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Helping Up Mission

”Come Missions Minded People”

We are told to go!

We are told to give!

We are told to obey!

We need those who are listening to the voice of God to help us on a monthly basis. Right now, we have only two drivers for Sunday mornings for the Helping Up Missions. One driver picks them up and the other driver takes them back. Can you help? Please contact the church office.

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Choir Notes

We will begin the fall rehearsal schedule on Wednesday, September 7 th.

In regard to membership in the choir, please know that we welcome new voices; we meet each Wednesday after the prayer service.

It has been a joy to serve as choral director this year; your encouragement to the choir has been a very real source of encouragement to me. I look forward to using these summer months to review and select choral music for the fall and Christmas season.

Serving our Lord though music,

Carol Haaversen

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Teen News

Upcoming Events:

September 17

Hershey Park Christian Day

Cost: $22.00

Tickets need to be purchased by the end of April for the discounted price.

In Him,

Jeff Tracey, Youth Pastor

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The Keenagers

In September we will begin again with a picnic lunch in the pavilion. It will be held on September 12th.

We would like to see some new faces and get some new ideas for our upcoming season. If you have any ideas please call me or Iris Singleton and let us know. Everyone is welcome to come to our luncheons and trips. We have a lot of fun and we would love to have you.

Your Keenager in Christ,

Myrtle Gettle

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Adult_Sunday_School_Department

The August business meeting was held in Ault II classroom on August 21 with all classes represented. Due to urgent business regarding the Prayer Vigil scheduled for the month of October, most of the discussion pertained to that subject. Each class was given a packet of all materials needed for the Prayer Vigil and then Carolyn Foster explained each part page by page. The teachers will in turn explain all the details to their class and begin the sign-up process. It is an awesome job and we thank all the people involved. Our Sunday School is losing two wonderful teachers. Debbie and Earl Copenhaver are leaving soon for Word of Life Bible Institute in New York for approximately a year. We are very excited for them, but they are leaving a huge void both at church and in our hearts.

Working with Debbie and Earl has been a real pleasure for me. I really don’t know what the Sunday School Department would have done without them this year. Debbie is a teacher in the Ladies Class. As a matter of fact, she was the one who introduced me to the concept of a Ladies Class – she has been so faithful. In her time off from the Ladies Class, Debbie was busy teaching in College and Careers when a second teacher was needed. You could also find her in other classes.

Earl holds many jobs in the church, but he loves teaching and has taught several different classes as the need arose. Presently, he was teaching Adult IV in the Masonic building across the street with Kathy Harrison. Earl is why my husband calls “a truly good man who puts God first in everything”. Earl is that and much more. He is always ready to help anyone in need and when he prays, I believe the angels in heaven must stop to listen.

Oh yes, we shall miss Debbie and Earl. However, it shall only be a short time for they will be returning next summer. Until then we thank them beyond measure for the many contributions they made at Gunpowder Baptist Church and shall keep them in our prayers. Godspeed to both of you!

The materials for September were given out with a couple of classes trying new literature. Our class attendance has been down this quart4er, but hopefully the Prayer Vigil will renew our strength and re-energize our people.

Think upon this: Christians are found almost everywhere, but they are not necessarily found anywhere. Sometimes they are found in church, but not all persons in churches are Christians. What persons do outside the churches is the test.

In His Service,

Carolyn C. Foster, Director

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Children's Sunday School Department

GOPHER BUDDIES

We have changed the Wednesday night Cubbies program to the World of Life Gopher Buddies.

This program has a daily devotional for all the children to be on the same passage, Christian services, and prayer time as well as quiet time. I look forward to teaching the children God’s Word through this wonderful program.

We will be starting the new year on Wednesday evening, September 7 th at 7:00 p.m. If you know any children, ages 3-6 years old, please bring them on Wednesday evening to enjoy this great program.

Serving Jesus,

Michelle Singleton

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CHILDREN'S CHURCH SCHEDULE

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Social Committee

FALL FESTIVAL

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2005

4:00 p.m.

PICNIC AREA

Bring your family and friends to have fellowship with your church family. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Enjoy a beautiful crisp, fall day outdoors. Everything will be held at the Pavilion again this year.

