otes & news thoughts & views - ABCOPAD

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For ABCOPAD Churches from
Regional Executive Pastor Rev. Frank Frischkorn

Volume 27, Number 12 December 2015

Greetings in the LORD!

When I was a kid growing up in Harrisburg, every Christmas season we would all pile in the
’62 Falcon and make a beeline to Holly Street. This particular part of town was legendary for
having the best display of Christmas lights in the city, and it never disappointed! With a name like
Holly Street, how could you NOT make a point of decorating, and I have to guess that there was
more than a little peer pressure to deck the halls if you were a resident of Holly Street. Don’t get
me wrong — this wasn’t a Clark Griswold/Christmas Vacation scene by any means — no, it was
beautifully done and even now as I write this I can remember the oohs and ahhs that came out
of all of our mouths as we rounded the corner and slowly made our way down the side street. It’s
funny though — there just aren’t many lights out anymore. People just don’t seem to decorate the
way that they used to, and I’ve got to admit that it seems a bit “dark” in more ways than one as I
drive throughout the region these days. Certainly, watching those kilowatt hours has a part to play,
but it definitely does put a damper on this festive time of the year, at least for me ... I just miss
seeing the lights.
In Ireland, a major theme this time of year is the “welcoming candle.” A single candle is placed
in the window as a symbol that the homeowner would welcome the Holy Family — unlike
the inn keeper in Bethlehem, who had his No Vacancy sign illuminated that night of nights so
many centuries ago. As I’ve thought about that tradition in Ireland, alongside of the shortage
of Christmas lights that you find on houses today, I had to wonder if my life reflects a light of
welcome to the Savior? Does my life declare, like the words of the
carol, “O come to my heart LORD Jesus, there is room in my
heart for Thee.”? I pray that it does ... and I pray yours does too.
Oh, just to let you know — there are lights outside of our house,
and lights inside as well. One new light that we just found at a
second hand shop is an anchor ship’s lantern. Carolyn couldn’t
resist making it a part of our Christmas decorations this year, and I
have to admit that it casts a beautiful glow in our home.
Just another sign to let the LORD Jesus know that He is always
welcome here.

Merry Christmas! Frank

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 1

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson
Regional Pastor with
Congregations
888-687-0883
[email protected]

On any given day, at least one of our regional pastors is somewhere on the road
somewhere across our region staying a starry or snowy night in a hotel fulfilling our
callings. That reminded me of the story of a couple touring Israel during later
December. They decided it would be very meaningful to spend Christmas in
Bethlehem. Arriving there, they searched high and low for a motel room, but none
could be found. Finally, they pulled up in front of the Hotel Bethlehem and the
husband got out of the car, telling his wife: "Stay here, honey. Let me see what I
can do for us." He approached the desk clerk who told him there were no rooms.
"Sorry, sir. It's Christmas Eve, our busiest time." No matter how much the man offered to pay, the clerk
said he had nothing. Finally, the man told the clerk, "I bet if I told you my name was Joseph, that the
woman waiting outside was named Mary, and that she had a newborn infant, you'd find a room." "Well,"
stammered the clerk, "I-- I suppose so." "Okay," said the man. "I guarantee you they're not coming
tonight, so we'll take their room!" ©

Luke, like us, was not an eyewitness to the birth of Jesus. He needed to
depend on the testimony of others as confirmed to him by the Holy Spirit as to
what happened. There are some great life lessons to be learned and lived from
Luke's account.

God can actually share and do something great with you while at work,
(1:11) and (2:8).

God uses unusual means and unusual people to accomplish His ends. Elizabeth would have been
considered too old (1:18). Mary would have been considered too young (1:27).

God takes time to accomplish His ends. It took nine months to bring God's plan to fullness (2:6). It
didn't play out overnight. Even when you don't see it, God is working behind the scenes and
beneath the surface to bring about His will.

God expects you to obey His directives even if you don't understand all the details (1:34).

God can be worshipped by individuals: females (1:46) or males (1:64); by groups: angelic (2:13)
or humans (2:20), inside a home (1:26) or in the outdoors (2:8), on the ground (2:8) or in the air
(2:15), during the day (1:59) or during the night (2:8), in town (1:26) or out in the country
(1:65); apart from a religious structure.

God can use the most inconvenient things to accomplish His purposes (2: 1). The census disrupted
their schedules/plans. They had to go where they did not want to and weren't up to. God does
some of His best work when we are out of our comfort zone and things are out of our control.

