Christmas in July? Yes, You Read That Right

Bachelor Creek bachelor_creek bachelorcreek.com JULY 2021 | ISSUE 160 By the numbers… Bachelor Creek Staff 6/6 6/13 6/20 6/27 Lead: Joel Cogdell Worship: Michael & Cheryl Eaton Next Steps/Outreach: Ryan Keim Morning Worship 554 367 556 518 Women: Taylor McFarland Students: David Diener Sunday School 205 135 206 197 Middle School/Groups: Nate Plyler Elementary: Tyler Leland Early Childhood/Kid’s Hope: Janet Legesse Weekly Budget Needed $27,692.00 Administrator: John Diener Ofce: Kathy Tyner Offering Received Financial: Janna Lefert Maintenance: Dennis Siders $15,087.13 (5/23) To email staf: frst initial and last $20,223.11 (5/30) full name @bachelorcreek.com $21,608.10 (6/6) Elders On Call $22,632.64 (6/13)

$17,447.62 (6/20) Stan Willmert 260-571-1708 Dan Schaefer 260-571-5374 Christmas in July? Yes, you read that right. You normally don’t think of Christmas while wearing fip fops, grilling in the backyard, or

swimming in the pool (unless you’re David Diener, and in that case you think of Christmas 365 days a year), but this summer at Bachelor Creek we’re celebrating Christmas in July. Why? Because Christmas is all about giving. 2000 years ago, God gave us the greatest gift of all when He sent Jesus to earth to be born as a baby. Luke 2:11 says: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Later, the narrative continues when wise men bring gifts to present to Jesus. It seems everywhere you look the Christmas story is full of gifts.

We are recipients of God’s lavish gifts (James 1:17), but the greatest gift of all is the salvation we receive in Christ. It’s no accident the Bible describes salvation in terms of a gift.

• Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” • Ephesians 2:8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” • Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

I heard a preacher say one time: “You’re never more like God than when you forgive.” I like that, but I would suggest it’s equally true that you’re never more like God than when you give. We serve a giving God. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave…” When we give, we’re following right in the footsteps of our Father. We give because He gave.

I’m reminded of how the Macedonian churches richly gave out of their poverty and exceeded Paul’s expectations in their love ofering (2 Cor 8). If they did that out of their poverty, how much more should we give out of our abundance? Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). I pray that the gift we’ve received

in Christ Jesus would spur us to pour out our lives in generosity to God and to others. I like to think of it as a “giving

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE RETURN refex.” Because we’ve been recipients of God’s love and grace, we cannot help but respond in giving.

www.bachelorcreek.com This July, we have an incredible opportunity to give special gifts to people in our community through Christmas in July.

Fax 563-1261, (260) ce, f

(260) 563-4109, O 563-4109, (260) This is our brand new initiative to collect supplies for our local schools as students and teachers head back for a new

2147 N. State Rd. 15 Wabash, IN 46992 IN Wabash, 15 Rd. State N. 2147 school year. Our collection will also help support our Kids Hope program and two local missions: F.I.S.H. and Lighthouse

Mission.

Permit No. 163 No. Permit Here’s how it works: on July 11, 18, and 25, reusable shopping bags will be available to pick up before and after our worship

Wabash, Indiana Wabash, services. Inside each bag you will fnd a shopping list of items that are estimated at $25-30. Purchase the items on the

Paid shopping list at a local store or on Amazon and then return the bag full of the shopping list items on Sunday, August 1.

Postage U.S.

