Virginia Hills Baptist Church
The Tie Blest be the tie that binds . . . Volume 56, Issue 7
July 2014 The Pastor’s Perspective
Last week my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a week of vacation at Sabbath House in Bryson City, NC. Sabbath House is a retreat center about an hour west of Ashville. It’s about a nine hour drive from Northern Virginia. Sabbath House is far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is no internet, no cell phone reception, and no cable television. It is designed to give folks an opportunity to rest, pray, reflect, and meditate. A close pastor friend of mine recommended the facility to us and we spent Sunday through Friday of last week disconnecting from the chaos of 21 st century life. One of the things I enjoyed most about Sabbath House was sitting on the front porch in the evening. I was amazed at the number of fire flies that appear at dusk. I felt like I was surrounded by Christmas trees with all the lightening bugs that appeared. It was a peaceful, reflective experience. I could, and did, just spend hours just sitting and thinking. At first I was a little anxious about being disconnected from the internet and my cell phone. I could not check Facebook and email every five minutes. But I came to appreciate the disconnection and was reminded of how much technology invades our lives. Did I really need to go all the way to Bryon City to watch the fire flies? Do they not have fire flies in Alexandria? Did I have to travel to Sabbath House to get away from my cell phone and the internet? Of course not! I can sit on my deck and watch the fire flies any time I want. My cell phone and my computer have these highly technological switches that many of us are unfamiliar with: It’s called the off button. My problem is I don’t take the time to watch the fire flies and I seldom take the time to turn off my electronic devices. God’s word tells us to take a Sabbath. It is not a suggestion. It is a command. We all need to take time to disconnect, be quiet, and listen to God’s still small voice.
Our Mission To provide a loving, friendly, family atmosphere, where people can meet and serve Christ, community and one another.
The DEACON BOARD By Mike Bible We just finished a busy and rewarding week at Vacation Bible School and I wanted to share a few thoughts. Some of our church family may not realize the amount of work it takes to prepare the church for a week at Vacation Bible School. Several Saturdays before this event you could find adults and children making palm trees, bible buddy characters, and waterfalls, all decorations that transformed our sanctuary into a jungle theme. Station leaders busied themselves preparing their Bible lessons and purchasing supplies for the many activities and crafts that were a part of the week. The Sunday before VBS, several of our members stayed after church and worked from 12:00pm until 9:00pm preparing the classrooms and putting up the decorations that were made the weeks before. The week of VBS was challenging too. Many of us left straight from work to be at church on time. There were registration duties, take home bags to prepare every day, scripts to rehearse, and video slides that were glitchy and required extra time to fix. In the midst of this controlled chaos it’s easy to lose focus, to get preoccupied with the things that don’t really matter instead of the things that do. Here is what matters. 40 children in our community learned about Jesus Christ and how he loves them no matter what. I watched the kids hang on Danny’s every word as he taught them the lesson of the day. They repeated correctly every question he asked with confidence and excitement. Our Station Leaders shared about Jesus through Bible lessons, video presentations, crafts and games. Seeds were planted this week in the hearts and minds of these children. These seeds will one day blossom and perhaps return a wayward soul back to the fellowship of the faithful. Maybe the lessons taught at VBS will someday bring comfort and peace to someone who is struggling with life. Maybe the experience will prepare these children to one day be future Station Leaders, Crew Leaders or even VBS directors like Ms. Alicia, sharing Gods love with the next generation. Those are the things that matter. Those are the accomplishments of VBS. One other thought. I was struck by how much we really are a family at Virginia Hills Baptist Church. I watched parents and their children, and in some cases their grandchildren, work as Station Leaders, Crew Leaders, snack preparers and mentors. Parents watched over the children of other parents as they went through their daily duties just like in any extended family. We worked together with the joy and love only found in a place where there is love for one another. We truly are a family in every sense of the word. I realized, as I often do, how fortunate I am to be a part of this family and ministry at Virginia Hills Baptist Church.
Buildings & Grounds Please consider donating to our Repaving Project. The drive has received a few donations but we still have a long way to go. We need to raise $14,000. This will cover the expense of repairing, repaving and restriping our entire blacktop surface. This is a critical need as further delay will just increase repair costs and further deterioration could present a trip hazard to our members, visitors and preschool families. We are reluctant to hold campaigns asking for money. We only do so when a need arises with our aging building and property that requires immediate attention and can’t be addressed by our current budget. You may either mail your donation or place in the offering plate. As in other campaigns of the past, we only ask you to donate if you are financially able.
