March Lamplighter 2010
The Fellowship Commission is hard at work planning events for this coming year!
Here are some of the things to look forward to:
April: April 17th there will be a scrapbooking day at the church from 12-3 with dinner
out afterwards to anyone who is interested!
May: May 8th the women will be hosting a ChariTEA from 12-3 with high tea, sand-
wiches and desserts. This will be an elegant event. Attendees are asked to bring some-
thing from your childhood. You are requested to wear a hat! (Proceeds
will benefit a charity)
June: Father's Day (June 20th) we will host "Bagels with dad"; there
may even be a roasting!
July: Stay tuned to learn about a game/movie night!
August: Save the date: August 14th-our Annual Peach Festival!
From the Pastor:
On Thursday February 11, due to the weight of the snow, the roof over our education wing col-
lapsed. We experienced significant water damage to a youth room, a classroom, the nursery, the
church office and my office. The roof will (obviously) need to be replaced.
I want to personally thank everyone who helped in the immediate aftermath to protect and save
furniture, computers, and equipment. You did a fantastic job! We have a makeshift office now set
up in the church library and our nursery is set up in the Ergatan room. Our Enrichment Hour
classes have been displaced. This will continue for some time. We are working with the insur-
ance company and their contractors but I am unsure how long it will take to get back to "normal".
Your prayers and patience will be needed.
The true character of a church emerges in times of trial and I am, once again, impressed by the
people in our community of faith. You all shine so brightly in dark and stormy moments! I see
Jesus in you. I am also reminded of the book of Proverbs, chapter 17 verse 17: "A friend loves at
all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
In this time of change and turmoil, we must remember that the faith journey is always full of
change. With change comes turmoil. Always. We say "God, change me; change our church;
change our community;...and when he starts to answer that prayer- - -in His way, with His meth-
ods- - -we say "whoa! Wait! Now so fast, not so deep, not so dramatic!"
God is answering our prayers. We are in a session of change and transition both with regard to
ministry and with regard to construction and repair. By definition change means we are facing
challenges. But our mission is still clear: to continue to reach a new generation for Christ... and
we will not be deterred!!!
Finally, let us continue to prepare ourselves during this Lenten season to fully receive our resur-
rected Lord on Easter (April 4th)...and don't forget to remember all those in Haiti who are still
suffering.
In Christ's Service,
Pastor Eric
Happy March Birthday to:
Doris Carey-1st
Jane Guthrie-6th
Ashley Sosa-7th
Carol Knisell 9th
Elizabeth Fernandez-11th
Frank Gomolka-11th
Dylan Colgate-15th
Diane Gottshalk-16th
Derek Clark-16th
Nick Saxton-20th
Bill Gaehring-21st
Marion Lamson 23rd
I need your help!
If your information is
printed wrong in the Direc-
tory or your birthday is not
in the Lamplighter, please
write down the correct in-
formation and leave it in
the "Secretary" bin in the infor-
mation center! I can't correct it if
I don't know it's wrong! Thank
you for your help-Cara
Remember that IHOC will be here from March
5th-21st. The Social Hall is their home so we
need to respect their privacy and refrain from
going down there. If you are interested in help-
ing with IHOC please contact Jeanette
Mounce.
Our World Vision sponsored child from
Rwanda, Juliette, is in need of ongoing support.
We are looking for groups or families in the
church to pledge to donate $35 to cover school
and essential needs. Supporting her is a church
sponsored mission and is not in the budget.
Last year we were able to find a group to sup-
port her each month! If you are interested, con-
tact Cara to sign up for a month, it's a one time
gift of $35!
Groups Operating in Churches
Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our
churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Com-
plainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body
of Christ. The plan is to come into the church discourage, disrupt, and destroy.
However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name of Bin
Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other ter-
rorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.
Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have no-
ticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have
Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.
Which cell group do you belong to? And guess what, no church is exempt. However, you
can spot them if you "bin lookin!"
The Barrett's are in need of new
men's socks for their Camden out-
reach. If you can help, there is a
box in the back of the sanctuary to
place your items. .
Whoever is praying for snow,
please stop!
Food Pantry Challenge
Last year the church participated in a program that
matched our food pantry donations with a dollar
per item match. We are participating again this year
and asking you to help us reach our goal. Last year
our goal was $500 and we collected $742 worth
of donations!!!
This year our goal is 1,000 items/dollars.
The program includes all donations
given from
March 1st and runs until April 30th
For every item or dollar donated we can receive a dollar
that will help buy additional items to stock our pantry.
We need your help to take full advantage of this!
(Checks can be made out to Oaklyn Baptist Church and put "food
pantry" in the memo line"
Below is a letter from the program founder:
_____________________________________________
Please use MY money to help your neighbors in need!
My name is Alan Shawn Feinstein. For the past 11 years, I
have been giving away $1 million each year to anti-hunger
agencies throughout the country.
This year, I am doing it again...
WHATEVER YOU DONATE TO THIS AGENCY,
I WILL ADD MONEY TO IT. THE MORE
YOU GIVE, THE MORE OF MY $1 MILLION YOU RECEIVE
Thank you for sharing my heart, and the hope that-
someday-no one will ever go hungry.-
Sincerely Yours,
Alan Shawn Feinstein
During the month of March we
will be taking our America For
Christ Offering. This offering
helps strengthen our churches
by providing support to our
pastoral counselors and chap-
lains, designing leadership
workshops and conferences,
promoting excellent disciple-
ship resources though Judson
Press, and providing opportu-
nities for churches, individu-
als, and youth groups to par-
ticipate in home mission
through Volunteer Ministries.
Help us reach our goal of $600,
please use the special envelopes
in the pew rack.
WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I was lost!"
That is why I chose this way.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my
guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are all too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
Author Unknown
Auxiliary Spring Sale at the Riverview Estates
will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 10am-2pm. Featured are gently worn clothing, attic
treasures, used books and jewelry, and home
made desserts at the snack bar!
