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SUMMER OUTDOOR WORSHIP
Our annual BCC outdoor service was held on Sunday, August 3rd.
We had perfect weather -- dry and warm -- for an outdoor worship experience. Some people brought their own lawn chair for comfort -- however, there were also folding chairs available.
Because of having the outdoor worship service on the first Sunday in August, the Worship Board changed the date of Communion for August. Communion was served on the Second Sunday in August.
It was good to see a nice full crowd worshipping together in the beauty of God's nature. Join us next year for the annual outdoor worship service.
The Worship Board
Dear Friends….
It is that time of year again when order replaces the carefree, but frenzied days of summer. At BCC summer was more frenzied than normal with Pastor John leaving and Pastor Connie joining us, our kids doing great missionary work in Mexico, and our sanctuary being filled many Sundays.
As we prepare for the year ahead, we have a special request for each of you. Pray about how you can serve God at BCC. God is calling…He is calling you. We have a special mission here at BCC and we are a congregation committed to doing God’s work. We have learned much in the last months. God is calling us. We have been generous with our resources – our young people were able to raise the funds to support their missionary work. We are committed to being a place of worship and renewal as our church attendance increased substantially. New faces volunteered as ushers, greeters, and Sunday School teachers.
In the next few weeks you will have a new opportunity to do ministry at BCC. We hope you will have a talk with God about what He has in store for your ministry. What lights your fire? We are all unique. As Jan Kuntz and I have discussed, I find meetings stressful (yes, that comes from a lady who has had her fill of meetings) and yet Jan enjoys the camaraderie of working closely with others on programs.
I say…just give me a job and I’ll do it. I do know that when God called me to be Moderator, I tried hard to not have the time, to argue that I’d done my due, to suggest other needed to step up, but God has a remarkable steadfastness and He won. I know now God was right – I needed to serve and it has been an affirming two years.
When you get the call – from God or from us, please listen. God is calling – He is calling you. As a favorite minister friend once advised me – quit talking and start listening to God – He’s trying to get through.
Yours in Christ,
Kate Bloomberg, Co-Moderator
The Stewardship Board
“We’re on a Journey…Sharing Our Story.” This is our purpose statement. As you think about BCC’s purpose, what is our story of stewardship? Stewardship itself should represent the summing up of a Christian life. What is our individual stewardship story? How engaged are each of us in being year-round stewards? Is there more we can do to help others and in doing so to grow our own faith? Stewardship should be a 12 month commitment. Is this how we view stewardship or is it only something we think about at this time of year as we approach the last quarter of the calendar year? As individuals and members of a healthy congregation, there is much more that we can do in the name of stewardship that will help us grow in faith and strengthen our relationship to God. The goal of the Stewardship Board is to facilitate a change in how we view stewardship. We look forward to working with you to help BCC embrace this effort.
The Worship Board
The Worship Board consists of eight members. Each member has a responsibility. Mary is our secretary, Gladys represents our Board on the Building Usage Committee, Terri is responsible for all of the flowers that you see in the Sanctuary each Sunday, Holidays and Baptism, Betty does the changing of the Paraments on a scheduled basis, Barbara represents the Board on the Church Council, Gene Richter gets the volunteer ushers and arranges the schedule, Gene is our past Chairman, serves communion, ushers on a regular basis and Jim is the current Chairman.
This Board has the responsibility for most things that take place in the Sanctuary. One of the most rewarding and visible events is the hanging (and the "unhanging") of the Greens each Christmas season. This Board arranges for the purchase of the Christmas tree and gets the volunteer elves to set up and decorate it and the Sanctuary. Once a month we prepare and serve communion to those in the Sanctuary. We are attempting to arrange a method for the BLAST instructors to participate in communion. There are several special services during the year that need Ushers and we either do the ushering ourselves or get other volunteers.
Presently we are working with our interim Minister to smooth out the Sunday service to ensure that each member and guest get the religious experience they expect and deserve.
After the Greeters, the Ushers are one of the first people members and visitors see. It is important that we are familiar with the Church operation so we can answer questions, direct the guests and their children to the proper place and make them feel welcome.
Shortly we will be scheduling our annual summer outdoor service.
This Board and Pastor John are presently reviewing our Sunday worship to fine tune things to keep the service flowing. Stay tuned to see what changes may take place.
Attendance seems to be increasing with some of the Church’s changes, and we hope to continue this trend.
WHOEVER YOU ARE,
WHEREVER YOU ARE ON LIFE’S JOURNEY,
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE
HAVE YOU NOTICED?
Recent Trustees Activities:
The Trustees would like to update you on a few recent changes at the church. You may have noticed the new tiles in the sanctuary, and those of you in the choir have surely noticed the new overhead lighting in that area and over the organ. There are also some new lights outside and improved emergency exit lighting throughout the building. Less noticeable to most of you are the new hot water heater and dishwasher recently installed in the parsonage. If any of you have washed your hands recently in the church kitchen or any of the restrooms, you may have noticed that we now get hot water in those places MUCH more quickly than we used to thanks to some recent plumbing changes. All of these changes help make our facilities a safer, more welcoming, and enjoyable environment. Please let us know if there are other areas that need to be addressed and we'll do our best to take care of them.
FELLOWSHIP BOARD
Greetings from the Fellowship Board! We are happy to report that our church members are some of the best tailgaters, ice cream eaters, and coffee drinkers in town!
If you are ever wondering what this board is doing throughout the year, you can bet it may have to do with eating, drinking, and sharing the company of our fine congregation.
Some of the events we have worked on recently were the tailgate to support our softball team, the Starry Nights gathering to enjoy music, and Rally Sunday ice cream social.
We are looking forward to more great events to celebrate our friendships. Currently we are planning a Potluck on November 14th at Mitchell Park. Look for more information and sign-up sheets on the bulletin board at church.
If you have enjoyed some of these gatherings and think you're a good "party planner" Fellowship Board could be your next "gig!" We are always in need of volunteers for the coffee hour after church and to be a part of our board. Please let us know if you can lend a hand for any of our fellowship activities. The Fellowship Board
READERS…
Looking for a book to read? BCC has its own bookcase filled with books for you to borrow in the church hallway. Borrow a book for as long as it takes you to read it. Have extra books at home? Donate them to the bookcase -- please no magazines, romances, text books, or children's books. Find a new book and author to try - you might find a new favorite.