If you prefer to print the newsletter, you may download it here: Printable June 2021 . Here is also a printable June calendar: June 2021 Calendar
Pastor’s Perspective
“All I really need to know…”
By Dave Hendrickson, Lead Pastor
I am sure many of you have heard the familiar Robert Fulghum credo, “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten”. This credo eventually turned into a book of essays which has sold over 7 million copies. It is with this credo in mind that we will head into the LvCC Summer Sermon Series, “All I really need to know I learned in Sunday School”. This summer we are going back to our Sunday School days. We will look at familiar stories told to us as kids which many of us have shared with our own kids, and grandkids. Stories like…
Creation
The Flood
Samson
The Burning Bush
David and Goliath
The Fiery Furnace
Daniel and the Lion’s Den
For many of us, these stories shaped our faith, how we live, and remind us of the many different attributes of God. But I have noticed the stories we learned in Sunday School very seldom come up or are taught again in “big people” church. So for those of us who know these stories by heart, come with a childlike imagination to re-hear and learn the stories so fundamental to our faith. For those of us new in our faith, come with a childlike innocence as we go on an adventure with many of the great heroes of the Bible.
It is my prayer, as we journey through these Sunday School stories, we all, no matter our age, will be able to identify how we are part of the story. When Jesus invites us to “follow him”, he’s inviting us to join him in his story!
To help us follow Jesus and these stories, several of our elders and staff will have the opportunity to teach and preach this summer. This opportunity will give us a chance to hear how God speaks to and through other leaders in the church.
Also, as we move into summer, it is my hope that we as a congregation will have the opportunity to share our stories with one another and build unity. To do this, I (along with the LvCC staff and elders) want to invite you to join us for a time of fellowship. This time of fellowship will be during the end of the service, not after the service. Since it has been over a year for many of us to sit and chat with one another, we believe it is important to fellowship. According to Acts 2:42, fellowship was an important part of the gathering of believers (aka church service).
We are planning on meeting out under the tent at tables with coffee and some type of snack, if guidelines allow. At each table at least one member of church leadership (staff and elders) will be there to “host” the discussion. Ms. Mary is planning on having a separate table for children.
Let’s be a “welcoming family” who can share how Christ has “transformed” us, so we can “express” his love to our neighbors!
I’m really excited for the summer of 2021! Will you come and join me, the elders, staff, and the rest of the LvCC family as we read the familiar Sunday School stories and gather around the table for fellowship? We miss you!!
Elder Meeting Highlights
At the May 4 Elders/Staff Vision meeting, the group discussed ways to help the congregation “re-engage” as more are returning to in-person worship and other events. They also discussed an article about leadership that Dave had shared .
At the May 18 Business meeting, Randy shared that good progress had been made waterproofing the Chapel and it should be finished soon. He is looking for people to be part of a Properties Team to help with small projects and maintenance. Men and women may contact the Church Office to be added to the list.
The Personnel Committee has received several applications for the two posted positions and are continuing to move forward with the interview process.
The Elders appointed new Officers for 2021-22. They are: Chairperson-Norm Krehbiel, Vice Chairperson-Steve Meharg, Secretary-Sue Boaglio, Treasurer-Sean Kelly.
Sunday Registration Ends
Because we no longer need to limit the number of attendees on Sunday, and because more people are comfortable not wearing masks and sitting closer together, it has been decided to stop asking people to pre-register to attend. Instead, we will provide an option for voluntary contact tracing, for those interested. If you would like to be personally contacted in the event of a potential exposure to COVID-19, please provide your name and phone number on the available clipboards when you arrive on Sunday.
Planter Repaired
By Honore’ Hacanson
Several months ago, Dennis and I were doing some work in the church garden (I point my finger and he does the work!). We discovered that the planter between the Chapel and CE/Office building had been damaged when some rhododendrons were removed. The company responsible for the damage agreed to pull apart part of the planter, remove the dirt, repair the damage, and return the planter to a safe container. This past month the repairs were made and the garden was replanted. The result is even more beautiful than before!
YOUTH: “PLUGGED IN”
ZOOM Youth Group—Wednesday, 7:00pm We are continuing our new series about families called Atypical.
Youth Group LIVE—Sunday, 6:00pm-7:30pm
We’ll be starting a new series called Anthem. This series is focusing in on a different kind of worship than we are used to. The book of Psalms leads the theme of this series and will help students find their unique “anthems” worshipping God with all of creation while remembering what God has done even when it’s difficult.
