By Pastor Phil
Lead Pastor
Hi Church Family,
As we enter this Advent season my prayer is that we would make room for God to come more fully and deeply into our lives. We kicked off a new Advent preaching series this past Sunday titled “He Shall Be Called,” which looks at the names of the Messiah in Isaiah 9. These titles, I believe, have the capacity to expand our image of God. We see Jesus as not only a loving God, but also a wise counselor, mighty God, and prince of peace.
I think we are often working with a limited or distorted image of God. This has significant implications for our capacity to love, trust and follow God. I remember having coffee with a friend in Longview who had given up on the church and left the faith. We got to talking about Jesus. When he explained why he did not find Christ compelling I said, “I wouldn’t find the description you’ve made of Jesus very compelling either.” The image he had of Jesus was much different than the image I’ve come to love and trust in the scriptures. Often, I’ve found that it is not the Christ of scripture that people reject but a distorted or limited image of God. In last weeks sermon I quoted J.B. Phillips who writes:
“Many men and women today are often living with inner dissatisfaction, without any faith in God at all. This is not because they are particularly wicked or selfish or godless, but because they have not found with their adult minds a God big enough to count for life, big enough to fit in with the new scientific age, big enough to command their highest admiration and respect, and consequently their willing cooperation.”
Many of us have said yes to Jesus. We have invited him into our lives. Yet, I wonder if God wants to move into our lives more fully. I wonder if God wants us to open the shutters of our mind and heart and let the fullness of God’s light to enter those places of doubt, confusion and darkness. My hope is that we would encounter new dimensions of the greatness of God in our lives. I love this quote from Bill Robinson. I think it is an apt challenge for us to consider this Advent season:
“Let Jesus be Jesus. If you decide not to follow him, let it be the real Jesus you decide not to follow, not the picture painted by human lives that fall so short of Christ’s example. And if you do decide to follow Jesus, let it be the real Jesus you follow, not the Jesus you manufacture to accommodate your tastes. And if you decide to follow him, pour out your most precious gifts at his feet. Whatever you do, let Jesus be Jesus.”
In the midst of all that this season holds for us, let’s make room for Christ to enter our hearts!
In Christ,
Pastor Phil
By Janet Russell
Pastor of Christian Formation & Community Life
Advent Groups are an opportunity to join a small group for the four weeks of Advent (Nov 28 - Dec 19.) This year’s them for Advent Groups will follow our sermon and Art Wall theme focusing on the names of Jesus prophesied in Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace….
Advent is the season four weeks before Christmas, when our lives are filled with gatherings with friends and family, finding a Christmas tree, decorating, baking, and searching for that perfect gift. We can push so hard in the weeks ahead of Christmas, that, when we arrive, we feel exhausted and a bit bewildered, wondering if we have missed what it is really all about. Why would you want to add one more commitment?
It sounds trite to say, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but the reality is he is the reason for every season. He is the giver of our every breath. And as we anticipate celebrating his coming in the incarnation and the second coming, it is easy to lose perspective of what all the festivities and fuss are about!
Advent Groups provide an opportunity to reflect on Jesus together. Together, we create space for God to reveal himself through the scriptures and one another. Together, we reflect on the names of Jesus, who he is and why he matters.
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Together, we will meditate, discuss, and pray about what these words hold for us as a church and as individuals. How do they comfort us? How do they challenge us?
Don’t let Jesus get lost in the festivities. You can still join a group or pick up a study at the Welcome Kiosk or on our website.
This Advent may the reality that Jesus is your “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” bring you deep joy and meaning as you anticipate celebrating his coming.
By Kathy Sellereit
What does the construction of a fuel station in Tanzania and celebrating 10 years of International partnerships for Maasai students have to do with each other? Simply put in two words - “sustain hope.”
The back story of Return Home Secondary School:
In 2010, Dr. Tim Keiper took a 1 year sabbatical from his teaching position in the Secondary Education Department at WWU to teach at Mt. Meru University Arusha, Tanzania. During that time, Tim and Christine became well acquainted with one of the students, Wilson Lengima. As they prepared to return home at the conclusion of Tim’s sabbatical, Wilson and the village elders stepped up with conviction and said, “Dr. Tim, we need a school in our village, Losimingori!!” Tim and Christine’s prayerful response was, “We know this is for us to do. How can we ever ask for guidance again if we say no?”
In 10 years since its inception, God has faithfully provided in amazing ways! The school was built, new buildings and cafeteria were added, a clean water project was finished, teacher in-service training was conducted and a school chaplain hired. Knowing how easily their missions’ efforts could create dependence, Tim and Christine wisely built-in an end date (2029), a time when Return Home Secondary School would stand on its own financially and generate the needed funds to maintain and continue to educate many more students into the future.
