The Messenger
January 1999 Newsletter

Pastor's Penpoints
Music Notes
From the Assistant Pastor
WMU Focus Week
Haiti Highlights
WBC Endowment Fund
Thanks!
Children's Sunday School Department Report
Friendly Friday Folk Report
Tiny Tot News
Membership Report
  • New Members
  • February Birthdays

Announcements


Pastor's Penpoints by Sam Jones

Christmas is a special time of the year, especially for Christians. Even though it seems long past, I have not forgotten those people that enhanced our celebration this year through their dedicated service. Thanks to the Flower Committee the church was beautifully decorated. The fruit may not have held up in the wreathes but it was lovely and helped us celebrate an old fashioned Christmas. Our thanks go out to the Hospitality Committee for the munchies and punch after the Hanging of the Greens and the bags of candy and oranges distributed after our December 20 pageant. The Lord's Supper Committee set a lovely table for our Christmas Eve Service. Their service requires extra effort on Christmas Eve when everyone is so busy with last minute personal preparation.

A personal word of thanks is in order to Larry Weeks whose concern about services to the handicapped got us off of square one to update our support ministries. We now have handicapped parking spaces. (Remember that the existing parking lot behind the church should be left vacant for those who cannot walk more than a few steps, if any, to get to the church). There is the elevator just inside the back entrance. Two wheelchairs are available. We have magnifiers in the pew Bibles and hymn books to accommodate the visually impaired. There are four hearing aid units which are operational and available for use during our services (check with an usher, if you need one). Congratulations are also in order to Larry upon his recent election as chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. We prayed for him in a recent prayer meeting and would encourage you to do the same. I am pleased to say that each of the five supervisors for Fauquier County is a professing Christian.

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Music Notes by Paul Dakin, Minister of Music

It seems that there is always something going on in WBC's music ministry. Advent/Christmas is just barely over and it is time to begin making our special preparations for Holy Week and Easter.

As a part of this year's Easter celebration, the Sanctuary Choir will be presenting a mini-cantata called Classic Easter. This work blends masterwork choruses from the likes of Henry Purcell and George Handel with stirring new arrangements of favorite Easter hymns, tied together with narration from the Scriptures. If you have been considering becoming part of the Sanctuary Choir or Churchestra, now would be a great time to join as we begin rehearsing for this presentation.

Additional preparations of quite a different sort are now being made for the Old Town Warrenton Festival outreach on Saturday, May 15. Festival organizers estimate that 12,000-14,000 people will be coming to the festival, presenting us with the opportunity to share the gospel with more folks in one day that we do the rest of the year. As we did last year, a stage will be set up in the courtyard and a number of our musical groups and musicians will be performing.

Information about our church and its ministries will be distributed. What else can we do to make the most of this great evangelistic opportunity? If you have any ideas about how we can share Christ through this event, please see me or drop a note in the box on my office door.
THOUGHT TO PONDER . . . "We do not always think of repentance as worship, but it can be much easier to sing a rousing hymn than to turn away from our favorite sin. A sinful act involves worship of the wrong kind, submitting ourselves at that moment to serve the appetites of our pride and lust. So repentance is literally a transfer of our worship back to the One who rightfully owns it...Worship has been misunderstood as something that arises from a feeling which comes upon you,' but it is vital that we understand that it is rooted in a conscious act of the will, to serve and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The feelings, the joy of having been forgiven, follow on as a consequence of our reunion with Him."
---Graham Kendrick, author of the hymn, "Shine, Jesus, Shine"

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From the Assistant Pastor, Doug Harris

Youth Ministry Goals: Many hours of prayers and meeting have led us to five goals for the Youth Ministry for this coming year. I want to briefly share them with you so that you can know where we are heading and how you can focus your prayers for us. Simply stated, our goals are:
  • getting more youth involved in worship
  • relationship building
  • hands-on mission projects
  • enabling every student to share his or her faith
  • making everyone feel accepted and welcomed

These goals have been the basis for calendar planning for the coming year. Here are a few dates that are already set through July. Watch for more to come.

