Volume 25 Issue 6 REMOVE THE MASK By Pastor Dennis Felder
June 2021
Not certain if you are or were a fan of Batman. Batman disguises his true identity by wearing a mask. Behind the mask, Batman is a wealthy millionaire by the name of Bruce Wayne. Whenever a threat would arise, Bruce Wayne would slip into the bat
cave; put on his bat costume and mask to conceal his true identity as he heroically fought the villains of Gotham City. Each time the villains placed Batman in a precarious position, they tried to remove his mask to reveal his true identity.
During this pandemic, we too have been donning masks to fight an evil villain named COVID. COVID was and still is a ruthless disease, but we are about to eradicate its power with proper hygiene, medical advancement, and mask wearing. Slowly but surely, we are not only raising our hands in victory, but slowly and surely, we can lower our masks.
When our masks are pulled down, we can see the real person. We can see one’s radiant smile or a frown of displeasure. Although needed at the time, masks did conceal one’s real identity. Masks often hide the true emotions of what a person is really feeling. Now that masks are being removed, how will others see you?
In life, there are many masks that people wear that are not made of cloth. They are inward masks that will hide one’s true emotions, deep thoughts, and genuine feelings. These masks are frequently put on so that others cannot see the “real you”. Such measures are taken because one is afraid of what others will think of you or how others may treat you. It is fearful to remove these protective masks.
If you are living your life trying to conceal your true emotions, deep thoughts, or genuine feelings, let me offer you some Biblical advice.
• First, have God to search you to help you better understand why you put on such masks. The Bible says in Psalm 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” This verse tells us to invite God to intimately examine our lives to reveal who we really are (the good, the bad, and the ugly).
God One Person At A Time Time A At GodPerson One Impacting The Kingdom Of Of The Kingdom Impacting • Second, trust the Lord in how He leads you. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” The Lord will help you deal with your insecurities. You do not have to battle this by yourself.
• Third, let the Lord remove your mask. The Bible says in Psalm 18:16-17, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” Do not try to rescue yourself. It is through God’s power and strength that will help you take down your masks.
So, as the world makes progress in removing masks due to COVID, you too can make
progress in removing the masks that haunt you emotionally and spiritually. Let God help
USBC NEWS Pastor: Dr. Dennis Felder Felder Dennis Pastor: Dr. NEWS USBC
OUR MISSION: MISSION: OUR you to drop the masks that are hiding the real you that Jesus wants the world to see. Let’s see that smile of true freedom! REMOVE THE MASK!
FATHER’S DAY POEM By Brie Carter
By Pastor Dennis Felder
As your Pastor, I want to take this moment to wish all of our men a very special Father’s Day. It has What Makes a Dad been said, “That anyone can become a father, but it takes a special person to become a dad.” How God took the strength of a mountain, true! The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, God has called all of us men to be Godly, but what The calm of a quiet sea, does this look like? There are two important traits that I want to share with you. First, STAND The generous soul of nature, STRONG. We live in a world that is challenging The comforting arm of night, the value of the father. Satan’s attack is to The wisdom of the ages, discourage us and discouragement leads to self- The power of the eagle’s flight, doubt. When we allow self-doubt to enter our
The joy of a morning in spring, behavior, we become weak. The word of God calls The faith of a mustard seed, upon men to remain strong. This encouragement is The patience of eternity, found in 1 Corinthians 16:13 which reads, “Be on The depth of a family need, your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add, The second important trait is to BE HUMBLE. For He knew His masterpiece was complete, men, this can be challenging. How is that? And so, He called it … Dad. Because we men can have an ego and when that ego inflates, it can push God away. Yes, God created us with strength, but when we rely on our own strength, we fail miserably. So how do we keep our AYDEN’S BAPTISM ego in check? By humility. The Bible tells us in By Pastor Dennis Felder Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
A big “shout out” to So, if you want to be a Godly man or father, Ayden D’Monte for remember to be strong and to be humble. Happy being obedient to Father’s Day! Christ and following through with Believer’s Baptism. On May 2nd, the entire church rejoiced with Ayden as he let the whole world know that he loves Jesus by being baptized. It was a great celebration!
