April 2015

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Inside:Called | Overseas Opportunities

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What About Our Kids?

Image from Good Friday 2014

The Scroll | April 2015

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What About Our Kids? By Gary Keith, Lead Pastor

Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord.” I don’t believe anyone would argue that thought, right? I also don’t believe anyone would argue that our children are our future – even as cliché as that sounds, it’s true. But with that said I must ask you, “What responsibility do we have as a church when it comes to our kids?”

I think that is an easy one as well. We are to make the kids of LBF a high priority by showing them that they matter. We have a responsibility to love them, to teach them about Jesus, and to model for them a life that points them in the right direction. I know we do that as parents, but as a church family we also have that responsibility to our kids.

So with that as the foundation, I must tell you that we have a wonderfully dedicated core of volunteers who come and love our kids, teach our kids, and model for them a life of following Jesus. BUT...we don’t have enough!

In August of 2013, Laurie Baiz, Director of LIFEkids Children’s Ministry, initiated a new program for our kids on Sunday morning. This program has been a big success. So much so that our attendance in the Children’s Ministry has grown by nearly 20% in just the last few months!

But with all this good news, what we need are more adults who will make the commitment to spend time with our kids on Sunday morning. Our biggest area of need is a small group facilitator. After our kids have worshipped with a live worship band, heard a story, and been involved with an activity, the small group facilitator finishes up the morning by cementing the theme and idea and lesson for the day.

Without these caring and committed people, our kids do not get the care and demonstration that they deserve, and that shows them they are important. Currently, too many times our service directors receive calls on Saturday night with cancellations, leaving them the only option of canceling the class. This is totally unacceptable to me, to this church, or to what it creates for our kids.

Here’s what I’m telling you: WE NEED YOU. We need people to come and care about our kids, to love them, to show them Jesus, to serve wherever the need is, to care more about the kids than your own convenience – WE NEED YOU!

Because our kids are so important, I’m not afraid to be bold with this request. So please do not hesitate to call Laurie and quickly volunteer to love our kids. And, because you are committed, do not accept any excuses, only results!

Contributing Pastors, Directors & Staff

“”

this is

unacceptable

to me, to this

church...

Gary Keith Lead Pastor gary@lbfchurch.com

Dan Franklin Pastor of Teaching danfranklin @lbfchurch.com

Jeff Taylor Pastor of Student Ministries jeff@lbfchurch.com

Mike Cloud Pastor of Care & Visitation mikecloud @lbfchurch.com

Phil Shahbaz Pastor of Community Life phil@lbfchurch.com

Russ Parker Pastor of Administration & Missions russ@lbfchurch.com

Andy Watson Pastor of Worship andywatson @lbfchurch.com

Laurie Baiz Life Kids Children’s Ministry Director laurie @lbfchurch.com

Carol Hawkins Missions Coordinator carol@lbfchurch.com

Lea Lee LIFE Groups Coordinator & Office Projects Support lea@lbfchurch.com

Steve Mylar Director of Business Operations steve@lbfchurch.com

Andrew Bixler Ministry Engagement Coordinator andrew @lbfchurch.com

Carlo Dangelo Director of Jr. High Ministries carlo@lbfchurch.com

Heidi Rogers Graphic Designer heidi@lbfchurch.com

Tira Young Photographer

2426 N. Euclid Ave. Upland, CA 91784 Ph: 909.981.4848 Fax: 909.931.0498 Email: lbfchurch@lbfchurch.com Web: lbfchurch.com FB: facebook.com/lifebiblefellowship Twitter: @LBFChurch

Life Bible Fellowship Church

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April Anniversaries 2 Dick & Maureen Bouma, 40 years 3 Noel & Debbie Norton, 11 years 3 Jack & Louise Olson, 22 years 4 Darcy & Michelle Sulz, 6 years 4 Dave & Beth Vawter, 17 years 5 Darrin & Kim Cooke, 18 years 5 Kevin & Trisha Maust, 18 years 5 John & Lynn Parkes, 41 years 5 Paul & Kelli Seawright, 7 years 6 Dean & Denise Bond, 52 years 6 Adam & Rebecca Hagin, 3 years 6 Phill & Analyia Ramirez, 2 years 7 David & Jayme Butler, 14 years 9 Jeff & Michelle Habell, 4 years 9 Paul & Anne Vyhnalek, 27 years 10 Jim & Kim Caldwell, 5 years 10 Greg & Nola Cannon, 33 years 10 Marc & Heather Nehamen, 16 years

