When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. 2 Timothy 4:13

"When I get a little money, I buy books. If there is any left over I buy

food and clothes." -Erasmus I love books. Anyone who has ever been to my office or my home would see that. Even though I am a fairly slow reader, I like to dedicate much of my time to reading and skimming different kinds of books. My goal is to read at least one fiction book a year, and at least 20 books apart from my regular sermon study.

When I was a new believer, I would go to my pastor’s office and wonder, “Why does he have so many books?” Maybe you wonder the same thing. Well, here are a couple of reasons why books are such an important part of a preacher’s life.

Because books are my continuing education. The more I learn about God and His Word, the more that I come face to face with my own ignorance. It seems that every question I answer only serves to point out 2 more questions I need to ask. There is only so much that you can learn in school…even in Seminary. Any preacher that wants to continue to grow in his understanding of the Word of God must do serious research on his own. Books are an important tool in the pursuit of truth.

Because books encourage my heart. Life can be difficult sometimes, and reading about others who have served the Lord in a similar role as I do is often an incredible encouragement to me. As I read biographies of great preachers or theologians, I discover that these men struggled with many of the same deficiencies that I do. Also, these men faced similar discouragements and experienced similar failures, granting me the blessing of learning by their example…either good or bad.

Calvary’s Light

Why Preachers Love Books Well...or maybe just why THIS preacher loves books...

Contents

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | CALVARY BIBLE CHURCH | APRIL 2020

Pg 1-2 Pastor Dom

Pg 3-4 Library Link

CBC Calendar Update

Pg 5 Calvary Kids

Pg 6-7 Upcoming Events

Marketplace

Also, in the pages of books, I find encouragement that there are others in the world asking the same questions that I do in my study. Very often, one of these men have been studying God’s Word long enough to give a reasonable answer to something that has completely baffled me.

Because books show me examples of what God might do through me. Sometimes, it can be humbling to read biographies. When we read about the amazing things that God has done in the lives of others, it can make us feel pretty small in comparison. However, if God can do these amazing things in the lives of others, couldn’t He also do the same things through me? Books (especially biographies) remind me that God is powerful and great men are only great because of a great God. Because books show me what others are being taught. Not all that glitters is gold. Often, a book may become very popular and have great influence on the church, but really cause more confusion in God’s people than blessing. Reading popular Christian books can give me some insight into what Christians are finding helpful and whether or not these books are truly biblical in their content. What is “popular” is not always “good,” but it is often helpful to know what is popular so that I know where the battle lines are in our culture. Because books point me back to the only perfect book. There is only one perfect Book. Understandably, some may very well say, “Then, why don’t you just study THAT Book?” One answer is that to better understand God’s great Book, certain other books are particularly helpful. For instance, a knowledge of Greek and Hebrew can be very helpful in interpreting God’s Word. It would be virtually impossible to learn Greek and Hebrew without books. A great number of my books are collected biblical sermons by my favorite dead Preachers. Many of these Preachers died long ago. Even though they can no longer be heard, in print they still speak, and that can be really, really helpful. I love books that point me back to the only perfect Book and show me its wonder! Reading can be difficult, and research can be exhausting. That is why Solomon says, “ But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body (Ecclesiastes 12:12)”. On the other hand, good books deepen our understanding of God’s Word and thereby strengthen, challenge and encourage us. Please pray for me that God would lead me to the books that will help me to be more effective in serving you and to increase my joy in our Lord, whose word alone is perfect. 1 Corinthians 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Pastor Dom

Why Preachers Love Books (Continued)

Why purchase books when you can borrow them from us?

There have been many changes in CBC’s Library this year that we hope will draw more patrons to visit. Our Online Management System is up and running. Our access location is https://cbchanover.libib.com/. We have also included in our online collection our DVD section of over 200 DVD’s. Please browse our complete library of books and DVD’s.

We are placing an emphasis this year on ordering a variety of non-fiction books to use as a supplement to God’s Word, to encourage patrons to develop a strong Christian life. We have discipleship books for mentors such as The Lost Art of Discipleship by LeRoy Eims; Biblical Principles of Discipleship by Allan Coppedge; The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee; The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur and some other classics as well. We will continue to search for and purchase books that are relevant today to help strengthen our body here at Calvary Bible Church.

