Community News - 8/27/13

MidWeek U Returns  Tomorrow! 

Join us tomorrow evening for our return of MidWeek University! We are offering 4 incredible classes this "semester" and we would love to have you join us for one of them! 

Faith Lessons on the Promised Land - led by Gary & Roberta Compton in the Blue Room

Damaged: How to Mend the Brokenness in Your Marriage, Family & Friendships - led by Brad Snipes in the Student Center 

What the Bible Says About... - led by Brent Metcalf & Todd Alewine in the Worship Center

The Gospel According to Jonah - led by Shannon Compton in the Brown House

If you haven't signed up for a class yet, don't worry! It's never to late to join in! Classes start at 6:30 PM but join us at 6 PM in the back of the Worship Center for coffee, desert and fellowship beforehand! We'll see you tomorrow! 

Pray for the Southeast Asia Mission Team!

Our Southeast Asia mission team is leaving this weekend to do church planting, leadership discipling, prayer walking eye glass clinics and ESL camp outreaches! Pray for safe travels, open hearts and kingdom building to happen in that country! 

Men's Breakfast, Saturday, September 7th!

Attention men! Make plans to attend the Men's Breakfast Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 AM in the Student Center. Start your day off right with a time of food, fellowship, and prayer! We'll see you there! 

Refocus Life Group Leader Training Next Sunday, September 8th! 

For you Life Group leaders - join us next Sunday, September 8th from 12:30 to 2:30 PM in the Blue Room for a time of vision and training in how to lead your life group on mission! Lunch and childcare will be provided. RSVP to shannon@brevardcommunity.org. 

Small Groups Starting Next Sunday, September 8th!

Calling all middle and high school students! The new school year has started back and you know what that means! Small groups are just around the corner! Small groups are an incredible time for you to fellowship, have some fun, and to dive into God's Word with your peers! Join us at BCC on Sunday evenings from 5-7 PM starting Next Sunday, September 8th! We'll see you there! 

New Bible Studies at BCC!

Christian: It's Not What You Think by Andy Stanley - Sunday mornings at 11 AM in the Brown House (starting Sept. 1st)

Join us this Sunday for a new study led by Jamie Sellers with Andy Stanley's "Christian" small group material, examining the characteristics Jesus used to define those who follow Him and the implications they have for believers today. 

What is Your Worldview? - Sunday mornings at 8:15 AM in the Brown House (starting Sept. 8th)

Does your worldview line up with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Join us as we explore this topic in our new 10-12 week Sunday morning bible study led by Hope Kelly and Sheila Alewine. Cost: $5 to cover printing costs. Email sheila@victorychurchproducts.com to reserve your study guide. 

David: Seeking a Heart Like His by Beth Moore - Tuesday evenings at 6:15 PM (starting Sept. 10th)

God will never, ever give up on you! Come explore how David's life proves this promise to be true in this new Tuesday evening bible study! Sign up in the back of the Worship Center this Sunday! 

Jesus, the One and Only by Beth Moore - Friday mornings at 9:30 AM (starting Sept. 13th)

Come along on a life-changing journey to get to know Jesus intimately, as though you had walked with Him during His days of earthly ministry. Sign up in the back of the Worship Center this Sunday! 

Moms in Prayer Returns September 20th!

Experience the joy of replacing anxiety with peace and hope when you pray scripturally and specifically for your children and schools with other moms. Moms in Prayer meets on Fridays during the school year from 8-9 AM downstairs in the KidZone classrooms. Join us at the Welcome/Info. breakfast on Friday September 20th at 8:30 AM. For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, contact Trudy Pierron at gtpierron@citcom.net or (828)862-8345 or check out www.momsinprayer.org. 

The Best Year Ever

A few weeks ago, I gave a message to our middle school students entitled "How to Have the Best School Year Ever." For students, I see the beginning of a new school year the way most people see January 1^st. It’s an opportunity to start fresh and do the things this year that you didn’t do last year.  So I gave three things that I believe must happen in their lives to ensure that this year is better than last year and though this is a message I gave to our students, I feel like it's also something that many of us adults need to hear also. These three things not only come straight out of scripture but also from Brevard Community Church’s mission statement. 