SUMMER CAMP @ THE DUNES
We are going to The Dunes in Long Beach, WA this summer for both our middle school and high school camps. The youth groups from Calvary, Father’s House, and Northlake will also be joining us. Here are the dates and costs:
Middle School Camp
Saturday, July 10-Tuesday, July 13
Cost – $170
Registration link: https://www.dunesbiblecamp.com/middle-school-camp-
High School Camp
Wednesday, July 14-Saturday, July 17
Cost – $175
Registration link: https://www.dunesbiblecamp.com/highschool-camp
CAMP ATTITUDE July 31-August 6
For our summer mission trip this year we are heading back to Camp Attitude! This is a place where children with disabilities and their families get to come and have a great week at camp that they might not normally get. As the serve team you get to help make this week one of the best weeks of their summer! This is a great service opportunity, and we hope you will consider joining us! Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/211045303535140 Here is the code to wave the fee when you sign up: LVCC2021 For more information contact Matt Avalon at (360)957-7666 or email him at mattavalon4@gmail.com.
KIDMIN
By Mary Gronseth, Interim Director of Children’s Ministry
We are getting excited for VBS! Things are starting to come together and we can’t wait to have a church full of kids. BUT, we need YOU! We still have several needs for adult help in order to make VBS happen. Our biggest needs are in our classrooms with kids. This does not involve teaching. You would be a support person with a team of about 4 people. You would be sure the kids are where they need to be, work with the craft people when they come in, pass out the snack that is brought to your room and best of all get to know the great kids in your group. Kids love adult attention! You will be rewarded by how excited they are to have you with them. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me. I would love to talk with you. I also have a need for a lead crafts person. I have ordered most of the crafts and there is a team in place. If you like to organize, this is the job for you. Give me a call.
REGISTER YOUR KIDS: If you will be bringing children to VBS, please go to longviewcommunitychurch.org and register them by June 21. We are asking that all children be registered by the 21st. Click here to register: Registration
DECORATIONS: Sarah Fix, our Children’s Summer Intern, has taken on the task of decorations for VBS. This is not a one person job. She needs LOTS of hands to make the decorations amazing! Sarah is having a work party on Saturday, June 5 at 9:30 in the Upper Room (above the nursery). She needs people to cut, glue, paint, give ideas and many other things. You don’t need to be an artsy person to help in this area. Please come and give her a hand. It will also be a great time to fellowship with other people. (You may even find some donuts and coffee when you get here). We will provide childcare for children up to age 5. If you would like childcare on the 6th, please let Mary or Sarah know by June 1 so we can be sure to have people in place.
MANDARATORY MEETING: There will be an important mandatory meeting for ALL VBS workers on Monday, June 14 at 7 pm in the Chapel. Please let Mary know if you will not be there.
WOMEN’S NEWS
By Patty Howland, Women’s Ministry Team Leader
Registration for the Women’s Fall Retreat on Sept. 17-19 is now open! The cost will be $125 and includes 4 meals, two nights’ lodging, and materials ($30 for Saturday-only includes 2 meals and materials). More information is available on the Women’s Ministry page of the website. Women’s Page Click here to register: Registration Register before August 1 and save $10! Partial scholarships and the option to make monthly payments helps make this accessible for all women, so please plan to join us! Call Patty Howland in the Church Office (360) 423-6380 with questions.
Are you ready to start getting together again with other women? Have you been missing conversation and connection? Then join us this summer at one or both of two informal “Women Together” gatherings under the tent for women of all ages! Bring your sack meal on Wednesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. or Saturday, August 14 at Noon and say hello to old friends and meet some new ones!
Most of the Bible studies are wrapping up for the summer. The Thursday Community study will be using Beth Moore’s “Chasing Vines” in the Fall, and women are encouraged to purchase their own book during the summer. The Monday Evening group will continue to meet as an online study via Zoom in the Fall but will be moving to Thursday evening. More information about this and other new study groups will be available in the August newsletter.
All of the Women’s Fellowship Circles resumed meeting over the past several months. Louise Arnett Circle enjoyed hearing from Karen Pickett about the Museum and Martha Collins about the Food Outreach Ministry of Paul Googins and his team. Mary Martha Circle will be having a potluck dinner on June 7, and then will be finished meeting for the summer. Ruth Circle recently met again for the first time and will also be meeting on June 21. All of the circles are looking forward to next year continuing with the fellowship luncheons and possibly pancake breakfast. These events will be open to all women of the church. Contact Dolphine Mack (360) 425-6704 (Louise Arnett), Earlene Isaacs, (360) 353-3004 (Mary Martha) or Peggy Reibe (360) 636-5097 (Ruth) for more information about the circles.
