From The Pastor’s Desk:
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.” 1John 2:20 NIV
The greatest need in the church today is to take to heart 1 John 2:20. That is to say that the greatest need, and one of deepest importance for the church today, is for the continual manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit. Notice I didn’t say the greatest need is for a theological theory about the Holy Spirit, or just an intellectual understanding of the Holy Spirit, but I maintain the greatest need for the church today is to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit. That has to do with experience not words.
Beginning this month and continuing into the Sunday after Easter, we will begin thinking about and studying what the Bible has to say about the Holy Spirit for the believer and for the church.
John was writing to the church and warning them of false teachers and he reminded them that they had received “an anointing.” They had received it, not that they would be anointed by the Holy Spirit; they already had the anointing! Had they forgotten that? Had they ignored that fact? Were they succumbing to the ways and words of the false teachers because they had ignored the Holy Spirit?
Here, my friends, is a direct warning for the church today; an alarm for you and I of Cambridge Baptist Church. Is the anointing of the Holy Spirit present in our lives? Are we seeing the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit in our midst? How would we know? What are the distinguishing marks of the movement of the Spirit? Are we moving under the power of the Spirit or struggling ahead solely on our own power? If so, we are not being filled with the power that God has given to us.
And so, for the next several weeks we will be looking at the Holy Spirit; how He was promised; how He came to the church, and how we all can have a Spirit-filled life. Please pray for me as I prepare these messages, but, more importantly, pray for our church and for your own experience that we will regain the filling of this wonderful presence of God in our lives.
Pastor Jay
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, March 14, 2010, 2:00 a.m. – Daylight Savings Time Begins. Set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, March 13.
Friday, March 19, 2010, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Table Fellowship 2010 Dessert and Coffee Social at
Cambridge Baptist Church.
Saturday, March 27, 2010, 10:00 a.m. – Cambridge Kids Event: Explore Passover and Easter Egg
Hunt.
CAMBRIDGE ELDERBERRIES
“Elderberries” Monthly Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March12th @ 12:00 noon at church in
the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a Pot Luck Dish large enough to serve 6 to 8 people. Beverages
will be provided by the luncheon team. We encourage you to bring a friend, neighbor or relative to
join us. If you are planning to attend, contact either Rita Gregory or the church office @ 740-4084
by Wednesday, March 10th.
CAMBRIDGE FAMILY NIGHT MINISTRY
“Wednesday Night Fellowship & Dinner” menu selections for the following weeks during the
month of March:
March 3 - Pancake Dinner
March 10 - Pot Luck Dinner
March 17- Brunswick Stew (Hot Dogs for Kids) & Salad Bar
March 24 - Pot Luck Dinner
March 31 - Easter Family Dinner with Ham
Reservations are preferred each week by filling out a reservation form located in the church bulletin on the tear off section and placing it into the offering plate on Sundays or calling the church office by 12:00 noon on Tuesdays. The cost for a meal remains $2.00 per child ages 4 thru 11, $4.00 per person ages 12 & up and $10.00 maximum per family household.
We invite each of you to come and bring a friend, neighbor or relative to have dinner and enjoy the fellowship time on Wednesday nights.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
EXPLORE PASSOVER / EASTER EGG HUNT: On March 27 from 10:00 - 11:30 come explore Passover, and learn why and how Jesus would have celebrated this important Jewish holiday. Then we will have our own fun and exciting traditional Easter Egg Hunt! No children's function would be complete without a snack and we're planning CAKE (yes, before lunch)! Come have fun with us!
VBS - HIGH SEAS EXPEDITION: VBS is June 21-25 this year. We aren't sure if it is going to be a morning or evening program yet - stay tuned and please be in prayer for this important ministry. This year’s Vacation Bible School theme is High Seas Expedition. The main Bible points are: God’s Word is true, God’s Word is comforting, God’s Word is surprising, God’s Word is life-changing, and God’s Word is for everyone. Please also pray about how you might be involved. The Children’s Ministry Team is really looking forward to bringing this program to the children and we will need your help. Please see Kelley McLean or Sylvia Hobgood to "get on board"!
