FIRST FACTS
MAY, 2009
Emotional Cancer Roughly ten years ago, I had a wonderful 8th grade student who loved the Lord, her family, and my wife and me. She is one of those students that youth pastors never forget for both positive and negative reasons. While much of my ministry to her took place after her 8th grade year, it was this year that sent her into a relational tailspin. Her father, a minister at the church I served had an affair with someone in another state while traveling to and from a ministry conference. While I have witnessed the wreckage brought on by divorce through the lives of many teenagers, the wreckage in her life affected me greatly—if not deeply. To this day as a young adult woman serving in ministry, not a day goes by where the impact of her father’s decision does not affect her spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. Most recently, in the last month, I have discovered that a leader’s wife in a church I served, had an affair (if not physically, certainly emotionally) and as of right now, the wife is filing for divorce. If that were not enough, the two individuals who were the best men in my wedding are on marital life support. One’s wife has had multiple affairs, and the other is so wrapped up in himself and his work that he
can’t see the devastation this has caused his marriage. Even yesterday (4/28), while in the dentist chair, my hygienist began to share with me how deeply her parents’ divorce (when she was in 8th grade) impacted her and continues to affect her relationship with her husband and children to this day. Nevertheless, what seems to be more nauseating is the affect it has on the innocent victims—the children. Just in the tally of the examples I have given above, there are 13 children affected. Now I understand that there are instances where divorce is almost unavoidable, but the impact on the lives of kids is almost certainly destructive and irrevocable. The following is a poem written by a ten -year old girl who was caught in the middle of her own living hell: Divorce shakes you off the ground Divorce whirls you around. Divorce makes you all confused Divorce forces you to choose. Divorce makes you feel all sad
Divorce pushes you to be mad. Divorce makes you wonder who cares Divorce leaves you thoroughly scared. Divorce makes a silent home Divorce leaves you all alone. Divorce is supposed to be an answer Divorce, in fact, is emotional cancer. What wise counsel from a child who has been shaken to the core from the affects of divorce. In youth ministry today, it is virtually impossible to find a student who is not in one way or another impacted by divorce. They may be experiencing this reality everyday in their own family, or they are friends with someone who is going through this emotional cancer. What must be uncomfortably obvious to all of us is that none of us are immune to divorce and its farreaching implications. Working on protecting the sanctity and integrity of marriage takes hard work, and we must earnestly be praying for the protection of our own marriage, but for those around us—future generations are at stake. For His Kids, Pastor Miles
Crocodile Dock Believe it or not VBS is right around the corner. We are a little frightened to say that it is only 42 days away. So that means that you can’t delay in signing up to help!!! We still need several crew leaders, preschool workers, games leaders, and a few nursery helpers. We also need some people to put up some signs out in the community and help with publicity. Remember we are trying to reach out this year to kids we
never have and increase the number of children we can have an impact on so that requires lots of extra help. Please consider helping especially if you never have done so. I can guarantee you will not be sorry but will be blessed!! Also please take a crocodile head off the donation board if you haven’t already done so and return your items to the table in the hallway.
VBS June 8-12 6-8:15pm each evening For ages 4-6th grade
FBC Annual Meeting Highlights •
Great potluck
• Very successful bake sale for David Skonard's Eagle Scout project. • Last year's budget giving was under about $40,000. But thankfully, budget spending was under roughly $20,000. Monies in the General Fund were enough to cover the difference. All accounts are current. • Larry and Patty Wilson, hometown missionaries with Wycliffe, were unexpected but welcome guests and had a chance to visit with many of us.
shared current situations and prayer requests. • Elected new leadership and passed new budget of $664,349.94, down 6.2% from last year. • Penny Fosso (Trustee) reported on status of the Great Invitation campaign. The original operating construction loan has recently been converted to a commercial loan. The balance as of last month is $431,114. Watch the Great Invitation door upstairs in the foyer for progress toward a debt-free Youth Center!
FIRE DRILL !!! As Drew Hoffman gave the Deacon's report, Kent Rodelius very nonchalantly asked if it was a long report and calmly announced that we needed to vacate the building-the Fire Dept was on the way over. There was a very strong electrical smell that needed checking out. So out we went! And that was the end of the meeting. I suppose we'll finish up at the quarterly business meeting...see you then-
• Kyle Dimler (Mission Bd), gave updates on several of the missionaries we support, and Page 2
F I R S T F A CT S
Summer Worship Times NEW SUMMER SCHEDULE: 9:00/10:45 Worship Times The Deacons set the Summer Schedule for Sunday worship at 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The Christian Education Ministry Team decided to offer one intergenerational Sunday School class during the summer. The class will meet during the first worship service. The specific time for this class will be announced at a later date. Summer schedule begins Sunday, June 7th and runs through Sunday August 30th.
