This summer we have begun, and

will continue, to explore our

identity, our policies, and how we

operate as a church family. The

last few years we have seen

incredible growth. This has

created some growing pains and

challenges, but also excitement

and renewed energy. It is safe to

say that we are not the church

we were 3–4 years ago. In this

month’s Scroll article, I want to

share some thoughts with you

regarding “what is going on” and

“what is next”.

In our Bible study groups, we

have been focusing on Scriptures

that speak about the church.

Through these discussions, we

have begun to look at why the

church exists, values we hold as

a church family, our identity, and

why we exist. My hope is that, as

we enter the Fall season, we will

begin forming a new mission

statement, developing a logo for

the church, lifting up our values,

and using that identity to shape

our ministry together.

In recent months, I have

recorded some statements that

individuals made when speaking

of our church. The list that

follows speaks well to our

values as a church as we see it

unfolding in the book of Acts.

Check out this list and see how

well it represents us as a

church.

Worship is Transformational

The Message is Central

Prayer is Potential

Fellowship is Amazing

Hospitality is Genuine

Discipleship is a Journey

Generosity is Normal

Ministry is an Adventure

Love is a Verb

Inviting is Expected

Jesus is Everything

All churches need vision, a

direction, a road map to follow.

The above list speaks to our

values; actual and hoped for. As

we enter the Fall and Winter

seasons, we will take some time

to flesh these out in such a

way that they speak to our

identity, motivation, and passion.

There are items on this list that

we are excelling at, and there

are items we aspire to. In all of

them, we find values that the

early church lived by (Acts 2)

and in which they were blessed

and growing as a result.

PASTOR

Rev. David Anderson

MINISTER OF MUSIC

Dr. Matthew McConnell

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Lora Peck

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday–Friday,

8:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M.

PHONE:

413/663-3780 or

413/664-8256

FAX:

413/664-8275

EMAIL:

firstbaptistnorthadams

@verizon.net

WEBSITES:

firstbaptistnorthadams.org

campashmere.org

DE E P THOUGHTS W I TH PA S TOR DAVE

continued →

AUGUST 2016

We will be spending time creating a

mission statement that speaks to our

identity—a short sentence of 6–8 words

that is easily memorized and lived out in

everything we do. An example would be

“Love God, Love People, Share it with

the World” or “First Baptist Church: A

Community of Faith, Love, and Hope”.

What are your thoughts and ideas? Give

us your input; shoot us an email or drop

your ideas off at the office. All ideas will

be incorporated in the brainstorming

process as we develop a statement that

brings excitement, pride and, motivation.

We are also finishing our Constitution

Revision. The goal is to present changes

to the congregation this Fall for

approval. A great deal of time has been

spent looking at our policies, operating

procedures, board structure, and

governance. Again, our church was not

what it was 3–4 years ago. Growth has

found us in an almost fluid state, which

has been exciting but at times challeng-

ing. Praise God for the blessings of

growth.

We will be also starting a brief

endeavor of sending out a few small

teams to visit others churches similar in

size; a fact-finding mission of sorts. We

want to observe their hospitality, worship,

children and youth ministries, disciple-

ship, structure, facility, fellowship, and

identity. We sometimes get so caught up

in our own church context that we forget

that God is doing a mighty work in many

churches. What is going on elsewhere

might very well help us to define our

next steps together as a church family. If

you would be interested in going forth

DE E P THOUGHTS CONT I NU ED

as part of a team, please speak to

Pastor Dave. Teams will be forming

soon.

One new topic that we will

be touching upon is staff, and the

possibility of adding a second front-line

ministry position. Ongoing growth has

put us in the position of needing to

add to our staff. A small team has

been formed to begin the conversation

and, in time, the congregation as a

whole will be looked to for input and

ideas. This possibility brings about

much potential for our church, but the

discussions will also need to include

careful and intentional consideration as

to what this will mean for us financially.

