NewsandEvents - Blue Run Baptist Church

PASTOR'S CORNER

June was certainly a busy month. I want to stop and thank everyone for all they did for VBS-all the teachers, helpers, arts and crafts folk, music, kitchen-everyone who worked together to make VBS another great success. Special thanks to Robin Foster and Robin and Walter Moon for all their hard work and leadership in giving service and glory to God. VBS is our most successful outreach tool, and we trust everyone enjoyed VBS, and also learned a little bit along the way about God's truths and how to rely on Him through anything life throws at us, just like an outrigger boat does with the waves. If anyone would like me to visit someone who may have come to VBS or otherwise contact them, please let me know. Robin moon and I plan on follow-up. but your help is certainly useful!

July is always a slower month as church activities pause and families reconnect on vacation with each other. Please remember to tithe just as you would if you were present each Sunday-the church expenses do continue, and so many stop tithing when they are not there. I have been told this is an ongoing concern-so please give as the Lord has blessed you to give.

July is a special month, as the nation celebrates its national birthday. The United States has certainly been blessed in so many ways, but we so many times take these blessings for granted. God has blessed us with beauty-from sea to shining seas-purple mountain majesties and those beautiful fruited plains. Are we truly glad to be an American? Do we appreciate all that has been sacrificed so that we can live in freedom? Freedom. That is an interesting word. It is the human desire to be free-to do what we want to do and live the way we see fit. But so many take this the wrong way. Yes, we have freedoms in this great country-freedom of the press; freedom to assemble; freedom of speech-and yes, freedom of worship. But do we understand that this "freedom" is not really "free"? Our freedoms came at great sacrifices of so many great Americans, many who gave it all in the face of tyranny and oppression from others so that their children and their grandchildren could all be free-to live where they want; to work where they want; to speak out as they want. In too many countries, people face imprisonment and even death when they try to do these things.

Freedom for our nation came at a great price, and continues to demand a great price as well. I hope we all pray for our soldiers and their families, and for our leaders as well. I know you get tired of hearing me say this every Sunday-but I feel its so important, we dare not stop praying for these concerns. Pray that God will be with them, and bring our troops back as soon as possible.

But this "freedom" came at another cost as well. We have the greatest freedom of all when we become a Christian and give our life to Christ-the freedom from damnation and the guarantee of salvation-an eternity with our Lord Jesus! But that freedom comes at such a great price-the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for your sins and mine. Do we take that freedom for granted as well? Just as the troops of the past and present paid the price or may be doing so now for freedom, Jesus paid the price for ours.

What can you do to truly show your appreciation for your freedom from damnation? Do what Jesus commanded us to do. Go forth-tell all nations about Jesus-the Gospel-the "Good News"! Don't be ashamed to tell everyone you meet about Him! And then, obey Jesus. When He talks to you-and He will-do as He tells you to do! Don't make excuses, as Moses did, but instead, fill the gap! Say "here I am Lord, send me! I want to be that humble vessel for You to use for your glory! Use me! Send me where You would have me go! Fill me with the Holy Spirit, so I may be bold enough to witness to others so they can have a chance at this freedom!"

We want so much to be independent-to do as we please. But don't you know?-You gain true independence when you instead, become dependent-depending upon the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ-our Lord and our God-and He will grant you your deepest desires-life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness- as He sees it,according to His perfect will and time.

May God continue to bless our church; our community; our state; and our country. May we strive our best to be faithful; to be appreciative; and to remember to say thank you-to all those who have sacrificed for us. Jesus paid it all-will you now work for His Kingdom? May He richly bless. Have a happy and blessed Independence Day!-Pastor Bill

DEACONS ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Deacons will soon be meeting to elect a Chairman. Please pray for them as God leads them in this decision.

YOUTH/ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE

COME JOIN US! YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR 2008:

June 23-27-VBS-6:30-8:45 each night; Covered dish picnic and recognition ceremony Friday

July 19-Gordonsville pool and church picnic/post-VBS celebration

August 23- Back to School Party/picnic

September 7-Church picnic at Big Meadows campground

October 25- Family Fun Day (tentative date)

November 16- Roller skating in Culpeper

December 5- movie/pizza night; 20th-Christmas play at Nursing home; 21st-Christmas play at 7pm at the church

