BBConnections

Summer 2015

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b b c

s u m m e r

c t l

12

a a go

Notes on a Theme…………………………………2

Junity…………………………………………….……3 Summer Sunday Studies………………………….4

Lunch on the Lawn…..…………………..…..……5

Singing Convention………………………………..6

Youth Events………………………………………..7

Vacation Bible School…………………………….8

Birthdays Summer Happenings………………………………9

May Photos…………………………………..10 - 11

In This Issue… _

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take a bite out of summer at BBC

Like a refreshing popsicle on a blazing hot day, summer enters the calendar each year at just the right time.

Because our schedules can get repetitious, and if we’re not careful, we can allow the many things that fill them up to slip down into that place where good and fruitful activities go to die—the realm of the ROUTINE.

But that’s where summer rescues us. That’s where summer bursts into our schedules, which have been

flirting with monotony since January, and saves the day. Because summer steps in and says, Ok, let’s switch it up! Let’s

do something new for a little while. Let’s keep it fresh. At Benson Baptist, we like to flow with that spirit of Summer

freshness, and therefore our calendar for June, July, and August has some uniquenesses meant to keep us on our spiritual toes.

This issue of Connections is dedicated to outlining those uniquenesses. Our desire is to let you know what’s coming up—what’ll be different and what’ll be the same—so that you can get ready for the refreshing things that God will be doing at your church this summer.

So imagine the catalog in your hands as that frosty freezer at the grocery store, fully stocked with a great variety of popsicles and tasty, ice-cold treats. There’s a great variety to choose from, and every one of them’s good.

jUNITYSundays in June Fellowship Hall UNIFY Assembly - 9:45am Joint Sunday School - 10:00am

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday schools are switching things up for summer, so we figure Sunday school should, too!

Join us each week of June in the Fellowship Hall for our Junity joint Sunday school class, where all adult classes (including middle and high school) will meet for a common lesson.

This year, our theme will be Communion, and every week Paul and Tyler will lead a lesson that also connects with the topic of the day’s worship. To drive our lessons home, we’ll be observing Communion together each week—either in worship or in Sunday school—so please make plans to attend this awesome opportunity to grow deeper into your relationships with one another and with God!

Here’s an idea of how Sunday school will be structured each week, as well as a list of the worship topics and Communion styles we’ll observe:

Join us for a Love Feast On Sunday, June 28, we’ll be observing Communion in a very unique way—

we’re going to have a Love Feast! Love Feasts were common practice in the early church, and they

represented not just an opportunity for the community to observe the Lord’s Supper together, but to share a full meal.  Often, members would bring their own food to share in a “pot luck” style, which is certainly something right up BBC’s alley!

Therefore, we invite all BBC members to share in a lunch together in the Fellowship Hall after 11:00 worship on the last Sunday in June (and of course, in the spirit of the early Christian community, attendees are asked to bring a dish to share!).

Our hope is that this can be a celebratory occasion for ALL members to come together and cap off a great month of JUNITY, so please plan to attend!

(Also, we’ll need help setting up in the Fellowship Hall and kitchen during the 11:00 service, so if you attend the 9:00 service that day, please use your free

hour before lunch to lend a hand!)

Weekly Schedule 9:45 - UNIFY Assembly, a time to gather and share announcements, prayers, and praises 10:00 - Sunday School begins with a welcome and a contemporary version of the doxology 10:05 - The lesson is introduced, we split into groups, Paul and Tyler guide discussion 10:45 - Creative closing prayer 10:50 - Adjourn

June Worship and Communion 6/7 - “Communion as Composition” (1 Cor. 11:17-22; Communion via “standard” methods) 6/14 - “Communion as Commemoration” (1 Cor. 11:23-26; Communion in Sunday school discussion groups) 6/21 - “Communion as Commitment” (John 13:1-5; BBC Fathers serve Communion) 6/28 - “Communion as Common” (Acts 2:42-47; Communion observed at Love Feast after 11:00 worship)

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Summer Sunday Studies Sunday evenings starting June 14 (ending July 19) 6:00pmThis summer, join us at church on Sunday nights for a series of Bible and book studies. We’ve got an exciting slate of

options prepared that’s designed to offer something for everyone!

To sign up for a study, call Debbie in the church office (919-894-4777).

