Arundel Association
Emmanuel Church, Gambrills, will have a kids’ flea market from 8 a.m. to noon on May 2 with gently used toys, games, books and other children’s items.
First Church, Crofton, will have a business luncheon on May 12. The laymen of the church will share testimonies on the topic “How to survive the economic meltdown.” The event is co-sponsored by the Crofton Chamber of Commerce. Those who attend will receive copies of Patrick Morley’s book, “How to Survive the Economic Meltdown,” a faith-based approach to the current economic situation.
The church youth had a pancake breakfast and yard sale last month to raise funds for upcoming youth events.
Cathy Plunkett, a member of First Crofton, is founder of “Good News Bible Recycling.” Plunkett sends used Bibles to local prison ministries. She recently began recycling used reading glasses. At the request of a prison chaplain she needs reading glasses with strengths of +2.0, +2.5 and +2.75.
New Hope Community Church, Curtis Bay, will host an All About Kids Productions on July 5-10 this summer for kids who have completed 1st-6th grade. It only costs $99 ($115 beginning June 1) for a week of performing arts and biblical instruction, including role-playing, theatre games, script learning, vocal music, choreography and creative movement and Bible study. For more information, or to register, see www.LamplightArtists.com.
North Glen Church, Glen Burnie, has a movie night every third Friday. In April the church had an outdoor family movie with free popcorn.
The church has a free coffeehouse on the fourth Friday of each month. Last month the coffeehouse featured the church’s own praise team, “the unnamed band.”
Riva Trace Church, Davidsonville, has several parenting ministries. Parents of teens and tweens can attend classes at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays to share with other parents and learn the Biblical solutions to face today’s challenges and reap the rewards of parenting teens.
“A Biblical Portrait of Parenting” class is held on Wednesdays for parents trying to navigate the pitfalls and perils of raising children.
Weems Creek Church, Annapolis, is kicking off a new women’s mentoring program at a garden party on May 3. The new ministry will partner spiritually mature women with younger believers to form strong, lasting relationships that provide encouragement, growth and strength for both the mentors and mentees.
Baltimore Association
First Church, Dundalk, has a Reformers Unanimous group that meets at 7 p.m. on Fridays. The program is designed to help people struggling with all kinds of addictions including alcohol and drugs, over-eating, smoking, gambling, over spending, gossip, pornography, etc.
Samuel Cho, pastor of Nepal Church, Lutherville, and his wife, Young, seek the prayers of their brothers and sisters in Christ as they visit Nepal and India from April 13-May 5.
The couple is visiting Antioch Church, a plant they established last year during the trip to the area.
Samuel Cho said that within three years, 60,000 Bhutan refugees will arrive in the United States.
The Chos have started a new Bhutan house church in Baltimore. Currently 20 participants meet on Thursday nights.
Twenty-eight BSM college students from South Carolina came to Baltimore last month to work with Reisterstown Church and Crossway Church, Owings Mills. Valley Church, Lutherville, housed the students.
The young adults worked tirelessly, prayer walking, doing surveys, cleaning, painting, repairing homes, helping at homeless and crisis shelters, working at the Curtis Bay feeding ministry and even painting a mural at Crossway Church. Before leaving the students made goodies for a coffeehouse and shared with local students about college life.
Blue Ridge Association
The ladies of First Church, Brunswick, did a special April outreach last month. They made “sunshine baskets” to bring a little encouragement and cheer to the sick and shut-in.
New Life Community Church, Inwood, W.Va., will have a dessert comedy theater featuring Christian comedian Scott Davis. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information about Davis see ttp://hopehilarity.com/sweetlife/media/demo.
Delaware Association
The Delaware Association is participating in a minister of education program with LifeWay. Delaware churches will partner with ministers of education out of the state who will help evaluate and give counsel to the Delaware education ministry leaders.
Three training programs are scheduled to prepare the participating churches. The partnerships will begin in the fall of this year.
Pastors and key lay leaders in the association will be participating in an association retreat on May 3 and 4 at Black Rock Retreat Center in Lancaster, Pa.
Healing Water Bible Church International, Bear, celebrated their seventh year anniversary at Ogletown Church on April 26 with a special worship service followed by a luncheon. Ralph Garay, senior consultant, Church Planting Team, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina was the special speaker. Dianne Berry provided the special music.
