Living Waters Volume 25 Issue 7 July 2016

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1 Jesus proclaimed, If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38 Swift Creek Presbyterian Church Living Waters Volume 25 Issue 7 July 2016 From the pastor Friends, Beginning this July, you will begin to see billboards on major highways throughout Richmond like the one pictured here. You might wonder to yourself, Who is behind this? and What is this all about? Would you be surprised if I told you, we at Swift Creek are behind this? We have partnered with hundreds of churches from many denominations across the Richmond region to advance an initiative called Explore God. The objective is to use media and social media to pique the curiosity of Millennials into asking basic questions about God, life, and spirituality. Millennials (ages 18-35) are the least likely cohort in our society to be involved with church but they are definitely tuned in to technology and they are surprisingly interested in dialoguing about these important matters. Continued on page 3

2 Page 2 Living Waters July 2016 Financial Report Year-to-Date:May 2016 Budget 2016 Actual Revenue: $232,992 $212,992 Expenses: $231,730 $236,996 YTD Net: $1,262 ($24,004) *(This current deficit reflects large outlays for deposits for two Youth summer mission trips. Much of this will be recovered by August.) 1 Georgia Cole 11 Deborah Anderson 21 Lena Wakefield 2 Olivia MacDonald Caroline McCrory 3 Charles Davis Nicole Frost Jodi Larson Zack Martin 4 Joey Taylor 5 Holly Abbott 7 Debra Strickland 8 Matthew McCrory 10 Kenny Debes 13 Herb Hendricks Jason McAuliffe Avery Quinones 14 Cyndi Rymer 15 Kimberly Hilton Liza Seibert 16 John Hicks 17 Mark Sellew 18 Amy Cook Bill Van Mullekom 19 Chris Smith 22 Art Kernstine 23 Sam Perriello 25 Michael Webb 26 Dave Larmore Elaine Lavergne 29 Oliver Clendenon Walter Clendenon 30 Karen Snead 31 Dylan Quinones Blake Rosenbaum

3 July 2016 Continued from Page 1 Living Waters Page 3 This campaign will use advertising in the form of provocative teasers like, We all wonder on social media websites, on local radio stations, on billboards, etc. If someone from Midlothian or Moseley visits the website and 0 indicates that they would like to ask further questions about how they can explore God, a list of participating churches like Swift Creek that are close by will pop up. It is up to us to follow up in the way that best fits our beliefs and our unique culture. All participating churches will follow a sermon series outline from September 11- October 23 that addresses the basic questions that Millennials are asking: How can I know God? Why is there suffering in the world? Is Christianity too narrow? Etc. In addition, churches are encouraged to make small groups available on these same themes that would be willing to assimilate inquirers. The idea is to establish a dialogue, where hard questions can be freely asked, not to give a teaching or a sermon. There are resources available to any group that would like to use them, but they are not required. This Explore God initiative has already been tested in Austin TX and resulted in a 10% uptick in attendance in participating churches. In addition, the cost of all of the media has been underwritten so there is no cost to us as a church to participate. All churches are asked to subscribe to the Apostle s Creed as the common theological commitment. How might you participate? Two things to consider; First is to begin engaging your own neighbors relationally this summer. Go the extra mile to build your friendship with them. Have them over to a cookout or go out to a concert together. Don t mention Explore God, just further the relationship. When the media campaign kicks in this fall that will be the time to mention to them that you are beginning a little discussion group to ask those questions and you would like to invite them to join you. Secondly, consider whether your existing group would be open to newcomers, or if you would be interested in helping to start a new group that would be available to invite these seekers in. Much more to come but for now, be praying God will use this in a big way in Richmond. Tuck

4 Page 4 Living Waters July 2016 SWIFT CREEK YOUTH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Join us on Sunday evenings for a time filled with fun, food and fellowship! : 5:00-6:00 p.m. Combined Dinner: 6:00-6:30 p.m. High School: 6:30-7:30 p.m. We will meet on the following Sundays: July 10, 17, 24 & 31 No meeting on July 3 (Independence Day Weekend) WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS Please mark your calendars with this year s Wonderful Wednesday events: July 6: Uptown Alley July 17: Dave & Buster s Aug. 3: Sky Zone Aug. 10: Game Day at SCPC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Like previous years we will be having a VBS program for rising 6th and 7th graders the week of July Please contact me to sign up or for more info. MISSION TRIPS The summer mission trip season is here! The middle school mission trip to Tennessee is July This is a great opportunity for students to serve others and grow in their faith. The cost for the trip is $325. For more details or to sign up, please go online or contact Kevin. I hope everyone can experience this trip this summer! CONNECT Website: SwiftCreekPresbyterian.org Twitter: twitter.com/scpc_youth Facebook: facebook.com/groups/ SCPCYouthGroup

