Excerpts from The New Outlook

Early October 2007
 

Honoring Bob Johnson for 30 Years as Our Custodian
Join us for a special Coffee Fellowship this Sunday, September 30, to honor Bob Johnson for his 30 years of going-the-extra-mile service to Second Baptist. He has been such an asset—not only keeping the church clean and set up, but doing many of the repairs we would normally have had to hire someone to do, conferring with contractors--just doing whatever was needed, as well as being a cheerful and helpful presence to all of us. Bob had to retire on disability earlier this summer, and we miss him very much.

Bob reminisces: “I went to the unemployment office in Clayton after I came up here from down south, and they told me that Mrs. Koechig [Neola Koechig, Second’s Property Management Chair for many years] was looking for a custodian who was dedicated to their work and wanted to keep a job forever. I was looking for the same thing. She and her husband and Rev. Hoffman interviewed me and hired me after the first interview.

“It was a good job. Mrs. Koechig and Rev. Hoffman had faith in me and made me feel welcome at the job. I enjoyed going to work just to be around the people. They allowed me to use my thoughts and accepted them. The people I was working with were like friends as well as my employers. We worked together—I was a part of things. I took Second Baptist to me more than a job—it was like a home. I loved the job, and I miss you all now.”

Please pass on your memories of Bob’s time here to Tim Keeney before Sunday. If you would like to contribute to a farewell gift, please give your donation to Jim Shepardson or the church office.

Upcoming Sermons
Continuing our series, “Gateway to New Beginnings”:

September 30: It’s Worth the Risk
There are no beginnings without risks.  We are called to take the risks that bring God’s New Beginning into reality.                             Text: Luke 9:57-10:9

October 7: A World of New Beginnings
God is doing something new in the world, calling the world together in ways unheard of until this time.  It is God’s Global Call.              Texts: Psalm 24:1-2;  Luke 4: 27-30, 39-42

World Communion Sunday

LAUNCHING OUR VISIONS!
We are looking for people to volunteer to work with the projects below. If you are interested, call the church office at (314) 991-3424.

This was the top vision of the congregation in the “vision voting” on September 9.  It calls for turning part of our six acres into a “walk in the woods” with our famous founder, creating a series of two-dimensional relief sculptures highlighting the significant aspects of his life.  We need a team of volunteers to explore this proposal and to determine its feasibility.

We have just learned that the Karen people began arriving in numbers in August in St. Louis and 10 more arrive in September. The International Institute in the city is very interested in our becoming sponsors of 1-2 families.  The Institute provides housing and living stipend, but collection of household items, supporting the orientation of individual family members, networking and resourcing are needed. A team of volunteers could agree to launch this effort on our behalf.

Through “Angel Tree” we have learned of the great needs of children whose parents are incarcerated. The need is mentoring, befriending, not housing or hosting. A team of members could launch this effort.

Another top vote-getter in our envisioning process. A team of volunteers could investigate what might be needed, but it would include a concert-quality piano, and perhaps lighting and sound equipment. Anyone interested in jazz? We might also include blues because of its St. Louis roots.

Another top vote-getter in our envisioning process. We need a team of people to develop a “Welcome Center” in our narthex, and to take an in-depth look at how we attract, invite, welcome and include guests in our church. Recommendations could follow.

We’ve had persons express interest in building houses related to St. Louis Habitat for Humanity. If a group of volunteers came forward, this could easily be launched.

Organize with others a weekly series of classical concerts next Summer in our rose garden.

Grand Piano Demonstration and Congregational Forum
For the next two weeks we are going to have a gorgeous brand-new grand piano to try out in our sanctuary - for free and at no obligation to us!

The story behind this begins at the Church Council retreat, August 18, when Brad and Marilyn Short were asked to report on the condition of our musical instruments. Their most immediate concern is for the grand piano in the choir loft, which has outlived its usefulness and needs to be replaced. Built in 1915, this Steinway was originally a player piano and designed to be only a novelty. We are fortunate that we got so many serviceable years out of it, but due to its age, it is increasingly difficult to keep in tune, and repair costs could easily exceed the cost of a new instrument.