11 Roger & Debra Hauptman, 28 years 12 Lance & Jeannie Nelson, 29 years 13 Manny & Monica Lucero, 19 years 13 Rick & Kathy Potter, 51 years 15 Melio & Alicia Olivares, 43 years 15 Brian & Jackie Wright, 15 years 17 Barry & Kathleen Miller, 33 years 23 Douglas & Lori Lindsey, 4 years 23 Tim & Jennifer Trager, 10 years 25 Gerald & Kim Aguilar, 17 years 25 Aaron & Jenny Hudson, 6 years 25 Michael & Karen Phillips, 7 years 25 Richard & Pam Tapert, 35 years 26 Paul & Kimberely Anton, 12 years 26 Richard & Merci Courtright, 18 years 26 Richard & Patricia Paquette, 42 years 26 Michael & Mary Thomason, 24 years 27 Tim & Linda Ruggio, 24 years 27 Dick & Martha Torres, 14 years 28 Russ & Amy Parker, 14 years

28 Ralph & Esther Pickett, 14 years 29 Frank & Michelle Flint, 20 years 30 Robert & Deanna Gaylor, 21 years

If any anniversary information is not correct, please contact the church office.

In MemoryLoretta Candela August 4, 1922-March 6, 2015 Survived by Robin Crawford, Pat Sayers, and Robert Candela, children

Birth AnnouncementJohn David Young August 13, 2014 – 6 lbs., 14 oz., 20 in. Born to David & Tira Young

Anniversaries & Births to Celebrate, Losses to Mourn Share in the joy of marriage and new life, and reach out to those in grief.

Service Times Sunday @ 8, 9:15 & 10:45 am

Life Kids Children’s Ministry programs available @ all services, except Nursery @ 8 am

Exit 83 Jr. High Sunday @ 9:15 am & Tuesday @ 6:30 pm

Exit 83 High School Sunday @ 9:15 am & Wednesday @ 7 pm

For more info on these programs, plus Life Groups, Bible studies, and upcoming events, visit lbfchurch.com.

LBF reserves the right to use photos and video taken on campus at LBF-related events. Any who do not wish to comply with this policy must notify the church office at (909) 981-4848 or lbfchurch@lbfchurch.com.

Be EncouragedBy Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator

On March 1, Daniel, our missionary serving in northern Israel, came for a visit. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed greatly hearing about his story and ministry.

Daniel was born and raised in Romania and attended seminary there. He began pastoring a church and also planted three others. Then in 2009, he and his family immigrated to Israel. He felt a very strong call from the Lord to go to the Holy Land and serve Him there. He has several ministries that he’s part of, and he is definitely sharing the love of Christ in Nazareth.

Be praying for Daniel as he and his wife start a Bible study for Romanian immigrants in their area. Their goal is to start a church.

Be encouraged – your gifts to LBF help share God’s good news in the Holy Land.

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The Scroll | April 2015

Overseas Options: Teaching, Tutoring, MinisteringBy Carol Hawkins, Missions Coordinator

He Brings the Dead to LifeBy Andy Watson, Pastor of Worship

In our culture we don’t like to talk about sin and evil. We don’t think we have a problem. We justify our lifestyles and choices by comparing them to other people who have done “really bad” things. We view ourselves as being good because we do good things like adopt a puppy, give money to the Red Cross, or give a few bucks to a homeless person. The problem is that with this mindset, we have no need of a savior. But the truth is that we are a broken people who desperately need to be saved from our sin. And that is why Jesus came to this earth – not to make bad people good, but to make the dead come alive.

In Romans 8:5-6 Paul writes, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh

desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” So the two choices we have are death, or life and peace. Which of those sound more appealing to you?

I know in my life I strive for life and peace. There have been seasons when I seek it in earthly things that only satisfy temporarily – things like entertainment, sports, relationships, food, or buying things I think I need. But those things never truly bring the life and peace that Jesus speaks of. As Paul writes in Colossians, we must set our minds on things above and not on things that are on earth.

Many of you have received new life in Jesus by surrendering, confessing sin, and trusting in Him. As we approach Easter, it is a great time to be thinking and praying about who you can invite to one of our Easter services so they can hear that good news about Jesus. One of the things that drew me to LBF was the desire to reach out to people who were not yet believers and to see them find life in Jesus. Easter is a great opportunity for that as we celebrate together what God has done for us. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” He has risen! Hallelujah!

For those of you with a sense of adventure and the desire to serve overseas, there are some options for your consideration and prayer. These three opportunities are in the area of teaching.

