Acts of Faith
MAY
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH We are a family of faith, sharing God’s love in a spirit of hope.
It’s really happening this time! Pastor Amanda is finally going to be able to take her sabbatical this summer! The Langlands family will spend time traveling, reflecting, and recovering from a wild few years. During this time not only will Pastor Amanda get some much needed relaxation time, she’ll also be exploring one of her passions: how art impacts our relationship with God. We are so excited for all that she’ll get to learn, experience, do, and most importantly not do. We’ll be sending Amanda off in worship on Sunday, May 15, saying our final goodbyes on Wednesday, May 18, and not seeing or hearing from the Langlands again until August. Please join us in sending them off, praying for them while they’re gone, and honoring their space while they rest.
We’re celebrating the end of the school year and regular Wednesday night activities with a cookout! Join us on Wednesday, May 25, at 5:30 p.m. for burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill! You are invited to bring a side dish to share. This year our deacons are providing an ice cream sundae bar for dessert! We’ll enjoy all the delicious food and have fun together as a church family so we hope you’ll be there!
We celebrated the risen Christ in many meaningful ways this year. Alleluia!
Thank you! Words cannot adequately express our admiration for the generous people of this church! Once again you have responded to the needs of the world with gifts that have more than doubled our goal of $3,000 for the Spring Offering for Global Missions. As we end our emphasis, our total is $6,195 and this money will be on its way immediately to become the hands and feet of God’s work in this world. Because of you, victims of domestic violence in Georgetown and Scott County will no longer have to be housed far from home in order to be safe from further trauma. Your gift to Elizabeth’s Village will hasten the day when their shelter in Georgetown is complete. Thank you! Because of you, people experiencing homelessness in Southern Kentucky will no longer be forced to sleep outside on cold nights. Your gift to White Flag Ministries will offer a warm place to sleep, a hot meal, and a chance to work with caring Christians committed to helping them attain a better life. Thank you! Because of you, war refugees from Ukraine will have access to services from our own Oleg Turlac’s World Wide Word ministry. Based in neighboring Moldova, Oleg has been working in this region of the world for over a decade and has the presence and the contacts to help and to heal those fleeing the brutal Russian attacks. Thank you!
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As many already know, I will be taking my long awaited sabbatical starting this month. My last day at Faith for the summer will be Wednesday, May 18, and I will return on Monday, August 22. I am excited and so appreciative of this time Faith has given to me to rest and restore myself and spend time with my family. We are all looking forward to exploring the beauty and art of Italy during the month of June. I know I will have much to share with all of you when I return. In the meantime, I am excited that our very own Piper Ann Gullett will be the interim children’s minister while I am away! Here is a word from Piper: “I am an elementary education major at EKU. I serve as the Director of Chapter Culture for my sorority AOII. I absolutely love children and I am so excited for the opportunity to work with the children of Faith this summer. I have fond childhood memories in this loving church and I am honored to help our children make their own special memories too!” I know that you all will welcome Piper, pray for her, and support her as the summer goes by, just as you have done for me each and every year. Make sure to stop by the children’s hallway and say hello! Calling all kids kindergarten through 5th grade! Get ready for our summer adventure, Passport to Peace! This summer our VBS experience looks a little bit different. We will be getting together on Wednesday mornings in June for Bible stories, crafts, recreation, and a unique experience each week like cooking, soccer, art, and architecture! Mark your calendars now for Wednesdays, June 8, 15, 22, and 29. We will have fun all morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and lunch is included! For more information and to register now, check out familyoffaith.net/PassportToPeace.
We will wrap up Kids on Mission this month on Wednesday nights, May 4 and 11. We will have fun with stories, games, and crafts, and continue learning about Watering Malawi! Change Sings by Amanda Gorman: The beautiful poet Amanda Gorman reminds us that when we use our gifts to help others, we are helping to make the world a more beautiful and just place to live. And what that change brings is a beautiful song that we all can sing!
Our first-ever craft fair is happening this month! We have over 20 vendors who will be selling everything from earrings to home décor to specialty tea boxes! Come by the back parking lot (or gym if it’s raining) on Saturday, May 14, to shop and eat! Be sure to check out the silent auction! All proceeds from the vendor fees and silent auction go to support our mission trip to New Mexico this summer. Don’t miss this fun event! Nine families spent an afternoon paddling, eating, painting, and connecting at the Family Retreat at Little Wing Hollow last month! It was so wonderful spending time in creation together!
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conGratulations, Graduates!
