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THE FELLOWSHIP GLORIFYING
GOD. . . .WORSHIP
“Let
the name of the Lord be blessed, both now and forever.” Psalms 113:2
Worship: Experiencing
God in a meaningful, spiritually transforming way.
The
worship of God is the focal experience of our Fellowship. Every Sunday
morning at 10 a.m., we worship together in an informal atmosphere of praise,
prayer, sharing, and applying the Scripture to our lives. At least quarterly
on Sundays at 6 p.m. we offer an evening service of song, testimony and
proclamation. Our worship style encourages the full participation of the
people.
The
Worship Director coordinates a worship program which leads us to respond
to God's invitation to sing and make music; to bow down and be silent;
to hear his Word and respond; and to bring our offerings before Him. The
Worship Director helps the leaders within the functional area maintain
a focus on the mission and vision of CBF and directs attention to the
need to align group plans and activities with the church‑wide objectives
established for the year. The Worship Director coordinates with other
functional directors to encourage conscious inclusion of worship in all
aspects of church life.
- Children
Child care and Extended Session provide experiences for children from
birth to age 5 during Sunday School and morning worship in rooms A,
B, and C. Children are invited to join in “Children’s Feature” during
morning worship on 1st , 3rd & 5th
Sundays, and Children’s Worship on 2nd & 4th
Sundays.
- Signing for
the Deaf
Sign language interpretation is available for Sunday service. Some
“signers” participate in an interfaith Sign Choir, and periodic sign
language classes are made available.
- Tape Ministry
Morning worship services are taped weekly and available for those unable
to attend services. A broad selection of music and worship tapes are
included in the library in the pastor’s office.
- Flowers
Connie Harris helps insure that flowers and plants decorate our altar
during services. Often people provide flowers as an expression of thanksgiving
or as a memorial.
- Worship/Music
Task Force
This group meets bi-monthly to offer feedback and suggestions which
serve to maintain a high quality of worship. They also plan services
for special seasons of the year. Meetings are open to everyone.
- Ushers
Our ushers serve the vital role of welcoming friends and visitors to
worship and receiving our weekly offerings.
- Music
Adults and youth are encouraged to develop their musical gifts through
our choir program. The CBF Choir practices each Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Our Praise Chorus rehearses at 6:45 p.m. each Thursday and provides
an opportunity for all ages to praise God.
- Adult Choir
The CBF Adult
Choir meets Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to rehearse choral musical
numbers for Sunday worship services. A multitude of styles—which
reflect the diversity of the congregation—are used as a means to
enrich the morning worship experience. No auditions are necessary,
just the will to sing loudly and "make a joyful noise unto
the Lord".
- Praise Chorus
The CBF Praise
Chorus meets Thursday evenings at 6:45 p.m. It is open to everyone
of all ages to learn choruses and harmonies praising God. On the
fifth Sunday of the month as well as special occasions, the praise
chorus shares its musical worship with the congregation.
- Children's
Choir
The Children's
choir, when active, meets the 2nd and 4th Sundays, January through
August, from 11:30a.m. to12:30 p.m. to learn about God and His love
through song. Children also learn the basics of music such as melody,
and rhythm while spending time with church friends. Practices for
the annual Christmas pageant are held weekly September through December
at 5 p.m.
THE
FELLOWSHIP SPREADING GODS WORD…EVANGELISM
"Go forth
therefore and make all nations my disciples..." Matthew 28:19
Evangelism: Sharing
the Good News of Jesus Christ and living it out in our lives.
The
life of Jesus calls us to mission. It is through our relationship with
Him that we discover how to be an expression of God’s love in our time
and place. The CBF Missions Committee exists to coordinate our mission
efforts, to recommend annual budget expenditures for the work of missions,
to educate people about missions, and to initiate new mission projects
which are congruent with the identity and purpose of our Fellowship. The
Committee meetings are open to any who would like to attend and are announced
in the worship bulletin.
The
Evangelism Director assists the Pastors and staff in developing a program
of outreach into the community and the world to proclaim the presence
and purpose of Christ. As the elements of such a program are put in place,
the Evangelism Director will coordinate the programs and activities of
the church which foster growth of consistent obedience to Christ's command
to "go." The Evangelism Director helps the leaders within the
functional area maintain a focus on the mission and vision of CBF and
directs attention to the need to align group plans and activities with
the church‑wide objectives established for the year; encourages
and supports leaders of the functional area in developing and promoting
opportunities for members of CBF to learn how to evangelize the lost and
put our faith in practice through obedience to the Great Commission.;
coordinates with leaders of other functional areas to encourage every
person to get involved in evangelism of some kind at some level; and ensures
that the revival is entered in the planning process and a task force is
established. Many programs with an evangelism focus also involve ministry
activities as well.
