May 2005 News Letter

Quietness

by Pastor Monahan

As I pondered what to share with you this month I have decided to share a personal experience. As with all personal experiences they have the most meaning to the one that has had the experience. Realizing that, I still want to bring a part of my journey to you hoping that you might consider a journey of “Slow Down Therapy”.

Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.” Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord you God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

These two verses have spoken volumes to me this month. Allow me to tell you how. Have you ever wished that you could just have some quiet time for yourself…no interruptions? Have you wanted to have uninterrupted time with God? My answer to those two questions was, “yes, oh yes!” Remember, God hears every prayer and answers in His time. What I am going to share with you is but a small picture of what God is doing in my life.

Have you ever noticed what verse 2 of the 23rd Psalm says? It begins this way, “He makes me lie down…” I believe that we live in such a fast paced world that we are moving through life so fast that we miss important things. We do everything quickly today. We overbook our lives, we are now taught to multi-task, we talk fast, we eat fast, we read fast. Unfortunately, we just plain live fast. Notice what God is saying in verse 2 to you. “He makes me lie down…” This verse beautifully speaks of peace and contentment but it says that there is a time when God says He will make us lie down. He can and will slow your pace. In these weeks of recovery after surgery I am thankful that my loving heavenly Father has led me to a place of quietness and restoration. He “made” me lie down but my place of rest was comfortable and familiar and I didn’t feel forced or manipulated.

The verse in Zephaniah is one of Cindy’s favorite verses. Several years ago I purchased a beautiful picture with this verse on it and I have walked by that reminder of calmness everyday, but I never gave its message much thought. After all, that was my wife’s verse. Well, since my surgery and setbacks I have experienced the quietness spoken of in this verse. I have experienced stillness, peace, comfort and contentment. This verse reassures me that regardless of my circumstances God loves me and delights in me and He offers something extraordinary…quietness. He quieted me with His love. That is so reassuring! When you know that someone loves you it brings you great peace and comfort. This is what God has been doing for me.

My thoughts are not very profound but I would like to end with a question. Have you ever wished you could just slow down and enjoy some quiet, still time with God? Perhaps what is needed is a little “Slow Down Therapy”. It’s just a thought. Don’t wait for a forced exile from your regular routine. Do it now. I will tell you that God is doing some wonderful things for me.

National Day of Prayer

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The 54th Annual National Day of Prayer is almost here. On Thursday, May 5, 2005 believers across America will “come boldly before the throne of grace” on behalf of our nation. You can participate by signing up to pray in 20 minute segments so that representatives from Dover Baptist Church will cover the entire day in prayer. Our usual weekly prayer meeting will also be changed from Wednesday to Thursday of that week so that we can meet together on the Day of Prayer. Additionally, the church will be open from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on May 5th for those who would be able to come and pray during their lunch hour.

The theme for 2005 is “God Shed His Grace On Thee” and the key verse is “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) As long-time National Day of Prayer chairperson, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, states, “As a nation, we have rebelled against the Creator. Our culture is steeped in immorality and self-sufficiency and is growing increasingly hostile toward religious expression. In asking God to ‘shed His grace’ on us, we are acknowledging not only our unworthiness, but our outright sin against Him. Scripture promises that when we look to our heavenly Father in faith and repentance, we can have confidence that He hears our pleas.”

Excerpts from National Day of Prayer Website

MEMO

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To: The Church Family

From: Rick Odess, Chair

Re: Finance Committee

As the new Chair of the Finance Committee, I want to let the church family know that I am deeply humbled by this position, and want to express my sincere gratitude to those who have served, and those who will continue to serve you with me in the coming year. In particular, Drew Eaton and Ed Wilson deserve my heartfelt thanks for doing much of the detail work needed this past year, in order for me to "keep the ball rolling", as opposed to having to "reinvent the wheel".

I particularly whish to acknowledge Ed for his many, many years of service to DBC in the finance area. Much is owed to him for his many hours of dedication and attention to detail to keep us running true. Thank you Ed!

In addition to myself, the Committee this year includes Drew Eaton, Chuck Nelms (Treasurer), Kerry Robinson (Head Meeting Record Keeper), Bruce Prior, Donna Baker (Bookkeeper), and Bill Palmer (Financial Secretary).

It is our desire to keep the lines of communication open, and be available to answer any of your questions (those that we have answers for, anyway) at any time. Feel free to come up to any one of us and ask away.

We take our roles of chief stewards seriously, and look forward to serving as we are led. This year poses some challenges, as we have reduced our budget, yet still need everyone to give as God leads, as the Elders mentioned recently. Also, as pointed out by the Elders, we may start to look for an Associate Pastor in the foreseeable future. All of this leads me to say one thing. We are family, called to work together to do God's work in our midst. May we all learn our SHAPE, and work to that end.

Blessings

Summer Mission Trip Scheduled

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This summer a team of 26 people will be heading to Guatemala to work at Escuela Integrada, a school for extremely poor children who can't afford public school. While there the team will be constructing a playground, building a small roof, and doing various odd jobs around the school. They will also be presenting a 5 day VBS program with a salvation theme, at the school or at a local church. This project will cost an estimated $6,000 and each individual needs to raise over $1,000 to participate. Look for upcoming fundraisers which you can participate in. As of right now the following fundraisers are set and ready to go (and they both involve food, how exciting!)

On MAY 2 there will be a MOMMA D'S DINNER NIGHT at which we will receive a certain percentage of money brought in through dinner receipts. On JUNE 4 there will be a Pampered Chef open house at the church with a Latin American theme. So, if you have been thinking about buying some of their wonderful products (or know someone who might like to),, please come and support our team. All monies raised at these two events will go towards the cost of the construction projects.

