"Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice. Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give HIM the glory. Great things HE hath done."
This page will chart our adventures in our ministry at Lee Baptist Church. There IS joy is serving Jesus and He is doing great things in our church.
October 4, 2011
Pastors' Kid Retreat
What a GREAT retreat! Pastors' kids from around the state gathered at Lee Baptist for a time of fun, food, fellowship, and encouragement. I think we had 23 or 24 in attendance (total of 33 with workers). Friday night activities included hockey, dodgeball, Bible trivia, a service, pizza (yum!), Bible Jeopardy, and lots of fellowship. Saturday was filled with 2 services (with Chad preaching), more food, blind volleyball, and more encouraging fellowship. I'm sure I left out some as I wasn't around for everything.
As a mother, this time was encouraging in a couple of ways. First of all, God's word never returns void. We been focusing on training our children and raising them in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. What a change we've seen in just the past few weeks! We were overjoyed to see a little "fruit" this weekend. As imperfect parents raising imperfect children, we will have flaws and make mistakes. Our children are not perfect, but our God is. Following his principles for raising children will never bring regrets.
Secondly, seeing all these Pastors' kids in one place as "the cream of the crop" challenged us to consistently teach our children God's word. So many of the youth displayed an outstanding in testimony through their actions and words! We want our children to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.
Now we look forward to a Men's Retreat on November 4-5!
August 13, 2011
Family Camp ~The Good Old Days~
Lamentations 5:21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
The very first thought, the very first service, the very first night, the very first camp at Lee Baptist came as the most simple yet most defining thought for the entire week. Bro. Eric Ramos compelled us, as individuals, to take "one step at a time". Don't try to be a "super Christian" because you WILL fail. Every time. Instead, take one step every day. Don't look back, keep looking forward, keep stepping forward. If you fall, get up and take one step. This is how we grow closer to Christ and each other.
Each day was filled with activities...
Scavenger hunt on Mt. Jefferson
Watching a documentary on Baptism
Touring the historical society and Mallett Hall
Eating ( a lot!)
Swimming
Fellowshipping
Volleyball
Hockey
Ping Pong
Service (a favorite for all)
Testimonies were given the last night of camp and WOW is all I can say. Joy ran over in my heart and I just cried as I listened to how the Lord worked in so many lives. This is why we came to Maine. This is why serving the Lord is the best calling in life. This is why we love our church. We have prayed for some of these decisions to be made and praise the Lord for the fruition! I have just been so encouraged by how our church has grown spiritually the past few weeks and, by God's grace alone, will continue.
July 1, 2011
Wow. Where to start?
Last weekend, Chad and I had the thrilling opportunity to orchestrate a Youth Rally for the teens in our area. This was our first time to "go it alone" since Pastor and fam were on vacation. It all started Saturday when a Mission's Team from Palmer, MA came into town on their way home from Canada. As soon as they got off the van, Chad loaded them back up to go canvasing! They handed out 130 flyers and invitations in Lincoln and made some great contacts.
The Rally was Sunday night and Monday night. Sunday night we had 28 teens, some old and some new faces! They participated in the teen-oriented service and Chad preached an AMAZING message on the gravity of eternity. The teens were so attentive and you could see that they were processing what he was saying. He was able to talk with some of them after the service as well. We had a meal for them after the service, a guessing contest, skit, then headed home.
Monday was filled with work around the church, meal prep, and prep for the evening. I can't remember exactly how many kids came Monday night, but it was over 30. Chad preached on Heaven that night, and while no one made a decision, the seeds were definitely planted and we pray that they will come to fruition soon. After the service, the teens headed outside for some fun "Big Ball" games put on by the Palmer Team.
Highlights from my perspective:
The great behavior by and interaction with the teens
The awesome attitudes of the Palmer teens and their willingness to work
The new friendships made with Kelly and Maya Andrews
The genuine interest in what was said in the messages
Praise the Lord for Great Things he has done this weekend. Pray for the upcoming activities including more teen events, Family Camp, and VBS. We are so excited to be servants of the Lord and that He is using us at LBC.
May 26, 2011
Lots of exciting things coming up at Lee Baptist!! Youth Group is coming to a close this year and will conclude with a Youth Outreach on June 26-27. A team from Palmer, MA will be helping out with passing out tracks and inviting teens to come out. Events and details are still in the works but the final plan will be posted so check back!
