april 2019 tower tidings - fbcoakpark.org

“Love God. Love Others.

Love the World.”

~Mission Statement~

With Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord,

our mission is to glorify God and expand His Kingdom

by leading people to become devoted followers

of Christ. _____________________

~Vision Statement~

To be a loving and inviting

Christian Fellowship, growing in faith through

the Grace of Jesus Christ, seeking to transform lives in our diverse community

and beyond through teaching,

worship, evangelism and service.

820 Ontario . Oak Park, IL 60302 . 708/848-4070 [email protected]

www.firstbaptistchurchofoakpark.com Rev. Dr. David John Hailey, Pastor

—Wednesdays— —Sundays— 5:45 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Adult Bible Study

HAILEY’S COMMENT

Preparing for Resurrection

As you’ve heard me say from the pulpit, the season of Lent presents an opportunity for each of us to reflect, repent, and renew. For these reasons and many more, I find Lent to be the most fruitful season of the Christian year. Certainly, there should not ever be a time when we are not reflecting on our lives, repenting of our sins, and renewing ourselves to serve Christ’s kingdom in this place, but Lent adds an element that other times in the Christian year do not: Resurrection.

Resurrection is an interesting word. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines resurrection as the state of one risen from the dead. Which, honestly, is a good definition of resurrection. However, it doesn’t fully grasp the sense of resurrection that we find in the Bible. The Old Testament does not explicitly mention resurrection, but it consistently refers to the need for Israel to “return to God” to be “restored.” The act of “returning to God” encourages God’s people who have strayed away to listen again for God’s voice calling. The overwhelming majority of the prophets of old focus on the act of returning to God. It requires reflection, repentance, and renewal. Unfortunately, as we know from our study of the scriptures, God’s people would briefly return only to stray away yet again.

This resurrection was not only a restoration of God’s relationship with humanity, but it was also a miraculous act of God’s power to even raise someone from the dead. Through the bodily resurrection of Jesus, God offers hope that transcends death. Through Christ’s resurrection we can rest assured that there is hope beyond our physical lives, and there is hope beyond our physical deaths.

April 2019 Tower Tidings

Cont. on page 2

Tower Tidings, April 2019

HOLY WEEK OPPORTUNITIES

Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday on April 14, marks the most sacred week of the year. You are invited to participate in any and all of the special services that are offered to mark the key events in the last week of Jesus’ life.

Palm Sunday, April 14—We celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches adorn our sanctuary and our Preschool & Kindergarten children will be singing Cantad Hosanna! with our Sanctuary Choir. Maundy Thursday, April 18—At this 7:30 p.m. service we relive Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. The candlelight communion service is held in our first floor narthex. We retell the Passion Story from Mark. With each

reading the room is darkened as candles are extinguished, reminiscent of the Tenebrae service. Good Friday, April 19—Our first floor chapel will be fitted for self-guided contemplations of “The Way of the Cross.” Masterpiece paintings by such artists as El Greco, Bosch, and Caravaggio will trace Jesus’ journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Tomb. You are invited to come any time between 12:00 noon and

8:00 p.m. to spend a quiet, meditative time reflecting on Christ’s sufferings. Easter Paschal, April 21: At this 7:30 a.m. (Note new time!) service we enter the darkened chapel, reminiscent of the tomb. As scripture is read, the light gradually rises until the proclamation; “He is risen!” is at

last announced. At that point all participate in the stripping of the dark vestments and replacing them with white and Easter flowers. Easter Worship, April 24: We rejoice in the message of resurrection at our 9:00 a.m. service. Easter Breakfast, April 24: Good Shepherd Youth will be preparing Easter Breakfast for First Baptist and Good Shepherd in our first floor Fellowship Hall. They begin serving the Good Shepherd church at 9:00 a.m.; First Baptist will enjoy a full breakfast at 10:00 a.m. A free will offering will be received.

We invite you to contribute palm branches and/or various spring flowers for our April 14 Palm Sunday and April 21 Easter service. Each palm branch is 50¢ and spring flowers are $16 each (with azaleas and hydrangeas for $24 each). You are invited to take your palms and flowers with you following the services. You may order by filling out our bulletin insert on Sunday, by calling the church at 708/848-7080, or by e-mailing: [email protected].

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We all donned our First Baptist T-shirts,

along with Dr. David John Hailey,

on March 17 to celebrate his first Sunday preaching for us

as our new Pastor!

