From the Pastor s desk

Transcription

1 June 2013 Bridger Community Ministries First Baptist Church From the Pastor s desk In the Good Old Summertime by George Evans and Ren Shields 1902 There s a time in each year That we always hold dear, Good old summer time; With the birds and the trees-es, And sweet scented breezes, Good old summer time, When you day s work is over Then you are in clover, And life is one beautiful rhyme, No trouble annoying, Each one is enjoying, The good old summertime. I ve always loved this song, and I ve always loved the summer. Since my time growing up in central Oklahoma, the summertime always meant a break from school, swimming at the local lake and neighborhood pool, watermelon, fireworks, bluegrass festivals, family vacations and just plain old fun with friends. The summertime was a different season. King Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, stated, There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven [Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB95]. Summertime at Bridger Community First Baptist Church is a unique season as well. As families travel, attendance tends to vary, sometimes having more guests than resident members! We tend to have more creative programs in worship and more outside fellowships in our picnics and outdoor ministries. This summer we not only have our regular summer picnic schedule, but we also have our Soccer Camp (July 29-August 2), but also the CSR Rodeo Camp (July 8-12), our Outdoor Ministries, and our Summer Lectures and Picnics (June 12, July 28, July 31 and August 25). These opportunities are designed for us, as the Body of Christ, to embrace and love our neighbor in a meaningful way. We need all of our regular members and attenders to participate in these outreach opportunities so that we might build up the body of Christ at Bridger Community First Baptist Church! Finally, this month, Jason Bowker will be sharing the pulpit with me as we tackle the topic of Communion What is communion? How does it transform us? How often should we participate in communion? And don t let me leave out Father s Day, when I will be preaching on Manasseh: The Forgiven Father! See you Sunday! Pastor Jay

2 Bridger Community Ministries JUNE 2013 Adult Bible Study - Gary Cook Join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 for Bible Study where for the next eight weeks we are reading through the Letter of James together. We are using a study guide based on N.T. Wright s commentary in his New Testament for Everyone series. Last Sunday we worked through the first eight verses of the letter, pondering how James could call us to consider trials and tests as times of joy. James reasons that trials or tests should produce perseverance (endurance, patience) which works on us to make us mature and complete (or perfect) in our faith. Therefore, be joyful in trials. But James is also realistic. Sometimes trials produce doubt in us. And our doubt produces its own fruit: impatience. Just as faith is shown by deeds, doubt also is shown by deeds. When we doubt we become impatient with God and take matters into our own hands. We try to avoid our trials or we think God is not solving our problems so we resort to worldly means to rid ourselves of our trying problems. Our doubt can produce hatred, hurtful words, and even violence which are, obviously, the opposites of the works of faith: love, hope, and peace. James seems to be telling us not to just look at our trials but through them to see God s Kingdom working. We are to live as people of faith who believe that God is who God claims to be, and we are to single-mindedly cling to God s promises. Join us! 2