PRAYER PETITIONS

Please remember these people in your prayers

Adam; Brenda;Chase; Cheryl ; Bobby Alley; Amos Family; Teresa Apperson;Tama Auville; Donald Bailey; Lynn Bailey; Dwayne Baker; Ruth Baker; Jackie Barnett family; James Baugher; Tim Beale; Lee Berringer; Skip Best; Shirley Birkhead; Danny Boersig; Debbie Bragan; Laci Bragg and family; Jerry Bright; Judi Booth; Kim Burden; Carla Bussey; Family of Bobby Butler; Warren Campbell; Ellen and Rosser Carter; John Cason; Sue Cassell; Sherry Cassity; Mary Ann Chappell; Carrie Clawson; Earl Coates; Hunter Coates; Larry Coleman; Grace and Britney Collier; Collier family; Jimmy Colvin; Katy Conner; Larry Cook; Joanne Corn; Naomi Costello; Leonard and Nadine Critchley; Richard Crockett; David(pastor in NY); Devie family; Tyler Dodson; Elizabeth Dowell; Linnie Dowell; Mildred Dowell; Judy Draughn; Dave Drucker; Mike Dudley; Virginia Durer; Shannon Eppard; Barbara Fleckles; Isaiah Foster; Family of Nikki Galenta; Louise Gill; John Graves III; Cleta Hall; Pat Hall; Marsha Harman; Louis Herndon; Steve Herndon; Peggy Hester; Bernice Holsinger; Carol Horton; Lanny Horton; Karl Hrebik; Guin Isaacson; Ivory; Kathy Jacobs; Ruth Jenkins; Tommy Jenkins; Charles Johnson; Phyllis Johnson;Hattie Jones; Craig Kaiser; Katanya; Ann Karuss; Kenny; Garnett Kesner; Daniel King; Steve Knighting; Amanda Knighton; Frances Knighton; Jimmy Lamb; Amanda Langford; Tommy Landis; Dana Lane; Lula Letner; ; Lindsay family; Martha Lowrance; Loretta Lee; Mary Lloyd and family; Bo Lunceford; Colin Mallory; Don Martin; Edith and Emmett Martin; Breck McCartney; Kim McCauley; Shayne McCormick; Bob and Betty McGee; Janet McKinney; Peggy McKinney; Genny Meek; Jayne Miller; Junior Morris; Mark Morris; Junior Moubray; Missy Moubrey;Sue Naish; Laura Nickerson; Tammy Niclkes; Teresa Norton; Julie Pannell; Darnell Payton; George and Gloria Peele; Harry Pendleton; Stephond Pendleton; Tom and Kelly Phelps; Melody Pierce; Plumb family; Reeves Powell; Daisy Pritchard; Mary Pritchett; Ernie and Kristina Rieck Perez; Don Reid; Carroll and Irene Rogers; Daryl Rouse; Mae Belle Ryder; Betty Sams; Louise Seal; Pearl and Stanley See; Sandy Sheffield; George Shifflett; Tvola and Kay Shoop; Doris Shumate; Claudia Slaughter; Pam Smith Family ; Chip Smith; Marvin Smith; Steve Smith; Mamie Snow; Phyllis Sommers; Hope Spayde; Lorena Spitzer; Tom Spitzer; Debbie Sprouse; Kaitlyn and Kristina Thomas; Erin and Libby Timmons; Chase Turnao; Timony Walker; Richard and Jane Walrond; Gene and Dorothy Walther; Dottie Waugh; Cameron Whetzel; Will; RC Wilson; Sarah Wilson; village of Lelu, Kenya; Clemen Woodward; Edith Wright family; Elizabeth Yancey; Micahel Yowell; our service men and women and their families; unspoken prayers

Nursing Home Residents: Margaret Garnett; Elizabeth Hester; Betty Jean Woodward

CHURCH EVENTS

Mon June 23-Fri 27-VBS (Vacation Bible School) 6:30-8:45 each evening

( Friday will be recognition day and cook-out)

Sun June 29-communion

Sat July 19- Gordonsville Pool- Church covered dish picnic/ post-VBS celebration!

Sat July 26-2 pm- Baptism of Betty Elliott and Ronnie Sudduth-Orange Baptist Church

Sun Aug 9-3pm-Wedding of Betty Elliott and Ronnie Sudduth-Blue Run Baptist Church

(reception will follow at Gordonsville VFW building)

CLOTHING MINISTRY

Spring/Summer clothes are now available. Clothes will be given from 9-12:00 the first Saturday of every month. Pray for our ministry, that the people who are truly in need find their way to us and that we can be a blessing to them- in His Holy Name! Thank you for your support! Thanks especially to Walter , Robin and all the volunteers for all their hard work!

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Edith Wright -Sunday School Superintendent

-We invite everyone to come and attend Sunday School as we grow in our walk with the Lord. Classes begin 10 am and are held for all ages. Please come!

MINISTRIES of the CHURCH

WMU Mission Offerings:

Alma Hunt State Mission Offering-supporting mission work in Virginia(Sept)

Annie Armstrong Home Mission Offering-supporting mission work in U.S.(Easter)

Lottie Moon Offering-supporting foreign missions (Christmas)

Other Mission Projects:

Clothing Ministry-First Saturday of each month-9-12 am

Love Outreach-food and household items collected for local folks

Missions Committee-serving the needs of many of our local members

Heiffer Fund-buying animals for the many people around the world

Samaritan Purse Shoebox Ministry-providing Christmas for children

Orange Nursing Home- once a month choir singing and otherwise helping some of our senior citizens

Mission Friends and Children in Action-fun and educational opportunities for our youngest members