Org. t f Non-Pro Continued on Page 2 There are several ways to submit a prayer request for I’m challenging every family at Bachelor Creek to take at Here’s what I do know: our Lord both tests and provides, The Mount the prayer chain. You can: least one shopping bag. Some families may feel led to and “on the mount of the LORD it shall be provided” (Gen Submit prayer requests on a Connection Card or on the take two or three, and that’s wonderful, but if every “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, 22:14b). Though the place of testing is grueling, it is often Church Center App. Email us at family took at least one bag we would be able to bless behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. the very place of provision. Though trials can feel like [email protected] or Text PRAYER to the socks of so many students, teachers, and And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up God’s neglect, they are often the very acts of God’s 260-215-4334 individuals! Let’s overwhelm our community with so as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called grace. Though our God cannot always be understood, much generosity that they feel like a kid on Christmas the name of that place, “The LORD will provide…” our God can be trusted. In every testing, in every Meet the Cogdells! (Gen. 22:13-14a) morning! provision, our God can be trusted. You are invited to join us at noon on July 11th to meet the Cogdells and enjoy some ice cream! “The LORD will provide.” We’ve grown accustomed to May the mountain of your testing become the mountain Tis the season, of God’s provision. And until that moment comes, may call the moments of God’s provision “mountaintop Feed the Intern experiences.” A fnally-answered prayer. A miraculous you trust Him enough to declare “On the mount of the Joel Welcome our new BC Kids/Students intern Kameron sign. An outpouring of His Spirit. An undeniable LORD it shall be provided.” Moorman! Sign up for an evening to feed the intern & to experience of His Presence. In Abraham’s story, though BC ReCONNECT get to know him better! Sign up on the app/online. the mountaintop eventually became the place of God’s Grace & Peace— We had a great time in May, provision, let us not be too swift to rush to the happy at our “Not About Bingo” Not About Bingo ending. Before anything else, the mountain was the Nate night. To the left you’ll see a Join us July 23 from 6:30 - 8:30pm for a night of place of Abraham’s most excruciating testing: shirt we gave as a door fellowship, BINGO, and fun. Entry fee is a homemade “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, prize. We will change this item such as cookies, potholders, or any other “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your IN THE LOOP kind of evening as we homemade item you choose to share. All entry fee items son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the progress, but the title will will be prizes. Bring a friend! land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on remain the same. one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Move Our Neighbors Sometimes we will actually Guatemala Mission Trip (Gen. 22:1-2) 85 Hope is looking for a few volunteers to help pack up play “Bingo,” and Bachelor Creek will be sending a team of 20 to their current clinic at Friends Church from 12-5pm on sometimes we won’t. We Guatemala this fall from Sunday, October 17 to The call is shocking. Devastating. Horrendous. It seems July 9th and on July 10th from 9am to 1pm move their are planning our next “Not Saturday, October 23, 2021 We will be building two to fy in the face of who our God is. In the uncertain fog larger items to their new location…. About Bingo” night for July houses with Casas Por Cristo. Signup today on the app/ of questions unanswered (and some that remain 23rd, at 6:30 PM. This time it online or at the Connecting Point to reserve your spot. unanswered even through the whole narrative), in this FISH is moving Aug 21st and we will be packing them up will be a game night, and we invite you to come play Cost $750. The deadline to signup with a deposit of $100 moment for Abraham, one reality comes sharply into and helping them move to their new location from 9am games such as Euchre, Joker, and Marbles. You are is July 10th. focus: this “mountaintop experience” will be the to noon. Sign up on the app/online. welcome to bring a game with you or join in with others. opposite of the celebratory warm fuzzies we’ve come to There will be snacks, drinks, and plenty of room to Healing Hearts Luncheon know them as today. For Abraham, the mountain will be Prayer Chain Changes socialize if games aren’t your thing. We will have times Healing Hearts will be going to the Train Station in pain. For Abraham, the mountain will be sacrifce unlike Here at Bachelor Creek, we want to be a people of during the evening where we just mingle… after all, Marion on Wednesday, July 14. Meet at BCCC for any other. For Abraham, the mountain will cause lifelong prayer. We believe that prayer is powerful and that our these evenings are more about spending time with one carpooling, leaving at 11:100 RSVP to Nancy Krom, hurt. For Abraham, the mountain will become a looming God hears us when we pray to Him. With this in mind, another than they are about competition. You know who 260-330-4222 by July 11th. monument for rage against a God he cannot understand, our hope is that every person in our church family is I’m talking about! (It could be you.) bitterness towards a God he cannot love, numbness at a praying