Stay tuned for more on this front in

the coming months.

Our newly formed Worship Arts

Team has been meeting to help discern

what is next for our worship experience.

Worship is one area in the life of a

church that can cause a measure of

conflict. We have different musical

tastes, varying desires for the message,

and a plethora of opinions when we

look at tone, feel, and esthetics. My

vision for worship is somewhat

simple….if the Body of Christ is made

up of many diverse parts, and if all of

these diverse parts gather at one time

for worship, then the worship experience

must do its best to connect with ALL

parts of the Body of Christ who have

gathered. There are mature believers

and new Christians, and those in

between, in the pews. There are young

and old, and everything in between, in

the pews. There are people from a wide

Page 2

Page 3

ADV ENTURES W I TH PA STOR DAVE

Through the Summer and Fall, a monthly

event will be offered. Some will be free,

some will have a small cost. Some will

be for exercise, some will offer social

opportunities. ALL will offer a chance to

be outside enjoying God’s creation.

On Sunday, August 14 at 12:30 P.M. we

will gather at the church to head to

Bosquet for water sliding, mini golfing,

go-carting, and other summer time fun.

The cost will be $12 per person. Sign up

with Pastor Dave if you want in!

We will be collecting a different item

every month. There is a box on the Mis-

sions table in the chapel for donations.

COLLECTION ITEMS FOR AUGUST:

School Supplies

OPERAT ION CHR I S TMAS CH I L D

range of church backgrounds and no

church backgrounds in the pews. Our

worship experience should and must

reflect that amazing diversity.

Many churches have gone the route

of 2 worship services, one contemporary

and one traditional. My struggle with that

is we are then dividing the Body of

Christ. We all need the traditional hymns

AND a taste of what is musically new

within the Body. We need traditional

approaches to preaching AND the

graphic, interactive, cutting-edge elements

for a world that is becoming more visual.

Is it possible that worship should not be

a “this OR that” experience but instead a

“this AND that” experience that brings

together the whole Body of Christ?

The last few years have been an

amazing journey for our church, and

there is still much to be experienced

and explored. Growth brings about

change, and change sometimes brings

about challenges. As your pastor, I feel

that at times I have managed it well, and

at other times I have managed it not as

well as I would have liked. The growth of

our church has changed the complexion

of my position in a number of ways,

and for me that has been exciting and

unnerving at times. We are blessed to be

a church that has almost doubled in size

over the last few years. We are blessed

to be a church in which I anticipate that

this growth will continue.

I am praying for fruitful discussions,

planning, strategizing, and decision-

making that will help us as a church take

these next steps together as a family.

Yes, this month’s article was a lot

longer than usual...but Wow! God’s

blessings have been bountiful, and there

is much to do. Want to get involved?

Please speak to me and we will find a

place for you. Blessings!

DE E P THOUGHTS CONT I NU ED

Page 4

DATE WORSHIP OFFERINGS

June 26 161 $2,743.50

July 3 181 $4,213.50

July 10 162 $3,524.00

July 17 167 $2,670.00

OFFERINGS TOTAL: $13,151.00

OFFERINGS NEEDED: $15,200.00

SHORTFALL: $2,049.00

WATER DONAT IONS WEEKLY STATISTICS

The weather is hot, and so is the sanc-

tuary! We are looking for donations of

bottled water to be used for worship on

Sunday mornings. If you are able to

help, please leave your donations on the

bench outside of the church office.

I N T RODUC I NG . . .

