You Too Can Choose a Small Ministry All Your Own

We American Baptists believe in the "priesthood of all believers." That means, each of us is empowered to spread the good news of the Gospels using the special gifts God has given us all. A while back, I struck upon a simply ministry concept that has proven effective, provided that I am patient and trust that God will send someone in need across my path.

I keep a Bible in my car at all time. This is a used Bible (in good shape but offered up at book sales, garage sales, etc.) I have picked up along the way. I got the idea when we purchased our most recent car and it came with a small Bible in the glove compartment. The owner of the dealership is a Christian and he considers this part of his ministry. I thought the idea was brilliant and chose a variant on that idea for myself. I started with that Bible in the glove box.

When I hear of someone in need of a Bible, I offer them the one in my car. It is a simple and effective ministry, always bringing a smile to the recipient's face and passing along the good news of God's kingdom.

So, what will you do? If you prepare yourself, God will present the opportunities. God bless you in your ministry!

Weekly Bible Verses: Luke 19:1-10: Hurry and Come Down; For I Must Stay at Your House Today

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. ²A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. ⁴So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. ⁵When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. ⁷All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” ⁸Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” ⁹Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

This is also this week's passage for the sermon. Come and find out where things will go!

Reflections on Mission

As I was wondering what I could write about for our newsletter, I was reminded of my upbringing in a Christian and Missionary Alliance church.  As I look back, one of our main emphases was missions.  Every year we had a three or four-day stint when missionaries came to speak at our church, and we pledged what we would give for the coming year.  When I attended Nyack, their Bible school, a missionary spoke every Friday night.  So, as a result of my background, I was pretty much sold on giving to missions.  In fact, I wanted to be a missionary.

 

When Dean and I married, we decided to apply to be missionaries, but that didn’t pan out.  However, we have always emphasized the importance of standing behind our missionaries and informing others about what they are doing.  When Dean was a pastor, he sought to have missionaries speak as often as possible, and we entertained many in our home.  He had a “moment with missions” every Sunday.  As a result, our kids were exposed to missions.  When the children’s boxes for the special offerings were passed out, they gave generously of what they had, which wasn’t much.

 

We review in our minds the process of preparation for Sue --- through high school.  Then Eastern College … visiting her roommate’s family in Peru (she changed her minor to Spanish) … studying in France for her French major.

 

There was seminary and study with Wycliffe during two summers …getting a job at Valley Forge with Educational Ministries.  Then came the loss of her job because of cutbacks --- what should she do then?  Was it a good time to test her “call” to be a missionary?  Sheila and Steve Heneise had stayed with a family in our church when on home assignment so Sheila could finish her college degree.  Sue decided to go to Nicaragua to work with Sheila on educational materials.

 

On her return home she got a local job but was asked to work temporarily with short term volunteers at Valley Forge.  The big day came --- her appointment to Nicaragua!  After serving five years as the National Christian Education Coordinator for Nicaragua, she left.  She was then approached to go to Cuba with Ruth Mooney to conduct classes on writing Christian educational materials.  During that time she met Ramon … returned to Cuba … got married … had Katy … continued working with the writing group and taught some seminary classes.

 

It’s amazing how God prepares each of us to fulfill the plan He has for us.  Along the way you have been a great support in helping Sue fulfill His plan for her. Thanks so much!  May God bless you as you continue to follow His plan for yourself and as you reach out to others to enable them to fulfill theirs.

 

P. S.  Although we never went overseas as missionaries, we have visited our two daughters who serve the Lord in foreign countries.  What part did we play in their decision to go?  What part does each of us play in our commitment to pray for and support emotionally and financially our missionaries?

 

Erma Hegarty (Our missionary to Cuba, Sue Hegarty's, mom

Celebrating Silent Auction Success!

We are so grateful for all those who donated or purchased items, who attended the auction and celebration, or who supported the event with prayers or other financial gifts. A total of $1,820 was raised to support Sue Hegarty’s ministry (our missionary to Cuba). If you were unable to attend that evening, you are still welcome to send a financial contribution for Sue’s support to:

 

International Ministries

Attn: Missionary Support

PO Box 851

Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851

 

Please indicate on your check “Ongoing support – Sue Hegarty.” And please join in praying for the additional commitments of monthly support needed to underwrite her personalized support goal. Her support goal is currently at 78.6%. If you know of someone who might like to join Sue’s support network, please let them know how they can contribute.

 

 

Bible Verse This Week: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8: We Had Courage In Our God ...

