Move ‘Em Out, Ranch Hands!
Avalanche Ranch is all packed up and the cowboys and cowgirls have moved on to their next adventures, but a lot of fond memories remain! June 18th – 22nd was an awesome week!! Over 147 kids attended one or more of the five days of Vacation Bible School, and the average daily attendance was 133 kids! Over eighty adult volunteers were working hard during the week – from acting as crew leaders to station leaders, teachers, floaters, junior assistants, chow helpers…..you name it!! Many more volunteers put in time before and after the event by preparing decorations and supplies, putting up decorations, passing out fliers, and cleaning up/tearing down. What a blessing to see so many of God’s people working in unison together towards a common mission – teaching children directly from the Bible about our triune God
Over 44% of the kids that attended VBS were non- KSBC members’ kids! At least three came from the Kossuth neighborhood! All of us on the VBS committee were continually reminded how God truly answers prayer – each and every potential problem that came up was handled or resolved, and the week ran very smoothly. Thank you to the entire church body for praying for this VBS! Thank you for all of the donated hours, supplies, and financial giving! Many seeds have been planted, and our Loving Father will surely help them grow.
Garage Saling with a Purpose
We would like to help new international students get established in their new home by taking them around to garage sales on August 4. (This is different from the furniture give-away event on August 11). There are two ways to help. First, we need car drivers to take the students around to different sales. This is from 6:30 AM- 10:30 AM. Second, we need truck drivers to pick up large items the students bought and deliver them to their homes. This is from 10:00 AM -1:00 PM. We need one truck driver for every two cars. The larger need at this point is for truck drivers. If you can assist in this way, please contact Dana Gottfried at dgottfried@ebm.org.
Terrie Bolin: The Impact and Blessing of VBS
VBS’s impact on my life still has me standing in awe of God and Jesus and the love He has for all of us. In my own strength, I would not have been able to be a part of VBS. The Avalanche stampede and round up were awesome. I had a great time and felt like a kid again. I have been blessed in so many ways. I’ve been afraid to exercise because of the pain from fibromyalgia. It is recommended not to do too much one day because of the effects of increased pain and exhaustion the next day. I asked a lot of people to pray for me to have strength.
The blessing of investing in the lives of the children has changed my life. I now see that God wants me to be a helper in the preschoolers’ Sunday School class. Always before I was asked if I would like to help with the 2-year-olds, but I knew I would not be able to pick them up due to my limitations. I did not give this much thought, but there were times I felt guilty for not helping. The preschoolers have the ability to learn far more about Jesus and God than I imagined. It is a lot easier for me to remember the verses they are taught. The Bible stories that I heard have enhanced my own knowledge.
VBS was a blessing for 149 children, their parents and all those who helped and organized it. Commitment and love for the children made VBS a reality. VBS touched my heart and God used this event to convict me to take better care of myself, to believe I can do more than I expected, and to be involved with the children’s ministry. Since Pastor Whipple shared with me that he thought I could do far more than I think I can do, well, the thought stayed with me. I pray that there will be even more believers convicted to invest their time and lives for VBS to be a success again next year and reach far more children. I’m grateful to God that He gave me an opportunity to invest in children here in our very own community. I’m thankful God provided another way for me to learn more about His word and the blessing of being a helper for the children.
God is real. God is with us. God is strong. God is awesome. God is in charge. Yahoo! Jeremiah 10:10, “The Lord is the only true God.”
Pastor Whipple’s sermon notes
are available online by either Friday evening or Saturday morning. You can always find the latest sermon on the home page. Our hope is that these notes will be a helpful resource as you prepare to worship each Sunday.
On Sunday evening that morning’s sermon is added to the podcast feed. You can subscribe to receive the latest sermon automatically or browse through the Listen Online archive for past sermons. Our hope is that these recordings will be a helpful resource as you reflect on your worship from Sunday.
Don’t know what a podcast is? Feel free to contact Mikel Berger. He’ll be glad to help you out.
If you have suggestions for additional resources that we could make available on this website, please contact Mikel Berger or the church office.
