August 2016 1 September 2016
This Issue at a Glance ~
2 Pastor’s Page: A Cloud on the Horizon 5 Social Media; Eastside Ministry; Rock of Faith 3 Pastor Page cont.; Fall Discipleship Kick Off 6 Youth Page 4 World Mission; Operation Christmas Child 7 Announcements; Events; September Birthdays
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“A Cloud On The Horizon”
We humans are a complex bunch. On the one It was built to reflect hand, we seem to find comfort in the ritual of a place of worship reminisce of the Gothic peri- the ordinary, sanctuary in the familiar, and se- od. This cathedral was constructed as a reaction curity when surrounded by those sounds, against the modern, industrialization of late nine- scents, scenes of our everyday existence. teenth century by taking refuge in the architectur- al style of the Renaissance period (12-16th Centu- Yet, on the other hand, we seem drawn to the ries) of Western Europe. It stands triumphant as things that stand out of the ordinary. From a place of knowledge (thus the use of Neo-Gothic subtle differences to dramatic statements, we at prominent Universities of the period) and sta- peek out from our place of comfort within in bility (towering edifices of stone), especially im- our routine, to gaze upon the contrast of the posing during times of great uncertainty unique. Youth culture celebrates this contrast, (depression and world wars). This is to be a place even to the point of relishing the conflict when of knowledge and strength as seen in its stone the ‘boring’ is altered and energy of the con- facade. trast boils up into the creation of a new reali- ty. This place of creativity is the home to art, Bridging the concepts of knowledge and stability poetry, philosophy, music, innovation and fash- with creative innovation, does not seem to natu- ion. rally go together, but I would argue that they ac- tually harmonize very well. Christ is our solid rock, The same can be said for the essence of the a place of shelter, and anchor in the midst of church as a body of believers. We find our- stormy times. Yet, the teaching of Christ is fresh selves straddling between the world of comfort and alive to every generation. The individual who in our celebration of familiar traditions and the experiences Christ in His fullness is transformed world of contrast that engages this new energy, and a new work reborn within. His Spirit moves infusing this creativity and vibrancy and bring- as a fresh wind and seed of renewal, provides ing a fresh and relevant message of God. new life and new opportunity to experience God Often time, this pull and tug between comfort in a new generation: creative energy, innovation, vibrancy. and creativity is divided generationally. As stat- ed, when we get older, we take refuge in the In I Kings 18, Elijah confronts the wayward King comfort of the traditions, while younger gener- Ahab amidst the worse drought in Israel’s history ations crave for the new energy that pushes (3 years without rain.) He boldly proclaims to out into new expressions of worship, communi- King Ahab, get up and eat and drink. It sounds ty and outreach. It is not that “old” or like heavy rain is about to come. Three years of “tradition” is bad and that “new” or “creative” is drought can transform people once abounding in better; it really comes down to a willingness to faith into hardened non-believers. Thus, Ahab’s allow for change embraced by the security in response to his warning was to easily dismiss it as the bond of love. President John F. Kennedy the rambling of a derelict prophet. said, Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to Yet, Elijah begins to pray. He turned to his serv- miss the future. Arriving here at FBC almost a ant and asked him to go Mt. Carmel and to look year ago, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of toward the sea. The servant faithfully obeys and various and wonderful traditions, along with returns saying that he saw nothing. Elijah told differing expectations concerning our direction him to go have a second look and report what he and destiny. We gather together to worship has seen. Again, he comes to Elijah with a report within a building that is now 88 years old. of nothing.
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This back and forth of searching the horizon Elijah’s servant was the lookout for the old prophet. and seeing nothing to report continued until Ahab lost faith while the people were hot, dry and thirsty. Fresh rain from above made the difference. the seventh time when he observed a small cloud in the sky shaped like a man’s hand com- It is my prayer that we might be open for fresh rain ing from the sea. Gradually, the sky grew dark that God desires to bring in order to replenish us. and the heavy rains came as a witness of We can take refuge in things that brings us comfort God’s power to Ahab. A new day of replenish- within the security of our traditions, but also be open ment had come upon the earth when the rain for new beginnings and fresh renewal to bring fell. growth and vitality to our congregation that spans A small cloud the size of a man’s hand was the 183 years. Just remember, The rain begins with a first sign that something new was com- single drop. Manat al-Sharif. ing. They had become conditioned by years of drought into accepting drought as their “tradition”. Yet something new and full of en- ergy was coming on the horizon.
