June 2006
Pastor Propst's Ponderings
Graduation/Commencement
Egypt's President Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah, recently, issued a joint call against Ehud Olmert's planned transfer of vast areas of Judea and Samaria to the control of Hamas.The two leaders met in Aqaba, the Jordanian port city adjacent to Eilat, and warned that one-sided solutions will not help in promoting the peace process or regional stability. They said that Israel must negotiate not with Hamas, but with Abu Mazen, the leader of the Fatah organization.Middle Eastern affairs expert Dr. David Bukai of Haifa University explains that Egypt and Jordan are more concerned about the Hamas terror threat than some of Israel*s leaders. Speaking with Arutz-7, Israel's, Hebrew news magazine, Bukai said that Egypt and Jordan feel that the rise of Hamas was enabled because of Israel's retreat from Gaza. "They fear that if Israel continues to withdraw, Hamas will get even stronger, and will become an even greater threat to Egypt and Jordan," he said. "Jordan and Egypt are threatened by World Jihad terrorism no less than Israel," Bukai explained. "Bin Laden has appointed Musa Abu Zarkawi as the Amir [commander] not only of Iraq, but of the entire Middle East. Egypt is thus threatened by the Al-Qaeda terrorism emanating from Sinai - and this terror can easily reach Israel and Saudi Arabia as well. Jordan, too, knows that Abu Zarkawi - his name indicates that he is of Zarka in Jordan - is interested in taking over Jordan perhaps even more than he wants Iraq. That's why Egypt and Jordan feel threatened.
Where and what is Beverly Beach? It is just north of Newport on the Oregon Coast.Beverly Beach is popular for a reason! Like magic, a well-known walkway goes under the highway and emerges to the long expanse of sandy beach extending from Yaquina Head (you can see the lighthouse from here) to the headlands of Otter Rock. When the weather cooperates, kites color the air and whip in the wind. Bring a bucket and build a sandcastle! Surfers often head to the north beach, while folks looking for fossils head south.A few steps from the ocean you'll find the forest-sheltered campground. Giant, wind-sculpted trees and nurse logs surround the campsites strung along pebbly Spencer Creek. There is a Visitors Information Center located near the registration booth where you can also purchase books, souvenirs or educational toys. The children*s playground is located next to the program area. The picnic area is a grassy, tree-lined spot protected from summer winds by a charming yurt group meeting hall. It's hard to believe all this is a few minutes drive from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Yaquina Head and other prime attractions. So, now is the time to put July 28-30 on your calendar.
Pastor Jerry has included some information on the campgrounds itself. Take a look. It is a miracle that we got so many spaces by the beach at all! Be ready for a great time. Be looking for official sign up opportunities at the end of May or first week of June. All information on price and options will be made available at that time. This summer is going to be a Summer of the Word for HB (Heritage Builders) families. June 4th is our next HB night where we will kick off the summer and plan ahead for this campout! Yes, the campout is open to all people of our church. Please come and join the families with kids and let's enjoy the company and strength of the whole family of God.
Dave & Ruth have been serving in China as teachers. Dave recently suffered a heart attack. This has changed their plans for the future. Here's their story.
"Things are falling into place for us as we prepare to return to the U.S. Our daughter Kathleen and granddaughter Joanna are coming to help in June. Our daughter Janet has been looking for a car for us and found one that seems to be the right one to buy. We should "have wheels" when we arrive home in Washington on June 24th. Our daughter Mary is helping with business matters. Thanks for continuing to remember our remaining time at the college. Recent events have changed our plans. We are no longer planning to move to Singapore for the job opportunity with our organization. We will be returning to the U.S. and will take a 6-month Home Assignment to visit as many supporters as possible. After that we will officially retire, but we plan to continue to take some short-term teaching trips, write some materials, and do some cross-cultural training as in the past. We want to learn some technology to help us use online distance learning and teaching. We believe that Father still has some work for us to do."
