The Messenger
April 1999 Newsletter

Pastor's Penpoints
150th Anniversary News
Music Notes
Summer Discipleship Training Classes
From the Assistant Pastor
Pictorial Directory Update
Thanks!
Workshops for Everyone
Tiny Tot News
Membership Report
  • Sympathy
  • New Members
  • Congratulations
  • May Birthdays

Announcements


Pastor's Penpoints by Sam Jones

We welcome Joanne Strasser to the church office as our newly-acquired part-time secretary. Joanne comes with thirteen years experience as a church secretary and ten years working with Manpower Temporary Services. She and her husband live in Jeffersonton and are active members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. You will find her most accommodating. We covet your prayers for the Personnel Committee as they seek another qualified person to job share with her.

Many thanks to Vivian Holmes, Janet White, Cyndy Weeks, Dottie Prichard, and a host of volunteers coordinated by Pat Purcell for helping us so much during this challenging time of transition. Ladies, we couldn't have made it without you. We want to thank our members for their patience as we adjust to the new changes.

On Tuesday morning, April 13, about a dozen of our men, including Doug and myself, gathered to clean up the land we recently purchased. In about three hours we were able to accomplish quite a lot. Many men showed up, but where were the rest of you able-bodied retirees? You are forgiven and will be given another chance, or maybe even two, so that we can complete "Operation Clean-up."

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150th Anniversary News

Spiritual Growth Weekend, April 23-25, will be in progress as you receive this newsletter, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise!" Our guest speaker, Rev. Greg Barr, is pastor of Potomac Crest Baptist Church in Woodbridge.

The schedule is: Sunday, May 23, "The War Years"
Dave and Sandy Nash are the planners for the service. They are putting together a wonderful service of remembrance and tribute to those military personnel and their families who have been impacted by wars and conflicts over the last 150 years. The service will include a play written by Sandy which focuses on the use of our church building (fellowship hall) as a hospital during both Union and Confederate occupations of Warrenton during the Civil War. Testimonies will be given by veterans of more recent times of war, the music will be patriotic and inspiring. All who have served in the military will be recognized. If you, or a member of your family has served in the military, or is presently serving, please call Dave and Sandy, send your completed form to the church or place it in the box outside the church office marked "War Years." We don't want to leave anyone out!

Anniversary Weekend and Homecoming, August 21 and 22
Watch for the special mailing and mark these dates on your calendar now!

Sue Jones, Chairman, 150th Anniversary History Committee

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow -
Knowing Christ and Making Him Known.


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Music Notes by Paul Dakin, Minister of Music

One of the most widely read and discussed Christian thinkers of this century has been the Swiss pastor, teacher, and theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968). In one of his writings, Barth described worship as "the most momentous, the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in human life." It certainly is an exalted claim for something that occurs in the life of the church on a weekly basis. What did he mean?

Let's examine that statement a bit more closely. The dictionary defines "momentous" as "very important" or "weighty." Worship certainly is a vital part of the Christian life. Why? It is because it reminds us of who we are, who God is, and all that God has done for us. Worship is serious business because, as one writer expressed it, worship is "rehearsal for life." In worship, we learn and relearn valuable lessons about what really is important at the core of our existence. For the Christian, worship nurtures the attitude of praise and thanksgiving which should characterize every aspect of our lives. That is why worship is so very important.

The word "urgent" means "calling for or demanding immediate attention." Worship expresses a critically important aspect of our relationship to God. Without worship, our relationship to God will grow stale and atrophy. That is why regular involvement in worship is important and cannot be simply optional for us.

And when God meets with the gathered community in Christ as it worships, the results truly are glorious. Spirits are lifted, lives are transformed, and we are strengthened for living the lives that God has called us to live. What could be more glorious than that? It is my prayer that we can recapture a bit of Barth's concept of worship and that our worship of God be all that God intends for it to be.

