Sunnyside Presbyterian Church Newsletter The Sunnyside Online every month: www.sspchurch.org/current-newsletter.html Pastor s Note: Powered by Pentecost June 2011 Inside this issue: Summer Is Here! 2 Bible Quiz 2 Birthdays & Anniversaries 2 Introduction to our 2011 Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School schedule and themes Chicken and Pastry FUN-raiser Calendar 6 If we re all God s children, just think of all the cards he gets on Father s Day. 3 4 5 One More Thing. I run inside to grab one more thing before I head out. Did I leave my sunglasses? Did I grab some water or a Coke? Whether we are heading out to run an errand, taking our car to get fixed or leaving on a summer trip, how many times do you go back in for one more thing? More is better, right? It could be something we grab from the house before leaving, or something we add to our to-do list, or something we put in the grocery cart. Dave Browning, in his book Deliberate Simplicity, takes a completely different approach. Instead of trying to seek one more thing, he says we may do more by doing less. Want to get more organized? Make a do not do list, he says. Success in software with Quicken, electronics like Ipods and search engines like Google succeed by eliminating features, not adding them. Sometimes we need simplicity, more than anything! We need one thing instead of one more thing. What do we need? The one gift Jesus chose to send to his disciples after he ascended to power and glory in heaven was the gift of God s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift of simplicity. The passion to do God s will, rather than overthink it. The consuming nature, which burns away Gratitude on Father s Day Father s Day was first observed in America in 1910. In 1923 the third Sunday of June was set as the official day, and in 1924 President Coolidge recommended its national observance. As we celebrate Father s Day, we likely see traits in our dads (or other father figures) that we hope to be known for ourselves: integrity, gentleness, a great sense of humor, a love of learning, a humble spirit. Amy Grant s song Father s Eyes tells of a young girl who wants nothing more than for Pentecost by Jean Restout II, 1732. Public domain. the extraneous one more things which distract us and waste our time. What does the Holy Spirit give us and those around us? It puts a spark in our step, rekindling our hope, love and joy, and it sheds light on God s presence at work in the community. The next time you reach for one more thing, consider turning around and praying for the Holy Spirit. others to recognize her father and her heavenly Father in her. When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say, She's got her father's eyes. What characteristics of God your Father are reflected in your eyes, heart and life? And what godly qualities would you like to cultivate?
PAGE 2 SUMMER IS HERE Bible Quiz Oh, joy! at last Summer is here, The singing of birds is everywhere, New vegetable gardens on the country sides, It s time for new babies and for new brides, The schools have closed for Summer Vacation, Eating outdoors is the new sensation, Trips are planned for the mountains and beaches, It s time for the canning of pickles and peaches, Sales on insecticides are rising strong, Fishing trips are many and long, It s time for model planes, and the flying of kites, Time for sunburned backs and mosquito bites, Everyone trying their best to keep cool, You re wishing the children were back in school, Toddlers putting sand in their hair, Oh, joy! At last Summer is here! -Marie Murphy June is a popular month for weddings. The gospel of John tells about a wedding Jesus attended at Cana. At the reception, he offered a special gift. What was it? A. Money B. Pottery C. Healing D. Wine (For answer, see John 2:1-11.) Thank you for donating to the church regularly! By giving to the church each week you help continue Christ s ministry. Giving is a very personal thing. Only you know your financial needs and giving needs. Know that when you give regularly, it does make a difference. If everyone gives what they can, we can continue the ministry to which the Holy Spirit calls us. As of April 11th, we have taken in $23,254.48 and have spent $28,608.93, leaving a deficit of $5,354.45. June Birthdays June Anniversaries Donna Weeks June 2rd Sharon Yates June 3rd Judy Draughon June 5th Margaret McLaurin June 18th Patricia Stanfield June 22nd Robert Goodrich June 30th Evan & Emily Harrison June 14th Gwin & Barbara Carter June 26th Robert & Edna Goodrich June 29th
PAGE 3 Baobab (bä ōbăb) is a gigantic tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem. A baobab tree s hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit, and bark provide basic life needs for many different creatures. For two months out of the year, when the rain falls and the grasses are green in the African Savannah, the baobab tree produces leaves and flowers. The enormous tree can grow to 98 feet tall and 36 feet wide. Baobab trees are one of the world s oldest life forms, living up to 6,000 years. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for many people to gather, discuss, and share stories. At Baobab Blast, the baobab tree is the central figure the hub of activity, energy, and life. The baobab tree supports and invites community. In fact, the baobab tree is a symbol of community. This week will be a lifechanging experience for your kids as we gather together as a community and grow in faith. As the sun rises and sets on the savannah, faith and relationships will grow as kids explore connections with God, family, friends, and others around the world. Get ready to experience the most amazing community get-together under the sun! Get an overview and schedule of VBS on page 4 VBS Registration Cookout Sunday, June 12, 12:30 after church -Free Snow Cones! -Free Hot Dog cookout! -Register for Vacation Bible School from 3 years old to 6th grade (free)
