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March 2015
We will be having two services as we celebrate life. The services will be at 10:00 and 11:30. There will be no Sunday School. Jr. Church, Nursery, and
Preschool classes will be offered during both services.
Who will you be inviting to celebrate life?
Resurrection Sunday
April 5
June 29 – July 3
Hosted @Bridges Christian ChurchCompleted Grades 1st-6th
Camper Cost $99
Bridges Christian Church1402 Kenwood Drive
Russell, Kentucky 41169
Phone ........................................836-8944Fax .............................................. 834-3122Counseling Office ................836-5506Day Care/Preschool ...........836-1285
www.bridgeschristianchurch.orgFollow Bridges on Twitter @BridgesCC
SundaySunday School ..............................9am Worship Services ....... 10 & 11:30amKid’s Worship ............... 10 & 11:30amClasses for Preschool ..9, 10, & 11:30am
Partners In MinistryMonty Cooper
Lead/Teaching [email protected]
Jamie CoatesMinister of Worship & Arts
Mark McKinneyPastor of Education & Development
Dan BartlettChildren’s Pastor
Todd YoungYouth Pastor
Kevin FraleySports & Outreach Pastor
Brent FowlerMinister of Media & Technology
Kathy BennettMinister of Pre School and Families
Karen CrossAdministrative Assistant
Jennifer SizemoreAdministrative/Financial Assistant
Allison YorkDirector, Little Angels Daycare
Where Mom’s Connect is a study offering support, encouragement and practical tools for moms of all ages. No homework is required and each session stands alone, so busy moms can come connect when they are able.
To sign up or for more information, please contact Jennifer Sizemore at 606-836-8944.
At the Warehouse (Childcare provided)
Cost $10 for participant guide
March 11 - April 29Wednesdays 6-7pm
Over the next several months we are going to look at three com-mon traits why youth don’t leave the church. This month we will set up and discuss the first trait. My prayer is that it challenges us as a body of believers to quit complaining about the state of our younger generation and take action, (which might not look like we would want it to look) and help them understand not only that they are valued by the church but also play an important roll in it. The following is an excerpt written by Jon Nielson.
“What do we do about our kids?” The group of parents sat together in my office, wiping their eyes. I’m a high school pastor, but for once, they weren’t talking about 16-year-olds drinking and partying. Each had a story to tell about a “good Christian” child, raised in their home and in our church, who had walked away from the faith during the college years.
These children had come through our church’s youth program, gone on short-term mission trips and served in several different ministries during their teenage years. Now they didn’t want any-thing to do with it anymore. And, somehow, these mothers’ ideas for our church to send college students “care packages” during their freshman year to help them feel connected to the church didn’t strike me as a solution with quite enough depth.
The daunting statistics about churchgoing youth keep rolling in. Panic ensues. What are we doing wrong in our churches? In our youth ministries?
It’s hard to sort through the various reports and find the real story. And there is no one easy solution for bringing all of those “lost” kids back into the church, other than continuing to pray for them and speaking the gospel into their lives. However, we can all look at the 20-somethings in our churches who are en-gaged and involved in ministry. What is it that sets apart the kids whostay in the church? Here is the first of three traits I think set apart those who stay committed to their faith.
1. They are converted.The Apostle Paul, interestingly enough, doesn’t use phrases like “nominal Christian” or “pretty good kid.” The Bible doesn’t seem to mess around with platitudes like: “Yeah, it’s a shame he did that, but he’s got a good heart.” When we listen to the witness of Scripture, particularly on the topic of conversion, we find that there is very little wiggle room. Listen to these words: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17) We who work with youth need to get back to understanding salvation as what it really is: a miracle that comes from the glorious power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit.
We need to stop talking about “good kids.” We need to stop being pleased with attendance at youth group and fun retreats. We need to start getting on our knees and praying that the Holy Spirit will do miraculous saving work in the hearts of our students as the Word of God speaks to them. In short, we need to get back to a focus on conversion.
How many of us are preaching to “unconverted evangeli-cals”? We need to preach, teach and talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit! When that happens—when the “old goes” and the “new comes”—it will not be iffy. We will not be dealing with a group of “nominal Christians.” We will be ready to teach, disciple and equip a generation of future church leaders—“new creations”!—who are hungry to know and speak God’s Word.
It is converted students who go on to love Jesus and serve the church. As leaders and parents how can we take steps to helping the Students at Bridges know the difference between a nominal belief and a sold out faith?
