July 2008

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:: New Bible Study Class

:: Children's Arts Camp

:: Announcement Policy

:: Mark Zeeman

:: July Birthdays

:: July Dates

:: SHABOOM!

:: Business Meeting

:: BNG Update

:: Prayer Concerns

:: Introducing Robyn Olson

:: Contacting Staff

Things are tough all over. Gas prices are soaring while home sales are at a stand still. Banks are in trouble and people can't get a decent return on their investments. The price of food is outrageous and energy costs continue to climb. Things are tough all over. Churches all over the valley are feeling the pinch, some are changing their hours of operation, others are cutting programming and staff. FBCS is struggling as well and we are considering ways to save money and be even more frugal. But ministry continues, important ministry where lives are being transformed and people are joining with our community. Others are growing in their faith and searching for new ways to serve and use their gifts. Staff people are taking on additional responsibilities and volunteers are carrying an ever-increasing load, and that is good for all of us. We don't want to diminish ministries. We don't want to  make tough decisions about personnel. We want to continue to develop new and unique ways of reaching our community for Jesus. So what can we do?

1. Consider the consistency of our giving. Summer time means vacations, weekend getaways to the mountains, and special kids' activities. Church attendance takes a dip. Giving is down, yet summer is one of the busiest times of year for us with children and youth programming, the summer show, Kids Arts Camp and Backstage. Our energy and water costs are unbelievable. If as a congregation we can be more consistent in our giving, it will relieve the stress and pressure of an unmet budget.

2. Consider starting a giving plan. I would like to challenge every member to become an active giver. If you aren't giving now, start. If you are giving just a little, consider raising your gift. If you are withholding your giving because you are disgruntled about something, take courage and confront the problem and rejoin the family. A little help by all of us and a little more by some of us will alieviate our deficit.

3. Throw your hat in the ring with us. Many of you have been checking us out for a while. Why not take the plunge and join us? We need you, you need us, you say potato, I say potahto. God calls us to work together in community, to support and love each other and to provide for the needs of your sisters and brothers. Ask a pastor how you can be more involved.

4. Volunteer.  We need help at every turn; committees, choir, youth ministry, Wednesday night children's programming, finance committee, Breaking New Ground phase 2, the list is nearly endless. Do you have a gift that is sitting dormant while you wait for someone to ask you to use it? Consider yourself asked.

You are good people. The Word calls you a royal priesthood, a holy nation. You understand the importance of helping people and living beyond yourselves. You prove it over and over. Times are tough all over and that means digging deep, standing shoulder to shoulder, making sacrifices, providing assistance to those in need and being willing to make a life for yourself by giving it away. Jesus said the same thing. If you want to find your life, you must lose it. God bless each of you.

In His Service,
Mark

FBCScottsdale Web Site

New Classes for the Summer
Check this one out for August!

Starting Sunday, August 10th and running through September we are offering the class God's Politics: How the Right got it wrong and the Left don't get it. This best-selling book, written by Jim Wallis, co-founder of Sojourners, focuses on building a Christian perspective on political issues like war, poverty, a consistent ethic of life and faith and politics. Taught by Mark Young, Scott Cornelius, Robin DeWeese and Kody Holmes, this class will offer vigorous dialogue on hot-button issues. If you are easily offended, you probably should skip this one. Offered during the 11:00 worship service.

Children's Arts Camp

July 14-19

Hey kids, come join us for a fun-filled week of music and drama! At the end of the week, we'll put on a terriffic performance your family and friends will want to see!

Cost $30 per child if paid by June 29th.

$10 late fee after that date.

For more info, download an Arts Camp brochure here or call Sharon LaRue at 480-968-9364.
 

AND DON'T MISS THE SHOW ON SUNDAY, JULY 20th!

We will be doing two shows in order to get everyone in, at 3pm and 5pm. Make plans now to be amazed at the talented students we are privileged to work with.

Announcement Policy
Announcements, announcements, announcements, a terrible death to die etc.

Let's give this a try. We are going to try to eliminate announcements from our Sunday worship services. Not an easy thing to do. Here is how we are going to get info to you.

1. This newsletter.
2. Flyers and info on the
   patio.
3. Slides during offering.
4. Info in the bulletin.
5. Emails from specific ministries.
6. Our webpage. FBCS Homepage

We'll try this for a couple of months and see how it goes. If you would like something announced, read further about deadllines and needs.

