October 2013

Volume 8 #10

Wading River Baptist Church

P.O. Box 438, 1635 Wading River-Manor Road, Wading River, NY 11792 (631) 929-3512; 929-6022 www.wrbc.us office@wrbc.us

Always Connected: Redeeming Technology

With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, . . . (Eph 6:18). Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17).
Ive been thinking again about the important subject of technology and Christianity in our 21st-century world. Communication technology has become so pervasive that its impossible to escape. In many cases, however, these new technologies are proving to be harmful. Last month a voluntary, ten-day program for the treatment of internet addiction opened at the Behavioral Health Services at Bradford Regional Medical Center (a psychiatric hospital in central Pennsylvania). This program was organized and is staffed by experts in the treatment of more familiar addictions like drug and alcohol abuse. Even more than the internet, however, is the ubiquity of the cell phone. Its everywhere, and most people today cant live without it. Its especially a problem with those who own smart phones. With one handy device, they can talk, text, check and send e-mail, shop, get the news, weather reports, and sports updates, take and send photos, play games, and perform a variety of other tasks. In a very real sense, they are actually living their lives electronically. The bottom line is that they are always connected. In visiting family several months ago, I was struck by the configuration of their dinner table: knife, fork, spoon, plate, napkinand cell phone; and all of them were wellused during dinner! they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, . . . . Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you? . . . . (Gen 3:8). Apparently it had been customary for the Lord, in a theophanic manifestation, to walk in the garden in the evening, and talk to Adam and Eve. Throughout the Old Testament, God spoke to His people Israel, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly through their divinely appointed leaders, later through the written Word of God, the Scriptures, and ultimately in the appearance of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament puts it this way: No one has seen God at any time, the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained [i. e., communicated about] Him (Jn 1:18). Later an anonymous biblical writer says: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, . . . (Heb 1:1-2a). In the very act of revealing himself, God has demonstrated that He is a God who speaks (no false God could make the same claim!). Because communication is a part of who God is, we are not surprised to find that we human beings, made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), are likewise creatures given to com-

What about this phenomenon of being always connected? Actually, its not a new concept or a new phenomenon at all. What has changed, however, is the medium. In order to understand what has happened, we need to review some basics about God, the world He has made, and the human race He created. Humanity is the direct creation of God. Whatever the other inscrutable reasons may be as to why God created human beings, this much we know: God created us to have communion with Him. Granted, it is not as though God needs us, since there was perfect fellowship and communication between the members of the Triune Godhead before He ever breathed into that lump of clay He had fashioned and man became a living being (Gen 2:7). Nonetheless, as early as Genesis 2:16, we find God speaking to the man He had made, and we are given insight into His pattern of communication when the Genesis narrative records, immediately following Adams and Eves disobedience, that

munication. We see, we hear, and we speak. Again, the very first being with whom any man every spoke was undoubtedly none other than God himself, with whom he fellowshipped in the blissful evening shadows of Eden. It is not without justification, therefore, that we say that man was made for constant fellowship with God, and that fellowship required constant communication. This is one tragedy of mans disobedience. His fallen condition involves the severing of unhindered communication with His Creator. In fact, Scripture clearly reminds us that in the fallen state in which we are born, there is none who seeks for God (Rom 3:11). Rather, like Adam in the Garden, our native instinct is to hide from an infinitely holy God and to avoid all communication with Him. Even so, God has taken the initiative to communicate with usto re-establish that broken connection. To that end, He has strategically revealed himself to mankind throughout history. His creation itself declares His glory (Psa 19:1-6); and His Word reveals His will (Psa 19:7-11). Moreover, He has spoken directly to certain key individuals in the great narrative of redemption, from Adam to Enoch to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Moses, to David, to the prophets, and to a host of others throughout Israels history. However, no initiative was greater than that of the incarnation of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God spoke to humanity more eloquently than at any other time before or since. In Christ, we have seen God, we have heard Him speak, and we have learned His will. God has spoken, and He invites His creatures to speak to Him. That speech is called prayer. Prayer takes many different forms, from formal prayers associated with liturgical worship, to informal communication, to brief cries for help or mercy or to meet some urgent need. We are to communicate with the God who has communicated with us. With all

prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, writes Paul to the Ephesian Christians (Eph 6:18), and he exhorts the Thessalonians, Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). These verses therefore remind us that we are to be always connected to God. Now lets return to the early chapters of Genesis as we see the course humanity took subsequent to the fall. We need go no further in the narrative than Genesis 4 where we learn of the development of the first civilization following Cains murder of his brother Abel. We are introduced to a man named Lamech, distinguished as the first named polygamist (therefore perverting Gods will for the fundamental institution of marriage and the family), who by his wife Adah was the father of Jubal: he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe, and through his wife Zillah, fathered Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron (Gen 4:2122). These two sonsand it is critical to note that they were born to the godless family line of Cainare specifically identified as the initiators of musical entertainment and technology. The significance of the entertainment arts and technology, as they have developed over the millennia, has been that they afford sinful human beings with a way of communicating with themselves, rather than with God, and in fact have provided a way in which the human race can fulfill their urge to communicate without speaking to God. But its even more insidious than that, for in Isaiah 14 we read what seems to be the apocalyptic description of the supreme anointed cherub who guarded the very throne of God in heaven (Ezek 28:14), the shining one (Lucifer, the light-bearer), veiled as an address to the king of Babylon. It appears that this passage describes the fall of Satan himself, and it is said: Your pomp and the music of your harps have been brought down to Sheol (verse 11).

Satan has been a master at corrupting the arts and human communication. In his present condition, mankind is described by the Apostle Paul this way: Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; . . . (Rom 3:13-14a). In addition, communication has become increasingly fractured, as our devices facilitate speaking to an ever greater number of people on an ever greater number of subjects until our minds reach a saturation point in which everything tends to blur together in an unfocused potpourri of messages ranging from the urgent and the serious to the trivial and superficial. In the relatively infrequent moments when we are out of reach of our devices, we dont want to think but rather we want to put our minds into neutral, and if anything, to be entertained. We are too mentally exhausted to meditate on Gods Word or to pray.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Dutch theologian, philosopher, and statesman, Abraham Kuyper, in a book entitled Pro Rege, saw the emerging new world order as being defined by constant technological innovation, globalization, urbanization, ever-more rapid communication, the increasing sway of finance capital, the commodification of art, and the triumph of fashion. It was a portrait of mass society under the conditions of advanced industrialism.1 In this society, the self was dissolving under the explosion of knowledge and social complexity, and thus from youth up, a persons spirit was dispersed and divided over all sorts of things, and went unformed, losing the ability to integrate pieces into a coherent whole.2

What was true a century ago is even more problematic today. Thus, the human race has constantly sought to exercise our Godgiven desire to communicate, but in illegitimate ways. That means first, by searching for new ways of speaking to each other and thereby avoiding speaking to an alienated God; second, by disseminating our naturally corrupt communication to each other; and third, by communicating our corruption through the media of the musical artsall of which brings us full circle to the present state of technology and entertainment. The unquenchable desire of mankind is to find more and more effective means of being always connected to each other, and as these media become more available and more efficient, they become addictive. Sinful people cannot be without a way of talking to other sinful people or of letting a corrupt entertainment media communicate its perversity to them. Meanwhile, relatively few

people are ever quiet, and even fewer are talking to God. What are we to do? Christians must make every effort to redeem technology, as much as any human invention, generated by the sinful human heart, can be redeemed. First, we must refuse to let technology govern us. Believers must avoid falling prey to addiction to the latest fads in interpersonal communication. We must not allow our lives to be regulated by our cell phones, our iPads, the internet, or our televisions. We must strictly control the use of these technologies in our lives and in our homes, being especially careful in the way and extent to which we allow our children to use them. Second, we must be careful that our new ways of communicating do not supplant the ancient, but everrelevant, way of communicating with God as established by Him, namely prayer. The more were tempted to use our techno-toys, the more we need to discipline ourselves to pray. We must remember that it is far

more important to talk to God than it is to one another, and that we wrestle with the unseen powers of darkness who are intent on destroying our communication with our Creator. And third, we must redeem technology by finding valid uses for it in the cause of evangelizing a lost world and building a vibrant church. We are justified in bringing a sanctified creativity to bear upon a corrupted technology for use in serving the Lord and glorifying Him. Always connected? Yes, but the question is, to whom? Brethren, pray at all times . . . pray without ceasing!

Pastor Ron Glass

1

James D. Bratt, Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2013), page 335.

Ibid., p. 336.

