THE LINK August 2018 3487 Towne Pointe Drive Bettendorf, Iowa (563) 355-0124 www.bettendorfchristian.com
Letter from Tim Who Belongs in the Church Some of us grew up going to church it might have been significant in our life (how we came to know God) or something attracted us to it (the experience inside that stained-glass room, the Sunday School teacher we had) or maybe it was just the thing our family did. Whether or not you felt like you really belonged to the church was beside the point. Church people have certain beliefs and practices and you (or the persons you were with) probably identified with those. Times have changed. Fewer people care about what is believed by a group anymore. Many choose their own truth, they live in their own story or construct their own narrative. They believe what they want to believe based on their own reasons, regardless of who is in the same room with them. Sometimes I study at Starbucks. I am a part of that crowd, and to some extent, I feel like I belong because we share the same space, eat and drink some of the same stuff, and talk about the same news. That may be the only kind of church some people are willing to give a try a place where they feel like they belong even if they do not believe the same way as others do. Seeing how we are a people, a special group or family dedicated to the same mission, that presents us with a challenge. Our mission is based on a solid truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Lord and Savior of the world. Can you picture people we fellowship with or drink coffee with in the gathering spaces or sit next to in worship who do not yet believe that? Will they be able to sense they belong to us in these shared experiences even if they are not exactly where we are in the faith? At this incredibly significant time in our church s life, we need to get this right the importance of belonging along with believing. We know that Jesus ministered to the masses as well as to individuals and few of them knew much about Him, let alone had come to trust in Him as their God and Savior (see the gospels Matthew 13-14; Mark 10; Luke 18-19). I ll bet if we could interview them, almost all would tell us how they felt loved by Jesus, how they wanted to hang out with Him or wanted to be where He was. They acted like people who belonged, like they were a part of things, even before they had come to fully realize what it meant to be one of His followers. Jesus targeted them in His purpose not to be served but to serve them and give His life for them (Matthew 20:28). Since we claim to follow Jesus, we can hardly do differently. We are to serve them and relate to them in such a way that they feel like they belong with us. Imagine the expanded Commons in the future, packed full of those you have embraced as your people, that they might have a chance at knowing Jesus. Join me now in doing whatever it takes to prepare for that. For Jesus always, Tim
BCC Ministry Vision A fearless church with selfless love pursuing Jesus, transforming relationships, boldly sharing Jesus. FIRST STEP PARTY! If you are new to BCC, you re invited to a party on Sunday, September 2, during the 10:30 a.m. worship service time. The party is for our guests who are ready to take their first step toward getting connected at BCC. Come enjoy some treats, have some fun, and meet some new friends, all while you hear about Jesus and how you can get more involved in His church. Let us know you re coming and just follow the footprints from Connection Central to the party. RSVP for this class at Connections Central or contact: Ray@ bettendorfchristian.org, (563) 355-0124. Haiti Mission Trip Update Thank you to everyone who contributed towards the Haiti mission team! The majority of the donations will be taken directly to Haiti when the team travels there in August. All remaining donations will be delivered to Lifeline Mission headquarters later in August. Total items collected were: 540 containers of baby formula, 77 containers of baby cereal, 26 containers of vitamins, 33 backpacks, 50 toothbrushes, 226 articles of clothing, 38 pairs of socks, and 865 pairs of shoes! Again, thanks for the generous donations for the people of Haiti! Sunday, September 8/9 Child dedication is an opportunity for families to publicly commit to raising their children to be followers of Christ with the support of the church. The next child dedication will be held at all three weekend services (September 8/9). No child is too young or old to be dedicated. To be included in the upcoming child dedication, call the office (563) 355-0124 or contact Admin@ BettendorfChristian.org. Women s Retreat Join us Friday, September 14, 5:30-9 p.m. and Saturday, September 15, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., here at BCC. Our keynote speaker is Kendra Smiley. Kendra is a popular speaker and author, passionate about helping others. The always-active former Illinois Mother of the Year hosts a daily radio show, Live Life Intentionally, heard on over 350 stations. A sought after national and international speaker, she addresses thousands of women each year. Coming Soon! - Brand New App Over the last few months we have been designing a brand new app for the church. This app features Bible study tools, a simple giving interface, the ability to watch or listen to sermon videos and church news, and even direct links to our online connection Hub. This app will be an incredible tool for connection to the church and the information you need. The app will be available in the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store, simply search Bettendorf Christian Church in your App Store and download it for free soon! Young at Heart August 10 The Young at Heart will meet at the church at 6 p.m. Everyone is asked to bring their favorite appetizer or finger food to share. There will be enough to make a meal. After we eat, we will have a fun relaxing time of fellowship and games. Bring your favorite game. Sign up at the Young at Heart table in the hallway outside Connection Central. Plan on coming and enjoying a relaxing night in air conditioned comfort. August 30 The Young The Young at Heart Breakfast Club will meet at 8 a.m. at Mickey s Café in Pleasant Valley. Everyone is invited. We have a great time, so join us.
