FROM THE GEMS

Wow! Have you seen our tree? It is looking so bright with all those stars from each of you. If you haven’t had a chance to let your star shine bright on our tree, you still have another chance. Just pick up a Christmas Shoe Box, fill out the star with all the information on the back and one of the GEMS will be sure to add you to the tree. The best part is you are sharing with children your Love for Jesus. Thanks so much for putting a smile on the face of a child in need who lives in our Community. Also be sure to pray for the child who will be receiving your filled Christmas Shoe Box.
The turn in date has been extended to no later than Sunday August 9th. Once turned in there is still lots of work to be done. All boxes must be counted and prepared for the contact and delivery. We ask that you please try to remember to return your filled box(es) ASAP.

HELP! The GEMS need your HELP!

To complete their current Mission project by September they are in desperate need of:
Any used flannel; shirts, sheets, Pj’s, etc
Bags of stuffing or even unwanted throw pillows

Just a quick Reminder:

While you are out there shopping or cleaning out your child’s toy boxes, why not start putting items to the side for the Angel Tree now.  You can hold onto the items until fall or drop off into the specially marked Mission’s box.  Used items MUST be in clean and excellent condition. We don’t want to give items that are in need of repair or simply ungiftable.

Don’t forget there is a box located outside the women’s restroom by the Mission box for the collection of:

    Twin size Flat sheets only (any color)
    bags of Stuffing or from old pillows
    Twin size blankets only (any color)
    Any used flannel; old shirts, sheets, Pj’s, etc
    Children sized sweat pants (the larger the better) up to adult small coats, gloves/mittens, hats
    And school supplies

Next GEM’s meeting will be Tue. Aug. 25 @ 7pm
Contact Joyce at Outdoorldy@aol.com ” put GEMS” in subject line or call 857-4823

AUGUST MISSIONS

August is the month for our church to donate non-perishable foods to the food pantry at East Ocean View. Leave your donations in the Food Pantry Box located in the social hall.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
East Little Creek Primary

The following items are needed:
1.    16 or 24 pack of crayons
2.    #2 pencils
3.    red and black markers,
4.    notebook paper,
5.    wide-ruled notebook paper,
6.    wide ruled spiral composition books,
7.    scissors,
8.    school glue (bottle or stick),
9.    ball point pens
10.    school supply boxes.

Place all donations in Missions Box. Deadline for donations is August 23rd

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE NAME OF JESUS?

You continue to provide:

    Non-perishable food items for the food pantry
    Transportation for Doctor’s appointments, grocery     shopping and other needs are being met
    Baskets of Love are still bringing joy to the     recipients
    Busy hands are crocheting/knitting prayer shawls
    Sponsoring a child through the Door of Hope in     South Africa
    Collecting funds for Operation Smile
    Donating through a Diaper Bag Ministry to assist     work in Appalachia
    Our Youth are sponsoring a child in Africa

During the year we have many opportunities to participate in missions and ministry activities. You are never asked to fulfill all the needs, just let God guide you to the ones that touch your heart. If you are unable to do hands on missions, we encourage you to Become a Prayer Warrior: Pray for one another. Encourage one another in the faith.

ONGOING MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES:
USED EYEGLASSES FOR LIONS CLUB
CAMPBELL’S PRODUCT LABELS
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
BSU FOOD LION SHARE PROGRAM
BOOK SHARE MINISTRY

Jesus said, “When you have ministered to the least of these, you have ministered unto me.” (Paraphrased)

MISSION NEWS

ON MISSION FOR CHRIST:  Called to Love

“LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” NIV. ADAPTED AZALEA ON MISSION

From the FAITH WALKERS

Faith Walkers – Over 500 books have been donated and most have been distributed to local health care facilities and the VA hospital. Keep bringing your unwanted books, Terri has places to share them with others.
Faith Walkers is still sponsoring “Operation Smile” and would welcome any monetary donations.

WOMEN’ GET-A-WAY

AUGUST
TIME TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR
NOVEMBER, WOMEN’S GET AWAY.
The theme of this year’s Get Away is not available as of this date. I can guarantee that it will be inspirational and worth your time to attend. Some of our women are so excited about the Get Away that they are planning to stay for both sessions, Nov. 6-7 and 7-8. Some of us will only be attending the first session Nov. 6-7. You have your choice of 1 night or 2. Just sign up and pay $10.00 deposit, even if your plans change, it’s better to have reserved a space than to try to reserve space later. Sign-up sheet will be on the Missions Board. Details will be announced when available. Come, join with us in this fun, fellowship and inspiring retreat.

AARP|WorkSearch FOUNDATION

JOB OPENINGS FOR THOSE 55 YEARS OF AGE &OLDER

We have immediate job openings in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Franklin for persons 55 years of age and older in the following areas: clerical, data entry, bookkeeping, food service, housekeeping, teacher’s aide, custodial, warehouse, maintenance an ground keeping.

We also help with resumes, job applications and interview techniques. No fees are ever involved.

CALL 625-7001

M-F 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Applications are taken at the following Locations: (Please call for an appointment.)

Monday thru Friday  201 Granby st., Suite 424, Norfolk – 625-7001

Tuesday thru Friday, City of Suffolk Workforce Center, N. Main St., Suite D- 514-7735

Mondays, Senior Station, 3500 Clifford St., Portsmouth- 391-3241

Tuesdays, Virginia Employment Commission, 504 Cedar Road, Chesapeake – 547-9717

ASK FOR  THE AARP REPRESENTATIVEA

DEACON’S BEACON

AN OCEAN OF INK
The words of the hymn “The Love of God” capture in word pictures the breathtaking magnitude of divine love:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.