- Annie Armstrong
Home Missions Offering
In March of each
year we participate with other Southern Baptist churches in a week of
Prayer for missionaries who are committed to speak and do "the
Good News" at "home"—that is, within our own country.
Each year we receive an offering to support SBC home missions and home
missionaries.
- The Cooperative
Program
Our desire to serve
others extends beyond Howard County as we contribute a percentage of
our annual budget to the mission work of Southern Baptists, both nationally
and internationally. In the Spring, we promote the Annie Armstrong
Offering for Home Missions. At Christmas, we promote the Lottie Moon
Offering for International Missions. We also support the mission work
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and American Baptist Churches,
Inc.
- Hunger Offering
In November each year, we emphasize the needs of the hungry in our world
and receive a hunger-relief offering which is designated for local,
national and international hunger relief.
- Lottie Moon
Foreign Missions Offering
The month of December
is set aside to participate with other Southern Baptist churches in
a week of prayer for missionaries who serve abroad. We also promote
and receive an offering to support the work of these foreign missionaries
via the http://www.imb.org SBC Foreign Mission Board.
- Monthly Visiting
Teams
- Outreach
- Publicity/Communications
- Revival Task
Force
- VBS
THE FELLOWSHIP LEARNING…DISCIPLESHIP
"We
set our hearts on studying, living, teaching God's Word." Ezra 7:10
Discipleship: Encouraging
one another to discover and obey God's call in our lives. We at Columbia
Baptist Fellowship view spiritual growth as a life-long process. We are
dedicated to providing an atmosphere and environment where people are
nurtured and encouraged as they seek to draw nearer to God by understanding
the truths found in His Word and applying them to life.
The
Discipleship Director takes specific responsibility for providing liaison
between the various programs and ministries whose purposes are: to bring
new believers into the active life of the congregation; to train believers
in the fundamental doctrines of our faith and direct them toward Christian
maturity; and, to equip believers for leadership, service and ministry.
The Discipleship Director gives specific attention to teaching people
to follow Christ, coordinating the work of the Sunday School, evangelism
training, Vacation Bible School, outreach Bible study and other church
programs aimed at increasing our knowledge of and obedience to God through
studying and sharing the Bible.
At
CBF we desire to become all that God means for us to be, to “grow up to
the measure of the stature of Christ.” Therefore, we believe that God’s
people have a God-given curiosity and want to learn. We provide a variety
of opportunities for growth through learning.
- Sunday School
The focus of learning at CBF is the weekly Sunday School program, which
offers classes for all ages, infants through adults. Sunday School
seeks to provide a class for every age and interest…from Bible study
to social issues. Classes meet Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
- Preschoolers
Preschool
age children learn to experience God through their world of play.
They sing songs of God’s love and listen to Bible stories as they
are cared for by devoted Christian teachers.
- Children
Children
become familiar with the Bible as they are introduced to the many
great stories of our faith. They learn to build a foundation of
faith upon which they may be led to salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Youth
The
Youth (7th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade) study the Bible as relevant
to their life experiences in an ever-changing and challenging world.
They are provided with opportunities for application of their faith
in activities, mission projects and through sharing with each other.
- Adults
Adults
can continue to expand their knowledge of Christ. There are classes
that study the Bible book-by-book; "The People's Choice"
class which chooses a topic of every-day living they would like
to study from a practical biblical perspective; or adults can seek
to study the "foundation stones" of the Christian faith
and explore ways in which to build a family life upon this foundation.
- Tuesday Bible
Study
Tuesdays at 1:30 pm or 7:00 p.m. we gather for 75 minutes of Bible study
and prayer.
- Senior Adult Bible Studies
Not active at this time. When we once again have a full-time permanent
pastor, we anticipate he/she will lead a Bible study to serve the spiritual
and learning interests of the senior adult population.
- Growth Groups
As the interest of the congregation dictates, we offer growth groups
which provide opportunity for “process learning” through interaction
and discussion. Growth groups focus on a variety of subject matter,
for example, spiritual disciplines, world religions, and discussion
of current books.
- Library
CBF has an “eclectic” library which is shelved on one wall of the pastor’s
office. A curious spirit willing to risk the disarray of titles and
subjects will find many stimulating and practical volumes.