The Virginia Baptist Male Chorale, of which I am a member, will be singing at the Culpeper Baptist Church on Monday night, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. The Chorale is made up of about 30 full-time ministers of music and has the reputation of being one of the finest men's choirs in the country. This year's repertoire includes some wonderful arrangements of hymns, traditional and contemporary anthems, spirituals, and "The God Who Gave Us Life," a selection from Randall Thompson's The Testament of Freedom with words taken from the writing of Thomas Jefferson. Admission is free. Come for an evening of great inspirational music!

The Warrenton Spring Festival is coming to Old Town on Saturday, May 15. Festival organizers estimate that the festival draws 12,000 - 14,000 people each year. It is a great opportunity for us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the lost and unchurched in our community.

Once again, a stage will be set up in the church courtyard and music will be supplied by three musical groups. The Sanctuary Choir will perform at 9:15, the Handbell Choir will perform at 10:15, and our local home-grown band featuring John and Carla Jewell, Chris Caperton, Brodie Downs and me, will perform around 11:15. (Last year, we called the group "The JEDP Band." If you have a suggestion for a better name, let me know!)

In addition to the musical witness, we will be offering free face painting for the kids and free helium balloons. Literature about our church and its ministries and tracts will also be distributed. There is a need for people to help with staffing the information table, helping to set up and take down, and lots of other things. Isn't this evangelistic effort worth an hour or two of your time? To sign up to help, please see Pastor Doug, June Jacobs, or me.

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Summer Discipleship Training Classes

The following classes are being offered this summer: Classes meet 6:30-8:00 p.m. beginning June 6. To register for these classes, fill out a registration form in the church office. Class fee is $10 (to partially offset the cost of materials). Childcare will be arranged through age five if there is sufficient need. Registration deadline is May 23.

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From the Assistant Pastor, Doug Harris

Parenting Today's Youth
I am aware of how difficult it is to raise a family these days. One of the traps we discussed in our Sunday evening parenting class was the media. TV, cable, movies, rental videos, DVD, internet, computer games, music, and radio messages enter our home every day. How do we control what our children are seeing and hearing?

We need to set media boundaries. A good Biblical basis for this is Philippians 4:8, "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy - think about such things." We need to develop our own convictions, model them and become proactive in selecting the media our families enjoy.

Encouraging parents of teens continues to be our goal on Sunday evenings in May. We will discuss the traps of:
Youth Web Page
Speaking of the media, we all know that there is much good to be found. Once such place is our church's web page on the internet. Janet White created and maintains the site that can be found at . Mary Beth White created and is maintaining the youth page at that site. She's doing a great job! You'll especially want to look at the events section and the links page. If you are interested in contributing ideas or working with Mary Beth, please contact one of us.

Also, I'd like to get everyone's e-mail address that we can make into an address book. You can either list your address on the youth bulletin board or send it to me at my e-mail address, .

COMING IN MAY

Creation Registration
May 9 is the deadline to register middle schoolers for Creation ‘99. The outdoor festival is held June 23-26 in Mt. Union, PA. Fifty of the nation's top Christian artists and speakers will be at the Agape farm for this event. The cost of the festival will be $50. Get a deposit of $20 to me to save your spot.

This is an outdoor festival and we will be camping. If anyone has any type of camping equipment that you can loan us for the week, let me know. I'd also like to have a few parents who enjoy camping and contemporary Christian music to go with us.

Warrenton Spring Festival
Evangelistic face painting will be offered in the front courtyard of the church during the Warrenton Spring Festival on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Please sign up on the youth bulletin board for a one hour shift that day. We will have a training/practice session from 11:30 - noon on Sunday, May 9 with the children in Junior Church as our models.

Car Wash
The second car wash of the year will be on Saturday, May 29 from 9:00 am til 3:00 p.m. You can work as many hours as you want. Last month 16 adults, youth and children worked a total of 68 hours, raising $370 toward their mission trip this summer. Don't forget to mark your calendar to bring your car by for a bath on May 29 or June 12.

