The Mainstream

GRR Calendar

2007

November 9-11 -ABY Gathering, "Justified Through Faith" Third Baptist Church, St. Louis

December 15 -Blackhawk Christmas Camp K - 5th Grade

2008

January 18-21 -SKWIM 2008 at Greenlake for Areas II & III Youth

February 23 -Area IV Annual Meeting, Centrailia, IL FBC

Feb. 29 - March 1-Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL

March 8 -Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL

Creative Worship Seminar March 8, 2008 Peoria First Baptist Church

“Many churches have discovered that simply installing the screen and the projectors doesn’t automatically transform worship. There is a huge difference between technology and culture. How do you change the culture of worship in a way that it will speak to the world that we live in today?”

The Creative Worship seminar by Len Wilson and Jason Moore will address what our churches can do to transform worship through culture of worship, artful expression of the worship theme, development of the team that plans and supports worship, and use of technologies (from banners to projection).

This is NOT a tech seminar, but a time of learning resources and an approach that will help us intentionally plan worship that will reach the changing world around us.

The seminar is being limited to 80 for space considerations. Early registration of several members of your church will save you. Please register no later than January 25 to assure yourself of this discounted rate. Find registration form at: http://www.abcgrr.org/midnightoil/Promofor8Mar08.h tmlgrr.org/midnightoil/Promofor8Mar0 8.html or in the recent Pastors mailing.

A Practice of our Baptist Family: The Ordination Examination Council

3:00 p.m.

Church of Reynolds, IL.

Several persons who have been called into fulltime ministry as pastors or associate pastors and are submitting themselves for this ordination journey have recently been lifted up in GRR publications (e.g. Mainstream, Web, E-mail). Keep up-to-date on these brothers and sisters as you read these publications.

Old Stonington Baptist Church Celebrates its 170th Anniversary

In the picture above, 50+ year mem

bers Front L to R. Juanita Ashburn, Edgar Hadden, Robert Garwood, Robert E. Smith; Row 2: Lorraine Mollohan, Inez Hurelbrink, Grace Hadden, Beulah Buesinger, Maxine Vincent, Mildred Garwood, Mary Lynn, Dolores Smith; Row 3: Gary Ashburn, Dwane Downs, Frank Vincent; Active members unable to attend: Bill Beck, Marion Beck, and Joe Lynn

Members met in homes for the first 20 years.

There have been many improvements to our building. We were also told about many of the
special projects we’ve been involved
in over the years. The area food
pantry has been a major contribution
with workers, goods, and devotions.
We’ve been involved in prison ministry,
white cross, and mission giving.
Memories of the all-church retreats
at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp
were shared with food, games, vespers,
baptisms, the beds and snoring
being at the top of the list. The missionary
society has published 5
cookbooks over the years and
they’ve recently been reprinted to
replace worn, spotted copies. hurch
picnics, fish fries, potlucks, class
parties, BYPU/BYF/ABY, and other
social events have always been a
highlight. One of our members even
modeled his baseball team shirt from
19??. Green with yellow lettering was
“in” that year. Our team was quite
successful until someone learned the
“windmill pitch.” The uniform pants
“shrunk too much in the closet” to be
modeled.

Former pastor, Rev. Billy Bob Howard shared a devotional.

Following the service, past and current members and friends enjoyed a potluck dinner with time for sharing memories and renewing friendships. Our church ladies have always been known for exceptional meals and this was certainly a fine example of their talents. We’re very thankful for our members who have provided a firm foundation and we look forward to many more years of rural ministry. It was a wonderful day to celebrate.

Editor’s Note: The following is a story of ministry - one that at first you might not think of as ministry. For some it may be “outside the box.” Read and reflect on the following experiences.

First Baptist Church of Paris, IL has something to celebrate. Thirteen members (including the pastor) have lost a combined total of 416 pounds since August of 2006. The least lost was 10 pounds; the largest was 78 pounds.

Pastor Lobos shares, “Each Wednesday and Sunday we would compliment each other and encourage each other. Several of us belong to a fitness center owned by one of our members while others work out at the local Y.M.C.A. Several of the members joined weight loss groups and others have used their own personal diet program. The results are exciting! Since there were so many of us losing weight, no one felt discouraged and no one quit. The food choices at the Wednesday Night Supper started to become healthier. Everyone is understanding the need to be both physically and spiritually fit to do the Lord’s work.”

Pastor Lobos has lost 70 pounds over the past year. You can follow his diet journal on the church websitewww.parisfbc.org. Choose pastor’s study and click on Jon’s weight room.

We thank God for the discipline and the encouragement to achieve these goals. Everyone feels better and other members are considering starting their own personal diet plan.

Mainstream Contact Information

Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611

The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org Web: www.abc-grr.org