Missionaries of the Month Pastor Noel and Nora Faustinorio

dress his medical needs. He was welcomed back to the WRBC on September 15 in a joyous reunion with his supporting brothers and sisters of the faith from WRBC. It is his desire that he will be able to return to the Philippines with his wife in a few months. His mission in the Philippines remains the same: to win souls to Jesus Christ and to keep the Wading River Fundamental Bible Baptist Church running in spite of the many setbacks the church encounters. The church building at times is threatened by the heavy rains (as metro Manila was just recently), with quite a bit of flooding so common to that area. Their church was spared from the recent flooding; they did not have to use their pump reserved for the times when the flood waters do reach them. Finances are always a concern, especially since their landlord raised their rent earlier this year. Another concern is the political environment that at times is unstable, especially in the heart of Manila; moreover, a neighboring state is claiming territorial sovereignty over Saba Island, part of the Philippines. Another major area of concern is the leadership of the church, especially at times like this when he is away here in the states. Pastor Noels strong faith brings comfort to him that the leadership continues to lead under the strength of the Lord Jesus presence as they grow in the Word. We here at WRBC must continue to support them with our prayers and offerings that all their needs will be met and the passion of Pastor Noel will be met in reaching Filipinos with the gospel. Joan Tyska

Pastor Noel & Nora Faustinorio are not only our dearly beloved brother and sister of the WRBC but our missionaries of the month for the month of October. Pastor Noel shepherds the Wading River Fundamental Bible Baptist Church located half a world away in Lagro, Quezon City, Philippines, where life can be difficult as Pastor Noel reaches out to the Filipinos with the news of salvation. For now, Pastor Noel has returned to the states to be reunited with his wife and children and to ad-

Peru Medical Mission Outreach Trip

people hold to a works-based means of salvation by adhering to a mixture of Roman Catholic traditions and their own superstitious beliefs. While they want to believe in and worship God, they have a twisted view of what the gospel truly means. The Peruvians ignorance of the true gospel is saddening because they try so hard to be good. Their loving, patient, and grateful attitudes were personally convicting to me. How often do we get impatient when we have to wait a few minutes to see a doctor? Yet these people would spend hours waiting in the sun and were grateful for the opportunity to see a doctor. The amazing patience with which many of these people waited for their turn was such a contrast to the American fast-paced, demanding culture. I was also struck by their gratefulness. We often had to turn people away at the end of the day, and they always thanked us even though they didnt get their chance to see a doctor, and the little children would always say gracias when given a toy or candy. Often Peruvians would come to the clinic bringing their elderly parents for whom they cared and provided. It was so rewarding to contribute towards the presentation of the gospel to these people. The gospel was presented by Spanish-speaking believers to 2,700 patients after they had been seen by a doctor. Astoundingly, 909 people accepted Jesus as Savior! A followup meeting is made with each person who makes a profession of faith, which includes a recommendation to attend a Bible-preaching local church. I am so thankful I was able, along with Linea, to take part in obeying the command to make disciples of all the nations (Matt. 28:19). Sarah Piraino

While treating patients was fulfilling and exciting, there were constant reminders that the main focus of the trip was on reaching people with the gospel. Every morning before clinic started we would gather for a short devotional. During these daily devotionals, Bradley Edmondson, the director of Medical Mission Outreach, emphasized that the medical aspect of the trip came second to the real mission: peoples souls. He said that if we were merely a humanitarian organization then all we had to offer the Peruvian people was a temporary relief from physical suffering. However, as a Christian organization we had an eternal hope to offer to them. I was able to talk to David Gardner, the local missionary who runs the Bible college at which we were staying, and ask him what he considered to be the greatest spiritual need for Peru. He simply replied, They need the gospel. In Peru, many of the

End of Summer Review

Summer 2013 on Long Island must not be taken for granted, given the beautiful summer that it was. As so much of the United States experienced extreme weather conditions, you might want to say that Long Island skated through unscathed. As tornados ripped through towns and rivers overflowed their banks and lightning strikes ignited fires throughout our nation, Long Island experienced Gods gentle touch with a balance of heat, rain, cool nights and beautiful landscaping. Thanks be to God for his TLC. WRBC was no exception in the beauty of Gods landscaping and we have John Piraino to thank for the great job as the #1 landscaper in charge. Peter Albrecht has not only found a new way to serve the Lord as Johns assistant, but also a spiritual connection working in the gardens, as he is reminded of the biblical truths expressed in the favorite old hymn, In The Garden. Johns wife, Mina, has also spent some of her valuable time caring for the flowers in WRBCs gardens. We so appreciate the hours that these volunteers spent taking care of the landscape. The decorations for VBSs western theme earlier in the summer were so delightful and special, they needed to be shared on another level. A quick decision was made to preserve the Fellowship Halls western town and Conestoga wagon for another three weeks after the successful Vacation Bible School while plans came together for a senior version of

VBSa Senior Saints Luncheon with a Heavenly Roundup theme. So on August 3, 2013, the seniors of WRBC and the surrounding communities put on their cowboy gear for a chuck wagon luncheon of burgers & dogs, served from the Conestoga wagon designed and crafted by Dennis Tyska.

makes the list of favorites most regularlyIn The Garden. An added bonus to the devotions was an open discussion of why this hymn was the favorite with Pastor bringing it all together in explaining how the hymn reflects the personal relationship with Christ. What fun it was to bring the cowboy and cowgirl out in each of the seniors as they dug into their wardrobes to become the classic western dude. Pictures are always better than words, so we will allow the pictures to speak.