These marvelous lyrics echo Paul’s response to the love of God.  The apostle prayed that believers might “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge”.  (Eph. 3:18-19).  In reflecting on these verses about God’s love, some Bible scholars believe ‘width’ refers to its worldwide embrace (John 3:16); ‘length’, its existence through all ages (Eph. 3:21); ‘depth’, its profound wisdom (Rom. 11:33); and ‘height’, its victory over sin opening the way to heaven (Eph. 4:8).

We are admonished to appreciate this amazing love.  Yet as we expand our awareness of God’s love, we soon realize that its full measure is beyond our understanding.  Even if the ocean were filled with ink, using it to write about the love of God would drain it dry.

To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.  -  Ephesians 3:19

~copied:
Our Daily Bread
Richard Stewart

PROPERTY COMM. REPORT

From the Property Committee

The Property and Grounds Committee met on Tuesday, July 7. The topic of building security came up again. It was voted to put a note in the Sunday bulletin and the newsletter. People are entering our church building and departing without locking the doors. Please make doubly sure that you lock both locks on the doors you enter and leave. If you are not in too much of a hurry, take the time to check all the entry doors. It only takes a few minutes.
Thank you.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School
August 3 to August 7

SON ROCK KIDS CAMP

By the time you receive this newsletter our Vacation Bible School – Son Rock Kids Camp – will soon be starting. Please keep the boys and girls and their leaders in your prayers during this exciting week. We would also like to remind you that you are invited to the Friday cookout at 6:00 PM followed by the VBS closing program. There is no cost, however, donations will be accepted to offset costs, please contact Lynne Galewski or the church office if you plan to join us for supper.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

For those of you that were not able to attend the SPLASH (Show People Love and Share Him) conference held on June 29th and 30th really missed a blessing.  I have admired Dr. Hemphill since he was Pastor of First Baptist of Norfolk; then he was the guest speaker at one of the deacon conferences at Eagle Eyrie we attended.  His book SPLASH would serve as an excellent 6-week Sunday School series; if you are interested in pursuing this, please let us know.

All my life I have wanted to be happy. What a surprise! God did not ask me to deny my desire for happiness. He asked me to allow Him to fulfill it.  Enjoying God offers a simple, six-step process to finding consistent joy in God:

    Learn to live a well-lived life.
    Express your joy in God in worship.
    Attack the enemy.
    Do the things that God has called you to do.
    Express your joy in God to others.
    Relate to others in healthy relationships.

As I prepare this newsletter article, I am also in the midst of writing encouraging notes to our youth and the youth leaders attending Centrifuge at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee.  This is the first time some of our youth have been able to share this Christ-filled experience.  The first time they are reading and studying God’s Work while understanding His plan and purpose for their lives.  We look forward each year to hearing the testimony of these young people when they return.  All they ask is our love and respect.  What a wonderful group they are; they are our future teachers, leaders, quite possibly, future pastors.

Please join us in Sunday School each Sunday morning beginning at 9:40 a.m.  There is a class for all ages.  You will be blessed.  Azalea’s teachers are the best.
Blessings to each of you,
Richard and Dana

From the Property Committee

The Property and Grounds Committee met on Tuesday, July 7. The topic of building security came up again. It was voted to put a note in the Sunday bulletin and the newsletter. People are entering our church building and departing without locking the doors. Please make doubly sure that you lock both locks on the doors you enter and leave. If you are not in too much of a hurry, take the time to check all the entry doors. It only takes a few minutes.
Thank you.

Vacation Bible School
August 3 to August 7

FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART

Are we Splashing in Mud Puddles or Swimming in a Sea of Living Waters?

During the devotional for a deacons meeting, we were challenged with the following illustration from Beth Moore:

A few months ago I was taking my usual route on my morning walk when I came upon a simple scene with telling application. Four ducks were splashing in a mud puddle in the sidewalk while a large, pristine pond was just over a small hill. I stopped in my tracks and stared. I felt like God was saying to me, “Beth, that’s my church. My blood-bought, Spirit-promised church splashing in a mud puddle with a sea of living waters within her reach. Just on the other side.

That devotion brought many of us to our knees. What are we doing?

The dialogue continued in the following email:

Good morning!  I feel like I am getting a bit of the mud off of me from the Deacon’s meeting.  Hope you feel the same.

I realize that there will always be differences of opinions amongst church members.  However, what if?  What if the hour we spent on an issue that has already been addressed had been used to feed the hungry, visit the widow, or minister to the lost?  What if we had spent that time in prayer or bible study?  How many of those hours do we as a church let slip by?  It breaks my heart.

I am so determined not to be a duck swimming in the mud puddle.  Granted, there will be muddy moments along the way.  But, I pray for myself, our church, and for you as our Pastor to see through God’s eyes.  See the hurting and lost people.  Hurt for what breaks God’s heart and prioritize our time accordingly.

I just needed to share and let you know that I believe God has a great plan for our church if we stop being our own worst enemies.  Stop being divided by worship style, age, etc…  I pray that we each can appreciate a ministry even if we do not feel called to be a part of it.

There is a big body of living waters that we can be “swimming in.” Will we spend the necessary energy getting out of the mud puddle and swim in living waters, or will we pass and settle for splashing in the mud? That is the question.

A big thanks to Tammy Jewell for the devotion and permission to print this personal correspondence!

See you at “the Sunday morning place to be”…swimming in Living waters!

Pastor John