January 31
Super Bowl Party, Youth Center

March 12-14
Senior High Retreat, Eagle Eyrie, Lynchburg, VA

March 21
Youth Sunday, (150th Anniversary theme), Sanctuary

April 10
Youth Teacher Training, Youth Specialties Conference in Washington, DC

April 23-25
Middle School Retreat, Summit Lake, Emmitsburg, MD

June 25-July 5
Sr. High World Changers, Rock Hill, SC

July 17-24
Warrenton All Youth World Changers Right Here in Fauquier County!

July 26-31
Family Missions Week/Middle School Mission Trip, Lynchburg, VA

Here's some more info on three upcoming events:
Super Bowl Party - This is a bring your friends and family kind of event! The Youth Center will be open beginning at 6:00pm on January 31 and we'll be there until the game ends. We need your help with party food. Follow this pattern based on your last name: A-H > chips & dip, I-O > sweets, P-Z > sodas. Of course, if you have a favorite party dish, you can bring that, too. Even if you don't have a favorite team this year, come on and have a good time!

Youth Sunday - This year, Youth Sunday on March 21, 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 pictures from the Youth Ministry from the 60's through now. If you have any pictures 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!

Senior High Retreat - If you're in Senior High (grades 9-12), I'd love for you to come along on this year's Senior High Retreat. We'll return to Camp Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg March 12-14. We'll leave on Friday at 3:30pm and return on Sunday at 4:00pm. The theme this year is, "As If!". Once again, Nick Foster will be the featured speaker and you'll enjoy the music of Kyle Matthews. Cost for the weekend is $40. If you'd like to go, I need a deposit of $20 by Feb. 14.

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WMU Focus Week - February 14-20

J. Earlene Jessee Executive Director/Treasurer, Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, will be the guest speaker on the 14th of February. Mrs. Jessee assumed her responsibilities of the Woman's Missionary Union on September 1, 1992. A daughter of a Southern Baptist minister, Earlene grew up in missions organizations and is committed to missions.

Her background and experience make her uniquely suited to lead Virginia WMU. A big plus for Earlene in her role is her abiding love for missions, her commitment to do missions, and her vast knowledge of missions work.

Mrs. Jessee is a person of deep spiritual commitment who articulates well her faith to others. A creative, enthusiastic Christian, she is a woman of vision who knows her plans for the future. Her innate ability to relate well to all persons has enhanced the work of WMU.

Earlene is the wife of a Baptist minister; a mother; grandmother; a career woman.

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Haiti Highlights by David Thorne

I am a senior at Fauquier High School and was part of the mission team that went to Ft. Liberte Haiti over Christmas break. The short-term mission team consisted of 34 people. The group mostly represented two churches; a Baptist church in West Virginia and Warrenton Baptist Church.

This year our group's main focus was to put a basketball court in the orphanage that the Jerusalem Baptist church sponsors. The orphanage grounds always seemed to be flooded and a basketball court would help with this problem and give the children recreational activity. This basketball court holds a special place in the heart of all who knew the man for which it was named. Charlie Jeffries was a 77 year old man who decided to go to Haiti two years ago. He enjoyed it so much that he said, "Lord willing, if my health keeps up, I will return next year." The Lord did allow him to go last year (which was the first year that I made the trip to Haiti). He was a remarkable man. He sponsored a child in the orphanage and loved him as much as he could without speaking Creole, the native language of Haiti. Last year he said again that he would like to go to Haiti, "Lord willing, if my health keeps up." But, his health failed. In 1998, Charlie passed away.

