“Your name’s gonna be dirt!” I’m sure none of you have ever said that to any-

one else but it was a common refrain in the halls of Marion Middle School when

I was a kid. What a threat and a horrendous thing to say to someone; but, what

if you’re God and you’re saying it to the first created person? Could it be okay,

then? I assume that it is because the name Adam does resemble the Hebrew

word for ground (adamah). Ok, so at least Adam’s name can be a nickname for

dirt, but at least it was a good thing back in the day.

Ever since that first day of creation, mankind has had a connection to the

ground. Our kids love to play in the dirt and get their hands dirty. Even the

Scriptures suggest that “we are dust and to dust we shall return.” Leigha and I

planted our own garden in our backyard, thanks in large part to Walter and

Betty Jo Stroud, Ricky and Ken Connor, and Tim Johnson. While we don’t have

the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil growing, our Eden consists of toma-

toes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and zucchinis.

Wayne Gardener commented to me a couple weeks ago upon seeing my gar-

den that it looks good enough for the rabbits to love. I mentioned to him that I

had already seen several roaming the neighborhood. He suggested I find a way

to “encourage” them to go to someone else’s garden.

Leigha has been so proud of her effort that she shows off her garden to Saman-

tha. I didn’t have the heart to tell Leigha that her cute little rabbits that she

loves to watch may cause problems for her source of pride. Samantha loves the

garden so much that she likes to crawl up into the garden bed and dig her fin-

gers in the dirt. The dirt is still soft and pliable and Samantha loves picking up

handfuls of dirt. So far I have kept the dirt out of her mouth, but haven’t kept

her from being a bigger “pest” than the rabbits. You see, Samantha’s favorite

thing to do in the garden is grab the green stalks and yank them out. So, would

anyone like to have Samantha “tend” your garden? That way, she’ll leave mine

alone. ~Pastor Matt

Keeping the Pests Away S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

Graduates

Upcoming Events

Vacation Bible

School

Community Gar-

den

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Birthdays and

Anniversaries 2

Church Conference

Update 3

BCC Kidz 4

BCC Youth 5

Women’s Fellowship 6

Thank You Notes 6

Calendar 7

The Bethlehem Star Guiding us to God’s presence in our lives

J u n e 2 0 1 6

(3) Alexis Harris, Christine Pruitt

(4) Kayden Bridges

(5) Aubrey Nelson

(9) Nancy Carter, Becky Clark, Tom Johnson

(10) Wanda Boyce

(11) Phyllis Boone, Kenly Jo Bridges

(12) Joyce Bryant, Morgan Tayloe

(14) Melvin Smith, Jr.

(15) Charles Johnson, Jr., Laura Thornton

(18) Eric Munford, Susie Pearce

(19) Richard Barnes, Jr. Michele Holland

Victoria Munford

(20) Shane Culbertson

(21) Stephanie Burrus Sutton

(22) Linda Alexander, Joyce Bracey

(23) Tyler Brown Barber, Bill Duplissey

Aiden Munford, Peter Palmer

(24) Carolyn Williams, Mary Winstead

(25) Russell Chappell

(26) Elizabeth Sanchez

(27) Darla Chappell

(28) Lindsey Crumpler Darden

(29) Brooke Crumpler, Hugh West

(30) Louise Snook, Kelly Clinton

(3) Tom & Betty West—60 years

Kentley & Tracy Porter—16 years

(7) John & Pamela Speight Merrick—2 year

(12) Bill & Cathy Rissell—46 years

Clay & Heather Thompson—6 years

(13) Karl & Kate Dennis—18 years

(14) Chuck & Wanda Boyce—30 years

(17) Shannon & Karen Bradley—27 years

(18) Bert & Denise Jones—22 years

(19) Bill & Debbie Parker—40 years

(21) Melvin & Leola Smith—56 years

Delbert & Barbara Warren—52 years

(25) Justin & Robin Nelson—11 years

(26) Tom & Doris Johnson—35 years

J u n e 2 0 1 6 P a g e 2

Purse Auction!! The Missions Committee has another “Purse Auction” planned for Sat-

urday, June 4th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please donate your gently used

purses and wallets to Bethlehem’s Mission Committee. Also, we will

have homemade sweet potato and apple jacks for sale. Come and join

the fun!

