Summer Sermon Series “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself...” -Daniel 1:8

Starting in June we will begin a six-week series through the Book of Daniel. Join us as we venture into the Kingdom of Babylon and study familiar passages of Nebuchadnezzar, a golden statue, a fiery furnace, the lion’s den, and the handwriting on the wall. As we walk by “uncompromising faith,” may we resolve not to defile ourselves with the pleasures of this world.

June 2020 Monthly Publication of Garden City Baptist Church Volume 33 Number 6

Connections Center

We have updated our connections strategy of reaching out to guests. In the pews are blue connection cards. Guests are asked to provide their basic contact information so that we have the means to reach out to them. First-time guests receive a box of candy in exchange for the card. During that week, the church sends them a letter or email thanking them for the visit. Local guests may receive a special visit from one of our members with popcorn or peanuts. Second-time guests receive a coffee mug with the church’s logo. Inside the mug is a ticket to a free Wednesday night meal.

We want to go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. We encourage you all to continue inviting folks to church. Keep going out of your way to show hospitality while you are here. Be sure to greet each other, even from a distance, for the glory of God.

Communion

We plan to take from the Lord’s Table on Sunday, June 28. There will be packaged cups with a wafer of bread on top available that Sunday for those who attend. For those who plan to watch online, please stop by the church office to receive your elements.

Varina’s ♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫

SOUTH STRAND MOBILE MEALS VAN 1July 6-10 See Esther Holland or Phyllis Melton for information or to volunteer.

June Birthdays 1 – Kaidyn Wakley 3 – Bonnie Oldaker 4 – Barbara Green 7 – George Richardson 7 – Juanita Henderson 7 – Jack Ramsey 8 – Howard Oliver 9 – Yvonne Marcum 9 – Roy Turner 10 – John Henderson 11 – Dorothy Collins 11 – Barbara Bayer 12 – Carolyn Roddey 13 – Lee Ware 13 – Toby Waddell 14 – Terry Lonas 16 – Connie Miller 17 – Warren Wing 18 – Brenda Litaker 18 – Ollie Paul 18 – Jean Beelendorf 21 – Bob Brown 21 – Peggy Waddell 21 – Cam Crawford 23 – David Finn 23 – Janice Johnson 25 – Heather Crawford 27 – Kay Cravens 27 – Charlie Lanier 27 – Erma Mundy 30 – Chris McSwain

LUNCH BUNCH Hi Girls, I sure do miss all of you, by due to this virus I feel we should wait before going out for a luncheon. I'm so looking forward to seeing all of you and getting together again. I think we all could use a few laughs. In the meantime be safe and try to take care of each other. Remember Jeremiah 29:11... I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord... Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. God is still in control. He is our hope. If you need anything please don't hesitate to call on me. My e-mail is shirloest@aol.com. Lots of Love Shirley

It’s time to make plans for Operation Christmas Child. This year Pat and her team have found a place to purchase items for the shoeboxes in bulk and at a very reasonable price. They do need our help with donations now. Once ordered it takes a long time for the shipment to arrive so they need to place the order soon. We hope we will be able to have our Packing Party. For questions call Pat Hample at 843-748-0163 or 704-460-4056.

The Power of a Simple Gift! Operation

Christmas Child

From the Media Messenger...

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

Lena Scott is the hottest star to hit Hollywood since Marilyn Monroe. Few know the price she paid to get there or that her real name is Abra. To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman she will always be the newborn he found wailing under the bridge in Haven. Joshua, the pastor’s son, has watched her grow into an exotic beauty. He is her closest friend and knows the scars the circumstances of her birth have left. Abra is desperately seeking love and attaches herself to bad boy Dylan who uses her to fulfill his own selfish desires. He tires of her and hands her over to a Hollywood agent with the dare that he can’t make something of her.

Hollywood is a million miles from Haven and it doesn’t take long for Abra to learn what is expected of her if she is to make it. Sadly it will destroy her. Fame is costly and Abra has burned every bridge to get it. Most disappointing of all is that it doesn’t turn out to be what she wanted after all. Now all she wants is to be loved and to find her way back home.

