September 2008

It's been a while.

Please forgive us that some of the information in this issue is a little dated. We have not been able to publish the Voice for a few months. Every attempt will be made to publish on a regular schedule from here forward.

Combined Worship Serviceheld Sunday, August 17, 2008

Wow! God is so in control!
Remember Saturday, August 16th? It was very very hot in Hillsboro. 104 degrees! Then on Monday, August 18th it was so very gray and stormy! But between these two weather peaks God sent us a soft and tranquil day.
Sunday, what a beautiful day it was. We were at Bagley Park to enjoy a morning of song and spoken Word of God. Together the two congregations of Hillsboro First Baptist Church gathered under a green canopy of tall trees. Floating of smiling folks greeting one another was a cloud of tantalizing, and spicy smells. Several men were already grilling meat for the picnic that was to come later.

The recently renewed city park was redolent with bright flowers and happy children. Drifting away, into the neighborhoods, could be heard the joyful songs of praise led by musicians from both congregations.

That day we actually heard six sermons. First Hector spoke in Spanish and Elisabeth translated into English. The second Pastor to speak was Andy Baxter with Hector as his translator, for our third and fourth sermons. Sermons five and six were by Pastor Mark with Humberto translating. By this time the children had been released to their own activities.
Everything had been well planned and the morning went smoothly. Both the Hispanic and English churches were pleased by the response to the opportunity to spend this time worshiping together.

Finally: It was time to eat and our anticipation and expectations were well rewarded.
It was a to good day, good people and our great God. A perfect formula.


Adult Sunday School:
August was a time for our teachers of adult classes to take a break. All adult classes were combined and met in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM each Sunday morning.
Adult Sunday School classes will return to regular schedule on September 14th.


Sunday service Listening

Sunday sermons can be heard online. For online listening on the internet during the week go to WWW.HFBCH.org
If you would like a CD of the entire service you may pick one up in the church office or request one be mailed to you.

Hospice of Washington County
Can you, will you, assist with Hospice? If so contact: Anne Caravone
Coordinator of Volunteer and Bereavement Services 900 SE Oak Suite 202
Hillsboro Or 97123
(503)648-9565
fax (503)648-1282
anne@hospicewc.org

Women's Ministry Page

Women's Ministries are in the planning stages of several events. We look forward to serving you through these opportunities. Perhaps you would like to be involved in some of the preparations. We are always pleased to receive your offers to volunteer.

The Quilt Show is October 3-4 2008. If you would like to be included among the many volunteers needed for this event, please see Elsie Clausen or Pat Brown.

The Silent Auction fund raiser was a hit last year. Many of you asked us to do it again this year. We heard you and have it on the calendar for November 2, 2008. More details coming soon.

We are currently putting together the Retreat Committee for our May 1-3 2009 retreat. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this retreat, we would enjoy your ideas. Please see Janice Connell.

Thank you to Pat Brown and Colleen Ware for the exquisite Princess Dessert. We had a great time. The decorations were beautiful, the desserts were tasty, and the little princesses were delightful. We enjoyed the testimony of Lyndsay Tappert and a special Princess story told by Liz Colligan.

It is not too late to sign up for Secret Sisters. The program is going so well that we want to include all who are interested. There are application forms on the table in the foyer. Please give your completed application to Terah Wiser or Janice Connell

Can you think of two words that go together well and define FUN? They are Pajama and Party. Watch for more details

Women's Ministries Team Contact Information Email Address -hfbcwm@comcast.net
Director - Janice Connell - 503-844-9653
Prayer Coordinator - Kathy Livingston - 503-693-8374 Finance - Colleen Ware - 503-649-7714
Pat Brown - 503-543-5475
Letha Johnson - 503-640-6816

Choir is Beginning

Choir will be starting again Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 PM come on out and help us make a "Joyful noise unto the Lord". For more information contact James Cameron at 123jdc@gmail.com Shower singers or opera virtuosos welcome

Dear Friends of First Baptist
As you know, Nancy Radmacher recently went home to be with the Lord. His gain, our loss. More importantly Dave's loss, and he is struggling. He could use some company and encouragement. Dave's memory isn't very good these days, but he misses his church family along with Nancy and he needs us to come along side in any way we can and be there for him. So, if you're able, please do what you can. Dave lives at Jennings-McCall in Forest Grove at 2221 Oak St. Apt. #411, phone 503-359-5055.
We had dinner with Dave not too long ago and it was such a treat to spend time with him. He keeps talking about how much he misses Nancy and he clings to the phrase, "One day at a time, Lord Jesus, one day at a time." So, if you're able to go out and visit Dave that would really be an encouragement to him.
Evenings are especially hard I think. His daughter, Susan, lives here in Hillsboro, and it's also good to call her to check on his schedule as he doesn't always remember when he's going where. Sue can be reached at 640-6986.
Thanks in advance for what you'll bring to a brother in need. The impact of Dave and Nancy Radmacher is immeasurable. They gave years and years, money and time to do amazing things here on the corner of 2nd and Lincoln. Now it's our turn.
Doug & Dawn Stover