At each meeting of the Senior Saints, the seniors like to rate the luncheon, with each luncheon bringing in more positive acclaims than the last; but this one they all agreed was the best and will be hard to beat. With the outstanding decorations, Diane Pandolfinis now famous potato salad, and the skills of our grill captains, Mike Pandolfini and Dennis Tyska, there is only one thing that could trump the luncheon itself and that was Pastor Glass message on the Heavenly Roundup. There was such joy and passion delivered in the devotions by Pastor Glass so dedicated to share the truth especially with the non-members of WRBC that are regular attendees of the luncheon. The devotions expressed by Pastor Glass were truths seldom shared by other spiritual men concerning the rapture and what genuine, born-again Christians can truly expect. It was a topic for which Pastor Glass had a great heart, and he brought avenues of thought to the seniors. As always there is a special time of hymn singing in which the seniors are able to request their favorite hymns. One hymn in particular

After much prayer and concern, WRBC voted to purchase a spot on HOPE RADIO to reach out to the community on a Long Island based radio station that offers its listeners Christ-centered programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 4, 2013, the first broadcast, River of Life, aired at 9:00 AM as Pastor Glass began his expository teaching of Colossians. Disappointment set in on August 11, 2013, as a couple of the radio stations frequencies were

missing the River of Life broadcast. After inquiring, HOPE RADIO explained that they spun off two of their frequencies to an all-sports franchise, leaving four frequencies for religious programming. Anyone that tuned into 96.9 or 107.1 FM did not find the religious programming. As Pastor Glass negotiated with HOPE RADIO, HOPE recognized the error and with full understanding honored the complaint and rectified the problem with negotiated bonuses. By August 25, 2013, the broadcast was back, airing the River of Life message on the missing frequencies. There is also another option for listeners that live outside the broadcast area frequencies: listening to the River of Life message live on the computer at www.hoperadiony.com each Lords Day morning at 9:00 AM. As summer ends, many in the church have been on vacation, leaving the church calendar empty for a while. It is also the time when the college students have returned to their studies, leaving a vacuum at WRBC of our young people that are so, so missed when they leave. Among them are: Katie Glass returning to Covenant College; Kaitlyn Hallstrom in her first year at Liberty University; Seriah Perez returning to John Jay College; Sarah and Linea Piraino returning to Bob Jones University; Garrett Valentine starting his studies at Suffolk Community College; Gennie Van DeVenter attending Eastern University; Sarah Ritzmann attending Williams College; and Kendal Conway beginning her studies at DeSales University. Also missing from church for a couple of weeks were Pastor & Maureen Glass as they took their vacation to attend a conference, visit with their grandchildren in Greenville, SC, and catch up on some most-needed rest and relaxation. Rev. Joe Lloyd took over the pastoral commitment each Lords Day to bring three strong messages from 2 Peter dealing with how to recognize a true Christian, how to recognize a fake Christian,

and how to live as a true Christian among the deceitful ones. His words were informative, scriptural, and very well received. WRBC was most grateful to have Rev. Lloyd fill in with his expository preaching.

basis. Ray asks only for your prayers; but if you want to do more, you can help financially by making checks payable to the First Baptist Church of Hempstead, 267 Jackson Street, Hempstead, NY 11550.

A special friend of Vic Perez, Ray Wigdal, visited WRBC on September 8, 2013. His visit deserves recognition if only to lend him prayer support for his efforts as he recues babies that have been thrown away at birth because of some physical or mental defect. At last count, he has 10 beautiful children in his care, raising them in a Christian environment and teaching them the Word daily as he arranges for surgeries to correct the childrens defects. He resides with these children in the Far East where he faces struggles on a daily

