From the Elders
As a new year dawns, there are a plethora of emotions that stir within us. Some of us are filled with excitement, while others may be feeling indifferent about the new year. I believe that all of us, at some point, as we think of the new year, start to become a little apprehensive because we know that moments of great challenge await us. We know that change is coming in some capacity, whether it is small or big, and the endless opportunities can make us feel a little queasy inside.
This week, as I sat and pondered the new year and the many different opportunities that 2024 can bring for my family and me. I could not help but feel a little intimidated by some of them. In these moments, one of the Bible verses that I found great comfort in this week was Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." In other words, Jesus Christ does not change; He is immutable. I find great comfort in this truth because the Jesus that has carried me over the past year has not changed. He will remain the same as He was yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, I can trust Him to carry me through and lead me through the unknown this upcoming year because He already has.
So it is my prayer for you that you will also be encouraged by the simple truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Since this is true, we can therefore have full confidence that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6)
Grace and Peace,
— Pastor Ricardo
Announcements
New Members Classes — The pastors will be conducting New Members Classes on January 7 and 14. If you have been attending Faith Bible Fellowship for a while and think God might be calling you to membership, or if you would simply like to learn more about the church’s beliefs and practices, these classes are for you. Please sign up in the lobby or let one of the pastors know you would like to attend. Then plan on staying after the service on both those days for a pizza lunch and a time to learn more about the church.
Parenting Life Group — This month, we will be meeting on January 2 and 16. We start with a potluck dinner at 5:00, followed by a study beginning around 6:00. Child care is provided. Please contact Pastor Wes for more information about this group.
January Fellowship Meal — We will be resuming our monthly Fellowship Meals on January 28.
Sno Glo
It’s almost here! On January 26 – 28, our youth will be heading to Pinebrook Bible Conference for a weekend of Biblical teaching, worship, and activities that will encourage them to grow in their walk with the Lord and connect with other youth across the Bible Fellowship denomination. Please pray that God will help them arrange schedules and finances to be able to attend and that, even now, He will be preparing their hearts for the weekend. Please also pray that the unsaved youth that attend will meet the mighty Savior. We look forward to seeing what God will do at Sno Glo this year!
Thank You!
Recently Kathy Miller delivered the Christmas cards you provided to our “unseen members,” Dolores Lieberknect (left) and Elizabeth Sams (right). Dolores’ eyesight is failing, so Kathy had to read the cards to her, but she was very touched and thanks everyone for thinking of her. Sadly, Elizabeth is not very responsive any more, but Kathy read the cards to her as well and pinned them up on the bulletin board in her room so she can look at them. Kathy told her that we love her, and Elizabeth responded that she loves us, too.
Thank you all for remembering these precious saints at such a busy time of year. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
SPECIAL NOTE: Elizabeth Sams will be celebrating her 90th birthday on January 9. If you would like to send a card to commemorate the occasion, you can send it to her at Pleasant Acres Nursing Home, 118 Pleasant Acres Drive, Room 510A, York, PA 17402.
Ministry Highlight
In these troubled times, we as Christians need to trust the sovereignty, wisdom, and kindness of God while at the same time wisely preparing to face emergencies when they arise. This is where the church’s newest ministry comes in. The Security Team was recently formed to add a layer of protection for the congregation during the Sunday morning service. This involves having a team member present on Sunday mornings for physical safety, as well as implementing some enhanced protocols in case of a medical emergency.
Jesse Schwinn is the current leader of the Security Team. When asked what the team does on a Sunday morning, Jesse said, “Our duties include verifying certain doors of the building are secure during the service. Once the service starts, we periodically check the parking lot and children’s classrooms. Obviously we will be looking for anything safety related, but we are also available to assist during a medical event.” To this end, with the help of the deacons, the Security Team has obtained security cameras, lockable doors, walkie-talkies, an AED, and a fully stocked first aid kit. Interior doors in the building have also been numbered for specific direction in case of an emergency.
The current members of the Security Team are Jesse Schwinn, David Martin, Fred Updegraff, Joshua Higgins, Tim Latham, Colton Herb, and Miles McLoughlin. Even if you don’t know who’s serving on any given Sunday, Security Team members can be identified by the black shirts they are wearing. Please reach out to a Security Team member if you have a personal emergency or notice anything that concerns you. If there should ever be a situation involving imminent danger, it is very important that you stay where you are and look to Security Team members for instructions. It will be tempting to try to get to your children and run from the building, but that can actually make an emergency situation worse.
We are so thankful for the members of the Security Team for their care and concern for our congregation. Please thank them when you see them on duty and remember to pray for them regularly.
Meet the Smiths
Aaron and I met in 2018 and have been happily married since 2022. We have a beautiful blended family with our six children: Tegan (11), Aviona (7), Isaiah (7), Jayden (5), Ella (4), and Rosalie (2). Tegan loves to play sports, and we enjoy watching him when we can. Aviona (Avvie) was born deaf, but that doesn’t stop her from doing anything she puts her mind to. Isaiah is autistic and is striving every day—the smartest little boy I know. He LOVES dinosaurs and knows every single one of them! Jayden is starting to take interest in drums (pray for our ears!). Ella is our drama queen, but her personality is amazing. Rosalie is the sweetest girl and is usually happy most of the time.
We have been coming to Faith Bible Fellowship Church for about a year and a half now. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for us here. We are truly blessed that we found a forever church family with you all.
CEM Update
Do you ever wonder how a BFC church plant gets started? It all begins with a prayerful demographic study on the part of the Church Extension Ministries team. Last year the Lord led them to focus on Cecil County in northeast Maryland. This area, midway between Baltimore and Delaware, has seen steady growth in the last twenty years as people look for access to economic opportunities while still experiencing small town living. Elkton, the county seat, is a key player in that growth, but there are very few Bible-believing and gospel-preaching churches in the area. Many people do not yet know Christ as their Savior, and many believers need to drive far to find doctrinally sound teaching. Elkton seemed like the perfect place for a church plant.
At the same time, Steve Morton, a pastor at the Bible Fellowship of Newark (Delaware), felt the Lord calling him to church planting. At the request of the CEM team, he and a core group from his church formed a launch team. They worked to get to know their new community while looking for a place to hold services. By God’s grace, they launched their first public worship service at the Elkton Community Center on November 5. Since then, the Bible Fellowship Church of Elkton has reached out to the community by helping distribute produce from a food bank, participating in a Christmas carol sing at the North Street Senior Residence, and bringing a food truck to Elkton High School to bless the teachers with free waffles and coffee. They have been averaging 35 people in attendance each week, and the woman who works at the Community Center specifically asks for Sunday duty because of how loving and caring the church members are. God is starting a new and exciting work in Elkton, Maryland!
While Elkton is 90 minutes away from York, there are still ways that you can support the BFC’s youngest church. Visit the church’s website or follow them on Facebook. You can also email Steve at SteveMorton@elktonbfc.org and ask to be added to his newsletter. Of course, the best ways to support the church are by prayer and giving (either online or by mail at Church Extension Ministries, PO Box 3534, Allentown PA 18106). While you may not physically be a part of the Bible Fellowship Church of Elkton, you can share in their labors and their joy at seeing God at work in their community.