What do We do about our kids?
Dinner Theater
Online Registration Opens January 26www.bridgeschristianchurch.org
Registration and Evaluation Days
Other Important Dates:
Coaches Meeting will be at FBC Russell on Tuesday, March 10th, 6:00 p.m.Practices will begin Monday, March 23rd.The first game will be held on Saturday, April 4th.
Saturday, February 28,between 10am and 12pm
Saturday, March 7,between 10am and 12pm
EvAluATIOn SCHEDulE:Age 4 through 6th Grade Boys & Girls.
Evaluations will be held indoors at the First Baptist Church Russell gym. All players MuST attend one evaluation.
"Starting Over" is for adults in their 20's, 30's, and 40's who are starting life over after divorce, separation, the death of a spouse or who are alone after the breakup of a long term relationship. "Starting Over" is a safe place to socialize with people who are sharing similar circumstances and is an alternative to the bar scene. Starting over may present challenges and raise questions along the way. "Starting Over" provides those who are single again fellowship, friend-ship and Biblical instruction in the area of singleness. It emphasizes contentment and dedication to healing and becoming the person God designed you to be. Starting Over meets at 6:30, every second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Evergreen Center. We hope to plan
additional activities throughout the year. Come join us. Let's connect and face life's challenges together.
The Comfort Zone is for those who find themselves "single again". It is a warm, welcoming place for 50+'s who desire a safe, comfortable social envi-ronment with other believers. Enjoy biblically-based fellowship, good food and unconditional acceptance. If you are divorced, widowed, single or feel-ing alone for whatever reason, please join us at the Evergreen Center, 6:30, every second and fourth Monday of each month. You are always welcome at the The Comfort Zone.
Questions? Call 836-5506. Someone will return your call.
Now opeN to 6th Graders
Age 4 through 6th Grade Boys/Girls • Registration Cost $40
STARTING OVER
There is Something New at the Evergreen Center!
Jesus is the most famous person who has ever lived. Yet who exactly is He? And what exactly did He do? Does what He did way back then matter how I am to live today? In our 11 month study of the Gospel of Luke we will be answering these ques-tions. Not only will we answer these questions but it is our desire that each of will come to know Jesus in a deeper and personal way. We invite you to join us each week as investigate the life and claims of Jesus and allow them to transform our lives.
Sunday, March 22 at 6:00pm
Presented by the King’s Kidswith a special presentation by the Joy Singers
Why should Christians fast? Is there a command to fast? Let me answer the latter question first. There is no command in the New Testament for fasting. But read these words found in Matthew 9:14-15-“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bride-groom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.” It seems that Jesus had expectations that his followers would fast once he left earth. So why should Christians fast? Fasting draws us nearer to God. It helps us to eliminate distractions for a Spiri-tual purpose. It renews us from the inside out.
On Sunday March 1st our sermon focus will be on fasting. I am asking the Bridges family to come together and participate dur-ing the week of fasting that will start on March 1st and end on March 7th. I want to encourage each of you to step outside your comfort zone and pray not so much “if” I should participate dur-ing that week but “how” God would have me fast. It is between you and God. To help you have a better understanding about
Command or Expectation?fasting we are including information on our webpage and in the Lobby. Maybe your health keeps you from doing a food fast, but there are things we can give up and spend more time focusing on God in prayer. Maybe God is calling you to a 24, 48 or 72 hour food fast. Maybe he is calling you to fast from certain foods that you have become dependent upon. Maybe it fasting from televi-sion for the week, social media, etc…
As we go through the week of fasting here are some things to be praying for as Church body:
1. Pray “Lord, do something in us that we are not used to”2. Pray for Unity3. Pray for the revival of our community4. Pray for personal renewal5. Pray for healing for the hurting6. Pray for the Christians that are persecuted around the world
As you seek God’s leading up to the week of March 1, be assured the Holy Spirit will reveal some areas in your life that you need to focus on in prayer.
FASTInG:
March 8th
Jesus tells us to “love one another.” What does that even look like? Well, it looks a lot like the way Jesus loved people when He was here on earth. Through everything He did and the stories He told, Jesus taught us to love one another. That’s why we’re telling these specific Bible stories this month. We want to teach our preschoolers to love like Jesus.
