grace notes 2012 newsletter.pdf · 2012. 3. 23. · grace baptist church of blue bell news from the...

Palm Sunday—April 1 The Sixth Light: The Hour has Come

Reader - Amy Bocklet

The Sanctuary Choir presents the cantata,

“Followers of the Light”.

Maundy Thursday—April 5 The Seventh Light: The Arrest at the Gate

Reader - Gene Stremme

The Eighth Light: The Darkness of the Cross

Reader - George Hawthorne

Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, recalls Je-

sus’ last meal and His arrest and imprisonment. Our

Maundy Thursday observance begins with a Sacrificial

Supper at 6:30 P.M. At 7:30 P.M. we gather in the sanctu-

ary for a communion service.

Easter Sunday—April 8 All are invited to enjoy a continental breakfast from

8:45-9:30 A.M. followed by small groups and Sunday

School for all ages at 9:30 A.M.

Rev. Hawthorne presents the Easter message, “Poking

Holes in the Darkness” (John 20: 1-16) at the 10:45 A.M.

service of worship. The Sanctuary Choir and Bell Choir

will provide the special music.

Sunday, April 15 Sermon: The Benefit of the Doubt”

John 20: 19-31

Sunday, April 22 Guest Preacher: Rev. Rod Birney

Sunday, April 29 Sermon: “Something Is Missing”

John 6: 24-35

Grace Baptist

Church of Blue

Bell is a

Christ-centered

community

sharing God’s

love with the

world.

Sunday Schedule

9:30am Small Groups/

Sunday School

10:45am Worship

Office Hours

Monday 9:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday-Friday

9:00am-1:00pm

Church Staff

George Hawthorne

Pastor

[email protected]

Casey Stauffer

Director of Children &

Family Ministries

[email protected]

Barbara Green

Director of Music/

Organist

Trish Simpson

Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell Skippack Pike & Lewis Lane, P.O. Box 122 Blue Bell, PA 19422

Volume XXXI , Number 4 April 2012 Newsletter

Holy Week & Beyond

GRACE NOTES

Grace Baptist Church of Blue Bell

NEWS from the

PHILADELPHIA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

New Faces

As of March 1, 2012, Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins and Rev. Yvonne Martinez Thorne are the Consultants

for Area Ministry and Communication with the Philadelphia Baptist Association. This part time commitment of 20

hours per week (each) will provide support for our congregations and pastors as well as our adaptive challenge initia-

tives.

Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins is the founder and Principal of TrustOne, a ministry of

Spiritual Direction and Leadership Coaching. She is an educational consultant for Bacone Col-

lege and an adjunct professor in Palmer Seminary's School of Christian Ministry.

Betty served as Church Relations Manager/Regional Benefits Consultant with the Min-

isters & Missionaries Benefit board and pastor of The First Baptist Church of Manchester Cen-

ter, VT. She has also served as new church planter of the Solid Rock Community Church and

Head of School at Cornerstone Christian Academy, both in Philadelphia, PA.

Rev. Wright-Riggins holds a M.Div. degree from Palmer Baptist Theological Seminary,

a MA of Education Administration, and a MA in Speech Pathology from California State Uni-

versity, Los Angeles. She is certified as a Contemplative Spiritual Director, Oasis Ministries. She is also a certified

Christian Coach with the Coaching Center, Green Lake, WI. She has been married for over thirty years to The Rev.

Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins. They have three adult children and are raising their beloved granddaughter, Nyla Jean.

Betty is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, PA

Rev. Dr. Martinez Thorne, a counseling psychologist, is founder and CEO of Culti-

vating Wholeness Counseling Associates. Her faith-based counseling practice provides secular

and faith-based individual, group, and family counseling and psychotherapy to adolescents and

adults who desire relational healing. She also provides individual and group counseling to or-

dained clergy and lay ministers through her private practice.

Dr. Martinez Thorne's commitment to church leaders is rooted in her belief that all are

called to wholeness and wellness. Her call to walk alongside the Shepherds emerged out of her

personal and professional experiences as a pastor's spouse, faith-based psychologist, adjunct

faculty at seminaries in New Jersey and Kansas, and Associate Director of Midwest Ministry

Development Service in Kansas City, Missouri.

