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Married Fellowship at Beaver Island
September 10, 2009
This fall begins our second year of the new BP Marrieds Group. We are looking forward to another great year together and invite all young (and young-at-heart) couples to join us!
In April, we said good-bye to Joel and Anna Hamilton, as they returned “home” to Pennsylvania upon Joel’s completion of dental school. We sent them off with a special dinner at the FLC and were blessed by Elder Eric Lasch’s devotional on the biblical way to say “good-bye.” We are so thankful for the time Joel and Anna spent with us and look forward to hearing about how God continues to use them in the future! 
In the summer we took a break – if you could call it that – for a few months, as many of us were involved with VBS, Presbytery Camp, and other church ministries. We met up again in August for a Picnic/Water Ski on the great Niagara River. The Lord blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day. With no one feeling young and daring (and in shape) enough to put on the skis, we instead enjoyed some swimming and tubing. Many thanks to Bob and Carolyn Thompson and Mark and Letty Dahlquist for graciously hosting us on their boats.
Our next event will be a dessert night at the Zilbauers’ on September 25th, at 7 pm. Please sign up in the church foyer. If you have questions about the BP Marrieds Group, please see Mike and Sarah Pawlak or Joe and Erin Zilbauer.
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Cornerstone Manor
September 10, 2009
In Luke 4:16-19 when Jesus read in the synagogue in Nazareth He turned to the following scripture from Isaiah and read:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,”
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Jesus gave us a clear example of who was a priority for Him to reach out to, and how He might do so.
I am reminded how He then gave the great commission to the disciples in Matthew 28:19: “‘Go therefore’ and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Every 2nd Friday of every month we are seeking to do just that for the women and children of the Cornerstone Manor Women’s shelter. We host two separate but similar ministries. First we feed a snack to all the residents of the Manor, then the children remain upstairs to attend the Cornerstone Kids program where we tell them Bible stories, sing songs with them, and do arts and crafts or play games with them.
Meanwhile the Ladies come down for our Chapel service where we lift Him up in songs and in praise and present the living water of His word to the women. Many stay after for prayer and with questions for us. This is a wonderful ministry and an extension arm of the church as we seek to go into the world (OK maybe just Buffalo) to be an instrument God can use to change lives.
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NOTES of INTEREST
September 10, 2009
- Our Pat Bergstrom Distinguished Service Award was presented posthumously to Michael Lawton at the Annual Congregational Meeting in May. It was received on his behalf by his wife Glenda. Mike served in many areas of church, most noticeably as a tenor in the choir and leading the singing at Wednesday evening Bible Study and Prayer Meeting. His other services were “behind-the-scenes” activities including cleaning up after several flooded-basement episodes, repainting damaged areas, taking steps to control ants and other critters in our buildings, doing outdoor work, and being on call whenever a need arose. Mike loved Christ, His Church, and His servants.
- Stephanie and Curtis DeVantier are the proud parents of a baby boy, Joshua Stephen, born July 30th.
- Carolyn and Bob Phillips are the delighted grandparents of a baby girl, Ada Carolyn, born September 1, 2009.
- Congratulations to Eric Pastorek and Brenda Calle on their engagement. Plans are for a May wedding, pending immigration hurdles that will have to be overcome.
- Special speakers during the summer included:
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- Rev. Ed Paauwe, missionary to Australia, along with wife Lehia.
- Rev. Tom Stiles, New Yorkers’ Family Research Foundation
- Dr. John Battle, Western Reformed Seminary
- The Married Fellowship enjoyed at day at Beaver Island Park, boating, tubing, fellowshipping, and picnicking on August 15th.
- The Middlers had a great time at Odosagih Bible Conference for a dinner/concert on August 22nd.
