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PHYSICAL ADDRESS

13 Hermit Thrush Drive

Buxton, Maine 04093

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 424

Bar Mills, Maine 04004

(207) 929-3535

www.barmillscommunitychurch.org

PASTOR’S COLUMN:

“…I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.”

Acts 26:19 So the cat is out of the bag: I have announced that I plan to retire at the end of August this year. Some folks, perhaps, still haven’t heard. Others assume I’m already gone. But I couldn’t help but notice that as soon as the announcement was made public, the stock market went into a nosedive. Coincidence? Hmmm… It is a strange place in which I find myself: looking back with nostalgia at forty-plus years in ministry, looking forward with some anxiety toward the effectual date and what lies beyond, but also committed to being here and now, as will be the case for several more months. In whichever temporal direction I look, I resonate to the above-cited words from the Apostle Paul. As best we can determine, he had a vision of the Lord Jesus on the Damascus Road in about the year 36. His death occurred around the year 67. In between was his missionary life, which we find described in the Book of Acts, and which we can understand from his many New Testament letters. As he nears the end, he testifies at his trial before King Agrippa. He recounts his entire career, and says, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven,” which would be his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road. In looking back, Paul could claim consistency and integrity throughout his ministry. He began as an apologist: arguing and debating with traditional Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. He later became an evangelist, traveling the world and planting churches. Finally, he seems to have become more pastoral, mentoring young Timothy, visiting and encouraging the churches he had planted, providing counsel, guidance and correction where needed. Through it all, his vision never changed. I believe I can say the same about mine. My original call to ministry put me on a life- and career-changing path which, like Paul’s, has seen many ups and downs, course corrections and adjustments, changes and adaptations. The church today is not the church in which I began! At the outset, the church was more institutional. The pastor was more like a business manager, overseeing programs and ministries which were almost exclusively internally-focused. “Missions” was something we did overseas, mostly by supporting those who served. Over the years, the church became more incarnational and inspirational. Don’t worry: there will be a sermon at some point to explain all this. But while the form is continually evolving, the content – the vision – must remain intact. I don’t mean just since I started in ministry: I mean since Jesus first commissioned His disciples and established His church. When I began, Leslie Brandt’s paraphrases of the Psalms was a popular resource. He begins Psalm 62: “As for me, my heart waits on God. I know that my salvation comes from Him. I may change my views about many things; but in respect to my need for God and His love, that is one conviction which shall never change.”

I hope that is as true for you as it is for me. Following faithfully, Pastor Malcolm Hall

MARCH WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS:

3/4: THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT * COMMUNION SUNDAY Scripture: John 8:2-11 Meditation: “A Stone’s Throw Away” This is the familiar story of “the woman caught in adultery.” The men had formed a circle around her, intending to stone her to death, according to their law. Today, it sometimes seems we are seeing the same scenario, with the genders reversed. But Jesus is still in the circle, and that makes all the difference. 3/11: FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Meditation: “Virtual or Vital?” Everyone today is constantly or continually connected to or through social media. So why are we seeing such an increase in feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression? Note: our “Messiah in the Passover” dinner program will be tonight at 6:00. 3/18: FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Scripture: John 7:1-9 Meditation: “The Lust Hurrah” Timing is everything. Jesus’ disciples wanted him to go to the “big stage” in Jerusalem so more people could see and benefit from his miracles and teachings. But his time had not yet come. How good are we at delaying our hopes and dreams until the time is right? 3/25: PALM SUNDAY Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-10 Meditation: “Kings vs. Colts” There has always been some confusion about this prophecy. How many donkeys are involved? If Palm Sunday fulfills this prophecy, how important is it to get that right? Inquiring minds want to know…but do they need to know?

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Maundy (Holy) Thursday Service Thursday, March 29, 2018 @ 7:00 pm Service of Communion Shared with Buxton Centre Baptist Church

Bar Mills Community Church 13 Hermit Thrush Drive, Buxton, ME 04093

Good Friday Service Friday, March 30, 2018 @ 7:00 pm Buxton United Methodist Church 276 Chicopee Rd, Buxton, ME 04093

Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, April 1, 2018 @ 6:15 am Please join us for breakfast after the service Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 80 Pleasant Hill Rd., Hollis, ME 04042 Easter Sunday Service Sunday, April 1, 2018 @ 10:00 am Bar Mills Community Church 13 Hermit Thrush Drive, Buxton, ME 04093