CAMBRIDGE KID'S BULLETINS: The bulletins are here and in new canvas bags that include pencils, crayons, and sometimes a surprise. The bags and their contents need to remain in the sanctuary, please. The bulletins can go home with you or the kids may leave the picture to be displayed on the bulletin board outside of the fellowship hall. If you and your child have taken advantage of this new opportunity, please let Kelley McLean know how they are being received. Since this is new for everyone, we view the bulletins as a work in progress.
Pastor Jay and the Children's Ministry Team would like to encourage the kids in 4th grade and older to stay in church for the entire service. It is our hope that these new bulletins will make that easier and more enjoyable! The Lord tells us in Deuteronomy 31:12: Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. And, Matthew 11:25 tells us: At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Of course the children are always welcome in Children's Church but it is our hope that the older group will enjoy praising the Lord with us in the sanctuary. Please let either Kelley McLean or Pastor Jay know if you have any questions or concerns.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: The Children's Ministry team and the Pastor are proposing a small change in the order of worship to allow our children to be with us a little longer before being released to Children's Church! The change moves the Children's Message to just after the offertory allowing the children the opportunity to worship with us for longer and to place their envelope in the plate if they have an offering to give. Then the kids up to 4th grade will be excused for Children's Church. We would like to encourage the older children to stay in church to worship with us. Please let either Kelley McLean or Pastor Jay know if you have any concerns or questions.
TAKE A LOOK: The bulletin board outside of the fellowship hall has been dedicated to all things children! You will find birthday honorees (many of the pictures were taken by our own Bill Bangham - Thank you Bill), upcoming events, art created by your children, and pictures of your kids at play! Check it out.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Beginning Wednesday, March 3rd the children’s choir under the leadership of Carolyn
Graham will be Getting Back to the Basics!
During a portion of Team Kid each Wednesday the children will learn some favorite children’s Bible songs: The B I B L E, I Have the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart, This Little Light of Mine and many more.
Please join us even if you don’t normally attend TeamKid.
DEACONS
This year, the Deacon's Benevolence Fund has been taken out of the budget as a line item in order to help keep our budget down. The Deacon's Benevolence Fund was established to be able to assist those in financial need in our church and our community. Especially in these economic times, people are struggling and the church has been contacted on several occasions for help. Our first response is to refer people to programs that are set up for this purpose (ISH, Social Services) but, as you can imagine, they are overwhelmed by requests.
The balance in the Benevolence Fund is low, as you can see on the latest budget. Therefore, the Deacons are asking for your help in raising these funds. In the near future, you will be seeing some opportunities in which you can participate. Keep your eyes open for these opportunities and take part. We will keep it as easy and enjoyable as possible. Thank you in advance.
THE FLOWER TEAM
The Flower Team would like to remind you that Easter Sunday is April 4 this year. You may add to the beauty of our Easter worship by purchasing an Easter Lily to be placed in our sanctuary. The lilies cost $12.50. To order a Lily, please fill out the form in the Sunday bulletin that is available from now until Sunday, March 21st and place it along with your check or cash in the offering plate. Mary will be ordering the lilies on Monday morning, March 22nd. If you have any questions, contact Mary in the Church Office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 740-4084.
HOSPITALITY
Table Fellowship 2010
Dessert and Coffee Social
Are there faces in the congregation that you don’t know? Are there members that you would like to meet? Join us on Friday, March 19, 2010 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall for Dessert and Coffee to learn more about this fun and easy way to get to know other members of Cambridge
The Tables meet once a month for 3 months (April, May and June) and rotate so you have a chance to have dinner with at least 9 other couples in a relaxed, informal atmosphere and find out what you have in common with “your Cambridge family”. Remember, the object is to get to know other Cambridge members, not how straight your home is! Fellowship, friendship, and food are the keys to an enjoyable evening – not spotless floors, matching dishes, or gourmet dinners. Call the church office at 740-4084, or email office@cambridgebaptistchurch.org, to rsvp today!
