Go & Make Issue #47 (August 2017)

Get Your Grace Bomb On TEMPORARY TATTOOS AND OTHER INSPIRING STORIES

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IN THIS ISSUE

22 CHANGES COMING IN STUDENT MINISTRY As construction on a new student facility and children’s expansion begins through The Descendants Project, Student Ministry Gatherings Coordinator Lydia MacBride lays out changes in student ministry programming for the school year.

10 SENT NETWORK UPDATE: ERIC SO PLANTS IN RIVERDALE A pastor at The Well in Silver Spring, Eric So is launching a church plant by moving into the neighborhood he hopes to impact, inhabited largely by immigrants and refugees.

8 BRIAN’S EDITORIAL: WHO IS THE MISSION TRIP FOR? Fresh on the heels of a short-term mission trip to Ghana, Missional Community Pastor Brian Hopper poses the question, who benefits from short-term mission trips - the people who go to serve, or the people who are served?

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7 PAT’S EDITORIAL: WE WIN Reflecting on a song he heard at his first-ever Christian concert, Teaching Pastor Pat Linnell illustrates that joy comes not merely from our circumstances, but from knowing God.

16 COVER STORY: GET YOUR GRACE BOMB ON Midway through our Grace Bomb series, we’ve offered pratical ideas and examples for how to bless people in our lives through acts of unexpected love and sacrificial service.

We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.

MAGAZINE CREDITS EDITOR Meredith Thompson ART DIRECTOR Josh Shirlen ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Arianne Teeple ASSISTANT EDITOR Jocelyn Sacks LEAD DESIGNER Josh Burgin GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jake Williams CONTRIBUTORS Aaron Rosa Lydia MacBride Mike Vandermause Nicole Morabito Ravi Waldon Stephanie Zyvoloski

On the cover: Kadance Weaver Photo by Arianne Teeple

Gathering Times: 8, 9:30, 11:15 a.m.

ELDERS Bill Smith Chris Heacock Don Wiley Greg St. Cyr J. Upton John Taylor Keith Riniker Ken Gilmore Roger Ishii Tim Grossman Tom Dalpini Tom Hogan Warwick Fairfax

884 Chesterfield Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401

410.544.2222

BAY AREA LEADERSHIP Brent Squires, Student Ministry Pastor – brent.squires@bayareacc.org Brian Hopper, Missional Community Pastor – brian.hopper@bayareacc.org Casely Essamuah, Global Missions Pastor – casely.essamuah@bayareacc.org Craig Fadel, Easton Campus Pastor – craig.fadel@bayareacc.org Ed Kelley, Executive Pastor – ed.kelley@bayareacc.org Gail Wiles, Children’s Ministry Director – gail.wiles@bayareacc.org Greg St. Cyr, Lead Pastor – greg.stcyr@bayareacc.org Janet Graves, Women’s Ministry Director – janet.graves@bayareacc.org Jerry Shirlen, Financial Administrator – jerry.shirlen@bayareacc.org Jocelyn Sacks, Missional Community Director – jocelyn.sacks@bayareacc.org Jonathan Madrid, Worship Leader – jonathan.madrid@bayareacc.org Josh Shirlen, arts – josh.shirlen@bayareacc.org Leanne Lane, Care Network Director – leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Meredith Thompson, Communications Director – meredith.thompson@bayareacc.org Pat Linnell, Teaching Pastor – pat.linnell@bayareacc.org Rachel Perry, Connecting Director – rachel.perry@bayareacc.org Ron Dutton, Operations Director – ron.dutton@bayareacc.org Tres Cozad, Technical Director – tres.cozad@bayareacc.org

For a comprehensive list of all BACC staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/leadership AUG UST GO&MAKE 3

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 8 • 9:30 • 11:15 A.M. Join us as we celebrate breaking ground on Bay Area's new student facility and children's expansion. We'll have the opportunity to pray over the new space individually and together as we believe God to do great things in the lives of our children and students through The Descendants Project.

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FINANCIAL UPDATE

It’s about to get crazy around Bay Area Annapolis – in a good way! We’ve been talking about The Descendants Project for close to a year now, and we’re excited that this month we’ll break ground on our new student center and children’s ministry expansion. Over the coming months, you’ll begin to see a lot of construction here – please bear with us as we have to shift some of our events, rooms and activities around.

If you’re not familiar with The Descendants Project, let me briefly bring you up to speed. Bottom line: It’s our faithstretching vision to disciple more children and students in this generation and the generations to come – our descendants.

Over the years, God has blessed us tremendously with growth across the board. In 2015, we opened our chapel and children’s addition to make room for more people to come encounter Jesus here at Bay Area. Since then, we’ve quickly found ourselves in need of more space for our Children’s and Student Ministries.

During the school year, roughly 500 kids participate in Children’s Ministry each Sunday, and we have so many students gathering each week that they spill over into our chair storage room! We have maxed out our space for the younger members of our church family and we want to be able to help every child who enters our doors come to know and follow Jesus. So, we’re adding a long-term, flexible space that will serve Bay Area for years and years to come. Here’s the gist of what our goals are: To build a new 15,000-square-foot student center and a 10,500-square-foot children’s wing expansion, we’ve set a goal to raise $7 million. So far in the first year of The Descendants Project, our church family has committed $2,213,312 toward our year-one goal of $3.5 million, and generously given $1,432,440.

If you have pledged and/or given toward The Descendants Project this year, thank you! We appreciate your support of this important project that we are believing God to use to disciple our kids.

As construction begins, I’d like to offer an encouragement to four groups of people: 1. If you’ve made a pledge and are in the process of fulfilling it, we’d encourage you to complete your pledge by the end of year one if possible (October 31, 2017).

2. If you made and completed a pledge, but feel the Lord leading you to give beyond your pledge, you can do so without starting a new pledge. Simply designate your gift for The Descendants Project.

3. If you did not make a pledge, but have been praying about giving, you can make a contribution of any amount at any time without completing a pledge card. Please give as the Lord leads you.

4. If you’re new to Bay Area and are still learning about The Descendants Project, I’d encourage you to pick up a brochure at a Connect Kiosk on a Sunday or go to www. thedescendantsproject.org to learn more. Our staff and elders would love to talk with you as well. Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this project. There’s no need to make a pledge this year; you can simply give directly to the project.

Gifts to The Descendants Project can be made by cash, check, online or through our app if you have a My Bay Area account.

On Sundays, you can drop a gift in one of the boxes attached to the 3D model in the lobby. Please designate all gifts as being for The Descendants Project.

Toward the end of the year, we’ll explain year two of the Descendants effort. Stay tuned!

Again, thank you so much for being part of a church that’s committed to discipling every generation – especially our children and students, who face a very tough world full of fear and challenges. When we leave Bay Area, we enter the mission field, and every one of us truly is a missionary. We want to better prepare and reach out to more and more students and children as we fight for a cause that is so vitally important for the future.

Ed Kelley is the executive pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.

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BAYAREACC.ORG/MISSIONALCOMMUNITIES

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BY PAT LI

NNELL

This past week Kristen and I attended our first-ever Christian concert with our friends Sarah and Jorge. I am into all kinds of live music, but even after all these years following Jesus, haven’t had the chance to have the Christian concert experience. I learned a few things that I suspect might be true in the Christian music world: even when it’s 100 degrees you can’t buy a beer, you will be asked to sponsor a child, you hear the name of Jesus a lot, and the dude singers are distractingly fit. Jeremy Camp is seriously ripped.