Mission News

• Missions

Early this year, many of you contributed to the Tsumani Relief Fund through Operation Mobilization – some directly and some through the Church.

We recently received a letter from OM and would like to share portions of it with you so that you may see just where your gifts have gone.

March 15, 2005

Dear Tsunami Relief Partners,

The powerful tsunami waves hit …unannounced, on the last Sunday in December 2004. Hundreds of villages were decimated. Thousands of buildings were destroyed. Over a million people were displaced…more than 265,000 suddenly entered eternity.

American and international donors have generously given over $1 million for tsunami relief through OM. More than half these funds came through OM USA. I was in India last month for our International Leaders Meeting, and I heard many expressions of gratitude from staff members from India and Sri Lanka. These men and women are hard at work trying to relieve some of the lingering suffering that exists in these countries.

Our Asia Challenge Team in Sri Lanka partnered with the National Christian Evangelical Alliance and provided dry rations to hundreds of families…moved on to distributing ‘resettlement packs’ to displaced people and are also building temporary shelters. In India, we are providing counseling services, medical assistance and development services in several villages south of Chennai. We are providing fishing boats and nets to help provide both food and income for the villagers. LOGOS II was involved with vital rebuilding efforts in Granada after Hurricane Ivan slammed that island in September. It appears now that DOULOS will visit Sri Lanka later this year, and relief work could be a large part of the ministry in that country…

Our Mercy Teams International component has completed a survey trip of Indonesia’s hardest-hit area. This area had previously been closed to foreign influence, but the tsunami has opened the door for our involvement. The team identified three projects to focus on:

• Training local Christians to provide counseling for survivors
• Assisting women/families who lost their husbands/fathers in the tsunami
• Establishing a learning center for pre-school children.

Some relief agencies have already packed up and left the area. OM has a commitment to make every effort to continue our ministry to the people in the affected areas and combine it with additional relief and development activities. Thank you for your gifts and prayers for this incredible effort. We are in this for the long term, and we will continue to need your ongoing prayers and financial support for these efforts…

In His name,

Rick Hicks, President

Youth Corner - "Leaving Home"

• Elaine Smith

What is home? Some definitions: 1) A place where one lives; a residence 2) The place where one was born or has lived for a long period; 3) An environment offering security and happiness; 4) The place where something is discovered.

For some, leaving home is a time of sadness – leaving loved ones. For some it is terrifying – having to cope on one’s own, making decisions, meeting new people. For others an inconvenience – doing your own laundry, dealing with finances, getting up early enough to get to class on time and still for others it is an adventure – new horizons, new freedom.

But, in every case it brings new responsibilities. Could you believe that God has been preparing you all your life for this day? (Psalm 139:13-16)

Home is an environment offering security and happiness. A valued place regarded as a refuge or place or origin. Home is the place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; a source.

At home and church you have been taught biblical truths about your conduct. But, this has always been under the watchful gaze of someone who cared. There are many cults who prey on the lonely and insecure, offering friendship and acceptance. Many have the appearance of being Christian but upon examination, but when their standards are measured against Biblical truths, it is evident they deceive.

Peer pressure is a real problem even in a Christian environment. God made us as wonderful individuals. He calls each by name, and has a unique purpose for each of us. The world won’t be able to squeeze you from the outside if God has changed you from the inside. (Romans 12:2)

So how do we overcome the pressures of the world. How do we keep a living, vibrant relationship with our God?

Every day you will make choices. You will re responsible of every one and will have to live with the consequences. Most will be mundane, day-to-day choices; some a 50/50 chance of choosing God’s way or not. So how do you know the right choice?

Remember you are not alone. (Psalm 139:1-12) One often makes bad choices, but the secret is to know your own weakness where you are most likely to sin. An even greater secret is to know the One who is the source of your strength. (II Corinthians 12:9)

People say home is where the heart is. Where is your heart: (Psalm 139:23-24)

If you have God in your heart, you will never really leave home.

(Notes from talk by Elaine Smith at the Senior Formal.)

Tim Schuman to speak

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Tim Schuman, our representative with Campus Crusade on the UNH campus, will be with us on Sunday, May 22.

Tim and Pam Schuman have been with Campus Crusade since 1982. They served at UNH until returning to school. Following school, Tim was appointed Regional Director for the Northeast and as part of his duties serves at Director of Summer Ministries at Yellowstone. Tim returned to UNH as Campus Director and serves in a lesser capacity as the Northeast Director.

Youth Ministries Begun

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Filling a need that has existed for a few years, the Girls Alive program for girls, Grades 3 - 6 has recently started at Dover Baptist. Girls Alive is a new program designed for leaders to disciple girls. It is the girl's "arm" of CSB Ministries which also includes Stockade.

Sensing a need, also, for the younger children, Kids Alive for boys and girls, age 4 through Grade 2 has also begun.

Meetings are held each Wednesday from 6:30 - 8 pm and include Bible stories, crafts, snack, etc. Regular meetings will continue through May 13 with special activities planned through the summer.

Philadelphia Biblical University Chorale In Concert

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Don't miss the special music planned here at Dover Baptist Church for Tuesday, May 10, at 7:00 PM. The chorale will present a varied concert of sacred music at just the right time for Mother's Day. Guests are welcome!

Adult Sunday School Electives

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The spring quarter of Sunday School adult classes include a study of the book of Isaiah led by Otho Wells and Spiritual Gifts for the Discovery 301 series taught by Margaret Bennett.

Classes are held at 8:30 each Sunday.