MEN’S MINISTRY
Don’t forget the Men’s Ministry Monthly Luncheons: The Men’s Ministry Lunch Groups will meet as follows for the month of March. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend.
Midtown Men’s Lunch Group will meet at the Willow Lawn Jason’s Deli, 1700 Willow Lawn Drive at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, March 15.
Downtown Men’s Lunch Group will meet on at Capital Ale House, 623 E. Main Street on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
Romeo Lunch Group meets the last Thursday of the month at 12:00 p.m. at a rotating location.
This month they will meet on Thursday, March 25 at Tony’s on Cox & Three Chopt (cycle is Daily Grind/Tony’s/Captain D’s). Contact George Fleshman with any questions.
Men’s Ministry Team
Craig Harver Paul Harvey John McKenzie Jason Owen Pete Shamburger
CAMBRIDGE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
While we've all wanted to snuggle into our heated homes during all the snow of the past month, Cambridge has continued to reach out in our community.
The Elderberries have collected blankets and coats for the homeless in Richmond, such a timely and urgent need.
The Men's Ministry went out in the ice and snow and shoveled walks and driveways for some of
our members. This was a real blessing to those who physically can't do that heavy work.
There are so many ministries available in our area; if your team is interested in getting involved please contact Kandra for a list of opportunities.
CARITAS
CARITAS (Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter) is the largest emergency shelter program in our community. They are helping to ensure shelter for everyone in our community, no matter why they need it and help them become self-sufficient during their stay. Churches volunteer to house and feed the families for a week at a time.
Our week is July 24, 2010 thru July 31, 2010. Anyone interested in serving on the Cambridge CARITAS Team, please contact Janet Sheriff.
This is a very fulfilling ministry and hopefully your heart will lead you to volunteer during
our week of service.
CARITAS FURNITURE AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS DONATIONS
It has been brought to my attention that some churches hosting CARITAS families have PODS for collecting donations and will give us permission to drop off these items. I will be happy to coordinate this. If you have items that you wish to donate, call me and I will find a nearby church that would be happy to accept your items. You would have to deliver the items but it is much closer (and safer) than their warehouse on Commerce Street. They do not accept clothing. Call Janet Sheriff at least a week in advance.
LEXINGTON COURT MINISTRY
The Lexington Court Ministry Team greatly appreciates the help we’ve been getting from Sunday School class volunteers. Thanks to the Kouzina Class for their help with the birthday party in February. The McLean/Bangham Class will be volunteering on Sunday, March 28th at 2:00 p.m.
Rita Gregory, Team Leader of Nursing Home Ministry
PERU MISSION TRIPS
It is now time to start planning for the 2010 Trips to Peru. Cambridge is now planning to lead three of these trips. A brief recap of each of these trips is given below.
PERU TRIP APRIL 3 THRU 12
The trip to Peru in April will be on April 3 thru April 12. This is when our public schools will be closed with the exception of Monday, April 12th. We now know of five people who will probably be going. This will be a trip of helping the prayer groups there and working in the public schools. This will not be the rainy season in Peru. Please let me know if you have an interest in going. Even if you cannot go, please be in prayer for this effort and if you see can, give donations to our Peru Fund so that others may go and serve. Thanks! George W. Fleshman
November 13-21, 2010 This trip will be a medical emphasis trip. We plan to have one dentist and one doctor on this trip. The dentist will be extracting teeth and the doctor will go into the elementary schools to conduct preliminary medical screenings of the students. A support staff of one or two will be required for each of the doctors.
Please be praying for any members who have been to Peru before to be willing to take on a logistics coordinator role. This person will be basically in charge of paying the bills. Of course, plane tickets and insurance would be purchased prior to leaving on the trip. I will be responsible for developing the budget and arranging for transportation and drivers. Our Missions Committee will budget some funds for these trips but each member will be required to provide their own expenses after the first $600. It is estimated that the total trip costs will range between $1200 and $1500. Perhaps some of you who cannot actually go to Peru would be willing to provide gifts to the Peru Fund that would enable someone else to go. Should you need a new passport or need an updated passport, don’t wait to get the process started. The entire process needs to be bathed in prayer, please be a prayer partner
If you have comments or questions, please contact George Fleshman. Parents, this will be a great opportunity to take your child on a mission trip so that missions can be seen in action.