First things first, we can't just go to church, we must be a part of church.  "I... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:1-3

We need community with other believers which comes from serving and being in small groups, not just showing up and being spoon-fed God’s word and then going home.  If you and I are going to live differently this year we need one another. We must be actively pursuing community to be spiritually healthy. And we have to stop viewing church as a place were I come and get my needs met, but rather start seeing it as a place where I go and meet the needs of others. 

Secondly, sacrifice equals success. Which means that this year there are some things that we must be willing to sacrifice in our life to grow spiritually.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." - Hebrews 12:1-2a.  There are some things in your life that are holding you back; maybe it’s a relationship, sports, job, addiction, or the way you manage your time. Whatever it is, God is saying that this year if you want to see true change take place, you must lay down what it is that holding you back.

Thirdly, is that we cannot know God's will for our life apart from His word. 

"My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh." - Proverbs 4:20-22

So often, we want to know God's will and we end up looking everywhere for it except in the Bible. The truth is, you will never know God's will in your life if you're not in His Word. If you want this year to be different, the time you spend in God's Word must be different.

I truly believe that these three things can change your life if you sincerely invest time and energy into them. Now you may ask, "Where does the church's mission statement come in?" Well, I believe that it's not just about going to church and being a part of church but about having intentional community with people inside the church. And sacrifice and being in God's Word is pursuing intimacy with God. And when those things truly begin to happen, I guarantee you will begin to influence the world outside the church. When you begin to serve other believers and experience true community, when you begin to sacrifice the things in your life that have held you back from really experiencing God, and when you begin to view God's word as a vital part of your everyday life, the world around you will notice and you will begin to influence those who don’t know God in an incredible way. 

So let me ask you a question: Do you really want this year to be better than last year? How much? Because if you truly want change to take place, it's only going to begin to happen when you have intimacy with God, community with other believers, and when you begin to influence people outside the church. 

SO are you ready to do what it takes? 

-Brad Snipes

BCC Middle School Pastor

Baptism Location Changed for Tonight!

The weather forecast is not looking promising for tonight but that's not going to stop us! There are changed lives that are eagerly awaiting this celebration and proclamation of how great Jesus is! So instead of having the picnic and baptism at Sycamore Flats, we are going to have them indoors right here at BCC! Come join us at the same time - 5 PM for picnic and 6 PM for baptism! Don't let the rain keep you away! Come fellowship with us and rally around those who are being baptized! Thanks for your flexibility, BCC family! We'll see you tonight! 

Community News - 8/20/13

End of Summer Baptism and Picnic Tomorrow, August 21st! 

Join us tomorrow evening for one of our favorite summer events at BCC - our end of summer baptism and picnic in the forest! Come celebrate as we rally around believers who want to make their faith known in the river at Sycamore Flats! The picnic starts at 5 PM and the Baptism starts at 6:30. We'll provide the food; you just bring yourself! We will be shuttling to Sycamore Flats from the church! If you are interested in being baptized, it's not too late! Contact Bre at (828)884-5932 to sign up! 

MidWeek U Returns Next Wednesday! 

Join us next wednesday for our return of MidWeek University! We are offering 4 incredible classes this "semester" and we would love to have you join us for one of them! 

Faith Lessons on the Promised Land - led by Gary & Roberta Compton

Damaged: How to Mend the Brokenness in Your Marriage, Family & Friendships - led by Brad Snipes

What the Bible Says About... - led by Brent Metcalf & Todd Alewine

The Gospel According to Jonah - led by Shannon Compton

Trust me, you're not going to want to miss out on what God wants to teach you through one of these 9 week classes. Sign up or get more information this Sunday in the back of the Worship Center!

Movin' Up This Sunday, August 25th! 

Parents! Don't forget this Sunday is Move Up day! Your child or student will move up to their new age group! We're excited for what God has in store with this new year and fresh start! Come a little early on Sunday if you have any questions about where you should go! 