Anyway, the headliners played a song that was pretty fun called “We Win.” It was like a big world cup soccer anthem that encouraged all the believers that in the end, we get Jesus – we win. I am into it. Some of the lyrics go like this: “This goes out, to anyone down for the count, it’s not over, don’t give up, don’t throw in the towel, just remember who you belong to, let me remind you how this ends, we win…”

Now I agree with this song – we always have reason to hope because our eternal future is secure and promises that we will never exhaust God’s immeasurable and unending kindness toward us. But, some will have to suffer and die before these promises become a reality. Suffering and death might be the course that God has prepared for us to walk in. God is able to work all things together for the good of those who love Him, but that good might not be in this life here on earth. Our hope is a heavenly hope; if we have a good life before then, that is icing on the cake. But that icing is not promised.

Just look at Stephen in the beginning chapters of the book of Acts. He was a real likeable fella, chosen to take on some responsibility for the church in Jerusalem. He was smart, capable, full of the Holy Spirit and loved Jesus. With his whole life ahead of him, he runs into an angry mob of Jews who stone him for repping his savior. That day, he lost. God did not send

SUFFERING IS NOT AT ODDS WITH JOY IN GOD’S PLAN

an angel to protect him, didn’t miraculously transport him to a safe place, or intercede to steer the mob away.

Likewise, a couple of chapters later in Acts James the brother of John, one of Jesus’ closest friends, was killed by the sword

by Herod. That account is very short; not many details were given. Bad day for James. Interestingly, Herod also had his sights set on Peter. Peter was arrested, but then God did intercede and miraculously spring him from prison, and possibly his execution.

What I glean from these couple of stories from Acts and the song from the concert is that suffering is not at odds with joy in God’s plan. God is able to deliver us from evil and suffering, as with Peter, but He may not, as in the cases of Stephen and James. We might actually end up losing, from our perspective.

Like when the job doesn’t come through, the market doesn’t rebound, the cancer is not healed, when it appears that God lets His kids down. But if in this life joy comes not merely from our circumstances but from knowing God, that is something that cannot be robbed. And if in death we immediately get to meet Jesus, then there is no sting. I suppose I can add this to the list of what I learned from the concert. We do win.

Pat Linnell is the teaching pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.

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W O IS TH M SSION TRIP REA Y OR?

By Brian Hopper

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T E N-HO UR F LIG H T. F O UR -HOU R TIME DIF F EREN C E .

T HR E E CIT IES. F IV E -HO U R B U S RIDES. T E N DAYS. SIXTE E N SCH O O LS. T E N-THO USA ND STU DENTS .

And, because of the power of the gospel, hundreds of new believers.

Numerically, this summarizes our team’s recent trip to Ghana. What you lose in the numbers however, are the stories, the color and texture of the people whose lives were radically changed because of all those numbers.

As a church, Bay Area partners with Scripture Union in Ghana. They are sort of like Young Life here in the U.S. in that they are in a lot of schools, everyone knows them, and they are helping kids know and grow in Christ. Our trip was focused on going to schools to share a testimony and a teaching to the students, followed by an opportunity to accept Christ.

And as a result, the Lord used us to bring about change – eternal change – in literally hundreds of students’ lives.

And that change was significant. Moving. Even emotional.

But that is not the change that I want to highlight – as important as it is. Today, I want to talk about the change that we were not prepared for – the change in us.

See, when you go on a missions trip, you spend weeks preparing for the mission. You talk, train, pray, anticipate what you will be doing for and with the people you are going to serve. And so you should. This is what we do and why we go. The one thing you can’t prepare for, however, is how the Lord will change you.

The real fruit of a mission trip, in my opinion, is seeing how the Lord works in and changes the people on the trip. This is always the highlight for me primarily because I know the changes a team experiences are changes that will influence people when they come home. Husbands and wives see their spouses leave and come back different. Parents see their kids transformed because of a trip. Friends witness growth in their friends who go. The people we go to serve benefit and the people who go benefit. This is why missions trips are a win-win.

This is why short term missions trips are so critical to our own growth as disciples. This is why we call them the fast track to discipleship.

For me, having led eight missions trips, it’s why I go - to experience the life-altering power of the gospel work in those we are serving as well as in me and our team.

And on this trip (like so many others), I saw people’s lives changed.

I saw Kylie, a 14-year-old student from our church, who for the first time stood up and gave her testimony about God’s power to heal, while her dad and I sat in the back row in tears because the Holy Spirit was so powerfully speaking through her.

I saw Stephanie, a mom of four young children, show courage and faith as she taught 1,500 inattentive young men on her life verse (Phil. 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”). She literally was living out her life verse in front of everyone.

I saw Joel, a middle-aged man who only one year ago gave his life to Christ, stand before 3,000 students and boldly declare the good news of how Jesus saved him.

I saw Jack, a quiet teenager, open up and tell the story of how Jesus helped him through some painful times in his young life.

I saw Sam and his love for soccer translate into opportunities for telling people twice his age about Jesus.

And Amy, a school teacher, found a new love for kids around the world. Peter used his gift of teaching to help students with spiritual fruit. And Chad, a former Navy commander, delivered a riveting gospel teaching on the nature of true freedom.

See, so often our perception of going on missions trips is that we are going for them. And naturally, we are. But what is so often overlooked is how the Lord works in us. Undoubtedly, we are called to take the gospel to the nations. But what is so powerful about trips is that in the end, we are changed.

Ten hours, three cities, 16 schools – and nine people whose lives will never be the same because we went.

Now, who really is the mission trip for?

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A S E N T N E T W O R K U P D AT E

BY RAVI WALDON

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WHAT IF GOD IS LEADING YOU --to leave your comfortable home?

--to leave your well-paying job?

--to live in a place full of bedbugs?

Meet Eric and Lisa So. Eric is one of the pastors of The Well in Silver Spring, Maryland, and church planter in residence. A part of The SENT Network, The Well is an actively growing church that seeks to follow Jesus together for the good of the world. Within the next year, Eric and Lisa are looking to launch a new church in Riverdale, Maryland, in a very different neighborhood.

Eric was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Silver Spring in a strong Christian family. He came to faith in Jesus in the large Korean church his family attended. In 2011, he and his wife became interested in church planting and joined the core team of what would become The Well with Matt Klingler as Lead Pastor. At that time, Eric was working comfortably for an IT company executing significant government contracts, and being in fulltime vocational ministry was not on his radar. But the Holy Spirit was growing within Eric a heart for the nations, the marginalized and the vulnerable.

Eric did what many millennials do: He turned to Google for similarly focused nonprofits and discovered the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a refugee resettlement agency.

In the summer of 2012, Eric and Lisa prayed about leaving his job and taking an unpaid internship at IRC with the hopes it would lead to a job offer. To say this was a big risk is an understatement!

