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Rev. Lawrence T. Starr: PastorChurch Office: 665-7331Pastor's Study: 665-4888

October 2012

Fall Greetings!

As usual October is also month. Once again, your mission

committee has planned a promotion that includes video, bulletin inserts, moments with the

children, speakers and super-heroes. (By the way, there’s a new wrinkle in the superhero

situation you don’t want to miss.) What more could you ask for? This year the theme of the

offering is from 1 Samuel 3:10 and focuses on some amazing work that is

being done in Thailand. When you hear about the work, it’s hard not to find yourself asking,

“What can I do?” Your contribution to the offering is the answer to that question. Please

listen with an open heart this month as we think together about Christ’s work and how we are

called to partnership with Him. I know that you will find a blessing in generosity.

Blessings to one and all. Hope to see you soon!

World Mission Offering

“Hear the Call”

Hey, some of you haven’t been back to church this year! We miss you!

October has some special opportunities. Please give these some serious thought.

There’s a flyer enclosed about , a mission conference sponsored by our

state denomination, TABCOM on Oct. 19 - 20. A friend and colleague, Rev. Steve Youd, is

now our state mission guy. I am going this year because I feel quite strongly that our church

should find a mission involvement for those of us who find great meaning in actually being

“hand’s on” in mission. I have no idea where this will lead but know that it’s time to find a

way to “get back on the horse.” I’m going for the day on Saturday and would love it if some

of you came along. Speak to me personally. Help with the cost for the day is available.

The other side of the flyer invites you to participate in the

walk and vigil on Sunday, Oct. 28. For a number of years I have served on the

Board of Directors of MAAV. It’s a great organization. I spoke about this event at the church

picnic, encouraging participation. Renee Kutcheid or I can answer any questions. I hope

you’ll help us form a walk-team from Green Street.

Another opportunity in October is the visit by Linda Cassell (I have been misspelling her

name) to talk about . Currently eight people have signed up which led me to

call Linda and ask her if that number makes it worth her while to come. She was candid;

usually she speaks to larger groups but considering that she is in the area for MissionWorks,

she would still like to come. We both expressed the hope that some others from our church

will decide to attend. This event is on Sunday, Oct. 21 after worship. A luncheon will be

organized by the finance committee.

MissionWorks 2012

Melrose Alliance Against

Violence

Planned Giving

Exactly a year ago in this newsletter I wrote about the possibility of a men’s group at our

church. What a difference a year makes! Thanks to David for great leadership, and by the

way, MOGS is having a very cool program a week from Saturday, organized by Buck, on

geocaching. Do you know what that is? Come and find out.

Finances at a GlanceIncome as of 8/31/12: $83,793.18Expenses: $97,190.71

Church Picnic 2012

The largest group ever, 60 happyfolks gathered a few weeks ago toenjoy the beautiful weather, heatedpool, tasty cookout, game time,monkey time and warm fellowship atthe annul church picnic. It was anexcellent kick-off event for the churchyear.

The vesper service remindedeveryone about their Spiritual Giftsand how sharing talents and skillswith the church makes the ministrystrong and effective for Christ.

Thanks to Christian Ed for organizingsuch a nice event.

Turning the Tables . . .Last spring the Property Committee initiated a big clean-out party. Among the things discarded were allthe old, heavy, broken banquet tables. (Anyone who ever lifted one of those tables is shouting hurray!)But now the church is 19 tables short. Therefore the Trustees invite those inclined to participate in“Turning the Tables” by donating a table - each donation would be $100. Contributions could bemade in memory of a loved one if that feels good. With the Holiday Auction coming fast, the goal is tocomplete this project by Halloween. Checks should include “Turning the Tables” on the memo line. Progress updates will be published during the month ahead. Thanks in advance to those whoparticipate!

1 ThessaloniansThe Wednesday night bible study is getting started. The group will study 1 Thessalonians. All arewelcome (in fact, encouraged) to attend and grow spiritually through a deeper understanding andimmersion in God’s Word. Wednesday at 7:00 in the Parlor. A song and prayer time concludes eachsession.

