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Excerpts from The New Outlook Mid October 2007 Mission Teams Get Underway Since that time, a number of these ideas and some others have taken shape, and mission teams have formed to make them happen. If you are interested joining any of these efforts, contact Steve Jones or one of the team members.
Do any of these projects reach out and grab your interest? If so, join the team! You can make a difference! Upcoming Sermons
October 21: “Hospitality: A Challenge
to Exclusivism” October 28: Welcoming One Another to
New Humanity” Young Adult Potluck—And a New Class! A new church school class for young adults will be launched on Sunday, November 18, at 9:15 a.m., with Judy Gurley as the teacher. We will focus on the 49 questions Jesus asked his followers in the Gospel of Matthew. We’ll look at the context in which the questions were asked, their significance at the time, and how they were answered. Then we’ll apply those same questions to our own time, and look at what they mean to us and how we might find the answers. We had a great time getting together at
the Wakefield home this summer and we’re looking forward to meeting again and
learning together each week. Second’s Youth Help Fight Hunger
Participants from Second were Will Adams, Meadow Faulkner, Charlie Garside, Melanie Keeney, Ryan Keeney, Courtney Nall, Rebecca Nall, and Kara Reagan. Rebecca brought friends Christie Bergesch and Matt and Tim Zemanek along to walk, too. Thanks to Shari for organizing this! ABW Focuses on Human Trafficking A number of programs have been developed to teach others about the problems and assist the women involved. Missionary Annie Diselberg works with NightLight Design Co. Ltd., a business-as-mission, which employs and empowers women affected by the sex trade in Bangkok. Group meetings aid the healing process by giving victims an opportunity to share with each other. Other programs offer training in English and life and health skills as well as presenting the love of Christ. Help break the chains that hold these children and women in poverty and bondage by praying for them and the missionaries who serve them. Third Baptist has invited us to hear missionary Marilyn Oakes speak on the topic "Not for Sale” on November 6 at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. The cost is $4. RSVP to Mildred Shelton.
For more information on
what ABW is doing about human trafficking, go to www. abwmbreakthechains.org. Men's Breakfast How Has Second Baptist Been a Blessing in
Your Life? We will create a large “Second Baptist Church Blessings Book.” By now you should have received a packet that includes special blank sheets of paper, one for each member of your household, and you are urged to write about how Second Baptist Church has been a blessing in your life. Please write your blessings page in the coming two weeks. If you would like assistance, contact one of the following volunteer scribes: Judy Gurley, Judy Comfort, Karen Fields, Kara Reagan and Jo Koehler. Turn your page in unfolded to the church office for inclusion in the Second Baptist Church Blessings Book. On Sunday, November 11, we will read selections from the book that members and friends have written as the sermon on that day. From the Pastor Then, I was asked to preach at the recent Trustee meeting and was told that Jennifer Davidson would be the liturgist. When Jennifer emailed me, she said she was looking forward to working with me again. In an instant, my memory fell into place as I realized that this “Jennifer Davidson” was someone I knew very well. She had attended Central Baptist Church during her student years at Eastern College and I had officiated at her wedding to Doug Davidson. Both were active leaders in that church. I didn’t realize that they had moved to the West Coast. So, we emailed back and forth and put the worship service together. That evening at the service, Doug and their 9-year-old son, Elliott, attended. It was a wonderful reunion. After the service, Jennifer said something to the effect that it seemed so natural listening to my preaching after all the intervening years. What really impressed me was Jennifer’s worship leadership gifts. It brought back memories of Jennifer leading in worship while I served at Central. I recognized her poise, growth and maturation. When she stood behind the communion table, raising her arms upward in priestly blessing, it was a significant moment for me. As I reflected upon this, I was struck by the nature of pastoral ministry. Serving in my sixth pastorate, I have been there for significant chapters in the history of those churches as well as with hundreds of members. As I have moved on, I have been conscious not to complicate the congregation’s transition to a new pastor. However, people build on the foundation we laid together. They have sifted through the grain and the chaff and taken the best with them. And so often, as a pastor, I don’t get to see the early dreams come to reality. Sometimes, I have helped people envision new possibilities or sense God’s call. And I have learned to trust that they will continue their paths of faithfulness and rich blessings will come to fruition. I’ve been in the seed-planting business: working in the rich soil, planting bulbs. And then, to my surprise, this poised young adult woman stands before me leading in worship with such thoughtful confidence. As Jennifer completes her doctoral studies, she could be the only American Baptist in the nation with her qualifications. In her teaching career, she could make a huge contribution in an area in need of her creativity. And she made me proud to be in pastoral ministry again. Often unable to see the outcome, years later it comes to fruition in God’s own way and time. – Stephen Jones
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
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9030 Clayton Road (at McKnight Road, 3/10 mile west of the Galleria) St. Louis, MO 63117 (314) 991-3424 |
