Farewell Tribute

Farewell, Armand
October 16, 2011 is Armand Melnbardis’ last Sunday with us. He has served our church as the Instrumentalist for the past fifteen years with dedication, devotion and durability. Perhaps when Lois Cox called Stetson University to ask if they had a young music student who could come and play the piano for our worship services, no one had any idea it would be of such a benefit to our church to have this talented musician play not only the piano for us but also the violin. After all, this young man from Latvia who was on a full time music scholarship with his violin would come with his remarkable talent and personality and endear himself to the people of New Hope Baptist Church.
He has given himself to New Hope these past fifteen
years and even though we knew when he came that he had always been destined for greatness, he gave himself unselfishly to our needs. The time has come for us to allow Armand the opportunity to further his career as a promising professional musician. He will be moving to Los Angeles, CA after he gives us his Farewell Concert on October 16 at 5:00 PM. In many ways he is going on faith and so, as a church we want to give back to Armand a love gift that will help him in his quest. I will be singing “The Impossible Dream” at his Farewell with the prayer that he will be successful and his dream will be possible. After all, we are reminded in Scripture that all things are possible with God. I have enjoyed my association with you, Armand, for the past ten years and I am praying that God will continue to bless you abundantly as you leave.
Dennis Bucher
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Armand Melnbardis (whose last name means “black beard” and is virtually unpronounceable to the American ears) started teaching the violin to very young students in Ormond Beach in 1996. He encouraged his students, soothing their feelings and reassuring them with an
Farewell, Armand (continued)
earnest, pleasant voice. He had learned, at a very young age, what real pressure is.

As a native of Latvia, he screamed about practicing, cried often as he struggled to learn the intricacies of an instrument that had defeated some of the best would-be musicians for more than 300 years. He was placed in a school that specialized in turning out musicians. In the Soviet Union, schools were designed to provide an in-depth training to any child who showed potential in a particular field. Once a student entered this school, there was only one way out: The Red Army! That is where dropouts ended up. He was trapped in Latvia with only his violin between him and nothing! Studying his violin was his only option. So, he practiced, he learned, and he played as though his life depended on it, because it did!

For you, I wish God speed and his blessings on you forever more.
Lois Cox
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Armand, I have been truly blessed by knowing you and listening to your "one of a kind" wonderful music for the last 10 ½ years. You are so gifted and only you could make every hymn come to life. Love your fancy "fiddling," too.

I could not begin to put in words how much I will miss you at that piano every Sunday and Wednesday night, but I am trying hard not to be selfish because I do want the BEST for you. L.A. will be a better place with you there.

May God bless you and guide you always. Thank you for the special "Elvis inserts." Keep in touch with your family here at New Hope. We Love You.
Dorothy Rollins
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One of the many fond memories I have of Armand has to do with football, of all things! George and I invited him over to watch a Super Bowl game at our home. He was a little hesitant and his response was "I don't know 'eeeenything about fewtball'!" I assured him that we would get him through the American experience. When he arrived, we explained the background of the game and some very basic rules of it. I told him not to worry too much about the game, just enjoy the commercials and the halftime show. He did pretty good until halftime and it was definitely a memorable one - it was the Janet Jackson debacle! What a way to introduce a legendary American sporting event to a Latvian musician!

Armand has been a wonderful friend and encourager of my participation in the music program at New Hope. His departure is bittersweet - I will miss him but am so happy that he is seeking new places to use and showcase his extraordinary musical talents. I wish him only the very best. I hope that one day when he makes it big, I will be able to say, "Armand used to play for me to sing!" Who knows, we may see Armand on a Super Bowl halftime show!
Leesa Holloway
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Armand, I have enjoyed your beautiful music and can’t imagine our Sunday services without you. You have a God-given talent and I know there are bigger and better things waiting in your future.

My prayer for you is that you have many great experiences in California and use your talents in Christ’s name. Always remember us at New Hope. Please return often for you will be greatly missed.
Nell Vandiver
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I am overwhelmed by the news that Armand is leaving. He was such an inspiration to me while I was at New Hope. His musical interpretations always touched my heart. He had such ease as he played for us. Each Sunday he faithfully gave us music for our souls. He was also a gifted concert artist. Even the most difficult pieces were show cases for his “extreme” talent.

Whether at church, at home or on the concert stage, he was always “Armand.” He had the feel of a musician with people as well as music.