Furniture Give-Away
This year we have collected more used furniture than ever to distribute to the incoming international students. On August 11, on a first-come, first-serve basis, each new international student will receive two pieces of furniture and some household items. Starting at 7:30 AM at the A+ Storage unit next to Payless in West Lafayette, we will load the furniture into trucks and transport it down to the campus. By 9-10 AM we expect to be set up. After the students begin picking out their furniture, we will begin delivering it to their homes. By 5pm we hope to have about 400 pieces of furniture delivered to student apartments around the community.
We need your help! All kinds of people can help: Strong guys — move the furniture; Pick-up truck and trailer owners — transport the furniture; Organizational experts — organize furniture deliveries; People persons – registration; Home décor experts – take care of the household items table. Of course, everyone will have the opportunity to talk with some very grateful students coming from all over the world. We’ll have a brief meeting for the volunteers after the Family Gathering on August 5. Let Dana Gottfried (dgottfried@ebm.org) or Paul Briggs (slcfworld@yahoo.com) know if you are able to help with this event.
Housing Needed
A short-term missions team is coming to KSBC August 5-12 to help minister to the international students. Most of the team will come from Ohio and will stay the whole week and are all set with housing. However, there are some who will come later, August 9-12, from a church in Washington D.C. and will need housing those nights. To host you only need to provide a bed and breakfast. All other meals and daytime activities will be on campus or at the church.
A second housing need is for new international students who may need temporary housing after they arrive. If you could provide a bed and a ride to the Purdue campus in the morning and then back to your home in the evening, you are a good candidate. This will especially be needed the week of August 5-12. Let Dana Gottfried know if you are able to help with housing in either of these ways: dgottfried@ebm.org.
The Students are Coming!
Yes, it is that time of year again when thousands of new American and International students will descend on Purdue University. Purdue classes start August 20th with freshmen and international students arriving before that. Salt and Light Christian Fellowship and SLCF International are busy making plans for and communicating with new students.
Please pray that God would direct many new students to our ministry here at KSBC. Be looking for opportunities to get involved in the lives of students. Whether it is helping with an activity or simply getting to know them before and after services on Sunday, your investment makes a huge difference!
International Friendship at Purdue
Nearly 80% of international students studying in the U.S. have never seen the inside of an American home.
The International Friendship Program (IFP) of Purdue University offers these international students a chance to experience American culture. The IFP matches Purdue international students in a friendship relationship with community volunteers, like you.
Volunteers and students meet about once a month to share meals, holidays, local outings, or other events. There are no legal, financial or housing obligations. The only requirement is the willingness to befriend a student interested in meeting you!
If you would like to host a student, or if you have any questions, please contact Marcus Hammack or Rachel Schmidt by phone at 496-7528 or by e-mail at friendship@purdue.edu.
The IFP is organized and implemented by the Office of International Students & Scholars at Purdue.
Small Group FAQs
What are small groups?
Small groups are usually made of seven to twelve people that have covenanted together to pursue spiritual growth and intimacy. These groups provide a safe environment so people can help each other keep their commitments to God. They meet weekly or bi-weekly at a location of the group’s choosing, such as the church or a member’s home.
Why should I join a small group?
Spiritual growth does not happen outside of healthy, vibrant relationships. We can’t grow as Lone Ranger Christians! Small groups create that structure of relationships in your life that will help you succeed in keeping your commitments to God and each other. You will grow in your practice of the spiritual disciplines, and you will be equipped to reach out to others in service and evangelism. Perhaps most importantly, you will be following in the footsteps of Jesus, as He was part of a small group Himself!
How do I join a small group?
First and foremost, pray about it!! Ask God if He would have you be a part of a group, and then ask Him for wisdom in choosing the right group for you. Second, sign up for the group of your choosing. There will be a sign-up bulletin board in the foyer the last three Sundays of August: 8/12, 8/19, and 8/26. Sign up early, so you can get a spot! Finally, look for some sort of communication from your group leaders, as they will fill you in on the specifics. Small groups are officially starting up on the weekend of September 9, but each small group will decide the details for themselves.
ATTENTION!
Sunday, July 29th, marks the last day of our Summer Institute classes during the Family Bible School hour on Sunday mornings. We hope these have been a blessing to you as we studied various topics and got to know people we normally don’t see.