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6 Page 6 Living Waters July 2016 On a Mission Thanks to all of those who volunteered at Bike Day and who contributed water, wipes, lotion, and/or money to the Mission Hydrate Flint effort sponsored by our friends up the street at Spring Creek Baptist Church. And a big thanks to the dedicated folks who provide monthly support for Friends Feeding Friends and Meals on Wheels. Jenny Jenkins, our host for this year s SCPC mission team that visited Haiti, was at both services on June 19th to tell us a little more about her calling in Grand Goave, Haiti. It was great to have Jenny get to know us better and for some more members of SCPC to meet her in person. Remember to save the date of March 4th March 11th, 2017 if you re interested in joining us next year as we head back to Haiti to serve with Jenny. Campus Crusade for Christ will be hosting an English Club in Kiev, Ukraine from September 26th through October 8th, 2016 They are looking for folks to teach English and to witness to students at one of the top universities in Ukraine. There are 2 teachers for every students and lessons last about 3 hours per day. The cost would include flights plus approximately $50-$75 per day for hotels/ meals. If you are interested in the Kiev trip or in learning more about how you can participate in missions at SCPC, please contact Greg Herceg at or herceg5@verizon.net for more details.

7 July 2016 Living JULY Waters 2015 Page 7 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 26 Children's Message High School Mission Trip 9:00 AM Contemporary Service 10:00 AM VBS Crew Leader Training 10:30 AM College Study 3 4th of July Weekend Communion Sunday 10:00 AM Contemporary Service/One Service 10 Minute for Missions/ High School 9:00 AM Contemporary Service 10:00 AM Trustees Meeting 10:30 AM College Study 5:00 PM Youth 6:00 PM Youth Dinner 6:30 PM High School Youth 17 Minute for Ministry/VBS 9:00 AM Contemporary Service 10:00 AM Blood Pressure Screening 10:30 AM College Study 12:00 PM Friends Feeding Friends 5:00 PM Youth 6:00 PM Youth Dinner 6:30 PM High School Youth 24 Children's Message 9:00 AM Contemporary Service 10:30 AM College Study 5:00 PM Youth 6:00 PM Youth Dinner 6:30 PM High School Youth 31 9:00 AM Contemporary Service 5:00 PM Youth 6:00 PM Youth Dinner 6:30 PM High School Youth 27 High School Mission Trip 28 High School Mission Trip 1:00 PM Summer Movie :00 AM Decorate for VBS :00 PM Deacon's Meeting :00 PM Summer Movie 7:00 PM Session Meeting :00 AM Camp Hanover Day Camp 26 1:00 PM Summer Movie 2 3 9:00 AM Camp Hanover Day Camp 29 High School Mission Trip 6 Wonderful Wednesday (Youth) 13 Newsletter Deadline/ Crissie Nicklow 20 Wonderful Wednesday (Youth) 27 Wonderful Wednesday (Youth) 9:00 AM Camp Hanover Day Camp 30 High School Mission Trip 7 11:00 AM Decorate for VBS 14 See the most current CHURCH CALENDAR, along with other content, on the church website: 1 High School Mission Trip :00 AM Camp Hanover Day Camp :00 AM Camp Hanover Day Camp :00 PM College Cookout

8 Page 8 Living Waters July 2016 Our children s ministry will be hosting a yard sale this fall to benefit the playground. So as you clean out your closets and garage, save your items for our yard sale. We will have a trailer near the pavilion later this summer for items to be dropped off. More info to come. Next Newsletter Deadline Wednesday, July 20 Please submit articles to Crissie Nicklow, crissie.nicklow@verizon.net, Articles for the newsletter may be placed in the newsletter box located in the church office or ed to the above address. Address Correction Requested 5900 Woolridge Road Moseley, Virginia Phone: Fax: We re on the Web! Worship 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Church School 10 a.m. Open to All Ages