July's Book of the Month

Appropriate for all denominations, The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis is a heartfelt collection of his insights regarding mercy, service, and renewal within our churches today.

Query: Interfaith reading is a valuable way to learn about our Christian brothers and sisters. What books do you recommend?

June's Book of the Month

Rhyming verse, colorful illustrations, and the non-preachy text in My Spiritual Alphabet Book by Holly Bea introduces children of all faiths to their spiritual world. Recommended for children ages 3-7.

 

This book would make a great baby shower gift too! 

 

Query: What books do you share with children? 

We're Collecting Crayons!

This summer we're collecting new and used crayons for The Crayon Initiative. The following information is copied from their website: 

What We Do
The Crayon Initiative organizes crayon collections that take unwanted crayons, remanufactures them, and provides them to hospitals that are caring for our kids. Hospital arts' programs provide in-hospital entertainment and learning programs. During a hospital stay, it's important for children to continue normal childhood development and skills building and to keep life as close to "normal" as possible for them. Art helps hospitalized children by alleviating anxiety, providing psychological support, and offering creative outlets for self-expression. Childrens' arts programs also enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and promote creativity and imagination. Children can escape into a world of fantasy penned by their own imagination just by using crayons.

The wax from crayons is not biodegradable and will never break down, leaving a waxy sludge in our landfills for centuries to come. The Crayon Initiative supports environmental efforts by diverting crayons from the landfills. Annually, over 500,000 pounds of broken crayons are discarded in landfills throughout the country. By collecting unwanted crayons from restaurants, schools, as well as other locations, and recycling them into new ones, The Crayon Initiative is doing our part to prevent crayons from depositing in the landfill.

This is a great project for churches and/or Sunday School classes. You can access more information and request collection boxes (free) on The Crayon Initiative's website: thecrayoninitiative.org.

May's Book of the Month

Jesus, An Illustrated Life, by Jean-Pierre Isbouts, is based on the latest archaeological and literary research and vividly reconstructs the life and times of Jesus.

Query: How do you envision Biblical times? While studying God's Word try inserting yourself into the scene and imagine what you might smell, hear, taste, see, touch, feel, or do.

American Baptist Women's Ministries of Maine

On Saturday, April 16, our church hosted the Kennebec Association's annual spring meeting. Approximately twenty women joined together for a morning of prayer, singing, fellowship, tending to association business, and concluded with a bag lunch and silent auction. Coffee, juice, snacks, and desserts were provided by church members.

Sherri Cates, the guest speaker, shared a video and details of her recent medical missionary trip to the Dominican Republic. Inspiring!

Olive Corson played the piano. Special music (and lighthearted jokes) were provided by Roxanne Blaisdell.

The Kennebec Association's autumn meeting will be held September 24, 2016, at the Litchfield Plains Baptist Church. All are welcome.

Lent and Easter Happenings at Smithfield Baptist

Fun and Fellowship in Lent and Easter:

Friday, March 18th ~ 6:30 p.m. ~ Concert, featuring Christian music by Running Behind, 

                                    and light refreshments at the Norridgewock Congregational Church.

March 25^th ~ Good Friday Service ~ Smithfield Baptist Church at 7 p.m.,

                                                refreshments after the service.

                       This is our traditional Good Friday gathering joining forces with pastors and                                                         choirs and cooks from several area churches.

March 27^th ~ Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast ~ 6 a.m. 

                               Service prepared by the Sunday School Superintendent.

                               Breakfast prepared by the gentlemen of the congregation.

                    ~ Easter Worship Service ~ 10 a.m.

Speaking of Signs

If you have driven by the church recently you may have noticed that there is no sign out front. 
We removed the old sign last fall in anticipation of a new one being installed and to enable "our crew" to refurbish the siding around the entry.
We do have the spiffy new sign sitting in the downstairs entry patiently waiting for its foundation to be completed. 

Here's what the new sign looks like.