A Beautiful Manger Scene...

December 28, 2009...

About twelve minutes from our house, in the town of Allegany, is the most beautiful manger scene I have ever seen personally in my life. The lighting, especially at night, is just stunning.

The sad thought is that it is placed there each year by St. Bonaventure University, a Catholic College. As I reflect on what it means to them theologically, it saddens me that they worship the mother rather than the Son. They work to receive a gift that's already been paid for. They go through ritualistic tradition to establish their eternal destiny only to find out some day that they will be bitterly disappointed. Would to God, that He would open their "religious" eyes. Would God that they would see the Babe for Who He is and His earthly mother for who she is - a good woman, but by no means deity!

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Last Sunday in 2009...

December 27, 2009

We had wonderful services today. The Lord blessed us with 38 in attendance this morning and 30 tonight! We had three visiting families this morning. I preached on "How to Have A Successful 2010"! Tonight Bro. Jim White, Misssionary to Togo, Africa, spoke to us. He is the son of one of our dear church families, on furlough for a year. He did a wonderful job testifying of the work and then spoke on "Thankfulness" from Psalm 23. Bro. Don Potter's son was also visiting with his family from PA. He is a Pastor there. He played the piano for us and did a beautiful job.

We missed my wife today. She was sick today along with Joey. Our folks definitely missed her!

A Christmas Present For Jesus...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

When I had visited Heritage to hear Bro. Sharp, the Holy Spirit convicted me about doing something for the Jews - especially providing Bibles to the soldiers in the military. If there is one thing I know to do to get God to bless us, it is to be a blesing to the Hebrew people - the Apple of God's Eye!

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

During our Sunday evening service we took up a collection to help Heritage in their effort to raise $10,000 by the end of December. I was blessed that our small congregation took up $330! Praise the Lord for our generous people who give sacrificially of what they have!

_

We paused after the morning service for a family portrait.

I wish Joey knew how to smile!

I sang, "O Holy Night" during the morning service. I appreciated all the time Mrs. Burrell put into preparation for that song and also the offeratory, which was beautiful.

"A Chili Christmas Party"

Friday, December 18, 2009

This evening we got together for a simple time of fun and fellowship. Many of our folks made their version of chili, while others brought a wide variety of desserts. I think there might have been more desserts than chili!

Once again, my wife made everything look beautiful!

Michelle, Austin, and Thomas seemed to enjoy the dessert table!

The Gildners (left) are a new family in our church and decided to come be a part of our special evening.

We were blessed to have Jackie and Trina Brown with us for a couple of days. Our church members are always delighted when guests come!

Our church is blessed to have such godly folks such as Mr. Potter, the Dornans, and the Fedicks, who have been faithful for many years! Mrs. Ginnery is just a youngster!

It's always good to see the Gerwitz Family at our special occasions. They are Mrs. Burrell's parents and attend the Methodist church in Great Valley.

BIG SMILES!

Christopher and Avin give a brief pose.

The best lookin' couple in Cattauraugus County!



I read "The Italian Night Before Christmas"

The highlight of the evening was when we recognized John and Connie Fedick. They have been a tremendous blessing to this church for many years. Their humility of spirit and devotion to our church is something that we just couldn't do without! We presented them with a plaque dedicated to them in sincere heartfelt gratitude from us.

We also took a secret offering in a short time and the generosity of our people once again amazed me! More than $200 were given to be a blessing to this dear couple. They were very surprised and blessed. Many of our folks were crying. We made a large check which was a neat novelty.

In a congregation that is so thoughtful and giving, it is always difficult to single out someone to give honor. In this case, I believe it was unanimously agreed to be appropriate to honor the Fedick's!

The last couple of years have been difficult for HBC, and so many have stepped up, but none exceed the steps Bro. Fedick has taken to help meet the needs of his church when considering his personality and temperment.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Maulucci's visit Humphrey Baptist Church...

Sunday, November 22, 2009

This was a very special day for us because we got to see some of our old friends from up in Palmyra - Bro Chris Miraglia and the Patterson Family. Bro. Miraglia spoke to our adult Sunday School and also sang for our main service. We were also blessed to be invited to their cabin for lunch where we enjoyed burgers and home-made, deep-fried french fries!

