Loop Newsletter 042014

this week:

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> Children’s Musical

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> 2BC Mobile App Launched

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> The Bridge

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> Life Together Retreat

Welcome Center and Coffee Bar

Kansas Street Entrance (South)

8:30 a.m. Worship Tutt Chapel

Leonard Street Entrance (West)

9:45–10:45 a.m.

Bible Study for All Ages 11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary

Franklin Street Entrance (North)

Children’s Musical: God of This City Wednesday, April 30 6:30 p.m.

Social Room Cost Free: Love INC | Hygiene item donations appreciated Imagine you are given a challenge to find a way to make a difference in your city. What would you do? What difference could you make? After all, you're only a child!

FAITH COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

April 20, 2014

Second Baptist Church ..................................................................................

Sunday Mornings with Us . . .

Through this musical, be challenged, inspired and encouraged by the decisions made by the characters Meg, Tim, Lily, Matt and Zach, as they make waves to save a homeless shelter slated to be shut down by the city. With God's help, and through their desperate quest to keep the shelter open, these children realize they can make a difference right where they live. HE is God of This City! Our Childlren’s Choirs will perform along with the Musical performance.

Join Us! Everyone is welcome. The congregation is encouraged to bring an item for the Love, INC GAP ministry (personal hygiene items). Visit us at 2bcliberty.org/ muscial to learn more and see a list of items most needed.

2BC mobile APP HAS LAUNCHED! 2BC MOBILE APP (FREE!) FOR iPHONE and ANDROID Get the latest news from the church, watch sermon videos, connect to the HUB3 and get member contact information, Check event dates and start times, quickly visit our website’s mobile view, and much more. > For iPhone users: Visit the iTUNES App Store, type in 2BCLIBERTY, click FREE icon to download. > For Android users: Through the Google Play Store: Apps – type in Second Baptist Church Liberty. Follow the instructions to download.

introducing...the bridge Sharing Our Stories: The Bridge Connecting Our Community Through Stories of God at Work Belong. Believe. Become. These words have come to symbolize so much what we’re after as we attempt life together as an ever-growing community of faith. And we hope that they are happening among us simultaneously and sequentially.

There is purpose in the sequence. We led with belong for a reason. We want folks at every level of church life, from newcomer to life timer, to experience belonging. But, of course, we realize there are different levels of belonging.

Our goal is that all of us will come to experience the deepest level of belonging possible. This happens when we move from the sequential experience of that first feeling of belonging to the place where belong, believe, and become are happening simultaneously. This is what we mean in our mission statement when we say that Second Baptist Church is committed to fostering meaningful, Christ-centered community. Meaningful Christ-centered community is a place where true belonging nurtures deep transformation. In us. Through us. All around us.

But how do we get there? How do we become that kind of community?

One of the most powerful tools we have in this endeavor is Story. We have to learn to find ourselves in the larger story of God. And we have to learn to find each other in that Story as well. We do this by learning and sharing. By learning and sharing God’s story. By learning and sharing our stories.

At Second Baptist we have many mediums for this: worship, small groups, classes, fun events and shared mission opportunities are a few of the ways we pursue this. But they are not the only ways. We need to share our stories, and in this busy, on-the-go world, we’re always looking for new ways to do that.

This is one of those ways. The Bridge will come out 3 times annually. When you see it, I hope you’ll grab it, open it, and spend some time with it. Because it’s filled with stories. Your stories. Our stories. Stories that unveil and inspire our life together. Stories that may serve as a bridge between us and others. Stories that are meant to celebrate and foster true belonging, so that deep transformation is continually being nurtured in us, through us, and all around us.

We hope you enjoy this first step onto the Bridge. May it be one of many each of us takes toward meaningful, Christcentered community…

Stepping forward,

> Pick up your printed copy today from the Welcome Center or Sanctuary entrances.

Jason Edwards, Senior Pastor

> Find it online at 2bcliberty.org/bridge > On our mobile app under CONNECT 2

all-church event Second Baptist Church

Life Together 2014 Church-wide Adult Retreat June 6–8 at Second Baptist Church

$20.00 | Childcare available REGISTER TODAY! 2bcliberty.org/lifetogetherretreat

Join us for this exciting weekend with our special guest Diana Butler Bass. Diana will lead us in an exploration of the role a community of faith has in a diverse, pluralistic culture that is continually shifting and changing.

ABOUT DIANA Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture.

She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the author of eight books, including Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening (HarperOne, 2012). Her other books include A People’s History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009), nominated for a Library of Virginia literary award, and the best-selling Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith (2006) which was named as one of the best religion books of the year by Publishers Weekly and was featured in a cover story in USA TODAY. Diana regularly consults with religious organizations, leads conferences for religious leaders, and teaches and preaches in a variety of venues.

She blogs at The Huffington Post and Patheos and regularly comments on religion, politics, and culture in the media including USA TODAY, Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, CBS, CNN, FOX, PBS, and NPR.