Join us September 11 when we kick off our Sunday Discipleship Fall season starting with a Unified Service at 10am followed by lunch and then a Town Hall meeting.
Here is our Sunday Children and Adult Schedule Line-up:
Pre-School—4th: Deep Sea Discovery—Jeff Chaney, Children’s Director
Basic & Baptism Children’s Classes, Grades 1—5 (for those interested in pursuing baptism) 3 Sundays beginning September 18, 25 and October 2, 10:15am—10:45am with Rev. Jeff Gordon teaching. Baptisms will be on October 9 or October 16
Family Funfest @ Patterson Farms, Sunday September 18 ~ 1—3pm
Foot Golf (Soccer Golf) at Shawnee Hills Golf Course, Bedford, OH ~ September 25
Homeless Shelter Collection, September 25—October 25
Adult Class FBC 101—Interested in being a member? Classes starts September 18—October 9 Led by Rev. Dr. Kregg Burris covering our church, our mission and how to get involved.
4 SeptemberAugust 20162016
World Mission Offering 2016 by Judy Donley
Come, Grow, Change:
During a Sunday in the month of October you will find a flier and an offering envelope in your bulletin for your contribution to the World Mission Offering.
Healthy, sustainable mission relies on your support. Personalized support alone is not enough. Here are some things that the WMO helps with: + Provides funding, training and services for current global workers. + Maintains over 240 global Christian partnerships. + Helps International Ministries seek new global mission fields.
Please prayerfully consider your contribution for this year's World Mission Offering. You will be helping a multitude of people around the world to be part of God's kingdom where love, compassion, hope and promise reign.
Good News. Great Joy. by Anita Bartel
Last year, FBC embraced this wonderful min- The shoe boxes open doors for presenting the istry for the first time and we are excited to Good News of Jesus Christ…from a box to a Bi- be involved in Operation Christmas Child ble. Each child receives a booklet in their native again this year. You are asked to “think in- language with the message that they are not side the box” through simple shoe boxes forgotten; God loves them. packed with toys, notebooks, pencils, dolls, balls and a hand-written note that can con- On Sunday, September 18, we will be presenting nect you with a child. Your gift may be the a short video on OCC in both services with lots very first present that a child has ever re- of helpful information to follow so you can be a ceived. part of this life changing ministry. For more in- formation, contact Anita Bartel at Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is the [email protected] and/or 216-534-7758. world’s largest children’s Christmas project, having hand delivered 100 million boxes to children in more than 122 countries. OCC is one of the many ministries of Samaritan’s Purse, an International Christian Relief organ- ization www.samaritianspurse.org
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Social Media updates availa- ble: Have you checked out our church web page recent- ly? We’ve made lots of changes and additions. Listen to a recent sermon or connect with our radio station, Live-Stream on the in- ternet. See our real time church calendar or read our Tower Tidings online. Eight of the last ten visitors found us on our web page! Our web page is www.firstbaptistcleveland.org (Pass it on!)
Like us on Facebook! First Baptist of Greater Cleveland Join Pastor Kregg with daily updates of information, inspiration, photos and updates of things going on and around FBC on Kregg’s Korner on Facebook Group page. ______
Eastside Ministry: Thanks for Your Support! by Fran Leanza Jennifer Rich and Jim Cumming have been students in the East Side Ministry program since 1975! They continue to be good friends and vital members of our class today.
This class meets from Sept. through May. We have nine faithful students, who come from three different group homes in our community. The students partic- ipate in the first part of the Traditional worship service then go to the Mont- gomery room to enjoy a curriculum designed for adults with developmental disabilities. This program is made possible by the dedication of our faithful teaching staff composed of Yvonne Eaton, April Shepherd, Mary Wills, Anita Bartel, Alex Cicco Kieber and five youth assistants, Kaitlyn Gocan, Austin Hise, Jordan Stevens, Rachel Ankenbrandt and P.J. Turner.
Our students all love coming to church and being a part of our FBC Family. Thanks for your continued support of this program and for being a welcoming congregation to these faithful stu- dents for the past 41 years!
A concert of secular music styles such as classic rock, soul, pop, country, alternative, hip hop, and R&B that takes the audience on a journey through addiction and suffering of faith and recovery.
TICKET PRICE: $20 Adults $15 Seniors $10 Students/ Kids, 5-15 yrs. old
For Tickets, Contact Karen Gill 216-496-5672 [email protected]
Proceeds to Benefit the Andy Foundation
6 SeptemberAugust 2016 2016 Youth Page
We are excited to tell you that the Youth Department will now start three discipleship age groups: 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9—12 grades. This will begin when FBC Fall Kick-off take place! We will also mentor the 4th graders by being a big sister/brother.