Hockessin Church called Terri Foster as associate pastor on April 26. He will work with outreach and missions ministries. Foster and his wife Libby have been members of Hockessin for over 10 years and both have worked in various ministries including youth, pre-school and music.
Eastern Association
Churches in the Eastern Association are sending Life Boxes to men and women in the armed services serving in Iraq. The boxes contain toiletries, homemade goodies, socks, and an assortment of other small gifts for the service men and women. Volunteers also make sure to include Christian reading material. All the boxes are due by May 10.
First Church, Pocomoke City, will have a senior adult luncheon beginning at 11 a.m. on June 9. The fellowship lunch includes fried chicken, sliced ham, sides and desserts and special music. Walter and Bettye Agor will share some funny things they’ve experienced on their way to heaven.
Paul Elligson pastor of First Church prepares a luncheon for about 100 Pocomoke seniors each month.
Mid-Maryland Association
CrossLife Community Church, Elkridge, will have a track and field camp from June 22-26 for children ages 6-13. Activities will include high jump, discus, javelin, shot put, springs, distance running and long jump.
The Mid-Maryland Association will sponsor its annual mission trip to Mississippi July 6-10. Volunteers will do construction work, help with Vacation Bible Schools and do other outreach ministries. Over $100,000 has been donated and 500 people have volunteered since 2005.
Mt. Airy Church will have a special “Celebration of Marriage” Sunday on May 3. The special speaker will be Bruce McCraken, president of House on the Rock Ministries.
The church will have a father/son basketball tournament on June 7.
Montgomery Association
Georgia Avenue Church, Wheaton, had a spring fling fashion show/dinner to raise money for youth ministries. The fashions were a little different. Adults dressed up as youth and the youth as adults.
Kensington Church had a spring fling and flea market last month in an effort to reach their community and to raise money for hunger ministries. In addition to flea market vendors selling their wares, the event featured clowns, a moon bounce, balloons, face painting, magic and puppet shows for the kids. There were also static displays by the police and fire company, pet rescue booths and a variety of entertainment. The church also had a booth about its upcoming VBS and their ESL classes. The Rock of Salvation Korean congregation also participated.
The church just completed its finished its English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for the academic year. They are now offering evening Bible study for English learners during the evenings in May and June.
Potomac Association
First Church, Waldorf, had a walk for life to raise money for a local pregnancy center. About 30 people participated in the two-mile trek inside the church. Debbie Kempson, wife of Pastor Wayne Kempson and the church’s director of music, said members and friends enjoy the fellowship as they stroll through the Christian life center, sanctuary and education building 19 times.
“It’s a fun way to do it and it raises awareness for the pregnancy center,” Kempson said. The church typically raises about $2,000 each year from pledges.
The church supports the center in other ways, through special offerings and their benevolence funds. Some members also volunteer at the center.
First Waldorf is gearing up to host “All About Kids Productions,” a Lamplight Artists performing arts camp, in June. They expect over 70 children to participate.
The church moved into its new sanctuary last November. Kempson said members are happy to have a dedicated sanctuary. They moved from their previous location five years ago and began worshipping in their family life center, then built an education area and a chapel. The sanctuary was the final stage of the building program. It holds 450 people. The church has two Sunday morning services.
Leonardtown Church will host disaster relief training from 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on May 16. The cost is $20 and includes lunch, t-shirt, hat ad materials. For more information email Emily at Emily@potomacbaptist.net.
Maryland Point Church, Nanjemoy, welcomed music guests “Walls of Jasper” from Leonardtown Church for a special concert.
The Potomac Association (PBA) is kicking off is new pastors/Sunday school directors network on June 9 at the PBA Barkley Center. Dinner is at 6 p.m. followed by a meeting at 7 p.m.
Prince George’s Association
Emmanuel Church, Laurel, is hosting a “Trusting God in your financial life” on May 16. The conference begins at 10 a.m. The cost is $25.
First Church, Upper Marlboro, is hosting a ham radio technician class May 1-3. The class is from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday. The cost is $25.
Forestville New Redeemer Church will host the Prince George’s Association annual meeting starting at 10 a.m. on May 2. Jorge Fonseca is the guest speaker.
Fort Washington Church had a men’s worship and fellowship time called “Manning the Gap.” James Dixon, pastor of El Bethel Church, Fort Washington, was the guest speaker. A fellowship dinner was served.