3 Bridger Community Ministries JUNE 2013 The Rock Report - Jason Bowker As the end of the school year is drawing to a close, it seems like the appropriate time to reflect on my first few months at First Baptist and The Rock. It s been a great semester, but like all new jobs, there has certainly been a high learning curve. It took a while to find my place at First Baptist. It took a while to learn how The Rock operates. It took a while to get to know the students we interact with regularly. And while I am still making daily improvements in each of these areas of ministry, it is nice to no longer feel so new and unfamiliar. My time at The Rock and First Baptist began with some hesitation about how to spend my time each week, but has quickly progressed to the point where I barely have enough time in the week to finish all that needs to be done. Between increased leadership in Illuminate, helping spearhead a baccalaureate service for the Bozeman High seniors, helping teach Sunday School at church, preaching 3 times in June, and beginning to prepare for summer ministries, my schedule has filled up quickly. Throw in a trip to South Dakota, visits from family and friends, a retreat at Templed Hills, and buying a home, and suddenly my life has become extremely chaotic. Please be in prayer for me, Gary, and The Rock as we navigate this busy season through the end of June. Pray that we would have strength to finish this year well. Pray that we would find time to rest and recuperate from a hectic school year. Pray that we would make room for Sabbath with our families. And pray that we would be refreshed and renewed for a new season of ministry when the students return at the end of the summer. ABW Ministries - Pat Newby Upcoming Events: June 14-15: Women s Retreat: Finding Your Purpose featuring our own Mandy and Jason Bowker, Worship Team with Mylinda Baits, ABC missionary recently serving in Costa Rica as speaker. Check for more information. This retreat has been planned for the Big Sky Area and will be presented by the organizers all from our church: Grace Holiday, President Big Sky ABW Ministries, Mandy Bowker, Andrea Culp and Pat Newby, Big Sky Retreat Coordinator. WE D LOVE TO HAVE AN ATTENDING CONTINGENCY FROM BOZEMAN!! You can register online or with Mandy. July 12 Friday: 10:00 Picnic for kids from Salvation Army Summer Program. This is a Church Women United annual event. First Baptist women are hosting this year at Kirk Park. 3 Daily Prayer Points Sunday *Pastor Jay, Melissa & family *Pastor Gary, Tammy & family *Jason, Mandy, and Zoe Bowker *Hallie and Chris Kronebusch *Nick and Lauren Woods Monday *BCM Staff: Grace & Larry *Shut ins & Nursing Home members *CSR Ministry Outreach Tuesday *Leadership Team: Gary Cook, Grace Holiday, Austin Beard, Karen Gilhousen, Robin Moore, Ken Mottram, and Dan Abrams Wednesday *The Rock & Illuminate *Staff: Gary, Tammy & Alison Curry *Jason, Mandy, and Zoey Bowker Thursday *ABW & Women s Ministries *Home Groups *Cancer Support Group Friday *College & Young Adult Ministries *Children s Outreach & Ministries *The Gathering Saturday *Yellowstone Theological Institute faculty & partners *AJ, Andrea, and Elijah Culp *Susan Mottram, Joan Gray, and Bruce Gourley

4 Bridger Community Ministries JUNE 2013 Leadership Team Meeting Report - Robin Moore, Secretary The Leadership Team reviewed the April financial reports during our May meetings. As of April 30, the Non-Designated General Fund checking account balance was $7, The balance in the Next Step Fund was $7, The Next Step Fund is used to pay for new ministry ideas and special projects such as The Gathering, the stage renovation, and the new coffee kiosk for the sanctuary. As of May 19, we have collected $1,100 for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. This special offering will be collected through June. We are also beginning to receive Soccer Camp registration fees for Soccer Camp in July. We have been setting aside money each month in the Escrow Fund for a $400 quarterly international mission gift to help support specific missionaries. The Leadership Team decided to give a $400 first quarter gift to Jeff and Annie Dieselberg to support their work with young women in Bangkok, Thailand. Nick reported that the College Group plans to help with the church garden this summer, to help in the community, and to help people in the church with special projects. They will continue with Home Group during the summer as most of the students will be remaining in Bozeman. Jason reported that The Rock hosted an Open Mic Night on Saturday, April 27. The Baccalaureate Service for the high school will be on Wednesday evening, June 5, at the school gym. Gary and Jason and several other youth pastors are planning this studentled service. The end-of-the-year Teacher Appreciation Lunch for Bozeman High School faculty and staff will be held on June 14. The last Gathering of the school year, which featured Courtney Yovich and friends, was held on April 25. There were 60+ people in attendance. Most of The Gathering kids joined the Bridger Community Orchestra for special music at the Pentecost Sunday Service. The coffee-tea kiosk at the back of the sanctuary began operation on Mothers Day. Melissa Smith is looking for volunteers to help with this ministry. The video camera for the basement feed was donated by the security service at CSR. The morning worship service can now be viewed on the TV downstairs. 4 Soccer Camp will be held July 29-August 2, and Rodeo Bible Camp will be July There will be weekly Wednesday evening picnics throughout the summer. Four picnics will be at the church and will be part of the Summer Community Lecture series, featuring guest lecturers from the community. Our Summer Interns are Cassidy Cook and Catherine Smith; they are both at work at The Rock and First Baptist Church. A Summer Ministries grant from the Gilhousen Family Foundation will cover the Summer Community Lectures series, Soccer Camp supplies, and the Summer Interns. The Summer Prayer Initiative will consist of weekly summer prayer meetings to pray for the church, the ministry programs, and revival. Jake and Jeni Fleming hosted their second student recital of the year at the church on May 18. On Sunday afternoon, June 2, Jeremy Strickler, son of Rusty Strickler and a vocal performance major, will host a fundraising recital at the church. 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 Summer is finally under way! All of our college students made it through their classes and are ready to enjoy their break. For the most part, all of us are going to be in town all Summer long (barring the occasional trip away) so I look forward to continuing our small group and fellowship times. Remember, just like last Summer, we are going to be offering our time to help out people in the church or community with whatever they need. Last year we did a goodly amount of yard work, so if you need some extra labor in that area let us know, but it can be any old job and we ll be glad to come and help!