Family Camp is less than 2 months away! We are so excited for the first year of camp. Families are invited to bring their tents and camp out on the church grounds. Evangelist Eric Ramos from Fairhaven Baptist College will be our special speaker. Cost is $50 per person or $150 for a family of 4 or more. If anyone would just like to come up for a supper and evening service the cost is $3 per person.
Please pray the week of camp will be spiritually encouraging and that families will make decisions to follow God's plan for them.
April 27, 2011
Music Retreat was INCREDIBLE! The moment we walked in the door that Thursday we could sense that something great was happening. The energy was high and everywhere we looked teens were mingling and becoming acquainted. These kids were EXCITED! Now, having 2 little ones to tend to I was not able to sit in on every rehearsal or service, but just the few moments that I popped in here and there really encouraged me! Pastor Kelly did an excellent job explaining godly music standards in a way that was easy to understand. It is so important that music glorify the Lord, but many churches have lost sight of that. Godly music has been replaced by entertaining music in the church! I know very little of music theory and musical terms, but I do know that music is used to stir emotions. Thursday night, Pastor Kelly read quote after quote from secular artists and music professors that said CCM stirs sensual emotions. What type of audience do CCM artists target? TEENAGERS!!! That age where a person is so impressionable and where they develop standards and habits to carry the rest of their lives! The only difference between a rock band and a CCM group is the words of the song... and most of the time you can't even understand the words! I'm going to start my own study of what is means to have godly music standards and I encourage you to do the same if you are also wondering what kind of music honors the Lord. God is holy and just and He created music! Shouldn't the music we listen to point to Him?
Okay, back to the retreat! After the service Thursday night we had a game time then skits. The skits were hysterical!! I'll never look at Pastor Bickford the same again! Friday, I spent most of the day in the kitchen working on a cake for Pastor and Mrs. Henderson who were honored after the Sacred Concert Friday night. They have been such a crucial part of the retreat ministry and have touched the lives of my people throughout their ministry.
The Bickfords did an amazing job, as usual, preparing and sponsoring the retreat. They are truly and amazing family and we are privileged to work under them at Lee Baptist. The kitchen ladies were amazing, too! Everyone pitched in and they had a great time of fellowship, too!
I'll close with two thoughts. First, the part of the retreat that stood out to Chad was after the concert Friday night. He was out in the gym with the kids and decided to start putting chairs away. Out of nowhere came two teen girls, who attended the retreat, and just started picking up chairs. Chad was so impressed that they came to help without anyone asking them. I must say that this was the case with most of the kids at the retreat. They were an amazing group... always willing to help and just as polite as could be. It just encouraged my heart to see that there are still parents in the world who are raising their children to be godly... training them for service instead of teaching them to live for self. (Matthew 16:24) It was also a great challenge to me and gave me a goal to work towards! Second, please pray that these kids will take to heart what they have learned and will commit to godly music standards. The world is getting farther and farther from the Lord, but He has never changed. He's always the same and He still deserves honor and glory in everything... including music.
All that being said, it was a wonderful retreat and praise the Lord for a wonderful Sacred Concert Friday night with 170 in attendance. The sanctuary was full and chairs were set up in the hallway! All the praise belongs to HIM... great things HE hath done!
April 14, 2011
Music Retreat 2011
It's only ONE WEEK AWAY! We are so excited to have 49 (give or take a few) teens coming to Lee Baptist for our Music Retreat. The Lord has richly blessed the church with a retreat center (and another to be built this spring--WOW). He has provided every step of the way from laborers to furnishings. It's so amazing to see Him work!
This retreat will be filled with rehearsals, games, food, and great services throughout. Pastor Tim Kelly will be our guest speaker and will oversee the rehearsals and concert. Oh yes, did I mention the concert? Friday night at 5p, we'll have a potluck supper (all are welcome!) followed by a Sacred Concert filled with some AMAZING talent! Do you want to be blessed? Come to the concert! It's such a thrill to see young people using their talents for the Lord. You won't be disappointed!
Look for a post-retreat post (figure that one out... HA!) with all the details and pictures!
