BFCC e-Caller - Bedford First Christian Church

BFCC e-Caller
August 2016
Pastoral Ponderings
“Let’s consult.” That’s what my dad would say whenever an important decision had to be
made. Family conferences were frequent events when I was growing-up. Already at the age of
7, I was expected to have an opinion on family matters, and my opinion was sought-out,
listened to and respected. In fact, one of the few unilateral decisions that I recall Dad ever
making was the moment during our Saturday grocery shopping expeditions when he’d decide
that it was time for a cup of coffee and he’d say, “Let’s have some re-freshments.” Of course,
there was no need to debate his executive authority on that one; we kids were quite happy to
follow him into the coffee bar in the middle of the store and have a Coke!
“Let’s consult.” The phrase has stuck with me to this very day. It underscores the need within
our covenantal relationships to communicate and cooperate with each other. You see, our
family, our church, our neighborhood associations and our nation are all examples of covenants
that we have forged with each other, and God has forged with us. Within a covenant, everyone
has rights and obligations. There is, for starters, a right to be heard and an obligation to listen.
Because, you see, when we fail to communicate with each other and each individual or group
just runs off and does their own thing, the fabric of community is torn. People get left out of
activities. Events are less than successful because they weren’t well-advertised. People get
over-worked because they didn’t share their plans and recruit helpers. People’s God-given gifts
aren’t well used because no one asked them to contribute to some effort. And people get
frustrated because maybe two important events were scheduled close to each other; the
planners having failed to communicate their plans and coordinate their calendars.
The good news is that there is an easy fix for all of this. It’s called a church planning retreat. On
Saturday, August 20, from 9 am to noon, the chairs and all of the members of the various
ministries of our congregation will gather at Camp for worship, fellowship, program planning
and scheduling events. There will be time for each ministry to meet separately and do its own
planning for the church year, and time when everyone will come together, talk about the
events that they’ve planned, and compile a common church calendar. Some dates may have to
be adjusted to avoid conflicts and accommodate everyone. But at the end of the morning, the
entire church leadership will know what’s happening, and when; at least through December 31.
Maybe some new events will be created. Maybe some new excitement will be generated. At
the very least, I think that we’ll all have some fun.
And, the fun continues at noon, when everyone is invited to join the planners for a hot dog
roast, fellowship and swimming! Let’s make it a fun, church family event as we kick-off the new
church year. We’ll see you at Camp at Noon on August 20. After consulting, it’s great to relax
over re-freshments! I think my dad would approve.
Blessings,
Pastor Bruce
s
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Sunday, August 7, immediately following worship. Please bring a dish
to share. It can be sweet or it can be savory or it can be both. Examples would be fruit or
veggie tray, sandwiches, boiled eggs, deviled eggs, cheese ball, salads, desserts, nothing is off
limits. Make your way to the Fellowship Hall to enjoy some delicious food and enjoy some
fellowship with your church family. See you there!
Come to Camp for an All-Church cookout on
Saturday, August 20 at 12 noon. There will be
hotdogs and s’mores, swimming and fellowship.
The ministry chairs and committee members will
have just finished a morning of planning, so they’ll
be ready to relax and unwind with the rest of their
church family. All food will be provided. We hope
to have a lifeguard for the event. If not, parents,
please be prepared to supervise your own children
at the pool. This will also be an opportunity to get
better acquainted with our new Interim Minister,
Pastor Bruce Ervin. We’ll aim to be finished
around 1:30 or 2. If you plan to attend, please
contact Mitzi in the church office by Monday,
August 15. We’ll see you all at Camp on August 20!
Blessings,
Don Mains
Pastor Bruce
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION HAPPENINGS
HOLY MOLY
What time is it? It’s Holy Moly time. . .The fun is on Thursday afternoons:
 August 18
 August 25
 September 1
 September 8
 September 15
 September 22
Snacks 3:30-4:00 p.m.