God's answer to life's problems can be found in the humblest of
places (Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), a stable, and a manger) (2:16).
Maybe instead of 'looking up', you need to look down, and
maybe you need to be on your knees to see It.

And, do you think I could end this article, as well as this year without
saying something about sharing our faith? Christmas is all about
evangelism! You don't need formal training to share the Good News ...
just a personal encounter with the Christ (2:20).

From our home and our hearts, may you, individually and congregationally,
experience The Gladness of Christmas- which is Hope, The Spirit of Christmas-
which is Peace, and The Heart of Christmas - which is Love, which all together
bring about the true Joy of this sacred season.

Pel/

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 2

Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith disease and preventable deaths). The staff explained to us the
Regional Pastor for significance of a group traveling to a remote village to install a
Mission and Communication filter. The AMOS staff does a great job preparing a village long
570-435-2001 before a team arrives. The AMOS staff gathers information,
[email protected] helps the community organize its own health committee and
trains a local individual to be a health promoter. This local
Matthew 1:20-23 While he was trying health promoter cares for the health needs of the village that is
to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the often many hours away from the closest professional medical
dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. care. Long before a team arrives, foundational preparations
Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has have been accomplished by native Nicaraguans and AMOS
made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when staff.

she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — ‘God saves’ — When a team does arrive at a village, the village is incredibly
because he will save his people from their sins.” This would excited. AMOS staff explained, “You can not over emphasize
bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for the impact made on a village when the team shows up.” The
this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will village realizes they are both important and significant because
name him Immanuel (Hebrew for ‘God is with us’).” a team is present. The power created by new relationships is
A couple of weeks ago I had lunch with Rev. Dr. Lee Barnhart, huge and the desire to change is dramatic. Worship services
lead pastor at the First English Baptist Church of Bloomsburg. with villagers, playing with the children and simply spending
Among the topics we discussed over lunch was his interest time in their homes creates a lasting impression. Villages
in our 2016 Mission Trips to Nicaragua. Pastor Lee was continue the transformative work of a team for months and
considering participating in the April trip as well as promoting even years after the team has departed.

both trips with the congregation, however he had an important This does not even begin to address the many ways a mission
question to ask. Pastor Lee wanted to know why it was better trip transforms the team members themselves.
for us to send a team to Nicaragua instead of simply sending It was easy to answer Pastor Lee’s question. As we approach
the money required to dispatch a team. Without a doubt it Christmas, I began thinking about the incarnation and how a
takes a substantial amount of money for an individual to go team embodies incarnational ministry. God, when He wanted
to Nicaragua to install water filters. Wouldn’t it be better to to express His love for us — when He wanted to rescue us;
simply send the cash and have people already in Nicaragua when He wanted to care for us — took on flesh and dwelt
distribute and install the filters? amongst us. When a team arrives in a village, that team
Some might think this question represents an excuse not to represents the hands and feet of Jesus. God uses that team to
go on a mission trip and dodge Jesus’ call to travel to some transform lives.
destination to serve. Although the question being asked has There are so many opportunities this year to participate in a
been used as an excuse, it was not the case for Pastor Lee. mission trip experience both here in the United States and
During lunch Pastor Lee explained: I served as a short-term internationally. If Jesus is calling you to be His hands and feet,
student missionary for 14 months right after college graduation, I hope you will answer His call. Have a blessed Christmas and
from June 1980 – August 1981 with an ecumenical Christian I pray you will be the church deployed, serving as the hands and
organization, Latin America Mission, in a program called (at that feet of Jesus wherever He leads you.
time) Spearhead. We were a group of 50-60 young adults in the
summer months and about 18 people from September-May. We
were placed in pairs with local families and local churches — I
was in four different locales in Mexico, one in Columbia, one in
Honduras. Our ministry opportunities included working with
local pastors and their congregations (VBS, worship, evangelism
and outreach), door-to-door New Testament distribution,
witnessing, and home Bible studies as we found interest. Our
experiences varied somewhat depending upon the location and
composition of the local congregations. We also formed worship
teams to visit each other’s churches with music and testimonials.
All our meals and living spaces were with host families of the
churches so it was a terrific immersive experience in another
culture.
Pastor Lee’s question was both sincere and honest. While
in Nicaragua installing water filters, we worked with our
International Ministries Missionaries Dr. David and Dr. Laura
Parajón and the AMOS team (AMOS Health and Hope
seeks to take action to help address the problems of poverty,

