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: fbcpainesville@sbcglobal.net

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