Sunday evening capped off a wonderful day with a visit from my good friend, Nick Maulucci. He and his family were a wonderful testimony to our congregation. His message inspired us in our faith and prayer lives. I've always known him as a man who walks with and gets things from God.

We all enjoyed a delicious treat after the service of nachos and cheese along with a veggie tray with some cookies!

We were so glad that they gave us a Sunday evening during their

short visit to the states for the holiday season!

Our church was so blessed that our small congregation collected $250 as a love offering.

Praise the Lord for giving me such generous people to Pastor!

Harvest Dinner

Friday, Novemebr 13, 2009 - "The Harvest Dinner"

The Harvest Dinner is a special occasion celebrated each year at Humphrey Baptist Church. We invite all we can and have a big dinner. This year recognized our coming as their new Pastor and also many of the men who helped fill the puplit in the nearly three years they did not have a Pastor. It was a glorious evening baptized with a great amount of work by our dear people. From inviting to cooking to preparing and cleaning up - so much was done to make this night a success. We served almost 70 people!

My wife, Katie, as always, did a wonderful job of decorating and creating an enjoyable atmosphere by the pleasant surroundings.

Everything looked beautiful and well-thoughtout!

Nichole and Autumn were hesitant to get their picture taken, but were very helpful throughout the evening!

WHAT A SPREAD!

WE HAD SO MANY CROCKS GOING,

OUR POWER STRIP COULDN'T TAKE IT!

It was a blessing to finally meet Pastor Dean, former Pastor of HBC in years gone by. I've heard so many wonderful things about him and his dear wife.

Our fellowship hall was well on it's way to being packed and jammed!



There was a tremendous spirit among our guests!



Linda White and Heidi Good slaving in the kitchen!



My adorable boys and beautiful wife waiting in the loooong line for food!

It was worth the wait!

I spoke for a few minutes and read a poem I had written - "Praising God on an Instrument of Ten Strings" based on Psalm 144:9.

So many of our dear members worked very hard to pull off a wonderful evening. I was very proud to be their Pastor. I cannot commend them enough for all of their effort!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas...

We had just returned yesterday from an extended Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful to see our loved ones once again. I had the opportunity to speak at Southeast Bible Baptist Church in Penfield, NY on Sunday evening. Pastor Dresner wanted to be a blessing to us, so he invited us to come and gave us an offering to help us as we minister in Humphrey. Our folks at Humphrey Baptist Church were very excited for us as we were able to share what was going on in Humphrey! It was very sweet on Monday morning as I snuck into Heritage Baptist to see my old students in the classroom. I was hoping to see that everything was falling apart without me there (ha ha), but to my demise, everything is going on quite smoothly. Praise the Lord for peopole who step up and fill needs! Oh, how I miss seeing the young people of Heritage Baptist Church everyday! They'll never know how much I loved and do still love them! May God bless and protect them as they continue on in their Christian life.

December 1, 2009 -

Throughout the night we were kept up by the noise of loud, large vehicles going down our road - PLOWS! This morning when I woke up I went to the window to see the damage. What a beautiful sight as I saw the dusting of snow all over the ground. I was very excited to go out and shovel for the first time this new winter season. The house and the church looked so beautiful, especially with the Christmas wreaths and the lighted Christmas tree in our front bay window newly lighted.

I apologize for those of you who desire to keep up with Humphrey news. We just got the internet last week and intend to do much updating over the next few days. I realize that we have left you in the dark for a few weeks now. God has continued to bless over the last month. Our hearts continue to be knit to the good people here, and they have been a great blessing to us with many kind words.

We had a wonderful Harvest Dinner in November with 70 in attendance. We had a high day in November of 37 and we averaged almost 31 per week. The last Sunday in November after leaving over 2,500 doorhangers in surrounding towns, we had our first "First-Time" visitors come to be a part of our services! Praise the Lord!

We were pleased to have a couple of weeks ago some of our friends visit from out of town such as the Blankenbergs, Bro. Chris Miraglia, and the Patterson Family. It's always good to see familiar faces.