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 3

Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden Because of the nature of regional pastoral ministry, we deal
Regional Pastor with with relational conflict weekly. I’ve said before, and I believe
Pastoral Leaders it to be true, “Ministry is all about Relationships.” Our
610-575-0320 relationship with God and our relationship with others. I
[email protected] think about Matthew 18:15-17 a lot in regard to managing
relationships.
The Ultimate PRESENT “If your fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him in private
“God loved the world so much that He GAVE His one and only what he did wrong. If he listens to you, you have helped that
Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have person to be your brother or sister again. But if he refuses to listen,
eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge the go to him again and take one or two other people with you. Every
world guilty, but to SAVE the world through Him.” case may be proved by two or three witnesses. If he refuses to
listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the
John 3:16-17 (NCV) church, then treat him like a person who does not believe in
I witnessed a children’s sermon recently where the pastor God, or like a tax collector.”
asked the children what present they were getting Jesus for I think we misunderstand this process and especially
His birthday ... there were a lot of blank stares and a ton of the ending. Our traditional interpretation of this is an
confusion in the eyes of those children! For them, Christmas is understanding that the process escalates ending in dismissal.
about GETTING gifts not GIVING. Does it? What if we saw this passage escalating toward a more
I remember doing something similar in a children’s sermon and more basic understanding of sharing the love of God
myself. Melody loaned me a small beautiful box, pre-wrapped through Jesus with the person? How do we treat people who
in a stunning red foil with a beautiful big green bow. It was don’t know Jesus? We work extra hard to share the Gospel with
about six inches square. Perfect size for a small camping mirror. them, right?
When I talked with the kids about the best gift they could give Christmas is all about understanding that we (as sinful people)
Jesus, I told them that I had prepared it in the box, but they do have a relationship issue with God — a broken one because
had to look. When they looked in, they saw themselves! of sin. But God in His incredible benevolence GAVE us
Our gift for Jesus is ourselves, right? But our gift is in response Himself as a GIFT that redeems that brokenness. It is a life-
to a GIFT ALREADY GIVEN — JESUS, Himself. God changing gift if we accept it. It refocuses us away from our
GAVE us Himself. God GAVE first. God GAVE His all. worldly, selfish desire about stuff, which is pretty empty. And
We’ve been thinking a lot about our gifts to family and friends accepting God’s GIFT — Jesus — fills us to the full point.
this year. We’re always intentional, but there’s something Melody and I pray you have a wonder-filled and blessed
compelling about trying extra hard to point people to Jesus Christmas. You are on our minds, hearts and in our prayers ...
this year. To point people to the ULTIMATE GIFT, and the Lovingly,
ULTIMATE GIVER. Kevin
A few years ago a friend mentioned to me that he felt his
family didn’t focus enough on Jesus and that they were too
worldly and it was hard to be around them. That’s the kind of
comment that haunts a person.

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 4

PRAISE THE LORD! At the four mini retreats During this pilot there are some funds available
around our region in October, we had over 200 through E.W.E to encourage you to form a
attend the four regional retreats! Over 12 Thrive Group. There are also study guides and
associations were represented, with ages leader resources to make it easier. This
spanning from 4 years old to 88 years old! There invitation includes all women and girls who
were at least six AB Girls who attended. All attend an American Baptist Church in our
who joined in were challenged to live out their region. The groups could meet on a Sunday
uniqueness in a thriving, Christ-centered morning, or any other time. Please, prayerfully
community. We were encouraged to THRIVE! consider this opportunity. In reading rich books
and joining in discussion groups to learn and
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all who led, encourage each other, we can receive more of
helped to organize and even brought food to the Lord's love, and encouragement to Thrive!
make these retreats possible.
A special thanks to Frank Frischkorn, Glynis To learn more or get started contact:
LaBarre, and Jeff Johnson for their powerful Christy Meneely
messages to us. Spiritual Enrichment Coordinator
[email protected]
A New Invitation to: Thrive! In 2016 we will 717-661-3108
be introducing a pilot program that will offer
new opportunities to grow in the Lord and to LOVE GIFT -the act of giving from the heart.
encourage each other. We will be forming A poor widowed woman gave her money in
groups to study and encourage. They will be Mark 12:41-44.
called: "Thrive Groups." Joanna Weaver's
two books, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha In 1932 money was
World and Having A Mary Spirit, as well as hard to come by, but
Thrive by Mark Hall, are the books that we will American Baptist
be focusing on. Women gave
sacrificially, knowing
God would provide for
their families . As a
result, missionaries
throughout the world
were able to continue
sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Today can we do any less???
Drop coins in your Love Gift boxes and
continue advancing the ministry started by those
brave, believing women.