Newsletter deadline - 24th of each month

Flyers and info on the patio - you take care of the info and let us know you are planning on using table space by calling the office. ONLY CHURCH RELATED FLYERS PLEASE.

Slides - Info to Donald VanSlyke 2 weeks before publication.

Webpage - Info to Donald Van Slyke 1 week before publication.

Torrent News and Schedule
Calendar of Torrent activities

Fourth of July Partay!!!!

Who? You! and invite any of your friends!
What? BBQ, food, fun, games, and oh yah, fireworks!
When? Fourth of July, when else? Be there 6:30pm, grill will fire up at 7pm
Where? North Ramada at Papago Park, near Tempe Town Lake
Why? "Ooooooooooh...Aaaaaaaaah."

More Details:
Food: BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat)
Also, last names:
A-L please bring Fruit or Veggies
M-Z please bring Chips or Soda (water and ice provided)
I'm sure no one will complain if you happen to bring
some chocolatey sugary desserty goodness too. 
And if you'd like to bring your favorite board games or kickball, please do!

*FYI: No alcohol and no glass bottles allowed, please. 

  Brighton Gardens
Nursing Home

3:00pm
Saturday, July 19th, 2008

We will join them in activities like dominoes, card games, etc. Just be there to listen=)

If the opportunity arises, never be
afraid to pray with them, or share
what God's been doing in your life.

It is located at 6001 E. Thomas Rd
(On Thomas just West of 61st Pl)

It will be an amazing time to minister and share God's love!

More Details to come, and there will be sign-
up sheets at Torrent July 6th.  If you want to come to the nursing home, but won't be at Torrent, please call Stella directly, at
(480) 229-3426.

BEAT L.A.! BEAT L.A.!
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers
Sunday, July 20, 1:10 pm

We're gonna go watch Eric Byrnes run like he's angry at the ground (if his hamstrings have recovered, which, by the way, how could his legs ever be well? You'd think in all his years of playing baseball, somebody would, at some time say, "What is the matter with you? Learn to run." And then teach him. Anyway.) So, we're going to a game. We'll leave right after church and get tickets when we get there. Carpool, van, whatever,  just meet in the church parking lot by 12:15 and we'll go.

Mark Zeeman is coming to town.
You better watch out, I'm telling you why.

Our music missionary to Hungary is going to be here on Sunday morning, July 20th for all three services, where he will be sharing how God is using him on the mission field. If you've never heard Mark speak or play, you are in for a blessing, and if you have, you know that you want to make plans to be here for that very special Sunday. Make a day of it and stick arond for the Kid's Arts Program that afternoon. Invite some friends to hear what God is doing through our friend with our sisters and brothers in Budapest.

July Birthdays

"They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body."

Want to look ahead?

01    Chuck Rehman, Doris Masters, Madeline Ferrell, Jessica Price, Reed Steiner, Ben Steiner
02    Mark Carpenter
03    Megan Knight, Gary Bretz
05    Vonceil Nevitt
06    Emily Kelley, Kyle Hiser, Joann Pease
07    Kyleigh Greene, Clayton Bailey, Brenda Henson, Barbara Glenn
08    Anna Kelley, Jen Fuller
09    Rhett Holmes, Lorrayne Carpenter, Bonnie Alexander, Scott Cornelius
10    Lily McCabe, Nicole Myers, Ben Carpenter
11    James Pursley
12    Briana Godsey
13    Scot Bushman, Ian Reed
14    Lana Harms, Linda Olson, Julie Batt
15    Havin Hood
16    Dominick Bexfield, Malia Sidler
17    Courtnee Kelly, Aric Trust
18    Cris Adams
19    Raymond Lee, Rachel Beckham, Lou Hayes, Bill Henson, Hannah Garrard
20    Randy Racer, Bill Fry
21    Maggie Siegert, Jacki Babcock
22    Darlene Phillips, Tyler Cerimeli, Max Linder, Leah Hendee, Jed Gray, CJ Mitchell
23    Jeff Thompson, Denton Smith, Michele Russell
24    Al Glenn, Michael Russell, James Owens
25    Robyn Olson
26    Phyllis Taylor, Zachary Zilar, Mitch Melzer
27    Rosanna Organ, Tyler Heard
28    Tiffany Wallace, Megan Mitchell, Karen James, Kelley Stephens, Thomas Choate
29    Priscilla Romero, Jake Turrentine
30    Haley Peterson
31    Mary Koder, Audra MacElwee

Important July Dates

July 2 -  Critical Conversations Class begins

July 6 - Torrent       

July 14-19 - Kids Arts Camp

July 17 - Elders Meeting

July 20 - Mark Zeeman in morning worship

July  20 - Kids Arts Camp Perfomance

July 20 - Torrent

June 24 - 26 - SHABOOM!