The Chiang Rai International Christian School in Chiang Rai, Thailand is having a summer program – teaching and tutoring a classroom or small group of English language learners. The dates are June 30-July 17. The actual teaching time is from 8:30-11:30 a.m., and the afternoons will be spent touring local areas as well as participating in ministry opportunities. You would be joining a small team from Davis, CA.

Also the Chiang Rai International Christian School is looking for credentialed teachers who would come and teach the children of missionaries, Christian workers, and nationals living in northern Thailand. This position would require the teachers to raise support for the year. It’s a great way to be part of the Christian community in that region of the world as you teach the children of workers so they can be doing the work the Lord has called them to.

There is a teaching position available in a rural village in western Kenya. This position would be teaching the children of international workers. There are currently four children,

ages 2-6 years old. This is a home-school setting as well as tutoring children at Kimbilio Hospice. You will need to raise half of your yearly support for expenses, and a guesthouse is available for you to stay in. A bachelor’s degree is required, as well as teacher training in the elementary level. One of the children is Ryan Kiprop, William and Michelle’s son.

All of these opportunities are great ways to serve others and to gain insight into living cross-culturally. I have additional information on all of these options, so please feel free to contact me with your questions. I will also put you in touch with the contact person: carol@lbfchurch.com

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Life Bible Fellowship ChurchLife Bible Fellowship Church

CalledBy Dan Franklin, Pastor of Teaching

As an assistant coach on my son’s baseball team, I have been trying to impress upon the kids their need to take ownership of the team concept. They are not just individuals, aiming to look good. They are individual contributors to a team. Their actions impact one another. If they miss a practice, have a bad attitude, or check out mentally, the entire team suffers. If they hustle to the ball, focus on the fundamentals, and listen to the coaches, the whole team benefits. They are individuals whose every action – whether good or bad – impacts the entire group.

If a baseball player has three home runs, but his team loses, he shares in that loss, even though he himself played well. If a player strikes out three times, but his team wins, he shares in that win, even though he himself played poorly. Players take ownership of the team’s successes and failures. Their biggest concern ought not to be their own batting average, but instead the team’s record.

As Christians, in the United States, in the 21st Century, it is easy to think only of our individual relationship with Jesus. We can see our church simply as a dispenser of religious goods and services. We involve ourselves in church in order to gain access to products like knowledge, practical wisdom, worshipful experiences, inner peace, and family harmony. We often think very little of how the team is doing. We think only of our own successes and failures.

In Scripture we are invited to see the church as a body. The Apostle Paul promotes the team concept when he says in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” In other words, every spiritual gift and advantage that God has given you is meant to benefit the entire group, and not just the individual. Then, after encouraging each member of the church to use their gifts to benefit the whole, he says in verse 26, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” Our destinies are bound together.

Believers are not simply individuals who are called to live a holy and meaningful life. Believers are individuals who are called out of isolation and to God’s people. A huge component of the salvation that Jesus brings, is that it brings us peace, both with God and also with other believers. We are not called simply to focus on our own personal growth (our batting average). We are also called to the growth and harmony of the church (the team).

Here is an important question: Are you aware of your church’s win-loss record? Do you take ownership of your church’s successes and failures? Are you concerned only with your own needs and desires, or do you recognize that your life is bound up with the body of Christ as a whole?

I want to challenge you to think of yourself as someone who is called, because that is precisely the case. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are called to His people. You are called to use your gifts to benefit the body of Christ. If the body is suffering in any way, then you are suffering, and you are called to take ownership of that.

So, if you are a part of Life Bible Fellowship Church, what part are you playing? What is your calling, and how can you step into it?

The Scroll | April 2015

April 1 Hosea 1 April 2 Hosea 2 April 3 Hosea 3 April 4 Hosea 4 April 5 Hosea 5 April 6 Hosea 6 April 7 Hosea 7 April 8 Hosea 8 April 9 Hosea 9 April 10 Hosea 10 April 11 Hosea 11 April 12 Hosea 12 April 13 Hosea 13

April 14 Hosea 14 April 15 Joel 1 April 16 Joel 2 April 17 Joel 3 April 18 Amos 1 April 19 Amos 2 April 20 Amos 3 April 21 Amos 4 April 22 Amos 5 April 23 Amos 6 April 24 Amos 7 April 25 Amos 8 April 26 Amos 9 April 27 Obadiah April 28 Jonah 1 April 29 Jonah 2 April 30 Jonah 3 MAy 1 Jonah 4 MAy 2 Day Off MAy 3 Micah 1 MAy 4 Micah 2 MAy 5 Micah 3 MAy 6 Micah 4 MAy 7 Micah 5 MAy 8 Micah 6 MAy 9 Micah 7

