January 2024
Together In Mission
Monthly Reflections from BCC
The Church’s One Foundation
By Phil Rushton
Lead Pastor
1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
This past month we had the opportunity to install a new cross that stands at the center of our church. The previous cross had grown weathered over the years. After Dave Carlson, Grady Henderson and John Hawkins positioned it and bolted it in, we gathered together with the staff to pray and reflect on the centrality of the cross of Christ for our life together as a church. I think this is a fitting image for us to keep in mind as we embark on a new year together as a church. Jesus Christ is the foundation on which our lives and our church is built!
In the scene that follows the Christmas story in Luke 2, Mary and Joseph lose Jesus. They are on a spiritual pilgrimage and somehow manage to leave Jesus behind! In Luke 2:43 we read, “After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.”
The festival is over for us as well. Advent and Christmas are over. It’s back to work and school for many of us this week. I wonder if we have a tendency to lose sight of Jesus as well. As we seek to become the community God has called us to be, we can easily build our life on different types of foundations. Sometimes we try to build the church on the foundation of human leaders, cultural relevance, American business and marketing practices, or good old fashioned human striving.
It is interesting that a week after celebrating our need for a savior, we tend to become self reliant again. At Christmas we recognize our need to be saved and on New Years day we test out the capacity of our will-power by setting goals, starting diets, and promising to read the whole bible through in a year.
I came across an article in the New York Times that cites a study saying 95% of New Year’s resolutions are broken by February. The writer makes this concluding statement, “Studies suggest, then, that willpower is a limited resource.” That is a pretty theologically astute observation!
Now don’t get me wrong. I believe in setting goals. As the old adage goes, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time!” Goals and plans can direct us in helpful ways. However, I wonder if we struggle with our attempt to grow because we are relying on a limited resource. I wonder if our longings for change fall short because we lose sight of our need to stay connected to Christ. I wonder if we struggle because we have a tendency to leave Jesus behind.
We can apply this to our personal spiritual journey, but it also applies to our corporate life together. As we look ahead to 2024, my prayer is that we would keep our eyes fixed upon Christ. This January and February we are going to begin the year by growing in our capacity to discern God’s leading. I’m starting a new teaching series on January 7 called Lessons in Discernment, which will be focused on the book of 1 John.
Perhaps, the starting point for this year is not to forge ahead by making big plans. Maybe the starting point for us is to sit with Jesus in the temple for a while and listen to what he has to say. This is what Jesus models for us. Above all the expectations of the world, he reminds us that the starting point in the spiritual journey is listening to God.
Today we begin the New Year. We step out into the unknown full of hopes and longings. But before we embark on this journey of 2024 let’s begin with this question – “Where’s Jesus?”
Pastor Phil
International Student Luncheon
By John Kerl
On Monday, December 18, BCC hosted the 40th annual International Students Luncheon. There were around 50 students representing several different countries.
BCC has been hosting the annual international student luncheon in December since 1983. John Kerl was on staff as the Director of Special Ministries from 1983 to 1986. Early in his tenure, he received a call from a leader from International Students Incorporated (ISI) asking if our church would provide a rest stop for students who would be traveling by bus from Seattle to the Firs Chalet on Mount Baker for their annual retreat. The location of our former church building—on the corner of I-5 and East Sunset Drive—was the perfect stopping place. John checked with the church leaders who approved the request. So then he recruited people to help host the luncheon, including Jan Mock, Barbara Holmes, Chloe Stock, Chris and Jim Harmon, and many others. It was a delight to see the bus pull up and have students from so many different countries enter the church. They received a warm welcome, a great home cooked meal, and conversation with people from BCC (strategically seated with at least one per table!). For some of the students, this interaction with hospitable Christians opens their hearts to place their trust in Jesus for the first time.
As the years went on, Jan Taylor stepped in to be the organizer, mover and shaker of this wonderful tradition. Jan does an amazing job of recruiting volunteers, planning the meal, purchasing the ingredients, organizing the set-up of the tables, and overseeing the cooking, serving, and clean-up. All who volunteer are richly blessed by this opportunity to meet students from all over the world and show them the hospitality of Jesus. It is so wonderful that BCC has a been welcoming these international students for 40 years!
Children’s Nativity Program
By Megan Mattix
Children and Family Ministries Director
A big thank you to all who participated in our Children’s nativity program on December 17th! The children did an amazing job helping to lead us in worship through songs and story; acting out the story of Jesus’ birth!
Special thank you to these amazing volunteers: Julie Rushton, Justin Mattix, Jeremy and Kristin Chatelain, Teresa Parsons and Jess Taylor! Thank you for helping us to stay organized and safe throughout rehearsals and during the worship time itself.
And thank YOU, congregation, for particpating with us in singing along and watching with joy and care. The children of this church feel welcome and loved. Each of your smiles, high fives, and kind conversations in the halls add to a culture of welcome for the kids of this church. They feel it and so do I. We are so grateful for you!
Enjoy some photos from our Christmas Nativity Program!
Many blessings in the new year to you and yours,
Megan
Up Next…
Life together Resumes
Sunday, January 7
10:45 AM -11:45 AM
*follow this link for a complete list of Adult Classes
Vespers Service
Sunday, January 7
6:00 PM in the Sanctuary
*Vespers is a contemplative worship and prayer service
Second Cup of Coffee
Saturday, January 13
10:00 AM in Cafe Fika
*Ladies, join us for coffee and fellowship! If you are new to BCC, this is a great way to get to know other ladies in our church!
Salmon Habitat Restoration
Saturday, January 13
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
*along Squalicum Creek
Group Facilitators Gathering
Sunday, February 4
10:45 am - 11:45 AM
*This gathering is open to those who are facilitating groups now, who have done so in the past, or who are open to doing so in the future. The goal is to encourage and learn from one another