Dec. 2, 2009 After 9/11 many government officials talked about how no one ever imagined that hijackers would fly planes into buildings. Who of us would ever have imagined that God Almighty would have come to earth as a little child? We could imagine God's coming as sensational, phenomenal, or even catastrophic, but as a baby? The most awful natural elements would have accompanied His coming, perhaps a mighty wind or thunder and lightning or an unusual event in the skies, but a child? God came as a little child. The great God "emptied Himself." Be amazed and filled with wonder! God has come. We are the visited planet and He will come again. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry

Nov 4, 2009 From the Pastor’s Desk The past few weeks have been difficult for First Baptist Church with four funerals of active members. Tears are a sign of grief and love. We do not need to apologize for tears or think that they are inappropriate for a person of faith. Paul said we grieve differently than people who do not believe and have no hope, but we still grieve. (I Thessalonians 4:13) We do have an obligation to pass on to others the comfort, or strength, that we have received. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (II Corinthians 1:3 and 4) God comforts through prayers, music, scripture, and other Christians. As God has helped you, let others know that God has comforted you. Pass it on. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry

Oct. 28, 2009 Sin is such a small word , three letters, but a major problem for all human beings. We all deal daily with annoyances. The driver of the car in front of us at the toll booth fumbles for the right change and asks directions. We all deal with regrets. We may regret educational decisions that lock us into a particular career. Almost everyone suffers pangs from aging. We suffer from human miseries such as loneliness, boredom, fear, and anxiety. None of these troubles matters as much as sin. The reason, as Neil Plantiga puts it, is that sin distorts our character, alienates us from God and other people, and corrupts human capacities, thought, emotions, speech and acts. How ironic that today we need to renew the knowledge of sin. A person can never understand their need for a Savior and grace apart from an understanding of sin. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry

Oct 21, 2009 Youth Sunday Many people have suggested that we try and involve young people more in our worship services. In response to that concern, the last Sunday of each month, this month that is October 25, will be youth Sunday. Young people will help lead the service. Because our new youth leader, Johanna Goewey, plays the guitar, the young people will also be leading the congregation in a song or two. Young people are not just the future of the church, but part of the church now. Their participation in worship is important. Part of being a multi generational church is allowing everyone to participate in worship. Be present this coming Sunday and affirm and encourage our young people as they help lead worship. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry

Oct 14, 2009 The Bible David Plotz, the editor of an online magazine, has written a book about the Bible. He is not a believer, but comes to the Bible with interesting observations, fresh eyes and humor. For example he calls Samson the original meathead, born 3,400 years too early to be a hockey goon or the fraternity rush chairman. Samson falls in love with Delilah who tries to get Samson to reveal why he is so strong. After giving Delilah several false answers and having Philistines try to seize him, you would think that any man who is not a moron would dump this treacherous vixen, but not Samson. Samson is not too bright. He finally tells Delilah the source of his strength and is captured by the Philistines who cut his hair and gouge out his eyes. The Philistines are apparently not brainiacs either as they allow him to grow his hair again and pay a steep price for this neglect. There are many things in Plotz's book that I disagree with, but the book did help me to see Bible stories and teachings in fresh ways. Believers are people of the book and we need to read and know the Bible so that we can know the God of the Bible. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry

Oct 7, 2009 Music Different generations like different styles and types of music. Each week I try and pick songs to sing in our worship services that will appeal to the different generations. That probably means no one will ever like all the music that we sing in a worship service. We generally, not always, sing an old gospel hymn. This coming Sunday, that will be 'I Need Thee Every Hour.' We also often sing one of the older classic hymns such as 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' or 'O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.' Almost every Sunday we sing one of the older praise and worship songs composed between 1960 and 1980, such as 'Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. Last, I try and include at least one song composed since 1980, such as 'You Are My All in All' which we sang this past Sunday. Part of being the church is to look beyond our preferences and being willing to sing enthusiastically songs and hymns that others may prefer. God enjoys our praise and worship in multiple ways. Love in Christ, Pastor Jerry