Rev. Thorne is a graduate of Palmer Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Columbia University (Ed.D.) in

Counseling Psychology (with an emphasis in Bilingual/Bicultural Education). She is married to Rev. Leo Thorne,

Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development, ABCUSA, and they live in Norristown.

Associate Executive Minister to Retire from PBA March 31

The Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Baptist Association wish to express appreciation for the 23 year

ministry of the Rev. John Craig Murrow as Associate Executive Minister beginning January

1989. Prior to that time he served pastorates in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. His

ministry with the PBA has been a blessing to the clergy and congregations of the Region.

John’s service has included working in a variety of diverse settings, leadership develop-

ment, conflict resolution, educational ministry, youth and adult retreats and missions trips,

discipleship training, coaching, and placement.

We appreciate John’s 40 total years of ministry and we extend our prayers and best

wishes to him and his wife, Dale, that they might enjoy new adventures in the years ahead.


ENGAGING DISCIPLESHIP Open My Eyes, My Heart, My Hands

(Mark 10: 46-52)

America for Christ Offering

2012

Dear Grace Baptist Family,

The America For Christ (AFC) 2012 theme is “Engaging Discipleship: Open My Eyes, My Heart, My

Hands”. This theme is a powerful reminder that we have been sent into the world (Matthew 28) to be ambassa-

dors of God’s love, expressed through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The primary rule of engagement is

“love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22: 39).

We can ignore this calling and get busy doing church by singing hymns, listening to sermons, giving our

tithes and offerings, getting involved in the choir or joining a committee. These activities may make us feel

spiritually good, but god is calling our church to daily follow the incarnational practice modeled by our Lord,

who continually engaged people and cultivated relationships. Active discipleship is a selfless love that responds

to the need, hurts and pain of those at the door of our church. Our true prayers and Christ-like attitude should be

“open my eyes, my heart and my hands that I may be of service to others. Lord, use my life.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer perhaps said it best when he wrote, “God loves human beings. God loves the

world. Not an ideal human, but human beings as they are; not an ideal world, but the real world. What we find

repulsive in their opposition to God, what we shrink back from with pain and hostility, namely, real human be-

ings, the real world; this is for God the ground of unfathomable love” (“A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Daily

Meditations from His Letters, Writings, and Sermons”).

As God’s children in this world, we are called to engage people. As we meet people every day in our

life’s journey, we should share the love of Christ in word and deed. As God’s people, let us extend our hands

daily to lift and encourage those around us who may need hope and a transformative touch of love. This year’s

theme, “Engaging Discipleship: Open My Eyes, My Heart, My Hands”, encourages us to come alongside peo-

ple. Let us see the need, let it break our hearts and, with our hands, let us comfort and be a blessing to others.

On Sunday, April 15 we will receive the AMERICA FOR CHRIST OFFERING. Please be gener-

ous in helping us reach our church’s goal of $2,500 in support of making a difference in the lives of others for

the cause of Christ.

Engaging Discipleship that reflects God’s Love!

With eternal hope,

Ken Green, Chair, Board of Missions


Palmer Seminary is

MOVING!

In 1940, after 15 years in its original location on

Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, the Seminary moved

to its current location on the outskirts of the city in

Wynnewood. Now seventy-two years later, the Seminary

is moving again. The eventual new home for Palmer will

be Matherly Hall, a new

building estimated at $10

million that will be located

on Eastern University’s

west campus. For the next

few years, however,

Palmer’s temporary home

will be the American Bap-

tist Churches Mission

Center in nearby King of Prussia.

Despite the move away from Philadelphia,

Palmer plans to maintain a solid urban presence based on

the development of satellite locations accessible to stu-

dents from the city.

On April 28, a “Celebration Saturday” is

planned at Palmer Seminary. This will be a time for

alumni, current students, faculty and staff and anyone

interested in Palmer to celebrate the Seminary’s years in

Wynnewood and to envision together a promising future.

The day will begin with a 10:00 A.M. viewing of

a historical display and a tour of the campus, and end

with a Service of Remembrance at 7:15 P.M. The eve-

ning speaker will be Luis Cortes ‘06, President of

Esperanza USA. Lunch will be served at noon and an

evening banquet at 5:30 P.M.

Throughout the day, there will be short field trips

to the Seminary’s new locations (the ABC Mission Cen-

ter and Eastern University West Campus) and also ses-

sions on Envisioning the Seminary’s Future, New Pro-

grams and Initiatives, and Palmer’s Distinctive Approach

to Recruiting and Learning. There will be many opportu-

nities to share memories and reconnect with former class-

mates.

