THE WITNESS
of First Baptist Church, Malden
March 2012
“Lord, Is It I?”
“As they were at table eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, ‘Is it I?’”
Have you ever considered what was going through the disciples’ minds as they sat with Jesus for what were their last few hours together? In a rented or borrowed upper room, the group gathered to enjoy the annual Passover dinner. But this meal would be very different from any they had ever participated in before. Jesus, their master, takes on the role of a servant and washes the feet of his followers. He states that one of them will betray him. He gives them a new commandment to “love one another.” And then gives new meaning to the bread and wine they enjoy during their meal.
We recall that evening each time we share in Holy Communion - in our church on the first Sunday of each month and on Maundy Thursday. This year Maundy Thursday - the day before Good Friday - is April 5. Some Christians call this day “Holy Thursday,” while others use the term “Maundy Thursday.” Most scholars agree that the English word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum (commandment or mandate) that is the first word in Jesus’ instruction to his disciples in the upper room: “A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another.”
Our Maundy Thursday service this year will include a dramatic portrayal of the Last Supper and include personal reflections by each of the disciples. They will recall various events from Jesus’ ministry and how they were involved. The service will also include hymns, special music, and sharing of the bread and cup.
The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Please invite a friend and join us for this inspirational worship experience.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
THANK YOU
The following is an excerpt from a letter we received from Ruth Clark, President of the American Baptist Churches, USA, who attended the Judson celebration weekend (February 18-20):
Dear Pastor Martha and First Baptist Church Family,
What a wonderful gift of hospitality we experienced in our time with you last weekend! Your warm welcome, the very special worship service as we enjoyed music, celebration, and the word proclaimed, and the time of fellowship over a meal made our visit to First Baptist Church of Malden a most memorable experience.
Please thank your church for the work they did to host us on Saturday. The warm welcome and help in getting all of us on the busses to begin the tour, then to host us for the diner and the worship service upon our return was much appreciated.
It was such a delight to meet you and be in your church during this 200th celebration weekend and have the opportunity to meet the folks of First Baptist. ...
... to all who have given to the America for Christ Offering. To date we have received $135 towards the goal of $750.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Lucille Berry
Katherine Horton
Jose Lantin Sr.
Andy Nowak
Richard Freeman
HOUSING FAMILIES
Housing Families is a 50 family homeless shelter and permanent housing program. The vibrant Children’s program owes a large part of it’s success to committed volunteers. If you love kids and want to have some fun, the children’s program is always seeking volunteer tutors. Volunteers that can give an hour or two a week to help children complete homework and increase their math and language skills are needed. Children ages 5 through 18 need help. All volunteers receive training and support to make the experience fun and worthwhile. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Heather Ventresco at Housing Families 781-322-9119 x 133.
MEMORIAL GIFT
A gift to the Church in memory of Mildred Johnston, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of her birth, March 10th, was given by her daughter Claire Stevens.
WORK DAY
Come help clean and beautify our Church building and grounds. The Property Trustees and members of the church family will meet on Saturday March 31 at 8:00 a.m. to scrape peeling paint, sweep plaster dust, re-stock the offering envelopes in the pews and make other preparations to the Sanctuary and building for the Palm Sunday and Easter Services. Anyone who is able is encouraged to attend.
HABITAT LUNCHES
As part of our congregation’s covenant with Habitat for Humanity-North Shore, we are providing lunch for all of the volunteers working at the Peabody site on Saturday, April 7. Help is needed to prepare the lunches at our church at 9:30 a.m., deliver the meals to the work site, and stay through lunch and clean up afterwards. If you are able to help with some portion of this activity, please contact Marilyn Glover, Vice Chair of the Board of Christian Mission.
HABITAT ANNUAL
AUCTION and DINNER
Friday, April 27th at the Danversport Yacht Club, there are a few seats left at the table and tickets are $20. Call the church office if you would like to attend.
HELP SEND A KID TO CAMP
Kids are already making plans for which camp they will attend this summer.
GROTONWOOD is located in Groton, Massachusetts on 270 wooded acres, just 45 minutes from Boston. The camp features a waterfront and boating area on beautiful Lost Lake. OCEANWOOD is located in Ocean Park, in the town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine on 110 acres, just 4 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. The camp features its own in-ground pool as well as close access to one of the most beautiful beaches in Maine.
With the help of scholarship money from the church we have sent many of our kids to these camps in past years and will again be helping kids go to camp. The Board of Christian Education believes that every child who wants to go to camp should be able to go without worry about the cost. The Board is asking for donations from the congregation to help fund this worthy cause. Please place your donations in the offering plate marked “camp scholarship” or sent it to the church office.
Registration forms, health information forms, general information forms, and directions to the camps are available from the church office or by going to the camp website www.grotonwood.org for more information. Please speak to Sharon Jacobson, Chair of the Board of Christian Education for camp scholarship forms.
All scholarships applications must be returned to the Christian Education Board no later than May 13.
EASTER FLOWERS
Sunday, April 8, is Easter Sunday ~ if you would like to order flowers please send this form with your check, made payable to Boy Scout Troop 603 to the church office.
ALL ORDERS ARE DUE
TODAY.
I WISH TO ORDER
__________________ LILIES at $10.00
__________________TULIPS at $13.00 (Red ___ Pink ___ Yellow ___)
__________________AZALEAS at $13.00
Given in:
Memory of:_________ Honor of: __________
__________________________________________________________________________
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Given By:________________________
Phone Number:___________________
Payment Enclosed $________________
I will pick up_______________
Please give to a shut-in_______
NOMINATIONS FOR
LAY PERSON OF THE YEAR
Past recipients have been: Betty Hickey (1992); Doris Porter (1993); Jim Hickey (1994); Ken Meader (1995); Phyllis Knight (1996); David Williams and Andrew Nowak (1997); Charles Henry (1998); Yvel Sylvain (1999); Sharon Jacobson (2000); Lisa Jacobson (2001); Charles Huddy (2002); Marilyn Glover (2003); Jose Lantin Jr. (2004); Frank and Irene Hofmann (2005); Noreen Jacobson (2006); Dottye and Mark Foxon (2007); Steve Lacey (2008); Claire Stevens (2009); Paul Patrie (2010) and Launa cooper (2011).
Please take a moment and make your nomination for Layperson of the year for 2012, and give your reasons why you feel the person deserves this honor. Nominations should be given to the Moderator Paul Patrie or Pastor Martha Dominy by April 29.
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CHURCH OFFICE
Rev. Martha A. Dominy Pastor
Marilyn Glover Organist
Sharon Jacobson Secretary
Richard Freeman Bookkeeper, Choir Director
Kevin Quinn Maintenance
Phone: (781) 324-2745
Fax: (781) 324-9495
E-mail: fbcmalden@verizon.net
www.fbcmalden.org
www.thewitness.us
Church Office Hours:
Monday Thursday 9 :00 - 4:00
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