World Changers Coming to Fauquier
At last report, there are 358 youth and adult chaperones coming to town July 17-24. They are coming from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Alabama, and Delaware. What do you need to do to get ready?

Preparations are getting to be very exciting! First, we still need some churches to sponsor work crews. We are currently half way there with 15 churches stepping up. We need 15 more.

We have some very skilled construction leaders to work with the youth, but also need several more. If you have any skills that you would be willing to share with a team and would be willing to offer your time, we need you! Lloyd Jackson, construction coordinator, will be happy to add you to his great team.

If you know of anyone who lives in a home that is badly in need of repairs, and who doesn't have the resources to get these repairs, you can get an application so that their home can be considered as a work project.

Let me know if there is a need you can fill.


WBC Youth Ministry Mission Statement
"A community of students and leaders committed to
allowing Jesus Christ to change our lives, our friends' lives,
and the world."

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Pictorial Directory Update

We have now finished taking pictures for our pictorial directory. One hundred ninety-six families were photographed for the directory, which we should receive in August. Portraits (and picture frames) for families photographed on March 5 and 6 have been received and distributed to families on April 18. Stop by the church office if you haven't picked up yours. Portraits for families photographed on March 25-27 should be delivered to the church around May 1. Portraits taken on April 14 should be available in late May.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in working on the pictorial directory. The Committee, composed of Libby Downs, Bonner Fishback, Karen Harris, Cyndy Weeks, Sam Weir and myself, spent long hours making telephone calls, attending meetings, and helping organize the photo sessions and the pictorial directory.

I also appreciate volunteers who helped sign people in the photo sessions. These included Gary Carroll, Laura Church, Buck Costello, Doris Cusack, Bonner Fishback, Dick Herbert, Eleanor Johnson, Irene Jones, Carolyn and Ken Martin, Alice McGehee, Bo Miller, Ruth Murphy, Carolyn Pierce, Jean Shaffer, Wanda Sinclair, Catherine Taylor, and Bob Tudor.

Thanks to all of you who contributed snapshots for possible use in our church activity pages. We received literally hundreds of photos, but unfortunately could only use a few. So I hope you understand if you don't find your snapshot in the pictorial directory. Your photos will be returned in the near future. Thanks also to the deacons and others who took snapshots for our "Adults Away" page.

Special thanks to Vivian Holmes, Dottie Prichard, Cyndy Weeks, and Janet White for updating the church roster for inclusion in the directory. Under the very able leadership of Vivian, they did an outstanding job of preparing an attractive up-to-date listing of all church families, telephone numbers and addresses.

Rebecca Hayes wrote the history page for which we are most grateful. In many ways, this is the centerpiece of our Sesquicentennial Anniversary edition of the 1999 pictorial directory.

Thanks also to our ministers--Sam, Doug, and Paul; and the Deacons for their cooperation and support.

As part of the pictorial directory process, we are also preparing a visitation brochure. I am very appreciative of the work of Karen Harris and Wanda Moffett in designing the brochure. Again, thanks to all those noted above in helping make this what I believe will be a truly memorable pictorial directory.

Russ Barlowe, Coordinator

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Thanks!

Dear Church Family,
Thank you all for the cards, calls and most importantly your prayers during the illness and loss of our brother, John Heflin. A special thanks to Pastors Sam and Doug for their prayers and visits.
In Christian Love, Dorothy Stanton and Ella Putnam

Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all the love you showed us through your prayers, cards, phone calls, flowers and the delicious meals you prepared for us during my recovery from surgery.
In Christ's Love, Jo and Mickey Hayes

Dear Doug,
Thanks so much to you and all the hosts and drivers for keeping, delivering and picking up our group en route to Haiti. It is an unbelievable help to us and maybe we're too tired and frazzled to express it properly when we're there. Maybe next time our flight home won't get delayed! Thanks for your "above and beyond effort" last Friday. It is a joy to be in partnership in this ministry with you.
In His Service, Annette Crislip

Dear members of the Warrenton Baptist Church, (an email from Russia)
I wish you all a Happy Easter! "...because we know that the one who also raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence." May God keep and bless you. You are always in our prayer.
Katya Chaika Popov

Thanks to the Property and Space Committee which worked April 10, and the dozen men (and one woman) who worked April 13 cleaning up our recently acquired property. Another work day will be held in early May. Stay tuned.

