WELCOME HOME TO BRUSHY CREEK

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF BRUSHY CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH TAYLORS

NOVEMBER 2011

theCREEKSIDE

TAKE NOTE...

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox CollectionCollection between November 6–13

Women’s Christmas DinnerTuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.This year’s theme “Peace on Earth...Found: A Testimony of Hope” with guest speaker Kelley Murphy. Read more on page 6.

Children’s Christmas MusicalSunday, December 4

Just a friendly reminder since cold and flu season is approaching. For the protection of the other children and teachers in your child’s

class, PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD TO CHURCH IF HE/SHE HAS

DISPLAYED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS DURING THE PAST 24

HOURS: diarrhea, vomiting, unexplained rash, non-allergic cough discolored nasal drainage or fever. If your child

becomes ill while in our care, you will be notified immediately.

ATTENTION PARENTS

Sleeping Sheep RALPH CARTER // Pastor

Why Do We Have a Discover Class? JIM RUSSELL // Rescue Minister

IN JANUARY I WILL BE PREACHING A SERIES OF THREE SERMONS ENTITLED “$LEEPING $HEEP.” As you have guessed, by now, they will focus on money. In a failing economy, what can you do to stay ahead financially? Lots of God’s sheep are losing sleep because they find themselves with more month than money. The goal of the series is to discover ways that every person attending can be more financially sound at the close of 2012 than they were at the beginning of the year. The messages will be to the point and practical. I hope you will mark your calendars and plan to be present in every service for this series beginning on January 15.

WHEN SOME FOLKS HEAR OF A REQUIRED CLASS FOR NEW CHURCH MEMBERS, they conjure up images of something akin to an airline safety talk at the beginning of a flight. They are already bracing them-selves for a long spill on denominational affiliation, or some other “boring” subject. Brushy Creek’s Discover Class has a very different purpose and, hopefully, will enable a different experience for those who attend.

I try, in each class series, to say something like this: “God help us if we ever become a church where someone could join without having anyone talk with them about their relationship with the Lord.” This is a basic purpose of our Discover class. We’ve even had people get saved during the class! So we start out seeking to establish what it means to BELONG to God, through Jesus. And we proceed by explaining what it means to belong to a church.

Now some will say, “But I’ve been a Christian a long time. Why do I need to go through this class?” The answer is simple. We all obey spiritual truths we’ve known for years. And there are certain biblical truths that we all need to understand and agree on, if we are to go forward together in unity and purpose. So we try in the class to make it very clear what we’re talking about when we set forth the Brushy Creek emphases of RESCUE, GROW, and SERVE.

Others have said that they are already connected in their Sunday School class, and that they don’t want to miss it to go through the Discover Series.

That’s great that they have already built such strong friendships. So, in order to better accommodate everyone, we’re offering the Discover Class at two different times: 1) during early Sunday School at 9:15; and 2) during Greenhouse, Session 4 (February 22 – March 28, 2012).

Finally, let me say that the Discover Series is not just for new church members. It is also a great opportunity for others interested in knowing what Brushy Creek is all about, to get their questions answered. So I hope you will invite interested friends to come and check it out.

theCreekside | NOVEMBER 20112

theCreekside | NOVEMBER 2011 3

This Christmas! ROBBIE SOX // Minister of Music

WELL, THE TREES HAVE TURNED COLORS, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BRISK, AND WE’RE HEARING CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN STORES AND ELEVATORS ALL ACROSS THE LAND. The Christmas season is upon us. Here at BCBC we’ll start singing and listening to Christmas music on the first of December.

December 3 - We’ll head to Joanna, SC for Miracle on Magnolia Street at Christ Central Ministries where we’ll cele-brate the birth of our Savior.

December 4 - Our children’s choir will present their program here at Brushy Creek with some of the children from Christ Central Ministries.

December 11 - Our Adult Choir will present their program two times, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. This is a beautiful program called Light Looked Down.

December 24 - This has always been a special time of worship here, with our worship center packed out for our Christmas Eve service. Gospel Truth will be singing at this service.

I am One of "Those" People. JEREMIAH OLIVER // Middle School Pastor

I AM A GRATEFUL BELIEVER IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO STRUGGLES WITH ADDICTIVE AND COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR. Praise the Lord my identity is in my Savior Jesus Christ, and not my struggles! Here is some of my story...

If you were to look up the word “dysfunc-tion” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of the Oliver family. However, growing up at church, no one ever knew that there was a need for spiritual healing in our family. We were “The Olivers”, a stable family of seven that seemed to have it all together. It is amazing that after 34 years of life, I am still dealing with the facade that fooled most people into believing our family did not have prob-lems. Can any of you identify?

I was in denial that our family had prob-lems until my parents were divorced after 34 years of marriage on August 13, 2004. Did I mention that I married my beautiful wife, Kelli, on August 14, 2004? Wow!