As Christians, we yearn for resurrection from the dead when that day comes for us because we know that we will be reunited with our loving, creative God who will welcome us to our forever home. This blessed assurance comforts us in times of grief and pain, and it takes away the sting of death, as Paul writes to the church in Corinth. Yet, while we have this hope of the day to come, we recognize that we still have a purpose here in this place. And, we have a responsibility to prepare ourselves for resurrection.

Are you preparing to be resurrected this Lent? —Dr. David John Hailey

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PROPERTY COMMITTEE REPORT

We want to continue to inform our church family about projects around our church which have been recently completed: • Our new gym stage curtains, which are fire retardant, now can be opened and closed thanks to the combined efforts of

Eric Hogan and Hunter Evans. • Two drinking fountains on the second and third floors have been repaired and are in working order. • The washing machine in the basement has had its drain unclogged and is again working well. • Our Building Manager Eric Hogan has done a wonderful job replacing all our electric lightbulbs with LEDs, saving us

energy and money . He just has the fluorescent tubes to replace. • The gate in our Preschool & Kindergarten playground has been repaired. • Several toilets in the church have been repaired, as well as the kitchen mop sink. • The exit lights in the basement have been rewired so they are directly connected to the breaker. We give thanks for our Building Manager Eric Hogan for all his hard work behind the scenes!

2018 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT VOLUNTEER CAMPAIGN FOLLOW UP

We continue to share feedback on our volunteers’ perspective and the positive impact their experience has had on them: My name is Susan Shields and I have volunteered at the Infant Welfare Society since 2017. I am the secretary in our circle and the project leader for this year’s Holiday House Walk, a three-day event the end of December, one of many fundraisers to help fill the shortfall of government funding in support the Children’s clinic. The infant Welfare Society is a group of women from the Oak Park/River Forest area that have worked to support the Children’s clinic for over 100 years, providing care to children from infancy though 18 years of age with free (quality) medical, dental, and behavioral services. There was no question this is one of my passions to ensure that no parent

should have to worry about the ability to provide necessary care for their children. The clinic staff work hard to provide a safe and comfortable environment, especially for children with special needs. I am proud to be a part of an organization that makes a direct contribution and impact to these children. CROP WALK is my other passion to ensure no one will be without food or other basic needs. I am a volunteer on the planning committee for the annual CROP WALK for Hunger. I will help with recruitment of youth involvement, in addition to managing event day logistics and a database for donations. CROP WALK is celebrating their 50th anniversary to end hunger. I am proud to be a part of an important mission with such a massive outreach domestically as well as globally. I also volunteer with my company for Annual Chicago Cares Work Day, a service day that brings together people from many corporate businesses in the Chicago and the surrounding areas for a work day. Volunteers are bussed to various schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods around the city and provide services to help with minor repairs, painting, and other beautification projects not included in a school’s budget, and that otherwise would not be accomplished. It is a fun day that makes a big difference to the children when they begin the new school year with a fresh new look. Volunteer Tasks include painting walls, cleaning, building and painting bookshelves, making blankets, painting murals, outdoor landscaping and painting. Just knowing my small contributions to these organizations help so many is worth more to me than anything. I truly enjoy helping others, especially those who are less fortunate. I have been truly blessed in my life and God has always provided in my times of need. I stand in unwavering faith that he will give what is needed in his time, not ours. 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 speaks of giving generously of what you have, and how God rewards those gifts not given in reluctance, in v 8 in particular: God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Many blessings!


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CHAPEL WITH PASTOR DAVID JOHN

On Wednesdays our Preschool & Kindergarten children meet in the chapel for songs, Bible stories, and Good Deed Certificates. On March 13 the children welcomed Pastor David John for the first time. He played guitar and taught the children This Little Light of Mine. He prayed with them and then was invited to give the children their star stickers as Director Ms. Barbara awarded them their Good Deed Certificates. It won’t be long before the children will be greeting Pastor David John in the hallway and giving him “high fives!”

PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN SPRING GALA APRIL 27

Each year our Preschool & Kindergarten holds their Spring Gala, which raises funds for the school. Each of our four preschool classes, the kindergarteners, and students from our After School Program will perform songs on our gym stage. This year the theme is “What’s Going On?,” inspired by Marvin Gaye’s song. The program will focused on our earth and its ecology, and how to make it better. We are all invited to attend this wonderful festival as we continue to support our extended church family in our school. The Gala is on Saturday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m. in our gym. Tickets are $15:00 for individuals 12 years old and up; $5:00 for children. The school also publishes a program which includes ad space. If you would like to advertise, or include a message of support for our school, contact the school at 708/383-1190 or [email protected]. Ads are $5:00 for a quarter-page, $10.00 for a half-page, and $15.00 for a full-page.