This is a beautiful story of unconditional love, forgiveness, and finding one’s identity. Francine Rivers has delivered another well written and thought provoking New York Times Best Seller.

Women of the Old TestamentThursdays beginning June 4

at 6:00pm. All ladies are invited to join us on Zoom or Facebook Live at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WomensMinistryGCBC.

Zoom for Kids! Now that school is out, keep your kids connected to their friends, God, and nature

through our Wednesday meetings at 7:00pm! We also meet Sunday mornings at 10:00am to learn

more about the Bible and living for Jesus. Join our TeamKID Facebook group to get involved (link to

join is on the church’s Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/GCBeachSC/).

Gospel Body has been exercising and being smart about things. We are using our common sense God has provided us with and keeping our distance from each other. We have been blessed. Exercising helps us from feeling confined and gives us the freedom we need during this difficult time. I think it has helped each one of us keep our sanity. It’s one way to release frustration. Prayers for our country and the entire world right now and that we continue to keep healthy and safe. Monday, Wednesday and Friday we exercise to a walking DVD at 9:00 in the fellowship hall of the church. So if you’re interested or need to release some frustration come and join us. No getting down on the floor, just enjoying good fellowship and movement.

JUNE MISSION REPORT

Jason & Laken Cizdziel – Papua NG - New baby girl born May 14 at 7 pounds and 20 inches. They are in the United States. We are waiting to hear if Jason will be able to meet with us on Sunday, July 12.

Fisher Family – Japan – Their lives are much like ours. Schools closed and no toilet paper in stores. The boys school starts back June 1. The virus has postponed Michele’s hope to attend school in the fall, as the required test for entry has been canceled. Since the Japanese borders remain close, the family has rescheduled a visit to the states for summer of 2021. They received $500 from the Mission Fund. Kentucky Mission Trip for July has been cancelled. Money not spent on travel will be sent for work on Solomon’s Porch.

FROM THE APPALACHIAN MISSION FIELD – Eric & Sissy Rutherford EASING BACK INTO THINGS - Today is the first day we were allowed to open the dining room area of the Lamp House Coffee shop (at 33% capacity, which for us is nine people, LOL). We have to wear masks and observe social distancing restrictions, but we are glad to start interacting (responsibly) with the public. As I type this, Sissy is sharing our ministry and some local tips with a couple visiting for the first time. Our Coffee & Jesus Bible Study resumed in person Sunday at the coffee shop and our church met at Community Christian Center (C3) with COVID precautions. Our assembly is small enough that we did not have to worry about capacity issues, but will once we start seeing mission teams return.

EASING BACK INTO EASING BACK INTO THINGS We have been open all along, working shorter hours, doing carry-out at the coffee shop and running the gas station. (We’re essential!) Kentucky’s governor has begun lifting restrictions for businesses, so before diving back in full-time, we were able to get away for a nice visit with family who we have been waiting to go see. (Another couple from our ministry graciously filled in for us.) We brought some furniture to our daughter and her husband for their first house in North Carolina, where we were also able to help get some stuff in place, do some painting, and help with some home improvements. They are expecting their first child in August so we don’t want her doing much and they are both still working so we were thrilled to be able to help. From there, we went to South Carolina to see more family and friends, including and our new granddaughter, Everlee, who we have waited 6 weeks to meet! Our son Nathan hosted a little cookout and then Sissy and I babysat another day. What a treat. At the last minute before leaving we decided to throw the camping gear in the truck and we’re glad we did. On the way back we stopped for two nights near Lake Lure where we did a little hiking and a lot of sitting around a campfire – two of our favorite things to do. So we got our R&R in and stocked up at Sam’s Club on the way back. We are ready to get back to business – the business of ministry. We know it will take a while to ramp back up and many of our scheduled mission teams have understandably canceled or postponed, but God is still at work. We appreciate the encouragement and support we have gotten during these unusual times. All of the love and support we receive makes this all so much easier. We look forward to coming reports of live being changed for His glory! In His Love and Service, Eric & Sissy