Missions Breakfast

Turn your clocks back and come

Sunday November 2nd

9:00a.m. Breakfast

(Call to let us know you are coming 410-825-3360)

This year our speaker will be from “Our Daily Bread”, the organization we have made cakes for and supported for many years. Come and hear about this ministry.

From the Pastor:

Recently I was reading a book, written by the Rev. Robert Dorr, about his years of ministry at Seventh Baptist Church. I thoroughly enjoyed Bob’s book because I have known Bob for so many years. Still more than that, I enjoyed the book because I recognized the names of many people who I have known over my years of visiting Seventh.

Near the beginning of the book Bob talked about “The Church’s Three Dimensions.” He described it in three dimensions with these words: “The vertical dimension, which represents our relationship with God, the horizontal dimension, which symbolizes our outreach to the world, and the circular which stands for our relationship with each other. I liked to put these together in the form of a cross—the Celtic.”

I like Bob’s description of the dimensions or elements of this Celtic cross, because it describes so well the qualities which well balanced Christian congregations ideally possess. Other crosses simply have two dimensions the vertical to God and the horizontal reaching out to the world. There are moments in every Christian’s life when the centrifugal force exerted along one or the other of these two axes can be strong enough to pull one out of community. Every Christian communion needs a centripetal force, symbolized in the Celtic cross with that circle, which pulls us back into the community where we find our center. As I read Bob’s history of his work at Seventh Baptist I could remember and feel again with him the strength and pull of that wonderful community of faith. I know that it has been hard for him to find another center, but I am happy that he comes to be with us.

The horizontal pull of our world is very strong today. The concerns of job/mission and family can stretch us further and further away from our center. There is also the strong philosophic pull in the world today toward worship which is done on our own… the “God of our own understanding.” Then there is the nature of human imperfection which can mar any human institution. It would be easiest just to forget Church and go out on our own, but there are in my memory golden memories of friends who have shared faith and ministry with me… people, long dead… people who have moved on… most importantly, all of you… and that is what keeps me going out, and coming in to worship and serve God, together.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs as usual.

November 5^th,, 12^th, 19th

There will be no programs November 26th due to Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 2^nd

Communion.

9:00 a.m. - Missions Breakfast.

November 9th

Coffee Hour following the Church Service.

November 10th

12 Noon – Annie Armstrong Circle meeting at the church, Ora Altevogt as hostess. Bring a sandwich and please let her know if you are attending, 410-823-1028.

November 12^th

8:00 p.m. - Deacons’ Meeting.

November 17th

7:30 p.m. - Needles & News at the home of Ann Ray, 8 Theo Lane 410-321-0202.

November 24th

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Sarah’s Hope

November 26th

We will not have any programs.

THANKSGIVING MORNING

at 10:00 a.m., November 27^th. We will have our Thanksgiving Service at the

Towson Methodist Church

Rev. Weimert will be speaking

November 30th

Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday.

3:00 p.m. - Service at Pickersgill Retirement Home.

From Dan Moore and the Hand Bell Choir

The Bell Choir is about to begin again on Wednesday, November 5^th.

Practice is at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday night.

Please consider joining us. New members are always welcome.

BUDGET CONCERNS:

Every year at this time it seems we talk about budget concerns. Currently, we are behind what we estimated we would receive in tithes and offerings. I put “we estimated” in bold because we did estimate and project what we would receive. What we need you to do is:

1. Check to see if you have given what you did pledge to the congregation, and if you have not and you are able to make a gift, please do this now.

2. Our budget letter for the year 2009 will arrive in a few days. Please fill out a pledge card this month so our projection for next year will be less of an estimate.

3. Please return the pledge card by Sunday, November 23rd.

Wendy Wallace is a Notary Public. If you have need of her services, she will be available. Call her at home 410-321-0043.

Needles & News is collecting food for Thanksgiving baskets. There are boxes at the front and back doors for this purpose. If you wish to prepare a basket yourself, please call the Church office for the specific instructions. Cash is also needed for these baskets.

Our buildings and grounds are in need of some repair and clean-up. Please let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for repairs or improvements. We are planning a work day and will announce the date and projects in the near future.

Susan Byrne

Deacon for Buildings and Grounds