Associationlife (June 2008)
Arundel Association
First Church, Kent Island, has an ongoing ministry to seniors. The ladies Joy Group visits several local adult day care centers regularly. They recently celebrated ten years of serving Easter dinners to residents at the local health department's adult day medical services.
Twice a month they sing at the Kent Island Senior Center and they have regular Bible studies for the clients. In addition they serve dinners for about 40 clients twice a year at the church.
The focus of the ministry is to help the elderly who are no longer independent and sometimes overlooked.
New Beginnings Church, Pasadena, delivered cookies to teachers at George Fox Middle School in an effort to show appreciation for the teachers' services and to open doors for ministry to them.
The church had a Mother’s Day breakfast last month with the men doing the cooking. This month the women will reciprocate.
New Beginnings continues to partner with Campus Life, which meets at the church on Mondays. Over 50 teens recently came to one of the Campus Life meetings.
New Hope Church, Baltimore, had a “Free Market” at a community center in Curtis Bay. Nearly 150 people came to accept the freebies – cribs, baby clothes, bicycles, toys, a refrigerator and lots of other items. Bill DeOrazio, New Hope’s outreach minister, said the church filled a truck and when the day was done they had just a few bags of clothing left.
In addition to giving away new and gently used free items, church members shared Jesus with people, as they felt led.
DeOrazio said one woman came and told him she accepted Christ after New Hope’s summer festival in Curtis Bay last year. The woman told DeOrazio she had been on the wrong path, using drugs, alcohol and living a promiscuous lifestyle. Her children came to the festival last year and made a Styrofoam cross. The church members helping them told the kids that Jesus loves them. The children went home and told their mom about it and she put the cross on the refrigerator. Day by day she walked by it and was reminded that God loves her. One day she prayed and told God she was sorry for her sins and said she wanted to live for Him. She told DeOrazio she plans to come to his small group meeting.
Two men talked with DeOrazio and told him they were tired of a life with drugs and alcohol. One had accepted Christ before and had backslidden; the other accepted Christ for the first time.
This is the third “free market” the church has had in Curtis Bay. The first year people were a little hesitant and wary about the stuff being free but this year they were ready. They’re getting to know the church. New Hope has been developing a presence in the area for some time, helping weekly with the feeding ministry and hosting special events. The church will have another summer festival at Curtis Bay, with the help of mission teams, on July 17.
The Church at Severn Run is having a cookout this month and will use the time to begin planning for their “sharing for the holidays.” They’re getting a head start collecting perishable foods for the needy for the holiday season.
Marilyn Graves was a special guest at Severn’s ladies’ luncheon last month. Graves is married to Eddie Graves, pastor of Patterson Park Church. The couple served in Chile as IMB missionaries.
First Church, Crofton, youth will travel to Bowling Green, Ky., to participate in the Kentucky Heartland Outreach at the end of July. The youth will be trained to build wheelchair ramps and simple decks and other light construction projects for needy families.
Baltimore Association
Middle River Church had a spring fling last month in an effort to reach families who are part of the church’s child development center.
Stephen Hardnett, pastor and founder of New Christian Bible Church, Pikesville, Md., and his wife Brenda, celebrated 30 years of ministry in a special extravaganza at the Sheraton Baltimore in Towson, Md., on April 26. During the special ceremony, or-ganized by Deborah Petway McMichael, the Choir Boys served as the special musical guest and New Christian Bible Church’s Joy Hall offered a praise dance. Among others, Timothy Loftin, pastor of Pleasant Rock Church, offered words of encouragement; and Robert Anderson, pastor of Colonial Church in Randallstown, Md., shared a message entitled, “Keep Looking Up” based on Jer. 29:11. The Hardnetts were presented a proclamation of April 26 as the “Rev. Dr. Steve Hardnett 30th Pastoral Anniversary Day” from Sheila Dixon and the Mayor’s office; a governor’s citation from Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley; and a resolution from the Baltimore City Council recognizing the Hardnetts’ contribution to Baltimore.
North Point Church will have a free sports camp June 30-July 3 for elementary aged children. The camp will include soccer, basketball, football and baseball along with learning about Jesus. Several professional athletes are scheduled to attend.
Parkville Church will have strawberry festival/block party on June 7. The event is a free community outreach featuring free food, games and activities and a concert featuring the Oak Grove Quartet.
Temple Church will have Vacation Bible School July 25-29.
Valley Church, Lutherville, will have a sports camp June 23-27. Kids who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade will learn spiritual truths while they learn and play soccer and basketball.
The cost is $105 for the first child and $80 for a second child in the same family and includes a t-shirt, the activities and a group picture.
The church will combine VBS and music camp for elementary school-aged children from July 14-18. They’ll have VBS featuring the theme “Outrigger Island” with Bible stories, games, crafts and recreation and they’ll work on the Kathie Hill program, “Go, Go Jonah!” The ending extravaganza will be on Friday evening. The cost is $40 per child.
Blue Ridge Association
Covenant Church, Shepherdstown, W. Va., will have VBS from 6:15-9 p.m., July 14-18. This year’s theme is “Power Lab” – Discovering Jesus’ miraculous power. Kids will have arts and crafts, drama, games, music and missions.
