From the Pastor s desk

Transcription

1 July 2013 First Baptist Church From the Pastor s desk Finding Our True elves Can you believe it is July already? Where is the summer going? Our first ummer Lecture and Picnic was a success. Betsy Quammen did a fantastic job and shed much light on the life of Charles Darwin and why he pursued the research and ideas that we know today. There were 42+ in attendance; 17 of those were our own church members, which means over half of those in attendance were visitors - 25 attended who had no affiliation with other churches. What an opportunity for the church to make new relationships with others in our community and new friends who would like to hear and see the gospel in action in their lives! Let me encourage you to attend our next picnic, on unday July 28, where we discuss The Future of Religion in America and the following Wednesday, where Elizabeth DeFanti and the Montana Ballet Company address the topic, Dance as a Metaphor of pirit. These picnics are our opportunity to connect in our community in a way that no other church does. Get to know our visitors, make them feel welcome; invite them to coffee, to lunch and to worship. Make friends. Even better, love your neighbor as your self and watch how God uses it to grow His church! Every summer I try to read something different. This summer I m reading Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr with several friends of First Baptist Church. In the book, Rohr asks us to move past what he calls the false self to the true self which is inside every person. The false self is the ego, the self that is focused on being accepted in our world, finding its center in our jobs or success. The true self is the self deep inside that craves God, that sees the divine possibilities in all people, and, rather than making either or decisions, the true self looks at life with a view to both and. I pray your summer is a both and summer; find the richness of life in your true self, the self found in God! Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 NAB95 I look forward to seeing you all this unday!! Pastor Jay

2 - Grace Holiday I want to thank all those who help with volunteering to host the families. We will have our next week the first week in October. There are many ways to help by providing meals to staying overnight. There will be a training for volunteers July 11, 6-8, at the Public Library if you are interest in learning about this community outreach, please contact Grace Holiday ABW Ministries - Pat Newby Friday, July 12, ABW Ministries will host the kids of alvation Army s ummer Camp at a picnic at Kirk Park. Time is 10:00 and this event is an annual affair through the auspices of Church Women United. This is a neat opportunity to meet the kids, they often perform music for us, and ladies of other churches. Questions? Call Pat Newby, UMMER HAPPENING! July E U R e C T R E L U M m Bridger Comm unity Presents C N i &PiC July 12 - ABW Picnic for kids from alvation Army ummer Program *July Outdoor Ministries: Fairy Lake Camp-Out! Note date change! July The Rock: enior High Camp at Templed Hills July 28 - ummer Lecture & Picnic eries: unday at 6pm: Dr. Bill Leonard and Friends: The tate of Religion in America IN U! JO August 25 lectures, of community 28, July 31 & June 12, July ites Bozeman to enjoy a series er picnic favorites oth ptist Church inv dogs, vegetarian choices & unity-first Ba t epted. Bridger Comm donations acc hamburgers, ho nics are free, by a picnic of pic ied & es pan tur om acc The lec t! ou 3. s 74 run 6-6 d 58 until the foo ation, call For more inform 1 uammen: igin of pecies Betsy Gaines-Q Letter: On the Ortary Fund and is a PhD Darwin s Love er of The Tribu Betsy is foundntana tate University. student at Mo & Friends: & the Dr Bill Leonardigion in America est Divinity chool The tate of Rel founding dean of the Wake For s at Wake Forest University. mp a s C r e c c o 2 July 29-August 2: Bridger Community occer Camp ---> : UN Ju l y 28 6 PM 3JuJu l y WED Bill Leonard is thedunn Professor of Baptist tudie James & Marilyn any: na Ballet Comp nti & The Monta Elizabeth DeFa for Faith: Moving pirit Company of Montana Ballet Dance as a Metaphor -Artistic Director ly 29-Augu Fanti is the Co st 2Th e8mb zabeth De 31 Eli :0C0Acaademmy-1. :0 and Director of ung: egpyom Dr. Gr0 July 31 - ummer Lecture & Picnic eries: Wednesday at 6pm: Friends With Melina Pyron & Music A Recital & Lecture Lyric Opera Center for 4 Afor Elizabeth DeFanti and the Montana Ballet Company: Dance as a Metaphor & ug duate of the ool of Faith, Meaning Me lina Pyron is a grag is Interim Director of the ch zzo-soprano 25 Me. Gregory Youn Dr s. Faith: Moving pirit tist Ar can Ameri te University. 6 PM UN 6 PM ta Music at Montana 120. Grand August 10 - Choir Concert: The onhine ingers from Trinity Baptist Church in an Antonio Texas. Conductor Barbara Baugh. Details TBA August 25 - ummer Lecture & Picnic eries: unday at 6pm: Melina Pyron and Friends: Faith, Meaning and Music A Recital 2 mmunity.com bridgerco Avenue www. August 10 - Outdoor Ministiries: Mt. Blackmore Hike! Family Promise JULY 2013 Call for more in fo August