I shall always be grateful for his “special concert” on June 14, 2006. My wife, Gloria, lay dying in ICU at the hospital in St. Augustine. That day was our 54th wedding anniversary. Armand came to the hospital and played a concert for her in the ICU ward. Not only did Gloria and I appreciate his concert, but also the nurses.

Armand, you have a special place in my heart. God bless you!
Doran McCarty
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Having been a snowbird until this year, I'm taking the liberty of speaking for many and hopefully all our winter visitors to New Hope Baptist Church. For us Armand and his music has been and is a blessing and a large portion of the worship that we share each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. As several of us sing in the choir, we also share choir practice as an extra time to hear and sing and experience the great talent that Armand has as an accompanist, a pianist, and a violinist.

We are saddened by the announcement of Armand’s
Farewell, Armand (continued)
departure but we wish him the very best as he transfers his
talents to the LA area. Our love, prayers, and hopes for the future go with him along with God's love and grace.
Armand, many thanks for your time with us at New Hope.
Bill Walker
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Armand is a great person and very talented at the keyboard and violin. My strongest memory of him is when Armand would tag along with my family to Monterey Grill about once or twice a month after church. It was pretty fun having him with us because he would humor us a lot and also prove us wrong about the every day life in the music business. Armand would always tell us about his upcoming gig and tell us about the fascinating bloopers behind the curtain!

I have always admired the music he makes on the piano. I have been playing keyboard for about a year now and I wish I could play as great as he does! It's great that he shares that talent with us at church. So, as he leaves us, he will soon share his talents with the whole world!

Armand, I truly admire you and you are definitely a role model to me. Toren Ford-Jones
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Having graduated from a university and a seminary with great music schools, I confess to being a bit of a snob when it comes to church musicians. I hope for the best, but am prepared to be disappointed. I could not have dreamed Armand! Thank you for helping my soul soar in worship with your artistry, Armand. You say it is practice not talent, but we all know you are God-gifted.

One of my favorite memories goes back to one of the first worship services my family attended at New Hope. Armand later said he forgot what he was playing and slipped into something that sounded suspiciously like a Frank Sinatra song to me.
Elaine Hardy
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE(
For Those Needing One Last Fix)
Oct. 4, 7:00 PM, Wine Bank, Ormond Beach
Oct. 7, 7:00 PM, Angell & Phelps, Daytona Beach
Oct. 8, 8:00 PM, Dish, Ormond Beach
Oct. 13, 7:00 PM, Plantation Wine & Sprits
Oct. 16, 5:00 PM, Farewell Concert, New Hope

MISSIONS
Horn of Africa Famine Offering
On Sunday, September 25, New Hope members gave $584 to World Vision International for people who are suffering from the drought that is devastating the Horn of Africa. Thanks to grants, every dollar can multiply up to five times. One hundred dollars can potentially provide 1,700 meals. For some children and elderly, this may be the only meal they get in a day.
Halifax Urban Ministries
Food donations will be collected this month on the second Sunday since Communion is being postponed. Judy Hutchinson says, “In addition to canned and staple food items, diapers and baby food are needed.”
Countryside Lakes Assisted Living
Visitation at the ALF is Wednesday, October 19, at noon.
Shoebox Christmas Gifts
Get a jump now on finding items for shoebox Christmas gifts. This year the Missions Committee offers two choices, either Samaritan’s Purse which ships around the world or a local gift. You may choose to pack a box for a boy or girl with small toys, school items or toiletries. No liquids or toy guns are accepted and only individually wrapped hard candies, please. The collection date for Samaritan’s Purse is November 14-21. A $7 check for shipping and handling is required for those boxes.
Used Hearing Aids Needed
Wanda Ashworth-Valencia has requested help on behalf of the Open Door Health Clinic at Open House Ministries in Homestead. Dr. Nilda Soto, the clinic's physician, has asked for donations of hearing aids. She has several patients who need, but who cannot afford, hearing aids. The clinic has a volunteer audiologist who can adjust donated hearing aids. There will be a box at the rear of the sanctuary for your donations during the month of October.

NEW HOPE 101
Sunday, October 9, 5:00 PM
Want to know more about basic Christian beliefs, the history of Baptists and the mission of New Hope? The pastor will be teaching New Hope 101 next Sunday. A light sandwich meal is provided.