1 Thessalonians 2: You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. ³For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; ⁶nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others,
⁷though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. ⁸So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Silent Auction October 15, 2011, 6:30 pm. All Welcome

Exton Community Baptist Church holds its Silent Auction in Support of Sue Hegarty's Missionary Work In Cuba At the Church This Saturday, October 15, at 6:30 pm. Among the items to be auctioned are: 

• Home and Office:
  • Armoire (Double door pine)
  • Bookcase                                                    
  • Candlesticks – handmade in Austria               
  • Cedar Chest
  • Ceramic Angels (set of 2)
  • Chair (pink upholstered)
  • Chair (red skirted)  
  • Coffee Table Books by Jeff Snyder (two editions)
  • Coffee Table Book – National Geographic Journeys of a Lifetime
  • Desk
  • Oil Paintings (selection of 5
  • Quilt - Full Size
  • Quilted Wall Hanging "Three Wise Men" 
  • Receiving Blanket & Crocheted Rabbit
  • Reed & Barton 115 piece flatware (service for 12)
  • White Wingback Chairs (set of 2 

•  Health and Beauty
• • Floris Nails, Exton – gift certificate   
  • Longaberger Purse (1996)   
  • Mary Kay “Satin Hands” Set
  • Poncho – White, made in Ecuador
  • Salon Da Spa, Exton – gift certificate
  • Wrap – Red, made in Ecuador  
  • Wrap – Blue & Black, handmade in Ecuador 
  
  
  • Fun Activities
    
  • Children’s storybook – “Michal and the New Baby”
  • Gilbert & Sullivan DVD Set   
         
  • Restaurants & Food
  • Bakers of Buffington – gift certificate
  • Bob Evans – dessert coupons
  • Coventry Tea Room, Pottstown – gift certificate
  
  
  And much more. 

Checks and cash only accepted for this event! Come ready to bid. The items are well worth the effort and the cause even more so. We hope to see you there. 

A Celebration for Sue Hegarty

American Baptist missionary serving in Cuba

Sponsored by “The Cuba Connection”

Sue’s Missionary Partnership Team

WHAT:   An opportunity to meet Sue Hegarty, learn what God is doing in Cuba, and participate in a Silent Auction to raise funds to support her ministry.

WHERE:  Exton Community Baptist Church

114 East Swedesford Road, Exton, PA 19341

WHEN:   Saturday, October 15, 2011

6:30 pm – Silent Auction, Refreshments and Fellowship

7:30 pm – Program and Auction Results

A free-will offering will be received for Sue’s ministry.

Anxiety, Worry, and Fretfulness, Oh My!

Do not be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6)

Quite a few Christians live in a terrible state of anxiety, constantly fretting over the concerns of life. The secret to living in perfect peace amid the hectic pace of daily life is one well worth knowing. What  good has worry every accomplished? It has never made anyone stronger, helped anyone do God's will, or provided for anyone a way to escape out of their anxiety or confusion. Worry only destroys the effectiveness of lives that would otherwise be useful and beautiful. Being restless and having worries and cares are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (Matt. 6:31). He does not mean that we are not to think ahead or that our life should never have a plan or pattern to it. He simply means that we are not to worry about these things.

People will know that you live in a constant state of anxiety by the lines on your face, the tone of your voice, your negative attitude, and the lace of joy in your spirit. So scale the heights of a life abandoned to God, and your perspective will change to the point that you will look down on the clouds beneath your feet. Darlow Sargeant

It is a sign of weakness to always worry and fret, question everything, and mistrust everyone. Can anything be gained by it? Don't we only make ourselves unfit for action, and separate our minds from the ability to make wise decisions?  We simply sink in our struggles when we could float by faith.

Oh, for the grace to be silent! Oh, to "be still, and know that [Jehovah] is God" (Ps. 46:10)! "The Holy One of Israel" (Ps. 89:18) will defend and deliver [God's] own. We can be sure that [God's] every word will stand forever, even though the mountains may fall into the sea. [God] deserves our total confidence. So come, my soul, return to your place of peace, and rest within the sweet embrace of the Lord Jesus. selected

Excerpt from Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings. L.B. Cowan. Jim Reimann, ed.

Weekly Bible Verses: Philippians 4: 1-13: Rejoice in the Lord Always

Philippians 4: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. ²I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
¹⁰I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. ¹²I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. ¹³I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Bible Verses This Week: Matthew 21:33-43: Parable About Jesus

Matthew 21: ³³“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ³⁴When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. ³⁵But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. ³⁶Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. ³⁷Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ³⁸But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” ³⁹So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ⁴⁰Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” ⁴¹They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.” ⁴²Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’? ⁴³Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. ⁴⁴The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” ⁴⁵When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. ⁴⁶They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Crop Walk 2011: If You Can't Walk, You Can Donate Canned Goods!

DOWNINGTOWN COMMUNITY CROP WALK

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011, 2:00 PM

If you wish to be involved in some way, but aren't part of one of the participating churches, you can drop off canned goods at the gathering site for the Crop Walk, Central Presbyterian Church on Rt. 113 in Downingtown, PA.

This is the 25th anniversary of the Downingtown CROP Walk. Our walk benefits local neighborhood food cupboards including the Lord’s Pantry, the Emergency Food Cupboard of Coatesville, Steeple to People in Honeybrook, the Deacon’s Pantry in Frazer, and the Salvation Army in West Chester. In addition, through Church World Service, the walk provides relief to famine-stricken areas worldwide to those desperate to obtain food and water for their families. Last year 440 walkers from 27 churches and high schools participated in our community CROP Walk raising an all-time record of $30,208.