BASTROP CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER ~ APRIL 2017
BASTROP CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER ~ APRIL 2017
Easter is the highpoint of our Christian year. We seem to go to extra lengths to make Easter Sunday special. We get up earlier, (perhaps to attend a Sunrise Service), and we do things we don’t usually do on other Sundays, such as a brunch during Sunday School hour, and flowering a cross while singing hymns. Some of us even dress up a bit fancier or don an Easter bonnet! There are sure to be new faces to greet! It’s the perfect opportunity for us to “roll out the red carpet” and welcome the visitors that are sure to come. Let us be prepared to, not only greet them warmly with a handshake and a smile, but to give up our seat if necessary so our guests feel included! Grace and Peace, Ben
FLOWERING THE CROSS
Every year we gather outside to place flowers on a wooden cross as we sing hymns! It is one of the special ways we celebrate Resurrection Sunday! Whether you have anything blooming in your gardens, or prefer to buy from a floral shop, bring your contributions that morning by 9:15 to add to the cross. It is so helpful if you can pre-cut the stems to a length of about 6-7” . They are placed on trays or in baskets to be passed around for all to take part in this beautiful creation.
THE HUNT IS ON!
OUTREACH CASA is one of the missions that BCC supports under our OUTREACH committee. One of our members, Kristi Glasper, is the Executive Director of this organization. One of our Elders, Earl Ellisor and his wife Kathleen, are volunteers as well. As with any non-profit, the volunteers are essential to successfully carry out the mission and ministry of said non-profit. Perhaps God has been laying it on your heart to volunteer somewhere. Kristi or the Ellisor’s would love the opportunity to introduce you to this one. April is “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” and Kristi has written this article to tell you a little bit about what they do at CASA.
CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties Call to Action for Child Abuse Prevention Month In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Cou r t Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is issuing a call to stand against child abuse and take action to support children who have been abused or neglected. Over the course of a year, our organization serves on average of 365 children in the Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties area, 280 of which come from Bastrop County alone. These children come into the child welfare system through no fault of their own. “The needs of Bastrop County’s children coming into care are more complicated than ever before, and life in foster care can be chaotic,” said Kristi Glasper, Executive Director, CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties. “Every child deserves the support of caring, consistent adult with the training to help them heal and thrive.” Throughout the month of April, CASA is calling on members of the community to help our program serve more of Bastrop Counties most vulnerable children. Without intervention, the odds are stacked against children in foster care. A child with a CASA volunteer, however, will leave the foster care system two-and-a-half months earlier, on average, compared to a child without a CASA volunteer. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer receive more services that are critical to their well-being than children without an advocate, and those children are more likely to achieve educational success. “CASA volunteers are a constant for the child in a time of chaos,” said Glasper. “A child may have multiple social workers, attorneys, therapists and foster placements throughout the life of the case but only one CASA volunteer, which can make all the difference for the child’s future.” CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA), a nationwide network of programs in nearly 1,000 communities. At the heart of the movement are nearly 77,000 highly trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of more than 250,000 of America’s children who have been abused or neglected. At the state level, CASA is a member of Texas CASA. In CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties there are currently 48 volunteer advocates fighting for the best interests of 145 children, 45 of those children need the care and support of a CASA volunteer. Will you provide a VOICE and HOPE for a child in foster care? For more information about CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties, to become a supporter or to volunteer, visit www.casaofbastrop.org or call 512-303-2272.
OUTREACH (cont) FOOD PANTRY Many of you are so faithful to drop canned or boxed food items into the box located in the Ed Building. There is even a box in the Children’s Church area and they are encouraged to bring a canned or boxed item to place in as part of their offering.
Glenn Davis has been our volunteer who comes and empties the box and delivers the food to the Pantry. BUT, it would be awesome to get a couple more volunteers who would be willing to share this endeavor by choosing a time of the month that works for them. This would achieve two things, help for Glenn, and the food gets to the Pantry more frequently. Won’t you consider volunteering in this way? We now have a handy cart on wheels to help get it loaded into your vehicle. The Pantry will help unload on their end.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Our Youth are busy, busy, busy getting ready for SUPER SUMMER CAMP! They will be hosting another lunch after Worship on April 30th! This time we will feast on spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread, YUM! They are also in need of another Team Leader during the camp week, and of more drivers with large vehicles. It would entail a 3 hr round trip to camp and back. If you think you can help in this area, see Brittney and she can give more details. LABOR OF LOVE is back! So, be thinking of what you might need some assistance with around your home, fill out the form located on sound booth, and turn it in to Leslie or Sandra. This has been such a blessing, both to the youth, and to the recipient!