It turned out to be an amazing experience and he was offered the job he had hoped for with IRC. But God had other plans still. The Lord was pushing him to pursue vocational ministry so he declined the offer and pursued a pastoral residency with The Well in conjunction with the SENT Network. It was at this time that he got to know Bay Area’s Brian Hopper and Mark McGeever. In the pastoral residency, Eric received discipleship and training, which continue today, in creating community groups, theological education and learning how to preach.

As time passed, Eric considered a big question: What if? What if God is calling Lisa and him to plant a church for the very same marginalized and vulnerable people for which they had developed compassion? In 2012, the plight of immigrants to our shores was

not receiving the public attention it does today. Eric learned of a community in Riverdale comprising mostly immigrants as well as refugees resettled in the U.S. after being forced from their home countries. He felt compelled by Scripture to become a neighbor and to see the Gospel shared.

One night he blurted out to Lisa the “What if” question. Eric wondered what she would say. Lisa, a NICU nurse, having looked at the highly negative reviews of the Riverdale apartment they would move to, responded, “That is exactly where the Gospel is needed.”

In 2014, the couple moved to PG Apartments in Riverdale with a new baby in tow. It was a big adjustment, to be sure, from their luxury apartment.

The cultural adjustment with often nonEnglish speaking neighbors was also huge. “Why did you move here?” some wondered. Yet Eric and Lisa found it easy to make friends since hospitality is such a big part of the Eastern cultures.

Often, Eric would be able to start conversations simply being outside in the community. There is a deep hunger for people to get to know others in his neighborhood; many were dealing with simply being lonely. A common theme among different groups of refugees is that they have come from areas of conflict and division and have left there in search of something better—peace.

On one of Eric’s prayer walks he met a Sudanese gentlemen who invited Eric to come to his apartment. The home was barely furnished and dimly lit. It was a powerful moment, though, and within five minutes the man started to share his story as a genocide survivor from Darfur.

The Holy Spirit was doing something as Eric listened. The new friends began to meet and share meals. Eric encouraged the man to read the Gospel of Mark to become familiar with the life of Jesus.

When the man got to the passages about baptism, Eric was able to share the gospel and the man accepted Christ!

A month later, he was baptized at The Well and began to grow in Christ. But that isn’t the end of the story. A year later, he invited another Sudanese neighbor to The Well. The other person didn’t understand much of the message in English, but he was struck by the worship and diversity. Through an interpreter, the new man said, “This must be worship of the true God.” The Sudanese Christian followed up with him to share the gospel

and the new man accepted Christ!

Since their move to Riverdale, others in ministry have moved to the area and a group of 10 have completed intensive discipleship training. One community group recently launched and the plan is to begin another community group this month. The goal is to have four groups by the end of the year and launch a new church in February.

What is the name of the new church going to be? The very thing, peace, that reflects what refugees and all of us seek.

Peace City Church will communicate the true peace found in Jesus Christ, among believers, and among one another. Eric says the Hebrew word “shalom” speaks to more than the absence of conflict, but Scriptural peace is about flourishing and thriving, not co-existing but loving and honoring one another.

Eric prays that that Peace City Church will have a strong impact on the community; that it will be a family to refugees and the broken-hearted; and that it will bring true peace to the whole community. “Refugees were the reason that brought us to Riverdale,” Eric said, “but as we plant a church, we are focused on the whole community.” His vision has expanded from a cause-based ministry to a place-based ministry.

Eric shared two prayer needs related to how to creatively sustain the work to which God has called him and Lisa. First, they are trying to figure out multicultural ministry so they can be more accessible to English language learners, and second, they are grappling with the long-term issue of finances since the people in the new church likely won’t have much income.

Eric’s story is one that prompts us to ask ourselves, “What if God is leading me to something really great?”

Launched by Bay Area, the SENT Network is a church planting organization based in Annapolis. To learn more, go to sentnetwork.org.

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M I S S I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T:

GOD’S GOT hen Scott and Heather Kilpatrick decided to host a Missional Community, they thought they were meant to provide a place in Cape St. Claire for their neighbors – both the unsaved and those seeking a relationship with Christ – to come and learn about Jesus. But God wasn’t interested in being so geographically limited. When their fledgling Missional Community ebbed in attendance after the first month, Missional Community Director Jocelyn Sacks asked Scott and Heather if they would be willing to pitch their group at the next MC Taster.

They did, and today their Missional Community averages about a dozen consistent members encompassing a range of ages, life stages and zip codes with no common denominator save the God they serve.

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The group meets weekly, beginning their time together with food and fellowship.

Everyone contributes to the meal and the conversation, using the time to catch up on the week’s events before they transition to a time of Bible study, and finally, prayer. Bible study topics have included a video series called “Connecting with Christ,” a study of the book of Colossians, and Bay Area’s recent sermon series, “Stop and Think.” Despite a mixed membership of single adults, single mothers and married couples, Teaching Pastor Pat Linnell’s recent message about sex was a big hit with the group, spawning great conversation and plenty of opportunities for laughter.

Although they had their initial meeting in October 2016, the Kilpatricks’ Missional Community didn’t start

“ We had what we purpose Commu be, and

meeting regularly until January of this year. Nevertheless, they’ve already had several opportunities to help those in need. In March, they came together to serve a meal to Bay Area’s homeless guests during Winter Relief, and earlier this summer they made bag lunches for the Annapolis Light House Shelter. Two of their members are scheduled to travel to India later this month as part of one of Bay Area’s summer mission teams, a journey made possible, in part, by the financial and prayer support of their fellow group members.

Perhaps the most powerful experience they’ve had as a group came several months ago when they had an opportunity to minister to two of their own who were struggling with health issues. That Sunday afternoon in the Kilpatricks’ living room, a group of people gathered in a circle, laid hands on their brother and sister in Christ, and prayed.

T IT

BY STEPHANIE ZYVOLOSKI

“Heather and I, we didn’t bring that up,” Scott said. “Another member of our Missional Community did. Todd was listening to the Holy Spirit and said, ‘let’s pray for them now.’” The time of prayer that came next was so profound it solidified their connection with God and with each other. “We all started calling each other family after that,” Heather remembers. “It was a really amazing moment.”

God has continued moving in the Kilpatricks’ Missional Community in the months since, growing them both spiritually and in their relationships with each other. The newer Christians in the group are actively growing and maturing in their faith, their knowledge of God’s Word, and their desire to serve Him. They’re growing as a family in

it in our heads e thought the e of our Missional unity was going to God just totally flipped it.”

Christ as well – making a tangible effort to reach out to each other during the week, to offer encouragement, and to lend a helping hand when needed.

“I see God working in our MC,” Scott shared. “It’s cool and it’s really great to see. One thing that makes our group unique is that it’s a really safe place.

People feel comfortable. They feel loved.”

Scott also believes God is bringing people to the group who need to be there – even if it’s only for a season.

Although Bay Area pastoral resident Joseph Sharon and his wife, Esther, were part of the Kilpatricks’ Missional Community for just a few months before moving on to start their own, their connection wasn’t a random one. Joseph and Scott met and became friends last year when Scott traveled to India on a mission trip, so it was only natural that the two families would connect and find fellowship together after the Sharons moved to Maryland.

Heather sees God’s fingerprints all over their patchwork family, and she knows that means their group is exactly where – and what – it was always meant to be. “We had it in our heads,” she said, “what we thought the purpose of our Missional Community was going to be, and God just totally flipped it. He said, ‘No, no, I’ve got this. Let me put the right people in here. Hang in there and we’ll see what happens.’”