Bible studies and other activities 4:00-5:30p.m. Invite all your friends, grades K-12.
FRIENDS OF FAITH
Friends of Faith at Bedford First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ is a spiritual mentorship
between an adult and a youth of the congregation. The purpose for
this spiritual mentorship is to help foster a young person's journey of
faith, learning the Bible and being a good Christian. Throughout the
year there will be activities for Friends of Faith Youth and Adult
Mentors.
If you are interested in being a part of this mentorship, please fill out a
Friends of Faith form located on the small table in the main hallway
and return to Marsha Ochs or Amy Holbrook on or before August 7!
YOUTH BIBLE STUDY/FELLOWSHIP
All youth, grades 6th-12th, are invited on Sunday evenings, for a
bible study/fellowship, starting at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship
Hall. This is hosted by the Inklings Bible Study Group and they
will supply snacks and drinks. Bring your friends and your
questions for some lively discussions. For more information,
contact Ashlyn Reynolds or Ashley Maxwell.
OUTREACH MINISTRY
We are collecting diapers during the month of August. All
donated packages of diapers can be placed in the wooden
crib located in the hallway. If you are unable to purchase
packages of diapers, identified donations in lieu of packages
may be placed in the offering. Diapers will be distributed
through L.I.F.E Pantry. Thanks in advance for your support
of this outreach ministry.
August 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
People Can Change - Camp Bedford through Aug 7
Pastor Bruce - Study Leave
7
8
9
10
8:45 am Elder’s
Meeting
9:30 am Sunday
School
10:30 am Worship
Noon Fellowship
Hour
4:00 pm Youth
Bible Study
14
11
12
Mankind Project IN - Camp Bedford through Aug 14
15
16
17
18
19
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
22
9:30 am Sunday
School
10:30 am Worship
1 pm Homebound
Communion
4:00 pm Youth
Bible Study
28
9:30 am Sunday
School
10:30 am Worship
4:00 pm Youth
Bible Study
20
9:00 am
Ministries
Church Planning
and Retreat Camp Bedford
9:30 am Sunday
School
10:30 am Worship
4:00 pm Youth
Bible Study
21
13
7:30 pm Board
Meeting
23
24
25
7:00 pm Outreach
Committee Meeting
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Mitzi Vacation
29
30
31
NOON - All church
cookout - Camp
Bedford
26
27
August
01 - Marsha Ochs
02 - Gary Blackwell
02 - Janet Cunningham
04 - Sue Pentzer
11 - Sally Allen
11 - Ginny Jones
11 - Beverly McFadden
13 - Mitzi Flynn
14 - Matthew Parker
18 - Camron Stewart
22 - Addison Duncan
22 - Warren Smith
25 - Lee Cloar
25 - Stacey Walls
28 - Betty Wagoner
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear friends,
Happy Birthday to you.
Please let our office know if we don’t have your birthday.
SERVING SCHEDULE:
AUGUST
Elders: Michael and Jessica Bellush
SERVING THE CONGREGATION:
*Beverly Wray
Beth Joyner
Helen Merchant
Bill McFadden
Bev McFadden
*Jamie Blackwell
SEPTEMBER
Elders: Ron Bell and Treva Olson
SERVING THE CONGREGATION:
Linda Smith
*Pat Bell
Carol Mifflin
Melissa Wilkerson
*Pat Romine
Steve Harrell
If you cannot serve, please contact another Deacon and arrange to trade dates.
GREETERS
15th St:
K St:
Carolyn Tumey
Rosalie More
*If you are unable to be a
greeter, please find a
replacement and let Sally Allen
know.
If you would like to be a Greeter,
contact Sally Allen or the church
office.
A MORNING PRAYER:
Each morning when we wake up we are reminded of your presence. The light of the sun,
the sounds of the birds, … your creation serves as witness of your love and your
imagination. Let us take it all in and transform our awe into praises that those around us
can hear each day and know that you are God. Amen.
