Advent Kickoff!

(Pardon the football reference.)

The Quintessential Winds...a woodwind and brass choir from Skowhegan and beyond will present "Music for the Christmas Season" at the Smithfield Baptist Church this Sunday, December 2nd, at the 10 a.m. Service.  A luncheon will follow and all are invited and welcome to attend this Christmas celebration.

Thanksgiving Service and Dinner

Join us on Sunday, November 18th for our annual Thanksgiving Celebration: service at 10:00 a.m., dinner with turkey and all the fixings immediately after the service.

Celebration of LIfe - John H. Reed

Sunday, November 11th at 2:00 p.m.

A few scenes from the service.

 

God has a wonderful way of scooting in around us and showing us things that we never expected just when we need to see them.
Our Sunday Service is coming out like that this week...August 26...
The readings are Joshua 24:15-18...Israel is asked to make a decision...Josuah says..."As for me and my house we will follow the Lord!"
The Psalm 84...Where else would I rather be but in the Lord's house.
Ephesians 6:10-20...feeling alone and vulnerable...Put on the whole armor of God
John 6:60-68...Will you too also abandon me?...Jesus...questions Peter and the others..."Where could I go Lord," Peter responds..."you have the words of eternal life."
Readings from the Word about choosing...choosing God...choosing wisely...choosing courage and hope over defeat and dispair, choosing to follow Jesus.
Our guest is Bill Atkinson...Bill was searching for a ministry...a place where he could meet people who were also searching ...searching for spiritual life...searching for God...God scooted him around to the boys club girls club YMCA in Waterville and then began opening doors for him to minister to people who didn't expect to have the chance to ask questions about faith and God and hope beside a swimming pool.
But there was Bill...There was God...Bill is going to share some of the great ways God has been scooting around in his life over the last 6 months and about the Ministry God has given Maine Baptists at the Alfond Center and about how many people have been given the chance to say with Joshua...As for me...I chose God!

Late Summer Update

Summer supper season coming to an end - one more on September 1st.
Adult Sunday School community outreach project progressing.
Planning under way for changes to improve access to our favorite "sanctuary" - front steps, ramp to side/back entrance, others? Contact Bert if you would like to weigh in. We want Smithfield Baptist to be as user-friendly as possible.

Sermon Page Update

Blogger-in-chief took a break from weeding, mowing, watering, etc. to post six recent sermons, between April 15th and June 17th. Check them out on the Sermons page.

The Ceiling is Done . . .

. . . just in time for the first summer supper (Saturday night, 26th, 5:30). Was anyone worried? Photos to follow when the archivist gets a few hours to spare.

Sundae Sunday 2012 is in the books.

Watch the action here.

Mark your calendar for SBC Summer Music Specials

Details later.

June 24th ~ Sonny Perry and fellow musicians

July 22nd ~ The Hyssongs ~ Dell, Susan, and Richard

Summer Supper Schedule

All suppers are pot luck (beans, casseroles, salads, breads) with a variety of pies for dessert. Serving commences at 5:30 and early arrival is recommended. $6 for adults, $3 for under 12. Drawing for a free supper at every meal.

May 26 ~ June 9 ~ June 23 ~ July 7 ~ July 21 ~ August 4 ~ August 18 ~ September 1

[Rated by many patrons as the best public supper for miles around!]

Sundae Sunday Right Around the Corner

Annual Sunday School Celebration, is coming right up on May 20th. Join us to celebrate another great year of Sunday School with recognition of attendees and helpers during the service, special music by the chime and vocal choirs, and the annual barbeque luncheon following the service topped off by make-your-own ice cream sundaes, hence the moniker "Sundae Sunday."

Mother's Day Special at SBC

Invite any and all of the mothers in your life for a special service on May 13th, 2012. Pastor Bert promises flowers for all and light refreshments after the 10:00 a.m. service.

Good Friday Service - A Full House

Many area church friends joined us for our annual Good Friday service. Music included selections by Rev. Mark Tanner, the Norridgewock Congregational choir, our own chime choir, and a combined vocal choir. Rev. Nathan Richards delivered the Good Friday message.

