Moderator’s Monday Moment, December 15, 2008

            Good morning and I hope this finds all of you well this Monday morning.  Yesterday in the service Pastor Steve spoke about Joy in his sermon.  The question presented to us was “Are We Having Fun Yet?”  God wants us to experience joy; he wants us to have fun in our faith.  The seriousness and the hard work are not the end of our religion and our faith.  They are rather, the means to the end, which is to experience joy in your faith and know peace.  St. Theresa said, “From frowning saints, good Lord deliver us.”  There is also an old Jewish proverb that says, “When you are hungry sing; when you are hurt laugh.”  There’s a lot of logic behind that old saying about laughter being the best medicine.  The scriptures tell us that we are created in the image of God, and that includes his sense of humor.  We get out of our faith what we bring to it.  If we bring fear to our faith and belief in God then that is what we will share with others when we go to share that faith.

            This is the season of joy and the sermon was appropriate for what we had going on around the church yesterday.  After the service we had the annual Cookie Walk put on the American Baptist Women from GBC.  I observed smiles and happiness as the pans filled with cookies left Dean Hall.  On the other side of the room from the Cookie Walk was the All Family Advent Event.  The event was for all ages and the laughter and fun was contagious.  Each family decorated a gingerbread house and gingerbread men.  The kits included frosting and any number of candies, sprinkles, and other goodies to decorate the house with.  Adults and kids worked together and laughed together.  The houses looked pretty good and I’m going to guess tasted pretty good.

            Later yesterday evening members of the congregation were off to sing and share the joy of their faith and the season with those who are not able to get out.  The youth started at 4:00 followed by other church members at 5:00 .  They were going to sing for those in local nursing homes and those who are home bound.  What a wonderful way to spread the joy.  I can personally attest that the joy is out there in other churches as well.  We attended the children’s pageant at Rochester First because one of the young actors is the son of our son Jon’s girlfriend.  There is nothing like children to show you how to share joy and help you have a good time.  You have to know how to laugh and enjoy what you have and being able to share that kind of joy makes it so much more special.  I think I know the answer to the question, “Are we having fun yet?”  Yes we are and we’re willing to pass it on…

            Yesterday we had the last six of ten baptisms take place.  Alyssa Deffenbaugh, Ryan Deffenbaugh, Kyle Deffenbaugh, Anne MacDonald, Debbie Penders, and Carol Rotolo were all baptized as they have made the decision to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.  They were presented to the church by proud parents and friends to an excited congregation to have so many people at one time make a commitment to Christ.  Congratulations to all ten people who have made that commitment over the last two weeks.  As you grow, we grow and we are richer because all of you are here at Greece Baptist Church .

            The Missions Board provided inserts in the bulletin about World Missions and One Great Hour of Sharing which are receiving monies from our Advent Offering.    World Missions supports American Baptist missionaries and their work worldwide.  One Great Hour of sharing is an organization that represents nine Christian denominations that combine their resources to help those less fortunate. With the Alternative Gift Market, the gifts for the kids at Cameron Community, and the Advent offering we have found many ways to share.  Please be generous, your act of generosity brings beauty and joy to this Advent season.

On our prayer list this week are Linda Armstrong, Alice Foster, Bernice Hall, Newt Hall, Alyson Hoevenaar, Jack Jacobus, Lisa (a friend of the McQuatters), Les McQuatters, Don Napier, Patrick Carr (the grandson of a friend of the McQuatters), Darrill Riling, Richard Romig, Ada Rosentreter, Jennifer Shadders (Linda Tacconi’s daughter), Stephanie (Toni Jeerings’ cousin) and her twin babies, Ellen Sweeney (Craig’s Mom), Ann Thrall, Alice Tiglao (Barry Edmonds’ sister-in-law), David Yanosh, Edna Young, and Ray Zieman.     Please keep Eric Gooding (Air Force), Sarah Doud (Air Force), Andrew Stewart (Air Force), Robert Rotolo (Army), and John Worman (Marines) and their families in our prayers as they serve our country both here at home and overseas.

            On the calendar for tonight is the Boy Scout Troop 48 meeting at 6:30 .  On Tuesday, December 16^th the Daisy Scouts will meet at 6:00 .  On Wednesday, December 17^th the Bible and Prayer group and the Bell Choir meet at 6:30 , followed by the Choir at 7:30 .    On Thursday, December 18^h the Daisy Scouts will meet at 6:00 , Cub Scout Pack 48 has their Christmas Party at 6:30 , and Revelation rehearses at 7:00 in the Sanctuary.  On Saturday, December 20^th the Daisy Scouts will have their troop pizza party.  Next Sunday, our regular service will be at 9:30 .  Coffee and fellowship will follow the service.  At 11:00 we have three offerings: Forum with Pastor Steve presenting a Revive Alive Update, Barbara’s Bible Study, and Gleaner’s Bible Study.

            Celebrating Birthdays last week and this week are:

December 17 – Mary Kerber

December 18 – Vera Dobbertin

                         Raymond Foster

December 19 – Linda Cooley             

            Please take a minute during your week to wish these people a very Happy Birthday.

               If you are traveling this coming week please do so carefully in this unpredictable and unseasonably cold weather.  Marilyn and I will not see you in church until the second Sunday in January.  We are traveling over the holiday to be with family because of the holidays and to be with my mother who is undergoing treatments for lung cancer.  I would like to personally thank all of you who have been praying for her recovery, sending cards, or just asking how she is doing.  You don’t understand how important that kind of support is until you have been on the receiving end.  My entire family appreciates the support and we will make it through this bump in the road because you have been there for us.  Thank you all.  Have a good holiday and God Bless,