Colligan's Callings
Someone got saved!!!! Yes, praise God! We had a freshman pray to receive Christ as Savior last week at our Tombstone Party. Thanks to Bob for the dry ice and to Sam for the broken pieces of granite and marble and to Curt for helping Kevin and I out immensely! Most thanks to the youth who have been faithful in bringing friends and reaching out to the people God is putting in their path. Oh that we might all become bolder and bolder about the Savior of our souls. Greatest thanks to Christ for His faithfulness to us! God moved last week as we looked at the inevitable future of us all. Did you know the death rate in Oregon is 100%? When we stand in front of God, what will we have to say? What did our life amount to? What will be written on our tombstone? How about the people around you? Please, live for Jesus, people, and the Kingdom of God! Pray for Alyssa in her new faith in Christ.
Pastor Mark
From a student who manages our youth ministries' weblog info page: Something I wanted to share with y'all. So, today at my school, we had a very interesting chapel. The speaker was telling us about how we need to listen to God (something we all know but don't always do), and he continued to go on about some of the times that he had listened to God and what happened. One in particular stuck out to me. He was playing soccer one day and there was a man that he had just met the week before. He told the man when he met him that he was a youth pastor. But this particular week, the man came up and said to him, "I was raised Hindu but I have no idea what that means. What does it mean to be a Christian?" Now, the youth pastor was going to be late to the youth night if he stayed and talked to him, but he heard God tell him to stay. He then heard God say to describe being a Christian like a hill. "This is what the pastor said. "Being a Christian is like a hill with a cross on it. Everyone in the town below can tell you everything about that cross. But it's a totally different experience when you make the journey to go up that hill, touch the cross and see all the amazing things on the other side that you would have never seen if you didn't go up the hill." "The man then began to cry. After a while of awkward silence, the man told the pastor that he had a dream about a hill with a cross on it a couple days ago but had been confused about why he had that dream. When I heard this story, I wanted to just cry. It's amazing how awesome God is, yet as Christians, we tend to take it for granted. My encouragement to you guys is to not get stuck in the same routine everyday without listening to God. He's talking to you. Wouldn't it be great to hear what your Creator had to say?
When we started preparing for this trip we talked about having 20 people go to Waveland to help with the recovery. There were some skeptical that we would have 20 signed up to go. Well, actually more than 20 showed interest, but some are unable to go because of various reasons. However, we have exactly 20 committed to attend. PRAISE GOD.
On May 17th we sent a check to United Airlines to pay for 20 round trip tickets for the group. Vans are reserved in New Orleans to transport the group (and their luggage) the 50 or so miles to Waveland.*They will be staying in very spartan accommodations, but in the lap of luxury compared to when Tom Sauerwein and I were there last fall.*We set as a goal for our fund raising $12,000. We have now reached $10,634. PRAISE GOD.
We do need the balance of the funds to be able to pay for the rental vans, and to give our group a little on hand cash. Those traveling have raised over $4,000 themselves, several still have fund raising projects going on. If you haven't contributed yet, and are willing and able to do so, it is not too late. All contributions are gladly accepted at any time.
(NOTE: SINCE THE ORIGINAL WRITING OF THIS ARTICLE WE ARE NOW OVER $14000 WHICH MEANS WE HAVE MORE THAN REACHED OUR GOAL.
The Women's Ministries group is publishing a cookbook to help offset expenses for the Women's Retreat next fall. We have well over 200 recipes now. Keep listening for details as to cost and when it will be available. This is an excellent way to add to your recipe repertoire and contribute to a good cause.Thanks to all of you who have contributed recipes and have helped out typing and editing.
It is eight months since Hurricane Katrina roared through my hometown and the rest of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It*s hard to believe that it was that long ago, since much hasn*t changed.
Today the puppy and I went for a ride. The weather was getting bad, real windy. The water was washing up on the beach road, which it does when bad weather comes from the southeast. But it was so sad. The beach is just empty. The streets between the railroad tracks and the beach are just flat land. There are some trailers, and some are beginning to rebuild.
But then we went down to Clermont Harbor and Lakeshore, two communities west of Waveland. There, it breaks your heart. There is absolutely nothing. NO structures standing, no rebuilding, few trailers. There are still mounds of debris: roofs from houses, People*s sheds, decks, piers and the special belonging of the owners. Where you do see trailers, you see pieces of furniture up against the trailer, tables with glassware, sliver and other personal items.