In addition to replacing the piano in the loft, however, wouldn't it also be wonderful to have a performance-level grand piano down on the floor of our sanctuary? Our choir would have the option of singing down in front of the congregation, as could our soloists and ensembles. Even more exciting, we could go forward with our vision of having a St. Louis Jazz Vespers and other concert series at our church.

Several piano dealers have been contacted to give us bids on how much it would cost to make all this possible. John Bower of Piano Distributors is letting us use a Yamaha grand piano in our September 30 and October 7 services - at no cost or obligation to us.

The choir will sing down front both Sundays and is working on two anthems in contrasting styles which will feature piano for accompaniment. Marilyn is also working on several interludes and offertories for the grand piano for those two Sundays.

 
Please come to a Congregational Forum at the close of worship on October 7 at noon. The piano representative will be there as well as Brad and Marilyn, and a discussion will be held along with questions and answers. The cost of two grand pianos is significant and  would require special gifts. The Congregation Forum is being organized to provide everyone with all the information available as we consider future options.
Rick Hoyt
Spiritual Growth Co-Chair

Book Group to Discuss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
On Tuesday, October 9th, the Book Group will meet at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room to discuss A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,  by Betty Smith. "Six decades after it was published and became an instant best seller, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn  continues to be read by people from all countries and circumstances. . . .  Originally written as memoir, it was reconfigured as fiction at  the request of an editor [and became the story of Francie Nolan growing up in Brooklyn during the early years of the 20th century.]   --From the  Foreword, by Anna Quindlen.

World Mission Offering
The American Baptist World Mission Offering provides us an opportunity each fall to provide direct support of our American Baptist overseas ministries.  Many American Baptists are proud of our overseas ministry because:

We have wonderful ABC missionaries serving around the world.  We urge you to make a special gift in the coming weeks.  Rick Rardin is our mission offering coordinator.

A New Song for Second Baptist
Last Sunday in church we sang a song written by Dr. Stephen Jones, our new pastor, especially for this time of transition at Second Baptist Church. Here are the words:

Stand in the Gateway
A Hymn for New Beginnings at Second Baptist Church

Stand in the Gateway, Parting of Time
Wait for the Holy, vision sublime
Face each new moment, promise untold
Look from the Gateway, ready and bold!

We are God’s people, shall we move on?
So stands the future, bright as the dawn.
God never fails us, this is our day!
Gather, all peoples, look up and pray.

Narrow the Gateway that leads to life.
Easy the wide path that leads to strife
Only the seeking venture to see
Christ in the Gateway: for you and me.

So let it be, God, your will on earth!
And may it cause our promised new birth
Lead with such power, so we can be
Bold in your Spirit, called to be free!                        

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Sun    8:45 a.m,      Adult Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
         9:15 a.m.      Classes for Children, Youth and Adults
         10:30 a.m.    Worship in the Sanctuary
         11:30 a.m.    Reception for Bob Johnson, honoring his 30 years of working  at  Second Baptist
Mon   7:00 p.m.      Obsessive-Compulsive Group                      
Tue    1st and 3rd   10:00 am, American Baptist Women
Tue    6:30 pm        Adult Children of Alcoholics
Wed   7:00 p.m.      Choir Rehearsal

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Oct   5     Youth Group to Six Flags, meet at church 5:00 pm
 Oct  7     World Communion Sunday,
               Piano Forum following worship, 11:45 am                       
Oct   9     Book Group, 2:00 pm, Community Room                                             
Oct 14     Congregational Meeting to vote upon refinishing Sanctuary/narthex floor                                                                                  
               Middle School Youth, 5-7 pm, Samuel UCC                                       
Oct 15     Council meeting, 6:15, Fellowship Hall             
Oct 27     Men’s Breakfast, 7:30 am (Note change of date) 

9030 Clayton Road (at McKnight Road, 3/10 mile west of the Galleria)    St. Louis, MO 63117     (314) 991-3424