‘Great is thy faithfulness’

Lamentations 3:23

From The Pastor

Dear Gunpowder Family,

As we look out the window at the white blanket of snow, it reminds us of the wonderful love and grace of God.

He takes our sin and turns it white as snow. He takes the unrighteousness and makes it righteous. Once the snow comes, we have to deal with it. We can play in it or work in it but we cannot ignore it. The same is true for our new life in Christ. He has shown us what to do. Are we willing to following Him? “He has shown thee, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee; but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.” (Micah 6:8)

Your servant in Christ ,

Pastor Jack

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From the Associate Pastor

Students,

In a recent USA Today article entitled, “The goal: Wealth and Fame”, 81% of 18 to 25 year olds surveyed by Pew Research Center said, “Their generations most important goal in life is to become rich.” And within just a couple of weeks from the release of this article, Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her hotel room at the young age of 39.

In a message this past Sunday, our seasoned Pastor preached, “When it comes to money, there’s never enough.” Christ said in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve God and money.” He also said in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit their soul?” In the wisdom of Proverbs 8:19, God says, “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choicest silver.”

Christ sums up His teaching in Matthew 6 concerning riches and our future by saying in verse 33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

To say that we want Christ and everything that comes with Him is no different than saying, “I just want Christ”. For in Christ is all. To possess Christ is to possess all! To share Christ is to share all!

You have within you more than what the world seeks in riches, and what you havae in Christ is All They Need!

Show them His riches!

Your Biggest Fan,

Fanning the flames of the Gospel - Rob

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Dear Friends at Gunpowder Baptist Church,

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for the lovely flower arrangement you sent in memory of my dear husband, Ray. Also, for all your beautiful calls, visits and your love and concern and prayers over all these many months of his prolonged illness. It meant so much to us and helped lighten the burden!

Although we will miss him terrible, we know that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” and we can take comfort in the knowledge that he is now out of pain and with his dear Heavenly Father.

God bless you all for your goodness!

With Love,

Gloria DiPaola and Family

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Marie Dodson passed away on January 29 th and her husband, Clinton Dodson passed away on February 2 nd. Our Christian sympathy goes out to their family, David and Mary, Christy and Rebecca Dodson.

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – 2007

Vacation Bible School will be here before we know it. We will soon begin to ask you to help us out this year again. Please be in prayer and ask God where He wants you to serve. If you already know where God wants you to be, please call Barbara Bobbitt or Iris Singleton. The dates will be in June but the days have not been determined yet.

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WE’RE ON THE “NET”

In the next few months we will have cable internet service installed in the church offices in the Chapel. In an effort to save money on postage, paper and printing, we would like to send the newsletter out via e-mail. We need your help to do this. Please fill out the form in the February belfry with your complete and correct email address and your correct home address, and return to Iris by March 1, 2007.

We also recognize that some folks do not have email or will not want to receive their newsletter in this manner. If you would like to continue to receive a printed copy of The Baptist Belfry there is a line that you must complete, also due March 1, 2007.

In addition, if your Belfry is being mailed to you via USPS, we need an update of your address. Please contact the church office between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at 410.343.1365 or mail the completed form to the church office at 20074 Middletown Road, Freeland, MD 21053. We will also need this by March 1, 2007.

If you do not reply we will assume that you are accessing the Belfry through our web page, www.gunpowderbaptist.org and you prefer not to receive a printed copy of The Gunpowder Baptist Belfry any longer.

Please place this form in Iris Singleton’s mailbox in the church hallway or by mail or contact her directly at 410.343.1365. If you get the answering machine, you may leave your message and we will get it as soon as possible.

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Keenagers

Because of the bad weather on February 13th, we had to cancel our Valentine Party.

Thursday, February 22nd we went to Boyd’s Bears in Gettysburg ---and, of course, we ate out.

Next month March 16th we are having a Gay 90’s review and covered dish luncheon. You may wear 20’s clothing if you have any. We will be singing some old songs. Carol Haaverson has kindly volunteered to play the piano for us. Everyone is welcome and we hope to have a good time reminiscing. Please join us if you can.

Our trip on March 22nd to the Madison Square Furniture Factory has been changed to Wednesday, May 23rd because they are only open to the public from May to September. So our trip to March 23rd we will go to the Pfaltzgraff Factory in Thomasville, PA.

Thursday, April 26th is our Mystery Trip. Only Pastor Jack knows where we are going. We always have a great time trying to guess where we are going, but most of the time we don’t know until we get there. Please join us for this fun day.

Your Keenager in Christ,

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FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

Everyone is invited – Parents, Grandparents, Friends

March 9, 2007 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Everything is provided. Free popcorn, candy, soft pretzels and soda.

The movie title will be revealed in next month’s Belfry. Please make plans to attend. I guarantee it will be an exciting Christian film that everyone will enjoy. Children bring our blankets to sit on the floor. Hope to see you then.

God’s blessings,

Joan Krebs

Children’s Department Director

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Children's Sunday School Department

Can you believe Spring is just around the corner? I can’t wait to see God’s creation come alive with green grass and beautiful flowers. I love to hear the birds sing praises and worship to our awesome God. Don’t forget Sunday is God’s day! A day for us to sing praises and worship our awesome God. Please bring your family, friends and neighbors to Sunday School so they can learn about their awesome God.

In the month of March we will study in Week 1: “God Created the World”, Week 2: “God’s Plan”, Week 3: “Adam & Eve Disobeyed God”, and Week 4: “God Protected Noah”. Come out and let’s fill our classes with all of our friends to learn all you can about God.

Our next event in the Children’s Department will be March 9th which is Family Movie Night. Please join us and also invite your friends and family to join us as well. Details are in another section of this newsletter.

I want to remind you about our Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday, April 1 st. Please see details in this newsletter, as well. We hope you will join us for some great fun.

Always remember Psalm 118:24. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Thank God He has given us another day to praise and worship Him. Please pray with your children every day and thank God for all His blessings and for the day He has given us.

God’s servant,

Joan Krebs

Director

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PALM SUNDAY, April 1, 2007

Events for the Chidren --- 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Lunch provided, pizza and drinks

Also enjoy making your own ice cream sundae

Kids-- bring your baskets or a bag. We have hundreds of eggs to find. The resurrection eggs story will be told. There are prizes and treats for all who attend. Let’s invite everyone to join the fun. Parents bring your children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, cousins, everyone. The ages are for 2 year olds through grade 5. Any questions please call Iris at the church office 410.343.1365. Also you can call me anytime. Hope you can join in the fun.

God’s Blessings,

Joan Krebs

Children’s Department Director

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Children's Church Schedule

Nursery Worker Schedule

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Adult_Sunday_School_Department

“When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul.” Proverbs 2:10 I trust everyone is enjoying and growing in their class this year. One area that needs some additional help is the Nursery department. IF we can expand the depth of our Sunday School nursery working staff, we will be able to afford everyone the opportunity to attend one of the Adult Sunday School Classes, if only for part of the month or quarter. Every person ministering in the nursery in 2007 will be given a confidential questionnaire that must be returned to Pastor Jack.

Beginning in March/April timeframe I would ask that each director/teacher review the Sunday School Policy and share with each class the appropriate sections. If one was not placed in your mailbox at church, please see me and I will get you copies.

Lastly, we have reached our goal for the PARTITIONS and we thank each one of you that donated toward this.

Sunday School Fever – Catch It! “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul.” Proverbs 2:10

Ginny Thompson

Sunday School Superintendent

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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.

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.

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.

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

Community-Wide Ladies’ Event

Gunpowder Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

Mission Project – Learn to Knit and hear about an organization called “Stitches of Love” which will give you more motivation to learn how to knit

WOMEN’S MISSION KNITTING NOTES

“Knit one, pearl one, knit one, pearl one; am I doing this right?” This has been the conversation heard from our class room the past few knitting lesson nights. However, we are doing well.

Just take a look at the hallway bulletin board and check out the Preamie caps we have completed so far.

We have chosen a name for our knitters. We are the “GBC Knit Wits”. We invite you to join us. It is never too late to be a “knit wit”. For more information, please call Pat Elligson or Iris Singleton

Please sign up on the sheet provided in the church lobby, or by calling Mary Hamrick at 410.357.0658 or Conchita Whitaker at 410-218-4131.

Stitches of Love is a community outreach program that provides for infants, and young children where babies are born into difficult circumstance or born prematurely, including those families where tragic, early termination takes place. Stitches of Love also strives to meet the needs where other means are not accessible by providing:

Afghans, quilts and blankets for newborns, Matching caps, Toddler or sibling blankets, Burial clothing for preemies too weak to sustain life or stillborn babies, Fetal bereavement clothing, Layettes, Isolette Covers,

Sweaters, Dolls, Chemo caps

All items are provided at no cost to the recipients. Stitches of Love presently support 45 hospitals, pregnancy centers and safe houses located in several states.

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Next Ladies Events:

A Ladies Tea – Fit for a King

Saturday, April 14, 2007

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Gunpowder Baptist Church

Please join us for tea, tasty treats, testimony and inspiration song.

You will be blessed by the ladies who will be sharing from their heart.

Semi formal – bring a friend!

RSVP Ginny Thompson

Gunpowder Baptist Church will have a Ladies Tea. PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE. We will begin at 3:00 p.m. sharp. Hopefully this does not change your ability to attend. There will be many ways that I need your help. Some ladies can set a table; some prefer to provide tea sandwiches or desserts. Maybe there are CDs, decorations, candle holders, silk flower arrangements, or tea pots that you can lend. If you can help set up, serve tables, or park cards, I NEED you.

Thanks to a generous soul, there are some upscale invitations that you can give to a friend or neighbor. If you would like some of those, please let me know how many you need and I will see that you get them.

Our special guests include some familiar names, and some new friends. The current program includes Vicki Hash, Cindy Hutson, Amanda Matthews and children’s book author, Patty Zemanick. Patty will have books with her that guests can purchase for $14.95 each, and she will be glad to sign your book. If you’ve already purchased A Walk With Papa, bring your book to the tea and Patty will sign it then. If you would like to purchase an advance copy of the book, please contact me or Mary Hamrick.

Call me if you have questions. Please return the slip below with your name, how you would like to help, let me know if you need additional invitations or details. If there is an area I’ve totally missed, please bring that to my attention. This is my first TEA as hostess so I definitely need coaching!

You are encouraged to invite all the “sisters” you’ve met along the way. Invite your neighbors, classmates, relatives, even your hair dresser. Everyone will be encouraged to dress-up. If you have a dress hanging in your closet, that only gets worn when you are invited to a ball or to the White House, then now is the time to dust if off, and get it out of your closet. Wear a cool hat, get gussied up, have fun with it!

Table sponsors still open for tables of 4 or 6. And, what you ask, would that mean? Ladies who “sponsor” a tea table would have the pleasure of:

Setting the table with table cloth, linens, centerpiece, china, flatware, glasses, or whatever else you like. The color and “theme” would be whatever you like. You can collaborate with a friend if you like. Each table will be a unique experience.

You will set at your table on the 14 th, and you can invite friends to join you, or you can open you table up to other ladies who will be guests of the church.

Name:_______________________________________

Number Attending:_____________________________

I/we will be able to provide (please check all that apply)

_____Food

_____Tea Pot

_____Vegetable

_____CD Player

_____Other

_____Decorations

_____Fruit

_____Other finger food

_____Instrumental CDs

Please return this slip to Ginny Thompson or mail to the church office, c/o Iris Singleton.

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Gunpowder Baptist Church

Remaining Ladies Events for 2006-2007

Schedule

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Women’s Fall Retreat

Friday and Saturday

November 9-10, 2007

Spinners of Hershey

Hershey, PA

Cost: $60 to share a bed

$80 for your own bed

Theme: Soaring Like Eagles

Details are being finalized for the Women’s Fall Retreat. Special music, speaker, testimony, meals will be uplifted to God in prayer for His will to be fulfilled. Please make plans to attend. God would love for you to join us! Let’s celebrate God’s blessings, love, comfit and even strength with each other, especially with Him. Let us all “Soar Like Eagles”.

More information in August. Sign up sheet in September. I pray you will join us for a time of fun, fellowship and spiritual uplifting.

Prayerfully yours,

Joan Krebs

Retreat Coordinator

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March Birthdays & Anniversaries

Anniversaries 4 David and Kathy Harrison 9 Bill and Betty Trussell 15 Glen and Cindy Fleming 21 Frank and Harriet Hoffman

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Belfry Archive