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Presenting Workshops for Everyone

On Saturday, June 5, come to Manassas Baptist Church and learn a new skill (or two) at a full day of workshops. The first session will be from 9 a.m. - noon and the second from 1-4 p.m. Box lunches will be available for a nominal fee with pre-registration. There will be classes for all ages and multi-skills, like quick quilting, tole painting, cross stitch and drawn thread, wreath making, flower arranging, and Christmas ornament angels. You may choose one class for the morning and one for the afternoon. We will prepare kits for making your projects and the only cost will be for the kits.

What IS an Alternative Marketplace?

Each November, a craft fair for non-profit organizations is held at Manassas Mall. At the Potomac Baptist booth, donated crafts are sold and all profits go to one of seven area ministries. This is a great way to spread awareness of area ministries, our PBA churches, and our Association. Bottom line? Do your Christmas shopping for some great prices AND support missions!

The purpose of the workshop day on June 5 is to encourage crafters to prepare for the Alternative Marketplace, to find fellow crafters with whom you can work, and to give encouragement for interested participants.

Popular items at our fair last year were angels, dolls and doll clothes, baby items, and Christmas ornaments and decorations. If you need more information, please call me (347-3509) or the PBA office (800 843-1490).

Janet White, PBA Alternative Marketplace Team

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Tiny Tot News

The Celebration for the Week of the Young Child was a huge success! Many thanks to Mrs. Carolyn Blakesly, Miss Monica Jones, Mr. Patrick Morrissey, Mrs. Rosemary Wlaschin and Mrs. Jenetta Pruitte for their wonderful displays and informative talks at our first Parent Community Fair. The students learned new exercises and foods that will help keep them healthy, listened to their heartbeat, practiced seat belt safety, met a real Secret Service Agent, learned about bones and x-rays and listened to a wonderful story read by Mother Goose herself! The children took home a bag full of goodies given to them by the exhibitors. We plan to make the fair an annual event.

Sparkle the Clown was enjoyed by both adults and children. The balloon launch was a sight to behold. The children were very brave to release their balloons. Inside/outside day was a funny day, as was crazy feet day. Prizes were given daily for the best costume. A special "thank you" also goes out to Mr. Howard Simmons for bringing the Lion's Club Sight and Hearing Screening Van. One hundred white pine seedlings were given to the families to take home to plant in honor of Earth Day on the 22nd. Parents were included in our celebration also. They were surprised one morning with fresh doughnuts and coffee on their way to work. A parent information table was set up providing pamphlets and literature on several topics ranging from "Meals in Minutes" to raising a child that loves to read. Parents were invited to a special activity with their child's class on Parent Appreciation Day.

On Monday, April 19, I attended a meeting with the Fauquier County Public Schools to discuss transition between Preschool and Kindergarten. The meeting included representatives from several county Preschool Programs, Kindergarten teachers from five county schools and several school administrators. The meeting was led by Ms. Joyce Mills, Instructional Coordinator (Technology & Kindergarten Registration) for the county. The meeting focused on raising phonemic awareness, and alphabet identification in Pre-k students. Tiny Tots received praise from several of the presenters for the excellent job the staff does in preparing our students for Kindergarten. It was a very productive beginning to a new relationship between Tiny Tots and the county school system. It is nice to know that we are on the right track with our academic instruction.