Although a basketball court was our main focus, there were may jobs that our group accomplished during the stay. We painted the outside of the church and held a party for the 21 orphans. Les Enterline, who lives here in Warrenton, along with three others trained in the medical field, set up a clinic. The medical clinic is an important part of their trip every year. We learned that everybody has a special gift, whether it is providing manual labor to build a basketball court or medical assistance to those that need it. Once our tasks are given, each person decides where they would be of most help. Pastor Andre, the pastor of Jerusalem Baptist dreams of a building where the local Haitians can learn a trade. During this trip we worked on putting a roof on the half-completed professional building. Rob Moffett, a guidance counselor at Fauquier High, worked on repairing a table that was partially rotted.

One of the last things we did is something that was a very special part of my trip. We held a Sunday school party for the 500 kids of Jerusalem Baptist. The children were given a piece of cake, a cup of soda, a wrapped gift, and a plate of rice with a piece of chicken on top. This was a special treat for the Haitian children and probably the best meal they will receive all year. It's also the only present they may receive. In the Bible Christ says that whatever you do unto the least of his people you do unto Him. In this instance we fed the least of His people. It was a good feeling to bring this verse to life and serve Christ by serving His people. We who go on the Haiti mission trip fully acknowledge that we cannot solve the world's problems, and we don't try to. But, we do our part by trying to make a difference in the life of one Haitian at a time.

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WBC Endowment Fund

In 1987, the Warrenton Baptist Church Endowment Fund was established to assist in the preservation of the land and buildings of our church. This fund allows ninety percent of the earnings each year to come back to the church for maintenance as directed by the Property and Space Committee. The remaining ten percent is reinvested in the Fund. Since the fund was started, over $1660 has come back to the church for use. Anyone may contribute to this fund at any time. Checks should be made payable to Warrenton Baptist Church and marked "Endowment Fund" in the memo section. Annual information reports are made to the church and published periodically. Please contact the Financial Office for further information.

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Thanks!

On behalf of our staff, I want to say how much I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the Personnel Committee for providing the deli luncheon to the church office during the Christmas holidays. A good work relationship between the staff and Personnel Committee is vital to the accomplishment of our mission to carry the gospel to the world . I must say that working with you people this year has been a pleasure. Pastor Sam

Thank You to the Ladies of Building Bridges for the wonderful meals you brought us after the birth of our son. Thank you also for the diapers and prayers, all of which has helped us out tremendously. This is a wonderful ministry and a way to witness to others and to help new parents and parents with other siblings - especially when the first few months are hard for any family adjusting to their new blessing. God Bless You - Wayne & Carole Hensley

We'd like to express our sincere appreciation to all who had a part in helping to celebrate our Old Fashion Christmas. Our thanks to those who worked behind the scenes, to those wielding, hammering, typing, and to those who packed the candy. Our thanks to the adult and youth choirs who raised their voices in praise. Our thanks to the Sunday School teachers and classes for reminding us of what Christmas is all about, as they sang and recited. Our thanks to those in the pageant who again told the old, old story of Jesus' birth. Our thanks to the parents and friends that supported us in so many ways. But most of all we THANK GOD for the many wonderful blessings He bestows upon us. It was a special time when at the close of the service all joined in the singing of JOY TO THE WORLD. Have a wonderful New Year and God Bless - The Old Fashion Christmas Committee

Thank you for your support and visits to the hospital during my stay in Fauquier. Also for the beautiful flowers, prayers and cards sent during my illness. And in appreciation for the many phone calls. In Christ's love, Wanda Macdowall

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Children's Sunday School Report...

The Children's Sunday School department had a busy month in December. We began with Christmas caroling at the Oak Springs Nursing Home. Many thanks to all the parents who attended to help the children. Thank you also to Mrs. Tudor who played the piano for us and Mr. Jewell who played guitar. The residents of the home really enjoyed our presence; it was quite an experience for us all. We had a great turn out with over 50 adults and children in attendance. Thanks also to those who drove as we filled both church vans and had to have parents drive also. What a great event.

