Harvest of Hope staff, FBC members work with orphaned children in Haiti

Staff from Harvest of Hope Family Services Network, Inc. and members of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens spent seven days in Haiti providing support at the Mission of Grace orphanage.

Tahirah Haywood, a recruitment coordinator for Harvest of Hope, a state-licensed foster care and adoption agency and First Baptist Church Min. Lisa James and member Charlotte Jean-Jerome were in Carries, Haiti from April 3-10. This was Haywood’s second trip to the orphanage, where about 30 children from infants to teens live.

“I am so grateful for the commitment of the team: Tahirah Haywood, Lisa James and Charlotte Jean-Jerome,” said Maureen E. Archibald, executive director of Harvest of Hope. “These ladies gave of their time and their resources in making this trip a reality. It was very clear from the start of planning that they had a lot to give and wanted the opportunity to shower the children with love. God is pleased.”

The three women were filling in for Kim O’Dwyer, head volunteer, who went home to Canada for the holy holiday.

“It was a rewarding experience. The children were out of school for Easter, so they were there full time. There were four nurses and we were there to help them,” Haywood said. “My main goal was to give each child individual attention because they were so needy.”

The volunteers organized activities for the children, such as drawing, games, jumping rope and reading.

Click here to read more.

Watch FBC services on your mobile device

In addition to watching FBC services stream live from your PC or laptop, you can now watch the services from your mobile device.

Click here to access the services.

Opportunity to update your information

We have improved the method in sending our weekly newsletters, announcements and pastors corner. Additionally, you will have an opportunity to subscribe to new mailing listings from First Baptist, such as the Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry, Senior Fellowship, Youth, Young Adults and Marriage Ministry.

Please click here and enter your e-mail address to receive an e-mail to update your profile.

Men Building Men New Facebook Page

ATTENTION MEN: The Men Building Men Ministry have created a new facebook page. To fellowship, submit prayer requests, praise reports and find out the latest ministry news, click here.

The Men Building Men Ministry still has their Wednesday Worshipping Warriors call at 12:15 p.m. The dial-in number is (605) 562-3000 Pin: 187108# .

Work up a sweat

Vigorous workouts - when you're breathing hard and sweating - help your heart pump better, give you more energy and help you look and feel best. Start with a warm-up that stretches your muscles. Include 20 minutes of aerobic activity, such as running, jogging, or dancing. Follow up with activities that help make you stronger such as push-ups or lifting weights. Then cool down with more stretching and deep breathing.

C. G. Wooding Ministry Blood Pressure Screenings offered every Sunday

The C.G. Wooding Nurses' Ministry will be taking blood pressure screenings every Sunday. Please join them in the First Aid Room after the 7, 9 and 11 a.m. services.

Bereavement information is now on the web

Information on what to do when a loved one dies is now on the FBC website at http://fbcsomerset.com.

Central Jersey Community Development Corp. Job of the Week

Roselle Park Borough

Dispatcher

Roselle Park Borough is accepting applications for a dispatcher. Three possible shifts: 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. or 11 p.m. - 7 a.m. This is a full-time, 40 hour, position.

Send cover letter, resume and references to:
Borough Clerk, 110 East Westfield Avenue, Roselle Park.
Roselle Park is an equal opportunity employer.

Bring your credit card offers to church!

Pastor Soaries and the dfree® ministry will be burning credit card offers at 1 p.m., Sunday, April 22, in the parking lot. So, please bring any credit card offers you've received in the mail to church on April 22.

18th Annual Women's Retreat!

Register online!

April 27-29, 2012
Theme: “A Light Unto My Path”, Psalm 119:105

Friday, April 27, 3-9 p.m. - Free
Health and wellness lounge at 3 p.m.
Evening talk show presentation hosted by Business Coach and TV Lifestyle Expert Dee Marshall

Saturday, April 28, 9-3:30 p.m. - $35 registration fee
Guest preacher: Rev. Dr. Elaine Dr. Flake, first lady of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral, NY
A seminar with Dee Marshall and lunch

The colors are yellow and gray. T-shirts are on sale in the FIA Bookstore.

Click here to view the flyer.

Click here to register!

Leave your legacy - Support the Capital Campaign

The FBC 75th Anniversary Edition of the dfree® Capital Campaign Catalog will be available Sunday, April 29, after each service.