CBC’s Library policies have changed as well. Instead of loaning books and DVD’s for two weeks, we have extended it to 3 weeks. Fines for late books and DVD’s are $1 per week. If we have your email in our system, we will generate a reminder that your book is due, as well as when it is late. The fees for damaged or lost books and DVD’s will be the current market prices with our book distributor. We also will be enforcing a new policy that children 12 and younger must be accompanied by a parent while visiting the library. Any checkouts will be put on the parent’s library card. If you are already a library patron we have created a library card for you, so just stop in and pick it up once church reopens. Students over twelve will be eligible for their own card.

We are still accepting book donations. We appreciate all of your past donations! So please, clean out your unwanted book collection and bring them in. Any books will be greatly appreciated.

CBC’s Library has been reset to book categories instead of the Dewey Decimal System. We trust that this will make it easier for our patrons to find the books that they are looking for. The categories would include (but are not limited to): Eschatology (future things), Soteriology (Salvation), Missiology (Missions), Controversial Topics, Bible Resources (Concordances, Bible Handbooks), Characters of the Bible, Discipleship, Church History, Christian Living, Finances and Business, Marriage, Family, Psychology, Systematic Theology and Biographies. Of course, we have hundreds of fictional novels for both kids and adults. We also now have the Disney version DVD of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and also Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis.

David Alan Richard April, 2020

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were wri en down, I suppose

that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be wri en.

John 21:25 NIV 2011

CBC April Event Calendar

All events and services are cancelled until further notice.

CBC’s Sunday sermons can be viewed on Youtube.com; search under Calvary Bible

Church, Hanover PA

Library Link “I awoke with a start and stared into the darkness, trying to recall the details of

the dream. What did it mean? I was standing on the risers in the midst of a choir,

yet not conscious of anyone standing on either side, my eyes fixed on the face of

the one who was leading the choir. His eyes were intense, focused, and he spoke

earnestly, directly to me. “Everything that has happened in your life has been a

dress rehearsal leading up to this moment. It has all been prepara on for this song

that you are about to sing. Now sing it with passion!” As I pondered the dream, I

tried to analyze the se ng for the choir scene. It seemed to my bewildered mind

that it was set in heaven. Was life here on earth, then, a dress rehearsal for the

grand performance to come a erwards?”...

“I began to review my own life, remembering the failures, the lessons learned, the trials, and the joys. I

wondered if there was a life lived by someone I had known who exemplified the Chris an graces, whose

life had been both a dress rehearsal and an example, who was well prepared to sing that final song. And

my thoughts went to Aunt Mae.”

Dress Rehearsal wri en by Deborah Lake (wife of long me CBC and BMW Missionary Bill Lake) is a

biography of her friend and life‐long mentor, “Aunt” Mae Jones. From her impoverished beginning and

throughout her journey in life, Aunt Mae was a constant witness of what a life lived for the Lord can

accomplish in the lives of others. Aunt Mae and her husband, “Uncle” Bill, lived lives of sacrifice and

outreach to some of the neediest of society that le an eternal impact on many—an example of Christ’s

love that is well worth following.

Calvary Kids now has a Facebook Page!

Please search “@calvarykidsCBC” on Facebook & “Like” and “Follow” our page to receive informa on regarding Sunday School, Children’s

Church, VBS, Awana, & Kid’s Camp.

PLEASE NOTE: May 11th’s Training Session with Lisa Garlick has been postponed un l the Fall, date TBD.

All submissions will remain in the marketplace for two months unless the church office is no fied

otherwise. Please call the office if your items have sold or your need is met.

CBC MARKETPLACE

HELP NEEDED/VOLUNTEER: From Elizabeth Deruiter: I’m looking for a caregiver (mostly before and

a er school) in August 2020 when school begins again for my daughter Des ny, 6:15 AM‐ 6:00

PM. She would need to be taken to Hanover Middle School by 7:50 and picked up at 2:50 PM. She

usually needs tutoring a er school, and when that happens, the pickup me would be 4 PM instead

of 2:50 PM. I don’t want her walking to school. Please contact me if you can assist with this need by

sending a text to 443‐340‐2778 with your name and phone number. Thank you for being a blessing.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events