Bush Creek Church of the Brethren 4821A Green Valley Road Monrovia, Maryland 21770 Address Service Requested

What’s Happening at Bush Creek

“The Bridge”

Bush Creek Church of the Brethren

4821A Green Valley Road Monrovia, Maryland 21770

301-663-3025

office@bushcreekchurch.org – Church office http://bushcreekchurch.org/ - website

Sunday School – 9:30 – 10:15 am Worship – 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Pastors:

Leo and Melissa Barnes

The Bridge – June Volume 51, Number 6

CENTRAL VISION FOR BUSH CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

Because of our commitment to Jesus Christ, we are a spiritual family who loves all people.

Ponderings by Pastor Leo

Enjoy the blessings!

As we enjoy the beauty of spring and head toward summer I am happy to hear people planning family events. We are blessed to be able to pay our bills and have some left over for other things like picnics, traveling to visit family and day trips. I am grateful that this month we will fly to spend time with my side of the family in Illinois.

A large part of our prosperity can be based on attitude and priorities. A friend’s brother has a six figure income, but wants the lifestyle of his peers who have a seven figure income. So instead of being blessed he is in serious debt. Others have much less but their family is safe in their own home, bills are paid and the children are fed. They may not have much but the family is close and they are happy together. They have “prospered.”

We who have seen lean times are more appreciative of what we have and do not care about things we do not have. However, others take things for granted simply because they have never known anything else. They have no idea how blessed they are. So I am grateful our youth are involved in ASP and other ministries so they see how others live and can appreciate what their families have provided for them while they work to help others to have a little better life.

Some friends serve in missions taking truckloads of rice and beans to the poor in Central and South America. When they shared a bowl of rice and beans with a family, half the children stood against the wall while the others ate. They asked those against the wall if they were going to eat. An older child smiled and said no, they ate the day before and now it is the others turn to eat. Tomorrow would be their turn again but because of these missionaries, now there would be food tomorrow. It broke my friend’s heart and they wanted to give their food to those children standing, but that would have been an insult to their hosts who were gratefully sharing what little they had.

We do not face hunger every day, we have clothing and shelter, usually our bills are paid, and we have a little extra so we can plan to do a little extra with family and to help others. Enjoy the blessings, and share the blessings.

Pastor Leo

*Board meeting Mon., June 3 @ 7 pm. *Youth Sunday will be May 26. As you are making plans for Memorial Day Weekend, make sure to include being at church for a special worship service provided by the Bush Creek Youth.

Annual Conference 2019 July 3 – 7, Greensboro, North Carolina

Bush Creek will be represented at Annual Conference by Mike and Kathie Tucker serving as delegates. Pastors Leo and

Melissa will attend also as non-delegates. In preparation for the conference a prayer guide has been issued by the Annual

Conference staff. The prayer guide will lead you through prayer and devotions from May 5 through July 6. Please pick up a copy located on the program table near mail boxes or the small table by

the coat room. .

*Roof Fund: A fund has been established to set aside money toward ultimately replacing all the roofing on our facilities. If you are interested in making a monetary donation to this fund, please make check payable to Bush Creek Church and mark in memo line “roof fund”. Donations to date $43,226. – Thank you – Trustee Commission

*Pipe Creek COB Ladies Breakfast – “Wisdom in a Jar” is the theme for the Breakfast to be held at Pipe Creek on Sat., June 8 from 9 – 11 am. Entertainment – Brethren Sisters and Taylor Lowe. Cost - $8. Deadline to RSVP – June 1 to Jean Fender @ 410-775-7693 or to Jen Lowe at jclowe1@comcast.net. See flyer later in this newsletter.

Thank you to our Trustee Commission and Rick and Nancy Pastor for sharing your time & talents recently in and outside our church property. The church office is especially grateful for items to increase office storage. Blessings to Earl Kline, David Brunner and Warren Brunner. Special thanks to Rick & Nancy Pastor for extensive work on the foundation in the front and sides of our church to prevent further water/rain damage. Thank you to Nancy Pastor for replacing light bulbs (energy

saving) throughout all or facilities recently.

“There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go, and that is to travel that way yourself.” —Abraham Lincoln

NEWS FROM WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The quarterly Women’s Fellowship lunch and meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 12 starting at noon. Please bring a dish and dessert to share.

NEWS FROM MISSIONS & SERVICE COMMISSION

News from Greater Urbana Area Food Bank Urbana, Green Valley,

New Market, Ijamsville, Monrovia, Adamstown, Buckeystown, Mt. Airy Your continued donations make it possible for us to feed 234 families on a regular basis! The focus for June food collections is for children facing a summer with no free breakfast or free

lunch at school during the summer months. Please consider donating the following: Cereals, Instant flavored oatmeal packets, Granola bars/nutria-grain bars, canned fruit, peanut butter, grape and

strawberry jelly, cheese crackers/ peanut butter crackers, microwave meals, canned Chef Boyardee pasta products and healthy snacks. Please see a complete list in the coat room.

Please donations in container in coat room.

*Fahrney-Keedy Auxiliary Food/Bake Sale - June 8. Please see Nancy Pastor for further details.