Gone But Not Forgotten

Dear Church family
Thank you seems so inadequate to express the gratitude I feel for all the cards, flowers, monetary gifts and meals eaten at restaurants that were provided in the loss of my daughter and Paula's sister, Laura Shinn.
I am especially grateful to the women who came to the memorial service when there was a princess dessert going on at the church at the same time.
I also appreciate Pastor Jerry coming to the service.
Again, thank you for everything.
Shirley & Paula Lane

Appreciation Pot Luck

Sunday, September 21st
In the Fellowship Hall after the morning service, to show our appreciation to Russ Ragsdale & Dave Miller for their service to our congregation. John & Carol Ragsdale will also be present to share information with folks interested in their ministry. What to bring: A—J salad and K—Z main dish. Cakes will be provided.

Coming Events

Heritage Builders Kickoff
Sept. 14th at 5:00 P.M.
Parenting in the trenches... do you have everything you need? Households with kids 0-18 Spend time with other families. Menu: Salad bar, Garlic cheese bread, brownies & ice cream. Donations appreciated

2009 Pictorial Directory
Photos will be taken on Nov. 11th & 12th. We are in need of volunteers to help with organizing and calling to remind our members of their scheduled times.
Please contact Shirley Mickelson in the church office if you would like to help.

Small Groups
Looking for a connection? Looking for a place to grow? Try one of our small groups. For more info, call the church office at 503-648-0525 or visit us online at www.hfbch.org

Prayer Chain
Call Vivian Miller at 503-615-0298 and/or Bill Zielsdorf at 503-648-9024. No prayer request is too small, and we know that prayer will provide "comfort in chaos". Don't hesitate to call. We want to be praying for each other.

Our Church Library
Located in the C.E. Building there are lots of wonderful books for all ages. It is there for you to enjoy. Please come and encourage others to come and check out a book.
Your Library Staff.

Are you interested in volunteering with Washington County Hospice?
Below is information about two upcoming classes
being offered.

WHAT: Washington County Hospice Volunteer Training Call 648-9565 for information or to

register
WHERE: Tuality Health Education Center 335 SE 8th Ave Hillsboro, OR 97123
COST: FREE... but pre-registration is required... Call 648-9565

VOLUNTEER TRAINING: Do you want to give back to your neighbors and community? Hospice of Washington County will present a seven-session, 24-hour hospice training course on September 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25 from 6:30 — 9:30 PM and all day, 9 am to 4 pm, on Saturday, September 20. The classes are taught by healthcare professionals for anyone interested in volunteering their time to care for and support patients and their families during the final stages of a life-limiting illness. Volunteers can help with direct care of patients, bereavement work with grieving families, clerical work in the office, public relations in the community, and planning and guidance work as members of the board of directors. There is no fee but pre-registration by September 9 is requested. For more information or to pre-register call the hospice office at 503-648-9565 or email anne@hospicewc.org.

Washington County Hospice and Tuality Hospital Foundation will co-sponsor Surviving the Loss, a free six week grief support group providing a safe environment to share your grief and learn new ways to cope with the loss of a loved one. Call 648-9565 to register: classes held :
Tuesday s 6pm — 7:30 pm October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, November 4th, and 11th
Wednesday s 10:30 am to noon October 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, Nov 5th &12th

Thank you for helping us to let others know about these classes
Anne Caravone - Coordinator of Volunteer and Bereavement Services

Community Care Day

Despite the 100 degree plus heat approximately 75 people from First Baptist Church, Calvary Chapel, and Intel convened on Century High School to do grounds clean-up and beautification. But because of the heat a hearty group started at 6:00 AM and wrapped up their shift just as the others were arriving at 9:00 AM.
With one exception the entire list of priority items was completed. The estimate is that 95% of the scheduled work was accomplished. One section of planters did not have bark dust spread on it; a few more people would have made the difference.
I know from personal conversation with the principal at Century that the work is very much noticed, and appreciated by the staff, parents and students.
In addition to the school clean-up we filled 33 bags with school materials for grade school children. This, along with the clean-up work, was a great statement as to what Christians working together can do for the community.
Thanks to all of you that participated, as a Church we are already scheduled for next year. John Sailors

WHAT IS STONES-GLO?