'Farewell Scott' Drop-In This Sunday, August 25th!

Join us on Sunday as we show appreciation for all Scott has done at BCC and excitement for what God has in store for him at Compassion International! Stop by and hang out with us at a drop-in being held in the Worship Center starting at 2 PM! We'll see you there! 

New Adult Bible Study Starting Sunday, September 8th!

What is your worldview? Is it Biblical? Does it line up with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Join us as we explore this topic in our new 10-12 week Sunday morning bible study led by Hope Kelly and Sheila Alewine, starting September 8th at 8:15 a.m. in the Brown House. We will consider common world views, their core beliefs, origin and how they have unknowingly infiltrated our Christian culture. We will hold them up to the plumb line of the truth of the Word and discover how the Gospel answers every question in man's search for the meaning of life. Cost: $5 to cover printing costs. Email sheila@victorychurchproducts.com to reserve your study guide. 

 

Moms in Prayer Returns September 20th!

Experience the joy of replacing anxiety with peace and hope when you pray scripturally and specifically for your children and schools with other moms. Moms in Prayer meets on Fridays during the school year from 8-9 AM downstairs in the KidZone classrooms. Join us at the Welcome/Info. breakfast on Friday September 20th at 8:30 AM. For more information or to RSVP for the breakfast, contact Trudy Pierron at gtpierron@citcom.net or (828)862-8345 or check out www.momsinprayer.org. 

Praying for our Schools

Here is a prayer guide for schools that I really liked and thought it would be great for our church family to use to pray for our schools.  Hope you take some time to pray for students, teachers and parents as school gets started next week.  Love you all.

- Todd

Praying For the Students

Father, I pray that the lost students of ___________________ will surrender to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of their lives. Show them their lostness and their need of Jesus. Have mercy on them and saved them through Your Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:1-16; John 6:44; Matthew 11:28).

Father, I ask that the believing students of __________________ will exercise a powerful and righteous influence in the school. Empower them to live holy and obedient lives before their lost friends and teachers. Remove anything from their lives that might hinder their testimony (Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-16).

Father, protect the believing students of _____________________ from evil, worldly influences. Give them the power and courage to say "NO!" to sinful peer pressure. Grant them the discernment to see through the empty and foolish values, ideas, and behavior of the world that is in rebellion against You (Proverbs 1:10-19; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17).

Father, I ask that the students of __________________ will develop healthy relationships with others. Teach them how to relate to others with compassion, respect, and understanding. Set them free from developing unhealthy relationships with the opposite sex (Exodus 20:12-17; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; Ephesians 4:32).

Father, I plead that the students of _____________________ will have good relationships with the teachers and the administration. Grant that the students will have respect for their teachers and the administration that are in authority over them. Let their strong, working relationships among these groups (Romans 13:1, 7; 1 Peter 2:13-14).

Father, I plead in the name of Jesus that You will grant a spirit of purity among the students of _________________. I pray that You would deliver them from immoral talk and actions. Show them the evil and the rebellion of sexual immorality. Grant them healthy and pure relationships with members of the opposite sex. Convict those that are sexually active and lead them to seek Your forgiveness and help and then abstain from sex until marriage. Strengthen and encourage those who are virgins to continue in this until marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Hebrews 13:4).

Praying For the Teachers

Father, I plead that the unsaved teachers of __________________ would enter into a personal relationship with You through the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that they would turn from their sin to Jesus in genuine faith (John 3:15-18, 6:44; Acts 4:12, 17:30-31).

Father, I ask that the believing teachers of ______________________ would exercise a powerful and righteous influence among the students and teachers. Empower them to live holy lives and minister to the students and other teachers (Proverbs 28:1; Matthew 5:13-16).

Father, I ask that the teachers of ____________________ will know how to deal with problem students. Grant them the wisdom, insight, and compassion to help these students (Proverbs 22:15).

Father, protect the teachers of _____________________ from discouragement. Empower them to excel in the face of discouraging situations. Grant them a spirit of perseverance in spite of the problems (Philippians 4:13).

