What’s Inside A publication of Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Harrisonburg, VA

2 Pastor Search Committee Update

Leadership Team Update

3 HBC Trivia

Deacon/Greeter Schedule

4 Missions Update

5 Youth Update

6 Summer Book Study

7 Calendar

Weekly Schedule

At ROAR VBS, kids discover that God is good even when life gets wild!

This epic African adventure engages the

whole herd. At Roar, kids explore God’s

goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith

that powers them through this wild life.

Children will participate in memorable Bible

learning activities, sing and dance to some

catchy tunes, devour yummy treats, be engaged in awesome science

demonstrations and more!

Kids at ROAR will take part in a mission effort benefitting the Nasaruni Academy in Kenya!

Vacation Bible School will be held June 24-28 in the evening from 5:30-8:00 PM

We are still looking for volunteers to help make this years’ Vacation Bible

School a fun, engaging, and memorable experience for the children who

attend. If you would like to help, please sign up on the Communication Card

or contact Sarah Northen at scclark1981@yahoo.com.

Registration forms are now available

in the foyer and online!

www.hbcalive.org 2

Did you know that the Harrisonburg

Baptist Weekday Preschool has been a

respected and sought-after school,

serving the Harrisonburg and Rocking-

ham County areas for over 50

years. The school has had a number of

directors over the years. Current direc-

tor Sharon Wampler, and her assistant

Jeannie Petit have been teaching in the

HBC Preschool for over a dozen

years. During this time they have

played a valued role in equipping many

dozens of preschool children in sociali-

zation skills and other skills to ready

them for kindergarten. All this is done

with Christian TLC.

Thanks to Sharon and Jeannie for their

dedicated ministry to preschool chil-

dren and their parents in our ar-

ea. Your work is a positive outreach to

our community!

And, furthermore, you as a congrega-

tion can help . . . 1. If you know of

someone who is looking for or could

benefit from our Weekday Preschool,

please refer them to the church office

for more information. 2. Help us keep

this ministry alive and thriving for an-

other 50 years! Make a monetary dona-

tion to The Preschool Fund to help with

expenses that may not be fully covered

by tuition. The Preschool is entirely self

supporting. No HBC budget funds are

used.

Pastor Search Committee Update By Phil Douglas

The HBC Pastor Search Committee has been hard at work moving forward in

our search. After gathering all the information from the surveys and the

congregational conversations, we have completed the job description, and

registered the opening on multiple websites including the BGAV Minister

Matching, and CBF. We have begun to receive resumes’ and will continue to

receive them for a period of time. We will narrow the group of resumes’

down to who we believe that God is leading us to, and begin the interview

process. If anyone wants for the PSC to receive a resume’ of someone they

know, they can send it to PSC.HBC.VA@gmail.com. We value your prayer

and support, so please pray that the leading of the Holy Spirit will be clear,

and that the heart of our next pastor will begin to be prepared for leading us

forward.

Leadership Team Update By Laura Fly

“For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Great news, HBC Family! It’s summertime! (Do you hear that? It’s the echo

of thousands of tiny voices cheering in one accord, “No more pencils, no

more books…”) Back in the old days when I was young, I spent what

seemed like weeks at my grandparents’ home. The days were just packed

with memories: swimming in the creek and skipping stones across the wa-

ter; exploring the back pasture with my dad; basking in the warmth of a

bonfire while studying the cold beauty of the stars. It was time spent with

family, where I could catch up with my cousins, hear stories about Grand-

pa’s 12 mile hike to school one way (no, not really), and rest in the

knowledge that I was safe and I was loved.

Times have changed. Our iconic image of lazy summer evenings

spent darting after fireflies and burning marshmallows over a campfire

have been traded, it seems, for time hunched around an electronic screen.

Connections are more readily made through some type of electronic code

coupled with an emoticon. So many people do not have family to tell them

they are safe and they are loved.

(continued)

Did you know?

www.hbcalive.org 3

Congratulations to David Hayes and

Jane Bowers for correctly answering

the May HBC Trivia question. The an-

swer was 1869 – birth year of Harrison-

burg Baptist Church. David and Jane

each received a Kline’s Dairy Bar gift

card.

Here is your HBC Trivia question for

June:

In the past there was an HBC group

called XYZ. This group was very active

with Bible Study, carry-in dinners, day

and overnight trips, choir and lots and

lots of fellowship. What does XYZ

stand for?

Please e-mail or call the church office

to submit your response. All correct

responses will be placed in a drawing

for a free Kline’s ice cream treat (one

per person.) Three names will be drawn

from among the correct responses.

Responses are due by June 23 and the

drawing will be held the following

week.

Remember: You can’t win if you don’t

play!

Leadership Team Update By Laura Fly (continued)

Our challenge as a church is navigating these new waters to cre-

ate paths into our community, connecting with those around us and in-

viting them into God’s family. Fortunately, we have an opportunity right

at our feet.