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE April 8 ~ “THE PASSION PLAY” at the Performing Arts Center ~ 3pm and 6pm Admission is Free! This has been performed previously in Austin. April 9 ~ Palm Sunday Service ~ BOARD MEETING April 15 ~ 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast in back room of Texas Grill 11:30 am Ladies Birthday Lunch at Cedars Grill 7:00 pm Special Open Dance evening hosted by Gilletts April 16 ~ Resurrection Sunday 9:00 am Brunch in Fellowship Hall ~ bring a breakfast item 9:15 am Flowering the Cross with hymn singing 10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Easter Egg Hunt April 21 ~ Home School Prom ~~~~~~~~~~ May 2 ~ 6:30 Ladies Book Club at Vicki Benson’s home ~ reading “Healing Ruby” by Jennifer Westal
***VBS Date is July 19, 20, 21!!! Mark your calendars and invite friends and family!*** BEACH BOARDWALK
Easter is the highpoint of our Christian year. We seem to go to extra lengths to make Easter Sunday special. We get up earlier, (perhaps to attend a Sunrise Service), and we do things we don’t usually do on other Sundays, such as a brunch during Sunday School hour, and flowering a cross while singing hymns. Some of us even dress up a bit fancier or don an Easter bonnet! There are sure to be new faces to greet! It’s the perfect opportunity for us to “roll out the red carpet” and welcome the visitors that are sure to come. Let us be prepared to, not only greet them warmly with a handshake and a smile, but to give up our seat if necessary so our guests feel included! Grace and Peace, Ben
FLOWERING THE CROSS
Every year we gather outside to place flowers on a wooden cross as we sing hymns! It is one of the special ways we celebrate Resurrection Sunday! Whether you have anything blooming in your gardens, or prefer to buy from a floral shop, bring your contributions that morning by 9:15 to add to the cross. It is so helpful if you can pre-cut the stems to a length of about 6-7” . They are placed on trays or in baskets to be passed around for all to take part in this beautiful creation.
THE HUNT IS ON!
OUTREACH CASA is one of the missions that BCC supports under our OUTREACH committee. One of our members, Kristi Glasper, is the Executive Director of this organization. One of our Elders, Earl Ellisor and his wife Kathleen, are volunteers as well. As with any non-profit, the volunteers are essential to successfully carry out the mission and ministry of said non-profit. Perhaps God has been laying it on your heart to volunteer somewhere. Kristi or the Ellisor’s would love the opportunity to introduce you to this one. April is “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” and Kristi has written this article to tell you a little bit about what they do at CASA.
CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties Call to Action for Child Abuse Prevention Month In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Cou r t Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is issuing a call to stand against child abuse and take action to support children who have been abused or neglected. Over the course of a year, our organization serves on average of 365 children in the Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties area, 280 of which come from Bastrop County alone. These children come into the child welfare system through no fault of their own. “The needs of Bastrop County’s children coming into care are more complicated than ever before, and life in foster care can be chaotic,” said Kristi Glasper, Executive Director, CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties. “Every child deserves the support of caring, consistent adult with the training to help them heal and thrive.” Throughout the month of April, CASA is calling on members of the community to help our program serve more of Bastrop Counties most vulnerable children. Without intervention, the odds are stacked against children in foster care. A child with a CASA volunteer, however, will leave the foster care system two-and-a-half months earlier, on average, compared to a child without a CASA volunteer. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer receive more services that are critical to their well-being than children without an advocate, and those children are more likely to achieve educational success. “CASA volunteers are a constant for the child in a time of chaos,” said Glasper. “A child may have multiple social workers, attorneys, therapists and foster placements throughout the life of the case but only one CASA volunteer, which can make all the difference for the child’s future.” CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA), a nationwide network of programs in nearly 1,000 communities. At the heart of the movement are nearly 77,000 highly trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of more than 250,000 of America’s children who have been abused or neglected. At the state level, CASA is a member of Texas CASA. In CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties there are currently 48 volunteer advocates fighting for the best interests of 145 children, 45 of those children need the care and support of a CASA volunteer. Will you provide a VOICE and HOPE for a child in foster care? For more information about CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties, to become a supporter or to volunteer, visit www.casaofbastrop.org or call 512-303-2272.
OUTREACH (cont) FOOD PANTRY Many of you are so faithful to drop canned or boxed food items into the box located in the Ed Building. There is even a box in the Children’s Church area and they are encouraged to bring a canned or boxed item to place in as part of their offering.
Glenn Davis has been our volunteer who comes and empties the box and delivers the food to the Pantry. BUT, it would be awesome to get a couple more volunteers who would be willing to share this endeavor by choosing a time of the month that works for them. This would achieve two things, help for Glenn, and the food gets to the Pantry more frequently. Won’t you consider volunteering in this way? We now have a handy cart on wheels to help get it loaded into your vehicle. The Pantry will help unload on their end.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Our Youth are busy, busy, busy getting ready for SUPER SUMMER CAMP! They will be hosting another lunch after Worship on April 30th! This time we will feast on spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread, YUM! They are also in need of another Team Leader during the camp week, and of more drivers with large vehicles. It would entail a 3 hr round trip to camp and back. If you think you can help in this area, see Brittney and she can give more details. LABOR OF LOVE is back! So, be thinking of what you might need some assistance with around your home, fill out the form located on sound booth, and turn it in to Leslie or Sandra. This has been such a blessing, both to the youth, and to the recipient!
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE April 8 ~ “THE PASSION PLAY” at the Performing Arts Center ~ 3pm and 6pm Admission is Free! This has been performed previously in Austin. April 9 ~ Palm Sunday Service ~ BOARD MEETING April 15 ~ 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast in back room of Texas Grill 11:30 am Ladies Birthday Lunch at Cedars Grill 7:00 pm Special Open Dance evening hosted by Gilletts April 16 ~ Resurrection Sunday 9:00 am Brunch in Fellowship Hall ~ bring a breakfast item 9:15 am Flowering the Cross with hymn singing 10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Easter Egg Hunt April 21 ~ Home School Prom ~~~~~~~~~~ May 2 ~ 6:30 Ladies Book Club at Vicki Benson’s home ~ reading “Healing Ruby” by Jennifer Westal
***VBS Date is July 19, 20, 21!!! Mark your calendars and invite friends and family!*** BEACH BOARDWALK