Looking ahead, another senior luncheon is scheduled for October 5, 2013. The focus will be Reaching Out to Friends for Christ, suggesting that everyone bring a friend who needs to hear the saving Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a challenge given to the seniors in order to stay active in ministering to others. Also, on October 13, 2013, missionaries Joe & Denise Holman will be at WRBC. Joe will be preaching during the 11 o clock service, which will be followed by a pizza fellowship luncheon with updates on their work in Bolivia. Joe & Denise

have come a long way to visit with the WRBC, so please put this on your calendar as a must attend event. If you think the last couple of months were slow schedule-wise, October will be making up for it. On October 27, 2013, there will be another luncheon in Fellowship Hall after the Lords day service, to be immediately followed by the SemiAnnual Congregational Business Meeting. We encourage everyone to attend the luncheon, with encouragement to all members to stay for the business meeting. Now that summer is over and vacations are winding down, everyother Sunday evening prayer at the parsonage is active once again, eventually getting back to the Sunday night Bible Study that is always thought provoking with an open forum. As you can see, the calendar is active once again with an open invitation for everyone to attend. Joan Tyska

A Lifetime of Changes
Changes, changes, oh so many of them. The trees, the flowers, the birds fly South. The days grow shorter, the beautiful color of leaves fallen from above to form a carpet of beauty. The squirrels gather their food and get ready for a long, cold winter. The days are beautiful, the nights very cool. Barbecues, patio furniture, and pools are stored away. Outdoor sports, so enjoyed by many, are ending their seasons. Who will win that World Series trophy? When evening falls you can see the calmness of a lake. Not a ripple can be seen. Have you ever been on a lake where it is so still? Just you and God? Admiring His creation and having a conversation, just you and God? Changes, changes, oh so many of them. Fall and Winter are coming soon. Shorts, sandals, bathing suits, and tees now are replaced with boots, pants, jackets, and mittens. Lakes and ponds are frozen over, tree limbs feel the weight of that white sugar we call snow. Skates, sleds, and skis awaiting their turn in those cold winter months. Changes, changes, oh so many of them. God is so very busy taking care of His people but: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Diane Pandolfini

October Bible Quiz Questions

Who said it? 1) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2) To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. 3) If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me 4) What shall I do to inherit eternal life? 5) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Bonus: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever more.

September Bible Quiz Answers

1) Paul was called Mercurius (KJV) or Hermes (NASB); Barnabas was called Jupiter (KJV) or Zeus (NASB) (Acts 14:12). 2) The church at Philippi (Philippians 1:5; 4:15). 3) 144,000 (Revelation 7:4). 4) Matthew 28:19-20. 5) Simon (Acts 8:18-20). 6) Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3). 7) Then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). 8) Elymas (Acts 13:8-11). 9) Weakness, fear, and trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3); Paul also endured a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7). 10) A vision prompted Paul and Silas to enter Macedonia (Acts 16:9); they went to the city of Thessalonica after the magistrates of Philippi urged them to depart (Acts 16:39). Congratulations to Virginia Sylvester for submitting all ten correct answers to the September Bible Quiz written by Dennis Tyska!

Virginia Sylvester

The Birthday Corner

October 2nd John Moses Piraino October 16th Ann Williamson October 18th Taryn Groh October 20th Helen Bryan October 25th Alfredo Hofmann

The Anniversary Corner

October 15th Joe & Martie Best

October 2013
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

The Lords Day

Monday

2 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 145 9 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting
7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

8:30 AM Ladies Prayer Joan Tyska (727-5998) 8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

1:00 PM

Senior Saints Luncheon (Fellowship Hall)

9:45 AM Sunday School (V. Bellard) 11:00 AM Worship

7 14

8 7:00 PM Board of Deacons 15

10 17

11 18

12 19

13

9:45 AM Sunday School (V. Bellard) 11:00 AM Worship (Joe Holman in pulpit)

16

8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

20 9:45 AM Sunday School (V. Bellard)

11:00 AM Worship 9:45 AM Sunday School (V. Bellard) 11:00 AM Worship Fellowship Lunch and Semi-Annual Congregational Business Meeting

21 28

22 29

23

7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

24 31

8:30 AM Ladies Prayer 8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

25

26

27

30

7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

PO Box 438 Wading River, NY 11792

Wading River Baptist Church

Our Purpose
1. To glorify God through sharing the good news of salvation by Gods sovereign grace through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To nurture believers through a strong program of Christian education, youth ministries, and expository Biblical preaching. 3. To provide an opportunity for Biblical worship, service, and fellowship. 4. To extend our ministry throughout America and around the world through participation in home and foreign missions. WRBC is affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association of America and the Conservative Baptist Mission to the Northeast.

For the Exaltation of God in All Things For the Proclamation of Faith in Christ For the Transformation of Gods People