Missions and Service Commission is providing the opportunity in the month of June to make donations towards the CWS (Church World Service) Blanket Fund. Your donations will assist in purchasing warm blankets for needy and homeless families in the United

States and around the world. Please make donation checks out to Bush Creek Church and marked “blanket fund”.

NS

Preparing for Worship Sunday School: 9:30 am – 10:15 am

Morning Worship: 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Date

Message and Scripture

Preaching

Other Notes Greeters

2

Teacher & Christian Ed.

Volunteer Appreciation

The Promise

John 14:15:31

Message: Pastor Melissa

Worship Assistant:

Nancy Pastor

Nursery: Jean & Elwood Hipkins

Randy Toms &

Pat Beachy

9

Breathe!!!

John 16:1-15,

20:21-22

Message: Pastor Melissa

Worship Assistant:

Nursery: Crystal Herbert

Earl & Carolyn Kline

16

Pastors Leo and

Melissa on vacation

Message: Dawn Weller

Worship Assistant:

Beth Green

Nursery: Helen Roberts

David & Lorene

Burke

23 Do Whatever He

Tells You

John 2:1-11

Message:

Pastor Leo

Worship Assistant:

Anna Mae Poole

Nursery: Jess Dixon

Charles & Diana

Brunner

30 Carry-in

meal following worship

Is This Really

What Jesus Told Us To Do?

Psalm 85:1-6 & Luke 4:18-19

Message:

Pastor John Neff

Worship Assistant:

Pastor Leo

Nursery: Scott Hipkins

Rick & Nancy Pastor

Congratulations 2019 Graduates! Anna Bennett - Anna is a graduate of Walkersville High School. Anna studied Cosmetology and received her certification/license. Anna plans to work full-time for a year and then go to college to study Zoology. She played softball and participated in Theatre while in school. Anna is a friend of Nick Brown.

Baylor Baxley – Baylor is a graduate of Walkersville High School. Baylor will be attending Hood College to continue her academic and field hockey career. While in high school Baylor participated in the National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, English National Honors Society, Key Club Spanish Club, Senior Executive Committee, Field Hockey, Unified Bocce, and Unified Track. Baylor received the following awards: Honor Roll, Academic Excellence, CMC Gambrill Division Second Team and the Frederick News Post All County Honorable Mention. Baylor is a friend of Ben Smith. Madison Bollinger is a graduate of Williamsport High School. Madison majored in Surgical Technology. She participated in the

Washington County STEMM Middle College Program, National Society of High School Scholars, Soccer, Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track, WHS Peer Helper, Frederick & Washington County 4-H, Frederick County Robotics Club, Frederick County Beef, Sheep & Swine Club, Frederick County Goat Club, Frederick County 4-H Camp Counselor, Frederick County Farm Bureau Safety Camp Counselor. Madison received the Student Service Learning Award for completing 668 hours of volunteer time. Madison is the daughter of George & Monica Bollinger and the granddaughter of Gareth & Anna Harshman.

Elizabeth Gold graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Technology School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies with a B.S. Degree in Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology. After graduation Elizabeth will travel during the summer and then work in the nondestructive testing field for welding. Elizabeth received the following awards: American Gas Assoc. Scholarship, Joseph DeFeo Memorial Scholarship and the John Deere Foundation Scholarship. Elizabeth is an American Welding Society Certified Welder in GTAW, SMAW & GMAW. She was on the Dean’s List and studied abroad in Guatemala and a summer internship in Slovenia. Elizabeth is the daughter of Joe & Dorcas Bromhead.

Amanda Shultz is a graduate of Walkersville High School. Amanda’s goal after high school is to continue working at the Foxie G. Foundation (Foxie G Foundation provides rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and sanctuary for thoroughbred horses). She would also like to pursue working in some sort of agricultural environment. Amanda was the F.F.A. Vice President in her senior year of high school. She attended the F.F.A. National Convention as a member of the Agricultural Mechanics Team. She participated in the State of MD contest on the Land Judging Team, and attended the Nationals Contest in Oklahoma. Amanda is the daughter of Steve & Dana Shultz.

Kelsey Warner will graduate from West Rowan High School in North Carolina. Kelsey is the daughter of Bryant & Shayla Harshman, and the granddaughter of Gareth & Anna Harshman.

Daughters of Faith Tea – Sat., May 11, 2019

Lots of smiles from everyone at our annual Ladies Tea. (left – Crystal & Amelia Herbert & Rick Pastor) Our very own resident “bee” (Nancy Pastor) dropped by for a visit. One of our servers decided to be very

formal for the day. (right – Jim Walker)

Little ladies enjoying the tea and gifts Evelyn & Joann Mossburg Mother & Daughter - Rylie Hagan & Amelia Herbert Crystal & Amelia Herbert

Thank you to all our servers: Jim Walker, Leo Barnes, Earl Kline, Dean Thews,

Warren Brunner, Bob Farmer, Rick Regnier, David Brunner & Rick Pastor

(Our resident “bee” offering a special thanks).