MYLES MATTHEW ALLEN July 1, 2016

8lb, 2oz

Parents: Holly Solak & Josh Allen

Siblings: Mackenzie & Maxwell

Aunt & Uncle: Scott & Jen Solak

L ILLIAN ROSE MERANTI July 8, 2016

7lb, 13oz

Parents: Matthew Meranti & Beth Malynn

Grandparents: Steve & Connie Lincoln

Great Grandparents: Bob & Connie Lincoln

Uncle: Mitchell Meranti

KAMRYN MARIE SPOONER July 5, 2016

4lb, 5oz

Grandparents: Fritz & Judy Spooner

Aunt: Sarah Spooner

Page 5

NURSERY

7 Jen Solak & Peg Shartrand

14 Heidi McCausland & Krista Tower

21 Lora Peck & Lauren Bellows

28 no nursery: worship @ Fish Pond

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

7 Kim Miller & Melissa Montoya

21 Steve King & Nancy Kennedy

BIRTHDAYS 1 Matt Goodermote

3 Bryce Robison

4 Kathi Lampron

Jeff Kurpaska

5 Melissa Crews

6 Prudy Gravel

7 Lyla Crews

Paulette Fullerton

8 Jeff Kennedy

9 Diane Perry

10 Marion Beer

14 Dale Bona

15 Paul Goyette

Cooper Olimpo

Gary Clark

16 Judy Licht

18 April Olimpo

21 Alex McCausland

Judy Spooner

22 Heidi McCausland

Nicole Volff

23 Elizabeth Wood

Stefanie Tatro

24 Enid Shields

26 Myrna Harvey

Frank Risatti

27 Declan Cantoni

29 Corey Kennedy

Kim Dix

31 Herbie Putnam

DEACON ON CALL (If there is information that needs to be

shared, if you need to pray, or if you need

help, please call the Deacon on Call.)

July 31–Aug 6

Kathy Church 652-4562

Aug 7–13

Eloise Stevens 663-5272

Aug 14–20

Lois Hescock 663-9526

Aug 21–27

Kathy Church 652-4562

Aug 28–Sept 3

Eloise Stevens 663-5272

B I RTHDAYS & ANN I V E R S A R I E S

S E RV I NG I N AUGUST

ANNIVERSARIES 3 Frank & Eloise Stevens

6 Bob & Melanie St. Pierre

8 Emory & Janet Scholl

Jerry & Nancy Bush

13 Steve & Lisa Brown

14 Steve & Lori King

16 Chuck & Anita Mosher

19 Brian & Laurie Douglas

23 Randy & Sue Wood

Rev. Roy & Winnie Burdick

27 Bob & Connie Lincoln

Page 6

Too often in the news we are hearing

and seeing shootings and violence! We

begin to have feelings of doubt, and we

ask the question, “why”? Where is God

in all this?

The following excerpt from a daily

devotional by Joyce Meyer challenges us

to ponder why we are really asking that

question.

“In recent years, I’ve begun to think that

‘why’ isn’t what Christians are really ask-

ing God. Is it possible that we’re asking,

“God, do you love me? Will you take

care of me in my sorrow and pain? You

won’t leave me alone in my pain, will

you?” Is it possible that, because we’re

afraid that God doesn’t truly care about

us, we ask for explanations?

Instead, we must learn to say, “Lord

God, I believe. I don’t understand, and I

could probably never grasp all the rea-

sons why bad things happen, but I can

know for certain that you love me and

you are with me—always.

Heavenly Father, instead of asking for

answers to the why questions, help me

to focus on your great love for me.

When Satan tries to fill my mind with

troublesome questions, help me to feel

the protection of your loving, caring arms

around me. Help me always to show my

gratitude and devotion for all that you

do for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

On July 10, the deacons held a

bake-less bake sale to raise money for

deacon ministries. A bake-less bake sale

is really, you, giving a donation to the

deacon board. Thank you for your gener-

osity in giving! we raised $112. The

winner of the drawing for the tote bag

was Lisa Mineau.

The deacons are compiling a list of

church family members who are in

college, or some kind of training beyond

high school. If you or someone you know

within the church is beginning this Fall,

or who is already attending school,

please let me know. We want to keep in

touch with you!

Together we serve,

Emory Scholl

THE DE ACON ’S B ENCH

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 FOLLOWING WORSHIP

COF F E E HOUR

Join us for refreshments and fellowship.

