the Horton Methodist Church, 785-486-2349, if the

weather is questionable. For additional information, contact Theola Carter, First Baptist

Church, Horton, Kan., 785-486-3337.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

2 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group

3 9:00 am - Morning Bible Hr. 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 5:45 pm - Evangelism Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

4 10 am - La Leche League 6 pm - Pickleball

5 9 am - White Cross Women’s Sewing Circle 6 pm - Parent’s Night Out

6

7 8:15 am - Contemporary Worship 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 5 pm - NE Area Gathering - Emporia 6 pm - Creative Worship

8 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball 6:30 pm - Nominating Commit-tee Mtg.

9 11 am - Community Blood Drive 4:30 pm - Grief Support Group 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 7 pm - Resurrection Recovery Support Group

10 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 6 pm - Finance Comm. Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

11 6 pm - Pickleball

12

13 9 am - Angel’s Attic 9:30 am - New Member Orientation

14 8:15 am - Contemporary Worship 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship - ABW Sunday 11:45 am - Faith Class Luncheon 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Creative Worship

15 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

16 5 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 6 pm - Team Mtgs.

17 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 5:45 pm - Discipleship Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

18 6 pm - Pickleball

19 9 am - White Cross Women’s Sewing Circle

20 5 pm - Game Night

21 8:15 am - Contemporary Worship 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Quarterly Business Mtg.

22 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

23 1:30 pm - Heart for Mission 4:30 pm - Grief Support Group 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 7 pm - Resurrection Recovery Support Group

24 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

25 6 pm - Pickleball

26 27 1 pm - Movie Matinee

28 8:15 am - Contemporary Worship 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Creative Worship

29 10 am - Pickleball 5:30 pm - Budget Planning Mtg. 6 pm - Pickleball

31

October 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

2 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group

3 9:00 am - Morning Bible Hr. 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 5:45 pm - Evangelism Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

4 10 am - La Leche League 6 pm - Pickleball

5 9 am - White Cross Women’s Sewing Circle 6 pm - Parent’s Night Out

6

7 ABW Pastor Appreciation Sunday Communion 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Creative Worship

8 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball 6:30 pm - Nominating Commit-tee Mtg.

9 4:30 pm - Grief Support Group 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 7 pm - Resurrection Recovery Support Group

10 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 6 pm - Finance Comm. Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study/Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

11 6 pm - Pickleball

12

13

14 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Creative Worship

15 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

16 5 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 6 pm - Team Mtgs.

17 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 5:45 pm - Discipleship Mtg. 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

18 6 pm - Pickleball

19 9 am - White Cross Women’s Sewing Circle

20 5 pm - Game Night

21 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 4 pm - Youth Group 5:15 pm - Potluck Dinner 6 pm - Quarterly Business Mtg.

22 10 am - Pickleball 6 pm - Pickleball

23 1:30 pm - Heart for Mission 4:30 pm - Grief Support Group 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Prayer Group 7 pm - Resurrection Recovery Support Group

24 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Wednesday Evening Meal 6:30 pm - Bible Study & Prayer, Kids Club 7 pm - Adult Choir Rehearsal

25 6 pm - Pickleball

26 27 1 pm - Movie Matinee

28 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Morning Worship 11:45 am - Faith Class Luncheon 4 pm - Youth Group 6 pm - Creative Worship

29 10 am - Pickleball 5:30 pm - Budget Planning Mtg. 6 pm - Pickleball

30 6 pm - A.C.T.S. Support Group

31 1 pm - Staff Mtg. 5:30 pm - Hallow-Palooza

October 2018

Annual Gathering @ Cross Wind