Early Church History

The evolution of what is now the Bar Mills Community Church began in December of 1839 when the Town of Buxton voted to allow the Methodist Society to construct a meeting house on the eastern corner of the Town Farm Road. The sanctuary was built in 1840 not much more is known except that in 1868 the building was sold to the Free Baptist Society which was organized by only nine members. In 1872 this building was moved to a lot on the Salmon Falls Road in Bar Mills. The organization bought the lot for $75.00 from a gentleman by the name of William Smith. That location was near the home of Nathan Milliken, he was a deacon of the church for 39 years. His image is memorialized in one of the stained glass windows that is preserved in our current sanctuary on Hermit Thrush Drive in Buxton. In 1913 the church became incorporated and was renamed the South Buxton Free Baptist Church. The Rev. Lewis Witham was the first minister of the church and he served as pastor for six years. Over the years the present Bar Mills Community Church has shared ministers and associations with several of the neighboring churches. Bar Mills and the Hollis Center Baptist Church were affiliated in this way from 1928 to 1943. From 1944 to 1995 Bar Mills and the Tory Hill church shared ministries which extended to a three way association with North Congregational Church in Groveville from 1959 to 1973.

Bar Mills Baptist Church 1858

Choir Members Wanted

In case you haven’t noticed over the past few months our choir has been getting smaller and smaller. We would love to have more voices to join us to sing and praise the Lord! You don’t need to auditon just come to choir practice on Thursday nights at 6:00 pm at the church. It doesn’t matter if you have never sang before or you if you just like to sing in your car our music director will help bring out the best in you.

Stained glass window purchased in 1942 now overlooks the sanctuary in our current lactation.

Women’s Fellowship Circle

A collective group of women joined together to uplift, enhance, and make a difference in the lives of others and the community.

The Women’s Fellowship Circle met Sunday, February 5th (the group meets every other month). Most meetings are held at a member’s home but this month the group invited special guests from the Jewish Messianic Church to share their faith and customs so we needed a larger gathering place. Before the demonstration got started a healthy buffet meal was served and a short business meeting was held and then the speakers shared their heartfelt overview of their faith. As part of their demonstration they taught the group several dance steps that are performed during their weekly worship service. It was an eye opening evening learning more about our Jewish sisters’ faith and we also enjoyed getting up and dancing.

April’s meeting will be held at Jane Gerrish’s new home in Kennebunk.

Ministerial List

We recognize and thank all those who have served our God and church over the years.

Rev. Lewis Witham 1868-1874

Rev. William T. Smith 1874-1876

Rev. N.S. Brooks 1876-1882

Rev. Perkins Smith 1882-1884

Rev. B.D. Newell 1884-1886

Rev. A.H. Milliken 1886-1889

Rev. John Pettingill 1889-?

Rev. A.G. Hill Unknown

Rev. H.H. Hathaway Unknown

Rev. Lewis Witham 1908-1914

Rev. William Leonard 1928

John H. Knight (student) 1929

Rev. Harold C. Ross 1929

Rev. Chauncey J. Stuart 1930-1938

Rev. Sidney Dee 1939

Rev. Ruth Jackson 1940-1943

Rev. Anson Williams 1952-1959

Rev. Russell M. Hartley 1964-1967

Rev. Glenn Swope 1968-1969

Rev. John Harper 1970-1972

Bar Mills Baptist Church

Joint with First Congregational Church and North Congregational Church

Joint with Hollis Center Baptist Church

Joint with First Congregational Church of Buxton

Rev. Kenneth Parker 1974-1979

Rev. Albert McMickle 1980-1987

Rev. C. Danford Carr 1988-1995

Joint with First Congregational Church

Rev. C. Danford Carr 1995-2007

Rev. Phil Gage (Interim)

2007-2008

Rev. Malcolm T. Hall 2008-Present

As the Bar Mills Community Church

The Pastoral Search Committee

During the annual church meeting at the end of January, Pastor Malcolm Hall announced that he will be retiring at the end of August this year. With that announcement the wheels started turning to start the process of finding an interim pastor to fill in while the search for a full time pastor takes place. The task of finding the right person to become our new pastor involves many people and will take more than just a few months to happen. So a pastoral search committee was appointed a couple of weeks ago to begin the process.

Committee Members

Tom Brunelle, Lori Dorey, Sue Dunn, Judy Moody, John Myers, Angela Olszta, Larry Peiffer, Barbie Peterson,

Wanda Rounds, Anna Maria Salvatore, Judy Sjulander.

On Tuesday, February 20th the committee met at the church with American Baptist of Maine (ABCOM) Regional Resource Minister: Rev. Dr. Alfred J. Fletcher. During the meeting he gave us guidance on how to transition from one pastor to the next as well as gave us detailed guidelines to work with as we begin this journey.