Heads Up Basketball Program
Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kregg F. Burris along with Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb, Senior Pastor at Church of the Saviour are collaborating changing young people lives forever with the Heads Up Basketball Program!
Adult Facilitators Needed: Referees, Concessions, Mission (3), Facilities, Volunteer Teachers, Mentors
Heads-up is...a safe place...a spirit...an attitude…fun Heads-up can bring the help that can make the difference Heads-up can bring a new outlook...with hope...and new ideas Heads-up introduces you to faith...and Christmas Tutoring Junior High, High School or College Prep Varying by age and need, from manners-that-matter… to options after high school. Find a Friend to Mentor...an ear, life counseling or referral those that can help. This can all lead to finding faith-levels: Junior High, Senior High School, College Prep Subjects: Math, Reading, English, Science One Hour/Week Number of Weeks TBD (based on needs) Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday Consistent Tutor/ Student match
SeptemberAugust 2016 2016 7 September Birthdays!
49’ers
5th Milan Freeman
6th Jane Pernicone Forty-Niners (not age!) Birthday Happy 2016-2017 Membership Drive 8th Tanya Jones
The FBC 49’ers Social/Program group was 11th John Marr started in 1949 when young members wanted to get together and fellowship by holding potlucks at each others homes. 12th Audrey Rush
After 67 years, the 49’ers are still going 15th Theon Jones strong with having 8 events per year along with 4 socials! 16th Theresa Demio If this is something you may be interested in, we’re welcoming new members, 17th Sheral Jones couples and singles!.
Please contact Membership Chair, 19th Myia Kenniebrew Jeanie Belhobek at 216.292.5967 or [email protected] for more details. 21st Olney Dekker
21st James Sutherin
25th Victor Bull
25th Anita Bartel
26th Paul Eickmann
27th Candace Lumpkin
28th Michael Arnold
30th Kristen Roberts
A Taste of African Heritage
A New Cooking Class Series From Old Ways Tuesdays ~ 5—7 pm from August 23—September 27 $20 for Course Materials This new cooking class brings an enjoyable, simple, healthy, way of eating. Please join us at FBC for this six class series as we meet the major foods of African Heritage and learn how to easily prepare them at home. For more information or to sign up for the six weeks class,
Please Contact: Tobili Sam-Yellowe at 216.272.4245 or tyellow [email protected]
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Dated Material: September 1, 2016 Thanks for prompt delivery!
O ce 216.932.7480 Children ’s Center 216.371.9394 Fax 216.932.8554 rstbaptistcleveland.org sknuckles@ rstbaptistcleveland.org First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland
FBC Church O ce Sta
2016 FBC Lay Leadership Rev. Dr. Kregg F. Burris, Senior Pastor Moderator: Victor Bull Vice Moderator: Kim Kidd-Collins Rev. Jeff Gordon, Associate Pastor/Church Administrator Treasurer : Ralph Hise Minister Jae Williams, Director of Youth Ministries Clerk: Julie Mizener Dr. Robert Schneider, Director of Music and Organist Children's Center: Martha Lant Betty Meyers, Associate Director of Music Communication & Outreach: Lynne Liu Greeters, Welcome Center, Jane Pernicone, Director of Children’s Center Marketing, Communications Jeff Chaney, Children’s Director Discipleship: Suzanne Blum Sharon Anderson, Director of Arts Outreach Discipleship Classes, PrimeTime, Margo Jerome, Accountant Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Covenant Groups Star Knuckles, Executive Assistant/Office Administrator Fellowship and Nurture: Tina DeBlaey-Cicco Greg Beckner, Graphic Art Designer Stephen Ministry, Deacons, Afi Scruggs, Communication Director New Member Orientation Missions & Social Concerns: Tamara Turner Tower Tidings Sta Stewardship: Tony Peebles Property and Finance, Stewardship E ditors: Star Knuckles, Kregg Burris Campaign, Endowment and Audit Proof Readers: Star Knuckles, Afi Scruggs, Worship and Fine Arts: G. Michael Skerritt Kregg Burris
Thank You! to the many volunteers w ho help as- semble the Tower Tidings mailing each month!
The Next Tower Tidings Deadline: SEPTEMEBR 15 The next issue will be mailed: September 29, 2016 Please submit articles or news via e-mail to Star Knuckles: sknuckles@ rstbaptistcleveland.org