Thanks for all your support!

Janet Brinkley, Julie Dorn, Jennie Lanthorn and Sherry Turner

We will not have a combined Patriotic Ser-

vice with Hillcrest this year due to our Vaca-

tion Bible School and Hillcrest’s building

campaign.

P a g e 3

Spring Fling Extravaganza

Saturday, June 11th

9-3 p.m.

Graham Hall

Event will feature multiple vendors including:

LuLaRoe,

Thirty-One,

Posh,

Clever Containers.

Wreath Lady,

and much more.

Sponsored by the Building Fund Committee, who will be selling breakfast, lunch and sweets at

the kitchen. All proceeds will benefit the Building Fund.

Congratulations Graduates!

Ariel Joy Salerno, honors graduate of Lakeland High School

Enrolling in Randolph-Macon College to major in chemistry and minor in secondary education.

Future plans are to be a high school chemistry teacher.

Kayla Jean Culbertson, Magna Cum Laude, graduate of Old Dominion University

Kayla will continue her education by pursuing a Masters of Science Degree in Biology at Old Dominion

University

BCC Constitution Update

A Constitution Committee was formed this year to recommend updates for our church constitution. Commit-

tee members are Janet Brinkley, Bert Morris, Angie Thompson, and Paula Thornton. Changes have been rec-

ommended and were presented to the April Church Conference and will be up for a vote at the July Church

Conference. Copies of the proposed church constitution are available in the church office, or by contacting

Paula Thornton by email at tigshark@charter.net

NOTE: CHURCH CONFERENCE in July will be July 13, because of July 4th week.

2016 VBS IS HERE!!!!!

SUNDAY, JUNE 26-THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Are you ready to Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing love?

5:00 DINNER

5:45 PROGRAM START 8:30 PARENT PICKUP

We are always in need of volunteers, so if you’ve ever wanted to help, come out and join us. If you’re

unable to make it during the week, find other ways to support us—prayer has never done any of us

harm. We are looking forward to an amazing week. Be sure to thank all the leaders who make the

week so special!

P a g e 4 J u n e 2 0 1 6

Children’s Ministry News

Thanks so much to all the kids and families who helped plant the community garden. We have four raised beds prepared to help feed our community! Be sure to see the back page for some pictures of the garden!

Save the Date!

FAMILY FIELD DAY

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016

12:00 PM

Bring your family out for a fun day of activities, entertainment, and fellowship!

Page 5

Youth Ministry News

Youth Boys Camping Trip - June 10th-11th.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

The Youth boys would like to invite the gentlemen members of our church

to accompany us on an overnight camping trip. This will be a time for us to

get to know each other, share stories, life lessons, and bond together in the

great outdoors over a camp fire and a little fishing. If you are interested and

would like to participate, please contact Jay Whitmore (757) 717-5925 or

Dawn Turner (757) 724-7228, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Kings Fest at Kings Dominion – June 25th

The BCC Youth will be attending Kings Fest at Kings Dominion on Satur-

day, June 25th. Kings Fest is a 3 day concert event featuring Christian

speakers and artist such as Toby Mac, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, For King &

Country, Crowder, and many more. Saturday’s concert is from 6:00 p.m.

to 10:00 p.m. Tickets include admission to the park. We will leave church

at 10:30 a.m. and return at 11:30 p.m. TICKETS WILL NEED TO BE PUR-

CHASED IN ADVANCE. Please let Dawn Turner know as soon as possible if

you will be attending. Also, CHAPERONES NEEDED, Please let Dawn

know as soon as possible if you will be willing to chaperone.

