Victorian Christmas Concert at First Baptist, December 14th

On Saturday, December 14th, First Baptist Church of Franklin will host a "Victorian Christmas" Concert featuring Dennis Geib, Kevin Downey, Brianna Steves, Max Schang, Nicholas Nasibyan, the choir of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and more. Pre-concert entertainment will begin at 6:30 PM, concert at 7:00 PM.

The concert is free, no tickets are necessary, and there will be a collection taken to support Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County.

"baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

As Christians, we have the privelage in publicly declaring our faith through the waters of baptism.  To watch the video of our most recent baptisms of Tammy and Jennifer, click on the link below:
Video of Baptisms at First Baptist

Gideon's International Bible distribution in Franklin during Applefest

The Venango County camp of the Gideon's International distributed 1,250 Bibles in front of First Baptist Church during Applefest.  Pray that these Bibles will not only be read, but understood, and that those who did not know of God's love for them will be willing to accept it. 
The work that the Gideon's are doing throughout the world is an integral part of the Church's evangelism, as they help put God's Word into the hands of those who don't have it.  Since 1908, the Gideon's have distributed 1.8 Billion Bibles worldwide.  To learn more about this ministry, click on the link below to visit their website:
The Gideon's International

Blitz Week of Mustard Seed Missions completed

July 15th-21st saw five different Mustard Seed Missions projects utilizing repair teams under the leadership of MSM project leaders and the volunteer labor of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio's teen missions team.  During the week, 23 teens and 6 adults from Ohio, coupled with several MSM volunteers worked on projects all over the county including extensive work on the 3rd floor of Heart 2 Heart in preparation for the opening of Hope House, a soon to be operational homeless shelter.  Many thanks to all who helped make this week's work possible, including those who housed the teens (St. John's Episcopal, Mother Holly), those who made the meals for them, our own MSM volunteers who coordinated the work sites, and the many churches, civic organizations, and individuals who donated the funds to purchase the needed materials.  God continues to be at work amongst us when we continue to work together to help those in need.

Mustard Seed Missions interview with The Stream

The Stream in Titusville asked me to do an interview about Mustard Seed Missions, I was certainly happy to talk about the work that this church and so many other churches have taken on through this amazing service organization.  The show is 2 hours long, the segment about MSM starts at 1:34:45; simply click on the timeline once it starts to skip ahead.
To watch the interview, click on the link below:
The Stream MSM interview

Video of Pastor Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven

Pastor Don Piper shared his message of hope and faith this past weekend here at First Baptist.  The video is in three parts, to watch it, click on the links below:

Don Piper - Part 1

Don Piper - Part 2

Don Piper - Part 3

Successful Retreat and Ecumenical worship featuring Pastor Don Piper



Thanks to all who helped make the retreat and worship service this past weekend possible.  Many hearts were blessed by Don Piper's testimony and encouraging words about finding a "new normal" after a traumatic experience.  We will be planning another retreat next spring, in cooperation with many of the other churches here in Franklin, details will be posted here and at getawayonretreat.com when they are available.



Don Piper in the Seneca Hills chapel

Pastor Scott Woodlee from Franklin Christian Alliance
leading his workshop on Biblical Laments.

Pastor Piper and Pastor Powell before
 the start of the Ecumenical worship service.

Cheryl Rila (office manager) with Nicole Powell (retreat coordinator),
Pastor Randy Powell, and Pastor Don Piper



Awana Awards Night

May 5th was our annual awards night for Awana.  There was a high number of clubbers who earned their book awards, (nearly every kid who came for the majority of the year) as well as several who completed the extra credit sections as well.  Thanks to all who volunteered this past year, our numbers have never been higher!  We look forward to seeing this group of kids grow next year as God continues to bless the study of his Word.


The First Baptist Awana program, clubbers and leaders



Mustard Seed Missions recognized by Venango County Human Services

Mustard Seed Missions is an organization that partners with the Human Services department of Venango County in order to help those who might otherwise fall through the cracks.  MSM is supported by dozens of churches of all denominations throughout the county.  This award was given to MSM by the Human Services department, the acceptance speech is given by Pastor Randy Powell of First Baptist Church of Franklin, one of the supporting churches.  Those up front to accept the award are members of the committee that runs MSM, all of whose tireless efforts make this work possible...You can learn more about Mustard Seed Missions by visiting our website: mustardseedmissionsofvc.org

To watch the awards video, click on the link below:
Award video

Communication from the Kiryakov's, Missionaries in Bulgaria

I get a lot of phone calls, you never know who will be on the line or what they'll be calling about, but today's call was certainly unexpected.  Pastor Radoslav Kiryakov called today from Bulgaria to let us know how things are going for he and his wife Boyka.  Radoslav expressed much thanks to First Baptist for our support of his ministry, we are the only church that they have for support, and also for the cards and letters that have been sent to encourage them (thanks to Donna, Missions Rep. on the Board).  Boyka is doing somewhat better with her health needs, she still needs to go to Sophia later this year for an MRI to continue treatment and is taking regular medication.
The work in their small church continues, they have about 20 to 30 people, mostly older, but Radoslav was happy to report that a new family has been coming to church since Christmas that has two small children.  In Bulgaria evangelicals are looked at with some suspicion as it is assumed that they represent "the West" (America in particular) and may be some sort of Western cultural plot.  The atmosphere in Bulgaria is one of Orthodox that has been trying to recover from the extremely difficult years of persecution under Communist rule where Atheism was the only safe choice.  Pray for the Church in Eastern Europe; Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant, as they try to teach a new generation about God's love for them.

1st Annual Franklin Ecumenical Retreat

We are excited to announce that the first annual Franklin Ecumenical Retreat, Waiting in Darkness, Longing for Light, is scheduled to take place at the Seneca Hills Bible Camp and Retreat Center on Saturday, May 18, 2013.  We have been incredibly blessed to procure guest speaker Rev. Don Piper, author of the New York Times' best selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven.  Men, women, and young adults of all faith communities, particularly those who wrestle with doubt, trouble, or turmoil in their spiritual lives, are encouraged to join us for a day of deep reflection, heartfelt prayer, and ecumenical worship. 

For more information and to register, visit the retreat website: www.getawayonretreat.com