Third Base

Third Base | 1

•

The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein was painted in 1533. Two friends are depicted—Jean de Dinteville (left) French ambassador to England and Bishop Georges de Selve (right)—clerical ambassador— who was in London visiting his friend. Both men are leaning on a table filled with modern spiritual and scientific tools. The route of Magellan’s voyage on a globe, lute with one broken string and Lutheran hymnal are on low-er shelf. Science and math highlight the upper shelf: Quadrant, Sundial, Arithmetic Book, Universal High Dial (measuring horizons), Shepherd’s Dial (measuring height of the sun) What is the “smudge” in the foreground? (Take a moment and consider) Holbein has inserted an anamorphic device— a distorted image whose reality can only be discovered—viewing from another perspective.

continued on page two

From the Pastor

Lessons from The Ambassadors

2 │ Third Base

Wo

rd f

rom

th

e P

asto

r The flat black and white image in the foreground—when viewing at an acute angle—is trans-formed into—

And inserted into the top left corner—slightly behind a curtain— The two objects— skull and cross—communicate finality of our lives and instru-ments of creation. The Ambassadors teaches important lessons on perspective. We can gather all philosophy, scientific knowledge and place on our shelves—but most things will pass. The skull of death and finality to our earthly lives is ever present—even if we seek to tuck away as an anamorphic image. And there is finality to days we are graced —to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. The limited number of opportunities— calls for wisdom and prop-er perspective.

Focus on the broad strokes and big ideas of our faith: Love over fear… Grace over law… Relational vitality… Third, how are we able to maintain our witness as a loving, diverse community of faith?—by con-tinuing to insist on proper perspective. An ability to place others before self and modeling open communication with whom we disagree. And in this era of balkanization and echo chambers—our witness will offer a cup of cool water to a culture wandering and parched in the desert. 2 Corinthians 1:20: For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. Finally, it is a joy to welcome Gwendolyn, Ann and Rachael to our church family. Thank you for con-tinuing your radical hospitality to all who enter our campus.

continued on page three

Third Base │ 3

Wo

rd fro

m th

e P

astor

August 5, 2018 (Communion) (Children’s Sabbath) Esther: Stranger In A Strange Land Esther 4:13-14 August 12, 2018 Ruth: Lessons in Loyalty Ruth 1:16

August Sermons Series:

Four Women of the Old Testament

August 19, 2018 Miriam: A Critical Spirit Numbers 12 August 26, 2018 Hannah: From Misery to Praise 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11

Gwendolyn Grimstead

Ann Clymer

Rachael Yeary

Grace and Peace, Tommy

4 │ Third Base

Fro

m t

he

Pas

tor Wednesday Night Discipleship for Adults

Johnson Fellowship Hall Returns Wednesday, August 8

What Did Jesus Look Like?

Catacombs of Comodilla, Rome

Jesus Christ is arguably the most famous man who ever lived. His image adorns countless churches, icons and paintings. He is the subject of millions of statues, devotional pieces and works of art. Eve-ryone can conjure an image of Jesus: usually as a handsome, white man, flowing locks and pristine linen robes. But what did Jesus really look like? Is our popular image of Jesus overly westernized and untrue to historical reality? -Joan Taylor, Professor of Christian Origins at Kings College London. Why did the Gospel writers appear to avoid descriptions of Jesus? Search Google Images with the term “Jesus” what is the first image on the screen? Take a mid-week break and enjoy fellowship and discovery with your church family. Wednesday nights at Third continue to thrive with energy and joy—from mentoring children—to excellent ministries for all ages.