DIVE DEEPER MASK MISSION BIBLE STUDY By Pastor Dennis Felder By Pastor Dennis Felder
(This Dive Deeper The face masks that Bible Study, “The have been donated to Mystery Man” has the church have been rescheduled for blessed us and so June 27th) many more. To date, the church has th On Sunday, June 27 , distributed well over our Dive Deeper Bible 1500+ face masks to Study will take place at neighbors, friends, 4 p.m. The study will family, churches, take place on Zoom/ schools, assisted Phone and the study topic is entitled, “The Mystery living facilities, hospice care, businesses, and many Man”. In Hebrews 7:3, the verse says this about other places who were in need. the mystery man, “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end Now, we will be sending a significant amount of of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a face masks to India. India has been hit hard with priest forever.” This mystery man is Melchizedek the CORONAVIRUS and is in desperate need of and there is a lot of speculation as to who he really masks to help control the vicious pandemic that is is. sweeping across their land.
Some people believe that Melchizedek was actually One of our own church families, the D’Monte’s, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Could have family and friends in India who would be Melchizedek be Jesus Christ? To unravel the greatly appreciative to receive these face masks. mystery of Melchizedek, join us for this special The masks will be given to a Christian school and study as we try to solve this mystery with a good old Christian college so that they can be distributed to fashioned Dive Deeper Bible Study. meet the needs of the people.
However, if you or if you know of someone who is still in need of masks, there are still plenty to go around. Just let the Pastor know of your need.
Lucas Felder
Bachelor of Science
U of MD Global Campus
Lucas earned a BS in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity. What better way to celebrate the birth of our nation than with hot dogs and Nigel Hendricks apple pie? Immediately following our 11 a.m. worship hour on July 4th, you Associate of Arts will be given a tasty hot dog and a delicious piece of apple pie. You can Montg. College Campus remain on the church grounds to share in this informal church luncheon or Big thanks to God for getting me here. you can take your meal with you. I want to thank my family for all the Along with your hot dog and apple love and support. Thank you to every- pie, the church will be providing chips one who made it. Love you all. and drinks.
USBC NEWS Upper Seneca Baptist Church 23401 Davis Mill Rd. Germantown, MD 20876
Next Newsletter Deadline God’s Plan Of Salvation Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do: June 20, 2021
1. Admit you are a sinner.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God;" (Romans 3:23) Weather Policy
2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent). If the church cancels any service or activity due to Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye inclement weather or wintery conditions, a message shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5) will be placed on the church’s voice recorder to inform you of such changes or cancelations. If you 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, are in doubt if a particular service or activity is and rose from the dead. canceled, please call the church before you travel to "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only the event. If no message is stated notifying you of begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should any changes, this means the service or activity not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) remains as scheduled. We will only post a
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become cancelation message if a service or activity is your personal Savior. canceled or postponed.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Also, if you have something to be included in the shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) newsletter, an announcement, an article, a birthday, we are always looking for information and new ideas! What to pray:
Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Church Office: 301-972-3686 Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am E-mail: [email protected] willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior. Web Site: www.USBChurch.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/usbchurch/
By Richard Doody
(I wrote this article 2 weeks before I even knew anything was wrong with me and God was actually writing it to me beforehand. I love each and every one of you who prayed or even just took one second to think about me in prayer. I couldn’t have made it without it. I have never known depression, but I met him face to face. Thought I knew pain, but now we are on a first name basis. I have never known despair, but I met him and he wrapped his arms around me and called me his friend. But Jesus said, “Back off! HE’S MINE.” – Love all of you, Richard!)
Psalm 27:13-14 – I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
I still have the 1978, ½ ton pickup we used on the farm to pull loads much heavier than it was designed to carry, but it was all we had at the time. It has never let us down. It’s not much to look at anymore, the driver’s door drops an inch or more when opened, holes in the seat, and holes in the driver’s floor large enough to pass a small baby thru. Oh, yea I forgot to mention, I sold the tool bed I had on the truck at a time when we thought about junking it.
Why didn’t we junk it? To this day, you can throw a good battery in it, splash a little gas in the carb, hit the key, and it will faithfully roar back to life. It literally roars back to life because it doesn’t have an exhaust system. We still use it to move firewood in the winter since we heat our house with wood. It is convenient to have the wood close to our house on those cold, wet, or snowy days. Because of my history with this truck, I know the heart of this truck (the engine) will be ready to go when I need it and that gives me confidence when I turn the key, it will faithfully roar to life once more.
July 7, 1974 was the day Mary and I married. I thought I knew her heart then, but after almost 47 years later I truly know her heart now. She has been with me thru it all. Good times and bad. Driving tractors in the November cold and handling hay in the July heat whether it be early mornings or late nights. Giving birth to our children and then right back on the tractor the next day with the baby in a snuggly, tightly secured against her chest. She has the ability to make the right decision, even when I don’t agree. She seems too always be right. Because of that she always wins all arguments plus the fact she’s good with a gun and I can’t outrun a bullet. Because of our history I know her heart. And it’s a heart that always has our best interest in it. God knew I would need a helpmate with a heart like hers and that gives me the confidence I need to make it to tomorrow, together, her and I. Besides she’s promised not to “ping” me with a bullet no matter what.