We missed July due to other events.

Come eat, drink (church punch), and be

merry! Coffee hour gives us one of the

best opportunities to get to know our

church family.

As we move into the Fall season, we

will be working creatively to move part

of our crowd down to the Eagle St Room.

How exciting it is to know we have grown

to where the chapel is no longer big

enough! There will be a goodie table and

beverages served on both levels of the

building.

P R A YER R EQUESTS

Page 7

NORTH ADAMS COMMONS Rosemary Andrews

Bessie Lapine

Ivis Lewis

WILLIAMSTOWN COMMONS Lyle Blanchard

Marion Beer

FILLMORE POND Ray & Elaine Bentley

HEALTH ISSUES Nancy Anderson

Kerry Arigoni

Martha Bean

Owen Benoit

Ruth Boucher

Lisa Brown

Stan Brown

Barb Busl

Elmer Douglas

Judy Duquette

HEALTH ISSUES CONTINUED

Barb Garling

Myrna Harvey

Joanne McNulty

Linda Quimby

Emory & Janet Scholl

Barbara Spencer

Donna Sprague

Ralph Underwood

Gail Weber

Frankie Williams

Carrick Wood

Phyllis Wylde

Fran Zappula

IN THE MILITARY Elizabeth Culpepper

Sarah Lapine

Bryce Lyons

Jon Oleson

Hayden Parsons

Justin Schovenac

OTHER CONCERNS Matthew Arigoni

Sam McVinney

MISSIONARIES John Carrick & Family

in Bohn, Germany

Joel & Karen Gray

in Africa

Joanna Hodges

in Haiti

Hector Newman

in Honduras

Karen Smith

in Thailand

B I B L E S TUDY U PDAT E S

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

We will continue to meet throughout the

summer, with the monthly potluck held

at the parsonage on August 16. All are

asked to bring a salad, side dish, or

dessert to share.

THURSDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

This 5:30 P.M. Bible study with Pastor

Dave will be taking the remainder of the

summer off.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

We will NOT meet on August 3, 10 or 24.

The group WILL gather at the parsonage

on Wednesday, August 17 for a potluck

cookout. Pastor Dave will fire up the grill

and prepare something yummy. All are

asked to bring a salad, side dish, or

dessert to share. We will resume our Bible

Study on August 31.

in this light, the inclusion of an

excerpt from his student George

Gerswhin’s “I Got Rhythm” in The

Schillinger System of Musical

Composition can be viewed as a

humorous pun. Schillinger continues his

conclusion by saying that this limited

exploration of rhythm was “because they

[Western composers] thought in terms of

ordinary musical notation.” Messiaen was

of the same opinion, and wrote about

the inadequacy of traditional notation

to depict complex rhythms. Both he

and Schillinger proposed ways to

overcome this inadequacy, but even

earlier, Alexander Scriabin...”

In addition to playing piano works by

both composers for demonstration during

my lectures, I’ll be performing in concert

with one of my former students my third

night abroad. While not at the Conserva-

tory, I plan to visit several churches,

test-drive a few organs, purchase books

and novelties, and play on some

well-maintained, historic pianos touched

by Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich,

and Tchaikovsky! All-in-all, this will be an

inspiring trip, and I may even be able to

bring back a very traditional, Russian

musical instrument to add to my

ever-growing collection. If that is the

case, you’ll definitely hear it make an

appearance during a worship service at

FBC!

God Bless You,

Dr. Matt

Page 8

MUS I C NOTES

Interested in what I’m lecturing on

at the Moscow Conservatory? Here

you go: “Composers Alexander

Scriabin (Russian, 1872-1915) and

Joseph Schillinger (Russian, 1895-

1943): How to employ the theories of

Joseph Schillinger to analyze non-diatonic

harmonic motion in the piano preludes

Alexander Scrabin.” Below is a taste from

the "summary" I’ve prepared for partici-

pants to digest their first day:

"Schillinger drew inspiration from

mathematics. This included the series of

prime numbers, the power series, the

Fibonacci series, and series employed in

visual creations, including biblically-derived

plot-points used in the “writing” (painting)

of Russian Orthodox icons. He also

utilized a strict additive and subtractive

series, while Olivier Messiaen applied

looser elements of addition and subtrac-

tion to notes in his own way by using

additive and subtractive values, motivic

transformational tools used create

variation in pre-composed musical phrases.