Pam Hughes
Love Gift Coordinator
psh [email protected]
724-397-2827

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 5

News From our Associations and Region

ABCOPAD Foundation Allegheny River reach out into our community. Fliers
were sent out to every one in the Mill
New Interim Director of Development Kevin writes: I had an early morning Creek area. Prayers were lifted up for a
A note of praise from Dr. Ardell visit today with Pastor Mike Culver good time in the Lord and that many
Thomas, President of the at FBC, Port Allegheny. Mike gave me a would want to know more about Jesus.
ABCOPAD Foundation. During ride in the church’s new elevator. He was Trying something new! n
a call on November 11th, the really excited to show me how it works
ABCOPAD Foundation Board and how it communicates that everyone Clarion
approved the call of a new Interim has value. And being good Baptists, it
Director of Development, following gives everyone the opportunity to get to Following a morning preaching and an
the resignation of Pastor Debbie fellowship hall for all the great church afternoon consult at one of our federated
Loessy. Mrs. Sue MacDonald was meals! n churches, East Side, Sharon (dually
unanimously elected to serve in aligned American Baptist and Disciples
that interim position and will begin Bradford of Christ), Jeff Johnson (ABCOPAD
her ministry with us on December Regional Pastor with Congregations)
1st. We are excited to have Sue on On Nov. 19, the Bradford Baptist headed a couple hours east to attend the
board for many reasons, knowing Association Executive Committee fall gathering of the Clarion Association
that her relational skills and history gathered at the Olde Covert Church on which focused on missions.
of working with pastors and lay Armenia Mountain near Troy, Pa. The George Prinkey shared about his 2015
people across our two states will Olde Covert Church was closed and mission trip to Nicaragua, a joint venture
be an important benefit to the abandoned but now is vibrant with by ABCOPAD and ABC New York.
Foundation’s fund raising efforts. life. Almost every congregation in the George referenced his ACTS education
Sue’s passion for regional ministry association was represented. Pastor as well as his view that missions takes
is well known and we will be Ed Zinser of New Albany chaired the place right here at home, as George is
identifying places and times, in the meeting that included reports from the now volunteering at a youth center in
near future for opportunities for associations camping committee, AB Brookville. He also shared about the
people to meet with Sue in her Men, AB Women, ABCOPAD General importance of the White Cross which
new role. n Board Rep and more. Mark Mahserjian- our ABWomen do; he personally saw the
Smith provided a presentation regarding bandages they provide to our medical
Abington Association Principles. n missionaries, the Parajóns, in Managua,
Nicaragua. He was very passionate about
Kevin writes: An awesome service Central Union what he shared. He said the trip changed
tonight (Nov. 22) that Frank, Eric and him to desire less and appreciate simple
I were present for in Scranton. The Exton Community Baptist Church things more. He had people proverbially
Abington Association had a prayer and welcomed the Rev. Dr. Don Ng and “eating out of his hand,” until he shared
praise service hosted by Jackson Street his wife, Joy, former members of the that in Nicaragua he saw spiders the size
Baptist Church. Prayers for churches, church. Dr. Ng spoke with fondness of a hand :-) George plans to return to
pastors, the city, officials, young people, and gratitude about the family’s 17 years Nicaragua next April and, hopefully,
students, etc. very awesome! n in ECBC as he recalled the spiritual June as well. Maybe you would like to
Shiloh Baptist Church, Abington development of their children who join him? Contact Mark Mahserjian-
Association: Frank writes: After grew up in this church. Of course, Smith or Denise Veselicky for more
preaching at Hepburn Baptist in the members and friends gather for a time of information. n
morning, I spent the afternoon at the fellowship after the worship service every
Abington Association meeting in Sunday morning. It is an opportunity to Monongahela
Scranton. The folks at Shiloh Baptist were connect with each other while enjoying
great hosts for the day, which features light refreshments provided by host On a recent Sunday, Jeff Johnson
music and dance by the congregation, volunteers. We love to have our visitors (Regional Pastor with Congregations)
along with Eric leading a session on how and newcomers stay after church for this spent the day with the Olive Branch
we can reach young people today with get-together so that we can greet them Baptist Church. He was filling in for
the love of Jesus. It was the Abington personally. n their pastor, Ken Sommerfeldt, who
Baptist Association’s 209th annual with his wife, Paula, went to visit
meeting. n Centre family in Kansas for Thanksgiving.
The Olive Branch Church is VERY
Mill Creek Baptist held an Advent active in missions right there in their
Adventure night on Dec. 4. The event own community as well as in their
started at 6 p.m., with games, crafts, association, in our region, and across
caroling and more. This was a way to

