Perspective
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Hebrews 12:6-8

Do you notice that we all look at life differently? You know, our perspective on the events, people and places in our lives can be viewed differently depending on who we are and what we believe. For instance, the photo above could be viewed as a surfer who has arrived early in the morning only to find the surf not large enough. It could also be viewed as a young surfer who has just finished a long morning session and is now walking back to his car reflecting on his day. We could also discuss his mood or emotional state. However we look at it, we all have the option and opinion on what we see. How about your life? What is your perspective on the events and people in your life?

In the passage in Hebrews, the writer is challenging us to view life from a different perspective. He is asking us to look differently at the trials and struggles that life brings. The challenge for us is to avoid having the “victim” perspective about life. That is, one in which we perceive that everything is being done to us. We should instead look at those tough times as something God is doing for us. What? Yes, God disciplines and allows struggles to happen in our lives because He loves us. We discipline our children because we love them. God wants us to grow and growing requires discipline, change, and some levels of discomfort. We have the option to view these events and people in our lives with a positive outlook.

Back to the photo. Using this perspective what if this young surfer had arrived early to meet his friends who never showed and he is simply reflecting on the amazing morning he had to surf and connect with God? Just a perspective. How are you viewing the events, people, and places that are unfolding around you? In our church? What will your perspective be...”victim” or “I am loved...I will grow.”

May we become a church that embraces all that God allows in our lives as love from Him. May we all endure the hardships set before us so we may become all He has created us to be.

Troy Murphy

New Summer Service Schedule
As you know, we have researched over 500 volunteers, staff, and attendees about our summer schedules and service times. With very few exceptions, people responded positively toward the proposed changes and the stewardship of our resources.

With that, in order to accommodate the needs of the congregation as well as summer weekend activities, we will begin a new service schedule the weekend of July 5. Service times remain the same through the end of June, but there will be changes in the summer KidsQuest Elementary schedule. Please make a note of the changes in your calendars.

June 20/21, 27/28
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
Nursery - PreK, no KidsQuest Elementary classes

Sunday 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Nursery-5th grade

July 5 (Holiday Weekend - New Service Times Begin)
Saturday - no service
Sunday - 8:15 & 10:00 a.m. - Nursery - PreK

New Service
6:30 p.m. - No childcare or KidsQuest Classes

Sundays, July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Saturday - no service
Sunday
8:15 & 10:00 a.m. - Nursery - 5th grade
6:30 p.m. - No childcare or KidsQuest Classes

September 6 - Holiday Weekend
Saturday - no service
Sunday
8:15 & 10:00 a.m. - Nursery - PreK
6:30 p.m. - No childcare or KidsQuest Classes

Guest Artists:
Sunday, July 5 - Urban Rescue
Sunday, July 19 - AJ Degrasse

Lifestages
Congratulations to:
Rick Wolosek and Jenni Winker, married May 30.
Randy Deviley and Lisa Seyler, married June 6.
Jacob and Betsy Miller, married June 13.

Community Shepherds
If you would like to lead, teach, or participate in a LifeGroup and did not attend the May 14, 2009 Shepherd’s Walk, please click here to subscribe to a bi-weekly email newsletter from Troy. 

If you attended Shepherd’s Walk and completed an “I’m ready to do life with others” card, you’ll automatically be added to our subscription list.

New Communication Center
This summer we’re going to create a communication hub in the west lobby of the church.  Our goal is to complete it by Sunday, July 5. With that, we need to get our hands on some analog TVs.  If you or anyone you know has replaced a TV during the analog/digital transition, or if you have an extra TV (that works) that you’d like to donate, please give us a call. We can use 17 to 28 more TVs  - 19 inches diagonal or larger. 

Building Operations
Leader Team
If you have a strong desire to get involved and are interested in the care of your church home maybe you would like to be a part of a team that brainstorms on how to best maintain the building and grounds. Share your ideas with others on the team, choose a direction and watch what God can do.
Contact Patrick Jelen or 593-3492.

Family Camp Spots Still Open
GBCC is hosting one Family Camp, August 14-17, at Fort Wilderness near Rhinelander.  Space is limited to the first 250 to sign up.  We have around 100 signed up so far! Single, married, kids or not – all are welcome at Family Camp!  It’s a great time to meet new people and make new friends. Pick up a brochure in the brochure rack in the lobby or click here for details on our website.

Contact Pat Jelen or 593-3490.

Outdoor Connection Group
GBCC Group Camping trip
July 24 - 26
Join the Outdoor Connection for a casual weekend of friendship, relaxation and s’mores around the fire! Several families are headed camping and everyone’s invited to join the fun. Tents and RV’s welcome. The location is yet to be determined.

Contact Jeremy Kopke or 920-544-5455 with suggestions for campgrounds, questions or to sign-up.

Women’s Ministry
Beth Moore LPL Conference
Stop by the Special Events Center after services next weekend (June 27 & 28) to sign up to win a free ticket ($60 value) to the Beth Moore LPL Conference on August 28 & 29. The winner of the free ticket will be notified on Monday, June 29. There will also be information available about volunteer opportunities on the day of the conference.

Beth Moore Living Proof Live
Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Friday, August 28, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
(doors open 5:30-6:00 p.m.)
Saturday, August 29, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(doors open 7:00-7:30 a.m.)