PAGE 4 Vacation Bible School Overview Day VBS will be 6:30-8pm Mon-Fri Animal Each day the kids will learn about a new animal from Africa. This curriculum was designed by a special project to Africa, so kids will learn about another part of the world! Theme Each day everyone focuses on the same biblical values. Scripture Children will memorize a key scripture that relates to the theme each day. Story The story that day will be about: Day 1 Monday 6/20 Faye, the Zebra Day 2 Tuesday 6/21 Amy, the monkey Day 3 Wednesday 6/22 Bud, the Elephant Day 4 Thursday 6/23 Sam, the Meerkat Day 5 Friday 6/24 Jonathan, the Giraffe TRUST LOVE FOLLOW CARE SHARE Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help. -Psalm 37:5 God s call to Abraham and Sarai Love never fails. -1 Corinthians 13:8 Joseph and his brothers I will study your teachings and follow your footsteps. -Psalm 119:15 Disciples following Jesus Our LORD, you chose me to care for your people. -Jeremiah 17:16 The Good Samaritan Share your faith with others. -Philemon 1:6 Philip and the Ethiopian Hourly Schedule Gathering 6:30-6:45 PM Everyone gathers together to learn about the theme and scripture for the day Small Groups classrooms 6:45-7:00 PM classrooms Kids get to know one another in small groups and explore scripture Activities/Crafts 7:15-7:45 PM Fellowship Hall Kids come together to work on a craft to take home based on the daily theme. Snack/Closing 7:45-8:00 PM Kids enjoy a small snack and reflect on the day s scripture before being picked up by their family. Register for Bible School Please register using one of these two options: Come to the Registration Cookout Sunday, June 12 at 12:30pm at the church Register online by June 12th at www.sspchurch.org
PAGE 5 Chicken and Pastry Fun-raiser The Chicken and Pastry Youth Fundraiser was a tremendous success. Sure, part of the success was financial. We made a net profit of over $1,725 including several donations. Some of this money will help tornado victims. The youth are investigating three donation options that would help families recover from the destruction. Take a look at these pictures, though, and you can see how our cup overflowed as we found ourselves in more of a fun -raiser than a fund raiser. God filled us with joy and enthusiasm from the very beginning when, during a meeting, everyone s mouth began to water as someone said, You know what people would really be excited about would be our Chicken and Pastry...and you know goes great with that banana pudding. Then the congregation became a flurry of enthusiasm and generosity as we prepared for the great feast. The people of the church brought in countless items for the event, made donations of money, sold tickets, constructed signs, told their neighbors, shopped for supplies, cooked chickens and pastry, collected tickets, delivered to the homebound and served with a smile. Through this event, God caught hold of 250 people throughout our church and community, filling us with joy and generosity as we tasted and saw that the Lord is Good! Nancy and Marie redeem the Golden Ticket of the first customer of the day. Thanks Eddy! Catherine peers above the counter to see how Mrs. Peggy makes sweet tea so quickly. Note: the entire congregation helped tremendously, these are just a few of the faces. Donna, Emily and Sarai make sure everything is ready on the serving line as Beth continues watching the next batch of pastry. The clean-up crew smiles at the camera after a long day of work! With the speed and precision of a NASCAR pit crew, Barbara and Evan W. prepared your meal for take-out so it would be hot when you got home.
3997 Sunnyside School Road Proud member of PC(USA) Fayetteville, NC 28312 Everyone is Welcome! Phone: (910) 483-5758 Sunday School: 10 AM E-mail: pastor@sspchurch.org Sunday Worship: 11 AM website: www.sspchurch.org Bible Study: Wednesdays 7-8 PM *Fellowship Dinners: Last Wed of month 6:30pm, all are welcome!* Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, as a body of believers in Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit, seeks to glorify God through worship, prayer, nurture and care, education, fellowship, service to others, and good stewardship of the blessings God has bestowed upon us as we seek to do God's will in our daily lives. We seek to share our faith with others through every aspect of our life, following the words of St. Francis: preach the Gospel without ceasing, and if necessary use words. Serving Christ from the heart of Vander June 2011 Visit us online at www.sspchurch.org Sign up to receive newsletter by email Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Bible Study 2 Ascension of the Lord 3 4 5 6 7 Youth Group 7-8:30pm 12 VBS Registration Cookout 12:30 8 Bible Study Leviticus 19-22 13 14 15 no Bible study 9 10 11 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Chicken Pastry Fundraiser Vacation Bible School Monday Friday 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 26 2pm 27 28 Youth Group 7-8:30pm 29 6:30pm Fellowship Dinner 30 Printed on recycled paper