Keep Them In Your Prayers Our Homebound & Nursing Home Members Helen Booterbaugh Velma Johnson Maxie Keck Hilda McGinnis Mabel Rock Hilda Strickler
Our Church Family Needs Carly Bishop Pauline Carico The Fowlers Connie Fulk Thelma Lam Jim Lockwood
Bonnie Lopez Connie Lowman Frances Mays Jean Moore Louis Palmateer
Marcia Pridgen Dick Purdy Matt Szramoski Juanita & Rudy Tarlosky Debbie Wilkerson
Summer is finally here! We had a fun-filled three-week Summer Camp with 68 children attending our Up, Up & Away adventure. Many thanks to the staff, new and old, for making that a great success! Although I continue to work over the summer, I look forward to the quiet, productive days for the next few months while we prepare for 2014-15. We currently have 143 children enrolled for the fall, with only one opening in the Jr. Kindergarten class and a waiting list of about 20. Of course, things will continue to change over the summer. We are sad to say goodbye to a few of our staff who are moving away: Renae Polovchik, Anne Swingler and Teresa Williams. Luckily, Renae and Teresa will return in a few years and I have many people who have applied to work at our preschool. I am currently working to fill those positions. I hope all of you have a fun and safe summer. Please continue to pray for our preschool as we continue this wonderful ministry of our church! Christine Page, Director
TAKING NOTE ... Our special recognition goes to Hayley Walton who recently graduated from Hayfield High School. Well done and congratulations! We also recognize the Williams family, a dynamic part of VHBC ever since they moved into our community. Their family participation and ministry from the Youth Group on to the very little ones here have been so important. We thank you; you all were "God-sent" to VHBC! As we know, the Bible is full of stories of fascinating and miraculous events. Here's one found in the book of II Kings which contains records of some kings and leaders of that time--their reigns, their faithfulness, and their lack of faithfulness to the teachings and commandments of God almighty. The recording of the leadership and ministry of the prophet Elisha, acknowledging the sovereignty of God, is foremost. One fascinating story tells about a warring King, who devised secret plans to capture the reigning King of Israel. However, attempts to ambush the king of Israel always failed. Suspecting a spy among his men, he demanded to know who was leaking the information to the King of Israel. He was told none of them were leaking any information, but that the information came from the prophet Elisha, who was providing specific warnings to the King of Israel. Whereupon the King sent his men on chariots and horses, and, in darkness, had them surround Dothan where Elisha was living. The next morning when Elisha's servant awoke and saw the army, he was greatly alarmed and right away told Elisha that they were surrounded by the enemy! Did Elisha panic at this? No, not when God was there to watch over them. Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened; and when the servant looked outdoors again, he saw the mountainside filled with God's horses and chariots of fire to protect Elisha!! Wow! How amazing! Not only were the enemies now outnumbered and outmaneuvered, the would-be attackers became blind and totally ineffective. In their blindness they were led away-- away from Dothan into Samaria. Their sight was later restored. What follows is so fascinating and unexpected. What to do with the now helpless enemy army? They can now be so easily annihilated and not be a source of troubled forever. But what did God's prophet Elisha say? Elisha, whom the attackers had targeted, instructed the king of Israel to bring them food and water that they may eat and drink and then return home. And that is what the king did. How awesome is that! Note the consequence recorded in the verse below. Could such a thing happen today? "So he prepared a huge feast for them. After they ate and drank to their fill he dismissed them. Then they returned home to their master. The raiding bands of Aram didn't bother Israel anymore." (II Kings 6:23, "The Message") B. Gambrill
July Sermon Schedule
Upcoming Events
06
July 4 Independence Day Office Closed
Genesis 22:1-14 “You Will Receive Power”
Sermon Series: “What Does It Mean To Be A Church Member?”
July 13-18 Impact VA
13
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 “A Part of the Body” Ephesians 4:1-3 “Unity of Spirit” Mark 9:35 “Becoming A Servant”
20 August 4-7 FBC Belton, SC
27
August 11-15 Drama Camp
Prime imers SUMMER SCHEDULE
1 6 10 14 15 18 20 21 29
Marcia Pridgen Nicole Johnston Robin Dodson Haley Szramoski Henry Viar Amanda Reed Young Siona Shishak Grace Shamblin Alicia Szramoski Jenn Chiles Michael Wolfe
Church Conference Room
July 24
Restaurant - Outback or Lonestar
August 14
Restaurant - Ruby Tuesday
August 28
NO MEETING
September 11 Inner Harbor - More details as the date gets closer. September 25 Homebound member visit - Van departs the church at 9:30.
Save the Date!
“Follow the Star” DRIVE THROUGH LIVE NATIVITY December 19 & 20, 2014 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
July 10
6:45 pm Bible Study & Prayer Group Kids Klub & Ignite Ministry Youth Group 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
31
30
29
27
28
11:30 am -1 pm Prime Timers
9:30 am Contemporary Service 9:30 am KIDZ Praise 10:15 am Fellowship 10:30 am KIDZ Quest 11 am Traditional Service
24
6:45 pm Bible Study & Prayer Group Kids Klub & Ignite Ministry Youth Group 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
22
23
21
9:30 am Contemporary Service 9:30 am KIDZ Praise 10:15 am Fellowship 10:30 am KIDZ Quest 11 am Traditional Service
17 Impact VA!
11:30 am -1 pm Prime Timers
16 Impact VA!
10
6:45 pm Bible Study & Prayer Group Kids Klub & Ignite Ministry Youth Group 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
3
Thu
9
6:45 pm Bible Study & Prayer Group Kids Klub & Ignite Ministry Youth Group 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
2
Wed
20
15 Impact VA!
8
1
Tue
6:45 pm Bible Study & Prayer Group Kids Klub & Ignite Ministry Youth Group 7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
14 Impact VA!
7
Mon
9:30 am Contemporary Service 9:30 am KIDZ Praise 10:15 am Fellowship 10:30 am KIDZ Quest 11 am Traditional Service
13 Impact VA!
9:30 am Contemporary Service 9:30 am KIDZ Praise 10:15 am Fellowship 10:30 am KIDZ Quest 11 am Traditional Service
6
Sun
July 2014
25
18 Impact VA!
11
4 Independence Day - Office Closed
Fri
26
19 Impact VA!
12
5
Sat
THE TIE – July2014 Virginia Hills Baptist Church 6507 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA 22310-3324 Church Office Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. M-F Phone: 703.971.4222, Ext. 100 Email:
[email protected] www.virginiahillsbaptist.com
Worship Service Attendance Totals Traditional
Contemporary
June 1
74
22
June 8
96
25
June 15
101
20
June 22
84
12
June 29
58
24