July 27 - Quarterly Business Mtg.

SHABOOM! A 50's Variety Show
Tickets on sale starting July 6
MasterPeace Productions Homepage



Show dates

Tickets

Dinner menu*

• Mom's homemade meatloaf
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Peas and carrots
• Buttery rolls
• Apple Crisp a la mode or
  Banana Cream Pie
• Authentic Cherry Cokes
• Ice Tea
• Coffee

This 1950's retrospective is performed as a musical dinner theatre, spotlighting songs, dances, and television favorites. Remember vacuuming in pearls and heels? How about the birth of rock 'n roll? Journey back to the Golden Age of Television through music, quiz shows, dance crazes, westerns, variety shows, classic Lucille Ball, and more Elvises than you can cram in a phone booth! A show the whole family will love.

Check the tables outside for your tickets.
Table of 8 for $150.

* Menu subject to change if we feel like it

Children's Ministry

Click here for more detailed information on these and other KidZone activities:
KidZone News

Quarterly Business Meeting
and spaghetti dinner!

We promised to keep you posted, hear your input and answer your questions, so we will be meeting on July 27th at 6pm for a spaghetti dinner and a business meeting. We will be discussing, among other things, Breaking New Ground, the budget, our summer programming, and anything else that is on your mind. Please plan on joining us. It's family time.

BNG Update
Great job folks! Ministry is a-coming!
Breaking New Ground Homepage




This photo is two weeks old. This entire area now has 16 ft. walls that continue to climb. You can see this area from 70th street and neighbors are starting to ask, "what is going on over there?" The answer? God's work. We continue to plan for the ministries that will start when we move as well as brainstorming how we can best utilize the space that God is providing. Our total giving for BNG is $2,042,415 on the way to $4 mil. Please continue your faithful giving and know that God will bless your sacrifice. Haven't joined with us in the project? It is never too late. Just designate your gift to BNG.

July Prayer Concerns

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,"  Psalm 40:4a

YOURSELF:
Augustine said that God puts salt on our lips to make us thirst for Him.  Thank Him for the "salt" in your life, or ask Him to sprinkle "salt on your lips."

LEADERS - (church and BNG leaders):
Pray for God's wisdom and humility, that they would be God's peacemakers and, therefore, bear good fruit.  (James 3:13-18)

CHURCH:
Ask God to help us not be distracted by many activities and programs, but to sit at the Lord's feet and listen to Him.  (Luke 10:38-42)  And may we allow God to be the source of our energy, wisdom, and activity.  (John 15:1-17)

CONGREGATION:
Pray for the children and youth in our church that this summer would be a spiritually renewing time.  Pray that they would grow in ways that are neglected during the busy school year.  (Luke 2:52)

COMMUNITY:
Pray for Christians to join in prayer and repentance for a deep and lasting resolution toward peace and reconciliation with our Mexican neighbors.  May we be ambassadors of reconciliation.  Pray for God's wisdom in resolving the many issues - like Solomon's wisdom with the 2 women and the baby.
(Matthew 22:37-40, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, 1 Kings 3:16-28)

BNG WORKERS/OFFICIALS:
Pray for work to continue on schedule, or ahead of schedule.
Pray for wisdom when surprising challenges arise.
Pray for God to provide financially for the project.


"You do not have, because you do not ask God."   James 4:2b

Introducing Robyn Olson
Our new Winfield's coordinator. And hospitality coordinator. And kitchen nazi.

Robyn's input on the design and implementation of Winfield's Coffee Shop has propelled us forward in preparation for getting up and running. She has great ideas and works hard to get things accomplished. Robyn will be working with us, through the generosity of the Endowment Committee, to help us get Winfield's going. She is also our chairperson for hospitality, working to make sure that people feel wanted and needed and accepted and welcome when they are on the campus. Welcome aboard, Robyn.

Mark Young
First Baptist Church of Scottsdale (markyoung@fbcscottsdale.org)