What timing! How could our loving God allow this death to my parent’s marriage happen the same time I was beginning my new married life? However, as the facade of our picture perfect family began to fade, the Holy Spirit gave peace and comfort that “God doesn’t waste a hurt”, and the Romans 8:28 truth that “God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.” I knew the Lord was going to use my parents’ divorce to help me relate and minister more effectively to my students whose parents were divorced as well. God’s love never fails and inevitably He has used the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of my family to mold me to be more effective as a minister of the gospel.

For over two years now I have been involved in the recovery ministry at BCBC. It has been exciting to see God change, “those people”, and help them in their healing. Recently, however, God has graciously reminded me that I am also one of “those people”. Through

leading our youth recovery ministry, The Landing, I have been reminded that I need recovery also! God has convicted me that I am compulsive in areas of my life: (over-eating, dieting, exercise, various proj-ects and tasks ministry related and non-ministry related). Food has been my drug of choice and my addiction to it has led to a continual fluctuation in weight and a myriad of health issues.

Praise the Lord, I have recently become a part of a men’s step study, and I am dealing with these issues and healing! The facade of having it “all together” is fading and the truth that I need recovery has set me free to live more for Jesus! Recovery is for everyone who lives in this broken world. I challenge you to tear down your facade and come experience life and healing on Monday nights here at BCBC. There is something for the whole family. Celebrate Recovery (Adults), The Landing (Youth), and Celebration Station (Children). God is good…ALL THE TIME!!!

Kids of Brushy Creek REBECCA OAKS // Children's Director ELEANOR BISHOP // Preschool Director

As a mission project this year in Awana,

we are asking every child to fill a shoebox

with items for Operation Christmas

Child. Boxes will need to be returned by

November 16. Boxes can be dropped off in

the Fellowship Hall.

Please look for your child to bring a box

home soon. What a wonderful way to help

a child this Christmas and share the Gospel

with him or her. We hope you will

participate!

If you have questions, please contact

Eleanor Bishop at eleanor0930@yahoo.com

or Amy Childers at amy@childersmail.com.

theCreekside | NOVEMBER 20114

theCreekside | NOVEMBER 2011 5

FOLLOW-UP ON PILLOWCASE DRESS MAKING EVENT Ribbons and thread and lace, O my! That was the scene in the BCBC gym on Sunday afternoon, August 7. At least forty women, young women, teens and girls were on site for the Dress It Up event. What a wonderful time of fellowship this was while making pillowcase dresses for needy children. In the end, close to 80 dresses of different sizes and colors were completed. Thirty of those dresses will be immediately sent to an orphanage in Uganda. The remainder will be packed in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to be spread around the world! Thank you to all that came out for this event to put your skills and talents to use in order to spread God’s love to girls in other countries. You missed a blessing if you weren’t able to make it but don’t worry. We will organize another event in the future.

INSEPARABLE: A MID-WINTER GET-AWAY AT THE COVE Are you more than ready for a get-away weekend with the girls? We’ve got one planned that is going to be perfect! Have you ever heard of The Cove? Rev. Billy Graham opened this beautiful training center in Asheville, NC. We’ll leave Friday, February 17 and return late the next day. While there, we’ll explore our relation-ship with Jesus; when you’re in one with him, the two of you become inseparable. We can rejoice in all things, as nothing can separate us from His love, comfort and power! The amazing Ruth McWhite will be our guest speaker. And our very own Heather Windsor will share her story of how God proved himself to her time and again during the most difficult of circum-stances, one that created national headlines. You can chose from a variety of activities to fill your downtime, including a 5K walk/run, jewelry-making and shopping. (Asheville is known for its unique boutiques and antiques!) Most importantly, this is a time to relax. We’ve got everything covered...just pack your bags and let us do the heavy-lifting. This is your weekend to escape and recharge those batteries before spring kicks into full gear. Grab your besties and register at BrushyCreek.org. Those who sign-up before October 30, will get a FREE inseparable t-shirt. For more information please contact Shelly Maynard at 483-3241 or y77345@charter.net or Libby Massey at 292-1363 or Massey1970@charter.net

CHRISTMAS DINNER The Christmas season will be here soon and we would love for you to join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Please join us for our Annual Women’s Christmas Dinner being held on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30p.m. Our guest speaker, Kelley Murphy, will present “Peace on Earth...Found: A Testimony of Hope” Luke 2:14. The cost is only $10. You can register in the breezeway or at BrushyCreek.org. Please contact Sharon King for more details at 864-963-5287 or earlandsharon63@frontier.com.

