MARK YOUR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR!

HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT 5 PM DECEMBER THE 13TH!

We will be LEAVING from the church @ 5 PM, so get there on time and....

COME HUNGRY!

DO SOMETHING!

For the past two weeks we have been doing a series called DO SOMETHING!

Last week our passage was from Isaiah 58. This passage is describing a group of people who are doing outward signs of worship, but have no real commitment behind their actions. It is like those who go to church or raise their hands in song, but there is nothing in their everyday life that reflects a true relationship with Christ. Isaiah goes on to say,

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Our faith is proven when our actions reflect the Great God we serve. Are we willing as a Student Ministry to share what we have with the hungry, to clothe the naked, and help those who can't help themselves. Serving does not make us Christians, but it is an expression of the sacrificial love Christ has for all of us.

Many of you have stepped up and said that you want BCSM to be part of a greater story. We couldn't be more excited about how God is moving in your lives. We would love for you to continue to pray in what direction we should go as a student ministry. Some have wanted to raise money for compassion villages, to build a well, or to adopt local families. We LOVE all of these ideas. In the next two weeks we are going to narrow these ideas down into one common mission.

Please know that serving goes beyond giving money and buying presents. It is in the simple things. Praying for a friend (not saying you will, but actually doing it), not showing favoritism at school, using your talents to serve in the church, etc.

As Brent quoted from Matthew 19:24, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The TEN series is well on it's way and we have had a great time diving into the true meaning of the ten commandments! This past week Brent shared about remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy. He talked about how quickly we forget what has been entrusted to us. We are so quick to fix our eyes on things that distract us from God's presence. The Sabbath is to be pure, set apart, and a time remembering God and His holiness. Let's continue this week to focus on God's holiness, and tear ourselves away from the texting, facebook, video games, friends, and relationships that compete for our attention.

Don't forget that we are in the student center on Wednesday nights @ 6:30 going through TRUE U. It is a closer look at God's truth and knowing how to answer and verbalized what we actually believe. It is a challenging time that you won't want to miss!

We are also going to work with Young Life to give us another weekend at Windy Gap. Brent has informed them about your interest, but as you all have expressed, Homecoming weekend is just not the best weekend to invite your friends. We will keep you updated on the new weekend.

WEEKEND UPDATE!

It's the officially the weekend! As the bell rang, you ran outside and were welcomed by rain yet again:( . Oh well, the great news is that we have some amazing events lined up for October that you do not want to miss out on.

Check them out!

ECHO!-

Sunday mornings at 12. We start a new series called Ten. Discussion groups also begin this Sunday and are organized by age (you will just be with High Schoolers;).

HERE ARE SOME VERY IMPORTANT DATES!!! Mark your calendars!

October 3- High School Bowling (be looking for a text:)

October 4- PD kids (thanks to those who are serving here)

October 13- YL Banquet

We NEED servers for this banquet. Young Life is an para-church organization that shares the love of Christ with non-churched students. This is a GREAT way to serve so that the gospel of Christ will be shared with your pre-Christian friends. You get a free YL tshirt and meal. Sign up NOW by calling Brent 577-9457.

October 23-25- Young Life Camp @ Windy Gap

This is for those of you who are serious about sharing your faith with your friends. Only those who invite a non-churched or pre-Christian friend will be allowed to go. Young Life is high on energy, ridiculously fun, and BIG on sharing the radical love of Christ with your friends. DO NOT MISS THIS! You have an opportunity to reach your friends that us as leaders will NEVER have. We are counting on you to deny your self, get out of your comfort zone and join other students from across the south this amazing weekend. Did I mention how beautiful Windy Gap is? ....and in the Fall? HELLO?

We KNOW that there is a game that Friday, we will find a way for you and your friends to go. We promise to be sensitive to that and help you out! Cost is $80.

ECHO

Many of you dread this time of year. Some can't wait for it. That's right.... school's in! Not only is school in, but we are starting a new year here at Brevard Community Student Ministry. If you haven't heard we are meeting third worship in the student center, and we are meeting with Middle School and High School combined.We also have a new name to represent our purpose. Our new name is ECHO. It means to have, to hold, to join to! As Christ followers we have new life in Christ, we hold on to the hope that is found in Him, and we are joined to Him through forgiveness and grace. Because of His love for us we hope to ECHO that love to others! We are a community and in Him we are one. Please join us this week at 11:30 this Sunday as we ECHO the love of Christ.

BCSM Alumni

Spotlight on BCSM Alumni: Stephanie McCall

Each month we would like to feature a student that has been through Brevard Community Student Ministry. This is just a time for them to share where they are at now and to give all of you a little advice and encouragement. For the month of July I have asked Stephanie McCall to share about herself. Stephanie has a wonderful sense of humor and she is unbelievably intelligent. I have memories of Stephanie asking the most amazing questions when I taught. She made me want to know God and His word more. So, with all that said, here is our first Alumni Q and A:

Amanda:  When were you a student in BCSM?

Stephanie: I was a youth group member from 1998-2004.

Amanda: Can you catch us up with what you have been up to since graduating High School?