Christ made apprentices. (Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn)
Christ commanded us to make apprentices. (Mt 28:18-20)
The Word of Christ has instructed us how to do so. (Deut 6:4-9; Ps 78:1-8; Eph 4:11-16; Col 3:16; 1&2 Tim; Titus)

It is a goal of the youth & family ministries of HFBC to train children in Righteousness in such a way that they follow Christ with the whole of their lives.

This training comes through apprenticeship.
First and most powerfully - through the parents.
Second & importantly - through other more mature Christians.
The youth ministry of HFBC seeks to create the space for these apprentice relationships to happen in an even more effective way.

Since Heritage Builders began over three years ago, more and more parents of First Baptist have grown in their level of ownership of raising their children spiritually. A result was a few parents and adults asking questions about the youth ministry and how it works.

The result of these questions is STONES-GLO.
STONES-GLO is simply an approach to ministry that trains, equips, and provides for Christian apprenticeship to happen in more life on life contexts.
It employs focused Biblical teaching that favors deeper over wider learning.
It depends on 1-1 and 1-2 relationships with believers of the local body engaged in intentional apprenticeship. Therefore it depends on numerous adults who are spiritually more mature to make it success
It allows for learning to happen experientially through avenues of interest, interaction, and smaller groups. It is designed to make application of following Christ the priority of what we do.
Broad strokes of the structure: (please do not assume "regular" = once per week)

Regular (approx: twice per quarter) gatherings of all the kids and most of the adults involved for an activity/outing/event that provides fun and friendship, but introduces the teaching that will be walked thru and lived out in the following months.

Regular outings/gatherings with gender based and age appropriate smaller groups to dive deeper into & experience current Biblical teaching.

Regular 1-1 or 1-2 apprenticeship relationships following up on teaching and personal following of Christ.

Leadership:
The head leadership of STONES-GLO is Pastor Mark Colligan with current leadership team members Rich & Michelle Finn and Kelly Alvarez. More are to come... you very well could be that more.

Definitions:

APPRENTICESHIP:
We are using this term because the term discipleship has too many preconceived meanings to it that keep us from communicating clearly. An apprentice is someone who is being trained by another in a specific skill or art. Christ commands us to make disciples who obey Him and what He said to do. Those who are mature train those who are learning, and all keep growing.

STONES:
Family camp started a "tradition" you might say where young boys found 5 stones – now they need to earn them. The stones are not limited to 5 alone, but each would stand for a masculine value/character trait/growth step/rite of passage etc. This first year we will focus on Courage and literally pound that into the ground. Other themes for the future could be: brotherhood, strength, service, accountability, integrity, sacrifice, selflessness restraint, self control, compassion, devotion, commitment, respect, etc. \

STONES simply put is men teaching boys what it means to be a man who follows Christ.

GLO:
"Girls Living Out-loud." The training of girls to see, through the lens of scripture, the world as it has been presented to them. Learning how to understand, navigate, and follow Christ in the midst of that fallen world. Girls will seek to follow Christ and develop a theme of servitude as they explore ways to serve others individually or even community wide. GLO simply put is women teaching girls what it means to be a woman who follows Christ.
1-1 or 1-2 discipleship relationships:
Intentional mentoring relationships between the more mature and the less mature in their following of Christ in life. These relationships are individual, do not follow the same structure for each set, are extremely dynamic, and are the true backbone of this ministry. It is the closest example to what we see Christ doing in scripture with His disciples.

Age/grade Span:
This ministry is aimed at the 5th grade level and older through High school.

CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER
Our special Christmas offering for our missionaries will be in October once again. It will begin the first Sunday of October and continue through the first Sunday of November. Last year we were able to send a good gift to each of our missionaries and workers at home and abroad. Plan ahead now and be prepared to participate in this special gift to those who are carrying the Good News to people in places we, as a church, cannot go. You may place your gifts in the "gift box" in the church auditorium from October 5 through November 2 or you may send it in to the Church Office marked for "Christmas in October."

TWR MISSIONARIES VISITING
John and Carol Ragsdale, and their children , Jean-Marc and Nicole, have returned for a short home assignment following the completion of their third term of service at the African headquarters of Trans World Radio in South Africa. After packing up their home in Kempton Park, near Johannesburg, they left for the U.S. arriving in Cary, North Carolina, on August 14. Following a few days briefing at TWR headquarters they flew to Tampa, FL, to visit Carol's parents, Mel and Kathy Carter (retired missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Alliance).
They will spend three months in Hillsboro from September 10 through December 12. Most of their time will involve traveling around the Northwest visiting supporters and speaking in churches. They will be Speaking here on September 21 during the morning service and enjoying the potluck meal following. Come join us on September 21 and hear how God has been working in lives around Africa.