MINISTRY NEWS Weeknight Bible Studies Ladies Bible Studies Tuesday Tuesday Evening Women s Bible study meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. starting September 11. Wednesday Wednesday Afternoon Ladies Bible Study meets in room B7 from 1:30-3 p.m. You are welcome to join us. Contact: Cindy Bales (563) 505-8858 Sunday Adult Bible Classes 9:00 a.m. Marty Hansen s class will continue a study of II Corinthians in room B7. Beginning September 9, join Keith Wood s class as they study the book of Matthew in room B5. 10:30 a.m. The Women s Bible Class will begin the book of Hebrews on September 2. We meet in Room B7. Please join us! Wednesday Night Ladies Bible Study first meeting will be a Potluck Supper Wednesday, September 5, in room B5 at 6:30 p.m. Join us and bring a dish to pass. We will begin our study the following Wednesday night (September 12), 6:30-7:45. Hope you can join us. Contact: Vicki Adair (563) 508-5580 Mens Bible Studies Monday The Monday night men s study will begin September 10 at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Greg at moesplace@moetele.com for more details, or just show up on September 10. Tuesday The Tuesday evening Men s Bible study meets at 8 p.m. in room B5. Wednesday The Wednesday evening Men s Bible study meets 6:30-7:45 p.m. starting September 5 in the Youth room. Thursday Thursday morning We meet from 6-7 a.m. in room B5. We are studying The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7.
MINISTRY NEWS YOUTH NEWS ANNUAL MEN S RETREAT August 16-18 is our annual Men s Retreat. Come Thursday after work and leave Saturday around noon. This year s Men s Retreat is going to be spectacular. We ve got a great speaker lined up who promises to challenge us as godly men. We ve got workshops planned, hearty meals and the inevitable fellowship that comes with it all. The cost is $85 and includes EVERYTHING. We re staying at Camp Summit in New Windsor, Illinois. It s a great facility for our group. There is no reason to be on the fence about this retreat. As men, we need to come together and learn how to strengthen our faith and families. Mark this on the calendar and don t look back. Sign up at Connection Central on the Hub. This is absolutely an event where you can bring a guy you think would benefit from fellowship with other men. Talk to a member of the Men s Ministry if you have questions. Watch for info on our Men s Golf Outing on September 8. SWIM PARTIES Velocity High School Swim Party @ the Walker s August 5, 5 8 p.m. The address is 4015 Aspen Hills Dr., Bettendorf. We will serve pizza. Each family should bring a 2-liter drink and a snack to share. Momentum Swim Party @ the Lee s August 12, 4 7 p.m. The address is 3400 Spencer Dr., Bettendorf. We will serve pizza. Each family should bring a 2-liter drink and a snack to share. STUDENT MINISTRY WORSHIP ARTS CAMP All 6 th 12 th grade students are invited to participate in our Worship Arts Camp that meets here at the church Tuesday, August 7 Thursday, August 9, from 9 a.m. 12 p.m. This camp will feature a chance to refine your skills for leading our student ministry services. There will be classes on technical skills, musicianship, drama, and more. Each day the camp will conclude with lunch provided. This three-day event is totally FREE, so don t miss out. To participate, please sign up through the Connection Hub or in the youth room. If you have any questions please contact barry@ bettendorfchristian.org. BACK TO SCHOOL BASH All 6 th 12 th grade students are invited to the Back to School Bash on Sunday, August 26, from 4 7 p.m. at the church. Watch the church news and the weekly BCC Student Ministry Update email for more details. Barry Steiner, Family & Student Minister Bettendorf Christian Church Barry@BettendorfChristian.org
ELDER S MEETING NOTES These notes reflect meetings held July June 16 24-23, July 2018. 15. CDF Capital The Elders heard a presentation by CDF capital, a non-profit organization with a 65-year history of working with Christian Churches (like BCC), and who fund development projects with the purpose of helping churches grow. They will be among the resource options that will be considered when proposals are accepted to carry our construction loan for the building expansion. Facility Solutions Services Chris Davenport, employed by CDF Capital as a facility solutions consultant, will spend a brief time in our design planning to guide our staff and volunteers who are working on the facility expansion. Chris will provide BCC with a building balance, programming and value engineering analysis which we will use to keep the proposed project within the target budget. Discipleship Minister Need Tim and David have been outlining the needs and job specifics for hiring a Discipleship Minister. Areas of ministry this man would oversee will include small groups and pastoral care, among other adult ministry responsibilities. Please be praying for the first steps of our posting the job description and success for the search team to identify those who would be good candidates. The deadline for September s edition of The LINK is August 21. Articles can be submitted to maryellen@bettendorfchristian.org.