From The Pastor

Dear Gunpowder Family,

I want to take a few minutes to introduce you to a man of God. His name is Robert Bourcier. Rob is 35 years old and lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife Brenda and three young boys. Rob has a heart for teens and for ministry within the church. He is an ordained deacon and has also been ordained to the Gospel Ministry. He is also an accountant by trade and education.

Rob has followed the call to full-time service. He has a BA in Accounting from Dallas Baptist University and a MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, both fine institutions with wonderful reputations. He is a talented musician (drums) as well as having served in many different capcities within his local church.

As the Associate Pastor Search Committee prayed for God to guide us to the person He has been preparing for this ministry, Rob was the unanimous choice of the committee. We have talked with him, prayed with him, and understand not only his qualifications but also his heart. We believe that Rob is God's man for this church. Upon the decision of the committee, the recommendation was taken to the deacons. They, too, prayed about this man and his ministry. The deacons have unanimously recommended that we proceed with the next step which is to bring Rob and Brenda up to Maryland so that we can meet them as a church and so that they can see what God is doing here. We are working out a date for this visit.

What can you do? There are three things you can do to be part of this process. The first is to pray for God to have His way and will within our church. He has led us this far and I believe that He wants to see us with another full time staff member. Pray for the deacons, the search committee, and the church to do the right thing. Also, pray for Rob and his family. This is as big a step for them as it is for our church. Second - You can attend one of the services where Rob will be leading when he is here. We want you to be here and we want you to ask whatever questions you might have. In order for this to work, it cannot be merely a mandate from the deacons or the search committee. It has to be the will of the church as we carry out God's will. Finally, you can give. We have the potential of excellence in our youth ministry through this man. We have an obligation to take good care of him when and if he comes here. This requires faith in the abundance of God and His will being accomplished. Please consider your giving and respond in obedience to God. If we all just obey Him, we will have more than enough resources for this ministry.

This is a huge step for our church. It is one that we must take if we are going to reach this community for Christ. I believe that the pertinent question is not "Can we do this?" but "Will we do this?" Are we willing to follow and obey God in this step of faith? I believe that we will.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Jack

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Women’s Fall Retreat

Theme: Duty, Destination, Determination
When: November 10 & 11, 2006
Where: Spinners of Hershey, PA
Speaker: Pam Ubanks
Singers: Chord of Three, Elizabeth Rivera

Mark your calendars now. Reserve Friday evening, November 10 and Saturday November 11 for fun and fellowship. Take a closer look at your duty, destination and determination of God’s relationship in your life. Are you allowing God to mold you into what He created you for? Plans are prepared for another wonderful retreat. We need you, your friends, neighbors and family to join us. Sign-up sheet coming out in September.

Cost: $80 for your own bed, $60 to share a bed
Any questions, contact Iris at the church office

Prayerfully yours,
Joan Krebs
Retreat Coordinator

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Social Committee

Thank you to all those who contributed their time and talents to the events of the 200th Anniversary Celebration!

A special thanks to Sue Norman who stepped in and handled the responsibilities of the committee so wonderfully.

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Keenagers

On June 12th, we had a wonderful time cutting out different things to be used for Vacation Bible School. A big thank you to all of the ladies and men who came out to help. Afterward, we had a great lunch of several different kinds of soup, sandwiches, salad, homemade ice cream and cake.

A big thanks to Pastor Jack and all the teachers and helpers who worked so hard the week of VBS and made it a week of fun for over 300 children. Praise God for a great week.

We will not meet over the next couple of months but will start up again in September. The date will be decided later and we will let everyone know. Have a wonderful summer!

Your Keenager in Christ,

Myrtle Gettle

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Children's Sunday School Department

Vacation Bible School:

We had a successful Vacation Bible School last week with an enrollment of 312 and 27 children accepted Jesus as their Savior by the end of the week.

Each day the children gave their offering to the Retired Pastor's Annuity Fund and by the end of the five days they had given $2,291.32. Glory to God!

It takes more than just one or two people to make VBS successful. It takes many working together starting with the advertisement which starts several weeks before the school starts. The decorations at the front of the sactuary, those who set up the tents outside and the rooms inside, the directors, teachers, workers and teens, those that made those yummy snowballs each day, and those providing transportation. Also, thank you to those who came on Saturday and cleaned up and put the sanctuary and class rooms back togetherso we could be ready for church services on Sunday.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

Your servants in Christ,

Barbara Bobbitt and Iris Singleton

VBS Directors

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Children's Church Schedule

Nursery Worker Schedule

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Adult_Sunday_School_Department

Beginning in May the business meeting will be held on the second Sunday instead of the first Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. This change is due to the fact that the choir sings at the first service on the first and third Sundays and there are several teachers who sing in the choir. The Adult Sunday School department has elected to participate in a project ministry. Each class will collect funds in containers and pool these monies and send to a ministry organization that purchases farm animals (e.g., cows, chickens, sheep, camels, etc.) for a needy family in a third world country. The family uses the animal’s milk, eggs or cheese for meeting their needs. The first born baby animal will be given to another needy family. Our goal will be $715.00 which will buy a goat, cow and sheep and will feed three needy families. Bill Abbey will be in charge of this ministry, so contact him if you have a question.

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Prayer Ministry

Watchman Prayer Ministry - “Intercessors”

Dear Church Family,

I want to thank each of you who have made a commitment and can be counted on to pray for those on the prayer wall. I am going to mention areas of prayer we must be conscious of. If you are not a member of the prayer wall, please consider joining as there are several slots that need to be filled. I have mentioned in the past, apart from prayer, nothing gets accomplished and we truly have nuch to pray about.