Third Base │ 5

Ch

urch

& C

om

mu

nity

6 │ Third Base

Ch

urc

h &

Co

mm

un

ity

Youth Ministry Updates COME ONE, COME ALL! Back to school ice cream social is happening Sunday, August 12 immediately following worship in Johnson Fellowship Hall! Returning students are invited to bring their backpacks for a blessing! Don’t miss this delicious event! Also, youth parents and youth...PLEASE mark your cal-endars for September 28-29th-a youth respite! We are spending the night at beautiful Klondike Park. There will be hiking, a cookout, relaxing around a bonfire and a greasy spoon breakfast to end the trip. Looking for-ward to growing together as a youth group and enjoy-ing the great outdoors (minus bugs; I’ll be spraying out the cabins immediately upon arrival!) We had such a great time at the Simons’ home...let’s keep the fun going! -Kelly

Music Ministry Updates This month we welcome back our pianist Lansin Lim Kimler from visiting her family in Singapore, and thank Brook Bisaillon for playing for us in her absence. We also enjoy the last of our guest soloists this summer: on the 12th David Miller (tenor) will sing works by Mendelssohn and Aaron Copland. Full choir services resume on the 19th, with music by Gibbons, Vaughan Williams, and Mozart. As the theme for the Message each week is “Four Women of the Old Testament” works by female composers will accompany worship most Sundays: these include Cindy Berry, Nancy Plummer Faxon, and Rebecca Groom te Velde. And looking ahead in a similar vein, our communion service on September 2nd will be enriched by a new work specially written for TBC by Martha Shaffer, organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist, located in the Central West End.

New Horizons Class School Supplies Collection The New Horizons Sunday School class will be collecting school supplies during the month of August to be shared at the August Food Pantry. Donations can be placed in the Library on Sundays and Wednesdays or money may be donated and the New Horizons class will do the shopping for you. Thanks in advance for your support!

CPR/AED Class A CPR/AED class will be held Sunday, August 26 from noon until 2:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please contact the church office or Sally Stevenson at 314.849.8236.

Vacation Bible School Friday, August 10: 6:00 PM—8:30 PM Saturday, August 11: 9:00 AM—2:30 PM To register, go to: www.third-baptist.org

Third Base │ 7

Au

gu

st Eve

nts

2 Natalie Thiems 4 Maggie Jackson, Gwendolyn Tyson 5 Ken Blanton, Elizabeth Pitcher 7 Jeanne Moritz 9 Cynthia Dickinson, Jack James 10 Rachael Barnes 12 Edem Dzunu 13 Jerry Campbell, Julie McDaniel 19 Nicholas Fay 20 Edna Betts, Rachelle Jay, Evelyn Kurtz 21 David Wigger 25 Samuel Governor 27 Pat Blake, Frank Stevens 28 Jacqueline Baxter, David Stevenson 29 Iris Davis 30 Kelly Watts

August Events

Sunday Schedule

9:30 AM Doughnut & Coffee Fellowship 9:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship, Sanctuary Noon Fellowship, Pillsbury Threshold

Wednesday Schedule 5:00 PM Fellowship Dinner 6:00 PM Adult Bible Study, Children’s Activities, Youth Activities 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

1 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

5 Regular Sunday Schedule

8 Regular Wednesday Schedule

No Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

10 Vacation Bible School

11 Vacation Bible School

12 Regular Sunday Schedule

Ice Cream Social

15 Regular Wednesday Schedule

18 Food Pantry

19 Regular Sunday Schedule

Church Council Meeting

22 Regular Wednesday Schedule

26 Adult Sunday School Teachers Meeting

Regular Sunday Schedule

CPR/AED class

29 Regular Wednesday Schedule

August Birthdays

In the city for good!

620 North Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103

Church Office: 314.533.7340

third-baptist.org

Dr. Tommy Simons

PASTOR

Rev. Maria Stinnett ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR

CHILDREN & COMMUNICATIONS

Dr. Edem Dzunu PASTORAL INTERN

Kelly Watts INTERIM YOUTH MINISTER

Philip Barnes DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

Mary Adams RECEPTIONIST/OFFICE ASSISTANT

Byron Greer BUILDING SUPERVISOR

Timothy Harrison CUSTODIAN

Karen Stewart & Linda Freiburghaus CHURCH HISTORIANS

Brent Johnson ORGANIST

Tom Kurtz BUSINESS MANAGER

Lansin Lim Kimler PIANIST

Christine McCarthy FINANCE

Raymond Murphy CUSTODIAN

Sally Stevenson PARISH NURSE

Staff