The other night I heard Brian Williams from NBC say that people e-mail him and tell him to quit reporting about Katrina. That's over. There are other things going on in the world. Report about that. I am afraid that the country is forgetting us and we do not need to be forgotten. We still need help, and lots of it. Of course, Brian Williams said that NBC is committed to reporting our story and will continue to do so. That made me feel good. And Kathleen Koch with CNN has not forgotten us. She continues to come here and report on what*s going on.
On a lighter note, Friday I got my building permit. What a great day!! Now the task at hand is getting the foundation prepared and the slab poured by June. In June, a group of volunteers are coming to frame up my house -- for FREE!! All I have to do is provide the materials. So, I guess there are some of you out there that have not forgotten us. Thank you so much for your caring and volunteering.
Two ideas are put together to describe one event. Graduation and Commencement. It's the end of one thing and the beginning of another. The student days are over. Life hasn't ended, although for some it may seem like it. Life has just begun a new phase.All of life is that way. Marriage is graduation from singleness to a married state. What a change! Marriage brings with it a whole new set of obligations and expectations. You may think that once the wedding is over you can relax. But in fact you are just getting started on a life long relationship. Contrary to romantic novels, building a meaningful and fulfilling relationship is work. At times it's hard work.Retirement is not the cessation of existence. It is the graduation from one set of responsibilities to a new set of responsibilities. Retirement? Responsibilities? What are you saying? A promotion at work may liberate you from previous responsibilities. But it also carries with it new and even more challenging opportunities and responsibilities. Anyone who has gotten a promotion knows by experience that you just don't get to sit back and enjoy your new position of honor and power. Your boss is expecting more out of you than anyone ever has before.That's a good thing. Those raised expectations give motivation to expand your horizons.Every phase of life is endowed with opportunities. We either choose to take advantage of those opportunities or we don't. And, when our days here are finally over, we will give an account to the Lord for the way in which we have used the time and opportunities He has given us.This is why Paul charges us to "redeem the time." The path of life that seemed so long at the beginning suddenly seems so short as you approach the other end. It's good for us to do as the Psalmist suggests and "number our days." Make the most of every day for the sake of the Lord. You will never pass this way again.The other day I was talking with one of the people from the youth group I inherited when I came to First Baptist. He recently turned 50. How can that be? Time marches on undeterred in spite of our protests. So, whatever it is that you are graduating from, commence with the next thing that the Lord has on His schedule for you.Pastor Jerry
Israel Today
Egypt's President Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah, recently, issued a joint call against Ehud Olmert's planned transfer of vast areas of Judea and Samaria to the control of Hamas.The two leaders met in Aqaba, the Jordanian port city adjacent to Eilat, and warned that one-sided solutions will not help in promoting the peace process or regional stability. They said that Israel must negotiate not with Hamas, but with Abu Mazen, the leader of the Fatah organization.Middle Eastern affairs expert Dr. David Bukai of Haifa University explains that Egypt and Jordan are more concerned about the Hamas terror threat than some of Israel*s leaders. Speaking with Arutz-7, Israel's, Hebrew news magazine, Bukai said that Egypt and Jordan feel that the rise of Hamas was enabled because of Israel's retreat from Gaza. "They fear that if Israel continues to withdraw, Hamas will get even stronger, and will become an even greater threat to Egypt and Jordan," he said. "Jordan and Egypt are threatened by World Jihad terrorism no less than Israel," Bukai explained. "Bin Laden has appointed Musa Abu Zarkawi as the Amir [commander] not only of Iraq, but of the entire Middle East. Egypt is thus threatened by the Al-Qaeda terrorism emanating from Sinai - and this terror can easily reach Israel and Saudi Arabia as well. Jordan, too, knows that Abu Zarkawi - his name indicates that he is of Zarka in Jordan - is interested in taking over Jordan perhaps even more than he wants Iraq. That's why Egypt and Jordan feel threatened.