Many thanks to all the parents and children for doing such a wonderful job at the Dec. 20thChristmas program. With little time to prepare, you all came through with flying colors. The whole program was really great! Thanks to all my teachers for their help especially those who turned out Saturday for the practice when I couldn't make it. I really appreciate all the teachers do for the children and the department as whole.
All in all we had a great year adding many new events this year for the children! I pray we will have the manpower and assistance to continue. Two movie nights, caroling, and participating in Mother's Day and Christmas this year has kept us busy, but what a rewarding feeling to know how our children are dedicated to the Lord! Thanks to the Children's Committee for all their help this year. With out your assistance, many of our activities could not have happened. You were there for all the movie nights and Easter and Christmas Parties. Thank you so very much.

As we enter a New Year, I pray that you all will remember the children and teachers in the Children's department. In June, I plan to take a rest from the Children's Department and return to a Sunday School class. It has been many years since I was in a Sunday School class and I feel the urge to return. I do pray that someone will step forward to keep the department running and continue our activities that we just finally got going again. I cannot tell you how much I have grown spiritually and the joy I have felt in my heart many times from your children. I'm sure you all know how emotional I am, you can see a tear in my eye and know how my heart feels for all the children and what joy they bring to all our lives. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and I pray that God has been glorified in all that has been done in the Children's Department over the past few years!
Love in Christ, Cheryl Carter

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Friendly Friday Folk Report, July-December 1998

Among our programs were those given by members who visited Scotland, Jane Austin's home in England, Colorado and a video on Cliff Dwellers. Other videos were Christmas songs and the Tiny Tots Christmas program.

We went to lunch at the Mimslyn in Luray, celebrated our 25th anniversary with a catered lunch by First Baptist Church and had a Halloween party after making Halloween baskets for Head Start. There were two Christmas parties. The week after we had our usual one (trim tree, gifts, etc.), Santa came to visit, so we had a second one.

We continue to contribute to our Social Services family with school supplies, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We gave Christmas card books to Head Start, Sunrise Home and Tiny Tots. Toys were wrapped for the mission group to give children of Haiti at Christmas.

We lost two of our members--Sylvia Godfrey and Madeline Haley. Don't forget to save your unused sewing materials and greeting cards for us. Please DO NOT cut the cards apart.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Lee Moffett

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Tiny Tot News

January was a very busy month at the center. The children especially enjoyed "Warm and Fuzzy" Day. Students and staff dressed in pajamas and wore robes and house shoes. Stuffed animals were welcomed guests at the special movie and shared the snack of popcorn and hot cocoa with their owners.
We are proud of our youth workers. God has blessed our center with 11 young men and women who share their love of the Lord and provide positive role models of young adults to our students. Their dedication and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to Melissa Edwards, Seth Enterline, Tiffani Hanback, Courtney Ingersoll, Lashelle Snyder, Amy Todd, David Thorn and Kristen Warmus for Honor Roll work at Fauquier High last nine weeks. Keep up the good work!

Please keep Taylor Smith in your prayers. She had a virus over the holidays that caused her to miss one of her treatments. We hope that she will be up and around in time to join us for Valentine's Day parties.

Each class is looking forward to their Valentine's Day celebration and the 4/5 class is planning a dance. Plans are well under way for our summer program. We will be visiting the "Wild West" and learning about being friends with Jesus. Our Christian Education lessons will highlight Zaccheus, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and many other stories of friends of Jesus. We are planning a rodeo to wind up the events.

We are always in search of substitutes. If you are interested, please call the office at 347-7084.
GOD BLESS --- Cheryl and Staff

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Membership Report

CONGRATULATIONS! To Maston and Sheilda Harris in celebration of your marriage - December 20, 1998.


We express heartfelt sympathy . . .
to Jenny Abrams in the loss of her sister, Florence;
to Barbara Mountjoy and family in the loss her sister, Peggy.


