The Messenger
February 1999 Newsletter

Pastor's Penpoints
Music Notes
From the Assistant Pastor
Focus on WMU
150th Anniversary News
The Numbers
Thanks!
Discipleship Training Classes
From the Nominating Committee
Tiny Tot News
Membership Report
  • New Members
  • March Birthdays

Announcements


Pastor's Penpoints by Sam Jones

Many thanks to our ladies in Woman's Missionary Union for the way in which they led us in worship Sunday, February 14. They do a great deal to keep this church focused on the Great Commission. Earlene Jessee brought us a challenging and inspiring message.

We were blessed in hosting the annual Race Relations Service for our friends at First Baptist. Their new pastor, Matt Zimmerman, called us to share God's goodness in Christ with our world, especially in hard times. Our Hospitality Committee was both creative and thoughtful in sharing with us those delicious bites. The cake was beautiful and Hunter Payne's offerings on the piano added much joy to a happy occasion.

We welcome to the church office our newly elected secretary, Rhoda P. Carter-McLeod. She comes from a good Warrenton family and is an active member of the Mt. Zion Church. Rhoda has good secretarial skills and brings several years of experience to the job. You will find her to be a likeable and accommodating person. Many thanks to Vivian Holmes, for working the month of January in the church office. Janet White will take over the duties of the financial secretary at the end of the February.

On Sunday, February 28, Fred Anderson from the Virginia Baptist Historical Society will be our pulpit guest as we focus on religious liberty. After the early service we will gather in the Fellowship Hall to express our thanks to Lisa Myers for the excellent job she has done as financial secretary.

Back to Top

Music Notes by Paul Dakin, Minister of Music

I always appreciate when people pass on to me items that they think might be of interest. This is from a newspaper clipping that anonymously appeared in my box last week. The author is Rev. A. P. Bailey, but I know nothing else about it. Thanks to whoever dropped the article in my box---

"As an aside I mentioned to a friend as we met, ‘I take it that you have been to choir practice.' Her answer gave me pause for reflection. She said, ‘To be honest, I'm too selfish with my time to do choir practice. The thought gave me new appreciation for our choirs that practice every week for worship service. These people are unselfish enough to give up precious time to lead others in worship. This encounter with a friend reminded me. Offer a prayer of thanks for those who are unselfish enough to give of their time to prepare for the music and praise in our worship. They are special people, and they deserve our accolades."

And I say a hearty "AMEN" to that!

From another article titled "Liturgical Music in the Postmodern Age," Frederick Gaiser makes a point about music and worship that bears repeating every now and then - -

Instead of changing worship and music to make everybody quickly and equally at home, maybe we ought to be finding ways to make everybody (of whatever culture) strangely and equally uneasy, equally clear that whatever is going on here is profoundly counter-cultural. God is undoubtedly an equal-oportunity savior, but God is also an equal-opportunity challenger of the status quo - perhaps especially for those of us who are most established, who think of ourselves as most at home. God is God, and we are not; and worship should make that clear.

Youth Sunday is March 21 and musical preparations are already well underway! Because it is one of the monthly sesquicentennial services, this year's Youth Sunday music will be a sort of "youth musical retrospective" featuring songs from Good News, Tell It Like It Is, Lightshine, and Salt and Light, among others. If any of you adults sang in these musicals (whether here at WBC or elsewhere), then you are cordially invited to come join us for youth choir rehearsal each Sunday night at 5:45. And if you have any copies of these musicals, bring them with you!

Work has also begun on music for two services that some people think are among the most meaningful worship services of the year, Maundy Thursday and Easter. The Maundy Thursday service will feature "When My Savior Wept Alone," based on music by William Billings. On Easter, the Sanctuary Choir and Churchestra will perform selections from Classic Easter, medleys of hymns and classic masterworks from Henry Purcell, Beethoven, and Bach. Because of last year's overwhelming response, we will once again close the service with Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" and invite members from the congregation to join us. This is a GREAT time to be a part of Sanctuary Choir and Churchestra. Why not be a part of the celebration? See you this Wednesday evening at 6:15 for Churchestra and 7:30 for Sanctuary Choir.

Congratulations go out to Amy Todd, who has been named as an alternate to the All-State High School choir. This is quite an honor, especially for a junior. Way to go, Amy!