To register for “Celebration Saturday”, call

484-384-2980. The day’s events and lunch are free, but

there is a charge of $20 for the evening banquet ($8 for

children). All are welcome to enjoy this special day at

Palmer.

—Information from “inMinistry”, Spring 2012

Looking Back As We Look Forward

To a Hopeful Future

Over one hundred years ago, the late Dr.

Russell Conwell served as the pastor of the first

megachurch in America, the Baptist Temple of Phila-

delphia…the church from which we came in 1975.

Each Sunday the 4,000+ seat sanctuary was filled to

overflowing with worshippers eager to hear his elo-

quent words. The church grew rapidly as new people

were continually won to Christ and joined the church.

Sunday school classes and Bible studies were well-

attended as people of all ages sought to grow in their

Christian faith.

But Dr. Conwell and the members of the

Baptist Temple were not content with spiritual and

numerical growth within the confines of their church.

During Dr. Conwell’s tenure they also founded a uni-

versity and a hospital, both of which continue to meet

the health and educational needs of thousands of peo-

ple in the Philadelphia region today. To be sure, the

church was characterized by an inward and outward

vision for making a difference in people’s lives. And

it did so very successfully for a number of years.

I mention this bit of history because I want to

put our new Strategic Plan in its proper historical per-

spective. I believe that at the heart of our new plan is

the desire to emulate the vision of the old Baptist

Temple. We don’t want to try to be a carbon copy of

that historic church for times have changed. But we

do desire to emulate the inward and outward focus

that characterized it. We do want to become a church

that is making a bigger difference not only in the

lives of our members but also in the community we

seek to serve.

I think it’s very appropriate that our new plan

should take its final shape as we celebrate the Easter

season here at Grace Baptist. Just as Easter symbol-

izes new life and hope, so may our church move for-

ward in the same spirit as we embrace our new plan

for the future.

Centered in Christ,

Pastor George


SPAGHETTI DINNER& CONCERT Sunday, April 29—5:30 P.M.

The youth group is sponsoring the annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the Senior

High summer mission trip with Reach Workcamps to Eleanor, WV, July 15-22. Mark your

calendars for April 29 and come enjoy a homemade spaghetti dinner with all the fixins’.

The mission video from last year’s trip to New Oxford, PA will be highlighted to show

where the support money goes. You’ll see the tremendous impact a group of teenagers can

have and how much fun an experience like this can be. Following dessert, we will all enjoy a wonderful concert by

the Christian Artists Singers at 7:00 P.M.

The Christian Artists Singers have been proclaiming Christ

in song for over thirty years. Their programs usually include a vari-

ety of sacred music including classical selections, anthems, spiritu-

als, and hymn arrangements. David Nicol is co-founder and director,

and our own Gene Stremme is the accompanist.

Teens, if you are going on the mission trip this summer,

you are required to help set up, serve, and clean up after the din-

ner. Please be at church by 4:30 P.M. for set up. We are also

asking each teen to bring a dessert to share. If everyone brings

something, we will have enough for everyone at the dinner.

More dates for the Youth Calendar: Youth Group Lock-In, 8:00pm Friday, April 13-8:00am, Saturday, April 14—Please sign up for a head

count. Cost: $5 for pizza

Workcamp Informational Meeting, Sunday, April 15, immediately following worship—General infor-

mation will be distributed and questions can be answered. Students, if you are planning to go to Reach

Workcamp this summer, we need to know ASAP (before the April 15 meeting!) and you need to see Kristin

to get a form. Your form and your $50 deposit are due by the April 15 meeting at the latest! We will be

discussing additional costs at the meeting.

No youth group on April 8 and April 15

Retro Game Show Extravaganza, Saturday, May 12, 2:00-4:00pm

Congratulations, Team!

Through the efforts of Scott and Jill Rhea, Grace Baptist

sponsors a team in the Whitpain Recreation Association (WRA) 5th

Grade Basketball League. Scott is the coach and Davis Rhea is a

starting forward.

After a long, tough season, the team went into playoffs in

5th place and finished up in 2nd place for the season following two

playoff wins. Hard work and good coaching really paid off.

Check out the trophy at the Welcome Center!