Serving
Serve once in a while or on a regular basis. Check out GBCC's Serving Opportunities more>> 

Critical Serving Opportunites
Counting Team (new)
Summer Preschool Helper (new)
Summer Check-In Center (8:15 service) (new)
Summer Nursery Helper (new)
Summer Elementary Small Group Leader (new)
Higher Grounds
Welcome Center Volunteer
Church Cleaners
Bankruptcy Professional
Funeral Assistant

Contact: Colleen Connors or 593-3485.

KidsQuest
Summer Schedule
June 13 – September 6
Click here for the KidsQuest Summer Schedule. As a reminder, the elementary classes in Room 112 at the 8:30 and 10:30 services are for students entering 1st - 5th grade in the fall. Preschool students remain in Room 205 for the summer and graduate to the K/1 class in September when they begin Kindergarten.

KidsQuest Quarterly Calendars
Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary quarterly calendars are located in the KidsQuest section of the church website. Click on the link(s) to find out what your child is learning in their class each week.

VBS Thank You
The KidsQuest Staff would like to thank all of you who responded and committed to serve at Vacation Bible School this summer. A total of 244 volunteers are in place which gives us the opportunity to impact the lives of more than 500 children.

VBS
August 3 –7
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Early Bird Registration is June 1 - June 30.
Space is limited. Register early to guarantee a spot for your child.

New this year: Registration forms and payments for your child and your child's friend must be sent in the same envelope. Registration forms are located in the brochure racks and on the church website.

Sample t-shirts sizes are displayed across from the KidsQuest Check-In Center. CDs will be available for $5 during weekend services starting July 11 at the KidsQuest Check-In Center and during the week of VBS while supplies last.

VBS Donation Items
If you would like to donate any of the following items, you may place them in the VBS donation box located by the KidsQuest Check-In Center:
• 5 oz drinking cups
• small foam plates
• Goldfish crackers
• Animal crackers
• Teddy Grahams
• Ritz crackers
• Pretzel sticks
• Country Time powdered lemonade
• Rice Krispies cereal
• Plain M&Ms
• Ziploc sandwich baggies
• Blue Jello
• Napkins
• Snack baggies


Contact: Cindy Vandermause or 593-3489.

Student Ministries
What’s Going on this Summer in Student Ministries?
If you want to know the scoop on what’s happening this summer for students, be sure to check out our summer calendars for Middle School and High School.  They let you know what is going on so you don’t miss anything!!

Also, please see the website for additional details and sign-up forms for some of our amazing opportunities.

Detailed information: Contact Brian Martin or 593-3484 with any questions.

Expressway Music Team Auditions
Are you a young musician who would like a chance to use your skills to serve?  Then you should audition for the Expressway Music Team!  Students who will be freshmen-seniors in the 09-10 school year are welcome to apply and audition for the team.  Please contact Dave Vandenlangenberg for more information and to sign up for an audition time. 

To audition, you must prepare music supplied by the church, schedule an audition time, and fill out an application form. 

Canoe Trips
Primitive camping, sleeping in tents. Incoming 6th graders through graduating seniors are welcome.

Middle School Boys, July 24-26, $35
High School Girls, August 6-9, $45
Middle School Girls, August 28-30, $35 (very little canoeing)

Activities include: canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking in woods, devotions each morning and evening, and lots of fun. Click here for a more information.

Contact: Dave Becker, 490-8845.

Great America Trip
Wednesday, August 12
Any and all high school students are welcome to join us on our trip to Great America! The cost is $55 for transportation and ticket into the park (meals are on your own). We will be teaming up with a few other youth groups in the area, so it should be a great trip!! To sign up, fill out a registration form and turn it in with your money before August 3.

Incoming freshmen through seniors who have just graduated are invited to join us!  Please drop off and pick up students in the west parking lot.

Summer Dudes Bible Study
Mondays
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Youth Center
Join us for our annual “Summer Dudes’ Bible Study.” Incoming freshmen through seniors who have just graduated are invited to join us (as long as they are dudes)! 

We will be studying the life of David, and we will have a weekly “man lesson” to learn how to do cool dude stuff as well (like changing a tire).  It will be awesome – be there!


When Can I Come to Expressway?
As soon as summer hits, Student Ministries considers you to be in the grade you will be attending in the Fall. That means that any student who will be in grades 6-8 in the Fall is welcome at any Expressway Middle activities or events. Any student who will be in grades 9-12 in the Fall is welcome at any Expressway High School activities or events (also, seniors who have graduated in 09 may also join in). Check the calendar for a list of scheduled events.

Singles
Interest Group
If you’re single and would like to connect with other singles, we have a number of great events for you to enjoy from motorcycling, to concerts, dinners, festivals and more.  Just click here to go to the calendar and type Singles in the category. 

Group Life
One of the greatest longings of the human heart is to belong: to know others and be known by others; it's the way God intended us to live.

Group Life provides opportunities for individuals to experience a sense of belonging, to grow together on our spiritual journeys, and to serve others.

While each type of group (Interest, Care, Discovery, Life, and Serving) provides a different opportunity to connect, all are designed around our vision of attracting people to Christ and building community.

No matter where you choose to plug in, there is a place for you in Group Life.

Discovery Group Classes
New classes and groups will be starting in September.
Care Groups
Co-ed
Men
Women
Singles
Seniors
Students
Children

Group Life Events and Activities
Click here to go to the GBCC Master Calendar, select a category in the drop down list, a month, then click "go" for a list of the events and activities scheduled.

Database
Please help us keep our database information accurate by notifying us when you change your phone number, email address, mailing address, family status/members, etc.  Contact Tracy, 593-3475 or click here.

Weekend Services
June 20/21 and 27/28
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Starting July 5
Sunday: 8:15 & 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.