FOOD Homemade hot soups and chili, cooked hot dogs and marshmallows over a bonfire, hot chocolate, coffee and cider

FOOTBALL Boys and Men Grades 6 and up

BASKETBALL Everyone

VOLLEYBALL Everyone

HAYRIDES Everyone

PUMPKIN CONTEST

For children through grade 5 only – judging for 3 groups:

Youngest through kindergarten, grades 1-2 and grades 3-5

There will be no cutting pumpkins. All decorations will be drawn on or attached to the pumpkin. Please bring your own plain pumpkin and anything you may want to se for decorating. Any pumpkin arriving with decorations already done will be disqualified. There will be a prize for all who enter and a special prize awarded to a child in each group for the most creative pumpkin. (If your pumpkin is being painted all over before decorations are added, you may do so before bringing it so the paint will dry). Look for the pumpkin patch table at the pavilion. This is where you will decorate your pumpkin this year.

DESSERT CONTEST

For everyone – Please only 1 dessert entry per person

3 Groups: Grades 1-5

Youth Grades 6-12

Adults

There will not be 3 different categories this year. All desserts will be judged as desserts only. Please bring your yummy creations to the pavilion no later than 4:30 p.m. All the people who come will be doing the judging. There will be a score sheet to vote for your favorite dessert. (NEW RULE: If your dessert recipe won grand champion or first place within the last 2 years, that recipe will not be eligible to compete this year, so that others may have a chance.)

CHILI & SOUP CONTEST

For everyone – Please only 1 chili and 1 soup entry per person

Bring your homemade soups and chili’s to the pavilion no later than 4:30 p.m. – Please bring your soup ladle if possible. All people who come will be doing the judging. There will be a score sheet for you to vote for your favorite soup and chili. There will be a 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd prize and a Grand Champion for this event. (NEW RULE is the same as the dessert rule).

6:15 p.m. AWARD PRESENTATION

Devotion and sing-along will conclude this evening’s activities.

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FAITH Ministry

It seems FAITH just completed the Spring semester and now the Fall term begins on September 11 th. That shows just how fast time passes!

Let that example be an inspiration for you to pray about joining FAITH this session. With crimes of every kind on the rise, aren’t you deeply concerned about people who are lost? Don’t you know at least one or two people who are lost and do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Doesn’t it tear at your heart to think they will not go to Heaven or see God face to f ace? Don’t these facts motivate you to write a note, make a phone call or go to visit that loved one, friend, or acquaintance God has put on your mind?

Your retort is, “But how do I know that person is lost?” Well, the Bible tells us by their works (fruit) they shall be known. A person must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each person must put their faith in Jesus and Jesus alone. Then their heart and mind will be changed and their lives productive (Luke 3:8-9). Right living is the evidence and result of faith. (James 5:20). Where are these people placing their faith? In accomplishments, credentials or reputation? Are they producing fruit in their lives? Do they attend Sunday school or church services? Do they care for others, perform kind deeds and do it for the glory of God? If not, it would be appropriate to approach that person as one who may be lost.

There’s no mission on earth more vital than presenting Good News to a lost soul! FAITH has a simple way to present the gospel to the lost. People who join FAITH but are skeptical about going out spreading the seeds of salvation are literally amazed how easy it can be using the Faith outline technique. They find there’s no greater joy than witnessing to someone about what Jesus Christ can do in their lives. Ask a member of FAITH to share with you their feelings on witnessing and the incredible joy they experience as a result. Please pray about becoming a part of this wonderful ministry.

FAITH is serving dinner on August 28 th right after the 11:00 church service and would like to invite everyone at Gunpowder to attend. There will be a program with Pastor Lyn O’Berry from Linthicum Bapt8ist Ch8urch as guest speaker and a short skit by several of our own Gunpowder teens. Please plan to attend and learn more about the FAITH ministry.

In His Service,

Carolyn C. Foster - Director

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Prayer Ministry

Watchman Prayer Ministry - “Intercessors”

Dear Prayer Partners and Church Family,

The number of “Emergency Prayers” has reached 51. There is s till a grave need for someone to pray at 4:00 a.m. I feel having this crack in our prayer wall hinders the effectiveness of our prayers. I cannot tell you how many times I have added this verse to this article hoping it would have an impact on someone to pray in an open slot. So here it is again, “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never be silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6-7. I have repeated this request hundreds of times over the years. Hopefully this will be the fulfilling year. Just a reminder; the last intercessory prayer before ending your half hour on the wall should be for the watchman who follows you. His or her name is not important. The Lord knows.