Delaware Association
Delaware Association will have its annual family fun day a Smyrna Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 21.
Hockessin Church will use Outrigger Island curriculum for their VBS Aug. 2-8.
Ogletown Church, Newark, Del., had their grand opening celebration of their expanded building area on May 4 with a combined worship service in the new multi-purpose room. Members and guests shared breakfast and took tours of the new areas.
In addition to the multi-purpose room, new classrooms were added for the middle, high school and college ministries. Special recognition was given to James Templeton, and Bill Dewberry who worked tirelessly leading the expansion team.
Eastern Association
Oak Ridge Church, Salisbury, is having an all church wedding and vow renewal on Saturday, June 14 for couples who want to renew their vows, or for those who want to get married. A short reception will follow where couples can share a wedding cake.
Ocean City Church began a thrift shop ministry at its West Campus, recycling used clothing. The “shop” is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesdsays and Saturdays. The West Campus is located behind the White Marlin Mall.
The church will have Wednesday family nights from 5:30 to 7:30. p.m., June 18 thorugh August 13. Each night has a different theme including the circus, Egyptian, miltary, olympics, pirates and more.
Mid-Maryland Association
Vernon Hallis celebrated his tenth anniversary serving as youth pastor at Westminster Church. The congregation honored Hallis with a special service and reception on April 27.
Montgomery Association
Redland Church, Rockville, will have its fifth annual sports camp for kids ages 4-11 from June 30-July 17. The camp runs from 9-11:30 a.m. Children can sign up for one week, or all three. Sports include soccer, basketball, t-ball and football.
The church will have its annual VBS from 9 a.m. to noon June 23-27. They’ll have a kick-off family fun night from 5-8 p.m. on June 22 with giant inflatables, food, games and prizes. This year’s theme is “SonWorld Adventure Park.” For details, about the sports camp and VBS, including registration information, see www.redlandbaptist.org.
Potomac Association
Church members from The Potter’s Place, St. Leonard, built a float for the St. Leonard community Fire Department Parade on May 4. The church had the only float in the parade. Church members gave out candy and tracts to those who lined the parade route.
The church had its first mother daughter meeting in April with the hopes of beginning a mother-daughter ministry.
Prince George’s Association
Calvary Church, Upper Marlboro, will have VBS for kids up to sixth grade on July 28-31. The church is using the “Cactus Canyon” curriculum. Kids will gather around the Bible study campfire, trot to the crafts corral, gallop to the recreation barn and enjoy snacks at the chuck wagon. The theme is “Saddle up – Tell others,” based on John 3:16.
The church will have a kick off from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 27 and then meet for VBS classes from 7-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The grand finale will be on Thursday night.
Kettering Church is having a youth retreat June 20-22 at Skycroft Conference Center for tweens and teens ages 11 to 18. The cost is $85.
Susquehanna Association
North Harford Church, Jarretsville, will sponsor a kid’s camp from June 29-July 3 at Camp Wo-Me-To. The theme is “Exploring the Seven C’s” using curriculum from Answers in Genesis. Topics include creation, corruption (the fall of man), catastrophe (the flood), confusion (Babel) and Christ, the cross and consummation. In addition to the study, kids will enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, crafts, music, ball and field games and campfire time. He cost is $180 and includes boarding and meals. For more information see www.northharford.org.
Western Association
Pleasant View Church, Oakland, hosted a Life Action summit revival May 11-21. The summit team lead adult, teen and children’s ministries, introducing revival principals at all levels.
Life Action teams focus on improving the health of the church through a concentrated, extended approach to ministry. For more information about Life Action Ministries, see www.lifeaction.org.
Obituary
Cline L. Vice died on April 27. Funeral services were held at Glen Burnie Church on May 1. Doug Alberts, pastor of Grace Church of Sunset Beach, officiated.
Vice received his Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in 1937. After serving churches in Kentucky he was called to Glen Burnie Church in 1950 and served as pastor of that church until 1978.
He was past president of the Maryland State Baptist Union Association from 1955-1957 and was the founder of the Arundel Association.
Under his leadership Grace Church of Sunset Beach, Linthicum Church, Severn Church, Severna Park Church, Faith Church, Elvaton Church and Emmanuel Church were founded.
“Dr. Vice's ministry influence stretches to my personal ministry today,” John Brittain, Arundel Association’s director of missions, wrote in an email to BaptistLIFE.
Vice was predeceased by his wife Ruth and several of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by four children, Frank L. Vice of Lansing, Mi., Roy L. Vice of Dayton, Ohio, Phyllis V. Hahn of Brooklyn Park and Elsie M. Kosa of Greenville, S.C. He is also survived by his sisters V. Elaine Barnett of N. Wilkesboro, N.C., Leora Philips of Manteo, N.C., W. Jewell Smith of Burlington, Ky., and Joyce Jones of Florence, Ky., seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His family suggests Memorial Donations be given to Arundel Association, 8385 Jumpers Hole Rd., Millersville, MD 21108 in his memory.