SECOND SATURDAY BOOK CLUB

The Second Saturday Book Club will be reading Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer this month. Discus-sion will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13 in the parlor. In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, renowned Christian minister, professor, and author of The Cost of Discipleship recounts his unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years in Germany. Giving practical advice on how life together in Christ can be sustained in families and groups, Life Together is bread for all who are hungry for the real life of Christian fellowship.

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PRAYER WALK APRIL 13

Love to pray? Love to walk? You can do both! The Service Team is sponsoring a prayer walk at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13 starting at the church. This is an opportunity for us to engage with the community that our church is a part of by virtue of its location. For more information contact Brent Friesen ([email protected]).

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Reflect on what one Stephen Minister writes about himself as a Stephen Minister:

“I Am a Stephen Minister... ...loving, kind, called by God to minister to His people’s needs. ...patient, understanding, called by God to listen while His people grieve. ...comforting, caring, called by God to participate in the process of healing. ...imperfect, but thankful that I am called by God to be an instrument for His care.

One of the ways to tell that our congregation cares is by our commitment to Stephen Ministry. For more than 25 years, members of our congregation have responded to the call to be Stephen Ministers. Currently there are 12 active Stephen Ministers at the First Baptist Church of Oak Park. Having completed their training, our Stephen Ministers are putting their skills and compassion to work, caring for people in our congregation and beyond. We thank God that he has given us the gift of these people.

Finding Stephen Ministers is an important next step for our ministry as the need to care for people’s needs is ever present. We are praying for the individuals God is calling to serve as caregivers. Please include this need in your prayers. God answers our prayers because he is faithful. For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact any of our Stephen Leaders: Elaine, Linzy, Mike or Perla. Our abiding verse: Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

—Perla Londres Waters

SARAH CIRCLE

Sarah Circle resumed its schedule of meetings Monday, March 11. The meeting, hosted by Perla Londres Waters and Elaine Tuber Feuerabend as the Program Leader, was held in the Church’s Dining Room. Elaine’s program centered on vignettes from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life. Three major areas were covered in a video presentation, each followed by a sharing on points to ponder—What Drives Your Life, Made to Last Forever, and Life is a Temporary Assignment. Additional vignettes will be covered during the Circle’s May meeting. For April’s meeting the Circle will join ABC’s Area 1 American Baptist Women’s “Spring Spiritual Feast” at Marseilles First Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. There will be a speaker in the morning followed by a concert after lunch. The speaker is Robert Montgomery, CEO of the Friendship House of Christian Service which has made a powerful difference in Peoria. Incorporated in 1951, Friendship House began as a cooperative effort by the American Baptist Church and the local Council of Churches. Its mission is “to do the work of Jesus Christ, providing hope, respect, and guidance towards a path to prosperity.” Attendees are encouraged to bring all kinds of toiletries for the clients at the House. Please contact Perla if you will attend this gathering. Additional information will be provided via email as the date draws near. This is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with other women within Area 1.

—Perla Londres Waters

Sarah

APRIL 20 1 8

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April Birthdays (When is your birthday?)

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11. Zachary Lane Art Skwerski 12. Monroe Saffold 18. Bonnie Heidorn 19. Harvey Finklestein Sharon Mullins 20. Joel Raney

Palm Sunday 14 9am FB Worship/GS S.S. 10:30am FB S.S./GS Worship 11:15am IT Worship 3:30pm RH 4pm GS Women’s Spirituality 6-9pm VC

Easter Sunday 21 7:30am* Easter Paschal 9am FB Worship 10am FB Easter Breakfast 11:15am IT Worship 3:30pm RH 6-9pm VC *Note new time for Easter Paschal Service

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9am FB Worship/GS S.S. 10:15am Evangelism Team 10:30am FB S.S./GS Worship 11:15am IT Worship 3:30pm RH 6-9pm VC

15 9am GS Stay Active


29 9am GS Stay Active 12noon Tower Tidings Deadline

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16 5:30pm Property Committee 7pm Ministry Support Team

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30

10 8am Men’s Breakfast 5:45pm Handbells

7pm FB Choir 7:30pm GS Choir

17 5:45pm Handbells


24 5:45pm Handbells

7pm FB Choir

7:30pm GS Choir

4 7pm Pastoral Search Committee 7pm Al Anon

11 7pm Al Anon

Maundy Thursday 18 7pm Al Anon 7:30pm FB Maundy Thursday Service 7:30pm GS Watch Night

