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A word to the wise:
Fasten thy seatbelts!
It's going to be a history-making fall at BVBC! Renovation is never convenient or easy or painless -- but soon years of planning, dig-deep giving and hard work will yield a significantly upgraded platform for ministry and worship.
In this issue, we update you on Phase 3, fill you in on some new opportunities, report on what happened over the summer, let you hear from some folks on the frontlines, and celebrate with one outstanding softball team!
We'd love to hear from you, too! For the October issue, we'd especially love to hear about the silver linings you've seen in the cloud of construction dust. Anything cool happen on your leg of the journey? Let us know in an e-mail and we may use your item in the next issue. The deadline is September 20.
In the meantime, watch your step around the construction site, obey the parking lot rules, and fasten your seatbelts!
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Help prepare new sanctuary
with Scripture, prayer
Imagine our new sanctuary filled with the Word of God before
we even begin the first worship service there. You can help make that a reality by participating in "Preparing the Way" next month.
For seven days -- from 12:01
a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 to 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 -- individuals and groups from BVBC will read through the Bible in one-hour increments. The reading starts at the beginning -- Genesis -- and goes until the time expires. Music and prayer may be incorporated into each hourlong segment. The plan is based on a similar project at Willowdale Chapel in Pennsylvania, where readers got through the entire Bible 1 1/2 times during their week. "For me, the idea shows the significance that we place on the Word of God and the power of prayer," said Jane Gerlach, who is on the "Preparing the Way" planning committee. "It sets the tone for where we place the Word and prayer and our dependence on the Lord. We're saying, 'The building's great, but it's all about you, Lord, and your Word.'" Solo readers are welcome. And Jane said she is eager to take her small group for an hour of reading together. Families are encouraged to read together, too, even to bring infants with them. "What better thing can you do than read aloud the Word of the Lord in the sanctuary?" she said. A Bible purchased for this occasion will be at the front
of the sanctuary. A ledger book will record the reader and the section of Scripture completed. The alcoves, which are part of the sanctuary
design, will be available for prayer. Security
will be provided during the evening and night hours. Join us as we prepare our hearts
and our sanctuary for worship and proclamation of the Word. Sign-up begins Sunday, Sept. 20. Brenda Wilson |
From the Pastoral Staff
This Month: Pastor Bo Matthews
'Pillar of Fire' led to
new vision for BVBC's future
The Pillar of Fire capital campaign ends December 31, 2009. I don't suppose
any church ever had a more reluctant pastor to lead such a campaign.
A hundred days or so from now we will occupy a new
sanctuary, classrooms, and gathering spaces. Our three-phase building program
will be complete.
I am amazed to find myself now thinking of the new sanctuary as the mid-point of a 20-year vision for ministry.
It doesn't feel forced to think that way. We've said all
along that our new building is not just for us; it's for the thousands of
people who aren't here yet. So, what is our 2020 Vision? What kind of church do
we want to be on January 1,
2020?
We know we want to turn our congregation outward to the
people of the Brandywine
Valley. We know we want
to strengthen marriages and families. We think we will outgrow this new
building, maybe in five years or less.
Will we plant a new church? Will we start a satellite
campus? We don't know yet. Either option would require millions of dollars. The
outcome will be greater impact for the gospel of Christ through BVBC.
If that's where we're going -- I am eager to lead.
Pastor Bo Matthews
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Children's faith transforms swimming pool to baptistry
When a number of our children expressed a desire to be baptized this summer, Duane and Carolyn Benton made a creative offer. Why not use their swimming pool as a baptistry?
Sunday, Aug. 9, was the big day, with lunch at noon on the
patio, music with Adam Cooke from Ogletown Baptist, the baptism at 1 p.m., and
swimming to follow. But one question was unanswered: Would the weather cooperate?
The plan seemed to be in jeopardy when rain began
falling the day before. And the morning of
the baptism was equally dismal, with heavy storms and high humidity. But right after lunch, the sky cleared -- just in time for six of our young people to wade into the water and be
baptized.
 Each of the children spoke about their reasons for participating.
Julie Wilson, an eighth grader, quoted Acts 22:16: "Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins
away, calling on His name." She said she was
"ready to become a Christian -- and get
wet!"
Mia Wilson, a fifth grader, said her favorite
Bible verse was Psalm 111:1: "I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council
of the upright and in the assembly." She said she was ready to "show that I believe in
Christ."
Katelyn Donohue, a fourth grader, said: "I know
that God is real in my life because God answers my prayers." She wanted to be baptized "because it shows
others that I have a relationship with God."
Katherine Pullig, a fourth grader, said: "I know Jesus died on the cross to forgive me
for my sins. I want to get baptized because Jesus washed away my sins. I love
Jesus and I want to live for Him."
