October 2024× Fall Quarter Inside This Edition: A Word From the Pastor…………….………………pg 1 Arcata Christian School………..…………….……pg 2 Workday……………….……………….…….….………pgs 2-3 Young Married Night Out ………………….…...…pg 2 AFBC Youth Ministry……..……………………………pg 3 Welcome Back BBQ……………..………………pgs 3-4 Prayer Room……..……………..………..…………..…….pg 4 Church Picnic………………………………………………pg 5 Operation Christmas Child…..…………………pg 5 Water Baptisms……………………………..…….pgs 5-6 New faces, new families and new leadership has been a blessing to the life and ministry of the church. In addition, we have also seen a number of people step up and take over Cornerstone and Delight, our high school and middle school ministries. Solid Rock is growing spiritually and numerically. A new prayer ministry was also birthed as Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday there is prayer in the sanctuary from 8:30 am to 10 am. Arcata Christian School is also going strong. As we close out this year I encourage us all to continue to have expectant hearts and believe for God’s best amongst us. The best is yet to come!. A WORD FROM PASTOR D More on Expectation Earlier this year the Lord placed a word on my heart for AFBC for 2024. The word was “expectant” or “expectation”, and I encouraged us all to have expectant hearts as we entered into the new year. I also encouraged us to believe God for things regarding our lives and the life of our church. As we have been walking in faith towards a fruitful year in the Lord our church has seen a number of water baptisms, the addition of about 35 new people of various age demographics, the addition of a new nursery ministry and renovation of the nursery room with new paint, new cabinets, etc. through the hard work of some faithful volunteers. We also have at least two new babies on the way! 1
Ron Wunner, Principal the school if you have some time to work with students from K-8 grade. WORKDAY! Arcata Christian School began the 52nd year of ministry on August 26 with 95 students enrolled in the K-8 regular day school and home school program. Several new part-time teachers joined the faculty: Angel Tapia-Vasquez (Math 5th &6), Daniel Gent (Math 7th & 8th), Sumit Sen, Bible 7th & 8th, Carmen Espinosa, P.E. Athletic Director, Volleyball Coach. Mrs. Saiah Myers has assumed 3rd grade teaching responsibilities. Some key events this year will be the Annual Cougar Classic Volleyball Tournament, October 11 & 12; Christmas Program on December 19; ACS Sunday, January 26; Variety Show, March 14; Annual Dinner and Auction Fundraiser, April 5th; School Annual Play (Cinderella Story) May 14 & 15 (Wednesday and Thursday); Graduation, June 6. You can also look for our very delicious Tri-Tip Dinners. Other miscellaneous news: Mrs. Childress (ACS teacher emeritus) continues to teach music; Mr. Grebe leads music at our Wednesday morning chapel service; The flagpole was taken down to allow for painting and some restorative work on the base. It should be up again soon; Mark Aultman donated his time and materials to build some new shelving for one of our classrooms in Wunner Hall; ACS received a $3,000 donation to upgrade our allschool reading program (Accelerated Reading Program); Grades 3-8 students now have Chromebooks to enhance their learning experience. Thank you AFBC for so many years of support. We are grateful for your prayers and for providing the school with this incredible facility in which to share the love of Christ with these children. The school would love to have college students involved in the school. Our sports program needs coaches, referees, tutors. Please contact me at "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Psalm 122:1 On Saturday September 15th we had a workday at church to beautify our church campus. In addition, we also installed a new church sign on the front lawn of the church. Thanks to Michael Baggot, our Facilities Manager, and the many others who came out and cared for our church grounds. Also, on tap for the day, was free salad and pizza for lunch! Young Married Night Out On the first Saturday of each month, Arcata First Baptist Church hosts a Young Marrieds Night Out by providing free babysitting for the young couples in our church. This free service is held at the church from 4 pm to 6 pm. Much thanks to Bruce and Karen Campbell, and Karri Moorse, for their faithful service to our young families. Below is a picture of Bruce sharing a bible lesson with the children. For more information you can call the church office at (707) 822-0367 on Wednesday or Thursday from 9 am to 12 pm. 2
Evangela Gent “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17 As of Wednesday (September 11), Cornerstone, A youth group for junior high students as well as a girl's high school bible study has begun in the Youth room at AFBC. With the intention of pointing kids to Christ, Cornerstone will occur every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in the Gym for junior high and 7:30-8:30 in the North Youth room for high school. Please join us in praying for the youth in our community specifically that they would come “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” - Ephesians 3:18. Meeting times are: Junior High Youth Group: 6:30–7:30 PM (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) High School Girls Bible Study: 7:30–9:00 PM (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) If you have any questions, please contact Evangela Gent or Danielle Han. evangela.gent@gmail.com Dehann05@gmail.com Welcome Back BBQ By Sydney Schwankl the more true to me as I think about everything that the church does for its university students. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 For years AFB has adopted the call of ministering to the students of Cal Poly Humboldt also known as HSU. And I can see clearly, being a student myself, how bright their light and love shines in such a dark place. From its welcoming nature to its dedicated discipling, AFB is a light on a hill. And this is seen clearly in their annual tradition of a Welcome Back BBQ for Cal Poly Humboldt Students, which happened this year on September 5th on the front lawn of the church. The smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking on the grill wafted through the air, a multitude of sweets filled across the table, and the sound of laughter and conversation carried from table to table, making it a great start to the new semester. I even got reprimanded for making my way towards the dessert table not twice, nor three times, but yes four times. What can I say? I have a sweet tooth. The BBQ was a large turn out with many students across different majors, and athletics who joined the fun that Thursday afternoon. Some members of the church’s college group, Solid Rock, reported meeting other believers that go to different groups on campus, and different churches. They also report talking to students who have attended Solid Rock in previous semesters who came back because they remembered the BBQ. In addition, there were even some students who decided to come to AFB’s Church service that following Sunday. God was and always is at work during every Welcome Back BBQ, and these events couldn’t happen without the support and many volunteers of members of the church. As a student myself it means the world to me and many others that the church body takes such good care of us and puts in the effort to connect and support us in every way possible. As the semester continues on we should all be praying for Solid Rock and that there would be a sweet discipleship to the new faces that come and a continued increase in those who are curious and turning to the arms of Jesus. With AFB’s close proximity to the college campus the verse from Matthew 5:14 becomes all 3
Sydney Schwankl Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” If it is the will of God that we would rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, then why do so few of us actually do it? You see, I believe that there is a blessing Paul is trying to reveal by doing these three things. The blessing being a closer connection to God. Our God is a God of relationships. He asks us to commune with Him. Talk with Him. Laugh with Him. Cry with Him. Praying isn’t just talking to God once or twice a day. It's conversing and being with God in whatever situation. Asking Him what He thinks about things and thanking Him for the little moments in your life. “God, I live in a gorgeous place, I praise you for your work.” “Lord, I miss you.” “Father, you are so good, but why in the world did you create the mosquito?” Amen. Whether we are in awe of His workmanship, yearning for His presence, or questioning His decisions concerning insects, the bottom line is Christ wants us near Him. It doesn't matter what we are doing, or what we are talking to Him about. He wants to hear about our day. He wants us to tell Him when we appreciate Him. That we love Him, and desire to be with Him. There is a blessing in the continual and genuine attempt of seeking God’s presence in every single thing that we do. A part of seeking God is setting aside undistracted time to hear from Him. We even see Jesus do this as He leaves His disciples to go be with His Father. He knew the importance of spending time with the Father in order to know Him and His will. Spending time with God allows us to identify His voice and His hand in our life as we go about our days. Getting to know someone takes time and effort. Getting to know God’s voice takes a quiet heart and mind ready to listen and slow to speak. And this specific reason is what led to my desire for a prayer room. I believe God will use this time to give His children an individual space to say, “Father speak, for I'm listening.” Because the more you do it, the more you will find yourself saying less and God saying more. My final encouragement is, whether or not you join this prayer room, to understand that we don’t really need a prayer room to pray. It’s a nice thing to have but my hope is that it would train people, including myself, to see the voice and presence of God outside of the room and to recognize that they have a direct line to the Creator Himself who wants to be known by us, just as we desire to be known by Him. Lastly, if you would like to attend a prayer room time they are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, in the Sanctuary. If you have any questions you can reach out to me at sydneyschwankl14@gmail.com. Blessings, Sydney Schwankl 4
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD On Sunday, October 29th about 40 people of various ages gathered together to assemble Christmas shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. OCC is a ministry of Samaritans Purse that blesses children and families in developing nations with gifts along with a gospel message. The college girls wrote notes of encouragement to also include in their boxes. A top notch and delicious lunch was also served for this joyous, life-giving occasion. The children especially loved filling boxes to gift other children!! Word is that about 75 boxes were completed. Only 25 away from our goal of 100 shoeboxes! WATER BAPTISMS On Sunday, September 8th over 100 people, including children, college students, young married couples and seniors gathered together at Freshwater Park for a time of food, fellowship and fun activities. Food was plentiful, and as the kids were playing volleyball, adults played frisbee football, cornball and card games. Others just enjoyed the weather and participated in some great conversation. Several new faces also showed up which made our time together all the merrier. Definitely a win for AFBC! 5
through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27. Sunday, October 20th was a day of celebration as four people, Elaine, Annika, Avery, and Gavin were all water baptized. Each person proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Savior and as each one came out of the water they were met with thunderous applause from the congregation, which was then followed by prayer. A number of others have expressed interest in water baptism and it looks like a Sunday in November is on tap for our next baptism service. Please talk to Daniel or Pastor D if you are interested in being baptized. 6
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