It’s no secret our church and our church family is in need of much prayer, gu9idance and direction. I shutter to think the reason our prayers have not been answered is because they have not been heard. Each of us has an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. I am going to ask my Lord to see if there is any fault He sees in my heart. If He finds any area of my life that I have not asked forgiveness for, I pray the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind. I don’t want my selfishness to be the blame for my church’s blessings being held up. I believe each of us could in some way be a candidate for asking God for His forgiveness. Remember, sins are the road block between you and God.

When it’s my turn to go and be with the Lord, I don’t want to find a room filled with blessings for me and others, JUST BECAUSE I DID NOT ASK FOR THEM.

Dear brothers and sisters, please don’t let a stray word, an unconfessed, sin – no matter how trivial – keep the Father from sending ALL He wants to give us. Please know I am writing this after much prayer.

Prayerfully,

Bob Scheuerman, Prayer Coordinator

The open slot on the prayer wall is for 4:00 a.m. (check with Iris) if you would like to fill this slot, or call Iris at church office or Mary Scheuerman.

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PRAYER VIGIL

What is the greatest priority in your life? Is prayer at the tope of the list? If not, it should be! Look around you! America is in trouble. Everywhere you look or go, you see crimes and abuse of all kinds. Immorality, chaos, violence and injustice seem to reign. When the great empires of the past reached such proportions, they crumbled but not from without but from within.

Is this the country you want for your family? Of course now – then what are you going to do about it?

In His Word, God said, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14.

Our church too is experiencing various kinds of difficulties. Gunpowder is rapidly approaching its 200th anniversary and is considering an addition to the present building in the near future. We are also in the process of selecting an associate pastor. These are very large and important issues the church will face. The answer is prayer – fervent prayer – on our knees. We must pray. We must turn God’s heart back to His people through prayer so He can hear our cries and heal our land, our church, and us as a people.

Gunpowder has heard the call! Beginning October 1 st, a 31-day prayer vigil will be launched. It will begin on Saturday, October 1 at 6:00 a.m. and end on Tuesday, October 31 at 6:00 a.m. There will be 24 one-hour prayer slots and 4 six-hour security slots for each of the 31 days. Gunpowder does not have enough members to maintain all the required slots so there will be a need for people to sign up for more than one slot. This will be a sacrifice on the part of some. However, if this Prayer Vigil required nothing on our part, would it mean as much to God? Would it mean as much to us? I think not.

Gunpowder has always responded well to all needs. We know Gunpowder will once again rise to the occasion and then give all the praise and honor and glory to the Lord.

Please be in constant prayer about this great endeavor.

In His Service,

Carolyn C. Foster

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Women's Ministry

STARS for CHRIST  

Click to see "Untalent Show" pictures

Click to see "Crazy Hat Party" pictures

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CALLING ALL COOKS

We are getting ready for our 200 th Anniversary next year in June. A cookbook will be available on Friend Day, June 4, 2006. So get out those favorite recipes as soon as possible and put them in my mailbox so we can get started on getting this done by that time.

Thank you,

Michelle Singleton

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WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT

November 18-19, 2005

SPINNERS INN

HERSHEY, PA

THEME: Courageous Christian Contender

Please mark your calendar now and plan to join us for a refreshing, renewing, fulfilling, spiritual relationship with our awesome Savior, Jesus Christ.

Share a bed: $60.00

Your own bed: $80.00

For more information, contact Joan Krebs.

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September Birthdays & Anniversaries

ANNIVERSARIES 4 Rick & Anita Sands 5 Doug & Missy Walker 9 Don & Karen Couch 10 Albert & Betty Cummings 10 Bill & Hiliary Riley 16 Karl & Jennifer DeVos 17 Tom & Lorraine Herzberg 29 Joe & Donna Franco

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New Addition

Congratulations to George & Heather Rebstad on the birth of their daughter on June 13, 2005. She weighed in at 8 lbs and 20-1/2 inches long. Sofie Foster Rebstad has a very proud older brother, Noah. Bruce and Cathy Wisnom are her proud grandparents and let’s not forget Uncle Peter who is also very proud and protective of his niece.

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Belfry Archive

February, 2005

March, 2005

April, 2005

May, 2005

June, 2005

July & August, 2005