First Baptist Winchester InvitationBarabara Morash (the fill-in organist when Ann is away) invites the Green Street family to attend aseries of three fund-raising concerts this year at FB Winchester. The first in the series will be on Friday,Oct. 12 at 8:00 PM. ~ “A Night of Terror and Opera Horrors.” Flyers with more detail will be emailedand posted around the church.

Holiday Auction Push is OnThe Holiday Auction ~ November 17 after the Bean Supper is also on the radar screen. A recentmeeting of the Auction Committee put things in motion - thanks to the volunteers who came out for that. For now, the emphasis is on building the list of auction items. Where do the auction items come from,you ask? From YOU, the church family. They include donated items, services, social events, giftcertificates and anything else that might be auctioned off. The sign-up sheet awaits items in thenarthex.

Food Pantry Requests for OctoberPantry of Hope: Peanut Butter, Cranberry Sauce, Olive Oil & Jelly. Servant’s Heart: Cranberry Quick Bread Mix, Black Olives & Gravy.

October 2012

1 2 3

7:00 Bible Study & Prayer

4

7:00 Artwork Comm.

5 6

8:00 MOGS - Speaker on Geocaching

7 World Mission Offering Begins

10:00 Worship & World Wide Communion 12:15 First Cantata Rehearsal

8

Columbus Day

9

7:00 Christian Ed

10

7:00 Bible Study & Prayer

11

6:30 CTNG

12

8:00 Halloween Concertat FB Winchester

13

14

11:00 Worship12:15 Cantata Rehearsal

15

7:00 Diaconate

16 17

7:00 Bible Study & Prayer

18

7:00 Trustees

19 20

8:00 - 3:00 MissionWorksConference

21

11:00 Worship12:15 Cantata Rehearsal12:15 Luncheon with Linda Cassell

22

7:00 Tenant RelationsCommittee

23 24

7:00 Bible Study & Prayer

25 26 27

8:00 Sanctuary Cleaning

28 W.M.O. Wrap Up

11:00 Worship12:15 Cantata Rehearsal4:00 Alliance Against Violence Walk

29 30 31

Happy Halloween!

5:30 Bread of Life

7:00 Bible Study & Prayer

Birthdays03 - Renee Kutcheid 15 - Tara McNeilly05 - Gloria Peters 31 - Lee LaPerche11 - Enid Wolf

Anniversaries02 - Cheryl & Greg Bright 21 - Matt & Renee Kutcheid04 - Bonnie & Ray Freeman 28 - Debbie & Bob McVicar05 - Chris & Alan Downey

Page 5 MESSENGER

saturday, october 20On Saturday, (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), we havea full and exciting program. In the morn-ing, Lisa Harris will address the gatheringon “Children in Poverty,” specifically fo-cusing on impoverished children in theUnited States.

This will be followed by two sessions ofworkshops, where participants canchoose from an array of topics (chosen atthe event itself).

The Saturday afternoon session will fea-ture a keynote by Judy Sutterlin, who willfocus on orphaned children, and on edu-

cational needs of per-sons in Third World

countries.

Speakers•••••••••••••••••

Judy Sutterlin China

Judy, who teaches at the Nan-jing Union Theological

Seminary, is an IM liaisonto Amity International,where she is involved in

supporting children or-phaned via AIDS/HIV.

Children orphaned

by AIDS/HIV

Rev. Ray Schellinger Mexico

Ray, with wife Adalia Guttierez, serveswith the women of the “DiosCon Nosotros” (God WithUs) Regional Baptist Con-vention, where they sup-port the women and chil-dren of “Deborah’s House,”a shelter for victims of violence.

Children victimized

by violence and abuse

Rev. Lisa Harris USA

Lisa currently holds the position of Act-ing Director of Children’s Ministries for

the American Baptist HomeMission Societies, whereshe champions causesrelated to children in pov-erty, including oversight

of the highly effective“Penny Project.”

Children Shackled

By Poverty

Workshop

PresentersRev. June Cooper

Executive Director

City Mission Society

Rev. Dr. Hector Newman

Executive Director

Mission Honduras

Amy Thomas

Youth Program Leader

South Providence

Neighborhood Ministries

Ministry Partners

in the Dominican Republic

We are so excited aboutMissionWorks 2012!

