Humphrey Baptist Celebrates Valentine's Day...

Sunday, February 14, 2010

We made a big deal of Valentine's Day in Humphrey this year. We had a back-to-back service with a picnic-type lunch. Mrs. White prepared "Beef on Wick" which was delicious. The rest of our folks made potato and macaroni salads, and many lovely valentines cookies and other desserts.

We had a wonderful day in church with 42 in attendance. We restarted our Jr. Church with Avin at the helm. He had quite a few children in his class due to Gary Chapman bringing four of his nieces and nephews.

I did not feel well on Sunday at all, and I think it was noticeable. My stomach was just churning in knots. I preached on the "Kiss of Charity" and the "Kiss of Salvation."

It was good to have my wife's sister, Jackie in town with her three adorable children, Zac, Jeff, and Amy. I'm thankful for their willingness to come to be an encouragement to us every once in a while!

The First Couple of Valentines!

We went all-out with the "Love" theme in the fellowship hall.

Michelle looks hard to make the right choice!



The fellowship as always good at HBC when its surrounded by food!

I think Joey ate something he didn't like.

Humphrey Baptist visits the Sportsmen's Dinner...

February 5, 2010

Dexter Bartlett, Avin Burrell, and I took a journey up to Palmyra to attend the Sportsmen's Dinner put on by the Heritage Baptist Church at which I served as Assistant Pastor for the last five years. We had a wonderful evening. Pastor Young did a marvelous job moving the evening along with many speakers which included a representative from the NYDEC, Senator Mike Nazzolio, and Congressman Robert Oaks. As always, Charlie Alsheimer's presentation was spectacular with all the photos and description of Whitetail hunting.

I must admit, the highlight for me was seeing the dear Heritage people. My heart yearned for the people I served for the last five years. I was so proud of all the effort they put into the evening. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many of my good friends and especially the young people. They had a wonderful spirit that night!

If you are reading from Heritage, I love you and miss you so. I was very proud of what a wonderful job you did. God bless each one of you. Please be reminded, there's always a seat saved for you at Humphrey Baptist Church if you want to visit (Ha Ha)!

Charlie Alsheimer did a fantastic job in his presentation of the Whitetail deer and also the spiritual aspect was wonderfully interwoven.

There was a great crowd that night - Everyone served a delicious Venison Dinner in around twelve minutes!

If you are wondering what Dexter is focusing his attention on, look below!


What a meal! We were absolutely stuffed!



Pastor Young and all of the workers from Heritage deserve much praise for all the work and oragnization that went into that night. It was a well-oiled machine!

This is the day...

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Sad to say, we spend most of our lives wishing it were yesterday or tomorrow. We look forward all of our lives to the coming events: birthdays, teen years, 16 - driving, graduation from high school, college, marriage, children, our dream vocation, retirement, etc. Rather than enjoy the moment, we are constantly looking forward with anticipation to the next event. Then after all is said and done, we sit around and reminisce about the "good ole' days."

Jim Eliot, Missionary to Ecuador, said...

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

It doesn't do us any good thinking about what might have been, or what could be. God has given us "today." God will not give us "tomorrow" if we are not good stewards of "today." Those dreams you have of tomorrow may come true, but you first must receive the day the Lord has given to you and make all you can of it! A wise man once said, "Live in the present for the future." Don't live in the future, live for the future!

There is no promise of tomorrow, but God has given you a wonderful gift of "today." Enjoy it to the hilt!

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Sunday, January 10, 2010

This morning the temperature is -5 degrees with a windchill of -16 degrees!

Humphrey Fire Department 2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Today my wife and I had the privilege of attending the annual Recognition and Swearing in Ceremony at the Humphrey Fire Hall. I was asked to give the invocation. I expressed my appreciation on behalf of the community to the firemen for their dedication. It is a volunteer department. I also took a shot at the Chief with a funny joke! He was very gracious to me. My wife and I sat with him along with an area Pastor. I then led in prayer for the food in which I ended "...in Jesus Name."

It was a blessing to get to know some of the community and I hope we made a good impression for the Lord's sake.

Katie and I posed for a picture with Senator Cathrine Young from our district. I was very impressed when she mailed us a letter welcoming us to the area, and she didn't disappoint me in person. It was a blessing to meet her.

This year marks the 40th Anniversay of the Department. Mr. Halladay pictured here with his wife (sister of Don Potter - member of HBC) spoke a word of testimony. It was he and Don Potter who helped put up the trusses 40 years ago!



The Fire Chief allowed me to have a picture with him. He had recently fallen on the ice and broke his leg.




There were around 70 folks who attended.
I think that's about all of them.

We had a wonderful spread of food. The afternoon began with delicious appetizers followed by your choice of steak, stuffed pork chop, or veggie lasagna. As you can guess, I chose... One of each - just kidding! I enjoyed a delicious steak!

Jude 1:21-23 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

I read the preceding verses to the people gathered there and compared the church to a fire department. They save folks from a physical fire while we strive to save souls from a spiritual fire! They seemed to enjoy my brief words. Later a few came to me and assured me that I had done well.

I want to thank Autumn Burrell for giving us her afternoon to watch our boys so we could be able to attend the event! God bless her.

A Winter Wonderland...

Tuesday, January 5, 2009

The Cialini Men are hard at work!

I know a lot of places are getting hammered with snow worse than us, but here are some pictures of our winter wonderland

Here are a couple of views of our back yard.

On Sunday evening, we took part in the Lord's Supper. I mentioned to the people before we partook of the juice of how beautiful the snow is in the middle of winter. As we sit inside in our cozy homes, warm and comfortable, we look out to see the beautiful sight of the snow as it lays peacefully upon the bushes and the trees. It paints the landscape a gorgeous, pure white.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Imagine the pleasure it brings our Heavenly Father as He looks upon his children to see the precious blood of His dear, only begotten Son. The sight of a sinner, cleansed in the pure, sacrificial blood of the Saviour is something our Lord must find great pleasure in. Maybe that is one reason why the Bible says...

Luke 15:10

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence

of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

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!