Welcome to Our New Members!
Michael Jones

Charlotte Kirby

Don King

Bill and Barbara Woods

Jason Poston

Greg and Leila McKamey, Danielle


February Birthdays
Feb. 1
Grace Carson, C.D. Green, Judy Thorne

Feb. 2
Susie Cooper, Pam Wilson

Feb. 3
Samuel Beals, Evelyn Borland, Debbie Boyles, Tyler Hale

Feb.4
Andrew Estes, Vivian Holmes, Carla Jewell

Feb. 5
Rebecca Caperton, Joy Fling, Elizabeth Hodge, Debbie Waln

Feb. 6
C.Q. Ritchie

Feb. 7
Sarah Sudduth

Feb. 8
Don Crocker, Robbie Frossard, Jerry LaMont, Odelle Moon

Feb. 9
Sara Craun, Geri Marsh, Chad Moore, Bob Morris, Ruby Sweeney

Feb. 10
Miss Patricia Purcell

Feb. 11
Mary Payne, Amy Taylor

Feb. 12
Beverly Barr

Feb. 13
Betty Albaugh, Linda Leach, Hutch Putnam

Feb. 14
Clark Simpson

Feb. 15
Julie Bailey, Rebecca Jones

Feb. 16
Jane Boswell, Evelyn Mallory

Feb. 17
Brian Caperton, Richard Cockrell, Don Garris, Danny Garrison, Eric Heflin

Feb. 18
Pamela Napier, Forest Persons

Feb. 19
Carroll Downs, Dewey Godfrey

Feb. 21
William Keyser

Feb. 22
George Edwards, Thomas Hughes, Dennis Jones, Jackie Moon

Feb. 23
Ryan Howard, Susan Riley

Feb. 24
Ralph Butler, Stephanie Heflin, Harvey Pearson

Feb. 25
Chris Caperton

Feb. 26
Mattie Carder, Vernon Mountjoy

Feb. 27
Brenda Sweeney, Bryce Weir

Feb. 28
Pat Foley, C.Q. Ritchie, Jr., Benjamin Woods

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Announcements . . .
  • HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE PICTORIAL DIRECTORY? Our new color Pictorial Directory is progressing rapidly. But time is fleeting. The dates are March 5, 6, 26 and 27. If you haven't signed up, please contact the church office (347-3509) or Russ Barlowe for a successful program focusing on our church's 150th anniversary we need participation of all our church family.
  • DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING - February 14th at 6:30 p.m. Discipleship Training begins with registration and orientation. Coming soon will be a list of the studies offered.
  • RACE RELATIONS SUNDAY - We welcome our neighbors from First Baptist Church on February 14th. A reception will follow.
  • WE NEED YOUR HELP - The Pictorial Directory is looking for photos to be included in the church activity pages. Our 150th anniversary year will be the focus of this directory. If you are willing to share photos of the 150th anniversary events, mission trips/work, Sunday School events, (or any church events) for possible inclusion in our directory, please submit your photos to the church office in an envelope labeled with the event and your name. Indicate if you wish your photos to be returned. Deadline is February 15th. Thanks.
  • SEMINAR PLANNED - Beth Moore (author of A Woman's Heart : God's Dwelling Place and A Heart Like His: Seeking the Heart Through a Study of David) will be speaking in Springfield, VA at the Word of Life Assembly of God on July 30 (7:00-9:30 p.m.) And July 31 (8:30-12:00 noon). An overnight trip is planned, if interested in attending please contact Kim Raines or Lisa Myers by January 31.
  • ATTENTION ALL LADIES!!!! - There is a quick get-away in the works being planned right now. The "when" is Friday and Saturday, February 12th and 13th. The "who" is Peggy Bowens, a speaker who has led mini-conferences at Eagle Eyrie in the past. The "where" is still in the planning stages (any suggestions would be appreciated). But one thing is definite, the time will be filled with fun and laughter, and knowing Peggy, some down home learning about having a relationship with God and each other. So all ladies, young, old married or single, this is your personal invitation. Please mark your calendars. Any questions, call Melessa Enterline.


NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16.

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