Greetings,

The New Year brings a feeling of a fresh start. People make all sorts of resolutions to get in shape, lose weight, and be more disciplined. It is a time of self-reflection and we usually find ourselves falling short of some sort of self-imposed target. We spend January obsessing about these goals and worrying about them.

My prayer for all of us is that we resolve to spend more time praying. Recently I have witnessed the power of prayer in a very real way and I can only imagine what the world would be if all Christians committed to adding just 5 extra minutes to prayer per week (pray one extra minute per weekday). That commitment would multiply and compound and we would see a massive transformation in our world. Will you join me in adding extra prayer time to your day? “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22.

LIVE NATIVITY
On Thursday, December 6th, the BCS Middle School performed a Live Nativity at the church. The evening began at 6:30 with an outside live nativity (complete with runaway goats) and then at 7:00 the students moved inside for a program of scripture reading, singing, and acting. The evening ended in the church basement with goodies and cider. It was a memorable night and helped spread the peace of Christmas.

SERVEDAY THURSDAY
We made ornaments for the tree by Oxford Presbyterian Church and decorated the tree at First Friday on 12/7. It was a fun evening of lights, singing, and meeting up with old and new friends. Our next ServeDay will be Thursday, January 17. We will be serving the evening meal at the Cecil County Winter Rotating Homeless Shelter at Moore’s Chapel United Methodist Church. We will meet at 4:30 at the church to prepare. Dinner is served at 6:00 and we are welcome to fellowship with guests until 8:00 or so. Come and go as your schedule allows! It is a wonderful opportunity to see that we are all connected through Christ’s love!

USED COAT DRIVE
In January, we will be collecting gently used coats, snowpants, hats, gloves, scarves, and NEW socks for the Paris Foundation in Elkton, MD. The Paris Foundation serves meals to the homeless every day of the year. They have a clothing closet where folks can get free clothes. Since many of our homeless are wintering in tents, warm clothes are a necessity. We would like coats of all sizes—from children and youth to adult.

Upcoming school and/or local Events:
1/2 School reopens after Christmas Break
1/3 Basketball vs. West Fallowfield (girls 4:00, boys 5:15)
1/10 Basketball away vs. Linville Hill (girls 4:00, boys 5:15)
1/15 Basketball away vs. Tristate (girls 4:00, boys 5:15)
1/17 ServeDay Thursday at the Winter Rotating Shelter at Moore’s Chapel UMC
1/18 End of Second Marking Period
1/21 School closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/22 Basketball away vs. West Fallowfield (girls 4:00, boys 5:15)
1/25 Report Cards issued
1/28 Basketball vs. Providence Christian Academy (girls 4:00, boys 5:15)
1/30 Awards Chapel (Honor Roll and Living the Light)

Are you looking for an antidote to apathy? BCS students care—about their schoolwork, about their classmates and teachers, about their future. It is never too early or too late to enroll your student into BCS. Please call Kelly Cudicio at (610) 998-0877 or email her at kcudiciobcs@gmail.com. Remember, we are educating minds and transforming hearts!

Please thank God for all of His blessings and continue to pray that His will be done.

Stacey and Daisey, Administrative Team