Stephanie: Since graduating from high school, I have received B.A.s in English and Religious Studies from Brevard College and am working on my M.A. in English. I have continued to write and have been published in one literary journal. When I have the time and opportunity, I do theater work or find a choir to join.

Amanda: What was your favorite memory/event as a student?

Stephanie: My favorite memory of the student ministry was Kit Garren's apologetics class.

Amanda: Can you tell us something that you learned about God during your time in the student ministry?

Stephanie: I remember learning how wonderful talking to God was, as opposed to just praying where and when you were told to. I also learned that legalism is not a good way to live.

Amanda: What is your relationship with God like today?

Stephanie: I can safely say my relationship with God is the most interesting and complex one I have. I do regular devotionals, but try not to be married to my "little Christian habit." Ironically, the best moments I have with God have nothing to do with routine.

Amanda: If you could impart some wisdom on our current BCSM students what would it be?

Stephanie: My advice would be that God doesn't want you to do stupid stuff (because sin is only fun at first), but He also doesn't want you to get rule-obsessed. He wants you to be yourself with Him, instead of being spiritually claustrophobic.

Distracted

Today I took my little girls outside to play in the yard. As I sat on a blanket with Farrah I allowed Marley to go play on a neighbor's swing set. While I was sitting on the blanket I heard birds chirping like crazy. I mean REALLY crazy. I look over and I see at least 25 birds flying around one small area. It was the strangest thing. When birds chirp it is beautiful, but they sounded frantic. All of a sudden, I saw Isabelle, the neighbor's cat walking slowly. In her mouth, a little bird flapping about. Isabelle had this walk of determination and conquering. I watched her carry the little bird into the woods while the other birds flew around her frantically trying to save their little one. My heart sank. I got up and yelled, "ISABELLE! ISABELLE!" She didn't return. The crazy thing is that I was so distracted by this event that I didn't realize Marley was on the neighbor's monkey bars that are too hard for her at the moment. When I was yelling for Isabelle I heard a scream. I turn around and run as fast as I can for my little one who had a mouth full of blood. She had fallen. I had been distracted. My little one needed me as the little bird needed help from it's family.

As the day went on I couldn't believe that I was distracted while my little girl was in danger. On the other hand I couldn't believe what I was seeing when Isabelle took off with the tiny bird. Have you ever been hurt? Not just hurt but hurt by some one who looked so innocent, or a situation that looked so innocent? There are times in my walk with Christ that I get distracted. I forget that there are people around me who need love and attention. Instead, I get consumed with life or things that take my focus off of Him. The evil one will do anything to take our eyes off of the One who truly loves us.

John 10:10-

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came so that my sheep will have life and so that they will have everything they need.

It is that time again! You know what time it is. Time to ride in one of those huge passenger busses with your best friends. Time to pull up to a hotel packed to the brim with other teenagers. Time to put your toes in the sand and head for the beach. Time to worship our Savior in a room full of your peers raising their hands in surrender. Time to listen to God's word being spoked to you through some of the most Godly and amazing communicators around. TIME FOR BIG STUF! Big Stuf has a blog and I thought I would post it for you! It has videos with some of your favorite faces from Big Stuf!

BCSM Summer Room Design Contest!

We need your help! As you have noticed our student room is looking shabby these days! The student room needs to be a room for all of you to enjoy. So we thought that it would be fitting that you guys have a chance to design it yourselves! As a student ministry we will vote on the one we like the best, and the winner will take home Big Stuf Loot! The contest will be for High School and Middle School students. Let's see who can come up with the most fun and energetic design! See below for contest rules!

Here are the contest rules:

1. You can partner with one other person!

2. The design must include actual paint samples (Lowes, Kmart, Walmart provide them).

3. Your design can be presented in any form you choose such as; tri fold board, designed on the computer, or a simple drawing. Just remember the more creative the better. Presentation is everything!

4. There is no budget so you can be creative as you like, but remember that the kitchen and sound booth can't move places;). If your design is chosen it could be subject to change.

5. All drawing should be submitted by June 17th to the student room. Look for a sign saying BCSM Design Contest!

GET STARTED NOW! WE WOULD LOVE FOR EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CATHERINE SEXTON!!! 

AMP

AMP

Can't wait to see all of you at AMP tomorrow night! 6:30 in the student building. You never know what new and exciting things will be revealed through God's word! 

The Brevard Baseball team is in the second round of the play offs tonight! Come and cheer them on!

What a busy week this has been for everyone!  So many of you have had been slammed with school activities this week. It is great to see all of you using your talents and gifts to your utmost ability! Some of you were in the musical Friday and Saturday, some were running spring track (and winning:), putting Senior projects together, and playing in the baseball playoffs (winning as well:)! This past week at BCSM many of you helped tend to the Brevard Community Garden. We appreciate your time and effort. 

Just a couple of reminders:

*We only have three weeks of Inside Out left don't miss food, fellowship, and learning more about Christ! 

* Big Stuf Money is due this Sunday! It will be one of the best weeks of your life so do not miss it! Tell your friends.

*Wednesday night is AMP. We will continue our survey of the New Testament.  I can't tell you how this has helped so many of us understand the Bible in a whole new way!

BCSM wants to congratulate the Brevard High Baseball team on their Conference win Friday. We will be wishing them well as they head to state on Friday!