Like Messiaen, Schillinger also had an

interest in the rhythmic complexity found

in non- Western music. He was, at one

time, working as an ethnomusicologist for

the State Institute of the History of Arts,

and this work exposed him to the

rhythmic intricacies of “primitive” music,

leading him to the conclusion that: “The

history of creative experience in [Western]

music shows that even the greatest

composers have been unnecessarily

limited in their rhythmic patterns.” Perhaps,

Page 9

CHURCHW I D E TAG SA L E

The 2016 fundraising tag sale is

scheduled for Saturday, September 10.

As you clean, please put aside any

good, working items that you could

donate to the sale. (Please, no clothes,

TV’s or computers. Furniture items will be

considered.). Also, be thinking about how

you can participate in this project as it

draws nearer!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 5:30 P.M.

ANNUAL MUS I C B ANQUET

Part of the Sanctuary Choir? Bell Choir?

Praise Team? Soloist? If so, join us at

the 6’ House in Williamstown. We will

order off the menu, with each person

paying for their own meal. Please join us

as we celebrate the amazingly musical

year we’ve had!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10 BEGINNING AT 5:30 P.M.

DOWNTOWN C E L E BRAT ION

Join us as we head downtown to share

in the city’s BIG summer event. We will

again offer bounce houses, games, face

painting, and activities. We will also be

serving beverages and food.

A team is forming to lead this event. A

sign-up sheet will be available at the

Welcome Center if you are interested in

helping our church gain some visibility

within the community.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 AT 10:30 A.M.

WORSH I P ON THE WATER

In recent years, the downtown has been

taken over by Motorama. This has made

arriving at church for worship on that

Sunday a challenge, soooo….

During Motorama we will be worship-

ping at Fish Pond with a few other area

churches. Come and sing, sing, sing.

Our plan is to hold a music-heavy “sing-

spiration” service.

We will gather on the shores of the

lake to share in great fellowship without

all of the parking hassles and traffic of

Motorama.

Stay tuned for more information. We

may even turn this into a cookout/picnic

event!

Page 10

Swim, play, rest, hike, fish, go boating,

sit by a campfire, read by the lake, do

a craft project, play foursquare, kickball,

volleyball, foosball, capture the flag,

lawn games, board games, enjoy a

movie under the stars, hang with friends

and family, make ice cream sundaes,

visit the Ashmere Store…

This list speaks to just some of what

you (and your family) can to at Camp

Ashmere’s Family Camp Weekend. There

will be something for everyone!

You can reserve a cabin, a room, or

bring your own tent, RV, or trailer.

There's room for all.

This weekend away is affordable for

everyone. Come with your family, a

friend, or by yourself. Come for an

afternoon, a day, an overnight, or for the

whole weekend!

Enjoy the blessings of our little piece

of God’s creation. End the Summer with

a bang, and start the Fall off right with a

great weekend away.

LODGING & MEALS

Family (up to 4) all weekend: $150

Individual all weekend: $80

Family (up to 4) daily with meals: $40

Individual daily with meals: $20

(Children under 5 are free)

F AM I L Y CAMP @ ASHMER E

RA L L Y DA Y

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: SEPTEMBER 2–5

We have not yet hit August, but Septem-

ber will be here before we know it! With

it comes Rally Day – our Fall launching

point to experience things anew within

the life of the church.

Worship on Rally Day will be BIG and

it will be special. Adult Sunday School

and Children’s Sunday school (grades

K–5) will begin again. Groups that took

time off during the summer will resume.

