An Eventful Time
The next month or so should prove to be an eventful time here at Fellowship Baptist Church.
Next Sunday we will celebrate with a church dinner and then a Baptism service at the Nanticoke River. It is always a highlight of our church year to be able to worship together and to see believers obey the Lord by being baptized.
Our Lord Himself commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28:19) and set an example for us by being baptized Himself (Matthew 3:13- 17). When these folks are baptized next week, it is a testimony not only of their following Christ in obedience, but also a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to those watching.
Not only do we get to celebrate these baptisms, in the coming days there are a number of other events that demand our time, attention and prayer.
* On October 10, our church will celebrate our church anniversary with a special service and a lunch.
* On October 13, we will be launching our first-ever weekly teen ministry and weekly children's ministry.
* On October 17, we will be beginning a new Sunday afternoon Bible study that I think will be informative and challenging.
In addition to these events, there are many other things that are happening. From Labor Day to the start of school to Promotion Sunday for Sunday School to an FFBC Youth Rally, the calendar is filling up with many opportunities for ministry and fellowship.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Pastor's Pen - 2010-08-15
A Good Week at the FFBC Annual Conference
My family and I had the privilege to attend the 71st Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churche at Tri-State Bible Camp and Conference Center this past week. It was a good few days with some other good and Godly men and their families.
The FFBC Annual Conference is an interesting combination of events. As the Annual Conference, it serves as the annual business meeting of the FFBC, complete with reports, budgets, elections, motions and all of the other stuff that make business meetings exciting and fun :) However, it is much more than just a business meeting. It is also a time of encouragement and spiritual challenge, as well as a time for some relaxation and fun.
This year our main speaker was Dr. Dick Stratton of Clearwater Christian College. Dr. Stratton not only preached Monday and Tuesday nights and for a chapel on Wednesday morning, he also led a workshop and participated in many of the other workshops. Dr. Stratton came down with Kidney Stones on Wednesday, so Pastor Mark Franklin played "pinch hitter" and preached a very good message from the book of Numbers. Mrs. Holly Stratton (Dick's wife and the speaker for this last year's Ladies Retreat) also spoke to the ladies three times during the week.
This year we also had a series of workshops that were offered and were well attended. I had the privilege of leading a workshop on Tuesday morning entitled, "Whatcha' Reading?" I was encouraged by the response to the workshop and pray that it was helpful.
Being at a camp, there are a lot of other activities that are available. The Pastors won this year's Pastor/Delegate Softball Game, folks went fishing, shot archery, played Tri-State Dodgeball, went swimming, worked on crafts, played carpetball, and spent some much needed time relaxing on the porch for fellowship and counsel. I also participated in at least four executive committee meetings, regular meetings, and was reelected to serve on the Executive Committee for another two years.
My family and I had the privilege to attend the 71st Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churche at Tri-State Bible Camp and Conference Center this past week. It was a good few days with some other good and Godly men and their families.
The FFBC Annual Conference is an interesting combination of events. As the Annual Conference, it serves as the annual business meeting of the FFBC, complete with reports, budgets, elections, motions and all of the other stuff that make business meetings exciting and fun :) However, it is much more than just a business meeting. It is also a time of encouragement and spiritual challenge, as well as a time for some relaxation and fun.
This year our main speaker was Dr. Dick Stratton of Clearwater Christian College. Dr. Stratton not only preached Monday and Tuesday nights and for a chapel on Wednesday morning, he also led a workshop and participated in many of the other workshops. Dr. Stratton came down with Kidney Stones on Wednesday, so Pastor Mark Franklin played "pinch hitter" and preached a very good message from the book of Numbers. Mrs. Holly Stratton (Dick's wife and the speaker for this last year's Ladies Retreat) also spoke to the ladies three times during the week.
This year we also had a series of workshops that were offered and were well attended. I had the privilege of leading a workshop on Tuesday morning entitled, "Whatcha' Reading?" I was encouraged by the response to the workshop and pray that it was helpful.