Please remember to pick up your catalog in the welcome center to sponsor a gift in support of the FBC ministries.

You may also place your order online beginning April 29.

Start your business. Grow your business.

Great session!
So excited!
Excellent info, very useful!

That’s what people are saying about the last Entrepreneur Ministry Networking session.

If you did not attend the April 11 Entrepreneur Ministry event you really missed out on a professionally delivered 90-minute workshop about marketing lead by Willie Mae Veasy and Danny Veasy, owners of Covenant Business Concepts [CBC] and Chris Findley, president of Graphic Express. On Skype we had Jamie McKinney, president of Marketing Presence.

The workshop was jammed packed with information about marketing, which included developing your brand and understanding how to use the web tools, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to Eileen Marcial of LegalShield for being our sponsor.

The next Entrepreneur Ministry meeting is May 9. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with networking in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event.

It's report card time!

The Academic Excellence team is interested in knowing how you did this marking period. Please turn in copies (no originals, please) of your report cards, progress reports and any honors you have received since school started this season. You can place them them in the box in the Welcome Center on the right wall until May 13.

If you are doing well, praise God! If you need some help, Academic Excellence is here to help you!

For more information, e-mail Patricia Williamson at pwilliamson.fbc@gmail.com.

Want to lose some weight?

The Wellness Ministry is in the process of organizing weekly Weight Watchers' meetings at FBCLG, but they need at least 15 people to commit in order to have the meetings at the church. Membership is $42.95 a month.

Please e-mail Debe Davis at Debedavis1@comcast.net or leave a message at (732) 917-4320 if you're interested in joining.

CJCDC 18th Annual Golf Classic - Golf for a cause!

The Central Jersey Community Development Corporation will host its 18th Annual Golf Classic at the beautiful Forsgate Country Club in Monroe on Tuesday, June 19, 2012.

This year's honorees are:

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and Winston S. Kirton, Sr., Counsel at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Click here to view the brochure or click here to register online.

For more information, please call (732) 247-0444 or e-mail golfclassic@cjcdc.org.

Craft fair - Calling all vendors!

The Scholarship Ministry will host its First Annual Craft and Vendor Showcase from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 2 in the FBC parking lot.

If you're a vendor and want to participate, please call Linda Starks at (732) 296-0073 or e-mail her at linda.starks10@yahoo.com.

There is a $25 vendor donation fee.

For general information, contact Phyllis Reddick at (732) 828-8427 or at reddickpa@aol.com.

Rain date: June 9

Screening of "The Scroll"

Free movie screening of “The Scroll: Evidence of Life Unseen," a collection of inspirational stories told by many great spiritual leaders of our time, including Pastor Soaries.

These stories highlight the journey of faith, hope and perseverance that led these individuals to positions of positive influence.

The screening will be at 7 p.m., Friday, April 20 in the chapel.

Contact Heather Wilson at hsw0016@yahoo.com or at 817-296-8970 for more information.

Click here to view a clip of "The Scroll."

Scholarship Ministry Shopping Trip

The Scholarship Ministry is sponsoring a shopping trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Saturday, April 21, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The bus leaves FBC at 8 a.m. A $35 donation is required.

For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Donna Williams-Snead at (732) 828-2009.

Scholarship Ministry Fashion Show and Luncheon

FBC Scholarship Ministry's 43rd Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon will be Saturday, May 19 at the Pines Manor, 2085 Lincoln Highway in Edison.

The theme is "Fashion to Figure" and a $60 donation secures your seat. Please click here to register or call (732) 828-2009 for more information.

Click here to view the flyer.

Women's Auxiliary Prayer Breakfast

The Women’s Auxiliary Prayer Breakfast will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 21 in the Fellowship Hall.

The guest preacher will be Rev. Kathleen Smallwood-Johnson, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Cape May, N.J.

Register after each service in the Welcome Center. A $15 donation is required.

For more information, contact Helen Daniels at (732) 843-6930.

Harvest of Hope 5K - Online registration is now open!

Lace up your racing shoes and start stretching! Come celebrate the gift of family with Harvest of Hope! “Destination Home 5K - Be a Champion for Children” will not only raise funds for Harvest of Hope Family Services, but will raise the awareness of the needs of children entering the foster care system.