What are you doing June 7th? For the first time in our 150 years,

HBC is participating in First Fridays Downtown. Hosted by the Arts Coun-

cil of the Valley, First Fridays encourages people to explore the business-

es, churches, museums, and restaurants of downtown Harrisonburg.

From 5:00-8:00 pm, our church is showcasing the work of some of our

very talented visual artists whose art will be on display in the foyer and

sanctuary: Don Aittama, Patti Good, Tom Reynolds, Cameron Ritcher,

Randy Shenk, and Greg Versen. Vickie Westlake is coordinating refresh-

ments and would love your help.

June 7th is an opportunity for us to interact with others in our communi-

ty, a chance to share God’s love with the unconnected. Let’s help create

a summer memory that will echo for 10,000 years and then forever

more!

Deacons of the Week

Deb Douglas is Deacon of the Week June 2

Laura Fly is Deacon of the Week June 9

Mike Renfroe is Deacon of the Week June 16

Jeff Obenschain is Deacon of the Week June 23

Faye Ritchie is Deacon of the Week June 30

This Month’s Greeters

Davis and Angela Hayes on June 2

Bill and Lynda Lee on June 9

Sam and Susan Huffman on June 16

Gary and Ellen Lohr on June 23

Mary Laughland and Ellen Shomo on June 30

www.hbcalive.org 4

Plentinine Events

June 5: Day trip to Swift Creek Mill

Playhouse for a matinee performance

of “The Savannah Sipping Society”,

facilitated by Dennis and Judy Sim-

mons, cost $54 per person, leaving the

church at 9:30 AM and returning

around 7:00 PM

June 21: Gather at the Schultz Theatre

in Broadway to see “Just Say Yes”

July 2—3: Bell ringing for the Salvation

Army at Kroger, facilitated by Jeff

Weaver

July 23: Quarterly Meeting and annual

picnic at Hillandale Park, cost $8, 6:00

PM, Shelter #10 (If it rains the picnic

will be moved to HBC Fellowship Hall)

Missions Update by Mary Smith

The Leadership Team has approved the Missions Committee’s request to

place a Blessing Box on the grounds of HBC. A Blessing Box is a container

that provides non-perishable food items, diapers, hygiene items, Bibles,

devotional books, etc. to those in need in our community. The box would

also contain contact information for our church and places in our communi-

ty where people can seek help to meet a variety of their needs.

Bev Wilharm, sister of Jane Messinger, met with the Missions Committee in

March. Bev shared information and stories about the success of the Bless-

ing Box at Mt. Crawford United Methodist church (see picture).

“Every week, people stop by our church requesting help and assistance. It is

our hope that the Blessing Box would meet some of those needs. “

-Bev Wilharm

Financial Overview as of 5/30/19

Pro-rated Budget needs to date: $175,287.42

Budget Receipts to date: $177,535.53

Budget Expenses to date: $152,620.95

SUMMER 2019 BENEFIT CONCERT

"Music from Across the Pond"

Saturday, June 22nd @ 7pm

$10 suggested donation benefits Open Doors

www.hbcalive.org 5

River Baptisms

We are planning another river bap-

tism for this summer on Sunday,

August 4. If you or someone you

know would be interested in talking

about this next step of faith, please

reach out to Eli to start that conver-

sation. And everyone circle that

date on your calendar for a late

afternoon baptism so you can join

us!

Staff Vacations and

Out of Office

June 5 Eli on Plentinine trip

June 8-16 Heidi on vacation

June 9-15 Katelyn on vacation

June 16-22 Eli at CBF in Birmingham

June 17-28 Gary on vacation

June 30-July 5– Eli and Katelyn at

Passport Camp in Greensboro

What’s Up With the Youth? By Rev. Katelyn Belcher

Thank you so much to our church family for all of your donations for the

youth yard sale. We had an abundance of items to sell on Saturday May 18

and it was a great success. We’re happy to report that we raised $690.46!!!

The money raised will go toward the cost of attending Passport Choices

Camp on June 30 through July 5. Thank you so much!

We hope you will join us for Youth Sunday and Graduate Recognition on

June 2 at 10:30. The youth group has been working very hard to plan a

memorable worship service that will honor our graduates. We have three

high school seniors we will be recognizing, as well as other graduates from

our church. Please come out and support the youth that morning!

Thank You! from Rev. Katelyn Belcher

To My Dear Church Family,

Thank you for ordaining me on April 28. I’m so humbled and honored

by this official call into ministry. It meant so much to me to see so

many of you there to offer your prayers and support. Thank you to the

church staff for all you did to make the service a day I’ll never forget.

And thank you so much to the food services committee for the beauti-

fully decorated fellowship hall and delicious spread of food for my re-

ception.