Being at a camp, there are a lot of other activities that are available. The Pastors won this year's Pastor/Delegate Softball Game, folks went fishing, shot archery, played Tri-State Dodgeball, went swimming, worked on crafts, played carpetball, and spent some much needed time relaxing on the porch for fellowship and counsel. I also participated in at least four executive committee meetings, regular meetings, and was reelected to serve on the Executive Committee for another two years.
Pastor's Pen - 2010-08-08
The FFBC Annual Conference
This afternoon, my family and I will head up to Montague, New Jersey to participate in the 2010 Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches.
As many of you are aware, our church became a member of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches in August of 2007 at the Annual Conference. As a member of the FFBC, we stand together with other churches of like precious faith and seek to be a voice for Christ in the midst of a world of darkness.
The FFBC started in 1939 as the "Bible Protestant Church" - a Fundamental response to the theological liberalism that was becoming more and more prominent in the day. While the FFBC has changed in some of its details over the years - including the changing of the name in the 1980s, this group has continued to stand firmly on the Word of God and I rejoice that our church is able to stand with them.
The Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches has a couple of ministries that we are able to do as a group. Our church personally benefits from the "Church Development Program" which helps small churches and church plants through financial assistance. The FFBC also has an Annual Youth Rally - this year's is Sept. 25 in Carneys Point, New Jersey, a youth essay contest, a small church-housed Bible institute, and some other forms of ministries. The most prominent and recognized ministry of the FFBC is probably Tri-State Bible Camp, located on the Delaware River where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet.
For the last few years I have had the privilege of serving on the Executive Committee of the FFBC and I rejoice in that opportunity of leadership within the FFBC. The Annual Conference is an interesting combination of business meeting, camp, activities, workshops and preaching. This year Dr. Richard Stratton from Clearwater Christian College is our main speaker.
In addition to participating in the Executive Committee meetings and the business meetings, this year I will also be leading a workshop on Tuesday morning. Please pray for us while we are gone.
This afternoon, my family and I will head up to Montague, New Jersey to participate in the 2010 Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches.
As many of you are aware, our church became a member of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches in August of 2007 at the Annual Conference. As a member of the FFBC, we stand together with other churches of like precious faith and seek to be a voice for Christ in the midst of a world of darkness.
The FFBC started in 1939 as the "Bible Protestant Church" - a Fundamental response to the theological liberalism that was becoming more and more prominent in the day. While the FFBC has changed in some of its details over the years - including the changing of the name in the 1980s, this group has continued to stand firmly on the Word of God and I rejoice that our church is able to stand with them.
The Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches has a couple of ministries that we are able to do as a group. Our church personally benefits from the "Church Development Program" which helps small churches and church plants through financial assistance. The FFBC also has an Annual Youth Rally - this year's is Sept. 25 in Carneys Point, New Jersey, a youth essay contest, a small church-housed Bible institute, and some other forms of ministries. The most prominent and recognized ministry of the FFBC is probably Tri-State Bible Camp, located on the Delaware River where New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania meet.
For the last few years I have had the privilege of serving on the Executive Committee of the FFBC and I rejoice in that opportunity of leadership within the FFBC. The Annual Conference is an interesting combination of business meeting, camp, activities, workshops and preaching. This year Dr. Richard Stratton from Clearwater Christian College is our main speaker.
In addition to participating in the Executive Committee meetings and the business meetings, this year I will also be leading a workshop on Tuesday morning. Please pray for us while we are gone.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Pastor's Pen - 2010-08-01
The following is taken from the August 1, 2010 edition of the Pastor's Pen (which is printed on the back side of our Sunday bulletin).
What a week!
This past week we had Vacation Bible School here at Fellowship Baptist Church from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. It was great to see all of the young people come out each day to hear the Bible taught and to participate in the games and crafts.
We had a pretty consistent group just over 30 children each day of Vacation Bible School and from the reports I have heard over the week, they all had a great time.