Back to Top

From the Assistant Pastor, Doug Harris

Spring Retreats
We have a good group registered to go to Senior High Weekend at Camp Eagle Eyrie this March. The weekend retreat, March 12-14 will feature speaker Nick Foster from Alabama and, once again, guest musician Kyle Matthews from Tennessee. The theme, "As If!" will encourage everyone to live out their faith.

We'll plan on leaving at 3:30 on Friday and return Sunday at around 4pm. You need to bring sheets, pillow, bed roll, Bible, pen & paper, personal toiletries and casual clothes for the weekend. You'll also need to bring enough money for dinner on Friday. Total cost for the trip is $40. If you want to go, there are a few spaces left in the cabin. You need to get your deposit of $20 to me right away.

The Middle School Retreat is once again at Camp Summit Lake in Emmitsburg, MD. The theme is "Go Tell." This weekend retreat is April 23-25. A deposit of $20 is due to me by Wednesday, March 21. Sign up on the bulletin board with your name, grade, and T-shirt size. Total cost is $40.

Parenting Support Class
This class, based on the book Parenting Today's Adolescent will begin on Sunday, February 21. The course is designed to help parents of teenagers and pre- teens to build and strengthen their family. Authors Dennis and Barbara Rainey outline a way of helping your child avoid the traps of peer pressure, clothes and appearance, dating and sex, and many others, and to lead them to spiritual maturity. The class will meet each Sunday evening at 6:30 in the 6th grade Sunday school class.

Youth Sunday - March 21
This year, Youth Sunday will follow the theme of our Anniversary year. We will highlight our Youth Ministry with music from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's! Our theme is "Jesus, the Life Changer." We hope to include photos from the Youth Ministry from the 60's through now. If you have any photos from that era, please contact me! This service should be a trip down memory lane for those who came up through our church's youth program! Practices have begun and take place every Sunday evening at 5:45. Dress rehearsal will be Saturday, March 20 at 5:00pm.

Softball Team - Coed Youth & Adults
We've been contacted by the American Softball Association to participate in a church league this summer. Anyone interested in playing please see me or Russell Dawson.

Sunday Nights
"Don't Check Your Brains at the Door" gives you answers that make sense to the toughest of questions. Defender of the faith Josh McDowell exposes common myths about God, the Bible, religion and life to show how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Come on Sunday nights to become equipped to answer questions like: Is God a cosmic cop out to squelch fun and happiness? Did writers of the Bible stretch facts into legends? Is Christianity the only way to reach God? Answering questions like these will not only give you confidence, they will renew your sense of excitement about your faith.

Creation Festival - June 23-26
There are tentative plans for a group trip to the Creation Festival in Mt Union, PA for the 20th anniversary presentation of this outdoor Christian festival. Some of the musicians playing this year include DC Talk, Point of Grace, Michael W. Smith, Supertones, Newboys, Insyderz, Caedmon's Call, and Jars of Clay. There will be motivating and challenging words from speakers Laurie Polich, Ron Hutchcraft, Dawson McAllister, Tony Campolo and others. This is a 4-night camping experience for the Middle Schoolers and their families. This is a great opportunity for chaperones to bring their families and parents to enjoy some time with their teenagers. Adult support is needed. It's all about changing lives!

Cost of the event is $55 which includes admission and meals which we'll prepare at the campsite. Mark your calendar and sign up on the bulletin board. A $20 deposit by Wednesday, March 10 guarantees you this great price - ticket prices go up each month!

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."

Back to Top

Focus on WMU

On Wednesday evening, March 3 at 6:30 p.m., please come to hear about the work being done by our North American Missionaries. Barbara and Cape Caperton will be leading our mission study titled "Networks." We will learn how we can reach our own communities more efficiently and effectively with the good news of Jesus Christ. This will be an excellent study. Hope to see you there! Come for supper at 5:45 and stay!

WMU will be sending a "Care Package" to the Old Peoples' Home in Haiti. Supplies needed: soap, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brushes, shaving supplies, single sheets, towels and ladies lightweight cotton house dresses. A collection box will be in the Fellowship Hall. Bring items to church by March 15.

On Sunday, March 14, at both worship services, Ron Arflin, Director of Missions of the Potomac Baptist Association, will share how our association is ministering to our neighbors and to us. We hope you will come and participate in these missions opportunities.