Love,

Katelyn

Senior Adult Luncheon Reminder

There will be a Senior Adult Luncheon on Monday, June 3rd in the fellow-

ship hall. Food will include recipes from the HBC cookbook! Please sign up

on the Communication Card or contact the church office.

www.hbcalive.org 6

Prayer Concerns

Our Church Family:

Paul and Glenna Steagall

Julie Aittama

Christine Harker

Regina Ingram

Bill Sanger

Jim Russell

Karen Burke

Nursing Homes:

Betty Acker, Bridgewater Home,

Doc Ankers, VMRC

Hank Bowers, VMRC

Bill and Barbara Pond, VMRC

Weekly Attendance

Date May 5 May 12 May 19 May 26

Worship Service 136 148 118 125

Sunday School 72 83 77 83

Summer Book Study By Rev. Eli Withers.

The Leadership Team and the Pas-

tor Search Committee along with

the HBC staff would like to invite

you to participate in a summer

book study with us. Hopeful Imagi-

nation is the story of First Baptist

Church Wilmington, NC. It is the

story of a “traditional church finding

God’s way in a changing world.”

FBC Wilmington and HBC share

many similarities with one anoth-

er—some blessings and some chal-

lenges. Studying this book together

will help us to navigate our way to-

ward the future God has in store for

us. After completing the book study

we will spend a Saturday morning

with Dr. Dan Carlton. As pastor of

Culpeper Baptist Church, Dan will

join us on Saturday, September 21

to share Culpeper’s own story of

finding God’s way with us so that

we might be able to learn from

them.

Culpeper Baptist Church is another

“traditional” church (sometime re-

ferred to as a “Legacy” or an

“Established” church) that has

been working hard to discern God’s

call on this particular church at this

particular time. They, too, looked to

the story of FBC Wilmington for

guidance and direction. We hope to

learn from both churches how to

discern HBC’s very own calling for

this time and place.

Sign up for our book study on a

Communication Card or talk to Eli

or Deb Douglas if you’re interested

in participating in a small group

throughout the summer. Let us

know if you might be willing to host

a group in your home and mark Sat-

urday, September 21 on your calen-

dar to meet and hear what Dr. Carl-

ton has to share. (The specific times

will be announced soon.)

“God doesn’t work in a vacuum.

The events and circumstances that

have brought you to this moment

have shaped you along the way—

your identity as a church, your

sense of mission and self-

understanding. They have uniquely

prepared you for something yet to

be discovered.”

From Hopeful Imagination by Mike

Queen and Jayne Davis

www.hbcalive.org 7

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Youth Sun./Graduate

Recognition

11:45 am Comm. Lunch

Mtg. (B-4)

3 12:00 pm - Sr.

Adult Luncheon

4

5 9:30 am-7 pm Plen-

tinine Trip

6 10 am - 12 noon

Skyline Literacy

7 5-8 pm First

Friday Event Last Day of City &

County Schools

8

9

10

11 (B-4) 7:15 pm Finance

Comm. (Rm 111)

12 6-8 pm Youth /

Clothes Closet

13

14 15

16

17

18

19

20

21

7 pm Plentinine

Schultz Theatre

22

23

VBS Set up in Sanctu-

ary

24

25 26

27 28 29

30

June 2019

Weekly Sundays

2-6 pm Kachin Baptist Church (First & Third)

6-8 pm Youth Supper & Frontline

Mondays

6:30 am Men’s Prayer Breakfast

(Sentra RMH Café)

1:30 pm Staff Meeting (Parlor)

7 pm Scouts

Tuesdays

10 am-12 noon Skyline Literacy (Rm B-4) (ends 6/11)

Schedule

Wednesdays

10 am Ladies Prayer Group (Rm B-4)

7:15 pm Adult Choir Practice (Choir Rm)

Thursdays

10 am-12 noon Skyline Literacy (Rm B-4)

Saturdays

10:00 am Community Lunch

ROAR Vacation Bible School 5:30-8:00 PM

Passport Camp

“HBC Alive”

A Publication of Harrisonburg Baptist Church

501 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

(540) 433-2456 www.hbcalive.org

Rev. Skip Wallace, Interim Pastor

Rev. Eli Withers, Minister of Spiritual Formation

Dr. Gary Ritcher, Choir Director

Ebony Cleveland, Praise Band Leader

Rev. Katelyn Belcher, Minister of Youth

Dr. Tonya Holland, Pianist

Rosemary Lonberger, Organist

Susan Kiser, Financial Secretary

Heidi Ruiz, Ministry Assistant

July Newsletter Deadline: June 20, 2019

Please submit articles to

Heidi Ruiz at heidi@hbcalive.org

Harrisonburg Baptist Church

501 South Main Street

Harrisonburg, VA 22801

June Birthdays

1 Dale Wright

3 Irving Byrd

5 Larry Ecklund

Donna Downey

Sallie Darling

Sara Kate Moore

10 Emily Hartman

14 Hunter Hayes

17 Susan Huffman

21 Sue Jones

Mike Renfroe

23 Faye Bland

Teresa Childress

27 Steve Smith

Vacation Bible School

June 24-28 5:30-8:00 PM