Following worship on Rally Day, the

entire church family will be invited to a

cookout/potluck picnic at the Clarksburg

Field. The Board of Christian Education

will provide the meat, but all are asked

to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to

share. We are hoping to have a bounce

house for the kids, games for all ages,

and...

The Amazing Race—teams of four

will head out in cars for approximately

3–4 hours to engage in activities,

challenges, searches, and games. It will

be wild! Put together a team and get

signed up. This will be the event of the

Fall season!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 FOLLOWING WORSHIP

PRAYER WARRIORS

Every Wednesday at 6 P.M.

Please join us in the upper room (off the

chapel) and let’s pray together. “For

where two or three are gathering together

in my name, there I am in the midst of

them.” (Matthew 18:20)

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, August 6 at 8 A.M.

Join us in the Eagle St. room and partake

in culinary delights, guy conversation, and

a powerful and impactful Bible study.

WOMEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, August 6 at 8 A.M.

We will meet in the conference room for

a continental style breakfast and a bible

study. Please join us!

YOUNG ADULT GROUP

Sunday, August 7 & 21

at 5 P.M. at the church

‘The Group’ is organized of young adults

that meet twice a month. The 1st Sunday

of every month features a potluck meal

and fellowship. The 3rd Sunday of the

month features a bible study, fellowship,

and snacks! It is never to late to join us!

HARVEST FAIR: PLANNING

Wednesday, August 10 at 10 A.M.

Anyone interested in planning and organiz-

ing this year’s event is welcome to

attend.

ADULTS UNLIMITED

Friday, August 12 at 6 P.M.

No church business, just church

fellowship! Each month is a new venue.

Questions? Call Fran Czarnecki.

COFFEE & CRAFTS

Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 P.M.

Come join us at the parsonage for a fun

evening of crafting, conversation, and

coffee (or tea). Please RSVP to Jen if you

are able to attend. She will provide the

coffee/tea, you provide your craft!

FIGHTING WITH FAITH

Sunday, August 21 at 6 P.M.

This community support group is for

anyone who has been touched by

cancer). We will inspire, and be inspired,

through fellowship, scripture, prayer, and

stories of hope and strength. Light

refreshments will be served.

POTLUCK PALS

Friday, August 26 at 6 P.M.

Join us in the Eagle St. room and bring

an appetizer, main dish, or dessert to

share. We have a great time socializing

and eating, with occasional entertainment.

BRUNCH BUDDIES

Sunday, August 28 at 12 P.M.

We are heading out to brunch! We will

share in a great meal at a local restau-

rant as well as share in great fellowship.

MORE U PCOM I NG E V ENTS

Page 11

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 131 Main Street

North Adams, MA 01247

HOW TO SURV I V E THE S T R ES S OF SUMMER BY TRACIE MILES

The threat of summer craziness becomes

reality - work obligations, sports practic-

es, mission trips and church activities.

Isn’t summer supposed to be footloose

and fancy-free? Are relaxing summer days

merely a thing of the past?

We have more and more days when

we lose our patience or harbor a bad

attitude, or have had quite enough of

"family time." Days when we feel power-

less against the exhaustion of our busy

schedules and stress rules the roost.

It may seem that easy summers are

long gone. However, we can make it

through the hectic days and stay at

peace despite the chaos. God promises

He will help us with whatever we face:

"The LORD gives his people strength. The

LORD blesses them with peace" (Psalm

29:11).

When we remember to focus on God’s

sweet goodness, instead of all the scrib-

bles on our calendar, we can proactively

manage our summertime. We can receive

God’s calm, even in a busy and sometimes

stressful time of the year.

Busyness and stress can heat up

quicker than the summer sun. But it is

possible to stay cool on the inside. Wheth-

er we are low in spirit or low in energy,

depending on God and seeking a daily

infusion of His strength and peace can

ensure a less stressful summer.