Our theme is “WhenChildren Cry.” It is a look atthe issues facing childrenglobally, and how faithfulChristians are respondingto those issues. It is basedon Luke 18:16.

Along with inspi-rational speakersand workshopleaders, piano manGeoffrey Hicks will in-spire us in song.

We’re also going toshare about something

old, MissionAdvo-cates, and somethingnew, MissionAdven-tures. Hope to see

you there. And yes,bring a friend with you!

—Steve Youd

Greetings

friday, october 19Friday registration and sign-in starts at3 p.m. with an evening buffet beginningat 6:00 p.m., followed by our eveningprogram that features the music of Rev.Geoffrey Hicks and the preaching of Rev.Ray Schellinger.

Ray will launch the content portion of ourweekend with a look at the plight of chil-dren who have been impacted by vio-lence and abuse, and how the ministry at“Deborah’s House” seeks to providehelp, hope and healing.

PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN & YOUTHBob Jope, with a team from Christian Youth Conference (CYC) will spearheadSaturday’s program for children (ages 5 through high school). It will include

Christian content AND a trip to nearby CoCo Key Water Park—complete witha raging river, water slides and wave pool. (The price of $30 includes

continental breakfast, the content segment, the tickets to the waterpark, andlunch!) Note: Children/Youth are with parents for any Friday activities.

October 19-20, 2012•Four Points by Sheraton, Leominster, MA

It’s Everybody’s Mission

HOTEL INFORMATIONTo encourage full weekendparticipation, we have ne-gotiated a room price of$90 per night plus tax at theFour Points by Sheraton inLeominster. Call (978) 534-9000 by Sept. 28th for ourgroup rate.

Space is limited so weurge you to send inyour registration now.

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Building Networks,Bringing Joy

Through your gifts to the World Mission Offering

HEARtheCALL

This man and his son live in Mah Oh Jo, a tiny village of the Karen (Kahr-en’) people, hidden in the mountains of northern Thailand.

It is a tough place. Many such villages suffer from poverty, hunger and disease. Their children are often deceptively drawn to the cities, only to find themselves enslaved. Though they are part of global supply chains for opium, forced labor and sex workers, these villagers are forgotten by the world.

But they are not forgotten by God. And they are not forgotten by those who hear God’s call. For over 20 years, International Ministries missionaries Mike and Becky Mann have been responding to God’s call to serve the peoples of these remote mountains. In 1991, they founded the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP), which has worked in the name of Jesus Christ ever since, to bring joy and fullness of life to the people of the mountains. God has used ITDP to transform opium fields into coffee fields, to replace disease-bearing water sources

(over, please)

with sanitation, clean water and health clinics, to replace ignorance and neglect with education, and through it all, to invite people to come to Christ, in whom alone is fullness of Joy.

ITDP has not worked alone, but has intentionally sought life-giving ways to connect the people of Mah Oh Jo with many others. ITDP has taught farmers not only how to produce high-quality coffee, but also how to market their cof-fee through global distribution channels. ITDP has connected the village to Thai government systems of health care and education. ITDP has connected them to the economic power of the Christian Community Credit Union through an effective microcredit program. ITDP has both mobilized the resources present in the village, and combined them with in-vestment by outsiders—including Ameri-can Baptist short-term mission teams!

ITDP’s work in Mah Oh Jo is just one example of the kind of holistic ministry God is accomplishing through IM not just in Thailand, but in 70 countries around the world. Because you give to the World Mission Offering, people who did not know Christ come to Jesus, grow in their relationship to God and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. Please give generously to the World Mission Offering. Hear the call. Bring joy!

Thank you for your gifts to the World Mission Offering.

www.internationalministries.org

W861

American Baptist International Ministries was organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America. It began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to help people come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.

“Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 SAMUEL 3:10

Becky Mann, IM Missionary and Mike Mann, IM Global Consultant

receive support through your gifts to the World Mission Offering. They thank you!

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