January New Letter

Thoughts For the New Year

• From Pastor Ken Monahan

This month I would like to offer my thoughts about Resolutions. Some hate the thought of making any changes while others relish the thought of something new - something different. Less than 8% of people making resolutions will keep half of them. Most will fail. But I like what John Maxwell has said, "Everyone deserves a new beginning." We are just a few days into the year 2007 and if you haven't decided to make some of those necessary changes that we call resolutions, it's not too late!

I found this acrostic in my files "How To Have A Blessed New Year" I have read this many times in the 25 years that I have kept it in my files and I thought that it may spark your thinking about making those changes that you have planned and talked about. Honestly, each year I really do sit down and do an inventory of my life. Doing this enables me to become very much aware of God's blessings and His wonderful grace. I don't find resolutions hard, odd, or difficult. They can be challenging and life changing. I am as hopeful for you as I am for myself.

"How To Have A Blessed New Year"

B e prayerful Ephesians 6:18

L ove the Lord Matthew 22:37

E ndure hardship 2 Timothy 2:3

S ing unto the Lord Psalm 30:4

S how Kindness Ephesians 4:32

E ncourage Others Hebrews 10:25

D raw close to God James 4:8

N ever Talk Back Proverbs 15:1

E xamine your heart 2 Corinthians 13:5

W ear a smile Proverbs 15:13

Y ield to His wil 2 Chronicles 30:8

E xpect His coming Titus 2:13

A sk for forgiveness 1 John 1:9

R ead the Word Acts 17:11

Author Unknown

These are resolutions that anyone can put into practice

1. I will serve the Lord with gladness. Deut. 10:12
2. I will serve the Lord with a willing heart 1 Chronicles 28:9
3. I will serve the Lord without fear. Luke 1:74, Matt. 10:28
4. I will serve the Lord humbly. Acts 20:19
5. I will serve the Lord by attending church and by being a witness for Him. Heb. 10:25, Acts 1:8
6. I will serve the Lord with a pure conscience. 2 Timothy 1:3

I would like to encourage you to take an inventory of your past year. I am quite sure that you will be abundantly surprised at how God has blessed you, showered His grace upon you and given you guidance. As you put your resolutions into practice don't be afraid of failure. If you miss a day or a week reading the Word, don't stop. Start again. If you make a mistake - of if you fail, don't give up. Remember, "Everyone deserves a new beginning!" Our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to forgive and start anew and afresh with you! Happy New Year. May it be blessed, healthy, spiritually uplifting and full of joy

Jews For Jesus Presentation

-

On Sunday, January 28, members of the Dover Baptist family will have the opportunity to experience “Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles” at the Morning Worship Service at 10:30 AM.

Presented by Jews for Jesus, a temporary booth or sukkah will be constructed to explain the significance of the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. Why come to hear about ancient Jewish rituals? Because they served as a backdrop for the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus, and because this holiday points to Jesus as the Messiah. The speaker will explain how the Feast (or Sukkot) is a vibrant part of Jewish life today and how the holiday offers a wealth of meaning for Christians who value their Old Testament heritage. They will also demonstrate how Sukkot plays into God’s worldwide pland for tomorrow.

The presentation uses a variety of visual aids to show the rich history of the feast and its traditions, with congregational participation in setting up the booth. The speaker then transports you to Jerusalem in Jesus’ day and sets the stage for his claims to be the Light of the World and the Living Water. It will be a glimpse into the Jewish life that Jesus lived on this earth

Jews for Jesus is an agency which proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. It has branches in eight North American cities as well as over 137 volunteer chapters spanning some 41 states and five countries

Ministry Matching

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to share with you how God has been leading me to help match people up with ministry opportunities. About a year ago Pastor Ken and I had a discussion about a lady at another church who works with members of their congregation to connect them to ministry opportunities. He shared how he thought that was something we needed here at DBC. I thought it sounded interesting also.

Fast forward to this past summer and early fall, I was speaking with a young mom whom I thought might be interested in attending MOPS and I found out that she was no longer attending our church. She mentioned that she had been attending DBC with her family for 6 months. She wanted to serve in some capacity and even took the child protection training, but no one contacted her. She felt she never went from feeling like a visitor to feeling like a part of the family and this was one of the biggest reasons.

Another woman a few weeks later mentioned that she had joined our church last year. She had filled out her spiritual gift survey in her membership class and was really looking forward to helping do something at our church. She waited to be called and then decided to ask what she could do.

These conversations only weeks apart brought to my attention that there was a need to be filled. I started praying about it and God reminded me of the conversation I had previously with Pastor Ken. I continued praying about it and spoke with my husband for guidance. He thought that if this was something God was putting on my heart then he saw no reason that I couldn’t help people in our church find a match for ministry. I then spoke to the elders about my thoughts and concerns and how I was willing to help.