August 14, 1972, I gave my heart to Jesus and He didn’t turn me away. Even though I didn’t deserve Him, He chose me. Forty-nine years later, He is still with me although I disappoint Him many times. Christ said He would stay and He has. He has never let me down. His word is true and it shows His true heart. A heart that’s yearning for us to know Him better. Because of our history together, I know His heart. A heart filled with love and compassion that looks past my faults and meets my every need. And like the Psalm writer, I can say, “I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord.” I am sometimes like a tire with a nail in it that slowly loses air. I am sometimes “leaky” when I have to wait and my confidence “leaks” away. But then the Spirit reminds me of my history with the Lord and my confidence returns. Then like the Psalmist, I can say, “Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”.
Look inside His word and listen to His heart. Then let Him remind you of your history together. He wants you to know His heart thru and thru. Then regain your confidence knowing that He will never leave you or forsake you. You have His word on that (Matthew 28:20b – And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.). Great is His faithfulness!
You never know when God can use you. I personally experienced this when I was waiting at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. on May 18th to pick up Richard Doody. As I sat in a waiting area in the hospital, a lady approached an ATM in hopes to retrieve money to purchase the diabetic medicine that her mother needed before going home. The total cost was $400, but her account only had $372. She withdrew all that she had, but she was still $28 short.
She frantically called someone on her cell phone desperately pleading with them to come to the hospital to bring her $28. The person on other end of her conversation would not help or was not able to help. Facing such a gloomy outcome, she broke down and starting crying. At that moment, I had a choice to make. I could easily ignore her need or meet her need.
As she was still trying to convince the person on the other end of the phone to help, I reached into my pocket and handed her $30. Shocked and bewildered, she thankfully took the money. Immediately she expressed her gratitude and rapidly ran away to go to the cashier’s window to pay the $28. I didn’t have time to tell her about the love of Christ. I only had the time to show the love of Christ. I saw her no more.
It was no accident that God had me in that waiting area at that specific moment and time. I arrived at the hospital hours before Richard was going to be discharged (I didn’t need to be there that early). I used valet parking to make it easier to pick Richard up when discharged since it was next to patient pickup. Valet parking only takes credit or debit cards, but their card machine was broken. So, I had to go into the hospital waiting area to also use the ATM and that is when I encountered this lady in need. God orchestrated everything.
Although God put all the pieces together, I still had to do my part. To be honest, I hesitated in what to do. Should I intervene in such a personal and private matter? Even though a small amount ($28), was this a financial sacrifice I was willing to make? I knew that I had to react fast either way because she was about to walk away. But thankfully, I knew exactly what God expected me to do. That day, the Lord appointed me to be His ministering angel.
In life, God puts us in the lives of others at just the right time to meet their needs. Please do not miss the opportunity to bless others by being God’s ministering angel.
(Matthew 25:35-36 – For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.)
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Join the women on Zoom/Phone to study Kay Arthur’s book “Overcoming Fear and Discouragement.” The study is on the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The Bible Studies th for June and July will take place On June 6 , there will be a short VBS Meeting in on Saturday, June 5th, Saturday, the Adult Sunday School classroom immediately June 19th, Saturday, July 3rd, following our Sunday morning worship service. Saturday, July 17th, and Saturday, July 31st at 9 a.m. During this time, direction will be given, material See Mae Settles if you have any questions and to will be distributed, and questions will be answered. get the information to participate in the Bible Study. See you then!
By Pastor Dennis Felder It is time for VBS! This year’s date for VBS will be Now that the nice springtime weather is upon us, June 28th through July 2nd. This year, VBS will be USBC will continue having Outdoor Services th th taking place during the daytime. Each day will start again. From June 6 to June 20 , all 11 a.m. at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude at 12 noon. worship services will be taking place outdoors; weather permitting. This outdoor worship format The theme for this year’s VBS will be entitled will provide many in our church family an “Back to Basics”. As the children gather each day, opportunity to worship with each another again and they will learn the foundational stories of the Bible, still practice “social distancing” in a safe and sing songs that are easy to learn and easy to controlled manner. remember, memorize Scripture that will encourage them throughout life, make crafts that relate to the Below is what to expect when you arrive for the 11 Bible stories, have recreational activities that will a.m. outdoor worship services to be held on; th th th help them grow physically and spiritually, and all June 6 , June 13 , and June 20 . will be done while having fun. • FIRST – Upon arriving at the church parking Then during our 11 a.m. worship service on July 4th, lot for 11 a.m. worship, park your car. the children will share with the church their Bible • SECOND – You have three (3) options to stories, their songs, their Bible verses, and their experience the worship hour. crafts. Stay in your car. Bring chairs from home and sit outside (If anyone would like to help with VBS, please let your car while still observing “social the Pastor know.) distancing”. Sit in one of the chairs provided by the church. FOOD/SCHOOL DRIVE • THIRD – A designated person will approach By Connie Harding your car as you enter the parking lot and will supply you with a bulletin/worship guide.