CHURCH CAMP-OUT
July 28-30
Where and what is Beverly Beach? It is just north of Newport on the Oregon Coast.Beverly Beach is popular for a reason! Like magic, a well-known walkway goes under the highway and emerges to the long expanse of sandy beach extending from Yaquina Head (you can see the lighthouse from here) to the headlands of Otter Rock. When the weather cooperates, kites color the air and whip in the wind. Bring a bucket and build a sandcastle! Surfers often head to the north beach, while folks looking for fossils head south.A few steps from the ocean you'll find the forest-sheltered campground. Giant, wind-sculpted trees and nurse logs surround the campsites strung along pebbly Spencer Creek. There is a Visitors Information Center located near the registration booth where you can also purchase books, souvenirs or educational toys. The children*s playground is located next to the program area. The picnic area is a grassy, tree-lined spot protected from summer winds by a charming yurt group meeting hall. It's hard to believe all this is a few minutes drive from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Yaquina Head and other prime attractions. So, now is the time to put July 28-30 on your calendar.
FAMILY CAMPOUT
Pastor Jerry has included some information on the campgrounds itself. Take a look. It is a miracle that we got so many spaces by the beach at all! Be ready for a great time. Be looking for official sign up opportunities at the end of May or first week of June. All information on price and options will be made available at that time. This summer is going to be a Summer of the Word for HB (Heritage Builders) families. June 4th is our next HB night where we will kick off the summer and plan ahead for this campout! Yes, the campout is open to all people of our church. Please come and join the families with kids and let's enjoy the company and strength of the whole family of God.
Missionary of the Month
Dave & Ruth Harrison
"Things are falling into place for us as we prepare to return to the U.S. Our daughter Kathleen and granddaughter Joanna are coming to help in June. Our daughter Janet has been looking for a car for us and found one that seems to be the right one to buy. We should "have wheels" when we arrive home in Washington on June 24th. Our daughter Mary is helping with business matters. Thanks for continuing to remember our remaining time at the college. Recent events have changed our plans. We are no longer planning to move to Singapore for the job opportunity with our organization. We will be returning to the U.S. and will take a 6-month Home Assignment to visit as many supporters as possible. After that we will officially retire, but we plan to continue to take some short-term teaching trips, write some materials, and do some cross-cultural training as in the past. We want to learn some technology to help us use online distance learning and teaching. We believe that Father still has some work for us to do."
HEADS UP!
We want to give you a heads up on something exciting. Eileen Straub is pregnant (which I am sure you know), but pregnancy leads to a great many things. With the fact of new baby added to two girls in the family and much to do in the scope of raising a family, Eileen is making the right choice to step down from her position as Children's Director helping me out tremendously. God is faithful and has provided Kelly Alvarez to step up into her place. The month of May has been seeing this transition happening quite well. I am excited about Kelly and working with her. I have complete confidence in her abilities. Pray for the Straub family and the Alvarez family as these changes impact their lives. We will be honoring Eileen and her work in a service in June. Pastor MarkColligan's Callings
Someone got saved!!!! Yes, praise God! We had a freshman pray to receive Christ as Savior last week at our Tombstone Party. Thanks to Bob for the dry ice and to Sam for the broken pieces of granite and marble and to Curt for helping Kevin and I out immensely! Most thanks to the youth who have been faithful in bringing friends and reaching out to the people God is putting in their path. Oh that we might all become bolder and bolder about the Savior of our souls. Greatest thanks to Christ for His faithfulness to us! God moved last week as we looked at the inevitable future of us all. Did you know the death rate in Oregon is 100%? When we stand in front of God, what will we have to say? What did our life amount to? What will be written on our tombstone? How about the people around you? Please, live for Jesus, people, and the Kingdom of God! Pray for Alyssa in her new faith in Christ.
Pastor Mark
From a student who manages our youth ministries' weblog info page: Something I wanted to share with y'all. So, today at my school, we had a very interesting chapel. The speaker was telling us about how we need to listen to God (something we all know but don't always do), and he continued to go on about some of the times that he had listened to God and what happened. One in particular stuck out to me. He was playing soccer one day and there was a man that he had just met the week before. He told the man when he met him that he was a youth pastor. But this particular week, the man came up and said to him, "I was raised Hindu but I have no idea what that means. What does it mean to be a Christian?" Now, the youth pastor was going to be late to the youth night if he stayed and talked to him, but he heard God tell him to stay. He then heard God say to describe being a Christian like a hill. "This is what the pastor said. "Being a Christian is like a hill with a cross on it. Everyone in the town below can tell you everything about that cross. But it's a totally different experience when you make the journey to go up that hill, touch the cross and see all the amazing things on the other side that you would have never seen if you didn't go up the hill." "The man then began to cry. After a while of awkward silence, the man told the pastor that he had a dream about a hill with a cross on it a couple days ago but had been confused about why he had that dream. When I heard this story, I wanted to just cry. It's amazing how awesome God is, yet as Christians, we tend to take it for granted. My encouragement to you guys is to not get stuck in the same routine everyday without listening to God. He's talking to you. Wouldn't it be great to hear what your Creator had to say?
