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F.P.C MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
 From Faith to Faith
JUNE 2008
 VOL. XXIV No. VI
Pastor: Mark Scholten         Asst. Pastor: James Kobb

in this issue

  1.  Faith Newsletter

  2. Care Package Collection

  3. New Adult Book Study

  4. Ladies Night Out

  5. Looking for a Piano

  6. Missionary Update

  7. Welcome to Three New Members

  8. The Lord’s Supper

  9. Graduation News

  10. Pastor Mark

  11. Dr. Carl Bogue

  12. Mess Hall and STING

  13. Do You Know...?

  14. Responding to God in Worship

  15. Understanding Baptism

  16. Recipe

JUNE CALENDAR

1. Faith Newsletter
From Faith to Faith Newsletter is in it’s twenty-fourth year of publication. We hope you have enjoyed the newsletter each month and have kept you informed of church events in a timely manner. But, now we would like to encourage everyone who can to sign up for the newsletter electronically and have it delivered to your email address. We have been working on an html newsletter email and also links from that email to our newsletter web page for those who cannot view the email properly due to different email configurations. The newsletter email is still “under construction”, but should be ready for the June newsletter.
Going electronically will save the church money, time, office supplies and postage. We hope all who are able will take advantage of this opportunity. We want to still provide you with all the news you have always enjoyed.
Please check out the church web site weekly for any changes and updates regarding church activities. The web site is updated weekly and is always current on church functions.

To register for electronic email newsletters choose one of the following:

1. Go to our church web page and click on the “subscribe to church email newsletter”. Sign up the email or emails you want to receive the newsletter.
2.You may call the church office and leave your email address on the answering machine or with the secretary.
3.You can meet with one of the audio technicians in the back of the sanctuary after church services and sign up at that time.

If you have any questions regarding the electronic newsletter and how it works please see Dave Rastetter who is heading up this program.

2.Care Package Collection

Have you heard the good news? We are taking up a collection to support our new adopted chaplain, Lt. Garland Mason, who is currently deployed in Iraq. Let’s show him our love and support with a care package filled with goodies and essentials. Look for a collection box in the vestibule throughout May and June for your donations.

Needed items include:

  • snack sized packages of Pringles, crackers, trail mix, energy bars, granola bars, beef jerky

  • chewing gum and hard candy (NO CHOCOLATE)

  • commercial cookies (NO HOMEMADE COOKIES)

  • travel sized personal hygiene items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, lip balm, lotion, razors, baby wipes, sun screen, or hand sanitizers

  • stationary, blank greeting cards

  • INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARDS

  • small toys for the soldiers to give out to the Iraqi children (beanie babies, deflated soccer balls, tops, dolls, harmonicas, anything unbreakable and small).

 

3.New Adult Book Study

A new adult study group is forming and you are invited! (This group has no name so be thinking of a name to submit for consideration.)
The Tasseff family is opening their home for this study. The first meeting is June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. (and again June 24th). After June, this study will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
The course of study is a book by Nelson K. Kloosterman called Walking About Zion (a study of Psalms). If you are interested in joining this study please contact Pastor Mark to get a study book. (One per couple if possible please).

 

4.Ladies Night Out
Don’t slave over a hot stove!! Come join the ladies of WIC (Women in the Church) for a night out at Waterloo Restaurant on Friday, June 13th, at 5:30 p.m. All ladies of Faith Church and their guests are invited for a fun evening. Waterloo Restaurant is located close to the church at 423 E. Waterloo Road. The telephone number of the restaurant is (330) 773-5158 in case you have any questions or contact Fern Richards. (The restaurant web site is www.waterloorestaurant.com ). If you plan to attend please sign up on the sign up sheet on the vestibule table.

 

5.Looking for a Piano
The Scholten family would like to purchase a reasonably priced used piano. If anyone knows of one for sale please contact the  Scholtens.

 

6.Missionary Update
Anyone interested in an update on Rev. Paul Durand please look at the missionary map in the vestibule.

 

7.Faith Church would like to welcome three new members!

  • Timothy Jesurun joined Faith on May 10th coming to us by reaffirmation of faith.

  • Edwin Samuel also joined Faith on May 10th coming to us by a letter of transfer.

  • Gary Logue joined Faith on May 18th by letter of transfer as well.
    We are so glad to have these three gentlemen in our church family!

 

8.The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated during our morning worship service on June 1st. Please prepare your hearts and minds to come to the Lord’s table.

 

9.Graduation News
 

  • Miss. Alicia Blasiman will be graduating from high school at a Home School Commencement Ceremony on May 30, 2008. Alicia finished her senior year as a post secondary student at Stark State College of Technology. She has been accepted into the honors program at Kent State University Stark Campus, receiving a two year full tuition Honors Scholarship. Alicia will be majoring in American Sign Language with a minor in Education.