25 7pm Al Anon

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12 6pm GS Persist 7pm GS Jazz Service

Good Friday 19 Office and Preschool

Closed 12noon-8pm

“The Way of the Cross”

Meditation in Chapel

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6 9:30am GS Playdate 5:45pm Cook County Jail Ministry Outing

13 10am 2nd Saturday Book Club 10am GS Choir 11:30am Prayer Walk 7:30pm GS Men’s Spirituality

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27 2pm Preschool & Kindergarten Spring Gala

2 6:30pm Education Team 7pm Spiritual Life & Worship 7pm Service Team

3 5:45 pm Handbells


22. Hayley Brooks 24. Craig Nelson 25. Katherine (Parker)

Fuller Michael Gill Mykel McDonald

1. Jan Nelson 3. Renée Hubbard 3. Steven Lloyd 5. Barbara Branch 8. Travis Brooks 9. Jeff Gavard 10. Richard Boice

7 9am FB Worship/GS S.S. 10:30am FB S.S./GS Worship 11:15am IT Worship 3:30pm RH 4pm GS Women 6-9pm VC

8 9am GS Stay Active 7:30pm Sarah Circle


FB=First Baptist GS=Good Shep-herd IT=India Telugu VC=Village Church RH= Ray of Hope SM=Stephen Min.

Sunday Morning Schedule

9:00 a.m. Morning Worship 9:10 a.m. Kids Kingdom

10:30 a.m. Mathew Studies Class 10:30 a.m. Living Waters Class

10:30 a.m. Veritas Class 10:30 a.m. YAM (Young Adults)


26. Brock Friesen John Hyndman 28. Debra Baratta 30. Josie Pierce Charlie Robinson

FEBRUARY FINANCIAL REPORT

Offerings 18,662.00 Monthly Budget 27,783.00 Difference (under budget) -9,121.00 Offerings through February 125,647.50 Offerings budgeted through February 138,915.00 Difference year to date (under budget) -13,267.50 Total February Income 35,524.53 Total February Expenses 39,922.79 Difference (under budget) 4,398.26


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Total expenses through February excluding Nehemiah 221,620.65 Budgeted through February 216,845.00 Difference (over budget) -4,775.65 Nehemiah Project February beginning balance 28,692.00 February Income 2,267.38 February Expenses -4,138.25 Total 26,821.13

Ministry Support Team Karen Borgstadt,

Chair; Keith Gavard, Curtis Helwig, Don Mullins, Djuana O’Connor,Paul Sengpiehl, Lynne

BLACKHAWK BAPTIST CAMP 2019—Celebrated 60 Years! 4491 W. Henry Rd., Oregon, IL 61061 . 815/496-0732

Camp Clean-Up/Work Days: 8:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m.**

June 29: Grounds and cabins restored for camping season & final “spruce up.” **Lunch will be provided—please call or email Bobbie @ [email protected]

Camp Start Date & Time End Date & Time Cost Jr. High Camp (grades 6-8) July 7 @ 4:00 p.m. July 13 @ 10:00 a.m. $240 Sr. High Camp (grades 9-12) July 14 @ 4:00 p.m. July 20 @ 10:00 a.m. $240 Arts & Drama Camp (grades 6-12) July 21 @ 4:00 p.m. July 26 @ 10:00 a.m. $200 Slumber Party (grades K-5) July 26 @ 7:00 p.m. July 27 @ 10:00 a.m. $25 Day Camp (grades K-5) July 27 @ 9:30 a.m. July 27 @ 4:00 p.m. $25 Middler Camp (grades 2-5) July 28 @ 4:00 p.m. Aug. 1 @ 7:00 p.m. $200 Twilight Camp (grades 6-12) Aug. 2 @ 7:00 p.m. Aug. 4 @ 1:00 p.m. $75 Blackhawk Day Event August 10 @ 9:30 a.m. Coffee hour & lunch will be provided. A day of great Fellowship & fun Activities. All ages are invited to celebrate 60 years at Blackhawk Camp.

Help the Camp—amazonsmile: Blackhawk Baptist Camp is now getting a percentage of purchases on Amazon Smile. If you have an account on Amazon you can just go on smile.amazon.com and select Blackhawk Baptist Camp as the chari-table organization you wish to support at no additional cost to you.