So the Kilpatricks held on and God blessed their group more than they could ever have imagined. But even so, it doesn’t mean they’re giving up on their neighbors – who know Sunday afternoons are Missional Community time at the Kilpatricks’ and that they’ll always have an open invitation.

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RICH ARMBRUSTER LEADERSHIP PROFILE

By Mike Vandermause

The way Rich Armbruster v i e w s l i f e, w h y s h o u l d n’ t others learn from his m i s t a ke s?

"I think as a grayhair there's some opportunity for some mentoring, for some of the experience that I've gained in life to be shared in a way that could maybe help other people," said the 69-year-old, who is semi-retired and has served as a deacon at Bay Area Community Church for the past two years.

Words of wisdom flow freely from Rich’s lips. He doesn't sound like a know-it-all professor talking down to his students. Instead, he’s more like a caring friend offering humble insight gleaned from decades of life experiences.

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"You don't have to repeat the same mistakes I've made," he said.

not too early. To me giving back is its own reward."

In discussing his life and role as a deacon, Armbruster provided a compelling list of suggestions that are pertinent to Bay Area attenders but also anyone who has made a commitment to Christ. Consider these pearls of wisdom:

Rich is part of a retirees group at church, and one of the goals is to provide help and assistance to the aging population. He also has been involved in Winter Relief at Bay Area and is in the process of facilitating a men's discipleship group.

GET CONNECTED

EMPHASIZE LOVE AND GRACE NEVER STOP LEARNING

Armbruster moved to Annapolis 30 years ago and for nearly two decades he and his wife, Sue, and their two sons attended a small church in the area. He held a predisposed bias against larger churches, a view that has changed over the past six years since becoming a member at Bay Area.

Rich has concluded that love and grace apply in every situation.

While it's easy to get lost in a largechurch setting, it doesn't have to be that way if you commit to getting connected and involved. That starts at Bay Area, according to Rich, with joining a Missional Community. “I feel like it’s our family, our extended family,” he said of his MC. Church can and should be more than showing up once a week on Sunday mornings. "From my own experience the only way that you get past that is with personal involvement [and] connecting with the right people," Rich said. "A small group can encourage camaraderie, accountability and growth.

“This church, even though it is really large, focuses on getting down to smaller groups.”

GIVE BACK The primary responsibility of the deacon board is to oversee the benevolence fund at Bay Area, which uses a portion of its offering each week to help people in need.

But giving back also applies to individuals, according to Rich. "No matter where we are in life or what we’re facing in life, there’s always an opportunity to give back," he said.

"At whatever point you are in life, it’s

“That doesn't mean that people don't need to be held accountable, but it does mean that there's a place for God's love and grace in every situation," he said. "I've had more opportunities to see that in this role as a deacon than any other experience I've had."

He said that extends to the concept of loving your neighbor as yourself, which can be difficult.

"If that was a lesson that I could have applied consistently throughout my life I think my life would have been different than it's been," RIch said. "All the times that I was bitter and angry and unkind and judgmental, it was mostly on me."

But the pendulum swings back to God's love and grace. "I think, 'Why has God chosen to bless me in all the ways that He has blessed me?'" Rich said. "I feel unworthy. I do."

Rich attended church when he was growing up in Pennsylvania but said he didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn't until he saw changes in his wife Sue that he started to take spiritual matters more seriously. Around 1991 he began attending a morning men's Bible study that met at a Denny's restaurant near Fort Meade, which led Rich to make a

decision to accept Christ.

"I had been fighting the desire to really turn my life over because I really believed that somehow that was sort of giving up some of my independence," he said.

What he found instead was freedom in following Jesus.

Rich, who graduated from Towson with a business degree and served in the Army for four years, co-owned a group of technical schools for nearly 20 years before selling the business when he was in his mid-50s. He wasn’t ready to retire, so he took up commercial real estate and still works in that profession on a part-time basis.

For anyone nearing retirement, Rich suggests finding things to do that keep you vibrant and engaged. It helps to be a lifelong learner. “I think it keeps you – your attitude at least – youthful,” he said.

He also suggests not putting things off.

“If there are things you want to do, don’t wait,” he said.

Not long ago, Rich and his wife checked off an item on their bucket list when they went on a mission trip to El Salvador. “It’s a life-changing experience,” he said.

It also served as a reminder to Rich that each day brings new opportunities and experiences.

“What are we waiting for?” he said.

“Get on with it.”

“

No matter where we are in life o r w h a t w e’ r e f a c i n g i n l i f e, t h e r e’s a l w a y s an opportunity to give back.

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Get Your Grace Bomb On

By Meredith Thompson

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G Grace-built people grace bomb people.

This statement is the premise of our current series, Grace Bomb. We unpacked it in the opener of our series, but in case you missed it or need a refresher, here’s what it means.

We’re grace-built people because of the grace that God has shown us. We chose to disobey Him and became spiritually dead, but God stepped in with a plan. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth, where He lived a perfect life and died on a cross to atone for the sins of the world. But Jesus didn’t stay dead; three days later, He rose, and now all of the spiritually dead people on earth can turn to Him through faith and become alive.

Jesus’ death in our place was the ultimate grace bomb, and because of it, we are gracebuilt people if we are following Him. So what’s our response? We tell others about Jesus, and we follow His example and grace-bomb people through loving them unexpectedly and serving them sacrificially.

A grace bomb can come in just about any form of kindness or service, from paying for the order behind you in a drive-thru to cutting your neighbor’s grass. You can grace bomb a stranger, friend, coworker or family member. The only requirement for dropping one is that it’s done as a gesture of love for people, no strings attached.

A crew of staff and volunteers from the Bay Area family recently had the opportunity to drop some grace bombs on the community when Nitro Circus came to town on July 23. If you’re not familiar, Nitro is an action sports entertainment event featuring daredevils and risk takers performing incredible stunts on motorcycles, bikes, skateboards and more.

The show drew over 22,000 spectators to

Navy Stadium on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and among the vendor tents was a temporary tattoo parlor hosted by Bay Area for kids and their families.

As a way of saying, “Annapolis, we’re here and we love y’all,” Bay Area’s team of 20 spent the hot, sticky afternoon handing out 2,500 free cold water bottles and applying nearly 700 colorful temporary tattoos to smiling kids and amused adults. Some wondered what was expected in exchange, caught off guard by the fact that the tats and water were freely given with nothing expected in return.

It’s our vision that each and every one of us who calls Bay Area home would keep an eye out for how we can grace bomb people in our lives and truly start a movement of grace in Anne Arundel and Talbot counties and beyond. To give you some ideas of how to get your bomb on, we asked some of the folks on staff here at Bay Area to share examples of how they’ve been grace-bombed. Hopefully, their stories will get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to grace bomb someone in your life in a unique way.

If you know Executive Pastor Ed Kelley, you know he’s an extreme booklover. So, it was a huge grace bomb for him last year when a Bay Area couple built bookshelves on two walls in his office and carefully catalogued and organized his collection. Ed noted the shelves enabled him to unpack books that had been in boxes since he moved to Maryland in 2012, and he’s now able to answer people’s questions and point them to great books to read to deepen their faith or knowledge with ease.