Wrapping Up the Easter Season

Good Friday Service ~ April 6th ~ 7:00 p.m. / Congregation swells with visitors from area churches ~      participation by SBC Chime Choir and combined vocal choirs / Fellowship following the service (sandwiches and desserts)
Easter Sunrise Service ~ April 8th ~ 6:00 a.m. / Service on the Steps (weather-permitting) led by Sunday School followed by breakfast prepared by the men of the church
Easter Service ~ April 8th ~ 10:00 a.m.

     Service will feature music provided by our vocal and chime choirs and the Handley father and sons combo.
     Join us in celebrating Jesus' Resurrection!

PALM SUNDAY (untrivial) TRIVIA

According to the Gospels, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, and the celebrating people there lay down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small branches of trees. The people sang part of Psalms 118 ... Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord .... The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war. Therefore, a king came riding upon a horse when he was bent on war and rode upon a donkey when he wanted to point out he was coming in peace. Therefore, Jesus' entry to Jerusalem symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday

Take a look at the Christian Holy Days Page for more information on Palm Sunday.

Summer Events Planning

April 22nd ~ right after the morning service / Planning for summer suppers and other summer events.

Already scheduled:
     June 24th ~ Sonny Perry
     July 22nd ~ The Hyssongs

Community Ministry Project

Adult Sunday School class project…”Ministry to Those in Need!”  is looking for volunteers who would like to join our effort to reach those in the community who need help. We want to share with them our concern and  our emergency preparedness kits.  If you would like to help us with our project please let Bert, Sue McLeod, or Robin Thurber know your interest. 

Upgrading Ceiling in Kitchen and Dining Room

Replacement work needs to be done on the tiles in Kitchen and Sunday School room downstairs.  Can you help us and join us for work days to replace the tiles?…Please let our trustees,  or Bert or Pat know if you would like to help. 

Work will commence after April 21st.

Keeping Up With Bert's Thoughts

Check out sermon page. Several new ones added.

Epiphany Notes - February 12th

Epiphanies are Made for Sharing 

                                                Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

"The word 'epiphany' means 'to show forth.' Epiphanies, both large and small, tend to be private events - yet events with great significance for the public. Trying to share the details with another of an epiphany is fraught with complications. The words cannot fully bridge the gap between description and what it was like being there. Most of us keep our personal experiences of the Holy to ourselves. Who would believe it? And who would really understand? The irony is that epiphanies are made for sharing, even as they are impossible to communicate fully . . .

"Unlike the poor shepherds, the Magi had to travel a long road; they had to face adversity to reach their goal. It was anything but a romantic, sentimental pilgrimage that we often see in our manger scenes! . . .

"The experience of the magi reminds us that all who make the tedious journey to the truth will finally encounter it and be changed in the process. They can never go back to a 'business as usual' way of life. When we meet Christ and see who he really is, we will never be the same - and only then can we hope to begin to share in his mission . . ."

Bert's Epiphany Notes

 The Christmas season ends with Epiphany, a feast day in which the early church celebrated Jesus’ brilliant manifestation (epiphaneia in Greek, also translated as “appearing”) not only to the Magi but also to the world through his birth, baptism, and first recorded miracle at the wedding at Cana. Eastern Christianity maintains this multifaceted celebration of Epiphany, while we in the West focus primarily on remembering and celebrating the arrival of the Magi, those mysterious and devoted Wise Men who traveled far to welcome the Christ and offer their gifts.

As we travel toward Epiphany and savor the final days of Christmas, this is a good time to ponder where we are in our journey. As we cross into the coming year, where do you find yourself on the path? Have you been traveling more by intention or by reacting to what’s come your way? What direction do you feel drawn to go in during the coming weeks and months? Is there anything you need to let go of—or to find—in order to take the next step? In the coming months, what gift do you most need to offer, that only you can give?

Welcome to the new SBC Blog

This blog is being created to replace the website with the hope that it will provide an easier way to communicate with each other and the world. Please comment with suggestions for features or discussion topics.