**BCC Youth Mission - Lend A Hand Days**

The BCC Youth are so thankful for all the support our church family gives us. We would like to bless you as

you have blessed us. We will be having Lend A Hand Days throughout the warmer months and would like to

help with any tasks and jobs around your home or the church that we can assist with. If you or anyone you

know in our church could use a hand, please let us know. There is no job too big or too small. We can paint,

sweep, rake, cut grass, pick up sticks, trash, wash windows, fences, vehicles, etc. And, if anyone would like to

participate in the Youth Lend A Hand Day(s), we welcome you. Feel free to join us on any of the future dates,

or contact Dawn (757) 724-7228 for additional information. This is a free service; it’s our gift to you!

Lend A Hand Dates: July 16th September 24th October 15th

Looking back:

Lend A Hand Day – BCC Youth held a Lend a Hand day Saturday, May 14th. We picked up trash around the

cemetery and scrubbed the kitchen floor tile at church. In the afternoon, we went over to Mrs. Shirley Robert-

son’s home and helped her with mulching and weeding her flower beds. We finished our day with lunch at

Chick-fil-A. It was a fun day of working together and serving the Lord by serving others. A SPECIAL

THANK YOU to Matthew Walker, Adam Buffkin, Lindy Turner, Lynne Johnston, and Sam Morgan for com-

ing out and helping and for letting us borrow your tools.

P a g e 6 J u n e 2 0 1 6

The Women's Fellowship will be busy the

next few months making crafts and preparing

for our Fall Bazaar/ Pancake Breakfast in Oc-

tober. We're looking forward to it.

The King Circle took their May meeting on

the road and were welcomed into the home of

Edna Earl Carter. Good friends and wonderful fellowship as Edna

Earl and Betty Lou Moore greeted each other. What a blessing!

Upcoming Dates : Graduation Sunday June 5th

In His Service,

Diane Talley

The Nominating Committee will be meeting soon to fill positions on Boards &

Committees for 2017. We ask if you have a talent you are willing to share and

are willing to serve on a committee, please let us know. You can contact any-

one on the committee: Charles Johnson, chair, Laura Carter, Nancy Carter,

and Wanda Boyce, or let the church office know. Thanks for your continued

support!

Dear Church Family,

I want to send a note to my

church family and thank them

for remembering me with cards

and phone calls. They mean so

much when you are away from

home. Thank you and lots of

love to all of you. (And a big

thank you to Laverne!)

Love,

Nancy Williams

Dear Church Family,

To the Bethlehem Family, A special thank you to all my family at Bethlehem! You are always thinking of me and including me in so many special ways. I can’t list the many ways that I’m always showed with gifts and/or thoughtful words. They don’t go unappreciated. A special thanks to Wanda Boyce and the Finance Board, for always remembering “Secretary’s Day.” I truly love the plant that I put on my front step this year. It’s beautiful! I don’t have the words to express how thoughtful Matt is. He remembers “secretary’s day” each year in a special way. And what a blessing he is to work with. You are all just such a blessing to my life and I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this family. Thank you again and again! I Love you all! Laverne

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Bethlehem Christian Church

1549 Holland Road

Suffolk, VA 23434

Phone: 757-539-4274

E-mail: suffolkbcc@yahoo.com

Web site: www.bccsuffolk.org

Facebook: Bethlehem Christian Church — Suffolk VA

Twitter: @BCCinSuffolkVA

We resolve to love...We unite to serve.

BETHLEHEM’S COMMUNITY GARDEN

As you can see, our garden is already growing like weeds. It’s amazing what a little dose of sunshine and

rain (I think it’s rained) will do. We have a perfect spot for the garden, so thank you to the church for al-

lowing us to plant it. As you may remember, all the produce that is grown in the garden is given away to

families in need. We are so grateful for all of your support. Later in the summer, we’ll need many hands

to help us harvest. Come on out for fun times and for being a blessing to others. What we’re growing:

cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, kale, squash, and tomatoes! Thanks to everyone who has already

helped be a part of it.