A "Transforming Heart" Retreat, by Melessa Enterline
What do a vacuum video, black-eye-pea salsa and a transforming heart all have in common? Well, the "video story" was only one story we laughed about. The salsa was one of the snacks after dinner and the transforming heart was what started happening to seventeen hearts during the Ladies Retreat on February 12th and 13th. That's right, seventeen ladies from the Warrenton Baptist Church traveled on Friday, February 12th to the Columbia Baptist Church Retreat Center for a one-night get-away and we had a wonderful time. Peggy Bowens from Chesapeake Beach, Virginia was the leader. What an encouraging speaker! The food was great, baked chicken and peach cobbler on Friday night. The company was great, too. This was a first retreat experience for a couple of the ladies who went. The most important part was the presence of the Holy Spirit while we spent time allowing God to begin the process of transforming our hearts. There was a lot of laughter, a few tears, and new friendships. The goal is to make this an annual event. Peggy said she would come back next year, and I know I will too.

Back to Top

150th Anniversary News

THANKS TO THE JANUARY 24TH WORSHIP TEAM for planning a service which was such a great inspiration to all of us - Gary Carroll, Bert Costello, Bonner Fishback, Rebecca Hayes, Pastors Sam, Paul and Doug! Our thanks to Lew Wetsel and Gene Garrett for presenting the banner, which was so beautifully made by Kim Raines; to Sarah Putnam, Dave Thorne, Howard Simmons and Larry Pierce who led in Scripture reading and prayer; to Chuck Wilkers for a wonderful children's sermon; to our Sanctuary Choir and the congregation for joining in the "interactive" anthem; and to Lee Moffett, Eva Richardson, Bonner Fishback and Bob Taylor who shared how Hallie Thorp, Bill Wood and Bob Teates had blessed their lives and the life of our church.

As I listened, I wished that we had time to share the story of each person there, for all of us have a story to tell - and I was so grateful for the service that each of you gives to the Lord through our church. Thanks also to Juliett Wampler and Lee Moffett for planning and preparing the History Display and to Dave Nash for videotaping the service. We were privileged to have the original minute book (1849 - 1900) "home" from the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and on display and to find tucked inside it a copy of the bulletin from the 50th Anniversary of the church!

On February 28 the service will be honoring our response to issues, past and present, which face the church. DR. FRED ANDERSON, Executive Director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, will speak on "Religious Liberty, Our First Freedom." The impact of early Virginia Baptist leaders on the struggle for religious freedom in this country is not well known today, to our shame, but they influenced the writing of the "Act for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia" and the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees religious freedom. Many Baptist ministers were jailed for preaching the gospel - several in the Culpeper jail. Dr. Anderson will bring the key to that old jail for us to see.

COMING ON MARCH 21 (please note the date change) - - OUR YOUTH MINISTRY WILL PLAN AND LEAD THE SERVICE. Our youth-led services are always a blessing, and we look forward to this one!

SAVE THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 23-25 - plans are in the works for something special! And, don't forget the WEEKEND OF AUGUST 21-22 - THE ACTUAL ANNIVERSARY AND HOMECOMING CELEBRATION! Details on these weekends will be published soon.

Sue Jones, Chairman, 150th Anniversary Committee

Back to Top

The Numbers

The Warrenton Baptist Church Endowment Fund is still growing. According to the December 31, 1998, Virginia Baptist Foundation report, our fund was worth $12,855.97 at the end of the year. Contributions from our church members totaled $2,925.00 for calendar year 1998 and we received $305.60 from the interest to be put into our Money Market account for property and building maintenance. If you would like to give to this fund, please mark "Endowment Fund" in the memo section of your check. For more information on the Endowment Fund, please contact the financial office.

Because of your generosity in giving to our Property Purchase Fund, the church was able to make a payment of $30,000 against the property loan. This will save the church approximately $26,365 in interest over the 20-year course of the loan! Thank you for your support.

Back to Top

Thanks!

A total of $30.89 was collected by the RA's through the Lottie Moon Christmas banks distributed around the church. Many thanks to all who contributed.
Sincerely, The RA Boys

Thank you so much for your visits, cards, prayers, love and friendship in the death of my sister Peggy. She was a great person and I will miss her a lot, but know she is happy now with her Lord.
Love all of you, Barbara Mountjoy

I wish to thank everyone - men, women and children - for their participation in our WMU Focus Sunday, both in the program and behind the scenes. I could not have done it without you! It is because of dedicated people using their God-given gifts that our mission program at Warrenton Baptist Church is "alive and well"!
Thank you, June Jacobs, WMU Director

Back to Top

Discipleship Training Classes

Discipleship Training Classes Start Sunday, February 21 at 6:30! Choose from these adult classes:


Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, a book by Marjorie J. Thompson, will be the primary text for this course. This book is written as an aid to address the deep hunger and thirst for knowing better the Divine Mystery we call God. The course will provide help in developing a personal plan for spiritual growth. Leader: Miriam Dakin.