MAy 10 Nahum 1 MAy 11 Nahum 2 MAy 12 Nahum 3 MAy 13 Habakkuk 1 MAy 14 Habakkuk 2 MAy 15 Habakkuk 3 MAy 16 Zephaniah 1 MAy 17 Zephaniah 2 MAy 18 Zephaniah 3 MAy 19 Haggai 1 MAy 20 Haggai 2 MAy 21 Zechariah 1 MAy 22 Zechariah 2 MAy 23 Zechariah 3 MAy 24 Zechariah 4 MAy 25 Zechariah 5 MAy 26 Zechariah 6 MAy 27 Zechariah 7 MAy 28 Zechariah 8 MAy 29 Zechariah 9 MAy 30 Zechariah 10 MAy 31 Zechariah 11 June 1 Zechariah 12 June 2 Zechariah 13 June 3 Zechariah 14 June 4 Malachi 1

June 5 Malachi 2 June 6 Malachi 3 June 7 Malachi 4 June 8 Day Off June 9 Revelation 1 June 10 Revelation 2 June 11 Revelation 3 June 12 Revelation 4 June 13 Revelation 5 June 14 Revelation 6 June 15 Revelation 7 June 16 Revelation 8 June 17 Revelation 9 June 18 Revelation 10 June 19 Revelation 11 June 20 Revelation 12 June 21 Revelation 13 June 22 Revelation 14 June 23 Revelation 15 June 24 Revelation 16 June 25 Revelation 17 June 26 Revelation 18 June 27 Revelation 19 June 28 Revelation 20 June 29 Revelation 21 June 30 Revelation 22

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Life Bible Fellowship ChurchLife Bible Fellowship Church

Giving UpdateFiscal Year July 14-June 15 Total Budget: $1,800,000

Budget Goal Giving Received Over/Under January $135,051 $91,533 $(43,518) February $120,750 $126,039 $5,289

Year to Date $1,202,856 $1,158,860 $(43,995)

Debt Reduction Fund Giving Received January $1,580 February $2,681 Year to Date $20,151

* Online giving is available at lbfchurch.com

* Offering boxes are mounted on walls by exit doors.

Give now!

An Attitude That Praises Him: A Snapshot of 1st PeterBy Phil Shahbaz, Pastor of Community Life

The purpose of 1st Peter is to encourage and testify to God’s grace that we might stand firm. The big idea? Hope in difficult times.That is what we learned as a result of our study in the Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study (Teacher: Jerry Adams).

The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study is a collection of men from all walks of life. Some of us are married with little kids, some with teenage kids, some with adult kids. Some of us are divorced, some of us are unmarried. Some of us have jobs, some don’t. We are all very different, with the exception of one consistent theme: In one way or another, we all suffer.

The apostle Peter wrote his small, five-chapter book in response to persecution by the Roman Empire against the early Christians. At first, Christianity was tolerated by the Roman Empire. But gradually, the government turned against Christians, resenting their vision of another Kingdom and their unwillingness to worship idols and participate in the decadence of the time. Specifically, Nero was using these early Christians as a scapegoat for many of the problems within the empire. If this sounds like a familiar story, it should. The Armenian Genocide and Hitler’s extermination of the Jews during World War II are just two 20th Century examples that call back to the plight of early Christians under Nero’s rule.

As a result, Peter wrote his letter to give a clear response to the meaning behind the suffering of his people. Should they flee or resist? Should they give up? Why is God allowing their suffering? Does God care?

Early Christians were asking many of the same questions we ask today. That’s what makes the book of

1st Peter so profoundly relatable and applicable. Regardless of our station in life, we still suffer and experience pain. He reminds us that we can have hope – a “living hope” – in the One who has conquered death: Jesus Christ.

Christ suffered physically and was free from sin. If we can reflect Him by putting away evil desires in exchange for the will of God, just as He did, we can stand firm as others persecute us, with the full knowledge that each one of us will have to give an account to God, who is the final judge.

If you are struggling right now, read 1st Peter. His letter was written to encourage and testify to God’s grace, that you and I might stand firm and have hope during difficult times.

In addition, don’t suffer alone. The enemy wants to isolate us and keep us away from those who would encourage us and point us toward the hope we have in Christ. Surround yourself with people that will hold you up.

The Men’s Ministry at LBF hosts four different Men’s LIFEgroups: Wednesday morning at Molly Souper in Old Town Upland; Wednesday night in the Worship Center; Thursday morning at Chick-Fil-A; and Thursday night in the Belleview House. Email or Call Pastor Phil at phil@lbfchurch.com or (909) 981-4848 for more info.