  • Mr. Benjamin Blasiman will be graduating from high school at a Home School Commencement Ceremony on May 30, 2008. During his senior year Ben completed a one hundred hour welding course through the Alliance Career Centre. In preparation for his life work, Ben will be spending a year as an apprentice at Poly Face Farm in Virginia.

  • Mr. Joshua Sevcik is graduating from Minerva High School. He has been attending Kent State University full time during the last two years as a post secondary student. He was home schooled until he began at Kent State. Josh has been on the Dean’s List since his enrollment at Kent State and has served as the President of the Student Government Organization. He has been awarded an academic scholarship to Bowling Green University and has been accepted into their business school as a junior for the fall of 2008.

     

    Faith Church would like to extend a hearty “WELL DONE” to these three very talented young people and we should continue to pray for them as they pursue their life goals! Congratulations!

     

10. Pastor Mark will be at General Assembly and on vacation from June 9th through June 21st. If any needs arise within the congregation during that time please contact one of the elders or the church office.

 

11. Dr. Carl Bogue will be returning for a brief time to Ohio and we are so glad to welcome him back into the pulpit for both services on June 22nd.

 

12.Mess Hall and STING

June 5: Mess Hall at Scholten’s home 7 p.m.

June 6: STING at Covenant Fellowship Church 7 p.m.

June 10: Mess Hall deadline for signing up to go to the baseball game June 19th.

June 19: Mess Hall baseball outing (Kadlecek hosting.)

June 27: STING at Covenant Fellowship Church 7 p.m.

More information on the MESS Hall baseball outing: Mr. Jim Kadlecek has planned a great evening for MESS Hall. If you are interested in going to see the Mahoning Valley Scrappers Baseball team (Cleveland Indians affiliate) play on June 19th, (Thursday) the game begins at 7:05 p.m. The cost of admission is free, however bring some money for hot dogs and pop (it’s $1 night on the hot dogs and drinks). Mr. Kadlecek said any friends you wish to bring are welcome.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AND YOU MUST CONTACT MR. KADLECEK BY JUNE 10 either by calling him 330-823-2513 or emailing him at jkadlecek @neo.rr.com. The details on transportation are still being worked out.

13.Do You Know...?

1. Who was the first person in the Bible to claim to be afraid?

2. Who was the first to be afraid of his brother?

3. Who was the first to mention “old age”?

4. Who built the first alter?

5. What are the first angelic beings to be mentioned in the Bible?

6. Who was the first person in the Bible to get angry?

7. What are the first land animals to be mentioned in the Bible?

8. What was the first talking animal of the Bible?

9. Who baked the first cake that is mentioned in the Bible?

10. Who was the first man who tried to bargain with God?

Answers:

1. Adam (Genesis 3:10)          6. Cain (Genesis 4:5)

2. Jacob (Genesis 32:7, 8)      7. Cattle (Genesis 1:24)

3. God (Genesis 15:15)          8. The serpent (Genesis 3:1)

4. Noah (Genesis 8:20)           9. Sarah (Genesis 18:6)

5. Cherubim (Genesis 3:24)     10. Abraham (Genesis 18:22-33)


 

14.Responding to God in Worship

Our Response to God. How should we respond in worship to this holy, saving God? Hebrews 12 not only specifies the character of God for us in worship, but it also clarifies the character of our response to God: our worship is to be characterized by thankfulness and awe. Especially in reaction to God’s saving work, we are to be thankful and filled with joy The Psalms often express this response:
Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout aloud to the God of Jacob! (Ps. 81:1)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Ps. 95:1-2)

Serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. (Ps. 100:2)

For you make me glad by your deeds, 0 LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. (Ps. 92:4)

Our response to God ought to be one of great joy and gladness for the saving work of Jesus. Thankfulness should manifest itself in many parts of the worship service. The Psalms remind us that music is one of the key ways in which we express our joy and thankfulness to God. (We will look more fully at music in worship later in our study) Other manifestations of thankfulness include prayer and heartfelt response to the preached Word.

In response particularly to the holiness of God we experience awe and reverence before him. The Psalms also show us this reaction:

Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps. 96:9)

The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name — he is holy. The King is mighty, he loves justice — you have established equity; In Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his foot stool; he is holy. (Ps. 99:1-5)

At times in worship there must be serious, sober reflection. As we meet with the God who created heaven and earth, who gave the Law at Mount Sinai, and who visited his wrath against sin on his Son at Calvary, we must be filled with reverent awe. We should quite literally be awestruck when we come into God’s presence in worship. Real reverence is never stodgy or dull but is profound and moving.

Today these two responses, joy and reverence, are frequently set in opposition to one another. One kind of worship is called joyful, uplifting, and exuberant, while another kind is called reverent, sedate, respectful. However, in the Scriptures joy and reverence are not antithetical but always complementary Worship can be joyfully reverent and reverently joyful. Joy and reverence should always be united in our worship.

Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. (Ps. 2:11)

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. . Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD. (Ps. 97:1-4, 8)

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever — holy and awesome is his name. (Ps. 111:9)

This combination of joy and awe may not always be easy to achieve, but it must be our goal. We must remember that reverence does not always mean quiet, and joy does not always mean noise. Joy and reverence are first of all attitudes of the heart for which we seek appropriate expressions in worship. Joy may be intense in the singing of a very quiet song. Reverence may be expressed in loud singing.

Traditional Protestant worship has probably been strong on reverence, and what has been called “contemporary worship” often seems enthusiastically joyful. But proponents of each approach must ask whether their views achieve a biblical balance. Traditional worship may proceed so mechanically and formalistically that emotion seems absent. Contemporary worship may be so insistent on fun and excitement that reverence and joy seem lost.

As we seek balance we must begin by remembering that corporate worship is meeting with our God, who is a consuming fire; and for that to happen, we must know God’s will for how we are to worship. That knowledge comes only through knowing his Word.

– Dr. Robert Godfrey

15.Understanding Baptism

To understand baptism, we must understand:

1.that the whole Bible is the Word of God, even the Old Testament.

2.that Salvation comes from God, it is His free gift.

3.that God gives this free gift of salvation through the Covenant of Grace, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus the Christ.

4.that the Covenant of Grace declares to us the good news that we are justified by faith in Christ plus nothing. In order to be saved we must believe this covenantal promise; the good news, the gospel.

5.that pursuing godliness is a required delight in the Christian life. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Christians, disciples of Christ, must pursue godliness.

6.that godliness and baptism are profitable for all of life. Just as the pursuit of godliness does not end, the effect of baptism does not end.

Let’s listen in on a Covenant Keeping Father tucking his 10 year old son in for the night.

Father: Come on sport its time for bed, Mom will be home late from Bible study.

Son: Ah Dad, can’t I watch the rest of the game? I want to see the Yankees lose, again.

Father: It is only the seventh inning and you have school tomorrow. Get ready for bed and I will tuck you in in five minutes.

Son: Yes Dad.

(I just love it when they say that. Five minutes later in Junior’s bedroom...)

Son: What’s the score Dad?

Father: Yankees are still down by three, but they are rallying. So I am going to pray with you quickly and then watch the rest of the game.

Son: But Dad, Mom always lets me ask one question before prayer and before bedtime.

Father: Ok sport, one question.

Son: Daddy, why did you baptize me?

Father: Wow! That is a big question. Why don’t you ask Mom tomorrow night? Do you have another, easier, shorter question?

Son: You don’t know do you?

Father: Sure I know! How’s this, God told us to in the Bible.

Son: You really don’t know do you?

Father: Yes, I know, but it is a long and difficult answer and I would rather watch the game. Plus, you may not understand.

Son: Try me, Dad; I am smarter than you think.

Father: Ok, we baptized you because you are a member of the Covenant of Grace.

Son: What is a covenant?

Father: It is a relationship that God sets up with His people. In the covenant God requires faith and promises blessings.

Son: Why am I a part of this covenant?

Father: Do you remember when Spot had puppies?

Son: Yes.

Father: Spot is your dog, right?

Son: Yes.

Father: So, when Spot had puppies, to whom did the puppies belong?

Son: Me.

Father: Right, now Mommy and Daddy belong to God and are in covenant with God and when we had puppies, they belonged to God.

Son: But Dad, you and Mommy have faith. I didn’t have faith when I was a baby, did I?

Father: Maybe not, but you did not have to. You still belong to God and you are in covenant with him. You see, we baptized you not because you had something to say to God, (See God, I have faith) but because God had something to say to you (remember Junior, I am faithful.)

Son: What did God say to me at baptism?

Father: God was saying, Junior, you belong to me, you are my child, and I promise to save you through faith and to give you all the blessings of being united to Jesus Christ.

Son: What are the blessings of being united to Christ?

Father: God promises to give new life to those who believe, that is regeneration, and forgive all their sins, and adopt them into the family of God and to raise them up at the last day.

Son: Wow, God promises all of that in baptism?

Father: Yes. And we receive every one of them by faith.

Son: Dad, you know Jim Bob Billy Bob from school?

Father: Yes, the bully.

Son: Yeah, he is so mean. He even swears. But he is baptized, does he get all that untied to Christ stuff for free? Will I have to spend eternity in heaven with Jim Bob Billy Bob?

Father: I don’t know son, does he believe the gospel?

Son: I don’t know.

Father: Why don’t you ask him?

Son: It’s kind of hard to talk when you are chewing on a knuckle sandwich Dad. But he is baptized, doesn’t that mean that he is saved?