MATTEW STUDIES CLASS

Fay continues teaching from the parallel gospels. Luke has left the outline order of Mark’s gospels and begun his special section from Jesus leaving Galilee on his final journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51 to 18:14). About half of this section is Luke-only material, including such famous parables as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and the other half has out-of-sequence parallels in Matthew and Mark. Any adult can benefit from this fascinating study that brings you face to face with Jesus on the way to his cross and resurrection. Copies of the gospel parallels available in class, 10:30 a.m., Sunday morn-ings, in the Sellers Room.

—Max and Fay Havlick

—Prayer Concerns— Sympathy is extended to Cindy Jones, Elaine Feuerabend’s sister, on the passing of her husband, James Earl Jones. A service was held at Dreschler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home on Saturday, March 23. May God watch over you. Prayers are requested for Jeff Skemp who was recently hospitalized at Oak Park/Rush Hospital. He was extremely dehydrated, with low blood pressure. His kidneys were almost not functioning. He is now beginning to mend, is being re-hydrated, and his blood pressure is near normal. Prayers are requested for Ivy Lloyd’s sister, Edna Dixon who is in a hospital in Kankakee, IL, suffering from advanced lupus.

—In Our Church Family— Bob & Mary Lee Eneberg’s address in the front of the 2019 Church Phone Book is incorrect. It should be 1401 Suffolk Ave. Their address in the general listings is correct.

Church Transportation—The church has a wheelchair

accessible van. Those who need a ride to church on Sundays may call Brent Friesen at 708/745-2187. Shuttle Service Sundays—Free parking and free shuttle service is available on Sundays at the North Blvd. Parking Garage, just east of Oak Park Ave. The bus will pick you up at the elevator lobby. Electronic Giving Option—You may have your weekly/monthly contribution debited from your checking or savings account and transferred into the

church account safely and electronically. You will also be able to view your giving history. You are invited to place a laminated “We Give Electronically” card found in the pews when the Sunday offering is received. Visit our website, www.firstbaptistchurchofoakpark.com and click on “e-giving.”

Preschool Open Enrollment—Open enrollment is available for two to 12 year olds in our Illinois Star Rated

Preschool, Kindergarten, and After School Program. Visit www.firstbaptistchurchofoakpark.com, or call Director Barbara Branch, 708/383-1190. Cemetery Plots Available—The church has cemetery plots available at a reduced cost at nearby cemeteries. Please contact the church office for more information.

CHURCH STAFF Dr. David John Hailey, Pastor Monroe Saffold, Welcome Minister Joel Raney, Minister of Music Barbara Branch, Director, Preschool & Kindergarten Mary Lee Eneberg, Office Admin. Elaine Feuerabend, Financial Secretary/Stephen Ministry Referrals Eric Hogan, Building Manager Ricardo Zela, Sexton

2018-2019 CHAIRS/LEADERS

Michael Feuerabend, Leadership Team Chair Cheryl Verville, Leadership Team Vice-Chair Yvonne Coffer, Church Clerk Lee McDonald, Treasurer Michael Shields, Education Team Chair


Robert Ansani, Evangelism Team Chair Karen Borgstadt, Ministry Support Team Chair Jan Nelson, Preschool & Kindergarten Board Chair Brent Friesen, Service Team Chair Judy Friesen, Spiritual Life & Worship Team Chair Kathy Ogundipe, Superintendent of Sunday School

GREETERS Apr. 7: Djuana O’Connor(E);

Rob McGehee (W) Apr. 14: Beth Bruner (E);

Mattie Dickerson & Mattie Peals (W) Apr. 21: Jeff Skemp (E);

Rob McGehee (W) Apr. 28: Rob McGehee (E);

Marvin Pope (W)

NURSERY WORKERS Apr. 7: Dorothy O’Connor

& Beth Bruner Apr. 14: Dorothy O’Connor

& Ron Van Doren Apr. 21: Dorothy O’Connor

& Miles Lee Apr. 28: Dorothy O’Connor

& Nancy Hogan

WORSHIP LEADERS Apr. 7: Chuck Courtney Apr. 14: Keith Gavard

Apr. 21: Helen Robinson Apr. 28: Mattie Dickerson

USHERS

Regular Ushers: Charlie Robinson, Marvin Pope, Linzy Waters,

Perla Londres Waters Apr. 7: Nancy Feehan,

Fred Grandison Apr. 14: Elsa Anaya, Chuck Courtney

Apr. 21: Nancy Hogan & Jackie Williams

Apr. 28: Liz McDonald & Mattie Peals

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april 2019 tower tidings - fbcoakpark.org

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