Life Bible Fellowship ChurchLife Bible Fellowship Church

Attention Boat OwnersBy Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Student Ministries

In the past, the youth ministry has been part of the Hume Lake SD summer camp ministry at Point Loma. This is a great camp that students have really enjoyed. However, the current cost of the camp is more than we are comfortable charging students and parents. Therefore, we are embarking on a new season of camp that I am really excited about. We are bringing back “Rock The Boat,” June 14-19, 2015.

In 2007 and 2008, the high school ministry at LBF put on its own summer camp at Lake Kaweah: five days of wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing, as well as great times of worship, teaching, and group bonding.

Boat owners, this is where you come in. We are asking you to come up with us on the week of June 14-19 to Three Rivers, California (at the base of the Sequoias) to pull jr. high and high school-aged skiers, wake boarders, and tubers behind their boat. All lodging, food, gas (for boat and car), and boat cleaning is included. All you have to do is pull! (If you would like to be more involved with the camp, that is totally possible too.)

If you are interested in joining us or if you’d like more information, please contact Pastor Jeff Taylor at jeff@lbfchurch.com or (909) 981-4848, ext. 227, ASAP. This is a great opportunity to have fun, use your resources for a Christ-centered purpose, and make a huge difference in the lives of many students.

LBF Youth Go HungryBy Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Student Ministries

From 9 a.m. on February 27 until 3 p.m. on February 28, the students of Exit83 Youth Ministries went without food. This is quite a feat in a culture that has food readily available at any moment. But this was part of World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine project, bringing awareness of needs around the world to our students right here in Upland.

Thirty-one students participated not only in going without food, but in a night of prayer for the needs around the world and right here in our own area, times of worship through music, and journaling about their experience.

On Saturday the students went to Pacific Lifeline, a local shelter for women and children, and helped with many projects around the facility that the staff of Pacific Lifeline had not been able to get to due to the high demand for care of their residents. The students did everything from weeding, to spreading mulch and groundcover, to raking leaves and putting together bunkbeds. It was a great time of teamwork and blessing an organization that provides for such a huge need in our area.

In addition to that two-day event, the students who attended had also been fundraising, and over $5,000 was raised for World Vision’s ministry to fight hunger around the world. Thank you for those of you that prayed for and supported our students!

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The Scroll | April 2015

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Exit83 Volunteer SpotlightBy Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Student Ministries

A crucial part of Exit83 Student Ministries is our volunteer staff. We could not reach into the lives of these young people without committed volunteers willing to give their time and hearts to lead these students to Jesus. This month our Exit83 Staff Spotlight shines on Rachel Kwinn. Rachel is a vibrant college-age volunteer who has been such a wonderful addition to our jr. high staff. She has a unique sensitivity to students and has been such a blessing to everyone she engages with. Here is a bit more about Rachel.

Name: Rachel Kwinn

Which Exit83 youth staff are you part of (Jh or HS), and how long have you been on staff? Junior High staff, 9 months.

What made you seek out the opportunity to work with Exit83 Student Ministries? I have always wanted to work with kids and when I heard about this opportunity from Jeff, I took it.

What is something that surprised you about working with students? That the kids are surprisingly open with their walk of faith and with the struggles that they experience.

What are some of your favorites...? • Food: burritos/Mexican food • Book: The Lucky One • Movie: “She’s the Man” • Song: “Springsteen,” Eric Church • Worship Song: “The Scandal of Grace” • Band/Musician: Lee Brice • Hobby: Napping

What animal would you say your personality is best described as? Penguin because they are said to be intelligent (which I’d like to think I am) and outgoing, yet shy at the same time.

What is your earliest childhood memory? When I was three I buried my mini toy cats into the sand at the beach and lost them all.

What is something that everyone should know about you? I wish I could live only off of Dr. Pepper.

What is one of your defining characteristics? I am determined.

What is the thing in your life you would say is your greatest accomplishment? Being able to live at and attend college.

What is something you still hope to accomplish in your life? I want to graduate college, go to graduate school, and open up a boys’ home.

What is a talent you do not possess that you wish you did? I wish I could play the drums.

What is the best way for someone to encourage you? I like just getting a little gifts and words of encouragement.

What is a favorite quote or Bible verse that has impacted your life? John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

If you are interested in volunteering with our youth,

contact Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Student Ministries,

at jeff@lbfchurch.com or (909) 981-4848, ext. 227.

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