“Sustain Hope,” The fuel station:
About 3 years ago, after years of discussing numerous business ideas, Wilson spawned the idea of building a Tanzanian fuel station where profits would support the school. At first, to the Maasai School 121 Board, the idea seemed unreachable, but with perseverance, extensive research and planning, along with Wilson’s purchase of the piece of property, the “green light” was given and the project began! Currently, the project is nearing completion, but will need additional funds to get it across the finish line. Just like in the U.S., Tanzanian building costs have been especially high this year and have exceeded the original budget.
Maasai School 121 Board members invite you to join us to celebrate 10 years since that day the village elders reached out to us for the sake of their children, and to hear about the opportunity to give financially toward the completion of the fuel station project.
Why the words “sustain hope?” For many students, mostly girls, receiving a quality education can change the trajectory of their future and in turn affect their families and community. Education is “hope” for so many. Sustain, (ongoing fuel station profits), is how hope for a better future will be realized!
Maasai School 121 Board Members: Amy, Matt, Tim and Christine Keiper, Sarah and Mike McEvoy, Angie VandeMark, Brent and Ruth Droullard, Kathy and Eric Sellereit, and Angelica Wohlenburg.
Join us December 5th during Life Together to hear more about Maasai 121 in the Sanctuary!
By Joy Soltis
Sunday November 28th is the lst Sunday in Advent. You will enter the narthex to four new banners that visually present Isaiah 9:6-7. Since the early first century Christians have marked out these four weeks preceeding Jesus’ arrival as a season of reflecftion leading up to our celebration of his birth. We identify with the Isarelites who waited so long for the prophecies of a King to appear. And we join with Christians around the world who are waiting for the second coming of our Lord.
Those involved in the creation of these banners have found the process to be meaningful in their own lives through the collaboration, inspiration, designing and actual working with materials. In their own words:
Valerie Parez, who helped pick out the colors, laid out the shapes and did all of the sewing, shares these thoughts: “Working with pure cottons, wools, and linens is my favorite medium, so for me, the glitzy, shiny, slippery fabrics that we used in making these banners was challenging! But what a way to convey the absolute magnificence and wonder of what happened when God stepped into our world and "tented among us"! As I worked on this project, I kept imagining a child looking at the banners and delighting in the representations of angels, these magnificent beings that almost always began their conversations with humans with the words, ‘Fear not’ .”
Joy Soltis, who designed the patterns based on inspiration from other church banners, helped choose the fabrics and contributed to the layout, says, “the process was a prayer, a conversation, with God.” For her, “there wasn’t four words to work with but eight: Wonderful! Mighty! Eternal! Peace! Counselor! God! Father! Prince! The choice to use sparkle, reflection, gold, silver was an intentional one to represent the astonishment at what is about to break into the world. Placed against the darker blues and purples there is stark contrast with what we are about to experience.” And it will be life changing!
In addition to the banners are small paintings by Lora Kroons to represent the traditional four Advent candles. Judith Schwab also contributed her skills with the scissors.
The purpose of the Art Wall Ministry Team is to enhance the worship and fellowship at BCC. The desire of the team is to open our imaginations to a visual and written story. If you have an interest in being a part of this team, whether in creating visual arts, written or photo works; or to share in the collaboration of ideas, please contact Joy Soltis @360-325-3644; joysoltis@yahoo.com
This has been an Art Wall Ministry Team collaboration by Valerie Parez, Judith Schwab, Lora Kroons and Joy Soltis.
Tell us a bit about your family and when you joined BCC?
We have attended BCC since moving to Bellingham in 2006. Nathan and I were married in the church in 2009 and we have three kids. I previously worked as a case manager and resource coordinator for infants & children with developmental delays and disabilities. I have stayed home since 2013 with Ellen (8), Benjamin (6), and Molly (3).
How long have you been on the Leadership Team and what compelled you to say “Yes” to that role?
Currently, I am serving in my 5th year on the leadership team. I see serving on the lead team as a way to give back to the church, share my perspective, and represent the best interests of the congregation.
Where is your favorite place to be? What is your favorite thing to do?
My favorite place to be is at home, rotating between reading a big stack of books and napping in bed.
Where is the best place you've traveled and why?
Twice, I have traveled to Acadia National Park in Maine and cannot wait to go back. It is such a beautiful place which has amazing views and peaceful trails.
What is the weirdest job you've ever had?
I worked as a bouncer in a nightclub.
How can we be praying for you these days?
As our parents are getting older we would appreciate prayers for their health and our ability to care for and support them.
Tanzania Missions Presentation
Sunday, December 5
10:45 am in the Sanctuary
Blue Christmas Vespers Service
Sunday, December 5
6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Kid’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 12
During the Worship Service
World Relief Presentation
Sunday, December 12
10:45 am in the sanctuary
Featuring Chitra Hanstad of World Relief of Seattle
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Friday, December 24
4:00 pm