A monthly newsletter for members and friends of
First Baptist Church of Painesville - March 2016
Church
Link
ABC Ohio Welcomes New Executive Minister
Rev. Dr. Ernest H Jones
It is official! After ten months of diligently seeking God’s leading, the Executive Minister Search Com-
mittee, chaired by the Rev. Dr. Marva Hughes of Dayton, recommended a candidate to the Region Board at
their November 7, 2015, meeting. After meeting with the candidate, the Board voted unanimously to extend a
call to the Rev. Dr. Ernest H. Jones of Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Jones has officially accepted our call and
will begin his service with ABC/Ohio on January 1, 2016, succeeding Dr. Larry Swain who will be retiring on
December 31, 2015. Please join us in praise and thanksgiving to our Lord for His abiding presence with our
Search Committee during their time of discerning His will for ABC/Ohio. We ask for your prayers and support
for Dr. and Mrs. Jones as we welcome them in 2016 to help us continue our mission of Building Healthy
Churches that Impact the World for Christ. A formal installation service will be planned for Dr. Jones in the
Spring of 2016.
Early in the life of Reverend Dr. Ernest H. Jones he received the call to ministry and was licensed to
preach at the age of twelve. Since that time his life has been devoted to the Gospel ministry. Dr. Jones is a
graduate of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Eng-
lish, and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts, where he received a Master of Di-
vinity degree in 1989. In 2013 he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary
After graduating from Andover Newton Theological School, Dr. Jones accepted the call to serve as As-
sistant to the Pastor of the East End Tabernacle Baptist Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut. His interests in
working with youth soon lead him to the Connecticut Superior Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he
provided pretrial adjudicatory intervention with at-risk youth.
In 1994, Pastor Jones became the first African American to assume an executive level position with the
Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, where he served as Church Missions Director. He was responsible
for developing the Council’s award-winning Bridge Building Initiative (BBI), a community discussion/action
forum. Under his leadership the BBI was recognized as a Promising Practices Program by The President's Ini-
tiative on Race in 1998 and was a recipient of Chase Bank’s Harmony grant, among others.
(Continued on next page.)
Hosanna
Circle
(Continued from Previous Page.)
In October of 1998, Dr. Jones was called to serve as the Pastor of
the Greenwood Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Under
his pastorate, the church has experienced increased spiritual vi-
tality as it has repositioned itself as a community-based congre-
gation for 21st century ministry. The congregation provides a
range of outreach and educational ministries, and is in the proc-
ess of developing the only Protestant preschool to serve a com-
Dr. Jones’ community involvements include serving as chair of
New York Methodist Hospital’s Pastoral Care Advisory Com-
mittee; working as an organizing clergy member of Faith in New
York, Brooklyn, serving on the Live Free steering commit-
tee addressing issues related to mass incarceration. He is a fac-
ulty member at New York Theological Seminary, North Cam-
pus, in Ossining, NY; and he is the immediate past President of
American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York and a current member of the board’s Public Missions
committee.
On the national level, Dr. Jones is a member of the Board of General Ministries ABC USA, serving on the
Committee for Christian Unity and Interreligious Relations. He is an ABC USA appointee to the National
Council of Churches Convening Table on Interreligious Relations and is the ABC USA representative to the
Shoulder to Shoulder campaign steering committee, an interfaith organization founded in 2010 by over 20 na-
tional religious groups dedicated to ending anti-Muslin sentiment by strengthening the voice of freedom and
peace.
In August, Dr. Jones and his wife, Denise, an educator, celebrated thirty years of marriage. They have been
blessed with two wonderful children: Candace Alaura, who receives her MSW from the University of Chicago
May 2016, and Adam Harrison, a neuroscientist in research at Boston Children’s Hospital.
And now, a new chapter is added to the life of Dr. Jones and Denise as we welcome them to the American
Baptist Churches of Ohio!
Hosanna Circle Eleven sisters gathered on February 1, 2016 at the church for our first meeting in the
new year. Our singing was good, our sharing of scripture or poems inspirational, and
our prayer time for family and friends sincere and intense.
Jackie informed us that Project Hope has said food for 50 is needed when we next serve on March 31. This
includes meat, potatoes and vegetables. Several girls volunteered to make this possible.
We look forward to the church membership support for the soup sale on Sunday, March13. Money earned
will help our circle meet our financial budget.
Gwen gave an interesting talk about her sister and husband’s time as missionaries in Nigeria, showing several
items from there. She, too, tied this to our theme, “A Time to Serve.”