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Looking Ahead
September 10, 2009
Sept. 8 – Ladies’ Bible Study begins – Tuesdays, 10 AM – FLC – “Trusting God Even When Life Hurts”
by Jerry Bridges
Sept. 8 – Marriage & Family Counseling Course begins – 7 PM at the FLC
Sept. 9 – AWANA Open House/Registration – 6:30 PM – FLC
Sept. 11 – Cornerstone Manor & Kids’ Ministry – 7:30 PM
Sept. 12 – Bible Bee at the FLC – 9:15 AM
Sept. 13 – Membership Class begins – 1:30 PM at the church
Sept. 13 – Leadership Training Class begins – 3:30 PM – FLC
Sept. 14 – Deacons’/Session Meetings
Sept. 16 – First regular AWANA club night
Sept.18-19 – Ladies’ Retreat with Kathleen Curto at the FLC
Sept. 20 – Special Sunday School for ladies with Kathleen Curto
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God’s Good Providence
July 24, 2009
All providence is God’s good providence, pleasant or not. Providence is a word some people use to describe only pleasant things that happen in life. In certain circles, people are reticent to apply the term to events that are less than welcome. They say, “In the Lord’s providence the repair truck pulled up just then.” They would not say, “In the Lord’s providence our car broke down in the middle of nowhere.” Often an unconscious way of speaking, nevertheless, it may reveal something about the speaker.
First, it is an indication of a less than Biblical view of God. It points to a God whose sovereignty is a “limited sovereignty.” Like England’s constitutional monarchs, it envisions one whose rule has been diminished. Such a God is responsible for good health, safety, and cuddly babies. He is, however, far from burning trade towers, ill health, and stillbirths. Of course, such a God is unknown in Scripture.
Second, while such a perspective has a vastly diminished view of God, it has an enormously inflated view of self. For me to judge providence as bad I must pretend to virtual omniscience. I must be able to see and judge all the outcomes and all the concurrent events associated with that event that I judge as evil. That’s why the Biblical view of providence is simply God governing all His creatures and all their actions. I can rest, confident that God loves me, and in all things intends good for “those that love God and are the called according to His purpose.”
That’s useful to remember in witnessing. How often unbelievers throw in the teeth of the Christ that old doggerel, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” God cannot be omnipotent and good. Either He wishes good for His own and is unable to perform it; or He has the power, but does not desire their good.
Of course, such a statement is rooted in pride. It sets men’s knowledge of events against God’s. It is tantamount to a claim of virtual omniscience. Yet, as God’s children, we have found, “Whate’er my God ordains is right.”
It’s also important to remember this through the ups and downs of daily life. Some providence may be more pleasant than others. Some for a time seems harder.
My mind can’t help but travel to what recently seemed a providence difficult to bear. One of the buses promised for our use for VBS and camp wasn’t ready. This, my friends, is not a pleasant discovery the Sunday night before VBS. All the parents who had been promised bus transportation were very understanding and most were able to come. Unbelievably, this year’s attendance exceeded last year’s. And then, despite all efforts, the bus simply could not be ready to take our young people to camp. For some, this was a particular hardship. And yet, after camp the testimonies were not only about a spiritual, exciting, and profitable camp, but also about the way the Lord opened the doors for the most unexpected opportunities to witness to Christ.
Providence, God’s governing of my life and yours, is all encompassing. Some acts of providence are more immediately welcome than others. Some are more pleasant than others. But all acts of providence are the result of the work of our Heavenly Father, all are good! As the hymn writer says, “He is my God; though dark my road, He holds me that I cannot fall: wherefore to Him I leave it all.”
Welcome to Pulpit & Pews Online. The church newsletter is a blessing for the members and friends of the church to stay connected and up-to-date with the events, news, and updates that continually happen at Bible Presbyterian. The new online version of the newsletter continues to have articles from the same writers in the same categories as before, but adds to it many new features, such as: online archiving, photo shows, and email updates for those signed up. The articles themselves can still be printed from the website.
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Vacation Bible School
July 24, 2009
Vacation Bible School this year was held June 29 through July 3. We were blessed with many new students throughout the week (about 200 total registrations by the end of VBS). Many of the new students heard about the ministry for the first time at our KidsBiz booth and through the poster and flier distribution on Grand Island. Behind the scenes, the church offered up many prayers corporately and individually for the week.
The night before VBS began the church discovered that the van on loan, from another ministry, could not be used. Despite the setback, most students were able to come. The Lord certainly reminded us this year that He is in control, and that this is His work.
The theme for the morning school this year was “Operation Space: A Close Encounter with God’s Word.” The lessons focused students’ attention on the uniqueness and value of God’s Word and the glory of God’s creation. Each day, the children sang excitedly about blasting off into God’s Word to explore the vast riches of it. They learned that it has the greatest impact on our lives, because in God’s Word we hear the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus. They also learned that the Bible is the only absolute authority for their lives, and they were challenged the last day to read the Bible daily over the next year.