• FOURTH – The service will begin with VBS will begin on music, a message, and then a closing prayer. June 28th. Please remember that July is • FIFTH – You will be dismissed to leave. USBC month that we When you arrive at the church parking lot, the collect food and such Praise Team will be standing under the canopy that for Damascus Help. is connected to the main entrance of the church. This year we are Speakers will be placed in strategic areas around the starting a little sooner as we do this beginning with church property so that you can hear the singing, VBS. Please place can goods, or dry foods etc. on welcome and announcements, the prayers, the the table in the hallway. Also, we are again message, and closing remarks. The church building collecting school will remain open at all times during the outdoor supplies for our worship services so that one can use the restrooms, upcounty children, receive drinks/refreshments at the Coffee Shop, or there will be a box just for fellowship time. for their items in the lobby. Thank you If it is raining on a particular Sunday, the service for your support of may have to be moved inside. However, if we can our neighbors. make it work outside, we will stay outside.
Each month, USBC will be highlighting different aspects in the life of the church. In doing so, you will Each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., USBC is have the opportunity to learn something new that you hosting a Phone-In Prayer Meeting. Below are the may not have known before. It will be called, In the steps to connect to Upper Seneca Baptist Church’s Know! Phone-In Prayer Meeting. You can use either your landline phone or your cell phone. Facebook Live – You can watch our 11 a.m. Sunday morning Worship Service live on Facebook (Go to the Step 1 - Connecting church’s website (http://www.usbchurch.org/) and
• Dial the following phone number: 1-480-660- click on the Facebook icon or do a Google search for 5347 (Your landline phone service provider the church’s Facebook page.). may charge long distance charges) Children’s Church – USBC has started back • Enter your Conference Code: 671838 Children’s Church during our Sunday morning worship service. If you are not able to connect, wait for a minute and Children’s Bible Lesson – Each week a Bible lesson try again. If, after multiple attempts, you are not is mailed to the children of our church. If your child is able to connect, please text Pastor Dennis at (843) not receiving the Children’s Bible Lesson and you 957-5140 to inform him of your issue. If you dial would like to receive it, please contact the church. in before the start time, you will hear music. Once Adult Sunday School Lesson – Each week, the Adult the host signs in, you will be connected. Sunday School Lesson is sent out electronically using your email. If you are not receiving the Adult Sunday Step 2 – Engaging in the Conversation School Lesson and would like to receive it, please • Once connected, please speak your name so that send your email to [email protected] and everyone will know who is on the call. you will be added to the list. • One by one, the Pastor will ask each person if Zoom/Phone Bible Study – Every Tuesday evening they have a prayer request or praise. If you do, from 6-7 p.m., the church has a Zoom/Phone Bible please keep your requests concise and short. Study. Please contact the church for information on • After everyone has had an opportunity to share, how to join. Phone-In Prayer Meeting – Every Wednesday the Pastor will ask for a volunteer who is willing to evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. lift up the prayer and praise requests. Thursday Night Women’s Bible Study – Every • Following the volunteer’s prayer, the Pastor Thursday night from 6:30-9 p.m., the women gather at will close in prayer. the church for their weekly Bible Study and prayer • After the Pastor’s prayer, the Pastor will notify time. You can join either in person or by phone. you that the call will end. Please contact the church for information on how to join. If you have a confidential prayer request or the Women’s Saturday Bible Study – Every other prayer request many be too sensitive to share in this Saturday morning at 9 a.m., the women host a Zoom/ public setting, please contact the Pastor following Phone Bible Study. They are studying the books of the Phone-In Prayer Meeting to discuss these needs Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. with him. Sunday Morning Worship Videos – If you are not able to attend Sunday morning worship in person or to watch the services live on Facebook, you can still watch all the Sunday morning worship services through the church’s website (http:// www.usbchurch.org/Sermons). Financial Giving – You can still give your tithe to the church by mailing it in or through the church’s secure, online giving option (http://www.usbchurch.org/ Online%20Giving).