Kettering Church, Upper Marlboro, had a youth talent night with rap, liturgical dance and free pizza.
Susquehanna Association
First Church, Havre de Grace, celebrated its 100th anniversary with special events on April 17-19 including a special catered anniversary dinner, memorabilia and special speakers. The theme was “First Baptist Church: Past, Present and Future.”
Ministers from years past participated in the celebration. Henry Laube, pastor from 1969-1979, preached the Saturday evening service on April 18. Jim Burchman, pastor from 1979-1993, preached the Friday night service. Executive Director of the Baptist Convention, David Lee, preached the Sunday morning service on April 19 and Dan Sheffield, director of missions for the Susquehanna Association, preached at the 7 p.m. Sunday service.
Professor Robert Eubank laid the first foundations of First Church on April 3, 1887. He was principal of the local high school and started a Sunday school as a fulfillment of his wife’s dying wish and with the encouragement of his daughter Lula. Though the work was stopped in the latter part of 1892, it was picked up ten years later when W. D. Quattlebaum of South Carolina, from began having services in the city park and the Willow Theater on Sundays. Interest grew and the church was officially constituted on April 11, 1909.
First Church, North East, had their annual re-enactment of the last supper on Palm Sunday. One by one each of the costumed 12 actors entered the room and introduced themselves as the disciple they portrayed. They sat on the floor around “Jesus,” played by deacon Phil Meekins. “John” leaned against him. They ate cheese and fruit and drank water. They also acted out the foot washing ceremony. “Judas” stormed out. Music and narration was interspersed through the program. Patricia Culvert was the director.
“It was so moving many in the audience were brought to tears,” FBCNE ministry assistant, Cathy Gray, said. “It was quite impressive. It made you think.”
The Women On Mission at Towne Church, Joppa, hosted a “Focus on WMU” Breakfast for their ladies, Acteens and GA’s on Saturday, March 21. Missionaries Randy and Sandy Moyer shared about their work in France, and encouraged everyone to pray for the lost and hurting people there. The Moyers are presently on furlough, and are living in Carsin Run’s Missionary House in Aberdeen. Their son is Chris Moyer, associate pastor at First Church, Perryville, and their daughter-in-law, Laura, is the daughter of Stephen Hokuf, pastor of First Church, North East.
Western Association
The Western Association will have its annual youth camp July 13- 18 at the 4-H Camp Frame, near Hedgeville, W.Va. This is the 62nd annual camp. It will feaure Bible study, worship missions and lots of outdoors western fun for kids.
Deep Creek Church will have a fellowship supper and silent auction on May 3 from 4:45- 6 p.m.
Obituary
James Lloyd Rousey Jr., 73, of Sykesville, died April 7. Rousey was pastor of Elders Church from 1972-1981 and at First Church, Thurmont in the late 90’s. He served as interim pastor at several BCM/D churches including Greenbriar Church, Boonsboro, Emmanuel Church, Gamber (now Faith Family Church, Finksburg), and First Church, Brunswick. He also helped start a church in Smithburg.
Rousey accepted Christ when he was 10-years-old at Vacation Bible School. He always credited his Sunday school teacher for continuing to give an invitation at the end of each lesson, planting spiritual seeds.
He was called to the ministry when he was in his 30’s and he attended Luther Rice Seminary.
Rousey also worked as deputy director of facilities maintenance for the state prison system and served as chaplain at the central laundry facility in Sykesville.
His wife, Ruth Ann, said her husband always enjoyed riding motorcycles. She said even as a young boy he enjoyed riding and started a club called “The Miracle Club.” He and his young friends met in a trailer of an old semi. Ruth Ann said the club was even chartered by the American Motorcycle Association and the kids had bylaws and paid dues.
“He was always laughing and joking…just a fun guy to be around, Ruth Ann said. “His passion was preaching. He found the call was so strong he said it was ‘like a fire burning in my gut.’ He always said ‘it’s something I cannot not do.’”
Rousey was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served during the Korean conflict.
In addition to his wife, Ruth Ann, of 51 years, Rousey is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, James W. and Tammy Rousey of Sykesville, John M. Rousey of Sykesville, and Mohy and Sharine Ahmed of Sykesville; former daughter-in-law, Shannon Rousey of Westminster; brothers, Terry Rousey of Floyd’s Knob, Ind., and Steve Rousey of Champaigne, Ill.; and many grandchildren.