- Vacation Bible School
Includes classes for adults, youth and children. Five days of
concentrated bible study for all ages, usually held the last week in
June, Sunday - Thursday, in the evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A time for fun, singing, missions, music and studying the Word. A closing
program which includes a Family Night Potluck is held the Sunday evening
following VBS and is a time of celebration.
<THE
FELLOWSHIP SERVING OTHERS…MINISTRY
“May the
favor of God rest upon us, establish the work of our hands for us; You
establish this work of our hands.” Psalms 90:17
“Serve the Lord with gladness…” Psalms 100:2
Ministry‑Meeting
the needs of people in the name of Jesus Christ.
The
love which we feel and share does not stop with our own circle. We have
been given a caring Spirit, who reaches out to many persons in our community
and world. Often we are too busy and have our hands filled with too many
responsibilities to see and touch the needs around us. However, when
a need catches our attention, we seek to respond and to serve others as
Christ has served us and has given himself for us.
The
Director of Ministry will coordinate the programs and activities of the
functional area which are aimed at meeting the needs of persons in the
name of Jesus.
Within
CBF or in conjunction with other Interfaith Center congregations
- Ruth and Garland
Cross Benevolence Fund
Benevolence funds are received on the first Sunday of each month
and supplemented by a line item in the annual budget. These funds are
disbursed to assist persons within and beyond the Fellowship who are
in need of financial assistance to meet a variety of needs.
- Coalition for
Compassion
The Coalition is
an interfaith project which coordinates responses to emergency needs
in Howard County. Volunteers assist persons with housing, utilities,
medical needs, and food. CBF was one of the lead congregations in establishing
the Coalition and continues to be a key participant in its success.
- Food Pantry
The Food Pantry,
housed at the Interfaith Center, provides a three-day supply of non-perishable
food and a cash voucher to individuals and families who are in need.
CBF’s L.O.V.E. (Ladies Organized for Volunteering and Encouragement)
group originated this project and still provides the primary energy
and majority of funding for it. Donations are received from all the
Interfaith congregations and occasionally from other groups. Food and
cash contributions are always welcome.
** Food Pantry Needs - cold cereal, beef stew, spaghetti sauce, canned
fruits, canned vegetables, peanut butter and jelly.**
- Homeless Ministry
The Homeless Ministry,
not currently active, has taken a variety of expressions over the years;
serving in a soup kitchen; volunteering at an overnight shelter; collecting
coats and blankets for the winter "warmth ministry;” providing
funds to prevent evictions; preparing monthly meals at the local Grassroots
shelter; and "empowering" an at-risk family by providing personal,
spiritual, and financial support for a one-year contract.
- The Howard County
Representative Payee Program
The Howard County
Representative Payee Program is a cooperative agreement between L.O.V.E.
and Howard County Social Services. This program recruits, trains, and
guides volunteers who agree to be "Rep Payees" for persons
not able to manage their own funds. This ministry helps prevent homelessness
and aids those who have limited skills establish a more secure and financially
stable lifestyle.
- The Stitchery
Group
The Stitchery Group
is committed to being an expression of God's love in the community by
providing hand-made afghans, and other items to people in need. The
areas of outreach may include mothers in crisis pregnancies, shelter
residents, senior citizens in nursing homes or living alone, and hospital
patients.
- Prayer Ministries
The Director of Prayer
Ministries at CBF is a member of the congregation called out by the
Pastor to work with
him in leading the congregation to a deeper commitment to and practice
of prayer. This person will serve as the primary point of contact for
the prayer ministries of the Fellowship and will have a seat on the
quarterly Coordinating Council. Duties include worship service prayer;
updating the CBF prayer list; leading prayer services; and encouraging
other CBF prayer ministries.
- Senior Adult
Ministry:
We delight in having senior adults active in our Fellowship! We offer
transportation to worship services on the CBF van as well as assist
seniors with emergency transportation.
"The Thursday
Club” provides social and recreational opportunities for senior adults
on the first Thursday of each month.
Every fourth Sunday
the choir worships with the residents at Lorien Nursing Home (2:30 p.m.)
and Harmony Hall (3:15p.m.) They look forward to this opportunity to
sing and touch.
In the Spring and
at Christmas, the Senior Task Group provides a holiday luncheon for
senior adults in the community.
- Resources
for Family Growth (R.F.G.)
Debbie McCustion-Kahl
RFG Director
(410) 730-2026
"A Christian
organization that transforms families and individuals
through enriching programs and professional counseling services"
Resources for Family
Growth has two primary goals: (1) to provide Christian counseling services
to people and (2) to offer programs which teach Christian values of
psychological wholeness and to enrich individual and family life. Since
(1) is a service provided primarily to those who are outside the Fellowship,
the service is defined as a mission of CBF.