Father: No, son, not everyone who is baptized is saved. Only those who believe the gospel are saved.

Son: So then, baptism doesn’t really mean anything then does it?

Father: No, son, that is where many people get confused. Baptism means exactly what God intended. It is a sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace. Some people think that if it does not mean everything, that you are saved, that it can only mean nothing. It means a great deal. It means that we belong to God, that we are in a covenantal relationship with him and that God has promised to save us through faith. It means that we are under obligation to be children of God and walk by faith.

Son: So there is a catch isn’t there. You have to believe in order for all this stuff to work.

Father: Yes, faith is required to know the blessings of the Covenant. God demands that we believe in Him. God promises blessings in the covenant, but He also places demands on us. In fact, my baptism still places me under obligation to walk with God in faith.

Son: You said that baptism is a sign and seal. What is a sign?

Father: A sign is a picture of something. It points to where the real thing can be found. Like a Burger King sign. You don’t stop at a Burger King sign and expect it to give you a Whopper, but you follow the sign to the Burger King, and order there. The sign points to where the real thing can be found.

Baptism is a sign that points to Jesus, He is where salvation is found.

Son: Dad, I know that there is water in baptism, but is there enough for a seal?

Father: It is not that kind of seal, son. A seal is a guarantee, or an assurance. God is guaranteeing that He will give Christ and all His benefits to those who believe in Him.

I remember when I was courting your mother.

Son: Oh yuck, you are not going to talk about kissing and where babies come from, are you Dad?

Father: No, but you can ask your Mother tomorrow night where babies come from.

When I was courting your mother, I knew that I wanted to marry her. So, I went to the jewelry store and bought an engagement ring. I asked her to marry me that night and gave her the ring as a seal, a guarantee, that I would marry her if she said yes.

That is kind of what God says to us in baptism. He will unite us to Christ and forgive us our sins as we believe.

Son: Daddy, will I go to heaven when I die?

Father: I hope so son. You are in covenant with God, He has made promises to you, you belong to Him. He has separated you from the world. We have prayed for you, we have taught you about God and the gospel and tried to live a Christian life before you.

It would be strange and disappointing for you not to be in heaven. You are baptized. But the real question is; do you believe the promise that God gave you at baptism that He will save those who believe in His Son?

Son: Yes, I do, I believe that Jesus died for my sins; that He is my Savior.

Father: Then you will be in heaven one day.

Son: But Dad, sometimes I do really bad things.

Father: I know son, so do I.

Son: So, we can go to heaven even if we do bad things?

Father: That is an awkward way of putting it, but yes. No one is perfect. We all still sin. That is why we still need to look back on our baptism. It reminds us of God’s promise that He will forgive all who trust in Him for forgiveness. It is our assurance, our engagement ring from God. We know that we will be forgiven, because we believe and because God promised.

Son: So your baptism is still working, right Dad?

Father: Yes Son. I am still walking in the grace offered in my baptism. I still remember that God set me apart at birth to be His very own child. I remember the promise that He made to me even before I could understand. I remember that I am under obligation to walk by faith as a child of God. I remember that my sins are forgiven by Christ through faith just as surely as water washes me bodily. I remember that I am saved through faith alone.

Son: So, when I am tempted to mess up and do bad things, I need to remember that I am baptized. That God is with me and will forgive me and help me?

Father: That’s right son. You do not belong to the world, and not even to yourself. You belong to God.

Son: Dad, I am going to have my kids baptized.

Father: Why is that?

Son: God told us to in the Bible.

Father: That’s great son.

Son: Dad?

Father: Yes, son?

Son: Do I have to kiss my wife when I am married?

Father: When the time comes, Junior, I think that you will probably want to.

Good night, son.

Son: Who won the game Dad?

Father: It doesn’t really matter. Goodnight son.

16. Recipe

With warm weather approaching none of us want to spend any more time in the kitchen than we have to. Here is a crock pot recipe I’m sure will please your whole family!

Lasagna

6 oz. Oven ready lasagna noodles (dry-uncooked)

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

2 cups shredded mozarella cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 egg

½ t. basil or Italian seasoning

1 can or jar (26 oz) spaghetti or pasta sauce

½ cup water

½ pound cooked scrambled hamburger

1. In a medium sized bowl mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, and basil.

2. In another bowl mix spaghetti sauce, water and cooked hamburger.

3. Spray crock pot with Pam Spray. Spoon in 2-3 T spaghetti sauce mix. Lay a single layer of noodles over that. Top with 2-3 T of cheese mixture.

4. Continue to layer sauce, noodles, cheese until all used up.

5. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese (or more if desired).

6. Cook on high 3-3 ½ hours until noodles are done.

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Faith Presbyterian Church
 2540 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44319-1137 (330) 644-9654

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