FOLLOW-UP ON GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT On October 2, the Living Fragrance Women’s Ministry hosted “Girls Night Out” with Martha Gillen. Dana Stout and “Shine” led our praise music. The subject of the evening was our service to God. We had approximately 90 ladies attend. Eight of those girls committed to joining our Women’s ministry and serving God in the coming year. We also had one who recommitted her life to the Lord. We would like to thank the women who baked delicious cakes for us to serve and to those who served them. You are indeed a living fragrance to God.

Hey Woman! Things You Need to Know from the Women’s Ministry of Brushy Creek

theCreekside | SEPTEMBER 20114 theCreekside | NOVEMBER 20116

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

UPWARD EVALUATIONS 6:30 p.m.

DEACONS’ MEETING7:00 p.m.

UPWARD EVALUATIONS 6:30 p.m.

FATHER/SON OVERNIGTHER

UPWARD EVALUATIONS 9:30 a.m.

FATHER/SON OVERNIGTHER

BLOOD DRIVE 4 p.m.

MERRY MAKERS10:30 a.m.

LAST CAFE AT THE CREEK AND GREENHOUSE FOR 2010

COLLIDE6:30 p.m.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (OFFICE CLOSED)

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (OFFICE CLOSED)

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST 8 a.m.

CHILDREN’S SS TEACHER TRAINING LUNCHEON 12 p.m.

2012 BUDGET PRESENTATION 6 p.m.

SHOEBOX COLLECTION

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

EveryWeekSUNDAYS

8:00 a.m. Sunday School

*9:15 a.m. Sunday School/ Traditional Worship

*10:45 a.m. Sunday School/ Contemporary Worship

MONDAYS

*6:00 p.m. Celebrate Recovery

6:00 p.m. The Landing/LHGH

*7:30 p.m. Creekside Orchestra Practice

WEDNESDAYS

5:00 p.m. Café at the Creek

*6:45 p.m. The Greenhouse

*8:10 p.m. Creekside Choir Practice

EveryMonthSENIOR ADULTS

MERRY MAKERS MEETINGSpecial guest is author and humorist, Rev. Dan RayTuesday, Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m.

MEN’S MINISTRY

MEN’S TESTIMONY BREAKFASTFront Room of the ARC. We look forward to seeing you there!Sunday, Nov. 13 at 8 a.m.

2011 November

*Childcare Available

Staff DirectoryPastorRalph Carter864.238.0166 ralphc@brushycreek.org

Associate PastorDavid Kay864.354.8481 davidk@brushycreek.org

Rescue MinisterJim Russell864.270.8441jimr@brushycreek.org

Music MinisterRobbie Sox864.292.8322 robbies@brushycreek.org

College Minister and Director of MissionsAngela Carter864.325.3778 angelac@brushycreek.org

High School PastorBenji Ladd864.414.1195 benjil@brushycreek.org

Middle School PastorJeremiah Oliver864.915.3302 jeremiaho@brushycreek.org

Director of Adult Sunday SchoolBen Langner864.297.6066 cblangner@bellsouth.net

Director of Children’s MinistriesRebecca Oaks864.968.9826 oaksfamily5@charter.net

Director of PreschoolEleanor Bishop864.915.9669 eleanor0930@yahoo.com

Director of The GreenhouseKristen Belflower864.268.8696 kristen@thebelflowers.com

Director of Weekday PreschoolTina Stephens864.268.3945 brushycreekweekday@yahoo.com

Facilities ManagerMarshall Croy864.322.5500 marshallc@brushycreek.org

Church Office864.244.5075 staff@brushycreek.org

After Hours Emergency864.918.0616

MEN!! Please note breakfast is on SUNDAY this month!!

4999 Old Spartanburg Road

Taylors, South Carolina 29687

864.244.5075BrushyCreek.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Organ

U.S. Postage

PAID

Taylors, S.C.

Permit NO.14

4th 11th 18th 25th AVERAGE

Sunday School 1032 861 894 903 923

Worship Services 1213 1044 1151 1139 1137

Attendance in September 2011

LOOKING AHEAD...

APPLI- CANTS FOR CHURCH MEMBER- SHIP

CONGRATS!

NOVEMBERNov 2Blood Drive

Nov 6 Daylight Savings Time Ends

Nov 6–13 Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Collection Week

DECEMBERDec 4Children’s Christmas Musical

Dec 6Women’s Christmas Dinner

Dec 11Adult Christmas Musical

Dec 24Christmas Eve Service

JANUARYJan 4Greenhouse Session 3 begins

Jan 8Celebrate Recovery Day

Jan 13High School Ski Trip

Jan 20–22Middle School at Chillipepper

BY LETTER

Tom StansellPhyllis StansellStella RaderCynthia Greer Madison

BY BAPTISM

Grayson HallWill Hammontree

To ERIC AND EMILY HICKS on the bir th of their daughter, AUDREY KATHRYN, born September 17, 2011.