Parenting Today's Adolescent. This course is designed to help parents of teenagers to build and strengthen their family. In this book, Dennis and Barbara Rainy outline a down-to-earth, biblical approach to raising children. Issues covered include friends and peer pressure, clothes and appearance, dating and sex, and spiritual growth. Leader: Doug Harris.

That The World May Know. This video series taught by Ray Vander Laan continues with new studies from the Old and New Testaments. These lessons show how we can impact our culture by understanding Jesus' impact on his culture. Filmed in Israel, these lessons put Jesus' actions and teachings to life and in historical perspective. No home study required! Leader: Chris Caperton.

Gifted Connections. A workshop designed to help Christians discover their spiritual gifts and find their unique place in the body of Christ. Which Bible character does your spiritual gift profile most resemble? Six to eight sessions for no more than eight persons. Leader: Sam Jones.

Registration fee for adult classes is $10.00. You may pay your class leader. Classes will also be offered for youth and children. STILL NEEDED - teacher for children's classes. Contact Chris Caperton if you can help.

Back to Top

From the Nominating Committee

The following members will be approved for service in these positions at the MARCH 15, 1999, Business Meeting:
  • Moderator - Bob Tudor 10/99-9/00
  • Treasurer - Bill Blalock 10/99-9/00
  • Assistant Treasurer - Jo Hayes 10/99-9/00
  • Library Director - Vivian Holmes 10/99-9/00
  • Greeters Ministry Director - Wanda Moffett 10/99-9/00
  • Stewardship Director - Chuck Trude 10/99-9/00
  • Trustees - Rosser Payne 10/99-9/00
  • Baptismal Committee - Buck Costello, Dick Matthews 10/99-9/00
  • Children's Committee - Rebecca Caperton, Wanda Moffett 10/99-9/01
  • Lord's Supper Committee - Wanda and John Macdowell 10/99-9/01
  • Personnel Committee - Tom Williams, Bob Wheeler 10/99-9/01
  • Property & Space Committee - Wayne Hensley 10/98-9/99, Gary Bowen 10/99-9/01
  • PBA Council Representative - Philip Peyton 1-12/99

These positions and committee slots are still open:
  • Church Clerk
  • Assistant Clerk
  • Sunday School Director
  • Deacons
  • Discipleship Training Director
  • Constitution & Bylaws Committee
  • Flower Committee
  • Food Services Committee
  • History Committee
  • Hospitality Committee
  • Music Committee
  • Preschool Committee
  • Recreation Committee
  • Stewardship Committee
  • Ushers
  • WEE Committee

If you feel led to fill a vacancy, please contact the church office.

Back to Top

Tiny Tot News

Ready or not, Spring has arrived at Tiny Tots! Once the groundhog missed his shadow, Spring was here. The rooms are filled with the signs: kites, flowers and the "chirping" of happy children. Everyone is enjoying the sunny days when we get them. The children have missed the playgrounds so much.

We have many exciting events planned for the next few months. Spring Program and Graduation plans are well under way. Plans for the "Week of the Young Child" in mid-April include an art display uptown and several special activities. The Summer Program is also near finalization. We will be celebrating the "Friends of Jesus at the Circle J Ranch."

As we enter into the Easter Season, our Christian Education will focus on Jesus' final days on Earth and end with the celebration of his resurrection.

Mrs. Kerns and her family thank you for your prayers. She is feeling stronger and looking better every day. We hope her doctor will allow her to return to work soon.

Taylor Smith continues on antibiotics to help her ward off the many viruses of the flu season.

Miss Leslie is still experiencing pain and discomfort from her accident. She is still undergoing diagnostic testing to determine the damage.

We ask that you keep Mrs. Kerns, Taylor and Miss Leslie in your prayers. We are still in need of substitutes. Please stop by or call the office if you are interested.