The youngest to be baptized were Ethan and Katie Yu. Ethan is a second grader and Katie is pre-kindergarten. When they
learned that there would be a baptism, they were eager to be part of it and ready to
become Christians.
Families and friends gathered around the Bentons' pool
and watched as Pastor Bo Matthews baptized our children. It was a blessed event -- full of joy and fellowship that comes so
naturally to our precious youth. Praise
God!
Lynn Wilson
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New elevator installed, interior work continues
as Phase 3 nears completion
The new building is really taking shape as work progresses
on the interior features and finishes. Most of the interior painting is
completed and the ceramic tile floors have been installed in the sanctuary,
kitchen and ground floor rest rooms. The light fixtures are installed on both
floors and the ceiling grids are installed in fellowship hall. Maybe the most notable item is a brand new elevator!
Installation was completed last week and we now have a "real" elevator that
will be reliable.
By Labor Day the remainder of the south wall along Mt. Lebanon
road should be closed in, doors will be delivered, the main platform, balcony risers, and gathering-area ceiling should be
completed.
Lanny and Nancy Weaver, Bill
Parsons and Don Rowe visited
New Holland furniture last week and saw our new pews and Information Center
desk under construction. New Holland
is doing a great job and we expect the new pews and cabinetry to be delivered
by mid-September.I t is really exciting to see the work progress in these final
stages. We thank the Lord for his gracious provision throughout this project,
and are looking forward with great anticipation to what he will do through the
ministries of BVBC as we enter this beautiful new facility.Pastor Bill Parsons
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Expected attendance surge
prompts three-service plan
The Pastoral Staff and the Board
of Deacons reached agreement to change the arrangements for
worship services when the new sanctuary opens. We have considered many options, trying to find the best arrangement for
all the variables and people involved.
There are compelling reasons for moving from the two-service format we originally presented to a three-service format. Although we liked the feel of opening with
only two services and having more people together in one place at one time, we
have realized that it is quite likely we would have to add another service in a
short time.
If we experience the surge of people we have been told
to expect, at least one of those two services could be overcrowded as
early as January. Since our mission is
to introduce people to Jesus Christ, we want to make room for those people from
the beginning rather than asking everyone to make yet another change. To make
that change after only two months in the new sanctuary would be disruptive. We
have been through enough disruption for a year and a half.
This change reflects the difficulties we have faced in
finding the best arrangement. No arrangement is without problems. Thank you for
your patience with us.
We have decided to open the new sanctuary with three
services, as follows:
8:30 Contemporary
9:45 Contemporary
11:15 Traditional
More information is coming soon about Adult Christian Education, children's and students' classes
in this configuration.
I believe when we finally sit down together in this
worshipful place of praise, a lot of our past inconveniences and personal
disappointments will disappear. The worship of the Lord will wash them away
like a dream. Thank you.
Pastor Bo Matthews
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Short-term Mexico mission prompts change of plans for BVBC's Lauren Zuber I've
returned from two months in Mexico refreshed, encouraged and eager to share my trip with all of you.
Living with my Mexican host family and experiencing a new kind of worship in a
Mexican Pentecostal church left a deep imprint on my heart. My summer program
with Latin America Mission to Mexico
City taught me how to love Christ in a passionate new
way through my relationships with the Mexican people.
Latin America Mission
provides the opportunity to stay another year in Mexico to continue learning and
serving with the Mexican Christians. The impact of Christ's love in my Mexican church and seeing God's faithfulness in my life made it clear to me that I had to stay for the year. Many times we receive more blessings that
we give on short-term mission trips, and the yearlong program I will participate
in will allow me to serve a people group that has stolen my
heart.
I have been blessed to be part of many mission trips and each one has
deeply influenced my walk with Christ and view of the world. However, this was
the first mission trip that has evoked a
drastic change in my future plans in which God redirected my heart. Now I'm
putting my life in His capable, loving hands and stepping out in faith to be a
part of His work in Mexico.
I will be in Delaware until Sept. 21, then returning to Mexico City until next August.
Lauren Zuber
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Kids at BVBC summer camp share the fun with Uganda
More than
150 kids attended our Vacation Bible School -- Son Rock Kids Camp -- in July, and while they were having fun
together here, they sent some fun to lots of kids in Uganda, too.
Lots of energy, creativity and activities filled our week here at BVBC. With the
help of 32 adult leaders and 34 teen helpers, we learned about Peter and how
God's great love can transform lives. Nineteen children prayed with their
counselors after the Gospel was presented Wednesday.
Then, as part
of the camp's mission project, the children and their parents contributed more
than $940 to help support the soccer ministry and other work of Karen Hynes, one
of our missionaries serving in Uganda.