July 29th is also the last day of our summer Sunday morning schedule. We will be going back to our normal schedule beginning Sunday, August 5th. Here is the normal schedule, in case you have forgotten:
Worship Service 8:00 AM
Family Bible School 9:30 AM
Worship Service 10:45 AM
We hope you have enjoyed this little break from our normal routine. If you have any comments about this summer’s schedule, please contact the church office to let us know: 448- 1620 or ksbc@ksbc.net.
COME ONE, COME ALL
It’s that time of year again when we host the annual KSBC Church Picnic. This year’s event will be held on the Sunday afternoon of August 19th at Ross Hills Park. So mark your calendars and plan to join us for an afternoon/ evening of great fun, food, and fellowship! Feel free to begin gathering at the Sullivan shelter at about 3:30 pm. At 5pm there will be the usual pitch-in dinner in the great Baptist tradition with chicken fingers provided once again by Parrett’s Catering. Please bring a side dish (either a salad or veggie) and a dessert to compliment the meal. Also, please bring your own seating – lawn chairs or picnic blankets are good options.
There’ll be plenty of games and activities for all ages. Ross Hills has trails, a Frisbee golf course, and a sand volleyball court available for use. Bring your own equipment and enjoy! It’s a great opportunity to get to know new (and not so new) members/attendees in an informal and fun environment. This is a great family activity with a great family! Details about set-up/take-down assignments will be forthcoming in our ABFs and Sunday morning bulletins.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there and perhaps sampling some of your cooking! And if you can’t cook we still love you! Come and sample ours!
DIRECTIONS TO ROSS HILLS PARK
Take Highway 26 into West Lafayette. Turn left onto South River Road (turns into 231 S). At the first light, turn right, then left to stay on River Road. Go approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto 875 W, just past the golf course. Follow the road to Ross Hills Park and turn left. The picnic will take place at the Sullivan Shelter.
RACHAEL CLARK BRIDAL SHOWER/LUNCHEON
Ladies, you are invited to join us for a bridal shower/luncheon on Sunday, August 5, 2007, at 12:30, honoring Rachael Clark. Please RSVP to Joan Chapman or Chris Zimmerman. There will also be a sign up sheet at the Welcome Desk in the foyer.
Newton’s Love Offering
In thanksgiving to God for the Newton’s and their loving pastoral ministry to our church family, a love offering is being received to present to them at our Family Gathering on August 5th. Pastor Jathan and Melissa have accepted a call to be pastor of the Abounding Grace Church of Visalia, CA. They complete their ministry here and move to California in August. Please designate your gift clearly for the Newton’s – let’s send them on with a generous expression of our love and appreciation.
Joel and Cara Brovont: JC Ministries
Hello KSBC family! We wanted to take an opportunity to share with you a bit. Through much prayer and discernment, we began JC Ministries in January 2007. Our mission is that we are both able to use the gifts and life experiences that God has given us in order to encourage the body of Christ, witness to the lost, and all the while giving ALL glory to God.
One focus of this ministry is music. Joel has been heavily involved in music for over ten years. He has performed locally, nationally, and internationally. When he graduated last December from Purdue University we were faced with a decision; should he get a “real job” or pursue music as a ministry and a career? Taking a leap of faith, we decided to step into the unknown and venture into what we now have titled JC Ministries.
We have started turning these ideas into realities. Joel has finished his first CD, “It’s About You,” coming out in August. We are currently looking for different venues to share the gift of song and also our testimony! We are striving towards having a presentation that is true, sincere, and relatable to audiences of all ages.
We would ask that you would pray for us as we seek God’s will and direction through all of this. For more information about this ministry, the CD, and what we are doing, please visit www.joelbrovont.com. And mark your calendars–we will be having a concert on SEPTEMBER 14, 2007 at KSBC!
Directory Update Underway!
We as a body of believers value connecting with one another for encouragement, fellowship, and accountability. One resource we have to aide us in making that connection is our church directory. In the coming months, the office staff will be working hard to update, publish and distribute a new directory. What we need from you is your correct info! We try to keep the database up to date, but there is always a chance we missed something. If any of your information has changed since the last publication of the directory, please contact us by phone (448-1620) or email (ksbc@ksbc.net) so that we can update your record. This is particularly important if you are a cell phone only family and would like to have your cell phone listed in the directory. Thanks so much for your help with this.