We’ll start the month with some of the stories Jesus told, the parables. The first week has preschoolers hearing about the farmer and his bigger barns and learning they can share (love) when they have a lot. The next week, they’ll hear the story of the widow’s mite and how they can share (love) even when they have very little. The final parable they’ll hear is the story of the Good Samaritan. This is a great one for preschoolers because they know that you are supposed to help someone when they are hurt. I love to watch them get indignant when they hear of the people who passed by the hurt man, not stopping to help him in any way. Through this story, we want them to learn that they can help anyone.
The final two weeks of the month are stories from the life of Jesus that prepare us for the Easter message coming next month. The children will hear how Jesus, the Son of God, washed the feet of His disciples. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He still served those around Him. We want our preschoolers to know that we too can serve those around us, no matter who they are.
What's Up in MarchWe’ll end the month with the joyous celebration of Palm Sun-day. As Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He was pre-paring for the ultimate act of love. He truly exemplified the verse, “love one another.” We pray that through this month’s lessons, our preschoolers learn to love like Jesus.
Day Camp @ Howell's Mill Christian AssemblyOn June 13, we will be loading up the vans for another fun day at church camp. The day is for children who will be Pre-K through first grade in the fall. Last year, we took 23 kids from church and we had a wonderful day meeting new friends
and learning more about our Jesus. Our day will again be filled with crafts, games, Bible lessons, a trip to the canteen, and swimming. If you would like your child to attend day camp with us, please register them at
www.howellsmill.org. You may also pick up a paper registra-tion form at the preschool check-in desk.
If any parents are interested in helping with day camp, please contact Kathy Bennett. It is a great day of fun, and you will sleep well that night, I promise!
Compassion International
Presents
We are collecting “Jewels For Jamaica”
(Rummage Sale Items). Please place your
items in the BIG BLUE BOX located next to the
Warehouse. Any questions, please call Todd
Young at 740-475-7698.
Tickets $10.00/advance &
$15.00/at concert Open Seating
Purchase tickets online @ www.bridgeschristianchurch.org or at the Bridges Christian Church office
More Information: (606) 836-8944
Statistics
Remaining Faithful In Our GivingOur 2015 weekly budget is $23,517
Decisions
Moving AheadAs I write this month’s story, it is 5 degrees and we have 12 inches of snow on the ground. It makes me think about how much I long to see you all in March for our first Sonshiners gathering for 2015.
Some of the "Ole Timers" are saying I told you kids that I think that big groundhog knows his stuff! We will see Spring because God’s word promises this as we know there is a season for all things!
I have really enjoyed seeing your hard work. These pictures show how nice you have made your Sunday School class rooms with new paint and new colors, just such a welcome sight indeed. We have been in prayer for months as to how we can get our church family on board to see how our lovely church home has taken some wear and tear. We wanted to excite the Bridges family about giving above our normal offerings to get these must do projects completed. I thank you for being so willing to start with these rooms and continuing to support our building fund in 2015!
I ask you to be looking around for some faces that we don't see attending our monthly meetings and then invite them to come be your guest in March. We need to let others know we are excited about how God is using our group to be a lighthouse for those in need. I often sit and think of how I can do more for this group and feel God has given me some great ideas to relay to you. I ask for your prayers as we work together to be His hands and feet.
Stay warm, call me if you need anything done. Our Youth Group can be there to help you with any snow cleaning you need, too. We want you to be safe and stay warm, so call me anytime 606-571-0204 or 606-922-5889. See you Sunday, John.
Decisions
Baptized:Bradley Rose (01/04)William Bleything (01/11)Amelia Clarke (01/18)
Placed Membership:Heather Phillips (02/01)
January 4, 2015Morning Worship ................733Sunday School .....................131Total Offering ..............$19,650
January 11, 2015Morning Worship ................874Sunday School .....................174Total Offering ...............$20,906
January 18, 2015Morning Worship ................826Sunday School .....................166 Total Offering ...............$18,339
January 25, 2015Morning Worship ................807Sunday School .....................166Total Offering ...............$21,699
February 1, 2015Morning Worship ................913Sunday School .....................155Total Offering ...............$24,371
February 8, 2015Morning Worship ................825Sunday School .....................185Total Offering ...............$19,227
“Lunch and Learn” series is an 8 week adult bible study on the Gospel of Mark. It begins March 11th and runs thru April 29th. We meet in the Warehouse. The lesson begins at 11:00, we stop for lunch around 11:40. It’s a good opportu-nity to bring a friend who is sure to enjoy the study and fellowship.
Learn
&LunchWEDNESDAY MORNING
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