Special Guest: Diana Butler Bass

From 2002 to 2006, she was the Project Director of a national Lilly Endowment-funded study of mainline Protestant vitality—a project featured in Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.

She and her family live in Alexandria, Virginia.

Register TODAY!

2bcliberty.org/lifetogetherretreat 3

all-church events church conference

tables of faith

Sunday, May 4 12:00 p.m.

Lunch Provided for a suggested donation of $5.

May 8 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Unity Village

Join us for lunch for a suggested donation of $5, followed by a meeting in the Social Room at Second Baptist.

Committees will give reports, and a budget update will be shared for all interested.

2BC Church Picnic

& annual birthday party Sunday, May 26 4:00 p.m.– dark Bennett Park (at the Shelter by the Ball Field)

4:00 p.m. Softball, volleyball, playground,

ultimate Frisbee, hanging out 5:30 p.m. Hot dogs and hamburgers, baked

beans, chips, beverages 6:30 p.m. Birthday recognition. Special guests

are those with a zero in their age this

year. Birthday cake for all!

Join us when you can. Stay as long as you want!

Directions: Bennett Park is located on Clayview Drive in Liberty between Nashua Road and 152 Highway.

Hope you’ll mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Register by Monday, April 28 with the church office.

An Invitation to Second Baptist Church from Ed Chasteen, 2BC Ambassador to Other Faith Groups Second Baptist member Ed Chasteen, founder of Hatebusters, is a longtime supporter of the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, a not-forprofit organization striving to break the barriers between faiths and religious traditions by creating a community based on cultural knowledge, respect, appreciation and trust.

Each year the Council sponsors The Table of Faiths.

This year The Table of Faiths is held May 8 at Unity Village from 6:00-–9:00 p.m. and provides an opportunity to indulge our senses amid the beautiful surroundings in the gardens, to enjoy mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres, delicious desserts and refreshing beverages while feeding our spirit in rich, uplifting, inspiring and diverse dialogue with other guests centered around the theme “The Uncommon Response: Inspiring the Sacred in All Things” Ed has provided this opportunity for up to 50 people from Second Baptist Church to participate and, we will be taking a 2BC vehicle, leaving from the parking lot at 5:00 p.m.

If you are interested in attending, contact the church office at 781-2824 or email Maggie Henderson, at mhenderson@2bcliberty.org by Monday, April 28.

Childcare is available at Second, but we must have your child’s reservation by Monday, April 28.

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SEND INITIATIVE : heifer international 2bc trip to heifer ranch, april 4–5 I was grateful for the SEND Initiative two weekends ago when the Second Baptist group traveled to the Heifer International Ranch near Perryville, AR. Heifer International is a nondenominational, faith-based ministry to empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but the approach is more than just giving someone a handout. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, and agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.

When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses. The core of their model is Passing on the Gift, meaning families share the training they receive and pass on the first female offspring of their livestock to another family. This extends the impact of the original gift. In addition, Heifer practices and teaches sustainable farming and empowers children to be able to go to school and women to have a voice in their communities.

The SEND Initiative allowed our little “unique community of discovery” to share it together. Our group, adults and children from age 3 to 70, were able to talk about the new things we heard or toss out comments with those “Aha” moments. We teared up watching a video, we laughed when John George showed us how to call a turkey, we worshipped as the children led us in singing together “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”, and we listened intently to Lida from the Philippines, who has come to the ranch for a year as a staff member, talk about how Heifer International is changing the Philippines for the better.

I hope you will consider being a part of a group exploring and learning from another culture or studying good practices within the kingdom of God for transforming our world.

-Mike Lassiter Associate Pastor

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students

Disciple Now 2014 Student retreat

Reflection by student, Lilly Holt This year’s Disciple Now was all about thankfulness, generosity and being grateful about what we have.

I feel like this year’s topic was highly needed in my life and in the lives of others in the youth as well.

Being teenagers who attend high school or middle school, we tend not to realize how lucky we are to have a home, fresh water to drink, and to be provided with an education throughout our lives.

During Disciple Now, we drove to Immaculata Manor to work on a service project on the grounds and with the patients who live at Immaculata. When we got there, we were told that the residents of Immaculata often go for walks outside. Immaculata Manor has many acres of land all around it, which is perfect for the residents. Perfect for walks, although there are many sticks and walnuts all over the grass, making it difficult to walk due to their individual conditions, whether mental or physical. So we picked up sticks and walnuts, then went inside to visit with the residents and play games with them.

Spending time with the residents that day made me both thankful and grateful. I felt thankful that I get to live with my parents, go to school and have the ability to do things myself. At the same time, I was grateful that the women at Immaculata get the help they need.

This year, we had the privilege of having Reverend Meredith Holladay from First Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas lead us in worship. During each

time of worship, Meredith would talk to us about generosity and how that can be applied to our lives, even at the darkest times. One thing that she said that I will never forget was, “Enough is a feast.” Now, before I continue, let that phrase sink in a little…

“Enough is a feast.” What does that mean?