LADIES LUNCH
Tuesday, October 25, 11:45 AM
Hidden Treasure Restaurant
On the water at US-1 and Rose Bay

MUSIC AND WORSHIP
The CenturyMen Fall Tour Schedule
Friday, Oct. 7 Travel Day to Nashville, TN & rehearsal at
First Baptist Church, Nashville
Saturday, Oct. 8 All day rehearsal
Sunday, Oct. 9 Morning Worship at Hermitage Hills
5:30 PM Banquet & Evening Concert, FBC, Nashville, TN
Monday, Oct. 10 Brunch & travel to Tellico Village, TN
Covered dish at 4:30 with concerts at 6:00 & 8:00
Tuesday, Oct. 11 Travel to FBC, Bowling Green KY, concert at 7 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 12 7:30 AM Concert at Lifeway Chapel
1:00 PM Travel to Huntsville, AL
7:00 PM Concert at FBC, Huntsville, AL
Thursday, Oct. 13 Travel home

I will be back to lead our morning worship service on Sunday, October 16. That afternoon Armand Melnbardis will treat us to a Farewell Concert of violin and piano music. He has asked me to have a part in that concert and I will be singing several favorite solos. Armand has been not only an outstanding and talented musician but also a loyal and dear friend. We wish him well as he goes. He will certainly be missed.
Dennis Bucher
Music for Healing
Wednesdays, 12:15, All Saints Lutheran Church
Oct. 5 Musician: Don Roy, Organ/piano
Oct. 14 Musician: Vita Fortin, piano
Oct. 19Musicians: Rusty Baker & Susan Acree, piano & violin
Oct. 26 Musician: Wanda Ross, piano. Host: Dennis Bucher

SERMONS IN OCTOBER
Oct. 2 God’s Purpose for Parents and Children, Proverbs 13:24 & Ephesians 6:1-3
Oct. 9 To Find Joy, Philippians 4:1-9
Oct. 16 People Are Talking About You, 1Thessa-lonians 1:1-7
Oct. 23 To Please God, Not People, 1Thessalonians 2:1-8
Oct. 30 God at Work in You Believers, 1Thessalonians 2:9-13

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Daniel Vestal, CBF's national executive coordinator, announced last week that he will retire in June 2012 following the General Assembly in Ft. Worth, Texas.

WHAT’S COOKING?
Pat Dugan’s Nutty Colelslaw
By request, but also in Savor the Flavors, p. 26.
Dressing: ½ c. sugar
1 c. oil
½ c. balsamic vinegar
2 dry seasoning packets from Ramen soup mix
Salad:1 bag coleslaw
1 bag red cabbage (smaller than coleslaw bag)
2 pkg. Ramen soup mix noodles (beef)
½ c. scallions, chopped
1 c. sunflower seeds
1 c. sliced almonds
Mix dressing ingredients well with mixer or blender. Refrigerate overnight. Mix salad ingredients close to serving time. Add dressing at the last minute to keep crunchy.

BIBLE BUZZ
Harvest time is just around the corner. Can you answer these food/nature-related questions?
1. What two types of fruit did the spies sent by Moses bring back from the land of Canaan?
2. Complete this sentence from Proverbs. “He who tends a fig tree _________________________.”
3. From what tree were Adam and Eve not supposed to eat?
4. Who is the first recorded man to have planted a vineyard (and then got drunk on the wine he made)?
5. Isaiah the prophet healed Hezekiah’s boil by applying a poultice made of what?
6. In the book of Revelation what were the leaves of the tree of life used for?
7. According to John the Baptist, what would happen to every tree that did not produce good fruit?
8. Complete this sentence from Micah, “In the last days men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and every man shall sit ____________________________.”
9. Proverbs tells us that a word fitly spoken is as ______________________________________.
10. God told the Israelites that if they disobeyed him, they would be so full of fear they would flee at the sound of ________________________________.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
A new Grief Support Group, led by the pastor, will meet Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 PM for eleven weeks. The group uses the book Understanding your Grief. Please invite any friends or neighbors who are dealing with loss. The group is open to the community.

CUB SCOUT PACK HAS OPENINGS
Fred Griffin notes that a number of Cub Scouts have moved on to Boy Scouts and there are openings in the pack which meets at New Hope on Thursdays. If you have child, grandchild or neighbor in grades 1-5 who may be interested, see Fred.

Answers to Bible Buzz
1. grapes, figs 6. healing of the nations
2. eat its fruit 7. it would be cut down
3. tree of the knowledge of 8. under his vine and fig
good and evil tree
4. Noah 9. apples of gold
5. figs 10. a windblown leaf