Theme – The Six Bee’s –

Bee grateful, Bee Smart, Bee Clean, Bee True, Bee Humble, Bee prayerful

06/02 – Teacher & Christian Education Volunteer Appreciation during worship 06/03 – Board meeting @ 7 pm 06/10 – BDM trip to Lumberton, NC – Lou Gloyd & Nancy Pastor 06/10 – 06/16 – Pastors Leo and Melissa on vacation 06/12 – Women’s Fellowship quarterly meal and meeting noon 06/15 – Wheat Gatherers meeting @ 6:30 pm 06/22 – Fellowship hall reserved by Harshman family 06/29 – SCLMT meeting @ 9 am (Pastor’s office) 06/29 – Guys Day Out Breakfast – 9 – 11 am TENTATIVE 06/30 – Special Worship Service with guest – Pastor John Neff Carry-in meal to follow

Summer officially begins June 21!

Bible Study @ Hipkins home -Tues. Sept. thru June 6:00 pm (ended April 30) Bible Study every Tuesday 10 am at church – sanctuary – will resume in fall Bible Study @ 10 every Wed. September thru April Quilting every Wed. @ 8:30 pm Bible Study every Thursday 6 pm @ Fullmer home (will resume in fall) BSA meetings every Wed. August – June @ 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal schedule to be announced Wheat Gatherers Youth ministry – Schedule TBD Youth Coffee House during worship – schedule TBD

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Special Worship Service Guest Speaker – Pastor John N. Neff

10:30 am worship with carry-in meal to follow

Pastor John Neff will bring the morning message on Sunday, June 30. Some of you may recall Pastor Neff from leading the congregational survey workshop held in November 2018 at Bush Creek. Pastor Neff was instrumental in leading us to define strategies for each of the six purposes that were reviewed in the 2018 survey including Worship, Prayer, Ministry, Fellowship, Discipleship, and Evangelism. Pastor Neff is an ordained pastor in the Church of the Brethren. Pastor Neff pastored the Grottoes and Moneta-Lake Side Congregations in Virginia. He also launched a consulting & coaching firm, E³ Ministry Group, LLC, which engages churches to bring revitalization and vibrancy back into their cultures.

(Rev. Fred Bernhard is a partner in this firm.) Pastor Neff is a certified Church Consultant and is President of E³. He has currently launched a house church called Community, and he is leading a prison ministry focused on healing & deliverance of offenders in a Maximum Security Prison in Virginia. Pastor Neff earned a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Virginia Tech (VPISU) and completed course work in the Christian Growth Institute (a ministry training program of Bethany Seminary). Pastor Neff offers a question for us to ponder as we think about him coming to be with us. This is what Mary told the servants to do in responding to the need for more wine at the Wedding in Cana; “Do what He tells you to do.” The question for us to pray over is “What is Jesus telling us to do?”

Please put this special worship service and meal on your calendar now. Plan to bring a main dish, vegetable and dessert to share.

Bush Creek Church of the Brethren

Vacation Bible School

Monday through Friday July 8 – 12, 2019

Preschool Program ages 3-4

Elementary Program ages K-11

5:30 pm – light meal (free)

6:00 – 8:15 pm:

Program: Roar!

@ office@bushcreekchurch.org or call 301-663-3025

Looking for Crew Leaders for our VBS the week of July 8-12 from 5:30 - 8:15 pm. All adults including grandparents or anyone with the love of the Lord in their hearts and a love for children is qualified for this position (must be 13 or older). Crew

Leaders are responsible for leading a small group of children from Station to Station throughout the evening. If you love kids, singing, games, science- type crafts and just plain having fun, call Beth Green at 240-315-7575. We’ll even feed you dinner every night!!!

What’s Happenin’ with the Bush Creek Youth Group:

Thank you to the Bush Creek Youth and Advisors for a very inspirational and uplifting worship service prepared and presented by the youth on May 26. Coffee House Schedule: (held during worship) *Anyone interested in speaking to the Youth during a Coffee House meeting please see one of the youth, Jennifer Smith or Debbie Brown (Youth Advisors).

Wheat Gatherers Study: June 15 @ 6:30, Bush Creek Salt & Light Area Wide Youth Ministry: June 9 @ 5:00, Piney Creek Church Prayer for our Youth: Dear heavenly Father, how we thank and praise you for the young men and women who have trusted in the Lord Jesus as their Savior and we ask that You would work in the lives of all young people who have stepped out in faith in the Son of God. Draw ever closer to those who have made a commitment to You and we pray that they would grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus in the days that lie ahead. May they learn to walk in spirit and truth and to trust in Your word, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for all their needs and requirements. Keep them we pray from being influenced by the tempting things of the world and the desires of the sin nature and protect them from the wiles of the enemy who would seek to disrupt their walk with You and fellowship with the Father. Give them grace and wisdom as they face the challenges of life, and keep them humble in heart and teachable in spirit and may they learn to look to Jesus day by day knowing that without Him they can do nothing but in His strength He will lead and guide in all things. Amen

Youth Advisors – Jennifer Smith, Debbie Brown & Dylan Rinehart