Thus begins my quest to match up you, my brothers and sisters, in a ministry that not only helps build God’s Kingdom but is the best fit for you. I felt God placed a “burning bush” in front of me to catch my attention, just as he did to Moses long ago and I would like to call this the Burning Bush Ministry. Here are some thoughts on serving Him:

“God wants all of who you are to go into loving and serving Him. To find your best fit in ministry, put all of who you are into all of who He is.

Your life is like a puzzle. The pieces fit together to make a whole. When you combine your spiritual gifts, personality, passions, and experience you will discover a picture which shows you how you can best serve the Lord with maximum effectiveness. ----YOUR MINISTRY PROFILE !

Each part of who you are affects the other parts and contributes to how God wants to use you. Here is what each part contributes to the way you will serve:

Your walk motivates you for ministry.

Your spiritual gifts enable you for ministry.

Your passions give focus to ministry.

Your personality expresses itself in ministry.

Your experiences help develop you for ministry. “

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matt. 22:37)

If interested in discovering your gifts or how you can serve in love with a ministry at Dover Baptist Church contact Leah Roth at jonandleah@metrocast.net or call 603-335-3019.

(excerpts from Church staffing ministry resources)

Men's Ministry Activity - JANUARY 21ST

• Men's Ministry Team

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL???!!! The 2nd annual AFC-NFC Championship Sunday men's football party will be taking place on Sunday January 21st. We'll start 30 minutes before kickoff of the first game (time TBA) and go through the second game about 7 hours later

Watch football on the BIG screen on comfy couches, tailgate food galore, challenging contests of football trivia, armchair quarterback, and other surprises. Plus spectacular door prizes for everyone.

If you're a male (young or old) then you're invited! Invite your friends, invite your enemies invite your neighbors, invite your co-workers. What a great way to introduce someone to the church in a fun, non-threatening environment. Plus some great fellowship with your brothers-in-Christ. Contact Jon Roth (335-3019) for more details. See you there!

Dover Baptist Member Seeks Ordination

You would be interested to know that member, Scott Wilson, has recently completed all the necessary work to proceed with his ordination to the ministry Papers presented met with unanimous approval. At a recent church meeting, it was voted to call an Ordination Council soon. Area pastors and lay people will meet with Scott for the purpose of examining him and recommending further action.

Scott, husband of Janet and dad to Amy, Andrea and Micah, has been a member of Dover Baptist for nearly 25 year, He has served as the Area Representative for Christian Service Brigade for much of that time. He has also served as an elder, Sunday School teacher, and led the Brigade programs in the church.

Brigade Activity

Members of Stockade and the Battalion are beginning to think of soon starting to build this year’s Shape & Race cars. Members of both groups will participate.

Of added interest will be the opportunity for men of the church to participate buy building and racing their own cars.

This event is a highlight of the year for “Brigaders”. The race is usually held in March.

(Recently, some “elves” very quietly delivered some special gifts to the church kitchen in honor of Jesus’ birthday. The generous donor(s) contributed three gleaming serving carts, cookware and other needed kitchen items.

These items are greatly appreciated by those working in the kitchen. Below is a poem related to this.)

’Twas the Morning of MOPS

‘Twas the morning of Mops, when all through the building,
Not a creature was stirring, not even Kitty buzzing;
The nametags were placed on the table with care,
In hope that many Moms soon would be there;
The Steering Team were arriving, all in their minivans,
While visions of Moppets workers danced in their heads;
With Ruth in her apron and Leah happily greeting, 
Had just got to church for a exciting Mops meeting,

When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from the foyer to see what was the matter.
Away to the kitchen we flew like a flash,
Turned the door handle and thru it we did dash.
The fluorescents from above had such a glow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But three new carts, and lots of kitchen gear,
With whisks and spoons, big pans and a pot,
We knew in a moment it must be from God.
More rapid than eagles our eyes all took aim
And we whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Wow, Knives! Wow, Whisks! Wow, Aprons and Spoons!
Wow, another Apron! Two pans! Two Kettles”, we all did croon!
To the foyer we went! Out to the hall!
Now come here! Come here! Come see one and all!
As busy as bees we went on the fly,
All these new gadgets we sll must give a try,
So on went the aprons and off went the pots,
We filled the carts with food and off did we trot!
And then, with some chatter, we heard at the door
The voice of Kitty and one little boy,
We were excited to tell her, but of course she already knew,
To church she had already been ans saw it all, too.
It was addressed, ‘To Dover Baptist Church”, with a pretty note
Neatly, in marker was each letter wrote;
“Merry Christmas: it said all fancy in red!
“Who could it be?” we exclaimed as we read!
As Mothers we are we started to guess
Who could have brought such a bless.
It was Ruth that admonished us.
We must recognize it as a gift from Jesus!
“HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL”

Gifts Delivered In Boston

On Sunday, December 17, several from Dover Baptist made the trip to Boston to deliver filled shoe boxes for the homeless and Christmas gifts for the children at South End Neighborhood Church. It was an exciting time watching as the children received their gifts following the Morning Service. Gifts were distributed to around 30 children.