FELLOWSHIP FOOTNOTES

 

Newsletter of Hamilton Bible Fellowship

May 2007

 

      Most of you know that I am a member of the Hamilton Club, which is essentially a dinner club that meets twice monthly, September through May, for a meal and a short program. Incidentally, I am responsible the first   meeting in September; we’ll do a presentation of our church construction project (a great opportunity!). Perhaps what I most like about Hamilton Club is the members – many are retired folks, often with Colgate connections, who have been in the Hamilton community for a long time. Interacting with them is a pleasure, and provides many opportunities. This past Monday I sat with Vernon Ross, (long) retired pastor of First Baptist Church here. He was very anxious to talk with me . . . . He had just returned from visiting his daughter in Los Angeles, where he visited the Getty Museum. There was an exhibit of iconography from St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt, and Vernon was intrigued by a sixth century icon of St. Peter, which was in particularly good condition. “And do you know who it looked exactly like?” Vernon asked. “You!”  Well, I was able to find a photo of the icon online through a Google search and – he’s right!

     I’m not sure what to make of this. Am I as impetuous and impulsive as Peter? After Peter had denied Jesus, the Lord restored him and charged him to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). I know that principle applies to me. But Peter is the “rock” – and it is “upon this rock I will build my church,” Jesus declares (Matthew 16:18). There is debate as to whether “this rock” applies to Jesus or Peter (maybe both?), but I know it doesn’t apply to me! HBF is not “built” on or around me; it is made up of all of you.

     One of my  favorite portions from Peter’s epistles is 1 Peter 4:10-11:

 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering the manifold grace of God. If you speak,

you should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If you

serve, you should do it with the strength God provides, so that

in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

 

     As the one who does much of the speaking, this is challenging! Yet, we all serve – and we all have something unique and different to offer. In this way, we manifest God’s grace in its various forms. “Gift” does not imply one specific ability or offering, necessarily. The principle is that we all bring something different to the fellowship, because God has made us and equipped us each quite uniquely. And, it is the Holy Spirit in us, encouraging, enabling, comforting – strengthening! – that makes it work.

     I see this happening at HBF. In the coming months we would like to take some initiatives to encourage it further. We all want Jesus to so build his church!

 

NEWS AND PRAYER UPDATE:

 

Pray for students, who are finishing, and especially those who are graduating: Jordan, Terry, Jeff and Kenji. Spence Smith graduated in January; pray for future plans and summer activities for all.

 

The elders are forming the initial “Sounding Board,” which will be made up of four or so HBFers, including probably a teenager and a college student. There will be a one year term; the Board will meet with the elders quarterly: May, August, November and February (approximately). If you would like to serve initially, let Jim Andrews know. Hopefully, in time most of you will be included, as this is meant to be a representative group. The first meeting will be in late May or early June.

 

Pray for ongoing health concerns: Linda Cox, Jean Deiter, Janet Griffith, and Dianne Button; also the Towers (Dianne’s parents); The Goodwins (Susan’s parents); the Truppners (Candy’s parents) and Deb Pils’ Mom.

 

 

 

THE QUOTE CORNER

 

 

 

 

Riches are the least worthy gifts which God can give

to people. What are they, compared to God’s Word,

to bodily gifts, such as beauty or health, or to the gifts

of the mind, such as understanding, skill, wisdom! Yet,

people toil for them day and night, and take no rest.

Therefore God commonly gives riches to foolish people,

to whom he gives nothing else.

 

Martin Luther

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMING EVENTS CALENDAR:

 

Young Life Volleyball Tourney, Saturday May 26^th at the Eaton St. sand court. This is a fund raising event; see Ernie Nolen for more details.

 

First Syracuse Chiefs church bulletin night of the season: Monday, May 21^st. Listen on Sundays for details.

 

The HBF Spring Picnic will be Sunday June 3^rd or 10^th. Location to be announced!

 

May Birthdays: 12 Joe Evans; 19 Martha Fisher; 20 Meghan Pils; 22 Jordan Cox;

                         28 Terry Hayes, Gaye Andrews. If I have missed any, let me know!