This fundraiser will be at North Brunswick Community Park, on Route 130 South, North Brunswick. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. Please pre-register by April 20 for $25 and reserve your free T-shirt. Kick off National Foster Care Awareness month with us!

Click here to register.

Click here to view the flyer.

Sisters Network 12th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Summit

The Sisters Network of Central New Jersey, Inc. is sponsoring their 12th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Summit Breakfast.

The event is at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency on Albany Street in New Brunswick.

The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dharius Daniels, senior pastor of Kingdom Church in Ewing.

There will be free cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetic and bone density screenings provided by RWJ Community Health Promotion Program; an "Ask the Doctor" breast health table; free breast health and mammography information; volunteer awards, entertainment and door prizes.

A donation of $45 is required; seniors - $40 and children 12 and under - $30.

Click here to make your donation.

Click here to view the flyer.

Faith in Action Bookstore - April event

The Faith in Action Bookstore will be selling Women's Retreat T-shirts throughout the month of April. The T-shirts are $24 each.

Men's Bowling Outing

Attention brothers…c’mon out to a pre-men’s day fellowship event at Brunswick Zone at 790 Rte 1 North in North Brunswick.

The price is $5.50 per game with a $4.50 shoe rental fee. Meet them afterward for lunch at T.G.I. Fridays across the street at 985 Rte 1 South.

RSVP is needed for headcount. Please confirm your attendance with Keith Harvey at chilzone@verizon.net or (908) 531-7634.

The Quest of Authentic Manhood - Men's Day Celebration

The Men Building Men Ministry will host their Men's Day Celebration on Sunday, May 20.

The day begins with Rev. Darryl Webster, senior pastor of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN, preaching at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. And the day ends with the Biker Blessing in the FBC parking lot from 2-6 p.m. The Biker Blessing is co-sponsored by the GoodFellaz Motorcycle Club.

For more information, contact Keith Harvey at (908) 531-7634.

Click here to view the flyer.

International Sunday

Celebrating our multicultural heritage

The Tapestry Ministry is hosting International Sunday on April 22 at the 7, 9 and 11 a.m. services.

There will be multi-language worship and praise, guest speakers, an opportunity to join the Tapestry Ministry and international cuisine will be for sale in the Fellowship Hall after each service for $7.

Click here to view the flyer.

dfree® is a movement consisting of people who are determined to overcome the culture of debt and attain financial self sufficiency.

It's all in the plan!

Having a financial plan, where you carefully consider long- and short-term goals, may help to reduce anxiety as it relates to your financial well being. A plan provides a sense of order and purpose enabling you to feel in control of your life. Think about how anxious you feel when you board an airplane, with a pilot at the controls, verses when you get behind the wheel to drive your own car. Well, a financial plan can provide a sense of order, giving you a similar sense of control in your life. Moreover, a plan can also help you to stay focused on your long-term goals and prevent you from making knee-jerk reactions based on the current environment.

Short-sightedness can be a major obstacle to realizing long-term financial goals. All too often individuals make important life decisions without taking the long view. Take for example people’s tendency to panic during times of extreme market volatility, cashing out at the bottom, and then jumping back in when the markets peak. The old adage “buy low and sell high is a timeless tenant in the game of building wealth over the long haul. Renowned investor Sir John Templeton wrote, “To buy when others are despondently selling and to sell when others are avidly buying requires the greatest fortitude and pays the greatest ultimate rewards.” Keep in mind that the markets, like life, do not move in a straight line but rather in a cyclical manner. While we have no control over the timing of these cycles, remain focused on what you can control, such as you commitment to stick to your saving and investment plan.

A well laid-out plan should incorporate important family relationships. Consider a newly retired couple who makes a rushed decision to retire to a warmer climate, leaving children and grandchildren thousands of miles behind. Regret soon sets in with the realization of not being able to participate in family functions or being involved in the lives of grandchildren. Additionally, there is strain on the budget from unanticipated travelling expenses, to go back and forth to see loved ones.

Important life decisions need to be carefully thought out, with a plan that will provide a critical road map to get you to life’s important destinations. Beware, don’t take a gamble on your dreams!
Judith Lee, CFP®