GriefShare Date, Time, Location: May 24 - Aug. 16, 6:00pm, Fellowship Hall Leaders: Paul Burgess, Marie Fox

Vanishing Grace Book Study Date, Time, Location: June 14 - July 19, 6:00pm, Parlor

Leader: Elaine Massengill Description: In this book study, participants will read Vanishing Grace: Whatever Happened to the Good News?,

by New York Times bestselling author Philip Yancey. In the book, “the author explores what may have contributed to hostility toward Christians, especially Evangelicals, and offers illuminating stories of how faith

can be expressed in ways that disarm even the most cynical critics.” (Amazon.com summary)

The Art of Marriage Small Group Study Date, Time, Location: June 14 - July 19, 6:00pm, YAMS Class Leaders: Joy and Ken McGee Description: The Art of Marriage: Getting to the Heart of God's Design is a Bible study for adults that helps participants blend their personalities and their life's circumstances to create a divinely-inspired work of art--marriage. Every marriage is unique, expressed by the colorful personalities of each spouse and textured by the circumstances at play in their lives. Blending these to make marriage work is a divinely inspired art form--challenging to master but definitely worth the effort. Get ready to make a masterpiece of your marriage through this study. (Description from publisher)

Description: GriefShare offers a Christ-centered support group for those dealing with the loss of a loved one.  The group meets for 13-weeks, and discussion will be guided by a Bible-based curriculum on grieving designed by experts in ministry, counseling, and pastoral care.

Children’s Time Date, Time, and Location: June 14 - July 19, 6:00pm, Youth Room Leaders: Tyler Wood and the Youth Group Ages: Nursery - Children who have completed the 2nd Grade Description: Let Tyler and the youth lead your young ones while you attend your study! Children will participate in games and activities designed not only to entertain, but to enrich them spiritually.

Children’s Book Club - The Story for Kids Date, Time, and Location: June 14 - July 19, 6:00pm

God’s Discoverers Classroom Leader: Betty Jo Bennett

Designed For: Children who’ve completed the grades 3-5 Description: Adventure. Humor. Drama. Now kids can discover God’s great love story in a new

format! As you read, you will uncover the “big picture.” You’ll find out that God’s story is not just a collection of random adventures―it’s a complete story that tells about God’s great love for his

people. Using the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) of the Bible, The Story for Kids reads like a novel. Events, characters, and teachings are arranged in order to show God’s unfolding story.

(Publisher’s Summary)

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Hunger doesn’t take the summer off. We have the privilege of helping feed 50 students from Benson Elementary School each week during the school year

through our Backpack Buddies program, but once school’s out, we can’t pack another bag until September. That’s why, during the summer, we have Lunch on the Lawn, a meal service ministry where we provide a lunch to

children (and adults) in the Benson community who could use something to eat. This is the second year of our ministry, and it’s already growing. We’ve decided to move the lunch location from the

church lawn to the the soccer field at P. K. Vyas Park so we can have more space, and we’re getting meal assistance from Johnston County Schools, who will meet us at the park each week with hot lunches for the kids (we’ll also have some pre-packaged bag lunches for those present who are ineligible to receive Johnston County Schools food).

Our hope is that this weekly event can do much more than fill stomachs—we want it to build community. So if you get the chance one Wednesday between June 17 and August 19, make plans to join us at the park. There’ll be plenty of food, lots of fun, and more than a few new friends just waiting to meet you.

Here’s how you can help:

Serve on the Food Team The food team will gather each Wednesday at 10:30am at the church to prepare bag lunches and coolers for those present at the park who do not qualify to receive Johnston County Schools lunch.  Once the meals are prepared, this team will transport the food to the park.

Serve on the Park Team The park team will lead games, oversee the feeding process, and interact with the children and adults present.  The Park Team will also make sure the field gets cleaned up after lunch is over.

To serve in any way, please contact Paul!

LUNCH on the

LAWN

Wednesdays during the Summer June 17 - August 19 12:00pm P.K. Vyas Park soccer field

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BBC Youth Summer Book Club

Reuben P. Job Start Date: Week of June 14

Contact Tyler to order your book: tgwood0930@gmail.com

BBC Youth Summer Plans

Love God. Love others.

Matthew 22:34-40

Worship Service

Camp Caswell

June 22-27

Mission Trip

July 12-18, Knoxville, TN

Hundreds of other teenagers from churches around NC will converge at Camp Caswell to play, study the bible, experience the beauty of Oak Island, but most of all, to worship God together.

We’ll be painting, building wheelchair ramps, repairing roofs, and working with local children in urban ministry centers among the people of Knoxville as we seek to show Christ’s love through service.

Not attending either trip? No worries, we will have plenty of opportunities to love God and love others throughout the summer!

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Vacation Bible School Sunday, July 26 - Thursday, July 30 6:00pm - 9:00pm (5:00pm - 8:00pm on Sunday)

This summer, hear stories about Jesus’ childhood from the best source of all…his mom, Mary! Everyone knows what it’s like to hear your mom tell stories from your childhood. Can you imagine the kinds of stories Mary

could tell? Join us for Bible school this year, where we’ll travel back to Hometown Nazareth and kids will learn to stand up for their faith among people who doubt that the carpenter’s son is really God’s son.

Sign your child up now! We always appreciate pre-registration, as it gives us a better idea of how many people to expect.

To register your child, simply call Debbie at the church office (919-894-4777).

How YOU can help With so many exciting elements to this year’s theme, we’re gonna need lots of adult help!