Each day while I’m at school, I always bring myself down about the things some people have that I don’t have. I start to think to myself, “I have to have that top or else” or “I don’t have a pair of those shoes and everyone else does. I need those shoes or else.” It’s normally not until I get home that I truly realize I have all I could ever need. I have enough, so why am I not satisfied? Why does enough never really seem to be enough? When will enough be all that I want? If I have enough - a roof over my head, food in my body, and people who love and care for me, than I have been given a feast. And I thank God every day for the feast I have and pray to Him for those who don’t and may never have enough.

Even if you don’t have food, or a roof, or friends and family, you will have God for an eternity, and He alone will always be enough.

-Lilly Holt Freshman at Liberty High School 6

students/children graduate recognition sunday May 18

GRADUATE RECOGNITION IN WORSHIP Sunday, May 18, is Graduate Recognition Day at Second Baptist Church where we recognize our high school graduates in the 11:00 a.m. worship.

We will also recognize college or technical school graduates (from December through this summer) in the worship guide and newsletter on Sunday, May 11 (the last Sunday our Jewell students will be with us).

To be included in the worship guide for either of these dates, please contact Maggie Henderson at mhenderson@2bcliberty.org or 781-2824 with your name, school, and degree/program by Sunday, May 4.

Camp Connect: FIESTA! June 11–13 Grades 3–5 Cost: $175 per camper Windermere Baptist Conference Center Lake of the Ozarks Register by May 15.

Registration and more details at: 2bcliberty.org/campconnect Dates for this year’s camp are June 11–13 and the purpose for Camp Connect is to provide a quality church camp experience with a mission emphasis for children grades 3–5.

Camp Connect is a 3-day, 2-night children’s camp which involves Bible study, worship and missions emphasis.

vbs 2014 SONTREASURE ISLAND July 14–18 Second Baptist Church Where kids discover God’s love. (I Corinthians 13) Who wouldn’t want to explore a tropical island, with its glittering turquoise waters, warm white sands, and cool ocean breezes? Visitors to SonTreasure Island are welcomed by the scent of exotic flowers, the taste of tropical fruits, and the captivating sound of island music. But this is no ordinary tropical escape! There is treasure to be found here. More precious than gold, more lasting than diamonds, it is the greatest treasure of all—God’s love!

At SonTreasure Island, your treasure seekers will play island games, create colorful crafts and enjoy tropical snacks. But more importantly, they will discover the rich treasure of God’s love through the life of Jesus.

VBS at Second Baptist Church is for ages four through fifth grade. There is childcare available for younger kiddos for any VBS worker. Join the team of adults and youth who will transform our church building into a paradise of treasures as we seek to help children discover God’s love!

Registration is Open at: 2bcliberty.org/vbs 7

april 23 Menu Taco Bar Reservations are appreciated by Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. each week.

Contact the church office at 781-2824 or mhenderson@2bcliberty.org to make a reservation.

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thank you What a wonderfully generous congregation we have here at 2BC! Thank you so much for your donations of candy and PEEPS for the annual egg hunt. We had plenty candy to fill all the eggs and an overwhelming amount of PEEPS. We had so many PEEPS that we were able to give our “leftovers” to INASMUCH for the children of the families they serve. Another big thank you goes to those who came and helped fill the 2,500+ eggs for the hunt. Thanks to all who were there. We accomplished our task quite quickly!

-Debbie Lane

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WEDNESDAY CAFE

PRAYER REQUESTS

this week Sunday, april 20 EASTER SUNDAY

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY Christian sympathy is extended to Nettie Ma and family in the recent death of her husband, Joseph Xu.

8:30 Worship (Sanctuary) 9:45 Bible Study for all ages 11:00 Worship (Sanctuary)

monday, april 21 Church Office Closed

wednesday, april 23 5:45 Wednesday Café

6:00 6:15 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 7:20

Beginning Handbells (Room 502) Sanctuary Handbells INDepth: Adult Formation Opportunities Mission Friends (Pre K and K) Boys in Action (1st–5th grades) Girls in Action (1st–5th grades) Formation (6th–8th grades) Watershed (9th–12th grades) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

friday, april 25

9:30 MOPS Steering Team Meeting

Saturday, april 26

8:00 kaleo : call to be

Sunday, april 27

Stephen Minister Commissioning 12:00 Children’s Musical Rehearsal 6:30 Church Council Meeting (The events listed here are in addition to our regular Sunday schedule.)

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Join us on @2bcliberty

Christian sympathy is extended to Emma and Doloris Forman and family in the death of their brother-in-law, Morris Elliott.

LIBERTY HOSPITAL Hugh Painter OTHER PRAYER CONCERNS Marjorie Stump The families and friends of the vistims of the Jewish Community Center shooting.

.................................................... facebook.com/2bcliberty twitter.com/2bcliberty

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2bcliberty.org 816-781-2824 300 E. Kansas Liberty, MO 64068

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Second Baptist Church is committed to fostering: > Meaningful, Christ-centered community

................................................................................................................ > Whole-life faith

................................................................................................................ > A transforming missional presence

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MISSION STATEMENT