Waveland Mission Trip
When we started preparing for this trip we talked about having 20 people go to Waveland to help with the recovery. There were some skeptical that we would have 20 signed up to go. Well, actually more than 20 showed interest, but some are unable to go because of various reasons. However, we have exactly 20 committed to attend. PRAISE GOD.
On May 17th we sent a check to United Airlines to pay for 20 round trip tickets for the group. Vans are reserved in New Orleans to transport the group (and their luggage) the 50 or so miles to Waveland.*They will be staying in very spartan accommodations, but in the lap of luxury compared to when Tom Sauerwein and I were there last fall.*We set as a goal for our fund raising $12,000. We have now reached $10,634. PRAISE GOD.
We do need the balance of the funds to be able to pay for the rental vans, and to give our group a little on hand cash. Those traveling have raised over $4,000 themselves, several still have fund raising projects going on. If you haven't contributed yet, and are willing and able to do so, it is not too late. All contributions are gladly accepted at any time.
(NOTE: SINCE THE ORIGINAL WRITING OF THIS ARTICLE WE ARE NOW OVER $14000 WHICH MEANS WE HAVE MORE THAN REACHED OUR GOAL.
Women's Ministries Cookbook
LLOYD BARON HONORED
Hillsboro Chamber has chosen Lloyd as this year's Distinguished Citizen Award recipient For years Lloyd has been a major player in providing green space and attractive appointments to Hillsboro's parks. Each honoree received a glass plaque with their name and award. Lloyd also received $500 from the Hillsboro Argus to give the charity of his choice.
As many of you remember, Lloyd was honored nationally for the work that he did on the Rood Bridge Park rhododendron gardens that are now named for him.
We have appreciated his contribution over the years to the grounds and facilities of First Baptist.
Congratulations to Lloyd Baron once again for a job well done.
As many of you remember, Lloyd was honored nationally for the work that he did on the Rood Bridge Park rhododendron gardens that are now named for him.
We have appreciated his contribution over the years to the grounds and facilities of First Baptist.
Congratulations to Lloyd Baron once again for a job well done.
WAVELAND DIARY
"DON'T FORGET US"
(Diary entry by Mary Perkins)
It is eight months since Hurricane Katrina roared through my hometown and the rest of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It*s hard to believe that it was that long ago, since much hasn*t changed.
Today the puppy and I went for a ride. The weather was getting bad, real windy. The water was washing up on the beach road, which it does when bad weather comes from the southeast. But it was so sad. The beach is just empty. The streets between the railroad tracks and the beach are just flat land. There are some trailers, and some are beginning to rebuild.
But then we went down to Clermont Harbor and Lakeshore, two communities west of Waveland. There, it breaks your heart. There is absolutely nothing. NO structures standing, no rebuilding, few trailers. There are still mounds of debris: roofs from houses, People*s sheds, decks, piers and the special belonging of the owners. Where you do see trailers, you see pieces of furniture up against the trailer, tables with glassware, sliver and other personal items.
The other night I heard Brian Williams from NBC say that people e-mail him and tell him to quit reporting about Katrina. That's over. There are other things going on in the world. Report about that. I am afraid that the country is forgetting us and we do not need to be forgotten. We still need help, and lots of it. Of course, Brian Williams said that NBC is committed to reporting our story and will continue to do so. That made me feel good. And Kathleen Koch with CNN has not forgotten us. She continues to come here and report on what*s going on.
On a lighter note, Friday I got my building permit. What a great day!! Now the task at hand is getting the foundation prepared and the slab poured by June. In June, a group of volunteers are coming to frame up my house -- for FREE!! All I have to do is provide the materials. So, I guess there are some of you out there that have not forgotten us. Thank you so much for your caring and volunteering.
posted by Jerry Propst | 3:11 PM
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