Plans are well under way for our Spring Program on June 4 and Graduation Ceremonies on June 16. Look for more details in the next newsletter.

We would also like to send a warm welcome to Ms. Joanne Strasser in her new position as secretary. Glad you're with us.

There will NOT be a WEE Committee meeting on April 26 due to the change of the Church Council Meeting. We WILL meet on May 24.

Many blessings to you all, Cheryl Gardner and Staff

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Membership Report


We express Christian sympathy to ...
  • Ella Putnam and Dorothy Stanton in the loss of their brother, John Heflin
  • Eva Prince in the loss of her sister Eleanor Prince

Welcome to Our New Members!
  • Sean Abrams
  • Laura Crocker
  • Betsy Irons
  • Victoria Jewell
  • Andrew Miller
  • Scottie Miller

Congratulations . . .
to Carey Mathias-Robinson on the birth of a baby girl, Morgan Alyse, born Saturday, April 17.


May Birthdays

May 1
Cindy Birch
Frances Cooke
Virginia Hughes
Audrey Ramsier
Pam Trude
Jim White

May 3
Helen Carpenter
Joey Garrison
Gilmer Lee
Charlie Moon
Warren Pickel

May 4
Nancy Grant
Jesse Johnson
Caroline Weir

May 5
Stacey Moffett

May 6
Janice Foley
David Lee
Barbara Woods

May 7
Clay Hanback
Nicholas Patrick
Jerry Payne
Barbara Zyla

May 8
Lonnie Barr
Ashley Enterline
Daniel Talomie
Carol White

May 9
Pam O'Connor
Marty Taylor

May 10
Jill Raines
Kathleen Rhodes 		May 11
Kevin Hall
Robert Sutton
Cyndy Weeks

May 12
Jenny Caperton

May 13
Ben Harris (Doug)
Faye Morris
Eric Wustof

May 14
Randy Labruno

May 15
Carl Evans
Sarah Johnson
Barbara Knicely
Grace Miller

May 16
Raleigh Dakin
Reva Heyl
Robert Pritchard

May 17
James Brown
Mike Gorham
Barbara Jones

May 18
Jeremy Pritchard

May 19
Mary Cubbage
Roy Pool
Laura Woods

May 20
Glenda Barron
Kate Breeden
Michael Hanback
Lake Lee 		May 22
Miranda Baker
Will Dakin

May 23
Taylor Hensley

May 24
Sarah Heflin
Conway Thorp

May 25
Garrett LaClair
Joanne Miller

May 26
Brian Dishner

May 27
Annette Rogers
Duane Thorpe

May 28
Bill Blalock
Jacob Ramsier

May 29
John Boswell
Martha Jacobs
Wanda Macdowall

May 30
Kathy Beaver
Sue Evans
Krystal Grimes
Pauline Wyman

May 31
Will Goodwin
Charlotte Kirby

If we miss your birthday, please let us know
so we won't miss you twice!



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Announcements . . .

Church Parking - Since the off-street parking spaces available to our church are so limited in number, groups using the van for day trips or longer will need to arrange for drop off and pick up or use the newly acquired property behind the youth center. Thanks for your cooperation.

Haiti Yard Sale will be held July 10 at 203 Norfolk Drive, Warrenton. Save your spring cleaning items for this special event. All proceeds to benefit young people going on trip.

Need a Piano? The church has a piano which it would like to give away. If you are interested, please call the church office or Russ Barlowe.

May 17 Business Meeting - At our next business meeting on May 17, the Nominating Committee will submit the names of twelve (12) persons from whom we are to elect seven (7) to serve on the Pastor Selection Committee.


So far today, God, I've done all right.
I haven't gossiped,
haven't lost my temper,
haven't been greedy or grumpy,
nasty or self-centered.
I'm really glad about that!

But, in a few minutes, God,
I'm going to get out of bed,
and then I'm going to need a lot of help...
Thank you!


NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS
MONDAY, MAY 17.

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