January 2006 – Vol. 2, No. 1

Pastor's Paragraphs

For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!

—Isaiah 43:19, NLT

New is good. This time of year, many of us have new clothes, new toys, new recipes, all sorts of new “stuff.”

But we are promised, in this New Year, something better than all those things which we have gleefully unwrapped. God tells us plain, through the prophet Isaiah, that God is doing something new.

God is doing something new.

Are we ready for that? Are we ready for God to “do a brand-new thing” with us? To make us “new” as individuals, and as a community? My friends—I believe this is exactly God’s plan for us. For, the Gospel promise is that we are never stagnant, and that is blessed news.

Can we see it? Can we see God’s newness and freshness, even in our tired old hearts? Can we use it? Bangor needs our renewed energy for Christ.

For who knows, God may have special plans just for us in this New Year. As Queen Esther’s Uncle Mordecai encouraged her, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

What have you come to the kingdom for in 2006??

Anticipating Holy Energy,

Pastor Steph

Dan Bullard
John Cassidy
Seth Livingstone
Katrina Williams

Baptized and given the right hand of fellowship on Dec. 4, 2005

Youth News

State of Excellence

Congratulations to Jackie Cobb for qualifying for States in swimming in the 100 meter freestyle in a time of 1:03:73. State championships are in February.

Congratulations to Stephen Salinas for making the All State orchestra on the viola. The All State concert will take place in May.

Honor Roll

The following FBC Youth are known to have made the honor roll during the first marking period:

Bangor High: Jackie Cobb, Juliet Cobb, Laura Dearing, Sarah Livingstone, Stephen Salinas, Jennifer Smith

All Saints: John Cassidy

Cohen: Rachel Douglas, Seth Livingstone

Doughty: Daniel Bullard

Hermon Middle School: Caitlin Barrows, Ian Barrows

Fairmount: Tim Bullard

Mary Snow: Nicole Dearing

Do you have something to announce? Contact the newsletter staff at newsletter@fbcbangor.org.

Choir looks forward to 2007

Following their successful performance of “God Is in Control”, the FBC Youth Choir is now setting their sights on the summer of 2007 and taking a new musical on the road. The tentative plans are for a tour in the New Jersey area for approximately 7 to 10 days with 4 to 6 performances. Planning has begun so stay tuned for more news on this exciting project.

NEIGHBOR’S NEWS

F & F Bus Tours is soliciting ideas for the 2006 First Baptist Church Fellowship Bus Tour. Clyde Folsom and Bob Frank are requesting help in the selection of places to go and things to do. Our trips leave Bangor Friday AM and return Saturday PM. The first seven tours primarily focused on Maine and its natural resources, people, and special geological features. These are listed as follows indicating tour themes and location:

1999 "Pine, People, and Potatoes" Crown of Maine in northern Aroostook County

2000 "Berries, FDR, and Fish" Downeast Maine and Campobello

2001 "Western Mountains, Old Inns, and Maple Syrup" Bethel and vicinity

2002 "Mid-Coast, Lighthouses, and Ships" Boothbay Harbor and vicinity

2003 "Big Lakes, Logging Camps, and Ski Slopes" Moosehead Lake - Pittston Farm - Jackman area

2004 "Apples, Ice Houses, and Steamers (got wheels)" Rangeley Lakes area

2005 "Islands, Lobsters, and Fishermen" Deer Isle, Little Cranbury Island, and Mount Desert Island

Future tours could include neighboring New Hampshire, Vermont, and Canada. They could also be expanded to include two nights and three days. These experiences are wonderful opportunities to fellowship with members and friends of First Baptist Church.

Where do you want to go? What do you want to learn? What do you want to do? Please submit your suggestion, in written format, to either Clyde or Bob.

POTLUCK

FBC Annual Meeting
January 22, 2006
11:30 am (following worship service)
Annual reports are due to the office by Jan. 2, 2006 

NOTES FROM THE BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Dear Church Family,

On Behalf of the Board of Christian Education, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous giving to the "Christmas is for Kids" campaign. During the first three weeks of December, you helped us raise a little of $92.00.

With that money, we were able to sponsor five children, ranging in age from 3 to 13 years. Not only did we purchase the gift they requested, but each child also received two additional presents. Because of you, five area children had a merrier Christmas, and five families experienced the joy of knowing that caring strangers took the time to reach out to them in this season of love. Heaven only knows what seeds we may have planted.

Thank yous must also go out to the BYF for donating their time during this hectic season to help wrap all the gifts. Their assistance made our job much easier. They are a wonderful group of young people.

What a blessing for me, to be a part of such a glorious extended family. Whatever the need, whatever the cause, you are there, selflessly giving of your time and talents. You are shining examples of God's perfect love. May you be richly blessed for your faithfulness.

Love,
Kim Douglas

MISSIONS

The Mission Board is sponsoring a Potluck Supper at 5 pm on February 5, 2006. The guest speaker will be Galen Lander of the Gideons.

Winter Camps at China Lake

Juniors (Grades 4-6) Feb. 10-12, 2006

Middle School (Grades 6-8) Feb. 17-19, 2006

High School (Grades 9-12) Feb. 24-26

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!

Happy New Year and welcome back to the regular schedule at First Baptist Church.

Sunday School begins again on Jan. 8 with Assembly at 9 am. Classes for all ages.

Our Worship service begins at 10:15 followed by coffee fellowship.

All choirs will begin regular rehearsals again:

Youth Choir—Sundays at 11:30 am
Bell Choir—Mondays at 7 pm
Jr. Choir—Wednesdays at 6:15 pm
Sr. Choir—Wednesdays at 7 pm

For all boards and committees, please check the Sunday bulletin or church website for times and dates.

What else can you find on the website? Upcoming events, Maine Headlines, New York Times Headlines, FBC Information, the Messenger Online, music, and pictures. Plus an updated calendar to see when everything is happening!!

New Year!
New Life!
New Excitement!
Join In!!

Looking ahead: We’d like to plan a BYF Reunion for all FBC folks who have been part of our Baptist Youth Fellowship programs here. We are planning a Homecoming weekend, the weekend of Rally Day, 2006, which will be the weekend after Labor Day. If you have the names and addresses of people who should be invited, or if you would like to assist in the planning of this fun event, please contact Hannah Tapley.

Newsletter Contacts: Any submissions for the newsletter may be delivered to the church office or any member of the Publicity Committee: John Cheney, Pam Levesque or Ned Salinas or emailed to newsletter@fbcbangor.org. The deadline for the February Issue is Sun., Jan. 22.