AN EVENING PRAYER:
We have heard your voice, O God. Through smiles, through words, through music,
through tears, … we have heard your voice! Give us the comfort of your presence as we
begin to live out the end of our day, and allow us to have rest and the same peace that
your disciples declared when they entered somebody’s home and said, “Peace to this
house.” Amen.
We remember the following friends and loved ones, as well as many others, in our
prayers.
Jan Adams, Ginger & Bill Arnott, Bill Bailey, Chester Baker, David Barlow, Francena Beasley,
Corey Beasley, Kendall Beasley, Doodle Briscoe, June Briscoe, Betty Jo Brooking, Dawson
Bunch, Bob Bunch, David Bunch, Jerry Byrd, Gloria Canada, Kim Collins, Gaye Conner,
Marion Cooley, Janet Cooper, Helen Devoe, Joyce Douglas, Dyan Duncan, Aaron Evans, Pat
Fisher, Becky Franklin, Bonnie George, Arian Gilbert, Mary Hancock, Barb Hantel, Walter
Howell, Shirley Ingalls, Larry Jenkins, Mary Jerrells, Anthony Jewell, Kimberly Johnson,
Molly Jones, Pat Kay, Alan Lewis, Judy Lewis, Kristen Lundberg, Tammy March, Phil
Marlott, Shirley McMunn, Laverne Meadows, Judy Merchant, Fred Merritt, Carol Mifflin,
Frank Miller, Bill Miller, Christina Mills, Harmony Mosier, Mac Muldon, Merle Neeley,
Marilyn Olson, Cynthia Palmer, Myron Rainey, Kay Riester, Pat Robbins, Lydia Roberson,
Karen Roberts, Josie Sargent, Naomi Sides, Natalie Sides, Nelson Sides, Janell Sides, Nora
Sides, Ruby Sides, Dee Sivey, Janet & Warren Smith, Dorothy Stone, Candace Sykes, Dennis
Terrell, Carolyn Tumey, Sharon Waggoner, Jimmy Waggoner, Jamie Wigley, Morgan
Wilcoxen , Marion Williams, Mary Williams, Morris Wilson, Merle Wilson, Waylon Wolka,
Renee Wortington.
Those unable to be with us in Worship: Janet Cooper, Jacob Householder, Jimmy
Waggoner, Mary Baker, Marilyn Olson, Warren Smith.
Those away from home serving the church, in military and civil service, for education and
work.
Please advise Elder Jack Maxwell, or the church office of any new prayer concerns,
as well as any corrections, updates to the list.
First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
1101 15th Street
Bedford, Indiana 47421
812-275-4497
Save the Date: October 1, 2016
The 2016 Regional Assembly is on Saturday, October 1 at the Christian Theological
Seminary in Indy. The theme this year is “POST IT!”
On Friday evening, September 30, there will be two dinners,
both starting at 6:30 at the Indiana Interchurch Center at
1100 West 42nd Street (just west of CTS). The men will hear
from Dr. Rick Lowery, popular speaker and professor of
Hebrew Bible. The women will hear Rev. Julie Richardson
share with us about how she ‘posts’ the part of the story
that is her life in her blog and in her new book, Available Hope.
For more information, go to indianadisciples.org or contact the church office.
CHURCH STAFF:
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
Pastor:
Rev. Bruce Ervin
E-Mail:
pastor@firstccbedford.org
Monday - Thursday:
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Closed 12 - 12:30 for Lunch
Music Ministry:
Choir Director:
Guy Rumsey
Organist:
Mary Ruth Yates
STEVE’S HOURS:
Administrative Assistant:
Mitzi Flynn
E-Mail:
office@firstccbedford.org
Custodian:
Steve Harrell
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
SOCIAL MEDIA
Web Page: www.firstccbedford.org
Facebook: First Christian Church Bedford - DOC
Camp Facebook: Bedford Christian Camp