Someone dropped a grace bomb on Easton Worship Leader Rachel Pletts a few weeks

ago in the form of some ‘cue from Mission BBQ. With little time to grab lunch between meetings and little extra cash to spare for dining out that month, Rachel was grateful when a friend who was headed out the door to grab a bite turned and said, “It’s on me.

What do you want?”

Children’s Ministry and Weekend Experience Director Gail Wiles shared that two years ago, a childhood friend called to say both of her parents had passed away tragically. Gail was crushed, as the couple had been like a second set of parents to her. Unfortunately, airfare to attend the out-of-state funeral just wasn’t in her family’s budget at the time. She shared her disappointment with a co-worker, and committed to sending her friend flowers and checking in on her every day. The next morning, Gail found plane tickets on her desk. Her co-worker had used their frequent flyer points to book the trip.

She recalls it as a blessing beyond measure to be present with her friend during the wake and funeral.

In the early morning hours of July 24, an EF2 tornado shredded a path across Kent Island, damaging homes and property in the Bay City community in Stevensville. Office Coordinator Allison Godfrey was distressed about not being able to go check on her sister, who lives alone in the area, as traffic was temporarily held from entering the area. She shared her concern with a friend who lives in Bay City, and her friend hopped on her bike and pedaled eight blocks away to check on Allison’s sister. Allison was relieved, and her sister met a new friend that day.

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Teaching Pastor Pat Linnell says he’s been grace bombed right and left. After he and his wife Kristen had their fourth kid, a friend had them set their baskets of dirty laundry outside by the mailbox. She would return the laundry the next day clean, folded and often accompanied by an encouraging note.

A family saved the Linnells a lot of time and money by helping them lay an entire house of hardwood floors. Another family helped with their home reno project, too, doing all kinds of jobs for several weeks. The work was as much of a grace bomb to Pat as the time spent getting to know them.

Maybe you’ve already started gracebombing people – that’s awesome! We would love to hear your story and use it as an encouragement to spur on our church family in grace-bombing others. You can share your story of how God led you to grace bomb someone (or perhaps how you received a grace bomb) online at gracebomb.org or by using the hashtag #gracebomb on social media. Follow us on Facebook (facebook. com/bayareacc) or Instagram (@bayareacc, @grace.bomb) to keep up with the grace bomb movement.

By now, you’ve probably got someone in mind who could use a grace bomb. The only question remaining is, how will you reflect Jesus’ love and grace for them in an unexpected way?

Bombs away!

#gracebomb

CONNECT WITH US.

@bayareacc

EARLY BIRD SAVINGS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME Register Online using tour code: Kelley18 RegisterNow.ittworld.com For further information: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org • 443.837.3708 AUG UST GO&MAKE 19

BY NICOLE MORABITO

IN

mid-June, I joined 19 others from Bay Area who were set on blessing Bluefield, West Virginia. Our short term missions team headed to the Wade Center, which exists to “nurture Bluefield’s children, youth and their families spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually through practical programs and mentoring relationships.” The Wade Center offers a free afterschool program during the school year as well as a free summer camp for kindergartners through fifth-graders. The Wade Center hopes to influence the kids’ lives in a positive way to help them build their future; our team traveled to Bluefield to partner with them and share the love of Jesus.

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We were the first short term missions team from Bay Area to visit Bluefield.

But Walk The Walk Foundation, Bay Area’s local outreach partner, provides Christmas gifts to children in Bluefield each year through the Gifts for Children program. The goal of our short term missions team was to serve within the United States in an area where Bay Area already had a connection, so the Wade Center was a perfect place to serve.

Bluefield is a small, old coal town that was considered a “mini New York” in the late 1800s. But much of that bustling past is behind them. The people, though, are friendly, warm, inviting and so hospitable. Our team felt immensely appreciated by them.

We had the opportunity to run a Vacation Bible School each afternoon at the Wade Center. Different members of our team planned out interactive lectures, worship music, games and arts and crafts, teaching the children about the life of Moses. There was a skit every day that the five children on our team wrote and performed; the kids at the Wade Center really enjoyed seeing them act out the stories! Through this planning, the team was able to have a successful week full of learning and fun with the kids at the Wade Center.

A few team members also participated in a construction project, building a ramp for a community member who had not been able to leave her house in years.

Another group helped scrape, clean,

paint and dust rooms in the Wade Center to help the center use their space more effectively. Others served by helping the teachers at the Wade Center with their “Keeping it Fresh” program where students reviewed school material. Each person on our team had the opportunity to give back to the community in an important way.

I was stretched and grew in my faith during our preparation for the trip.

One of my roles was to find praise and worship songs that the kids would be able sing and dance to. Having never done this sort of thing before, I was very nervous about finding the right songs and coming up with the right movements for the kids to follow. Luckily, my team stepped right up and learned the songs with me, so we were able to dance and sing in front of the kids all together.

This quickly became one of my favorite parts of each day at the Wade Center. It was a time that the kids were able to let loose, dance around, and sing praise and worship songs. After the first day, kids kept asking if they could come up to the front and dance with us. It was very neat to see “my project” play out and see the kids having fun.

One of the most memorable moments in Bluefield for me was on the last day. My team decided to make bracelets with all of the kids to help them remember how to share the gospel in a simple way. I sat with a little boy named Chawn and we talked about what each bead meant as

we made the bracelet together. When we finished, I tied the bracelet on his wrist and he looked at me and said, “I want to tell you my story.”

Chawn immediately started telling me the good news, putting himself in the story to show that what Jesus did was for him. I couldn’t help but smile because not only did he remember what each bead represented, but he also was able to make it into a story for himself. I could tell that he really understood what I was telling him, and he was excited to share the news with others. This moment made the trip for me. When you go on a missions trip, sometimes you might ask yourself, “did I make a difference?”

When this little boy listened so intently while we were talking one on one, and then wanted to share the story himself, I knew I had at least planted one seed while I was in Bluefield. Our hope was to plant seeds so God can work His way into the children’s lives and into their community more and more.

You could tell that the kids at the Wade Center were looking forward to the loving connections and attention from the teams and staff at the Wade Center.

Our team was able to show these kids that God loves them and cares for them.

I’m challenged to continue praying for our next generation: that seeds are being planted both near and far so that kids are able to learn about Jesus’ love for us all. I hope you’ll join me!

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the project

I

CHANGES COMING IN STUDENT MINISTRY AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

f you were to stop into The Warehouse on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night, you would experience many things. You would find friendly faces of leaders and students welcoming new families. You would experience a student ministry outgrowing their space.

You would witness laughter, excitement and good conversations as students reconnect after a long week.

Most importantly, you would discover friendships formed out of discipleship. You would experience a ministry’s heart for students to develop such a passion for Jesus and compassion for others that they don’t graduate from their faith when they graduate from our ministry.

Bay Area Student Ministry’s desire to disciple students is lived out in the relational ministry of our community groups. We believe meaningful life-change happens when a consistent, committed group, focused

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on Jesus, does life together. Our community groups provide middle and high school students with adult relationships intentionally designed for discipleship. Led by adult volunteers, these groups consist of students of the same grade and gender.

We believe community groups are the reason for our ministry’s growth. A student returns to a church when he or she feels known, cared about and connected to his or her peers.