Here are some of the areas where you can serve: Tribe Leader—guides each group from place to place and helps students unpack the Bible truths they’re learning Game Leader—leads short game after dinner and the recreation time each night Marketplace Merchant—oversees a shop in the marketplace; merchants have special activities and objects that students

can spend their shekels enjoying Registration Helper—registers participants and signs students in each night Decoration Helper—helps set up the Fellowship Hall and turn the rest of the church into an ancient Nazarene village Meal Provider—individuals or Sunday school classes who supply one of the evening meals Kitchen Helper—assist with preparing nightly meals and food cleanup

Nightly Schedule (times are one hour earlier on Sunday)

6:00 - Dinner and Game 6:30 - Opening Celebration 6:45 - Hometown Huddle 7:00 - Centers

Mary’s House (Bible Lesson) Fun and Games (Recreation) Marketplace (Visiting Merchants in Fellowship Hall)

8:30 - Hometown Huddle 8:45 - Closing Celebration

To help in any way, contact Paul or Tyler!

JUNE-JULY HAPPENINGS Sun., 6/7 - Graduate Sunday Fri., 6/12 - JCS Graduation Sun., 6/14 - Sunday night studies start! (6:00pm) Sun., 6/14 - Sat., 6/20 - Paul at CBF National Conference Tues., 6/16 - Deacons Meeting (7:00pm) Wed., 6/17 - Lunch on the Lawn Begins (12:00pm) Fri., 6/19 - Youth Yard Sale Fundraiser Sun., 6/21 - Father’s Day Mon., 6/22 - Sat., 6/27 - Caswell Fri., 6/26 - Sun., 6/28 - Singing Convention Sun., 6/28 - Love Feast Potluck Meal after 11:00 Service! Sun., 7/12 - Sat., 7/18 - Knoxville Mission Trip Sun., 7/19 - Deacons Meeting (2:00pm) Last night for Sunday night studies (6:00pm) Wed., 7/22 - Meal and Church Conference (6:00pm) (meal provided by Kitchen Committee) Sat., 7/25 - Men’s Fishing Outing Sun., 7/26 - Thurs., 7/30 - Vacation Bible School

JUNE BIRTHDAYS Billy Byrd, Jr. 6-1 William Neighbors 6-1 Gerald Jones 6-2 Yolanda Padilla 6-2 Carl Canaday 6-5 Rick Gorsky 6-7 Carrie Barnes 6-10 Debbie Canaday 6-10 Jarah Newton 6-10 Millie (Miller)Wood 6-10 Hanna Church 6-12 Dinah McLamb 6-15 Reagan Hall 6-18 Tony Woodall 6-18 Becky Best 6-19 Chandler Bennett 6-20 Catherine Bouknight 6-20 Frances Whittington 6-21 Larry Herring 6-22 Riley Neighbors 6-22 Courtney Newman 6-22 Ricky Barnes 6-25 Meredith Blalock 6-25 Tina Lambert 6-25 Linda Massengill 6-26 Daniel Lambert 6-27 Aidan Lewis 6-27 Hubert Worthington 6-28 John Knox 6-29 Heather Adams-Newton6-29

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What’s happening THIS SUMMER…

JULY BIRTHDAYS Betty Jo Bennett 7-3 Barbara Denning 7-8 Marie Bass 7-10 Matthew Guin 7-13 Madison Dunn 7-15 Darla Hamm 7-16 M.G. Johnson 7-17 Robbie Kennedy 7-20 Jane Bowman 7-22 Marilyn Penny 7-22 Joyce Bryant 7-23 John R. Stephenson 7-25 Medwick Byrd 7-26 Bobbie Parrish 7-26 Anndrea Tyndall 7-26 Bill Johnson 7-29 Stephen Langdon 7-29 Joey Worthington 7-30

LAST month!10

William Neighbors makes sure all’s square with

a newly renovated porch on Chicopee Road Members and non-members alike enjoy

fellowship bright and early at the National Day

of Prayer Breakfast, where Ava Grace

Jernigan sings the National AnthemSteven Burgess. The ultimate backpack buddy.

Awww…Stephen Church and his mama share a song on Mother’s Day

(Below) Collin learns the art of sauce stirring from Millie, while Chris and Ashley help Betsy pick the perfect dessert at the

youth spaghetti fundraiser

and what we did

Daniel Lambert…cutting up.

Youth and Children’s Sundays!

Benson Baptist Church P.O. Box 323 Benson, NC 27504

BBConnections

wordsinyour

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Notable quotes from Benson Baptists

It looks like Darren decorated it. - Kendall Tart, remarking on the overly “boy-ish” ambience of her fiancé Justin’s apartment

Someone needs to git their cam-ra out and git a peek-ture of that, else won’t nobody believe he’s been workin’.

-The fully Southern William Neighbors, attempting to make a humorous comment about his pastor performing hard labor. Mr. Neighbors forgot that his pastor controls the quote section of this newsletter.

Summer, 2015

Best 20 bucks I ever spent. - Daniel Lambert, commenting on his newly acquired taser.

‘Cause you my baby! - Stephen Church’s mom, giving her son a kiss before singing a duet together in the 11:00 service on Mother’s Day