Pastor's Quarterly Report - January 2013

Pastor’s Report – January 2013

So far our winter weather has been relatively mild and the fellowship at Boothbay Baptist Church has continued to be warm! The Advent season was another opportunity to reflect on the gift of the Son and also a call to reaffirm our focus on Him.  We want to make much of Jesus! In December we had a joint Christmas Eve with Boothbay Region Community Fellowship, an excellent Christmas play entitled “One Bethlehem Night,” and a great New Year’s Eve service, as we read through the entire book of Revelation, sang songs of praise (led by Fay Christy), and had a time of fellowship together.  The reading and hearing of the Book of Revelation is a powerful experience, and specifically promises to be a blessing to those who participate.  Revelation 1:3 says   “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” As the time draws nearer still, I hope to make it a practice to invite our church to join together on New Year’s Eve for this experience.  In January I resumed my preaching series in John’s Gospel.  It is my hope and prayer that this study is drawing us into a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I’ve been posting the text of my studies (but not a word for word transcript of the Sunday messages!) on our blog, the “Pastor’s Corner,” which can be read online at www.boothbaybaptist.blogspot.com  .  Discussion of the study questions included in the bulletin each week is especially invited!

I’ve continued to be available for counseling for couples and individuals as needed. On Wednesday mornings we also have a devotional and prayer time (along with coffee!) for men at 6:30 AM. On Wednesday Evenings we have a devotional study (currently working through the Book of Psalms) and prayer time at 6:30 PM.  Thursday night we have a small group meeting at the parsonage at 6:30 PM. Our starting point for discussion has been the study questions included in the bulletin each week with the sermon outline.  Your presence at any of these meetings would be welcome!

         One area of focus for the next quarter and beyond will be an exciting process called “Ministry Mapping.” We’ve all had the experience of trying to plot our course from our current location to some desired destination, be it in a shopping mall or on a highway. We need to understand where we are before we can effectively plan the best route to where we would like to go.  Randy Keeley and his team at CBMissionNorthEast will be helping us in the process of reorientation as we take a careful look in the mirror over the coming weeks, and then they will come alongside us as we seek to sharpen our focus on the future. We covet your prayers and participation through this entire “Ministry Mapping” process. We want God’s will to be done in our lives and in our church as we look ahead. What a privilege it is to be part of God’s family and to be included in His mission!

Your Co-workers in Christ,

Pastor Steve and Mary Ann