Our next meeting is Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the church. Thought—words of Mary Brainard: “I see not
a step before me as I tread another year; but I’ve left the past in God’s keeping—the future His mercy shall
clear; and what looks dark in the distance may brighten as I draw near.”
Jacquie Wolf
A big THANK YOU...
...for all your donations of money and food for the pantry!
In February 5 families were helped through our food pantry ministry.
Help First Baptist by purchasing
Giant Eagle Gift Cards
See Sandy in the office during the week if you are interested. ______________________________
Also...please remember to place
your paper in the green and yellow
PaperRetriever recycling bin on the east side of the building.
Food Pantry Please continue to help us keep the
following food items on our shelves
so we may be able to help the needy
in our community: applesauce, canned
fruit, vegetables, tuna, soups and
baked beans, cereal, pancake mix and syrup, spa-
ghetti sauce, macaroni & cheese, boxed potatoes,
Hamburger or Tuna Helper, Miracle Whip, 100 %
fruit juices, and Jell-o. Monetary gifts will be grate-
fully appreciated, as well. Thank you!
Wendy Fredebaugh
Food Pantry Coordinator
Caring Ministry The Caring Ministry had a meeting on February 4,
2016. Our discussion included future plans for the
Welcome Center and new families with children.
Our Pantry was able to help nine families in January.
We are always looking for donations to the pantry so
that we may serve those in need.
The Caring Ministry is looking for a Team Leader
and additional volunteers. The Caring Ministry has
many roles that are important within the church. A
few hours of your time would be greatly beneficial.
If you may have an interest or know of anyone who
may be of interest, please feel free to contact Traci
Burrington, Team Leader.
Traci Burrington
Caring Ministry Team Leader
Treasurer’s Report A monthly Treasurer’s Report is posted on
the bulletin board outside the church office.
Brian Reilly
Treasurer
Moon Light
Why does the moon not see my plight?
Is it because that in the dark it lacks the light.
My feelings wax and wane with each beat of time.
The song whose rhythm makes it lyrics fail to
rhyme.
Yet as my years are so progressed.
I see the tortuous path a blessing mixed.
While I walk this unmarked lonesome path.
I know the steps are guided by the past.
The road ahead may not be paved,
But of stone and mud be made.
The steps I see cast in the horrid mud,
Are not mine, but from a loving God above. © Matt’s Ledger 2016
Hosanna Circle Soup Sale Sunday, March 13 after church
7.00/quart
Feed your tummy after God feeds your soul!
Saturday Movie Night at FBCP March 5, 5-7 p.m.
The movie, “Fly Wheel” will be shown. There will
also be a children’s movie shown in the library.
A movie will be shown the first Saturday of each
month. Watch your bulletins or the “Link”
for titles of future showing of movies!
Help our church food pantry by bringing one food item to donate!
Koinonia Camp & Creative Blessings Present
Duck Mayhem 5K Trail
Run - Walk– or Waddle
April 23, 2016
at Koinonia Camp 6810 Cork Cold Springs Rd.,
Geneva, Ohio 44041
Age groups: 14 and under, 15-19,
20-29, 30-39,
40-49, 50-59, 60 & over
Pre-Registration 9a.m. Race Time 10 a.m.
Cost $30 for online registration
& $35 day of race.
T-shirts guaranteed for all online registrations.
Register online at www.stasnyroadracing.com
For more information call Todd Greathouse at 216-469-2777.
ChurchLink A Monthly Newsletter for Members and
Friends of First Baptist Church
10801 Johnnycake Ridge Road
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone:(440)354-4454 Fax:(440)354-0230
Email: [email protected]
Website: fbcpainesville.org
Mrs. Sandy Namestnik - Editor
March Birthdays Gwen Bishop 1
Richard Neil 2
Etta LaRue 3
Janet Neil 6
Maxine Austen 9
Mary Anne Richner 9
Jackie Dwyer 12
Martha Beam 20
Meghan Sell 20
Morgan Sell 24
Mark Reilly 27
Nan Niven 29
Harold Rodgers 30
March Anniversaries Mr. & Mrs. Richard Neil 3
Mr. & Mrs. Ed Keyse 17
If you are not included in our birthday and/or
anniversary lists and would like to be, please call
the office at 440-354-4454. Thank you!
Missionaries of the Month
Read about Nancy
and Steve James in
the March worship
bulletins.