Each day, the young people were challenged with the daily lessons. These lessons ranged from, the creation of mankind, sin, obedience, salvation through Christ, and the cadet challenge to grow in God’s Word. These lessons were reinforced by the various activities in the classes, such as: songs, crafts, memory verses, and games.
The Puppet ministry has been a hallmark of the Vacation Bible School Ministry at Bible Presbyterian. In keeping with the theme of “Operation Space,” the stage was set for an adventure in space. Students boarded the “USS Wisdom,” which accidentally blasted off on a voyage. This ship was unique in that it did not run on solar power or electric power, etc. It ran on Scripture power (Hebrews 4:12). The Jr. Cadets provided that power daily as they said their memory verse to the Admiral (Pastor Kevin). The crew of the ship had to work together to make their way back to earth, all along the way trusting in God to guide their way.
Several teachers have shared how students were so excited about reading God’s Word on their own and wanting to carry their Bible with them everywhere. Second through fifth grade students who did not own a Bible were each provided one, through the generous donation of one of our church members. Please pray for those who came to VBS this year, that God would continue to work in their hearts by His precious Word.
The theme for the evening school this year was “One ‘Way’ = Christ.” The lessons for each night were: “One Destination,” “One Truth,” “One Name,” “One Word,” and “One Life.” One of the unique things about the evening school is the “Breakout Session.” After each lesson, the boys and girls separated to further discuss the message’s application in their lives. The young people were encouraged to bring a Bible, bring friends, and learn memorize verses.
Of course, Bible Presbyterian evening VBS would not be complete without the amazingly fun (and sometimes messy) games. The games this year included the Highland Games, Soccer, Swine Night, Jello Fest, and bucket ball. See the photo album for a closer look.
The game time was not only a time for tremendous fun, but also an opportunity for the Harvest Team to talk to the young people about their spiritual condition. This time was used to discuss salvation and issues in the Christian life with the young people.
Praise the Lord for another great year of Vacation Bible School ministry. May He continue to work in the lives of the young people on Grand Island.
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Ladies’ Bible Study
July 24, 2009
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2). How often we hear or read this verse, or some other similar verse and mentally pull away as though we touched a hot stove! Yes, trials hurt. Yes, we know we shall go through them. Yes, we know they are beneficial. But yet we do not like them and find it very difficult to enter into them with any degree of thankfulness.
Starting Tuesday, September 8 using Jerry Bridges’ book and study guide Trusting God Even When Life Hurts, the Ladies’ Bible Study will see what guidance is given in God’s word as to how this command is to be carried out. Among other things, we will look at to whom this command is given, what resources we have in God to aid us, and what reassurances we have that trials are under God’s control and purposeful in our lives.
Selected Bible verses will be added to individual memory banks to aid us in meeting trials as they come. We are promised that Scripture is given to help us (II Timothy 3:16-17) and told to hide it in our hearts so we will not sin (Psalm 119:11). The study will run for 12 weekly Tuesdays and include approximately 1-1-1/2 hours study preparation each week. Further details will be announced regarding cost and deadlines for ordering books. All ladies are welcome to attend. Questions can be addressed to Frances Wollner.
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Serving Missions by Serving Snacks
July 24, 2009
In May the Thompson family held a lemonade and snack stand at the family garage sale. All proceeds went to help the Quisbert family, missionaries in Bolivia. What started out as an idea from our daughter Anna, quickly blossomed into a family project. The kids and mom made cookies, lemonade and posters, grandma baked her famous cake and dad helped print out pictures for us to use. Even cousin Ashley came from Ohio to help out. The sale was a big success. Not only did the kids raise money to support the Quisberts but it gave them a chance to tell others about the missionaries and develop a greater interest in Missions in general. It was a blessing to serve the Lord together as a whole extended family.
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Girls’ Bible Study
July 24, 2009
If you aren’t familiar with the Girls’ Bible Study, we meet Sunday night at the church, after the evening worship service, from 7:20- 8:30. The study is led by Sarah Comfort, Katie Brown, and Julia Lasch (when she’s not in France). Girls’ Bible Study is open to high school and college-aged girls desiring a deeper understanding of God’s Word. We recently began a study of the book of Hebrews. Our attention was pointed there at Easter time, when Dr. Street preached through Hebrews 10. We have been learning about the superiority of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross over the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. Our meetings also include a time of singing, praying together, and sharing what God is doing in our lives. We praise the Lord for His gracious work in our lives and for this time to gather together. We welcome you to join us!
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