Not only did we have a good group of young people come out for the Vacation Bible School, we also had a great team of workers. As I was trying to figure out exactly how many adults and young people came out to help with Vacation Bible School, I discovered that at least 20 workers participated in at least one aspect of the ministry at least one day. Many folks wore multiple hats throughout the week and in the days preceding VBS as the building was decorated, flyers were given out, and much "behind the scenes" type of work was completed. A lot of the clean-up has been completed, but you will probably notice little things that still need to completed as you move around today. Use those things as a reminder to pray that the Lord will continue to work in the lives of those touched by our Vacation Bible School this week.
Not only did we have Vacation Bible School for the younger children during the week, on Friday evening we had the Cola Clash Youth Rallyand had around 20 young people come out and participate in the Cola Clash. We had a good time and a Gospel message was preached. I again wish to thank all of those involved with helping out with the Cola Clash.
Debra Blades
Today will be Debra Blades' last Sunday here at Fellowship before she moves to Tennessee to live with sister. We have loved having Debra as part of our church and will greatly miss her smiling face. Please continue to pray for her as she moves to Tennessee and continues to battle cancer.
What a week!
This past week we had Vacation Bible School here at Fellowship Baptist Church from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. It was great to see all of the young people come out each day to hear the Bible taught and to participate in the games and crafts.
We had a pretty consistent group just over 30 children each day of Vacation Bible School and from the reports I have heard over the week, they all had a great time.
Not only did we have a good group of young people come out for the Vacation Bible School, we also had a great team of workers. As I was trying to figure out exactly how many adults and young people came out to help with Vacation Bible School, I discovered that at least 20 workers participated in at least one aspect of the ministry at least one day. Many folks wore multiple hats throughout the week and in the days preceding VBS as the building was decorated, flyers were given out, and much "behind the scenes" type of work was completed. A lot of the clean-up has been completed, but you will probably notice little things that still need to completed as you move around today. Use those things as a reminder to pray that the Lord will continue to work in the lives of those touched by our Vacation Bible School this week.
Not only did we have Vacation Bible School for the younger children during the week, on Friday evening we had the Cola Clash Youth Rallyand had around 20 young people come out and participate in the Cola Clash. We had a good time and a Gospel message was preached. I again wish to thank all of those involved with helping out with the Cola Clash.
Debra Blades
Today will be Debra Blades' last Sunday here at Fellowship before she moves to Tennessee to live with sister. We have loved having Debra as part of our church and will greatly miss her smiling face. Please continue to pray for her as she moves to Tennessee and continues to battle cancer.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Pastor's Pen - 2010-07-25
The following is from the Pastor's Pen that occurs on the backside of our Sunday bulletin.
Vacation Bible School is Here!
One of the songs that my home church would sing for Vacation Bible School started off with the words, "Vacation Bible School is here, and to it we'll give a cheer." As you look around the church today, the fact that Vacation Bible School is here should be obvious.
I hope that the Vacation Bible School decorations and items spread throughout the building serve as a reminder for you to be praying for Vacation Bible School this week. While a lot of work has went into getting things ready for this week, God's blessing is necessary if anything of value is to be accomplished this week of Vacation Bible School This really is a great opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a number of children.
Our theme for Vacation Bible School this week is "SeaQuest: Diving for God's Treasure" and features lessons concerning treasures taken from the parables of Jesus Christ - for instance the parables of the treasure hid in the field and the pearl of great price.
The Cola Clash is Friday
While you are thinking and praying about Vacation Bible School, please also pray for The Cola Clash Youth Rally that we will be hosting on Friday night. This event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be a great time for the teens as they participate in a number of games and activities. Please take a few flyers and invite out some teens that you know (or even teens you don't know) to join us for this activity.
Church Website
The church website has been updated and moved to a new hosts over the summer. There is still work to be done on the site, but it has been greatly improved. A special thanks is due to Scott Zockoll for his work in getting the website moved to its new location and working on improving the layout and design. Thanks, Scotty.
Vacation Bible School is Here!