Worship Service Scripture Readers
3/6 Bev Smith
3/13 Jacquie Wolf
3/20 Bob Wolf
3/27 Joy Reilly
Nursery Room (9:50 am) 3/6 Aprille Donohoe-Caton
3/13 Sandy Namestnik
3/20 Brandee Masterson
3/27 Sandy Namestnik
Toddler Room (9:50a.m.) 3/6 Joy Reilly
3/13 Lori Humphreys
3/20 Wendy Fredebaugh
3/27 Brandee Masterson
Junior Church/Library/
Junior Church Choir Leader Helper 3/12 Lyn Samples TBA
3/27 Lyn Samples Brian Reilly
Any adults or teens interested in leading or help-
ing with Junior Church, please contact Sandy
Namestnik or Maxine Austen.
Hospitality Volunteers Greeters Welcome Center
3/6 Roy & Vernita Hal Rodgers &
Parsons Wendy Fredebaugh
3/13 Dave & Jeannine Traci Burrington &
Barstow Janet Neil
3/20 Betty Swails & Jacquie Wolf &
P. & B. Bradbeer Hal Rodgers
3/27 Crystal, Tehya & Mary Anne Kelly &
Mya Reed Jacquie Dwyer
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 3
6:30 p..m. Bible Study/
Prayer Meeting
3
6:00 p.m. Pearl Street Thursday (AA)
4
7:00 p.m. Painesville Friday
(AA)
5
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday Night Movie “Fly
Wheel”
6 900 a.m. Bible Blast
9:00 a.m. ABF 10:00 a.m.. Praise Practice
10:30 a..m. Worship,
Communion
7:00 p.m. Kensington
Sunday (AA)
7
7:00 p.m. Hosanna Circle
8
7:00 p.m. North Coast Historical Recovery
9
6:30 p..m. Bible Study/
Prayer Meeting
10
10:00 a.m. Mary/Martha Prayer Circle
6:00 p.m. Pearl Street Thursday (AA)
11
7:00 p.m. Painesville Friday
(AA)
12
13 900 a.m. Bible Blast
9:00 a.m. ABF 10:00 a.m.. Praise Practice
10:30 a..m. Worship
12:00 p.m. Hosanna Circle Soup Sale
7:00 p.m. Kensington
Sunday (AA)
14
15
7:00 p.m. Ministry Team
Mtg.
16
6:30 p.m. Bible Study/ Prayer Meeting
17
6:00 p.m. Pearl Street Thursday (AA)
18
“Link” Reports Due
7:00 p.m. Painesville Friday
(AA)
19
20
900 a.m. Bible Blast 9:00 a.m. ABF
10:00 a.m.. Praise Practice
10:30 a..m. Worship 12:30 p.m. 1st Baptist
Singers
7:00 p..m. Kensington Sunday (AA)
1st Day of Spring
21
22
23
6:30 p.m. Bible Study/
Prayer Meeting
24 Maundy Thursday
6:00 p.m. Pearl Street
Thursday (AA)
25
OFFICE CLOSED 7:00 p.m. Good Friday
Service
26
27 Easter 900 a.m. Bible Blast & ABF
10:00 a.m.. Praise Practice
10:30 a..m. Worship
7:00 p.m. Kensington
Sunday (AA)
28 29 30
6:00 p.m. Church Fellow-
ship Potluck
31
6:00 p.m. Pearl Street
Thursday (AA
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 10801 Johnnycake Ridge
Painesville, OH 44077
Return Service Requested
Geneva United
Rev. Bryan Manary 75 S. Broadway
Geneva, Ohio 44041-1843
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Saturday Movie Night - 3/5, 5-7 p.m.
Hosanna Soup Sale - Sunday, Mar. 13 following the worship service
Good Friday Service - 3/25, 7:00 p.m.
Easter Worship Service - 3/27, 10:30 a.m.
Weekly & Monthly Events & Meetings
Bible Blast & ABF - Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
Praise Practice - Sundays, 10:00 a.m.
Worship - Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
Communion - First Sunday of each month, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service
1st Baptist Singers - 3rd Sunday of each month, 12:30 p.m.
Hosanna Circle - First Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (October - December, February - June)
Ministry Team Meeting - 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
Bible Study/Prayer Meeting - Wednesdays, 6:30 p. m.
Mary/Martha Prayer Circle - 2nd Thursday, 10:00 a.m.
“Link” Reports Due - 18th of each month