Enjoy the Spring, from Cheryl, Carrell and the Tiny Tot Staff

Back to Top


Membership Report

Congratulations!
God has blessed Norman and Pam Estes with a baby girl, Catherine Dove, born February 12.
God has blessed Jerry and Pam Napier with a baby boy, Patrick Andrew, born February 5.


We express heartfelt sympathy . . .
to Shari Albaugh in the loss of her mother, Betty;
to Tom Hughes in the loss of his wife, Joyce

Welcome to Our New Members!

Ross Wilkers is 10 years old and is a 5th grade honor roll student at C. Hunter Richie School where his favorite subject is Social Studies. Ross loves sports and plays baseball and soccer. He is also a Cub Scout and will soon earn his "Arrow of Light" and cross over to Boy Scouts. Ross is enrolled in Susie Vandiviere's 5th grade Sunday School class and we are happy that he made a decision for Christ last September 27th.
by Cyndy Weeks

We also welcome these new members:
Allen and Laura Crocker
Thelma Crocker
Don and Diane Hume
Gerald and Martha Kovalenko


March Birthdays

March 1
Jack Allison
Mike Baker
Charles Boone
Jacob Foster
Brandon Heflin
Jane LaMont

March 2
Justin Adams
Carey Barlowe
John Ingersoll

March 4
Joyce Brown
Farah Cleveland
Samuel Cook
David Smith
Doug Wilson (Dad)

March 5
Barbara Talomie

March 6
Barbara Payne

March 7
Leila McKamey
Alex Williams

March 8
Gary Breeden
Cape Caperton
Dibba Cassell
Buck Costello
Mark Heidler
Betty Miller

March 9
Elizabeth Adams
Ada Gill

March 11
Bobby Bragg
Alex Colegrove
Wilma Moffett

March 12
June Eaton
Phil Whiteside

March 13
Donna Payne

March 14
Barbara Miller
Mildred Moser

March 16
Richard Hayes
Lisa Myers

March 17
Caytie Enterline
Mary O'Bannon
Chris Randall
Aurora Tapp

March 17
Bruce Wilber

March 18
Tabitha Purcell

March 19
Clifford Hopson
Joshua Purcell
Betty Woodward

March 21
Laura Church

March 22
Blair Goodwin
Wayne Hitt

March 23
Beverly Boone
Becca Carter
Sara Heflin
Donna Ingersoll
Emily Meadows
Emily Sinclair

March 24
Steven Barr
Danny Zyla

March 25
Ryan Anderson
Kris Colegrove

March 27
Megan Elliot
Gerain Perry
Betty Pilcher
Michael Rogers
Chuck Wilkers

March 28
Marion Foley
Brianna Myers

March 29
Kyle Bowen
Heather Thorpe

March 30
Greg McKamey
Carole Wilson

March 31
Ken Boyles
Debbie Heidler
Darlene Kaley
Jim Snyder


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



Back to Top

Announcements . . .

The Virginia Baptist Resource Center lists the top 100 churches in Virginia in Cooperative Program receipts. Warrenton Baptist Church is listed in the top 100 for 1998. Cooperative Program gifts were $71,731.09 for the year.

Junior Church is still in need of a leader! We are using temporary help to fill in for as many weeks as possible. Currently, Junior Church is covered through March. If a leader is not found by the end of March, Junior Church will be discontinued. If you feel called to lead this special ministry, please call Deb Garris or the church office.

The Prayer Ministry is presently updating their Weekly and Emergency Chain Prayer Chain calling lists. If you would like your name added to either of these lists, please phone one of the coordinators: Cyndy Weeks, Jo Hayes, or Martha Henry. The Weekly Prayer Chain receives a phone call once a week to pray for specific requests and the Emergency Prayer Chain receives a phone call when there is an emergency request in the church and/or community.

Van Drivers and Housing Needed! A group from Clarksburg Baptist Church will be returning to Haiti over Easter. They have asked us to help them with housing for 34 on March 30 and April 9. They will also need transportation to and from the airport on March 31 and April 9. If you can help, please contact Les and Melessa Enterline.

The Flower Calendar is posted on the downstairs bulletin board for people to sign up to put flowers in the church. If you have questions please contact the Flower Committee.

On the Lighter Side:
Question: Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
Answer: David - he rocked Goliath to sleep!


NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS
MONDAY, MARCH 15.

Back to Top

Back to Newsletter Home