One of the songs that my home church would sing for Vacation Bible School started off with the words, "Vacation Bible School is here, and to it we'll give a cheer." As you look around the church today, the fact that Vacation Bible School is here should be obvious.
I hope that the Vacation Bible School decorations and items spread throughout the building serve as a reminder for you to be praying for Vacation Bible School this week. While a lot of work has went into getting things ready for this week, God's blessing is necessary if anything of value is to be accomplished this week of Vacation Bible School This really is a great opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a number of children.
Our theme for Vacation Bible School this week is "SeaQuest: Diving for God's Treasure" and features lessons concerning treasures taken from the parables of Jesus Christ - for instance the parables of the treasure hid in the field and the pearl of great price.
The Cola Clash is Friday
While you are thinking and praying about Vacation Bible School, please also pray for The Cola Clash Youth Rally that we will be hosting on Friday night. This event will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be a great time for the teens as they participate in a number of games and activities. Please take a few flyers and invite out some teens that you know (or even teens you don't know) to join us for this activity.
Church Website
The church website has been updated and moved to a new hosts over the summer. There is still work to be done on the site, but it has been greatly improved. A special thanks is due to Scott Zockoll for his work in getting the website moved to its new location and working on improving the layout and design. Thanks, Scotty.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Some Thoughts Regarding Youth Ministries
This month will be a very busy month around here at Fellowship Baptist Church, especially in the area of ministry to youth and children. While we do not have large numbers of young people at our church, we do believe that ministering to young people is very important.
Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me" (Mark 10:14) and warned in Matthew 18:6 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
In the next few weeks, please be in prayer for the following four major events will be occurring involving our church and young people:
1. Teen Week at The Wilds
The teens leave TOMORROW for a great week at The Wilds. Weeks at The Wilds have often proven to be weeks of great spiritual challenge and encouragement in addition to a great time of fun, excitement and memories. This year we have five young people going to camp and Mr. John Crowley will be taking them. This trip leaves tomorrow morning. Please be in prayer for this week.
In addition to praying for this week, we will have a special offering after the morning service to try to help with some of the cost of this week of camp. In addition to the cost of getting back and forth to camp, we would also like to provide assistance to some of the young people who need financial assistance to help cover the cost of camp. Please prayerfully consider what you can give for this offering.
2. Junior Week at Tri-State Bible Camp
Next week, the junior age young people are heading off to Tri-State Bible Camp in New Jersey. There are still openings for this week if anyone would like to attend.
3. Vacation Bible School
We will be hosting our annual VBS the week of July 26-30 from 9 am - 12 noon. In addition to helping out the days of VBS, we also could use help with snacks, prizes, inviting folks out and more.
4. Cola Clash Youth Rally
On Friday, July 30, we will have a Cola Clash Youth Rally here at the church for young people in grades 7-12. We look forward to an exciting time of outreach.
Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me" (Mark 10:14) and warned in Matthew 18:6 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
In the next few weeks, please be in prayer for the following four major events will be occurring involving our church and young people:
1. Teen Week at The Wilds
The teens leave TOMORROW for a great week at The Wilds. Weeks at The Wilds have often proven to be weeks of great spiritual challenge and encouragement in addition to a great time of fun, excitement and memories. This year we have five young people going to camp and Mr. John Crowley will be taking them. This trip leaves tomorrow morning. Please be in prayer for this week.
In addition to praying for this week, we will have a special offering after the morning service to try to help with some of the cost of this week of camp. In addition to the cost of getting back and forth to camp, we would also like to provide assistance to some of the young people who need financial assistance to help cover the cost of camp. Please prayerfully consider what you can give for this offering.
2. Junior Week at Tri-State Bible Camp
Next week, the junior age young people are heading off to Tri-State Bible Camp in New Jersey. There are still openings for this week if anyone would like to attend.
3. Vacation Bible School
We will be hosting our annual VBS the week of July 26-30 from 9 am - 12 noon. In addition to helping out the days of VBS, we also could use help with snacks, prizes, inviting folks out and more.