for one another. We are trying to improve how Looking for an opportunity to volunteer?? If you are God he no longer cares to know. we get prayer requests out to everyone in the church Baptisms someone who likes to visit others, we are looking for a and have changed some of our processes. few people who would be willing to take on some Why does God test Abraham in this way? Why does he Ben Snyder baptized January 10, 2021 First of all, if you would like to receive prayer requests visiting responsibilities. Some of you are already doing test him at this point in his life at all? Had he not gone 499 S 475 W Wabash, IN 46992 from BCCC, you can be added to the prayer chain by this, and if that’s you, we would love to know more through enough? Why would God ask something like emailing: [email protected]. about it! We are also looking for some ministry minded this from His child? I don’t know. I could ofer some Grant Wildermuth baptized February 28, 2021 folks for the “Buddy System” we’ve been talking about. thoughtful suggestions, but ultimately I don’t know. Once you have been added to the prayer chain, you will 14827 N Macy Millark Rd Macy, IN 46951 Are you willing to make some phone calls to those who receive an email at the end of each workday with a are currently living alone? Please email Michael at Why does God test us? Why do we endure hardships, compiled list of any prayer requests received that day. If Faye Lefert baptized May 16, 2021 [email protected] if you are interested in any trials, pains? Why do we have to sacrifce so much? Have it is an urgent request we will send it out as soon as 4783 W 500 N Wabash, IN 46992 of these volunteer opportunities! we not been through enough? Why does God allow possible. On Monday, the prayer email will include any traumatic sufering? I don’t know. Again, I could ofer requests that came in over the weekend as well as any Tina McWhirt baptized May 23, 2021 Lastly, July 15th is our bus trip to Shipshewana. We are some thoughtful suggestions, but ultimately, when it reoccurring prayer concerns. Then, on Thursday, the 428 S Main St Churubusco, IN 46723 really looking forward to spending the day with you. comes right down to it, I don’t know. prayer email will include a prayer emphasis from the staf and elders. Michael Dunica baptized June 27, 2021 Keep us in prayers, as we also are praying for you! Continued on Next Page 917 N Monroe St Hartford City, IN 47348 Michael & Cheryl There are several ways to submit a prayer request for I’m challenging every family at Bachelor Creek to take at Here’s what I do know: our Lord both tests and provides, The Mount the prayer chain. You can: least one shopping bag. Some families may feel led to and “on the mount of the LORD it shall be provided” (Gen Submit prayer requests on a Connection Card or on the take two or three, and that’s wonderful, but if every “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, 22:14b). Though the place of testing is grueling, it is often Church Center App. Email us at family took at least one bag we would be able to bless behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. the very place of provision. Though trials can feel like [email protected] or Text PRAYER to the socks of so many students, teachers, and And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up God’s neglect, they are often the very acts of God’s 260-215-4334 individuals! Let’s overwhelm our community with so as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called grace. Though our God cannot always be understood, much generosity that they feel like a kid on Christmas the name of that place, “The LORD will provide…” our God can be trusted. In every testing, in every Meet the Cogdells! (Gen. 22:13-14a) morning! provision, our God can be trusted. You are invited to join us at noon on July 11th to meet the Cogdells and enjoy some ice cream! “The LORD will provide.” We’ve grown accustomed to May the mountain of your testing become the mountain Tis the season, of God’s provision. And until that moment comes, may call the moments of God’s provision “mountaintop Feed the Intern experiences.” A fnally-answered prayer. A miraculous you trust Him enough to declare “On the mount of the Joel Welcome our new BC Kids/Students intern Kameron sign. An outpouring of His Spirit. An undeniable LORD it shall be provided.” Moorman! Sign up for an evening to feed the intern & to experience of His Presence. In Abraham’s story, though BC ReCONNECT get to know him better! Sign up on the app/online. the mountaintop eventually became the place of God’s Grace & Peace— We had a great time in May, provision, let us not be too swift to rush to the happy at our “Not About Bingo” Not About Bingo ending. Before anything else, the mountain was the Nate night. To the left you’ll see a Join us July 23 from 6:30 - 8:30pm for a night of place of Abraham’s most excruciating testing: shirt we gave as a door fellowship, BINGO, and fun. Entry fee is a homemade “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, prize. We will change this item such as cookies, potholders, or any other “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your IN THE LOOP kind of evening as we homemade item you choose to share. All entry fee items son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the progress, but the title will will be prizes. Bring a friend! land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on remain the same. one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Move Our Neighbors Sometimes we will actually Guatemala Mission