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6 See reverse for our Summer happenings - and post on your fridge so you don t miss them!

7 Bridger Community June day Copper Spring Classic fundraiser for Ranch Families in need 1 Denotes Birthday 2 9am - Staff Meeting pm - Worship Team :30am - Gary Cook Bible Study 7pm - Four Corners HG 7pm - Group Book Study Barnes and Noble 7am - Leadership Team 7pm - Baccalaureate for BHS at Highschool South Gym College HG TBA 5pm - Cancer Group Town Hall Talk following Worship! 9 9am - Staff Meeting :30am - Gary Cook Bible Study 6pm - Summer Lecture & Picnic: Betsy Quammen College HG TBA 2pm - Worship Team 5pm - Cancer Group ABW 2-day Big Sky Women s Retreat Tell me, what will you do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver Purpose Outdoor Ministry Mt. Washburn Climb! Charlotte Frantz Alan Weaver FBC Pensacola Youth Choir! Templed Hills Women s Retreat 2013 Fri., June 14 - Sat., June 15* 16 9am - Staff Meeting am - Leadership Team College HG TBA Erika Evert 2pm - Worship Team 5pm - Cancer Group Father s Day am - Staff Meeting Pastor Gary on Vacation Sallly Hart Hallie Kronebusch College HG TBA Pastor Jay at Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries Conference Elizabeth Gourley Upcoming Events July 12 ABW Picnic for Salvation Army kids July Outdoor Ministries Fairly Lake Campout! July The Rock: Senior High Camp at Templed Hills July 28 Summer Lecture & Picnic Series: Dr. Bill Leonard & Friends July 29-August 2 Bridger Community Soccer Camp July 31 Summer Lecture & Picnic Series: Elizabeth DeFanti & the Montana Ballet Company your

8 Bridger Community Ministries JUNE 2013 June Happenings 1-2 Copper Spring Classic - fundraiser for Ranch Families in Need 5 Baccalaureate Service for BHS 12 Summer Picnic & FBC with Betsy Quammen 15 Outdoor Ministries Mt. Washburn Climb Big Sky Women s Retreat 16 Father s Day Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries in Greenlake, WI June Birthdays: 9 Charlotte Frantz 9 Alan Weaver 13 Erika Evert 21 Sally Hart 22 Hallie Kronebusch 29 Elizabeth Gourley June Anniversaries 2 Gordon 4 Nelson 18 Moore 21 Kistler 23 Welch 25 Evert 29 Gourley Bridger Community Ministries First Baptist Church 120 S. Grand Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715