Benson Baptist News. How s your report card?

Transcription

1 Benson Baptist News May 2018 How s your report card? SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST Attendance & Offering Upcoming Events Looking Ahead SLT Minutes Birthdays Staff & Contact Info. John Sievering Senior Pastor Pastor.john@omahabbc.com Scott Jones Family Pastor familypastorscott@gmail.com Tiffany Schlup Office Administrator office@omahabbc.com Website Facebook BensonBaptist Twitter DirectorofComm The end of the school year is coming, and you all know what that means final tests. Now, I will honestly admit that I disliked semester tests. This is probably because I was already on summer mode, thinking about the fun and exciting things I would be doing in the up-coming months. Yet before I got there, I usually had these big, ugly tests standing in the way. My study habits probably weren t the best it could have been. I usually worked 30 hours a week at Michaels Arts & Craft store, from 4:00 PM 9:30 PM. I then would come home, eat a quick supper (hotdog J), and then talk to my beautiful young lady (Becca J). After about an hour or so on the phone, I would begin my studying time. Now, as most of you probably realized, it s about 11:00 PM now, and I m just beginning to study. This is where my addiction to Diet Coke comes into play. It helped me get through those long nights of studying. As you can see, I made it through those ugly tests with an average grade. Was it the best I could do? Maybe, but honestly after re-evaluating, I think I could have done better. I could have put in more time studying, and less time on those distractions. I could have re-arranged my schedule to fit in the time I needed to study. It was my choice. I just chose what was best for me. All of this got me thinking about our report card here at church. You see, as we conclude another semester of ministries here at Benson, I think we need to evaluate our production and overall assessment. What s our grade this year? Is it the best we could have done? Where are our strengths and weaknesses? Stepping back and looking at the overall report card can help us see where we need growth and direction. Yet, it can t be just the pastors evaluating the program. Each one of us needs to evaluate ourselves. Are we doing all we can to make this church succeed? Are we giving our 100% effort in this? Are we looking beyond our wants and desires? Are we choosing to come and participate? My goal in May is to look at my report card and see where God is calling me to expand. I hope you all will join me, and see where God is calling us, as a church, next. We can t just settle for an average report card. God wants our very best. Let s turn that C grade into an A. Are we doing our jobs in the church? What grade is on your report card? Scott Jones Associate/Family Pastor Office Phone # Cell Phone # familypastorscott@gmail.com 1

2 FOR THE RECORD - APRIL April Offerings Received : 4/1 $ 8, /8 Sum included in 4/15 4/15 $ 5, /22 Sum included in 4/29 4/29 $ 1, April Attendance : 4/ /8 94 4/ / /29 95 UPCOMING EVENTS & INFORMATION Saturday, May 5, 2018 Outdoor Movie We will have an outdoor movie at the church to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi at 8:30 pm. Monday, May 7, 2018 SLT Meeting There will be an SLT meeting at 7:00 pm. Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Fire with Friends at BBC Join us for Fire with Friends from 6:30-8:00 pm at Benson Baptist Church. Please bring a lawn chair. See you there! Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Wednesday Night Meal Calling all volunteers! We need volunteers to sign up for Wednesday Night Meals May 23rd. Please see Pastor Scott if you would be willing to make a meal. Thanks! Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Wednesday Night Potluck Our next potluck will be Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 5:45-6:30 pm. Please bring a main dish and side to share by 5:45 pm. Sunday, May 20, 2018 Graduation Sunday If you have a 2018 High School or college graduate please let the office know so we can recognize them. We will have cake and punch after the service. Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Last Day of Wednesday Night Activities The last day of Wednesday Night Activities will be May 23rd. Have a great summer! Saturday, May 26, 2018 Food Pantry Our Pantry will begin at 9:00 am! If you are interested in volunteering please contact the church office at office@omahabbc.com. LOOKING AHEAD June 1st-3rd- Join us at Camp Moses Merrill for the Nebraska ABW Conference. Experience stories of the past and learn about American Baptist Women Mission goals for the future. For registration or additional details go to or pick up a printed registration form in the narthex. June 6th Summer Frontlines will begin at 6:30 pm. June 10th-12th- JAM I Camp (1st-3rd Grade). Register at June 10th-15th- Mission Camp (8th-12th Grade). Register at June 13th-15th- JAM II Camp (4th-6th Grade). Register at June 24th-29th- Music & Drama Camp (4th-12th Grade). Register at June 30th- Our Pantry will begin at 9:00 am! 2