This happens in community groups.

Currently, our community groups for middle school students take place during the school year on Sunday mornings. Our groups for high school students take place on Wednesday evenings. Our middle school community groups have completely outgrown our physical space on Sundays. Not only that, our students and leaders are limited by time and the distractions of the crowded space in going deeper spiritually and in relationship with one another.

However, our Wednesday night community groups are flourishing. A large percentage of our students from Sundays return for community groups on Wednesdays. Students speak of the positive impact these groups are having on their understanding of practically applying God’s Word in their lives. Leaders speak of the positive change God is making in their students’ lives. These groups are successful in part because Wednesday evenings provide the necessary time and space for these groups to connect relationally, unpack that week’s teaching and pray for one another’s needs.

BASM’s vision through The Descendant’s Project and the construction of a new student facility is not only to have the ability to meet families’ needs by offering middle and high school gatherings on Sundays simultaneously, but also to have a flourishing community group program on Wednesday evenings.

This fall, construction on the new space begins. With this great blessing, we face some logistical challenges, but we see this as an opportunity to begin living out a part of our future vision now. That part of the vision is shifting all community groups to Wednesday nights. During the construction, we will lose access to The Warehouse. Because of this, there is not a suitable space for our ministry to continue holding gatherings on Sunday mornings.

For this school year, our main student ministry program for middle and high school students will take place on Wednesday nights. Here is what students can look forward to on Wednesday evenings beginning with a September 13 kickoff:

6-6:30 p.m. – Optional dinner that students will be able to purchase at an affordable price

By Lydia MacBride

6:30-7 p.m. – Separate middle and high school time for hanging out, games and other relational activities 7-7:30 p.m. – Worship and biblical teaching 7:30-8:30 p.m. – Community group time Even though we won’t be offering a student gathering on Sunday mornings, we are excited for the opportunity for our ministry to connect with families and our students to connect with the church family in new ways. The Loft, the space above the chapel, will be turned into a BASM connect center, where new families can meet staff, leaders and other students, while hearing about our ministry. Students can also stop by a grab a doughnut, connect with a leader or catch up with friends. For Sunday gatherings, students will be invited to join the main gathering in the auditorium. There will be a reserved section for students and BASM leaders to worship together.

Under the direction of church leadership, BASM has prayerfully prepared for a year of change, and we’re excited about the opportunities God has given us to disciple the next generation. If you have questions about the changes or about how you can get involved with BASM, email me at lydia.macbride@bayareacc.org. You can also join us for a parent gathering on Sunday, August 27, at 9:30 or 11:15 a.m. in The Warehouse, when we’ll lay out our plans for the year and answer questions.

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join us for our annual

BACKPACK DRIVE SUNDAYS

8/6 & 8/13 AT BAY AREA

Bring a $20 donation and fill a backpack with school supplies for an Anne Arundel County child in need.

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SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE EVENTS

September 3 All Elementary-aged children Kindergarten through 4th grade will move up together on Sunday, September 3. This will be the first Sunday with their new leaders!

Kindergarten preview August 20 and 27 The rising Kindergarteners will experience how Elementary-age kids do large group!

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PARDON OUR DUST Descendants Project construction is underway, which means the east entrance doors will be closed during the build.

The east parking lot will remain open. Please use the front doors, and utilize the drop-off lane for those who cannot walk long distances.

Thank you!

CARE NETWORK

HAPPENINGS

Sometimes life hands us struggles: loss of a loved one, serious illness, parenting difficulties, divorce, addiction and many other challenges. These struggles can feel isolating, yet God never intended that we walk through them alone. He is in the business of comforting, restoring and renewing all things for His glory. Your circumstances are not beyond that; He longs to reach you with His redemption and grace.

We want to walk with you through this season of life. The Care Network is a free, confidential, Jesus-centered ministry that assists those seeking help. We provide hope and healing through a variety of resources both inside and outside the walls of Bay Area. Let’s partner through these struggles together. Email leanne.lane@bayareacc.org to get started.

BAPTISM Wo u l d y o u l i ke t o b e b a p t i z e d ?

For more information...

• K-5th: contact gail.wiles@bayareacc.org • 6-12th: contact brent.squires@bayareacc.org • Adults: contact dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org

CELEBRATE RECOVERY Celebrate Recovery (CR) is for anyone seeking a richer life through worshipping God and being in community with others. Don’t let your hurts, habits or hangups keep you isolated. Join us on Monday nights from 7-9 p.m. for community, worship and teaching. Want to learn more? Join us at our CR Taster gathering on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, conversation, and a chance to experience what it’s all about. KidCare is available. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

CONNECT WITH BAY AREA If you’re new or just have a question, we’d love to meet you and help you get plugged in. Look for a member of our connect team in a black shirt in the lobby after each Sunday gathering or visit us online at bayareacc.org/new.

DIVORCECARE SUPPORT GROUP (NEW) Have you walked down the path of divorce? Perhaps you have experienced the encouragement and support of others through a DivorceCare Group or some other format. We are looking for women and men who feel a calling to be part of this new ministry opportunity at Bay Area. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org PREMARITAL MENTORING Are you newly engaged? We want to partner with you as you establish a strong, Jesus-centered life with your future spouse. Through premarital mentoring you’ll be paired with trained marriage mentors (couples married 10+ years) who will equip you with tools and resources you’ll need to succeed in marriage. Info: premarital.ministry@bayareacc.org

AUG UST GO&MAKE 27

MARRIAGE MINISTRY UPDATE Through our partnership with marriedpeople.org we help couples grow closer to Jesus and to each other in their marriages. Their strategy has helped us create largegroup experiences, small-group events and individual couple’s activities. We host three to four large-group events per year, like the Great Date Night; three to four small-group events such as marriage-focused Learning Communities, or weekend retreats; and three to four events for individual couples, like date nights that include KidCare. Sign up for Bay Area’s weekly email update at bayareacc.org to stay up to date and receive a link to the MarriedPeople Monthly Ezine. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org MARRIAGE MINISTRY TEAM - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our marriage ministry team seeks to encourage and equip couples to start and stay strong in their marriages. If you have a passion to help strengthen marriages and have been married for 10 or more years, come be a part of this ministry. Read more at bayareacc.org/marriageministry.

Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PREMARITAL COUPLES Occasionally, couples who are living together enter our Premarital Ministry. We believe strongly that the best way to honor God before marriage is to remain pure and live separately. We’re looking for folks who have temporary space in their homes that could be used in order to fulfill this desire.

Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES MISSIONAL COMMUNITY TASTER We are all about community. Being connected with others helps us grow in our love for God, for each other, and for our neighbor. If you are new or simply looking to get plugged in, join us on Sunday, August 13 at 12:45 p.m. in The Warehouse (our student ministry space) for our Missional Community Taster event. We’ll spend some time getting a “taste” of what community looks like and help you get plugged into a community near you. Lunch is provided and KidCare is available with registration.

Register at bayareacc.org/missionalcommunities.

ISRAEL TRIP 2018 INFORMATIONAL MEETING Sunday, August 20 from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. in The Loft.