Please keep the search committee, our church as well as Malcolm and Sue Hall in prayer as we end one chapter and start a new chapter in our church.

Rev. J. Albert Hammond 1943-1951

Palm Sunday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Matthew 21-22, Mark 11-12, Luke 19-20, John 12

Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem

It was a springtime Sunday in about the year 30 A.D. The holy city of Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims who had come for the annual Passover celebration.

Jesus had spent many months traveling through the towns and villages of Palestine. He preached about the kingdom of God and healed the sick wherever He went. Now the time had come for Him to claim His title as the Messiah - the Savior that God had promised to the Jewish people.

Jesus knew His mission was almost finished. As they traveled to Jerusalem, Jesus warned His disciples that He would soon be put to death, and after three days He would rise again.

As they came near Jerusalem, Jesus told two of His disciples to go into a nearby village and bring a donkey that would be waiting there. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. Crowds of people spread their coats on the ground in front of Him. Some waved branches of palm trees, a sign of victory. The people shouted,

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!

Only a king would be greeted this way (2 Kings 9:13), and the people wanted Jesus to be their king.

Most of the people did not understand what kind of king Jesus would be. They expected their Messiah to be a great political and military leader who would free them from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. But the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom that is now growing in the hearts of people who put their faith and trust in God.

Cleansing the Temple

Jesus went to the temple once He got into Jerusalem, and He didn't like what He saw. This most holy of places had been turned into a marketplace. Merchants were selling animals for temple sacrifices. Money changers were exchanging the pilgrims' money for special coins used in the temple. Many of these people were cheating the pilgrims who came to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem.

Jesus turned over the seats of the merchants and the tables of the money changers, scattering their coins. He told them all to leave. He made a whip of some cords and used it to drive out the animals. He said,

It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations', But you have made it a den of robbers!

Teaching and Healing

Jesus went to the temple every day. Blind people, crippled people and sick people came to Him, and He healed all of them. He told stories and parables to help people understand the kingdom of God and God's love for all people. The crowds of people who came to hear Him were spellbound.

A expert on the Jewish Law asked Jesus which of God's commandments was most important. Jesus replied,

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is just as important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and the teachings of the prophets are based on these two.

Trust in God and Christian love (kindness and respect) for all people are the basis for everything Jesus taught us. These are the things that are really important in life.

Conflict with the Chief Priests and Elders

Not everyone was happy that Jesus was preaching at the temple every day. The chief priests and elders of the temple were angry and upset. The chief priests had given permission for merchants and money changers to use the outer courtyard of the temple, but Jesus had driven them out. They were afraid of a crackdown by Roman authorities because of the large crowds who followed Jesus. Worst of all, the people were putting their hopes and trust in Jesus. The temple officials felt their authority slipping away.

These temple officials came up with a plan to trap Jesus with His own words. They came to Jesus and demanded to know by what authority he was doing all these things. If Jesus said His authority was from God, they would accuse Him of blasphemy. If He did not claim authority from God, they could say He was just a crazy man.

But Jesus knew it was a trap. Instead of answering the question, He asked them another question: "Did the baptism of John come from heaven?" The temple officials realized this was also a trap. If they said "Yes", Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" If they said "No" it would make the people angry because they believed John the Baptist was a prophet. So, they refused to answer.

As usual, Jesus had defeated his opponents at their own game! But the temple officials were even more angry and began to plot to have Jesus killed.

Lessons For the Jews, Jerusalem was the holy City of God. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9-10) and left little doubt that He was accepting the title of Messiah. Jesus was adored by the crowds of people who had come to Jerusalem for Passover.

But there was harsh conflict between Jesus and Jerusalem's religious leaders. They clashed on issues of prayer, holiness, life after death and paying taxes to the Romans. Above all, they clashed on the issue of Jesus' authority from God. These conflicts led to Jesus being crucified less than a week after entering Jerusalem.

Jesus did some of His most important preaching during this final week. He spoke of His second coming and told parables of the kingdom of God. Most of all He said we must put our total trust in God and put that trust into action with kindness for other people.

Questions

What Is Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, is a celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Some churches decorate with palms and distribute palm branches in memory of the greeting Jesus received from the pilgrims as He rode into Jerusalem.

Why Did Jesus Preach and Work His Miracles among the Jews? The people known as Hebrews, Israelites or Jews were God's chosen people. It was God's plan to bring salvation to the Jews first, then to the rest of the world through the Jews. Jesus was born a Jew and remained faithful to Judaism (the Jewish religion) throughout His earthly life. He worked and preached mainly among the Jews of Palestine, which is now the country of Israel.