4. Cola Clash Youth Rally
On Friday, July 30, we will have a Cola Clash Youth Rally here at the church for young people in grades 7-12. We look forward to an exciting time of outreach.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Easter Season is upon us
This time of year is an exciting time of year for a lot of people.
Spring is in the air - and with it comes flowers, grass, and the sense that everything is new again. The deadness of winter is passed and life is springing up everywhere.
More important than the advent of spring, however, is that this time of year also leads us to a more focused attention on the central message of Christianity - the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While it is true that every Sunday is a reminder of the Resurrection (and one of the reasons we worship on Sundays), there is a special sense in which Resurrection Sunday (Easter) brings a focus on the vitally important events that make up the Passion Week - the week which brought the crowd's praise on Palm Sunday and the crowd's cries of "Crucify Him" later in the week. The week that culminated with a sham trial, a broken and bloody and crucified Savior, and a discouraged following.
As we end the week, it looked like all was lost - when it reality things were just beginning.
"Up from the grave He arose" begins the chorus of the great Robert Lowry hymn - and what a triumphant truth that is. Jesus Christ arose!! Death could not keep its prey. Jesus died for our sins and He was resurrected and in doing so, He was declared the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).
Please join us over this season as we take some time to look into God's word and to consider the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Frank Sansone
Spring is in the air - and with it comes flowers, grass, and the sense that everything is new again. The deadness of winter is passed and life is springing up everywhere.
More important than the advent of spring, however, is that this time of year also leads us to a more focused attention on the central message of Christianity - the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While it is true that every Sunday is a reminder of the Resurrection (and one of the reasons we worship on Sundays), there is a special sense in which Resurrection Sunday (Easter) brings a focus on the vitally important events that make up the Passion Week - the week which brought the crowd's praise on Palm Sunday and the crowd's cries of "Crucify Him" later in the week. The week that culminated with a sham trial, a broken and bloody and crucified Savior, and a discouraged following.
As we end the week, it looked like all was lost - when it reality things were just beginning.
"Up from the grave He arose" begins the chorus of the great Robert Lowry hymn - and what a triumphant truth that is. Jesus Christ arose!! Death could not keep its prey. Jesus died for our sins and He was resurrected and in doing so, He was declared the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).
Please join us over this season as we take some time to look into God's word and to consider the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Frank Sansone
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wow! What a past couple of weeks!
The last couple of weeks has been a very unusual time here in Salisbury. The strong snow storms back to back to back have taken a toll on a lot of folks. With roofs collapsing, cars getting stuck, children staying home from school day after day, and church services having been cancelled for two Sundays and a Wednesday night, it seems like we live in a winter wonderland rather than our normally sunny Delmarva.
We still have some work to do over the next couple of days to try to get the parking lot and sidewalks at church cleared off, but barring something unforseen, we should be able to have our services again this Sunday. (YAY!)
For those who may not have heard, due to the snow and the cancelled services, our Fellowship Sunday has been moved to February 28th. We will also have the Annual Members Meeting on that day after the Fellowship Meal.
It is my understanding that blogger is making some adjustments to the way that it does hosted blogs, so I may also be needing to make some adjustments to this small (and seldom used) pastoral blog some time in the near future.
Have a good day and may you focus on Christ as you walk and work today.
In Christ,
Pastor Frank Sansone
We still have some work to do over the next couple of days to try to get the parking lot and sidewalks at church cleared off, but barring something unforseen, we should be able to have our services again this Sunday. (YAY!)
For those who may not have heard, due to the snow and the cancelled services, our Fellowship Sunday has been moved to February 28th. We will also have the Annual Members Meeting on that day after the Fellowship Meal.
It is my understanding that blogger is making some adjustments to the way that it does hosted blogs, so I may also be needing to make some adjustments to this small (and seldom used) pastoral blog some time in the near future.
Have a good day and may you focus on Christ as you walk and work today.
In Christ,
Pastor Frank Sansone
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