We have had 30 "emergency prayers". We must set ourselves as watchmen and not rest until all areas of the wall are filled. I am truly puzzled that some of the church family are not tking the opening of these prayer slots seriously. All through the earthly life of our Lord, He continually prayed. Please take this the right way and I love each of you with all my heart. We must have prayer for all our leaders. Prayer is meant to be an intregal part of our relationship with God. John 5:30 says "by myself I can do nothing." Friends, this is very true and there are many I's who need help to do the Lord's work. I am truly sorry that I have not been able to be present in church. Please know this, I do not know what I could do in person that I have not already done at home.

Prayer is commanded by God. Friends, we are talking about an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe. Doesn't that boggle your mind? If we obey and enter into a lifestyle of humility and prayer, the result will be awesome.

Every aspect of Gunpowder's ministries should be focused on prayer. If we are having trouble with not having people to pray for church activities, is it any wonder we can not stop any of the atrocities that are in our lives? (abortion same-sex marriages, partial birth abortions) I am sure you get the idea.

I was only able to come to one of the tent meetings. My heart almost jumped out of my throat! I know this; REVIVAL is birthed in prayer and repentance. I told the Lord to start with me. If I may be bold again, Can you remember how you prayed when you first accepted Christ? Do you still pray with that same fervor?

I say this a lot, but that's OK, it bears repeating. When you flip a ligth switch, what happens? The circuit is broken and the light goes off. The current stops flowing. Do you know the same principle applies to our spiritual life? God is our power in our spiritual life. He is our current. Without the current, the poer of God, we cannot accomplish His will for our lives. Our faith is the switch and when our faith wavers, the current is interrupted -- hindering you or I from becoming the person God wants us to be.

Having a prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer; but it should be the result of it. Prayer is essential in every area of our spiritual life, none more important than sharing our faith. There is nothing more valuable than intercessory prayer when preparing to do this. We should understand the depth and breadth of Gods' promises about intercessory prayer.

Some helpful insights to prayer:

1. Place - Have a regular place where you can feel in-tune with God.
2. Practice - Develop the regular practice of prayer. It helps to have the habit.
3. Privacy - There are times for group prayer, but personal growth usually comes from being alone with God.
4. Posture - Pray in any position, but remember that kneeling to pray helps develop humility.
5. Purpose - Forget self, seek God's Will.
6. Price - Be ready to go through the process of emptying yourself of negatives so god can come with His love and power.

Nowhere does the Bible say that prayer is easy. At times, while you are still on your knees. Satan will attack, harrassing you with doubt and sending distracting thoughts into your mind. Do not worry about praying for something too large. There is nothing too big for God to accomplish. We do not always like the answers God gives. He promises in Matthew 7:11 that everything He gives is good for us.

We hurt ourselves:

1. In Habakkuk 1:13, we are taught that God is simply too pure to look on evil.
2. Isaiah 59:1-2 clarifies; surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Your iniquities have spearated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that he will not hear.
3. Unforgiving Spirit - Matthew 6:14
4. Wrong motives - James 1:5-8 and 4:3
5. Disobedience, turns a deaf ear to the law - Proverbs 66:18
6. Home life needs amends
7. Sins are the road block to you and God, unconfessed - Psalm 66:18

It would be wise for all of us to ask God with a humbled Spirit what areas of our lives are offensive to Him. Failure to pray leaves peopl vulnerable on the battlefiled. Nehemiah 4. When we do what we are supposed to do, God is faithful to do His. We will pray as we should, until we see it as a necessity. Henry Blackaby "only through prayer can we know tha heart of God."

Prayerfully,

Bob Scheuerman

Prayer Coordinator

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Women's Ministry

Next Ladies Events:

Gunpowder Baptist Church

Ladies Events for 2006-2007

Preliminary Schedule

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Thank You!

A big thank you to all who gave pictures or information to the 200th Anniversary Committee. If you loaned pictures or materials to us and want them back, please check with Iris in the church office. Hopefully, everything has found its way back there.

Thanks again,

Ken Gettle

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Dear Chruch family,

I wish to express my sincere thanks and praise to all who made our Bicentennial a wonderful success.

I am thinking of the committee, Pastor, and those who served in any way. Also, all of those who prayed so faithfully for God's Will to be done.

I truly was very proud and blessed.

In Christian Love,

Betty L. Cummings

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Dear Gunpowder Friends & Family,

Edgar (Dink) Bull and I would like to thank everyone for your cards, thoughts, prayers and visits since Dink's car accident. It is so comforting to know so many people care.

Love,

Dink and Judy Bull

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Dear Church Family,

Ron, myself and especially Christina want to thank our friends who have prayed for us, brought meals, groceries and smiles to our home. It was such a blessing for our kids to see al the help. It was very humbling and very hard for us to be on the receiving end. I really want to thank those special people who argued and brought meals anyway. It took a lot off of me to know my family was taken care of.

Thank you, again, for the prayers, meals, calls, and cards.

Dori, Ron, Chris and Zack Morrell

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July / August Birthdays & Anniversaries

Anniversaries 1 Tom and Liesl Moran July 5 Mark & Kim McCarty July 12 Alf & Caroline Haaversen July 12 Pastor Jack & Dana Newton July 18 Chris & Ashley Copenhaver August 3 Paul & Jeanne Botzler August 20 Jim & Carolyn Foster August 21 Martin & Barbara Covington

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Belfry Archive

February, 2005

March, 2005

April, 2005

May, 2005

June, 2005

July & August, 2005

September, 2005

October, 2005

November, 2005

December, 2005

January, 2006

February, 2006

March, 2006

April, 2006

May, 2006