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 6

our country and even around the world, New Hope Christian Church (Jeff Tioga
as Paula herself will be leading another Evans) would like to share another
Mission Trip back to Haiti, the first testimony from their outreach ministry Mark writes: On Nov. 22, I had a
of 2016. If interested, check with our “The Healing Rooms of Delaware chance to attend worship at Westfield
region office. This church is truly a great County.” After a slow start in September Baptist Church and hear Pastor
partner in ministry! n and October, the Healing Rooms Sean Grossman preach. Mike Hale
have had an increase in people who led worship. The congregation was
Oil Creek are searching and wanting prayer for celebrating, as they served almost
healing. Recently, two people came in 500 dinners for their community
Mark writes: On Nov. 15, a mission for prayer. The first was a pregnant lady Thanksgiving meal on Saturday. One
presentation was given at the Breedtown and because of her age she is considered young lady named Jessica was telling all
Baptist Church (Nathan Stein). It was a high risk pregnancy. She recently had a about dinner and the people from the
a blast sharing mission trip options with miscarriage and wanted prayer for peace community the congregation served. n
the adult Sunday School class. It was also for herself and security for the baby.
a great joy seeing Walt and Frieda Seley. After the prayer, she told us that she felt Other Items of Interest
Walt served on the ABCOPAD Board so blessed and at peace. The other person
and chaired the Mission Allocation that came was diagnosed with cancer. Don’t forget to check out our website
Committee for many years. Such a fun After talking and praying with her, she often at www.abcopad.org! n
way to spend the morning. n accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and
Savior. This is the greatest miracle. “He
Pittsburgh Himself bore our sins in His body on a
tree, so that we might die to sins and live
Over the weekend, Jeff Johnson visited for righteousness; by His wounds you
FBC, Monongahela, in the southwest have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) n
corner of our region. FBC has been
part of the year long co::lab experience, Caryl Casey
working on vision to take their church ABCOPAD Treasurer
to the next level of impact for Christ in 800-932-9442
their community. [email protected]
As part of the community’s Light Up
Night for the holidays, the church held ******** REMINDER********
a live nativity experience in their parking End of Year Mission Close
lot. Over 500 people came through! The
event was put on pretty much free of As we come to the end of 2015, please note that we will be closing December
charge, through a partnership with the missions on Jan. 12, 2016. To have your church’s giving count towards 2015, please
Chamber of Commerce and other local be sure to have your remittance mailed in time to reach the post office box by Jan.
businesses. n 11, to allow for coding and entering. Remember you can submit your personal gift
or church’s giving online through the donation section at www.abcopad.org, saving
Riverside time, a stamp and a check.
It is very important that you check the receipts that have been returned for your gifts
Rev. Dr. Wylie W. Johnson (Springfield) during 2015, if you have not done this throughout the year. This is the last chance
was one of eight awarded the Delaware to make any corrections for this year. If you have any questions, please contact us so
County Veteran’s Memorial Association that we can process your gifts correctly. Thank you for all that you do to support the
Freedom Medal on Nov. 12. About ministries of ABCOPAD and the entire ABC family.
600 enthusiastic supporters of Veterans
Affairs in Delaware County gathered 1-800-932-9442 • [email protected] • [email protected]
at the Springfield Country Club for
the event. Chaplain (Colonel) Johnson
retired from the U.S. Army Reserve
at an official ceremony at the Military
Intelligence Readiness Command
Headquarters, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, in
2012. He continues in his 18th year as
pastor of Springfield Baptist. Johnson
also received commendations from
Congressman Pat Mehan, PA State
Representative Bill Adolph, and PA State
Senator Tom McGarrigle. n

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 7

Celebration of Mission Giving (through November)

Even to lowly shepherds ...

American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Page 8