Christianity began as a small sect of Judaism. It was only after many Gentiles (non-Jews) converted to Christianity that it emerged as a separate religion. God has not revoked His covenant with the Jews (Romans 11:25-29), but His salvation is now available to all people of the world.

What Does Messiah Mean? Messiah comes from a Hebrew word meaning "the anointed one." In Old Testament times, important people like kings and priests were anointed with oil as a sign of their office. For hundreds of years, the Jews had expected God to send them a special king (Daniel 9:25-26, Isaiah 7:14-17, 11:1-9, Micah 5:2). Jesus avoided accepting the title Messiah until the very end because the people were expecting their Messiah to be a military and political leader instead of a spiritual leader. In Greek, the original language of the New Testament, christos means "anointed one", and that is where the word "Christ" comes from.

http://www.christianbiblereference.org/story_PalmSunday.htm

Bible Quiz: The Final Days

1) Jesus told His disciples in advance that He would be killed and raised again on the third day. One disciple

replied, "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" Which one?

Andrew

Thomas

Peter

Philip

2) Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Sunday before Passover in about the year 30 A.D., less than a

week before His crucifixion on the following Friday. How did He enter the city?

Walking with His disciples

Carried on the shoulders of the people

Riding on a camel

Riding on a donkey

3) Who did Jesus drive out of the temple area?

Those buying and selling

The Pharisees

The curious who came just to get a glimpse of Him

The Sadducees

4) Who questioned Jesus' authority as He was teaching in the temple court?

The Pharisees

The chief priests and elders

The Sadducees

The Roman soldiers

5) What did Jesus say when asked if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar?

"You cannot love both God and money."

"It is harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of

a needle."

"No man shall claim what is God's alone."

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

6) Which are the greatest of the commandments, according to Jesus?

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall

have no other gods before me" and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall

have no other gods before me" and "Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy."

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and

"Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy."

7) How much did the chief priests pay Judas to betray Jesus?

Thirty pieces of silver

Thirty pieces of gold

Thirty shekels

Thirty talents

8) Jesus ate the "Last Supper" with His disciples on Thursday evening, the day before He was crucified. What did

Jesus say to His disciples when he broke the bread?

"The hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table."

"This is the new covenant of my body, which is given for you."

"I will not eat this bread again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God."

"This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

9) After eating the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to a place called Gethsemane where Jesus

prayed. There the betrayer, Judas, identified Jesus to a crowd sent by the chief priests. The crowd seized Jesus

and took him before the chief priest who intended to find evidence to put Jesus to death.

How did Judas identify Jesus to the crowd?

He spat in Jesus face.

He kissed Jesus.

He placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.

He pointed to Jesus and said, "There is the traitor."

10) By early Friday morning the chief priests and elders had determined to put Jesus to death. They bound Him,

took Him before Pontius Pilate, and demanded He be killed. What was Pilate's position?

King of Judea

Governor of Judea

Chief Priest of the temple

Emperor of the Roman Empire.

Results for: The Final Days

1. Peter- Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25

2. Riding on a donkey -Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19. John 12:13:

3. Those buying and selling - Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48

4. The chief priests and elders - Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8

5. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." - Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17,

Luke 20:20-26

6. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." - Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark

12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28.

7. Thirty pieces of silver - Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:2-6

8. "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." - Luke 22:19-20

9. He kissed Jesus - Matthew 26:45-59, Mark 14:43-55, Luke 22:45-54

10. Governor of Judea - Matthew 27:1-2, Luke 23:1-2.

ANNIVERSARIES

No anniversaries this month

March 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

6:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal

2

3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10:00 am

Worship Service

& Sunday School

7:00 pm

AA Meeting

6:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm

Garden Club

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

10:00 am

Worship Service

& Sunday School

6:00 pm

Chosen

People

Ministries

Presentation

7:00 pm

AA Meeting

6:30 pm

Council Meeting

11:30 am

Take- Out Lunch

Noon

BMCC Café

6:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

10:00 am

Worship Service

& Sunday School

11:30 am

Search

Committee

7:00 pm

AA Meeting

6:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal

5:00 pm

Free Community

Supper

25

10:00 am

Worship Service

& Sunday School

26

7:00 pm

AA Meeting

27 28 29

7:00 pm

Maundy

Thursday

Service

30

7:00 pm

Good Friday

Service

Will be held at:

Buxton Methodist

Church

31

10:00 am

Worship Service

& Sunday School

7:00 pm

AA Meeting

BIRTHDAYS

March 2nd - Larry Peiffer

March 15th - Angela Olszta

March 26th - Jim Dunn

Sunday, March 11, 2018 -Daylight Savings starts

Turn clocks ahead 1 hour before going to bed

Saturday night

Daylight Savings Starts