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Words from William We have a stuff problem. That’s the claim we made and examined throughout Lent. As we move on from our Death By Stuff series I’d like to offer some final tips and suggestions for confronting our addictions to money and things. Our series might be over, but this struggle never ends. Fighting materialism is a daily battle that requires regular attention. My first tip is to set aside time every month to evaluate your budget and possessions. See if you’re following your spending plan, identify things you’ve accumulated throughout the month that you might not need, and be aware of areas in your life that you are accumulating stuff in. Invite the whole family into these conversations and be honest with areas that you need to do better. Doing this regularly will prevent an overwhelming accumulation that becomes unmanageable. As you identify things you need to get rid of, I implore you to declutter responsibly. Sometimes when we clean out, we merely make our stuff problem someone else’s problem. If something is stained, soiled, or damaged and cannot be recycled, then you should throw it away. Don’t pass your trash on to someone else. Be thankful for the good something has brought our lives, while feeling the pain of having to contribute to a dump. Part of getting over our stuff problem is feeling the weight of its consequences. We filled the landfill when be bought the thing in the first place. Feeling that waste will help us not overbuy in the future. If something is still in good shape (you wouldn’t mind if someone else gave you something in that condition), find a place that actually wants your donation. Check with a charity to see their needs or take your item to a place that has expressed they want it. We’re creating a guide to help you know where you can donate things that should be available in the coming weeks. Also, don’t forget to check with friends and family to see if anyone wants your item. Finally, the easiest way to curtail a stuff problem is simply buy less stuff. Getting rid of things does no good if we just instantly replace it all. As part of this process, consider what you buy and if you really need it. Practice spending fasts or set budget limits that will help you think about purchases before you make them. Be aware of what you need and what you already have to avoid impulse purchases. You’ll never be able to tame your stuff if you don’t tame your purchasing habits.
I have loved hearing people tell me they’ve felt anxiety disappearing from their lives as they have gotten rid of things. People share stories of feeling joy, lightness, and genuine happiness because they are decluttering. It might seem impossible, but managing our stuff problem is truly worth it! Happy Spring Cleaning!
Our movie night this month is on Friday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the RA. We’ll watch Florence Foster Jenkins, a hilarious and true story about a socialite who wants to sing at Carnegie Hall. Popcorn and drinks are provided. On Tuesday, May 10, we’re headed to Frankfort to enjoy lunch and look at flowers at Sage Cafe and Wilson Greenhouse. We will leave church at 10 a.m. and will return by 2 p.m. The cost is $5 to cover gas and the driver’s meal. Many who want to play Dominoes are not available after the luncheons so we’ll try Friday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the RA. Bring your Dominoes! Our next JOY lunch is on Monday, May 16, at 11 a.m. in the RA. Our speaker will be Heather Clary, Director of Communications at the Better Business Bureau. We’ll enjoy fried chicken and potato salad and you’re invited to bring a dish if you are able.
We’re in for a treat on Friday, May 20, when we get a tour of the beautiful Jonabell horse farm in Lexington! After the tour we’ll have lunch at Ramseys nearby. Grandchildren are welcome. The cost is $10 per adult for the tour. We’ll leave the church at 9 a.m. We had a great time at our JOY Lunch last month! Pastor William was our speaker and we had delicious food, plus visits from some cute Easter bunnies!
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David Davila
Roy Tudor
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Pat Blackburn Molly Sigmon
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Callie Cook Jared Wilcox
Ramiz Derakovic Dale Stowe
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Sis Curry
Jim Arehart Brady Lookadoo Sarah Marinelli
Tina Rose
Hazel Langlands
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Emily Rose
Matt Rose Betsy Sams
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Becky Collins
Rhys Tilford
Kenzee Knoblock
Memorial 31 Day
Carrie Abner
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Jan Lester
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Freda Hale
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FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF PASTOR William Reilly william@familyoffaith.net
Deacons will meet on Sunday, May 1, right after worship in the Martha Simpson Sunday School Classroom.
On May 25, we will be hosting a Deacon Family Event in collaboration with the end of the year bash! Join us for SUNDAES on WEDNESDAY! You will receive more information from your deacon soon.
All are welcome to join Prayers & Squares on the second Tuesday of each month in the church basement at 6:30 p.m. to work on prayer quilts. No quilting or sewing experience is necessary; there are plenty of jobs! Contact Kathy Fraley with questions.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF STUDENTS Sharon Felton sharon@familyoffaith.net ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF CHILDREN & EDUCATION Amanda Langlands amanda@familyoffaith.net MINISTER TO SENIOR ADULTS Rick Hawthorne rick@familyoffaith.net CHOIR DIRECTOR Natalie Tilford-Kopp natalie@familyoffaith.net
We are so excited that Roger and Myra Patterson decided to officially join the church last month. Welcome to the family of Faith, Pattersons!
OFFICE MANAGER Angela Earwood angela@familyoffaith.net CUSTODIAN Linda Johnston ORGANIST Charlotte McFarland
PIANIST Judith Williams —Jim Land, Joyce Baird —Mary Hutton, Pat Blackburn —Lee Ann & Randy Napier —Darla Botkin, Linda Humphrey —Linda Arehart, Becky Collins
NURSERY WORKERS Suada Derakovic Melisa Custard Church Office: (502) 863-1537 M-F, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
116 Pocahontas Trail Georgetown, KY 40324 502.863.1537 www.familyoffaith.net
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We helped Elizabeth’s Village with some demolition to prepare for the construction of an emergency domestic violence shelter. Our group worked hard!