Considering going on the October 2018 trip to Israel but have some questions? Here’s your opportunity to field questions, review the 10-day itinerary in detail, and talk to Pastor Ed Kelley about the experience of visiting the Holy Land for this Biblical tour. The trip takes place October 15-24, 2018, and costs $3,892. Register at registernow.ittworld.com with tour code: Kelley18. Info: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org. $150 discount expires August 15.

GLOBAL MISSIONS SEND: Interested in sending others through prayer or giving?

Give to a short term missionary or team at bayareacc.org/ stmgive. For prayer information email michele.rollins@ bayareacc.org.

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MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays from 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236 at Bay Area.

Info: Jim at jlradcliffe@hotmail.com MEN’S EVENING BIBLE STUDY Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in room 235 at Bay Area. This study is geared toward helping men draw closer to Jesus while discussing and discovering God’s answers for the challenges men face at home, work and in society.

Info: bob.gregory@bayareacc.org

WOMEN'S MINISTRY At Bay Area, we invite women to join us on a spiritual journey in community with others. We call it The Well.

Like the woman at the well in John 4, Jesus meets us where we are and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. Check out our upcoming fall Bible studies and events for The Well below. For more info or to register visit bayareacc.org/ women/spiritualgrowth.

All Things New: A Study of 2 Corinthians Wednesdays, September 6 - December 13 from 9:30-11:30 A.M. The same timeless message that encouraged the believers then will encourage you in your daily life today. Cost is $15. Register online today or in the lobby August 20, 27 or September 3.

Wednesday Morning KidCare KidCare available for ages birth - preschoolers for Wednesday morning Well participants with advance registration. Cost $60/1 child, $80/2+ children. Registration is now open. Space is limited. Info: dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org I Peter: A Living Hope in Christ Tuesdays, September 12 - November 28 from 7-9 P.M. Look beyond your present circumstances to our future inheritance described in a video study by Jen Wilkin. Learn about your true identity in Christ, and our need for humility and submission to Christ and one another. Cost is $15. Register online today or in the lobby August 20, 27 or September 3.

Info: cmbernie@thekraftfam.com Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story Tuesdays, September 19 - November 28 from 7-9 P.M. Do you need a better understanding of the overall thread that connects the people, places and promises of the Bible? From Genesis to Revelation we will see how the whole Bible has one seamless story. Join us for a video study by Angie Smith. (Not limited to but especially helpful for those new to the Bible).

Cost $15. Register online today or in the lobby August 20, 27 or September 3. Info: janet.graves@bayareacc.org LIFE CRAFT EVENTS Join us for this new offering to learn a skill and connect with others. It’s a great way to introduce a friend to Bay Area and make it a night out. Check out the upcoming life craft events below and register at www.bayareacc.org/womensevents.

FLOWER ARRANGING - Thursday, August 10 from 7-8:30 P.M. Learn the fundamentals of flower arranging and create your own arrangement to take home. Bring a small vase and pair of scissors. Cost is $10 for flowers and refreshments. Bring a friend!

Register at bayareacc.org/womensevents

QUILTS FOR KIDS - Sat., August 19 from 10 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Join us as we make quilts for kids in shelters and hospitals using donated fabrics. Meet in the Docks at Bay Area. Come and learn to sew a new pattern. Kits will be available. Please bring your sewing machine, sewing supplies and your lunch. If you would like a quilt kit, want to donate a quilt, or have questions, contact Janet Hogan at annapolisQFK@quiltsforkids.org

LEARNING COMMUNITIES Learning Communities are intended to strengthen your Biblical knowledge, character and/or practical ministry skills.

They are also an opportunity to get to know others at Bay Area on Sunday mornings in an environment of learning and interaction. Sign up at bayareacc.org/learningcommunities.

ROMANS AUGUST 6, 20-27, SEPTEMBER 3-10 9:30 AM – IN DOCK B (right side) This learning community led by Executive Pastor Ed Kelley is broken down into sections so you can join any of them. Each week will be self-contained focusing only on two chapters of the great book of Romans. The topic lines will include salvation, predestination, sexuality, “gray” areas, Israel’s salvation, dealing with perpetual sin in one’s life, politics and a whole lot more.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY MOVE UP SUNDAY IS SEPTEMBER 3 Move Up Sunday is when all children move up to their new grade level in elementary classes in our Children’s Ministry. We ask that you do not move your child before September 3. For rising kindergartners we have a preview of elementary large group during the gatherings on Sunday, August 20 and 27 to help them become familiar with the transition.

WAVE RIDERS PLAY GROUP Come check out this family play and support group with fun activities, book clubs and socials that offers a space for parents to share parenting knowledge, resources and experiences. Check our Facebook page at facebook.com/waveriderplaygroup or email brittany.dunklin@bayareacc.org for more details.

NURSING MOTHERS Children’s Ministry offers two locations for nursing mothers during Sunday gatherings. If you would like a quiet place to nurse, visit our Tidal Pool area and we will direct you to a room equipped with glider rockers. If you would like a place to nurse and hear the gathering during the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. gatherings only, visit our Children’s Welcome desk and you will be directed to our Children’s Ministry director’s office.

COLLEGE MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MC Our desire is to see young adults connect in community where they are loving God, serving others and growing spiritually together.

Missional Communities are a great opportunity for young adults (ages 18-25) to do this weekly. Info: bryan.mcfarland@bayareacc.org

STUDENT MINISTRY CLUB 678 SUMMER CINEMA Summer Cinema is a monthly summer hang out for middle school students that features a movie, games, prizes and more.

Our next Summer Cinema will be on August 11 from 6-9 p.m., featuring the movie “Finding Dory.” Students are encouraged to invite friends to Summer Cinema, and can bring money for snacks, drinks and pizza. This event is free.

Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org ELEVATE Elevate is a weekly summer hangout for middle school students on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds on things above, and that’s exactly what we want to encourage students to do during the summer.

We will combine fun games and activities with engaging Bible study. Students are asked to bring lunch for themselves, as we will be eating together. Join us for Elevate on August 9, 16 and 23.

Info: lydia.macbride@bayareacc.org FOOD COURT THURSDAY Join the BASM staff for lunch at the Westfield Annapolis Mall most Thursdays throughout the summer. Bring your friends and money for food - this event is open to all middle and high school students. Dates: August 10, 27, 24, 31.

Info: lauren.gibeault@bayareacc.org HIGH SCHOOL DAY TRIP High school students are invited to join us for a day trip to Guppy Gulch! Guppy Gulch is a 13-acre water-filled quarry with kayaks, canoes, inflatables, zip lines and slides. The trip is on Monday, August 21 and costs $40.

Students can sign up online or at the student ministry kiosk.

Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org BASM BLOCK PARTY High school and college students are invited to the annual BASM Block Party. The event is on August 30 from 7-10 p.m. at 122 Riverbreeze Place, Arnold, MD. There will be music, food, swimming, door prizes and more. This event is free, and more info can be found at bayareacc.org/basmevents. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org BASM FALL RETREATS - SAVE THE DATE It’s time to save the date for our middle and high school fall retreats! The high school fall retreat will be September 2224 at Bethany Beach, DE. Registration will open on Sunday, August 13. Our middle school fall retreat will be October 13-15 at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater, MD. Registration will open on Sunday, September 3. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org CLUB678 Club678 is our monthly middle school hang out night during the school year. Our first Club678 will be on Friday, September 8 from 7-9 p.m. Club678 is a high-energy evening, full of activities and prizes. This event is free.

Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org AUG UST GO&MAKE 29

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AMBASSADOR TEAM: If you have a passion for people and Jesus and have attended Bay Area for at least six months, the ambassador role is for you. Come help newcomers get connected. Info: rachel.perry@ bayareacc.org AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM: We’re looking for a few more passionate, committed people to partner with our Sunday production team. Info: tres.cozad@bayareacc.org CHAIR MINISTRY: Serve on the chair set-up/tear-down team. Info: chairs@bayareacc.org ESPRESSO BAR: Serve as a barista after one of the gatherings once a month. Training provided.

Info: sherri.raimondo@bayareacc.org CHILDREN’S WELCOME TEAM: Welcome and assist new families through the Children's Ministry experience on Sundays. Info: courtney.gregory@bayareacc.org CHILDREN'S SET DESIGN TEAM: Serve on the set design team for our Preschool and Elementary Large Group spaces. Email brittany.dunklin@bayareacc.org for preschool and aimee.coyle@bayareacc.org for elementary.

GOLF CART DRIVERS: Looking for friendly folks to pick people up in the parking lot before gatherings to ease their walk into the building. Must be 21 or older and have a clean driving record. Info: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org

FINANCIALS Annapolis Campus Operating Budget Financial Update As of July 16, 2017 New Fiscal Year Began September 1, 2016 ANNAPOLIS CAMPUS Fiscal Year Giving Goal

$ 4,792,000

YTD Received YTD Goal YTD Actual vs. Goal Month To Date Received Month To Date Giving Goal

$ 4,170,774 $ 4,243,260 $ (72,486) 1.7% Behind $ 236,266 $ 216,990

EASTON CAMPUS FISCAL YEAR GIVING GOAL $ YTD Received YTD Goal YTD Actual vs. Goal Month To Date Received Month To Date Giving Goal

$ $ $ $ $

187,000 143,802 165,420 (21,618) 15.0% Behind 7,940 13,486

Annapolis Campus Outstanding Building Debt $3,310,490 (as of 6/30/17) For weekly financial updates, go to bayareacc.org/ financials.

PARKING MINISTRY: Serve by directing traffic and greeting people as they arrive. Info: parking@bayareacc.org

Please indicate any designated gifts on the memo line of your check or use the drop-down box online to select your desired giving fund.

PRESCHOOL TEAM: Serve the youngest at Bay Area on our Preschool team on Sunday mornings.

Info: courtney.gregory@bayareacc.org

Note: You will need to donate via check if the fund to which you wish to give is not listed online. All undesignated checks will go toward the general operating fund.

SAFETY TEAM: Are you passionate about safety or have experience in security, law enforcement, EMS or First Responders and want to serve in this area?

Info: safety@bayareacc.org

How Can I Participate In The Descendants Project?

WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Serve on an event planning team or in discipling other women. We would love to get to know you and see how your gifts can be used.

Info: janet.graves@bayareacc.org

Pledge cards are available on Sundays at the 3D model and online at bayareacc.org. For gifts other than cash, contact our finance team at finance@bayareacc.org.

How Can I Continue To Support Bay Area’s Building Funds?

GIVING METHODS

PRAYER MINISTRY J e s u s l i v e d a l i f e o f u n c e a s i n g p ray e r t h a t connected Him to the Father. We too long to be devoted to prayer. Our Prayer Ministry is comprised of individuals dedicated to gathering in prayer for all aspects of Bay Area life: our gatherings, communities, pastors, missions and so much more. Individuals are also available to pray with you on Sunday mornings after each gathering (front and right of the Chapel stage).

For more information visit us online at bayareacc.org/prayer.

Info: pat.linnell@bayareacc.org

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eCheck: Go to bayareacc.org/give to give online through your checking account through a one-time or recurring donation on My Bay Area.

Personal Check: Write “Building Fund” on the memo line and drop it in the offering basket on Sunday or mail the check to Bay Area (884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401).

Bank Check: Process through your bank’s Bill Pay service online for a bank check to be sent to Bay Area. Be sure to note “Building Fund” on the memo line.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

LOCAL OUTREACH

KIDCARE TEAM MEMBERS Our KidCare team has a need for individuals who have a heart for kids. We provide KidCare for all ministries and various events year-round. Want to join our team of paid workers?

Visit the Children’s Welcome counter on Sundays or email our KidCare Coordinator Dax at dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org.

PACK A BACKPACK August 6 and 13, The Walk the Walk Foundation will bring their trailer for us to pack backpacks with school supplies for the coming school year for children living below the poverty line in Anne Arundel County. Our goal is to pack 500 backpacks! Save the date for this fun opportunity to bless our neighbors in the county. Info: outreach@bayareacc.org

HUMAN RESOURCES & PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR Part-time HR representative needed. Ideal candidate will possess a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management, and have a minimum of three years’ experience working in a professional office environment within a nonprofit organization. An understanding of benefits, compensation, compliance and payroll, a solid experience working with Excel and other MS programs, and a good understanding of basic general accounting processes are required, as well as strong interpersonal skills and a positive, can-do attitude.

Info: jerry.shirlen@bayareacc.org CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ADMINISTRATIVE & PROGRAM COORDINATOR We are currently seeking a full-time administrative & program coordinator for Children’s Ministry at Bay Area.

This person will provide administrative support for the department and oversee promotion of all Children’s Ministry events. Responsibilities include coordinating, scheduling and recruiting volunteers; communicating with parents; database management; purchasing supplies; updating website and social media accounts; managing all promotion and registration for events; and more. Ideal candidates will be highly detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal skills and a positive, can-do attitude. For more information, email gail.wiles@bayareacc.org.

EASTON CAMPUS HAPPENINGS EASTON CHURCH PICNIC Come join us on Sunday, August 13, following our 10 A.M. gathering. We will have a lot of fun spending time together swimming, eating, playing games and doing baptisms! If your last name is A-M, please bring a side to share and if you are N-Z, please bring a dessert to share. You may want to bring a chair and swimwear. We will be doing baptisms at the picnic. If you are interested in getting baptized, please contact Craig Fadel at craig.fadel@bayareacc.org MC TASTER At Bay Area, we have groups that meet in homes throughout the week called Missional Communities.

These are a great way to build relationships and strengthen your faith. If you want to find out what they are and how to be involved in one, come join us for the Missional Community Taster on August 24 at 7 p.m. Info: craig.fadel@bayareacc.org

WANT TO BRING GO&MAKE ALONG WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO? BAYAREACC.ORG/GOANDMAKE AUG UST GO&MAKE 31

CHANGING OUR TIMES TO SAVE YOU TIME Beginning September 10, our new gathering times will be

7:50 a.m.

9:20 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

97

We want everyone who comes to Bay Area to have the best Sunday morning experience possible, and we recognize that doesn’t include sitting in traffic getting in and out of our parking lots. To improve traffic flow both inside and outside of our facility, we’re shifting our gathering times to allow more time between the two most well-attended gatherings.

20 min

3 mi 11:32 AM

32 GO&MAKE AUGUST

TRAFFIC ON ROUTE Continue straight on Chesterfield Rd