Family and Friends Sunday School The Summer Sunday School class will be intergenerational and called Family and Friends starting Sunday, June 7th at 10:30 a.m. Contact Darcy Dimler if you have any questions.
LAFF Events May 21 – Thursday 9 a.m. – Room 115 – Coffee and VBS Helps Morning We will be doing simple sorting, cutting, stapling, painting on paper etc. to help with Bible School preparation. Coffee and goodies will be served. Please come enjoy the fellowship and be an encouragement to the VBS team. Men are needed as well as women. June 18 – Thursday 2 p.m. – Westview Village – Coffee Party and Program by David Lanning. July 16 – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – Picnic Potluck, Lawn Games and Fellowship – At Stangeland’s on George Lake August – Plans are being made for a morning tour of Munsinger Gardens followed by dinner at Old Country Buffet in Saint Cloud. Stay tuned for date, time and other arrangements.
Library News One of the books that I have recently read was Esther, Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles Swindoll. It is book two in the Great Lives from God's Word series. I found it useful reading another perspective on the wonderful book of the Bible, Esther, while going through the study the woman's Bible Study group at church. Come find out more about this marvelous woman, the characteristics in her that made her shine above the others to not only the king, but to a nation. Also find out how these characteristics apply to modern day Esthers. Written By: Katrina Fisk Page 3
Hwy. 252 Bless the Kids in Ukraine this Summer
What a blessing the kids have been on Wednesday night! Over the past few weeks the kids on Wednesday were given an M&M candy tube to bring home to earn and save their quarters to help send kids to Adventure camp in a brand new part of Ukraine-They even met Pavlis Grigas and his family from Ukraine as they visited our children at HWY 252 Here’s how some children earned quarters to fill their tube... Ben Lanning-cleaned the yard Jayden Zammert-she did extra chores Kyler Johnson-picked up twigs at Grandmas Megan Meyer-worked for her mom You should see the joyful look of our kids when they bring their offerings on Wednesday nights. It’s priceless! This year is very special as the Summer Ukraine team will be going 2 weeks to hold two Adventure Camps. After the first week of camp in Drabiv, the team will go to the Romanian side of Ukraine and hold first time ever Adventure camps with the FBC team and a Ukrainian team from Drabiv! This mission trip is so new that we are the first team to experience what God has for this expanded ministry. Exciting Stuff! With the help of Hwy 252, more kids will have get to hear the Good News-that GOD LOVES THEM! Thanks- the 2009 Ukraine Ministry team Pa
F I R S T F A CT S
James (and DeLoris) Clark served as Assistant Pastor here at FBC from July 1971 to January 1978. This article was taken from the Calvary Bible College & Theological Seminary Newsletter
Theater for Thirsty Comes to FBC
Summer Outdoor Baptism Dates
FBC Family and Friends are Invited to…
Sunday, June 28th
THREE STORIES TALL
And
Wednesday, May 13th
Sunday, September 13th Following the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service with an All-Church Picnic Following.
6:15 PM Jeremiah Gamble will be bringing several delightful stories for our Hwy. 252 year end celebration. His own, Hold the Boat — a comical account of a young boy trying to sneak onto Noah’s ark; How the Groo Grew — an original tale about monsters, forgiveness and sibling rivalry, as well as the favorite folk take, The Tale of the Three Trees. Then make sure you stay to have some Ice Cream. This is a great family night, so make sure you mark it on your calendar today! Page 5
Outdoor Baptism at Eagle Lake at the home of Ross & Dawn Marcus. Please notify a pastor at least a week in advance if you would like to be part of either of these dates. **Note: Pastor Phil will not be available for the June 28th baptism
F I R S T F A CT S
Weathering FinanE E R F
the
Wednesday, May 20 First Baptist Church—1000 SE 6th Street 1:00-2:30 p.m. | Seniors, Retirees, Empty Nesters 6:30-8:00 p.m. | Singles, Young Married, Parents
LEARN and APPLY these FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS PRESENTED at the SEMINAR... Personal Finance Principles. Matching Your Financial Goals to God’s Values. Budgeting Insights for Surviving A Recession. Roger Madison, Presenter Roger has a 30 plus year banking career and is currently President/Market Manager of Bremer Bank in Marshall. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethel University. Roger has always been active in the community serving with both social agencies and economic development groups. He
co-chaired the Marshall
School Levy Referendum Information
REGISTER at www.fbcwillmar.com or by calling 320.235.2326
Committee and serves on the Industrial Development Committee, SMSU Foundation Board, Avera Marshall Hospital Board
CHILDCARE: Evening childcare will be pro-