Karen
said the money will help provide food, shoes, clothes, soccer balls, uniforms and
Bibles for kids there.
Cindy Donohue
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Unbeaten BVBC sluggers
win 2009 softball crown
Not traffic
jams, not schedule conflicts, not injuries, not even five new babies (!) could keep BVBC's
softball team from its 2009 destiny - the championship of the Church Athletic
League.
Jan Murray, perhaps in a flush of spring fever, had made a rash prediction in April: "I think this team goes undefeated." Now, Murray -- the team's leading hitter and pitcher with an .804 batting average and 6-0 pitching record -- seems downright insightful.
The
14-man squad delivered an undefeated 15-game season, winning its first league championship since 2005 and third in the past decade. But the crown was earned with some high drama and nailbiters.
Consider
the cliffhanger elements of the final regular-season game and three playoff games:
* The team was down to its last
swing twice in the regular-season finale against Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian on July 7. Trailing 8-7 with two out and two on base in the
fifth, Brian Carroll sent a shot over the centerfielder's head and both runners scored before the relay from the outfield. Brandywine won 9-8 -- all 9 runs scored with two outs.
 * Only 10 players were on hand
for the start of the first playoff game, giving the squad few options if
substitutes were needed. Matt Wells got tied up at work and jammed in traffic on the Blue Route. He didn't get to the field at Elam Methodist until the bottom of
the third inning, but better late than never! He hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth -- the "single most important swing of the season," Brian says -- and Brandywine went on to a 20-17 victory.
* In the first inning of game
two, Brian Carroll tore a calf muscle. Mike McGinniss told him later there seemed to be a
moment of decision: Fold up the tents or keep plugging? You make the call:
BVBC beat Chester Bethel 13-3 to advance to the championship round. In his account on the team's web site, Mike called the win "Straight from the Heart."
* Two guys were on vacation and
Brian still was injured for the title game July 28 against Trinity. Still, 11 players showed up and, as it turned out, Brian was able to
hit late in the game. Three teammates ran for him.
With strong pitching, defense and consistent hitting, Brandywine cruised to its crown 18-10.
The
athletic ability was there, no question. But team camaraderie, focus and
sportsmanship all contributed to the historic season, Brian said.
"We
play hard, and we're trying to win games, but ultimately we want to be good
examples for ourselves, our families, our church and our opponents, too," he
said. "If you can do that when your blood pressure is up, in the heat of
competition, it's a testament to the way you behave every day. And if you're
not behaving in a manner that would make yourselves, your family, your church
and your Lord proud - what's the use? There are other leagues you can go find."
The
team was calm, too, Brian said, peaceful even at dicey times. He wondered if it was the sleep deprivation
caused by those five new babies. But even when someone grounded out, popped up or missed a catch, it was fun to look to the sidelines and see families gathered, kids
playing, and people enjoying an evening together.
Now
the offseason begins, the war stories circulate, the battle wounds heal. And soon,
the core of BVBC's softball future - those five new babies - may start hand-eye
coordination drills.
Many details of the historic season -- including player statistics, team nicknames (including the "three-man monster," the "Mikes in the Middle," and Eugene "The Hitting Machine" Liam) and nominations for many team awards, are available at the team's web site. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out by clicking here.
Congratulations to the team and its fans!
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Golfers, hacks, and friends
tee up 1st Men's Golf Outing
On Sunday,
Sept. 27 the men of BVBC, with their friends and fellow golfers,
will gather at Deerfield Country Club for the first Men's Golf Outing.
"A committee
of BVBC's golfers, almost-golfers and non-golfers alike have been diligently
planning and making arrangements to
ensure this is a terrific outing," said Sam
Stein. "We are looking for all our men to join us, no matter what golf
skill levels they have, or don't have."
"It is about
building relationships within and beyond our congregation -- an opportunity for
all of us to reach out to include others in our fellowship", said Art Brosius, committee chairman.
Tee time is 1 p.m. at Deerfield Country Club in Newark. Cost is $100 per person, including BBQ dinner. Register now and invite your friends to join you in a great
afternoon of golf, food, fun and fellowship!
Click Here to register
Steve League
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Ministries expand for singles, couples, families
A new ministry for singles -- Young Single Life -- starts Sunday, Sept. 13, and two other ministries continued to grow over the summer. Young Single Life reflects the desire of singles to connect to God, to other
singles and to BVBC. Our goal is always to integrate singles into
the church. This ministry will be for new college graduates up to singles in their early forties. The ministry will feature an Adult Christian Education class, which will meet initially at 10 a.m.
in the West Wing. Small groups already exist, but we always hope to form more.