Trip (Gen. 22:1-2) 85 Hope is looking for a few volunteers to help pack up play “Bingo,” and Bachelor Creek will be sending a team of 20 to their current clinic at Friends Church from 12-5pm on sometimes we won’t. We Guatemala this fall from Sunday, October 17 to The call is shocking. Devastating. Horrendous. It seems July 9th and on July 10th from 9am to 1pm move their are planning our next “Not Saturday, October 23, 2021 We will be building two to fy in the face of who our God is. In the uncertain fog larger items to their new location…. About Bingo” night for July houses with Casas Por Cristo. Signup today on the app/ of questions unanswered (and some that remain 23rd, at 6:30 PM. This time it online or at the Connecting Point to reserve your spot. unanswered even through the whole narrative), in this FISH is moving Aug 21st and we will be packing them up will be a game night, and we invite you to come play Cost $750. The deadline to signup with a deposit of $100 moment for Abraham, one reality comes sharply into and helping them move to their new location from 9am games such as Euchre, Joker, and Marbles. You are is July 10th. focus: this “mountaintop experience” will be the to noon. Sign up on the app/online. welcome to bring a game with you or join in with others. opposite of the celebratory warm fuzzies we’ve come to There will be snacks, drinks, and plenty of room to Healing Hearts Luncheon know them as today. For Abraham, the mountain will be Prayer Chain Changes socialize if games aren’t your thing. We will have times Healing Hearts will be going to the Train Station in pain. For Abraham, the mountain will be sacrifce unlike Here at Bachelor Creek, we want to be a people of during the evening where we just mingle… after all, Marion on Wednesday, July 14. Meet at BCCC for any other. For Abraham, the mountain will cause lifelong prayer. We believe that prayer is powerful and that our these evenings are more about spending time with one carpooling, leaving at 11:100 RSVP to Nancy Krom, hurt. For Abraham, the mountain will become a looming God hears us when we pray to Him. With this in mind, another than they are about competition. You know who 260-330-4222 by July 11th. monument for rage against a God he cannot understand, our hope is that every person in our church family is I’m talking about! (It could be you.) bitterness towards a God he cannot love, numbness at a praying for one another. We are trying to improve how Looking for an opportunity to volunteer?? If you are God he no longer cares to know. we get prayer requests out to everyone in the church Baptisms someone who likes to visit others, we are looking for a and have changed some of our processes. few people who would be willing to take on some Why does God test Abraham in this way? Why does he Ben Snyder baptized January 10, 2021 First of all, if you would like to receive prayer requests visiting responsibilities. Some of you are already doing test him at this point in his life at all? Had he not gone 499 S 475 W Wabash, IN 46992 from BCCC, you can be added to the prayer chain by this, and if that’s you, we would love to know more through enough? Why would God ask something like emailing: [email protected]. about it! We are also looking for some ministry minded this from His child? I don’t know. I could ofer some Grant Wildermuth baptized February 28, 2021 folks for the “Buddy System” we’ve been talking about. thoughtful suggestions, but ultimately I don’t know. Once you have been added to the prayer chain, you will 14827 N Macy Millark Rd Macy, IN 46951 Are you willing to make some phone calls to those who receive an email at the end of each workday with a are currently living alone? Please email Michael at Why does God test us? Why do we endure hardships, compiled list of any prayer requests received that day. If Faye Lefert baptized May 16, 2021 [email protected] if you are interested in any trials, pains? Why do we have to sacrifce so much? Have it is an urgent request we will send it out as soon as 4783 W 500 N Wabash, IN 46992 of these volunteer opportunities! we not been through enough? Why does God allow possible. On Monday, the prayer email will include any traumatic sufering? I don’t know. Again, I could ofer requests that came in over the weekend as well as any Tina McWhirt baptized May 23, 2021 Lastly, July 15th is our bus trip to Shipshewana. We are some thoughtful suggestions, but ultimately, when it reoccurring prayer concerns. Then, on Thursday, the 428 S Main St Churubusco, IN 46723 really looking forward to spending the day with you. comes right down to it, I don’t know. prayer email will include a prayer emphasis from the staf and elders. Michael Dunica baptized June 27, 2021 Keep us in prayers, as we also are praying for you! Continued on Next Page 917 N Monroe St Hartford City, IN 47348 Michael & Cheryl Bachelor Creek bachelor_creek bachelorcreek.com JULY 2021 | ISSUE 160 By the numbers… Bachelor Creek Staff 6/6 6/13 6/20 6/27 Lead: Joel Cogdell Worship: Michael & Cheryl Eaton Next Steps/Outreach: Ryan Keim Morning Worship 554 367 556 518 Women: Taylor McFarland Students: David Diener Sunday School 205 135 206 197 Middle School/Groups: Nate Plyler Elementary: Tyler Leland Early Childhood/Kid’s Hope: Janet Legesse Weekly Budget Needed $27,692.00 Administrator: John Diener Ofce: Kathy Tyner Offering Received Financial: Janna Lefert Maintenance: Dennis Siders $15,087.13 (5/23) To email staf: frst initial and last $20,223.11 (5/30) full name @bachelorcreek.com $21,608.10 (6/6) Elders On Call $22,632.64 (6/13)