3 SUMMER MOSES MERRILL Can you believe that SUMMER is just around the corner?!? YAY!!!! Be sure to check out the camps at Camp Moses Merrill If you register before May 15th you will receive a $25 discount on week long camps. CAMP SCHEDULE June 10-15: Mission Camp (8th-12th Grade) June 10-12: JAM I Camp (1st-3rd Grade) June 13-15: JAM II Camp (4th-6th Grade) June 17-22: Mid High Camp (7th-9th Grade) June 24-29: Music & Drama Camp (4th-12th Grade) July 8-13: Junior Camp (4th-6th Grade) July 15-20: Senior High Camp (10th-12th Grade) July 29-31: Family Camp I (All Ages) July 31-Aug 3: Family Camp II (All Ages) Aug 3-5: Family Camp III (All Ages) SLT MINUTES APRIL 2018 Jon Mayo opened the meeting. Donna presented devotions on walking with God, living in a manner that pleases Christ and leads to the best life for us. Minutes of the March SLT meeting were approved by unanimous consent. In March expenses exceeded contributions by $2,763. Expenses year to date are greater than contributions by $756. Contributions are less than budget by about $6,800. Pastor John reported on the meeting he had with about 14 church members who wished to discuss concerns about worship and other church matters. Pastor John described the meeting as a listening session so that members would feel heard and valued. He brought his observations to the SLT for discussion and recommendations, adding that he had already taken steps to respond to some of the issues. The SLT attempted to identify additional actions that could be taken to address or resolve some of those issues. Other issues represent differences in visions and church direction among members that are not easily resolved. Those SLT members who attended the meeting with Pastor John seemed to feel that it was a positive meeting and that the Pastor was willing to address their concerns. The SLT discussed thoughts and visions about an alternative worship experience as an outreach opportunity, probably on a weeknight for those who are unable or unwilling to attend church on Sunday. The SLT approved a committee to do initial planning. Committee members Pastor John, Pastor Scott, Ryan Carlson and Jon Mayo will report recommendations to the SLT. Pastor Scott mentioned that he and Pastor John will both be attending the Prairie Pastors Conference April at Sunset Hills Baptist Church, as well as the ABC Nebraska Region Convention April in Lincoln. Pastor John indicated that he and Ron Fenton will be attending a seminar on church safety April 14. Tiffany is leaving the BBC Office Manager position in late May. We will start looking for a replacement in late April, and planning for a one-week overlap for the new person for training. Pastor John, Pastor Scott and Jon Mayo will do interviews. Our insurance company, GuideOne, will not be renewing our church policies. We are in the process of getting bids for coverage. The SLT set the upcoming business meeting date for April 29. Light Ephesians 5:1-9 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 3

4 SLT MINUTES APRIL CONTINUED 2018 The SLT affirmed our church policy of requiring church attendance of all Ministry Team leaders. This will be made explicit in updates to the church policies. The SLT reinstated two days of vacation for Pastor John, which he scheduled but did not take because of a funeral. Next SLT Meeting: Monday, May 7, 2018, 7:00pm Ernie Denniston, Secretary SUNDAY MORNING DOOR SECURITY Starting Sunday, May 6th the outside church doors will be locked at 10:30 am for security purposes. PRAYER CONCERNS Prayers for those with medical issues and recovering. Prayers for SLT Team: Ernie Denniston, Jon Mayo, Lorraine Arnett, Rick Parks, Ron York, Ryan Carlson, Donna Donner. Prayers for worship leader, SLT Team, Thursday Night Outreach. Prayers for Pastors and their families. BE AN ENCOURAGER Do you know people in your life that before you even see them you know they will have a smile on their face? Instead of talking about what could be wrong they choose to focus on uplifting things. I believe that this is truly a discipline and a desire to constantly be thinking on God s word. I know that for me sometimes it can be easier to complain and get frustrated than to focus on the good. I can even define it as I am just not an optimistic person I am a realist. But what does that even really mean? Does it mean I shouldn t use good judgement or common sense? Of course not! However, in some situations it may mean I am choosing to not see the big picture God has in store for me. Philippians 4:8 says, And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. When we take this to heart and put these words into action it can become difficult. I don t know about you, but when I am meditating on this scripture I have to fix my thoughts a lot more often than I would care to admit. To be an encourager we have to fix our own thoughts before we can help others. We need to be so deep into the word that it impacts our lives on the inside and out. Giving us a chance to grow and to encourage others. I think encouragement is a learned skill. It comes with practice and a selfless attitude. Remaining positive in a broken and fallen world can be a difficult task, but it doesn't have to be. We can only encourage when we are filled with joy from the spirit. We need Jesus to reign in our lives everyday giving us enough joy and heavenly perspective just for that day. Dive into the word and encourage the world around you. -Tiffany Schlup FOOD PANTRY Food Pantry The month of April we served 195 families; 505 people! Thank you for your continued support of this ministry! 4

5 GRADUATES! Keira Carlson s Graduation Party: We would like to invite our church family to an open house as we celebrate Keira s graduation from Papillion LaVista High School. Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 pm. The Carlson Home: 808 E Cary Street, Papillion, NE Scotty Bleyhl s Graduation Party: We would like to invite our church family to Scotty s graduation Party from The University of Nebraska Omaha with a Bachelors in Middle School Education. Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm. The Bleyhl Home: 5518 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE David Repair s Graduation: David has graduated from The University of Nebraska Omaha with a Masters in Science and Architectural Engineering. Should you want to send David a card please mail it to 1107 N. 49th Ave. Omaha, NE Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:25-32 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And don t sin by letting anger control you. Don t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & SERVING CHRIST If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 5 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

6 May Anniversaries Don & Ada Mahrt May 5th MAY BIRTHDAYS Catherine Aulph- May 1st Deborah Aulph May 1st Vicki Howard May 3rd Jeanne Teske May 5th Doris Otte May 7th Susan Gillies May 10th Lloyd Reed May 10th Deb Fenton May 11th Dona Wilson May 13th Tony Prince-May 25th Sharon Foster May 27th Darby Von Forell May 29th Ryan Carlson May 30th Benson Baptist Church 6319 Maple Street Omaha, Ne Phone: