BelmontBelmont BeaconBeacon June 2019

Vol. XXX, No. 6 Belmont Baptist Church 830 Monticello Avenue Charlottesville, VA 22902 Tel: 434-296-7111 Fax: 434-296-0509

e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] www.belmontbaptistcville.org

I do not claim to be a and a particular incident? Does our human fan. I played nature cause those connections to be baseball in local Little negative? Sadly, I imagine some truth exists Leagues until my early on this front. We are more likely to dwell on teens. I watched baseball the one criticism we hear than numerous on television just like encouragements. This seems to work in a most other televised similar manner to how Buckner is sports. My interest in remembered for an rather than his baseball faded, but I excellence on the baseball diamond. remember watching We expect more from the church. When the some iconic moments that the more avid people of God let us down or hurt us, the baseball fans will recognize: Kirk Gibson's tendency is to focus on that more than when pinch homerun in the they have loved us through a difficult season when he could barely walk, and the 6th game of our lives. The saying, "Stained glass cuts of the between the New deeper than regular glass" includes our scars. York Mets and the . The fact that we expect more from the church I was reminded of that last item when I is something that we can embrace. The call learned that Bill Buckner died on May 27, as Jesus' disciples to share life together 2019. Buckner was the first-baseman for the involves our failures and successes. Living Red Sox. My immediate association with the under the lordship of Christ calls us to a name of Bill Buckner, like many others, is higher standard. Jesus accurately noted that with that 6th game of the 1986 World people will know we are his disciples by the Series. Late in the game, Buckner attempted love we show to one another. to field a ball and it rolled between his legs. Boston lost that game and the next one as the Mets won the World Series. In our humanity we sometimes fail to live this out. We don't always live up to the Why do so many make this nearly automatic commitments that we make, but I am connection with Bill Buckner who was a great extremely thankful for those times when we baseball player? That answer might be found do. When we do our best, we are able to seek in the belief that many claimed the Red Sox forgiveness and to forgive those who let us were cursed. Yet, Bill Buckner had 2,715 hits down. We are able to continue learning how in his career. Only 65 other players that ever to love one another in the high calling that we played in the major leagues had more hits have received. We have plenty of room to than Buckner. Yet, he is mainly remembered grow while we have lots to celebrate for the for an error while many forget that Boston times when we get it (close to) right. The only blew a 3- lead in the next game. way we figure it out is together, and that Instead of asking why this association is involves all of us. Can we count on you? made with Bill Buckner, I want to consider if Blessings, this is true for the church. Do people make connections with Belmont Baptist Church Greg

Lots of us are using this time of the year to do Spring cleaning and many projects around the house, as well as facing other challenges in our lives. Daniel asked God for strength and this is what he was told: Daniel said "Master, how can I, your servant, talk with you ? My strength is gone, and it is hard for me to breathe." God said, “Daniel, don't be afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you. Be strong now, be courageous." When he spoke to me, I became stronger and said, "Master, speak, since you have given me strength." We have many people around us whose lives tell us what faith means. Let us run the race that is be- fore us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way of our faith, and the sins that so easily hold us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross, but He accepted the shame as if it were nothing, because of the joy that God put before Him. Now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Thanks be to God. The Deacons

Christian Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Ernest Lohr who passed on May 1, 2019. Food closet needs: Tuna fish, peanut butter, small Christian Sympathy is also extended to the family and dry cereals, soups, Ramen friends of Thelma Snoddy who passed on May 13, 2019. noodles, instant mashed pota- Christian Sympathy is also extended to the family and toes, canned beans, canned friends of Jeff Brown who passed on May 23,2019. fruit, small juice drinks. Please continue to pray for these loved ones in the days ahead.

Belmont Baptist Church will be acknowledging the graduates of 2019 on Sunday, June 9 during wor- ship service.

2019 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES:

Albemarle High Samantha Lee Morton Fluvanna High Danielle Marie Crawford, Mark Justin Moore Grace Christian Erin Elizabeth Schricker Loudoun County High Ezekiel “Zeke” Aiden Schmidt Louisa County High Hailey Alexis Loeser Monticello High Abigail Haley Anderson, Morgan Bailey Childress Ontario High Jonathon Alan Snow South Lakes High Justin Wayne Grubbs

2019 COLLEGE GRADUATES:

Blue Ridge Community Morgan Danielle Evick Old Dominion University Caleb Ross Shifflett Radford University Jocelyn Ainsley Schmidt University of Virginia Jessica Anne Grubbs Virginia Commonwealth Kirsten Ariana Sites University

Summer Music Camp Service Project: As part of the Summer Music Camp to be held July 8-12, the children will be making hygiene kits for the homeless in Charlottesville. We will be working with The Haven for distribution. We are encour- aging our church family to join us in collecting the items we need. Below is a list of the items needed. Please leave your contributions on the tables at the back of the Sanctuary throughout the 4 Sundays in June. We thank you! *water bottles *wash cloths *peanut butter crackers, wrapped *socks for men and women *combs *cheese crackers, wrapped *small packages Kleenex *wrapped mints *granola/cereal bars *band aids *wrapped gum *toothbrushes *travel size toothpaste

Comcast Channel 13 will Rebroadcast the Worship Services. 7p.m. BELMONT BAPTIST CHURCH

830 Monticello Avenue

Charlottesville, VA 22902

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP: July 8-12, 2019

The camp runs on two separate tracks for younger and older Campers. All children will participate in the performance of the musical, Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Camp cost is $40 per child or $60 per family Preschool (Age 4 by 12/19) thru 2nd Graders : 9am-12noon daily. 3rd Graders thru 8th Graders: 9am-2pm daily.

If you have any questions or need more information, contact Melanie Anderson at (434) 996-1148 or [email protected]