THE WITNESS
of First Baptist Church, Malden
Editor: S. Jacobson October 2012 Volume XXXVI Number 7 ________________________________________________________________
HELPING TO ALLEVIATE CROWDED BEDS
Do you remember the following children’s song?
There were ten in a bed, and the little one said ,"Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were nine in a bed, and the little one said,"Roll over, roll over."
So they all rolled over and one fell out. ....
There was one in a bed, and the little one said, "I'm lonely."
We laugh at the thought of that imagery, but in some cases there is dire overcrowding in bedrooms around the world. Once such place is the Jatson Chumig School and Orphanage in Lhasa, Tibet. This is home to over 150 children and overcrowding has been horrific - children piled 2-, 3- and sometimes 4-to-a-bunk. Massachusetts Baptists have been supporting this organization and thus far, the girls’ dormitory has been finished - providing each little girl a bunk of her own - she is no longer sharing a bed, nor is she really lonely, since bunkmates are nearby. But the goal is to eliminate the overcrowding on the boys’ side as well and to help upgrade the sanitary conditions there. Approximately $46,000 still needs to be raised. There is currently a “challenge gift” available where every dollar given toward this project will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $15,000.
Massachusetts Baptist churches have an opportunity this fall, through the World Mission Offering, to designate some of their annual offering to this project. In addition, gifts for this specific project may also be received. Our Board of Christian Mission has accepted this challenge and voted to designate a portion of this year’s WMO to the Mission Explosion project in Tibet. In addition, the Board is challenging each of us to make additional contributions specifically for this project.
So, when you decide to support of our mission work around the world through the WMO, please prayerfully consider giving an additional amount - noted as “Tibet Project” - so children in this orphanage may live (and sleep) in healthier conditions.
SHOW FAITH IN GOD IN ALL WE DO
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
THANK YOU
... to the following who volunteered at the Feeding Ministry on Friday September 21: Peggy Blum, Bob Clarkson, Richard & Doreen Freeman, Marilyn Glover, Irving Greenblatt, Delphine Haldane, Jim & Betty Hickey, Chuck & Cindy Huddy, Joseph W. Mercuri, Mae Upperman; Max, Naomia and Selena Vilvopoma and Pastor Martha Dominy. Thanks also to Jim Hickey for the doing the shopping and to those who baked and donated cakes.
... to all who helped with the concert and collation honoring the memory of Robert K. Love on September 23 and the collation for the Judson Association held at our church on September 30.
...to all church members and friends for your prayers, cards and words of encouragement during my recent illness.
Peggy Blum
... to everyone for the cards and kind words after the passing of Eric.
Karen and Kevin Quinn and Family
PRAYER CONCERNS
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Lucille Berry
Noreen Jacobson
Barbara Tolstrup
Dr. George Tooze
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Gifts to the church in memory of Jose Lantin Sr. have been received from:
Launa Cooper
Lucille Berry
Irene Hofmann
Joseph W. Mercuri
WORK DAY
Saturday, October 13
8 a.m. - 12 noon
Projects are planned for both inside and out
MEDFORD ON THE MYSTIC ARTS FESTIVAL
“Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit”
A one-woman multimedia production written and starring Laura R. Duggan
Sunday, October 21 2:00 p.m.
Grace Episcopal Church
160 High St., Medford
Tickets: $15 Adults and $10 Children under 12 years old
Refreshments included
For tickets and information contact:
Laura Duggan (781-395-4397) or
Grace Church (781-396-7215)
SAVE THE DATE!!!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2012
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
“THE OLDE TYME HOLIDAY FAIRE”
The date is set and plans for the fair are well underway. There will be lots of great items for sale and delicious food to purchase and eat, so be sure to put the date on your calendar!