LIBRARY NOTES
The featured book from our Church Library this month is a biography, “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken, as reviewed by Kay Busack
This fine book began with a growing, profound love between Sheldon and Jean (“Davy”) Vanauken. Davy and Sheldon met in New York State before World War II. Sheldon was at Yale when they began to date and form their “Shining Barrier”, the wall built in their relationship to protect their love. Together they fought against creeping separation.
They had a secret wedding followed by a formal wedding that was interrupted by the U.S. Navy ordering Sheldon to Pearl Harbor. After both serving at Pearl Harbor, they moved to Miami and lived aboard a boat in the Florida Keys. Sheldon returned to Yale for his MA and taught at a small Virginia College. During that time they had a schooner, the “Gray Goose” built for them.
The lifelong hope of attending Oxford became possible, so their life took an English residence. Surrounded by a host of Christian friends, they began to consider the Christian faith. Sheldon also began a correspondence with C.S. Lewis. As a result, the book is largely a collection of letters between the two. God eventually breached their Shining Barrier-Davy first, then Sheldon. After a glorious Oxford experience, including visits with C.S. Lewis, they returned to Virginia and Sheldon taught at Lynchburg College. Their lives were full now that they were in a full relationship with many locals.
You will enjoy this book. It is well written with many events well covered. A lovely story of a journey to choose to believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
THIS AND THAT
Retirement Reception for Dennis Som on Sunday, June 27. Dennis will be retiring at the end of June after many years as the Custodian/Maintenance Supervisor at LvCC. Stop under the tent after church for some cake and to wish him well! There will be a basket for cards.
VBS Decorating Work Party on Saturday, June 5 at 9:30 am in the Upper Room (above the Nursery). Many hands are needed to cut, glue, paste. Artistic ability not a requirement! Childcare provided, if requested by June 1.
Mandatory VBS Meeting for ALL workers on Monday, June 14 at 7 pm in the Chapel. Please let Mary know if you are not able to attend.
Dave will be on vacation from June 8-22. If you need pastoral care during that time, please contact the Church Office or an Elder.
We will be taking a break from Daily Morning Prayers from June 9-July 8. They will resume on July 12.
Donations Still Needed! In addition to bottled water (16.9 oz size) and cookies to take to the homeless camp this summer, Paul could also use
cookies for the coffee time after church. Please bring donations to the Church Office or kitchen.
Ministry Opportunities Board! There are several areas for you to serve! Look for the pocket board in the Lobby with cards listing needs for various ministries. You may also scan the corresponding QR codes if you prefer a digital version.
Digital Bulletin Available Speaking of QR codes, you may scan the image on the posts in the Lobby to obtain a digital worship bulletin each Sunday. Ask a greeter or Staff member if you need assistance.
The Lay Counseling Center is now offering in-person support and counseling to all who need extra support and a listening ear as we begin coming out of this depressing pandemic. The counseling is done by trained lay-counselors who are willing to support adult life experiences, marriage counseling and individuals. Confidentiality is our highest code of ethics. If you know of someone that expresses a need for counseling, please have them call Elizabeth Jacobsen, Lay Counseling Center Administrator at 360-577-1059.
New Address for the Rushtons:
Phil and Julie Rushton
3620 Vining St
Bellingham WA 98226
Our Daily Bread regular-print edition for June/July/August AND large-print for July/August/September are available. Please stop by or call the Church Office to get a copy.
Hiring for Two Positions!
The Personnel Committee is still in the process of hiring for two new staff positions: Worship and Discipleship Pastor and Youth and Young Adult Pastor. Job descriptions and application instructions are available on the church website or in the Church Office. If you know anyone who might be interested in either of these positions, encourage them to apply.
Medical Equipment Available
If you or someone you knows needs medical equipment, i.e. walker, wheelchair, commode, etc, please contact Roberta Baird at 360-636-3848.
JUNE MISSIONS FOCUS:
Camp Attitude
This year’s mission trip will be July 31-August 6
https://campattitude.org/
Click here to register: https://longviewcommunitychurch.breezechms.com/form/ca2020application65
APRIL FINANCIALS
YTD INCOME: $175,151
TRUSTEES VISION: $8,000
YTD EXPENSE: $191,309
DIFFERENCE: -$8,158