Faithfulness: Sermon for November 4, 2018

Sermon for Sunday, November 4, 2018, based on Ruth 1:1-18. Focusing on the faithfulness of Ruth the Moabite, a foreigner who proves more faithful in Israel than God's chosen people during the years of the Judges. Ruth will protect Naomi, her mother-in-law, even when facing an uncertain future, turning away from the comforts and familiarity of home to follow Naomi from Moab to Israel. In the exploration of Ruth's exemplary faith, we discover a secret to a happy life. Come and listen. If you enjoy what you find here, are near Lansdowne, PA, and don't have a church of your own, join us Sunday morning for worship in the sanctuary. You will be welcome.

The Value of the Immigrant, the Faithful Ruth

Ruth, a Moabite, daugther-in-law of Naomi, is an example of true faithfulness. In the age of the Judges, when Israel had drifted from God, from faith, into idolatry and civil war, Ruth show what true faithfulness is all about. She gives up her people, her country, her gods, to head to a land where her people are looked down upon with suspicion and thought to be idolatrous, licenteous, people of ill repute. She makes the God of Israel her God. She stands by Naomi even though her mother-in-law has nothing to offer her in the way of a secure future. She goes out to glean in the barley fields at harvest time to feed Naomi and herself, even though it was not safe for a woman to do so in those uncertain times in Israel. When she meets Naomi's relative Boaz, this is what Boaz says of her faithfulness (word gets around in a small community like Bethlehem): 

Ruth 2:10-12: ¹⁰Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?” ¹¹But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. ¹²May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!” 

In an age when we too look suspicously upon outsiders, it is worth taking the time to remember Ruth, the faithful Moabite. Ruth and Boaz would become the great grandparents (spoiler alert) of King David, Israel's greatest king. Ruth would be one of four women listed in the lineage of Jesus Christ. 

Join Us Sunday Morning, November 4, 2018

You are invited to join us for Sunday morning worship in the sanctuary at 11 a.m. We welcome you. We will explore Ruth's faithfulness in the sermon. Come and see. 

Beyond Loaves and Fishes: Matthew Week 10

On Tuesday, October 2, 2018 (October already?) we plunged into Chapters 13-22 of Matthew, including some compelling parables ... stories that have a great deal of life advice packed into very small packages. Come join us on this journey together, recorded here or live on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. . See what there is to learn and enjoy some time with this new community. Peace, Pastor Jeff Snyder

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Fair Wages

The sermon for Sunday, September 30, 2018, covers Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. It explores the issue of fairness from God's perspective rather than humanity's. God's expansive love leads to a surprising level of inclusion. We also explore what "the evil eye" meant back in the day and why we should avoid it today. Have a listen. Peace. Feel free to join us in Sunday worship if you are in the vicinity of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and do not have a church of your own to attend. All are welcome.

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

How Do We Hear?

The sermon for Sunday, September 23, 2018, was based on Luke 8:4-8. The parable of the sower has much to tell us, if, as Jesus says, we have ears to hear. There is much to be discovered about being disciples of "enduring patience." It is well worth a listen. If you like what you hear, you are invited to join us for worship any Sunday you happen to be in or near Lansdowne, PA. You will be most welcome.

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Walking Prayer at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge

On Sunday, September 16, 2018, at 2 p.m., members and friends of Lansdowne Baptist Church went on a walking prayer at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia. It was wonderful to get out on a startlingly beautiful day and be quiet in God's creation. As usual, once we became still, all the wildlife around became apparent to us. It is amazing what we overlook in our hurried lives.

Our next walking prayer will be on Sunday, October 14, 2018. We meet in the church parking lot at 1:30 p.m. and travel over together. It takes roughly fifteen minutes to get to our beautiful destination. All who wish to encounter God through the natural world are welcome to join us. 

Does This Offend You?

The sermon for Sunday, August 26, 2018, based on John 6:56-69. This was a hard teaching from Jesus that caused many followers to fall away. The request, if taken literally, was quite shocking. When understood correctly, the message was far more challenging and required a great deal of work from any disciple willing to accept the challenge. Jesus offers us all this same challenge and hopes we will accept. All that hard work leads to real blessings, IF we are willing to trust Jesus and follow. Listen and decide for yourself. Will you take up Jesus' challenge today and follow into a life of joyous if challenging discipleship?

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Beyond Loaves & Fishes Returns Tonight

Tonight, Tuesday, August 14, 2018, we return to our live stream Bible study of the book of Matthew. We are working our way into the Sermon on the Mount tonight, with all the surprising people who are blessed, who is salt and light, and all the rest. Join us. All are welcome. Truly, the more, the merrier.

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Join Us Tonight: Beyond Loaves and Fishes Live Stream: Matthew Chapter 4

Tonight, Tuesday, July 31, 2018, we are beginning week four of our study of the book of Matthew. We are heading into chapter 4, the temptation of Jesus. Come and see what the devil has in store for the brand new messiah about to begin his ministry, after his baptism by John the Baptist.

Of course, you can catch up on the first three half hour sessions, either on the Lansdowne Baptist Church blogspot: lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com or on the J.S. Brooks YouTube channel with the cartoon image of Rev. Jeff Snyder's face: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJBSnyder

Every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. (with exceptions for the pastor's vacation and power failures), we have a live stream Bible study. You are invited to subscribe on YouTube (it's free) and join: If you'd like a little more information on becoming a subscriber, see the following. To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event each Tuesday night, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Beyond Loaves and Fishes: Matthew Week 2

We have now moved beyond the introductory material concerning the Gospel According to Matthew. This week we begin to study the book of Matthew in earnest. We will begin with the lineage of Jesus in Chapter 1. We'll see exactly why this lineage was important to the people of Israel back in the day and why it remains important to us. Come ans see.

