BASTROP CHRISTIAN CHURCH

NEWSLETTER ~ JUNE 2016

Pastor’s Perspective

In one of the historical file folders in the office, there is a piece of notebook paper dated February 18, 1978 – the contents that follow, are the highlights of a meeting between leaders who were trying to resuscitate the Bastrop Christian Church after having it’s doors closed for about eight years. At the very top, the first par-agraph reads:

“Leave original church as sanctuary. Buy house and lot next door for classrooms. When able – build modern annex and connect to sanctuary by covered walk way.”

The power of vision! From the very beginning, before the church actually had a ser ious need for an education building, the re-founders of our congregation had it in their mind what they were working to-wards and they saw it through. They set a destination on the map and they eventually arrived by God’s good grace coupled with a generous giving of time, talent and treasure – all for the sake of the Gospel! All, so that future generations would have a space to learn, fellowship and grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ.

Many of you know that some members from the church board participated in a strategic planning weekend back in March. We had some really good ideas that came about from that weekend that we will con-tinue to discuss and see through so that our ministry as a congregation is as effective as possible. One fruit from our strategic plan was the formation of a committee on future growth and expansion. This committee will pray about and ultimately propose a solution for creating more space for people to become a part of our church family as our town and county grows.

Ultimately our vision must come out of our mission from Jesus, to make disciples. The why of what we do is important and we would do well to keep that before us. Vision inevitably leads to change, but it is not change just for the sake of it. Rest assured that Bastrop Christian Church will always keep before us the qualities that make us unique and who we are as a loving family. That will never change as long as you (the congregation) don’t change who you are. It is the family of God that greets each other on Sunday morning with hugs and smiles – that prays for one another – that mourns and rejoices with one another – that extends grace and understanding to one another – that treats every visitor as our honored guest. We are, Bastrop Christian Church! The future is bright! The Heavenly banquet draws nearer and nearer! And so let us go out into “the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23)

Grace & Peace

Ben ><>

SUPER SUMMER CAMP

Our youth have been working to raise funds for this awesome camp, under the direction of

our Youth Coordinator, Brittney Morrell. We have as many as 8 youth signed up to go and

they are all very excited about it. You were so supportive of the Spaghetti supper and now

they have set it up with Chick Fil A to earn 15% of sales !

On June 9 between 5 & 8 pm

Go to Chick Fil A and tell the cashier you are there for

SPIRIT NIGHT !!!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S HUDSON!!!

One of our own, Hudson Mills, will be participating in several

opportunities this summer! First, he’ll be traveling to TEXAS A&M

for a week with their Geosciences Department,

then off to Johnson Space Center for a week with the TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL

AEROSPACE SCHOLARS.

Finally, he will head to

Déyáng, China, where he will study 普通话

(Mandarin Chinese) for six weeks.

Let’s all pray for Hudson and his adventures this summer ! And pray for his

parents who will miss him terribly while he’s gone!

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Choir/Music B.L.A.S.T. Sunday School Gardens Martha Ministry

VBS Youth Sing A Long at Nursing Homes Celebrate Recovery

Sound System Scripture Reading Bible Studies Missions

V b s

Is

Going to the

C I r c u s !

July 13, 14, 15

WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY

9:00—11:30

LUNCH FOLLOWS

BRING A FRIEND AND COME TO THE

BIG TOP!!

YOUTH OPEN DANCE EVENT

June 11

In the Fellowship Hall

7:30—10:00 pm

DANCE CLASSES ARE BACK!!!

Howard Smallowitz will be returning to teach every Friday in the month of July

except the 22nd. He has done a great job making it a fun, relaxed environment

for our kids. In addition to dance, they learn social skills and dance etiquette.

Who: ages 12 through college age

Where: Bastrop Christian Church

When: July 1, 8, 15 & 29 (no class on 22nd)

Time: 8-9:00 for lesson/9-10:00 for free dance

Cost: $30 per student for 4 lessons

It is necessary to cap the class at 50 students—25 males and 25 female

So it is a first come first serve basis. Tuition holds your spot in class

and there are no refunds for missed classes.

Make checks payable to Catherine Guy and mail with the registration

slip to 489 Agnes Ste 112-123, Bastrop Texas 78602

***

Parents are to drop off student and not stay to watch , but they are invited to

come for the last hour, 9-10:00, on July 29th to see what their child has learned

A separate email will be sent to you with a link to a quick, 6-question survey. We

are leaving it up to the kids to decide what type of dance Howard will teach.

Please have your student fill out the survey as soon as they can so the results can

be sent out to everyone. The results may influence whether or not students sign

up for this round of lessons.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE IN JULY!!!

WEDDINGS AT BASTROP CHRISTIAN

We can be proud to open up our sanctuary for weddings. Each one is unique in it’s own way. Since taking on the Wedding Coordinator position, I’ve witnessed some very moving ceremonies. One of my favorites had a string quartet and the Bride walked in to bagpipes played by one of her brothers.

The Memorial Weekend wedding was a new favorite. The ceremony was very moving , especially dur-ing the time that the bride and groom took communion. Special music was played by a guitarist who played a praise song that the entire room sang along with.. Tears flowed!

The fees incurred by these weddings go into a Memorial Fund to be used on the upkeep of our lovely sancturary .