Below is a list of the tables and items needed. It takes many people to have a successful fair and it would be greatly appreciated to have donations to help us out. If anyone would like to help contribute to any of the tables please call the contact people listed below. Some of the things needed for each table are included.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Pine cones (all sizes), small baskets, Christmas ornaments in good condition, any other Christmas decorations in good clean shape. rene Hofmann 978-851-4779
CREATIVE CRAFTS: Handmade items of any kind other than Christmas. Susan Bowdridge 781-324-3156
GIFTS GALORE: Any new or like-new items suitable for gift-giving, especially things for men. Marilyn Glover 781-322-5631
JAZZY JEWELS: New or like-new jewelry in good clean condition. Small jewelry boxes and display racks. Virginia Williams 781- 944-5009
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES: Antique and collectible items in good clean condition. Older china & silver pieces, vintage linens, old pictures. Judy Dean 603-527-4160 or Barbara Tolstrup 781-322-7789
BOOK BONANZA: Hard cover and paperbake books and novels. No textbooks or magazines. Cindy Huddy 781-322-8457
COUNTRY STORE: All kinds of baked goods, jams, jellies, relishes. Bags of wrapped Christmas candy. Claire Stevens 781-438-5258
THE DONUT SHOP Will have coffee and donuts available for early morning shoppers.
THE LUNCH STOP Will offer delicious soup, sandwiches, dessert and beverages. Donations of cash or gift cards to help purchase food items would be appreciated. Sharon Jacobson 781-324-2745
OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET SOME OF OUR MISSIONARIES
Friday-Saturday, October 19-20 American Baptist Churches of Mass.
MISSIONWORKS at Four Points by Sheraton in Leominster, MA
Speakers: Judy Sutterlin (China),
Rev. Ray Schellinger (Mexico),
Rev. Lisa Harris (USA)
Contact our church office for more information and/or a registration form
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 11:30 a.m. FBC, Malden
Mission Speaker: Rev. Ray Shellinger
Ray and his wife, Adalia, work with the women of the "Dios Con Nosotros" Baptist Convention of Northern Baja California, Mexico. Together with the women of Tijuana, they have begun Deborah's House, a ministry to victims of domestic violence. Deborah's House brings together a diverse mix of services, including crisis intervention, healthcare, shelter for victims, counseling and education for both victims and abusers in these situations. The Schellingers also offer workshops to all churches in the region on alternatives to violence, self-esteem, relationship skills, and communication.
A free light lunch will be provided as part of this presentation. Please call the church office by Oct. 18 to reserve a space, if you do not regularly attend the Tuesday Bible study.
Saturday, October 27, 10:00 a.m. FBC, Melrose
Mission Speaker: Kristy Engel
Kristy Engel tries to live by her saying, "Do what you can, with what you've got, in the moment you're given" through her medical work in La Romana, Dominican Republic and the surrounding sugarcane villages. ... Her two dogs, Kobe and Sasha, are also part of her ministry by being her "patients" as she demonstrates appropriate oral hygiene by brushing their teeth and talking about caring for our bodies. "When I work with my dog, Kobe, to teach children proper hygiene by brushing his teeth, bathing him and brushing his coat," she says, "most of the kids know his name better than my own!"
FBC, Melrose is providing a brunch as part of Kristy’s presentation. There is no charge for the event, but there will be an opportunity to support Kristy’s work through a free will offering. To reserve your seat, please call their church office (781-665-4470) by Oct. 24.
BABIES, BOOKS AND BIBS
A literacy program of the Medford Family Network (MFN) designed to introduce first-time parents to the importance and joy of reading to their baby.
The MFN is distributing free gift bags containing a quality board book and bib, a copy of the MFN’s latest newsletter, the Medford Community Directory for Families with Young Children, general development information and activities to help babies learn and grow.
Gift bags are FREE and offered to first-time parents who live or work in Medford. To receive a gift bag, contact the MFN at 781-393-2106.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the Church Women United of Malden, Medford and Melrose, and Grace Episcopal Church in Medford.
LIFE'S TREASURES!?
CHURCH OFFICE
Rev. Martha A. Dominy Pastor
Marilyn Glover Organist
Sharon Jacobson Secretary
Richard Freeman Bookkeeper, Choir Director
Phone: (781) 324-2745
Fax: (781) 324-9495
E-mail: fbcmalden@verizon.net
www.fbcmalden.org
http://theonlinewitness.blogspot.com
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 9 :00 - 4:00
SHOW FAITH IN GOD IN ALL WE DO