George Fleshman, Cambridge Baptist Church Missions Committee, International Missions Coordinator
OFF CAMPUS SMALL GROUP
The Off Campus Small Group will still meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Danny and Wanda Journey. The following are the dates for the next two months.
March 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
STEWARDSHIP
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WOMEN’S MINISTRY
The Women’s Ministry is sponsoring a series of cooking classes for the next couple of months as an extension of their outreach for Christian fellowship at Cambridge. We are hoping that this program will reach some of our visitors as well as Cambridge Men, Women and their friends. The first class is scheduled for Thursday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m.
In this class we will be making desserts and each person attending the class will take a dessert home to his or her family. After the class, we will enjoy a candlelight dinner.
If you are interested in participating, please contact me as soon as possible. We can only handle twelve cooks, “rubbing elbows in the kitchen,” at the same time. I know you will be glad you attended. Libby Benton
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS
Youth/Young Adult Pastor’s Report
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim 4:12-13 NIV)
In addition to Sunday school & Wed Night Bible study, recent & future activities include:
D Now - We recently concluded what may have been our most successful Disciple Now! weekend ever. We had just under 40 kids attending and at least a dozen accepted or recommitted their life to Jesus Christ. In addition, our young adults led worship, mentored, had devotions in homes and preached the Gospel.
Fast Start - Although Baptists don’t traditionally observe Lent, several of our youth & young adults are participating in “Fast Start” – a personal ‘fast’ from something that they often indulge in (fast food, sweets, Facebook, video games, etc.). During the 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, our youth and young adults are encouraged to spend daily time studying God’s word, serving and praying. We are also looking at having a Break-Fast celebration.
NBA – We continue our monthly ‘Not Bread Alone’ ministry – a partnership with Faith & Family Church, a predominantly African American congregation on southside. Purpose as originally set up by Faith & Family Pastor Calvin Duncan and Pastor Win is to both serve as the hands & feet of Christ and promote racial unity under one body of Christ.
World Changers Mission Trip - Youth are encouraged to be part of the World Changers mission trip scheduled Sunday to Wednesday over Spring Break (April 4 – 7) in Charleston, SC. Many folks may not have time, money or feel comfortable traveling to Peru so this is an additional opportunity to serve in the mission field.
Ultimate Frisbee Championship & Worship - Defending “Spirit Champions’ CBC Youth will be participating in Spring Ultimate Frisbee tournament & worship event with 4 other churches. More details as that materializes.
Summer Events - include camp at Headwater’s Lodge in July and to continue our “JC at the DG” separate youth & young adult Bible study. Check www.cambridgebaptistchurch.org calendar and text or e-mail Pastor to Youth & Young Adults Win Davis for more information and details.
PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY IN CHRIST
Please be in prayer for the following Cambridge Family members and let them know you care by contacting them in whatever way you feel appropriate: Florence Walters, Shirley Patterson, Patsy Ballance, Georgia Morgan, Margaret Blanton, Lily Owens, Janet Sheriff, Cassidy Turner, Craig Mattice, Ham Mitchell, Anne Oxford and our Shut-ins.
Also please keep in your prayers: Corby Bailey, mother of Collin who is a friend of Dakota McKenzie; Paula Fleshman; Theresa Goodwin’s Mother, Lee Giblin; Jared & Mandi Hodges, Son and Daughter-in-law of Al & Karen Hodges; Brian Smith, Son of Pastor Jay & Helen Smith; Price McLean’s Father and Mother; Lt. Nickolas Dalton (Mary’s son); our Armed Services; and Haiti.
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
Dear Cambridge Family,
Sincere thanks to each member of the “snow crew” on Sunday, February 7. Such a nice gathering of Christians getting together to help Christian brothers and sisters in this extraordinary winter. I know each of the recipients of your love-in-action are deeply grateful. Peggy Jack