As our new facilities become available, Young Single Life will begin to meet at 11:15 in our new fellowship hall. We plan to sponsor a monthly lunch for anyone wishing to attend. Most singles will attend the 9:45
contemporary service, sitting together and welcoming other singles to our fellowship.
A planning team has been meeting for several months and
activities have been planned for the fall. We will be sponsoring a hayride with
our Young Married Life ministry. Young Married Life continues to meet in the choir room at 10 a.m. And Young Family Life has had a great start at 10
a.m. in the West Wing.
The
two ministries held joint activities, including a July 4 picnic
attended by more than 50 people (including children) and a pool party
in August with about 60 people.
We look forward to what God will do with these ministries and we invite you to join us. Pastor Karl Nockengost
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Third Alpha course kicks off
with introductory dinner
It is truly amazing what God is
doing to reach people around the world. You hear stories regularly of
thousands coming to Christ in China,
Africa and Asia. One of those amazing stories
is occurring right here at BVBC, where the third Alpha course begins this fall with a kickoff dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Alpha is a 10-week introduction to Christianity, designed to speak to people who have "life
questions."
The course continues to expand around the world and is now offered in approximately 150 countries. BVBC has been part of that growth for two years and we have groups waiting for new participants.
Why not invite a friend to join
you for this adventure? We meet once a week, share a great
meal, fellowship, and study current issues from a Christian perspective. Plan to attend kickoff dinner at 7 p.m. Sept. 22. No strings attached.
Gregg Miner
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New course offers counsel
for financial management
Did you know there are
more than 800 scriptural references to money? God obviously believed it was
an important topic. Would you like to better understand God's plan for the
resources he has given you? Then plan to attend Financial Peace University
(FPU).
FPU takes biblical financial wisdom
and shows you how to turn it into action through a process
taught by financial counselor Dave Ramsey via DVD. FPU is a 13-week program that teaches you how to make the right decisions to achieve your financial goals and God's plan for your life.
The
course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, building wealth, giving, and more. The principles will be useful for everyone, from the financially secure to the financially
distressed. On average, FPU graduates
have paid off $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 during the program!
Classes meet at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 148, beginning Sept. 13.
Free previews are available at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1 and 11:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 in Room 148.
The cost is $99 per
family, including all materials and access to
online resources during the classes. You can register by
downloading a form
here and dropping it off at the church with your payment, or at one of the previews.
Don Rowe
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Some seats still available
for Women of Faith weekend
The Philadelphia Women of Faith weekend
will be held at the Wachovia
Center on Friday evening, Sept. 18
and from 9-5 on Saturday, Sept. 19. The
theme is "A Grand New Day," and speakers will include Patsy Clairmont, Sheila Walsh, Luci
Swindoll, and Marilyn Meberg.
Tickets are available at
no cost to you but you must register by contacting Jane Gerlach at (302)
475-9294. If you would like to pay for the
ticket, the cost is $75.
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Divorce Care group forming
There is still time to join BVBC's Divorce Care support group. Don't go through
separation or divorce alone. This group will walk beside
you through one of life's most difficult experiences. It is led by a facilitator who
understands, from personal experience, what you are going through. To
register, contact Deb Sterndale at (302) 543-5319, Kendra Young at (302) 255-8445, or Sally Kantzes at (302) 578-7404. |
What's Up This Month?
* Saturday, Sept. 4 -- Acoustic musician Sarah Reeves in concert, in the gym, 7 p.m. Caitlin Jane opens. All ages welcome. Tickets $10. For more information, contact Matthew McNutt, associate pastor for youth ministries.
* Sunday, Sept. 13 -- New semester starts for Adult Christian Education classes.
* Wednesday, Sept. 16 -- New Student Quest small groups start, 7 p.m. Sign up at Student Quest or by e-mailing Joy McDermott.
* Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19 -- Women of Faith Conference, Wachovia Center.
* Tuesday, Sept. 22 -- Kickoff dinner for Alpha course, 7 p.m., BVBC gym. Register online.
* Sunday, Sept. 27 -- Men's Golf Outing, Deerfield Country Club, Newark. Cost: $100 per person. Register online or at table outside the BVBC gym.
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Our Mission
To introduce people to Jesus Christ and help them to follow him.
Our Vision
To be a community of Christ-followers, known by our love:
- Engaging our God in heartfelt worship
- Engaging our community with compassion
- Engaging our culture with gracious discernment
Our Values
- Being devoted to Christ
- Pursing holiness without being self-righteous
- Practicing generous Christian orthodoxy
- Building relationships
- Working together
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BVBCNews is produced by:
Brandywine Valley Baptist Church
Office of Assimilation & Communication
Brenda Wilson, director
(302) 478-4255 |
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