Davis (right) celebrating with two teammates


Congratulations to Davis Rhea for a great performance

at the Shady Grove Talent Show on Friday, March 16.

Davis played a piano solo to a receptive crowd. He also

played in the opening number with the Shady Grove

Drum Line. Way to go, Davis!

Brooke Rhea will hold her 2nd Food Distribution on

March 30 at 10:00 A.M. at the Community Cupboard in

Ambler. Through her birthday car wash fundraising ef-

forts she has raised enough money to bring in her second

semi-tractor trailer of food and personal care items to

help 400 local families in need. We’re very proud of

you, Brooke! (If you can help with this effort on March

30 ,9:00 A.M.—noon, contact Brooke or Jill Rhea.)

A Church Work Day is scheduled for Sunday, April 22

following the worship service. Helpers, bring your lunch

and work clothes to church. Projects include mulching

flower beds, cleaning up the grounds, and sorting and

cleaning out interior closets. (Rain Date: Sunday, April

29)

“Blankets+ Sunday” is Sunday, April 22. Contribu-

tions to Blankets+ help Church World Service provide

support to families around the world to recover from dis-

asters and to build viable, sustainable lives and communi-

ties. Offering envelopes will be provided in your bulletin

on April 22. Please be generous in your support of

Blankets+.

A Growing Express Consignment Sale (formerly Wee-

Cycle) will be held at Grace Baptist on Saturday, April

21, 8:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Find great buys on new and

gently used baby and kid items including toys, clothing,

shoes, books, strollers, baby equipment, summer items

and more! Cash only accepted.

Save the Date! Inter-Faith Housing Alliance holds its

15th Annual Golf Outing on Monday, May 21 at

Meadowlands Country Club, Blue Bell. All proceeds

benefit Inter-Faith’s housing programs for homeless fami-

lies in our county. For reservations or sponsorship infor-

mation, call 215-628-2334 or e-mail [email protected].

Shady Grove Elementary holds its 10th annual Spring

Zing on Saturday, April 21. All proceeds benefit the

Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard and other educa-

tional activities at Shady Grove. Registration and

packet pick-up is 8:00 A.M. A 1-mile walk begins at

9:00 A.M. and the 5K Run starts at 9:30 A.M. Rain or

shine. To register go to www.springzing5k.com.

April Birthdays

1 Natalie Glantz

1 Kathy Taylor

2 Michael Allmond, Jr.

2 Jeff Bates

3 Scott Rhea

6 Lloyd Paullin

6 Louise Markley

6 Jack Sharpe

8 Elaine Hanrahan

9 Melissa Scharf

12 Kathy Gallagher

12 Butch Swanson

12 Carol Taylor

20 Kolton Galie

21 Kristin Paluszka

21 Janet Cazier

22 Betty Hough

23 Linda Lin

23 Oneida Ortiz

24 Michael Froman

24 Brooke Rhea

27 Grace Schrap

28 Ron Cummings

30 Gaby Ortiz

“Super Saturday” Saturday, April 7, 9:30-11:30am

All 3 year olds-5th graders are invited to enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt and other fun activities. Bring a friend or two to share the fun—and

a bag or basket for your eggs!

P.O. Box 122

437 Skippack Pike & Lewis Lane

Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-628-2077 FAX 215-628-1950

www.gbcbb.org

E-mail: [email protected]



If you would prefer not to receive future mailings, call or e-mail and let us know.

The monthly newsletter is also available at the church website.

Mark these Dates on Your Calendar!

Saturday, May 12 Retro Game Show Extravaganza

(Youth Group)

Sunday, May 13 Baby Manna Offering on Mother’s

Day

Sunday, May 20 Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, June 10 Children’s Day/Teacher Recognition

Sunday, June 17 Summer schedule of 9:30 A.M. worship begins

Sunday, July 8- Vacation Bible School - “Dive Deeper”

Thursday, July14


Mark your calendars to Dive Deeper!!

Vacation Bible School

Sunday, July 8, 2012—Thursday, July 12, 2012

We are still looking for volunteers to help with deco-

rating, music, shopping, leading groups, and someone

who would like to teach an adult track. If you have

any questions or want to volunteer, please contact

Casey Stauffer.

February’s Parents’ Night Out!

Our egg dying adventures!

grace notes 2012 newsletter.pdf · 2012. 3. 23. · grace baptist church of blue bell news from the...

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