Sunday School

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 NIV

Sunday School is back in session on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and open to all. The adult class is continuing our study of Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life. We've spent the past two weeks getting back into the rhythm of rising early, wiping the sleep from our eyes and minds, and gathering together for study and fellowship.

Getting up early is worth the effort. Seated elbow to elbow around the library's table, books open before us, we share our faith, successes, failures, struggles, fears, and doubts. Everyone has a voice; everyone is heard. We request prayers when prayers are needed. We laugh - a lot. Now that chilly weather is in our midst, the furnace ticks on and off as a musical backdrop to our discussions while we delve into God's Word. We learn and grow in Christian understanding and carry our lessons out into the world.

Query: What steps might you take this week in order to attend Sunday School or a Bible study at your church? 

Kennebec Association Meeting

The autumn meeting of the American Baptist Women Ministries of Maine - Kennebec Association - was hosted Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Gardiner. Registration opened at 8:30. After coffee and snacks, the association's president, Janet Kane, provided a warm welcome and devotion for the twenty-five women gathered together for the day's activities.

The morning's program included two guest speakers who shared slides of their recent pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land. Next, the business portion of the meeting ensued. After a brown bag lunch and a yummy dessert provided by the host church, a silent auction brought the day to a heartfelt close.

Association meetings enrich the life of the church. The meetings provide opportunities for prayer, fellowship, singing, and networking. Each represented church has a chance to share what their congregation has been doing for fundraising events and to serve their community.

Our church will host the spring meeting on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Let's work together to offer our sister churches in central Maine a pleasant, prayerful welcome.

Praying for Others

Daily prayer is crucial to our walk with the Lord. At times, I struggle with how to pray for others as though there is a right way and a wrong way. Who am I to question God's will for another's life journey? Over time I've discerned that there isn't one way or time or place to pray that is better than others. The important thing is to pray, and God will understand (and forgive) my fumblings and bumblings over words.

Recently, I discovered in an online BTS newsletter the following prayer written by the writer Beth McLendon. Perhaps her words will inspire your prayer time as they have mine.

Prayer for a Friend

Wondrous Lord,
I pray for my friend, (name).
Lord, strengthen that which needs strengthening.
Heal that which needs healing.
Renew that which needs renewing.
Motivate that which needs motivating.
Bring peace to that which needs peace.
And Lord, I ask that you would
Draw my friend into a new depth of joy and intimacy with you. Amen.
                                                                           
                                                                       Copyright 2015 Beth McLendon

Enjoy Beth's inspirational prayers at her blog www.inspirationalprayers.com. 

Muriel Fish serves as church librarian and lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

September's Book of the Month

As the new church librarian, beginning with September, each month I'm choosing a book from our library's collection to feature in the church bulletin. September's choice is the Bible. It is the all-time bestseller with more than 2 billion copies sold. There are many translations and Bible study resources available in the church library. Regularly reading and studying God's Word illustrates who He is, what He teaches, and provides support, inspiration, and guidance for everyday life. The Bible is also a splendid collection of biographies, stories, maps, poetry, songs, letters, proverbs, and parables to be savored and shared with others. The Bible has inspired ideas, theories, debates, philosophy, and theology more than any other book or collection of books.

Muriel Fish serves as church librarian and lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

Church Suppers

The final church supper of this summer's season topped off the day Saturday night. We arrived with hungry bellies anticipating baked beans, potato salad, and blueberry pie. For $6 a plate, we would eat our fill of country fare often prepared from family recipes handed down through generations of homemakers. Sunshine had warmed the afternoon, and the cool dining room soothed our bare arms and legs. New and familiar faces graced the tables. After a welcoming prayer of thanksgiving, we stood in line to serve ourselves.

In a culture that often fosters isolation with workplace cubicles, faces hidden behind computer screens, and distracting gadgets and telephones that claim our attention, church suppers provide an opportunity to lead us away from all that and into community. We connect with people beyond the pew and share smiles and hellos and handshakes. We pass the salt & pepper and chat about the weather. We break bread together like Jesus and his Disciples and it is good.

Query for prayer and reflection: As Christians, how do we navigate the narrow line between entertaining - which showcases ourselves - and hospitality which focuses on the needs of others whether it be nourishing food or a listening ear?

Muriel Fish serves as church librarian and lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

Summer Leans Toward Autumn

                                                                                        
 

Smithfield is beginning to display that end-of-summer look. Goldenrod and ragweed are blooming in roadside ditches. Insects and crickets buzz and chirp in the grass, seeking mates. Late nesters, yellow finches are just beginning to set up housekeeping. Gardens are rich with harvest.

It's been a busy summer within our congregation. The spring clean-up day in May left the church refreshed and ready inside and out for prayer and worship. Church suppers welcomed old and new friends for hearty food and fellowship. A pie sale at the Smithfield Grange during Smithfield's 175th anniversary celebration weekend raised money toward a new church sign. The annual Loon Call 5K Road Race attracted more runners than ever. The church library's shelves received a coat of paint and books were sorted into genres. Our chime choir, vocal choir, and worship band continued to bring special music and hymns to our services.

Recently I discovered a small wood frog and a grasshopper sitting together on one of my day lilies. They reminded me of the diversity found within nature and among people. They reminded me of the diversity flourishing within our church as we share our gifts and talents with each other and the community. Our church doesn't end at the end of the worship service each Sunday but extends into our homes, workplaces, and the relationships we touch with our presence and Jesus living through us.

How God blesses us! Those who host the church suppers, participate in the chime choir, sing in the vocal choir, play in the worship band, share announcements, usher and greet, offer intercessory prayers, and assist at the Lord's Table serve God and all of us with their selflessness. And let us not forget the blessing of our pastor, Bert, and his wife, Carol. 

Soon Sunday School will begin again. Our teachers and young people will return to school or begin their college career. Let's pray for their safety and well-being. May they find and savor diversity and fellowship in the classroom as they learn from each other. Perhaps, like the wood frog and grasshopper, they'll make a new friend and sit outside together on a sunny day.

A Query is a question for reflection and prayer. I offer you the following Query: How have you discovered and use your God-given gifts?

Muriel Fish serves as church librarian and lives on Fishbone Farm with her husband, four hens, and one spoiled tabby cat. When she's not collecting eggs, she teaches public speaking and writing courses at Thomas College.

Sermon Updates

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