Father, I ask You to bless the personal lives of the teachers at ______________________. Bless them with good and perfect gifts. Help them with their personal problems and struggles (Psalm 103:1-5; James 1:17).

Praying For the Parents

Father, I plead in the name of Jesus that the unsaved parents of ____________________ would surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. I ask that the Holy Spirit would convict them and draw them to Jesus in faith and repentance (John 3:15-18, 6:44).

Father, I ask that the believing parents of _______________________ will be growing in their relationship to God. Do this so that they can train godly children (John 8:31-32; 1 Peter 3:1-2).

Father, I pray that the believing parents of ______________________ will exercise a powerful and righteous influence (Proverbs 28:1; Matthew 5:13-16).

Father, I ask that the parents of ________________________ would be genuinely interested in their children and their education. Cause them to take an active role in their children's lives (Ephesians 6:4).

Father, grant good working relationships between the parents and the teachers of ____________________. I ask the parents would have respect and support for the teachers and the administration (Romans 13:1).

Father, I plead that the parents of _______________________ will create an atmosphere at home that will help the children learn and grow. I pray that the parents will take the initiative to teach and train the children at home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

from Dr. Kevin Meador, Prayer Closet Ministries

Just a Few Reminders - 

Name Tags at BCC!

We want to get to know you! This Sunday, we will be providing name tags for everyone coming to worship. Take a name tag at the door and write your name on it! So many people may recognize faces of people in our body, but now we can help you remember some names! Join us at 9:30 or 11 AM as we talk about our mission and why we do what we do at BCC! See you then!

Drop By and Love on Scott Next Sunday, August 25th!

Join us Next Sunday as we show appreciation for all Scott has done at BCC and excitement for what God has in store for him at Compassion International! Stop by and fellowship with us at a drop-in being held in the Worship Center starting at 2 PM! We'll see you there! 

Community News - 8/13/13

MidWeek Worship Returns Tomorrow, August 14th!

Join us tomorrow night for a special time of worship! We will be hearing from some middle, high school, and college students who experienced God in incredible ways this summer. Come be encouraged and inspired by the stories of these young people who have been radically changed by the transforming love of Christ. We'd like to extend a special invitation to parents, teachers and students! You don't want to miss this! Join us at 6:30 PM. 

Last Madness This Thursday, August 8th!

Calling all students! This is the LAST Madness of the summer! Don't miss it! Join us this Thursday, August 15th at 7 PM at the French Broad Community Center! Invite a friend and come ready for some end-of-the-summer fun! 

Last Week of Garden Gathering and Distribution!

This is your last week to lend a hand in the BCC Community Garden! Tonight, August 13th, at 5 PM we will be cutting okra and digging potatoes. Friday, August 16th at 5 PM, we will be digging potatoes, picking tomatoes and peppers, and cutting okra. Saturday, September 7th will be the last community distribution from 9:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. Join us to celebrate a bountiful and blessed harvest season!

New Series Starting This Sunday, August 18th!

Join us this Sunday at 9:30 or 11 a.m. for a new series looking at what it means to go on mission as a church! We are called to a mission and purpose on this earth and we at Brevard Community Church are setting out to pursue intimacy with God, fellowship with insiders and influence with outsiders. Come join us as we dig into God's Word to see what it really means to be a follower of Him!

Blood Drive at BCC This Monday, August 19th! 

Every 2 seconds, someone in the US needs blood - that's more than 44,000 donations needed every day! You can be one of those donors serving those in need on Monday, August 9th from 3-8 PM! Sign up in the back of the Worship Center this Sunday or contact Paula Piercy at (828)553-1272 or bobbynpaula@comporium.net.

End of Summer Baptism and Picnic Next Wednesday, August 21st! 

Join us next for one of our favorite summer events at BCC - our end of summer baptism and picnic in the forest! Come celebrate as we rally around believers who want to make their faith known in the river at Sycamore Flats! What an incredible time of fellowship and celebration of changed lives! The picnic starts at 5 PM and the Baptism starts at 6:30. If you are interested in being baptized, contact Bre at (828)884-5932.