December 2018 Pastor s Perspective THE B C C CHRONICLE A Quarterly Newsletter I am not sure how to do this. One more written article before we head to Kansas. There s not enough space to write everything my heart feels towards this family of faith at BCC. Bekah and I came here over 5 1/2 years ago with great excitement and nervousness. You were there for us at the most joyful time in our lives as we welcomed Eliana into the world. You ve seen Eliana grow from a 6 pound bundle of joy, born 5 weeks early, to a 5 year old Kindergartner who soaks up all of your hugs and love. We will always cherish this chapter of life. You have enriched our lives with your love. Thank you for making space for us in your lives. Thank you for making us feel at home. Thank you for your understanding as we ve had to make a very tough decision. While we are excited for the new challenges and opportunity that lies ahead, the goodbyes are not easy. This is the nature of love. We open ourselves up and let down our guard to love and be loved, knowing that love carries the risk of separation. But, it is always worth it. We are nothing without love. Let us never grow weary in doing so. I am so excited to see what God does in and through you as a church! A new opportunity exists for you, not only in calling a new Pastor, but in prayerfully working together to find new ways to reach out to your neighbors in Bastrop. Your future awaits changes in the church, or in the community, or in your personal lives. As people of faith, we ought to be optimistic through change knowing that it is during these times that growth can happen. We need to be stretched. We need to be challenged. We need to experience moments where we have no choice but to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. May you be blessed because of your faithfulness, your graciousness, your humility, your service, and your love for Jesus, His Church and His World. Grace and Peace, Ben, Bekah, and Eliana Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!
CHRISTMAS CANTATA I Hear a Prophet Calling By Pepper Choplin Pepper Choplin is widely celebrated for creating refreshingly different, and original anthems that resonate with traditional folk qualities. Here, he has crafted a stylized Christmas cantata with an Appalachian style that is unique, unusual, and yet somehow very comfortable and compatible. The Choir invites you to listen to them perform this cantata during the Worship service on December 16! SWEETHEART S MANGER December 16 Presented by the children following the Worship service A delightful dramatization that explores what might have happened in the stable that first Christmas night! Sweetheart, the donkey, is resentful of the intrusion of this rugrat that has taken over her manger of hay! But, as the animals share the story of God s son coming to earth to save the humans from their sin, she has a change of heart! In the end, she says, Jesus can stop by anytime He wants to! My manger is His manger! Let s all support our kids and make a point of staying for this delightful play!
YOU ARE INVITED TO A A CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP MEAL Hosted by our INREACH Committee DECEMBER 16 following the Cantata and Children s Play The Church will provide turkey and ham, we bring the following: A-H Salads I-R side dishes S-Z desserts This is always such a wonderful time of fellowship to enhance our holiday festivities!!!
PROPERTY NEWS This committee has it s work cut out for 2019! You will see many capital improvements such as, ceiling fans added to the Fellowship Hall, an improved iron railing going up ramp to the sanctuary, new security lights on outside of Education Building, but the biggest improvement will be the painting of the Hall and adding chair railing to protect it. Once the Hall is finished, there will be some new guidelines put in place about decorating it for different functions. Don t worry, there are some nifty items and Command hooks out there to achieve this that don t leave marks! This committee can always use more help if you are looking for a way to serve! Ben Richards is its current Chair Person and would love to add you to his resource list! A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS Friday December 21 @ 7 pm The Performing Arts Center Free Admission Love Offering will benefit the Pregnancy Resource Center. Choir consists of singers from 13 local churches, 10 from BCC! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE December 24 at 7 pm Please join us in celebrating Christ s birth with Scripture and song!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS 75% Club These students received recognition for faithful attendance in Sunday School! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!! September Jamie Green, Eliana Hitzfeld, Hope and Oliver Webb October Colton Eliana Jordan & Eddie Jamie November Jamie Green Eliana Hitzfeld Hope Webb Oliver Webb BIBLE BOWL on January 27 Material will be distributed in Sunday School!!!
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE DECEMBER 16 ~ Choir Cantata and Children s Play ~ Followed by HOLIDAY MEAL 17 ~ CASA Open House 21 ~ A Joyous Christmas Benefit Concert at the PAC 24 ~ Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 pm 25 ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! JANUARY 12 ~ DEACON TRAINING ~ 9 am to 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall 13 ~ DEACON ORDINATION in the Worship service 27 ~ CHILDREN S BIBLE BOWL in B.L.A.S.T. TBA ~ COMMITTEE FAIR FELLOWSHIP LUNCH FEBRUARY 9 ~ Chili Cook Off and Variety Show THIS IS JUST TO GET THE YEAR STARTED! Other dates will be determined after the Committee Fair lunch, once the committees have a chance to have their initial planning meeting.