3 JULY 2013 The Rock Report Daily Prayer Points unday - Jason Bowker In my last article for The Link, I documented how incredibly busy my personal and ministry schedule would be over the coming month. The last month has seen a trip to outh Dakota, multiple visitations from family and friends, moving into our new house, helping plan a baccalaureate service, graduation parties, preaching multiple times, and regularly leading worship, unday chool, and Communion. I m tired just thinking of that. But now that June has passed us by, it seems like life has slammed on the brakes and my busyness has rapidly ceased. While there is still work to be done over the course of the summer, now that the busyness of June has passed, I find myself thinking about how I will spend my time in July and August. How will I rest from a busy school year? How will I recharge my battery and rejuvenate my soul? How will I honor the rhythm that God has built into the universe? It s funny that people in ministry are often the worst at actually respecting and honoring the abbath. We ought to understand the seriousness of God design for BOTH work AND rest. And yet we behave as if we have something to prove. As if people will think we are lazy if we actually take our days off. I m trying desperately to fight those urges to strive for worldly success and production. I m trying desperately to appreciate the lighter schedule of the summer, knowing well that eptember is coming and the busyness of student ministry will be back before we know it. July and August should be a great season of fun ministry and much-needed relaxation and abbath. Mandy, Zoe, and I will be on vacation at her family s house in North Dakota during the week of the 4th of July. When we get back it will be another busy stretch of preparing for, and leading, high school camp at Templed Hills from July But in August we will spend a week with my family, relaxing at our cabin by Glacier National Park. You can pray for us over the next few months that we would have safety as we travel and find rest for our souls as we spend time with family and friends. 3 *Pastor Jay, Melissa & family *Pastor Gary, Tammy & family *Jason, Mandy, and Zoe Bowker *Hallie and Chris Kronebusch *Nick and Lauren Woods Monday *BCM taff: Grace & Larry *hut ins & Nursing Home members *CR Ministry Outreach Tuesday *Leadership Team: Gary Cook, Grace Holiday, Austin Beard, Karen Gilhousen, Robin Moore, Ken Mottram, and Dan Abrams Wednesday *The Rock & Illuminate *taff: Gary, Tammy & Alison Curry *Jason, Mandy, and Zoey Bowker Thursday *ABW & Women s Ministries *Home Groups *Cancer upport Group Friday *College & Young Adult Ministries *Children s Outreach & Ministries *The Gathering aturday *Yellowstone Theological Institute faculty, staff, and partners

4 JULY 2013 Leadership Team Meeting Report - Robin Moore, ecretary Lloyd Mandeville, our real estate agent, met with the Leadership Team at our first June meeting to give an update on the status of the Fowler Lane Pond Property which is currently on the market. The property is zoned R-4 along Fowler Lane and R-3 to the east. Due to the estimated offsite construction costs for improvements on the R-4 section, Lloyd suggested that we consider separating the R-4 and R-3 portions and marketing them separately. There has been some interest in the R-3 lots. The Leadership Team agreed to let Lloyd investigate development possibilities with those interested in the R-3 portion of the property and to separate the R-3 and R-4 sections to enhance marketing possibilities. The May financial reports were reviewed at our first June meeting. May giving ($16,703) was down about $700 from April. The ummer Grant ($26,510) has been received. ummer Ministries ($16,000) will cover the ummer Community Lectures, occer Camp expenses, and the ummer Interns. We have also collected $400 in occer Camp registrations. Instrumental Music Outreach ($10,510) will cover new music, additional music stands, and other items as outlined in the grant request. A total of $1,125 has been collected to date for the One Great Hour of haring special offering. This offering will be collected through the end of June. We paid $400 to Jeff and Annie Dieselberg in May to support their work with young women in Bangkok, Thailand. A Town Hall Talk was held on unday, June 9, after church. The discussion covered the May financial report, the ummer Picnic schedule and procedures, and other summer activities. We also discussed the need for window blinds in the sanctuary to minimize glare on the projection screens and the enlargement of the text print on the screen for easier reading. The first ummer Lecture eries picnic was on Wednesday, June 12, with guest speaker Betsy Quammen who discussed Charles Darwin and his book On the Origin of pecies. The turn out was favorable with at least 42 people in attendance. The next Lecture eries picnic will be on unday evening, July 28, with Dr. Bill Leonard & Friends, followed by another picnic on Wednesday, July 31, with Elizabeth DeFanti and the Montana Ballet Company. There will be a special prayer meeting series 4 entitled even Days to Change the Church on seven Monday evenings this summer at the CR Lighthouse. The first meeting was on June 17, and the next meetings will be on July 1, July 15, and July 29. Rodeo Bible Camp will be July 8-12, and occer Camp is coming up on July 29-August 2. Volunteers to help serve lunches will be needed at both of these events. This summer the Leadership Team will be working on developing a Mission tatement and writing Guiding Principles to complete the new Constitution & Bylaws. Hopefully, these will be ready in the fall for congregational review. The Leadership Team has spent time in June discussing ideas for a mission statement. We also discussed various ways to engage with and follow up on our visitors and different types of outreach opportunities. Continue to pray for the Leadership Team as they ponder ideas and seek God s vision for Bridger Community in If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to speak with Pastor Jay or a member of the Leadership Team. Leadership Team members are: Gary Cook, Grace Holiday, Austin Beard, Karen Gilhousen, Robin Moore, Ken Mottram, and Dan Abrams. College Ministry Update - Nick Woods ummer is a hectic time for our College Ministry! chool s out, but lots of our folks are traveling around or out of the state on work trips or vacations, so be in prayer for our students as they re moving about, and be sure to love them when they re around! Things are mostly going as normal for our groups; we still meet at our regular times as long as enough people are available. Our church garden is going rather well, thanks to some regular agricultural TLC. We actually had enough lettuce to make a large salad to bring to the Newby s picnic! None of the other crops are quite so far along, but everything seems to be healthy and growing, and we re grateful for that!

5 Bridger Community July pm - Raegene Wickham s Memorial ervice Office Closed 5 6 7am - Leadership Team College HG TBA Independence Day Office Closed Denotes Birthday 7 9am - taff Meeting 8 9 College HG TBA 10 2pm - Worship Team :30am - Gary Cook Bible tudy 3pm - Immortal Diamond Reading Group 5pm - Cancer Group ABW Picnic for alvation Army kids Pastor Jay on Vacation 14 9am - taff Meeting :30am - Gary Cook Bible tudy Pastor Jay on Vacation 7am - Leadership Team College HG TBA Karen Gilhousen 2pm - Worship Team 3pm - Immortal Diamond Reading Group 5pm - Cancer Group Outdoor Ministry Fairy Lake Campout! Amy Gruel Pastor Jay on Vacation unny Dulin Claire Abrams 21 9am - taff Meeting Church Picnic at Jay and Melissa mith s 2pm - Worship Team 3pm - Immortal Diamond Reading Group 5pm - Cancer Group Outdoor Ministries: Fairy Lake Campout and Hike ---> Camp Worship; return home 6pm - ummer Lecture & Picnic: Dr. Bill Leonard & Friends 28 9am - taff Meeting Aug. 1 Aug. 2 Aug. 3 9:30am - Gary Cook Bible tudy The Rock: enior High Camp at Templed Hills 6pm - ummer Lecture & Picnic: Elizabeth DeFanti & The Montana Ballet COmpany Larry Nelson Fran Nelson Bridger Community occer Camp! Upcoming Events July 29-August 2 Bridger Community occer Camp August 10 Outdoor Ministries: Mt. Blackmore Hike August 10 Choir Concert: The onhine ingers August 25 ummer Picnic & Lecture eries: Melina Pyron & Friends

6 JULY 2013 July Happenings 1 Raegene Wickham s Memorial ervice 4 Independence Day - Office closed 12 ABW Picnic for alvation Army kids Outdoor Ministries: Fairy Lake Campout The Rock: enior High Templed Hills Camp 28 ummer Lecture & Picnic: Dr. Bill Leonard & Friends 29-Aug.2 Bridger Community occer Camp 31 ummer Lecture & Picnic: Elizabeth DeFanti & The Montana Ballet Company July Birthdays: 11 Karen Gilhousen 13 Amy Gruel 16 Claire Abrams 16 unny Dulin 27 Fran Nelson 27 Larry Nelson July Anniversaries 10 Cok First Baptist Church 120. Grand Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715