To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event tonight, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

If you like what you see here and you're anywhere near Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, stop on by Sunday morning and worship with us. You'll be most welcome. 

Beyond Loaves & Fishes: Live Stream Bible Study Tonight, 6/26/18, 8 p.m.

Tonight at 8 p.m. we ride again. The live stream Bible study continues. We have completed the book of Esther (all on the J.S. Brooks channel if you wish to catch up: 2 1/2 hours covers the entire book of Esther) and have now moved on to Matthew. Last week we explored some of the details about the Gospel According to Matthew's creation and the author's intention. Tonight we plunge into the first chapter (and no, I will not be reading the lineage for you).

To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event tonight, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Beyond Loaves and Fishes: Esther Week 5, Matthew Week 1

I spend a few minutes prior to the beginning of the live stream describing what we are all about here at Beyond Loaves and Fishes. I'm inviting everyone to subscribe on the J.S. Brooks channel to participate in the live stream directly and hoping people will share this small but growing community with their friends. 

We will now conclude the book of Esther. There are a few final questions we need to consider. Then we will move on to our next book to study, the Gospel According to Matthew. That book will take considerably longer than this one. I look forward to seeing you there.

To join us live on Tuesday nights, and all are welcome to do so, please follow the simple directions on the following post: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Live Stream Bible Study: 8 p.m. Tonight

Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at 8 p.m. our live stream Bible study Beyond Loaves and Fishes finishes with the book of Esther and moves on the the Gospel According to Matthew. All are welcome.

To learn how to join us on the Beyond Loaves and Fishes live stream event tonight, take a look at the following blog post and follow the simple steps: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Beyond Loaves and Fishes: Esther Week 3

We are picking up where we left off ... with a cliff hanger. The king, without seeking advice, has decided to take Haman up on his offer to commit genocide against the diaspora Jews in Persia. See what Queen Esther and Mordecai do to respond to this threat to their people, and themselves. Tune in!

If you like what you see here in the recorded copy after the event, consider heading over to the YouTube J.S. Brooks site and subscribing to join in live. We'd love to have you with us as it happens.

If you want to learn how to subscribe, see this post: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

Next Beyond Loaves and Fishes Live Stream: Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Our next episode of Beyond Loaves and Fishes Bible study will live stream on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 8 p.m. If you'd like to join us in our continued exploration of the book of Esther (we left on a real cliffhanger this past Tuesday), hit the Subscribe button at the J.S. Brooks YouTube site.

To learn how to join us on YouTube, see: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-fishes-livestream-bible.html

If you want to watch the first two class sessions on the Old Testament book of Esther, see: https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-and-fishes-esther-class-1.html and https://lansdownebaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2018/05/beyond-loaves-and-fishes-esther-week-2.html

It's all a new experience right now, a little rough around the edges and evolving over time with experience. Come and join us. Subscribe today. It's all free and open to everyone.

God bless you in your journey.

Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast 2018

Lansdowne Baptist Church is holding its much-loved pancake breakfast in Lansdowne, PA, on Memorial Day. Breakfast will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018.

The cost for the pancake breakfast is $7.00 per person for adults; $5.00 for children (12 & younger); and $20.00 for families of 5 or less (immediate family only). The food is fantastic and the funds raised go to a good cause.

The funds raised support our Aaron Royal Scholarship Fund, which provides two graduating high school students from the William Penn School District (and/or members of Lansdowne Baptist Church) who are heading off to college with scholarship money from LBC. This is one of the many ways we support are community.

Lansdowne Baptist Church is located at 17 East LaCrosse Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050.

Come hungry and enjoy the breakfast our terrific cooks create and help our local students.

Easy to Scatter

The sermon for Sunday, April 29, 2018, based on John 10:11-18, explores what it means that Jesus is our good shepherd. We see who we are as the flock and what we are intended to do in that capacity. Finally, we find out who the biblical writers considered "wolves" intent on preying upon and scattering the flock. We sheep are easy to scatter, but we don't have to! Come listen in. It's good news.

Tenebrae Service Maundy Thursday

On March 29, 2018, Lansdowne Baptist Church will celebrate our Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service of hymns, Scripture readings, and candle light. The service covers Jesus' passion, the events leading up to and including his crucifixion. The service begins at 7 p.m. with a simple soup and bread meal preceding it at 6:30 p.m. Eight candles are lit, eight Scriptures are read. With the reading of each passage, a candle is extinguished, until with the final reading is done and the room submerged into darkness.

It is a moving time of reflection, taking us up to the moment of Jesus' death and leaving us there until Easter morning, when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection and all that means.

Please join us. 

Come Celebrate the Joy of Easter with Us at LBC

Lansdowne Baptist Church celebrates our Easter service at 11 a.m. in the main sanctuary. Come join in our joy as we worship the risen Savior, Jesus, the Messiah. All are welcome. Wonderful hymns will be sung and the sermon will be based on Mary's discover of the empty tomb and her belief that Jesus is the gardener when she first sees him. Beautiful moment for a beautiful day.