These ministry related programs are detailed
under evangelism:
- The Cooperative
Program
- Annie Armstrong
Home Missions Offering
- Lottie Moon Foreign
Missions Offering
- Hunger Offering
THE
FELLOWSHIP CARING FOR EACH OTHER…FELLOWSHIP
“Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
on another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
Fellowship: Building
the bonds of the diverse family of God in love and unity.
One
of our most important priorities is caring for each other as a family
in Christ. As our membership increases, we are challenged to maintain
the closeness and caring which typified CBF in its early years. We call
ourselves “Fellowship” as a reminder of the importance of knowing one
another as friends and of sharing our lives together. We seek to be personal,
informal, honest and unpretentious. We strive to know each other by first
names…without the distance of titles.
The
Fellowship Director is responsible for providing liaison between the programs
and activities of the functional area which are aimed at connecting one
believer with another in Christian love and strengthening bonds within
the body of Christ. The Fellowship Director provides leadership in developing
and maintaining programs and activities which are aimed at caring for
members and participants through sharing our lives as a community of faith
and living out our role of modeling Christian love in the world.
- DEACONS
- KINfolk
Groups
The KINfolk (Koinonia/fellowship In Neighborhoods)
system is our way of structuring caring for each other. Every participant
in CBF who wishes is included in a group of other participants according
to where we live in villages and neighborhoods. Each KINfolk group
is “shepherded” by a deacon who contacts the members of his/her
group, is available in need, and offers encouragement. Occasionally
the deacons sponsor church-wide KINfolk events, such as the annual
Thanksgiving dinner.
- L.O.V.E.
Ladies Organized for Volunteering and Encouragement
was organized in 1983 with two major objectives: to provide fellowship
and support for CBF women and to offer financial support for the ministries
of the church. “L.O.V.E.” was chosen as the name, for it reflected the
group’s desire to serve and care for each other and the Fellowship at
large. L.O.V.E. meets the first Saturday of each month at 5:00 p.m.
The projects they have organized and supported include fund-raising
for a new church wireless microphone system, to providing Thanksgiving
and Christmas baskets for less fortunate families of Howard County.
- Youth
Senior High youth meet on the 1st Sunday of the month at
6:00 p.m.; Junior High youth meet on the 2nd Sunday of the
month at 6:00 p.m.; and there is a Junior High/Senior High Fellowship
held every third Sunday at 6:00p.m. Regular program and activity schedules
are included in the KEY.
- Children
Regular and seasonal events are scheduled for 1st-6th
graders. Programs include Second Sunday fellowships, Crosspoint, Children’s
Choir, 5th & 6th grade Bible study.
- Single Adults
CBF sponsors the Phoenix Group for those 30 and older. Activities include
classes, support groups, special studies and social activities. Meetings
and activities are announced in the Columbia Flyer.
- Couples Groups
Support for couples is offered through various groups which meet regularly
for social activities, Bible study and occasionally schedule marriage
enrichment events.
- Senior Adults
The “Thursday Club” provides social opportunities for senior adults
on the first Thursday of each month.
- Men in Ministry
Originally formed
as Men Organized for Breakfast (MOB), CBF’s men have chosen a new emphasis
and a new name—Men in Ministry. Although the group still meets the first
Saturday of most months for breakfast, fellowship and a devotional time,
it now seeks broader participation of men. Men in Ministry provides
four specific means of involvement: structured Bible study and prayer;
hands‑on applied ministry which will focus on specific service
projects like home repair for the elderly; fellowship, which will include
monthly breakfast meetings, retreats and special events; and involvement,
which will emphasize personal contact among CBF men, a possible newsletter
and other means of making men more aware of ministry opportunities.
CBF men are active in its Tape Ministry, Promise Keepers and other areas
of service.
- Retreats
Every other year, CBF plans a church-wide retreat for the fall, usually
at Camp Letts, Skycroft Conference Center, or Summit Lake. It is a
great way to renew the spirit, relax, and make new friends.
- Social and Recreational
Activities
Regular and seasonal social activities, such as potluck dinners, softball,
the summer picnic, Sunday brunch at a local restaurant, etc., are announced
in The Key and the weekly bulletin.
- Publications
The KEY (newsletter) and CBF Voices provide a mechanism for announcing
regular and special events to communicate what is going on with the
body of the church overall as well as individually, and allows all participants
of the fellowship to express themselves creatively.
- Exercise Group
Meets periodically in the evening once a week. Please call the church
office for the current schedule.
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