[newsletter] newsletter 09/13/06

BC NEWS --Volume 11          Issue 31

September 13, 2006

 

 

Praying "the Prayer"

 

I had a person approach me after preaching a sermon a little while ago. It was obvious that he was deeply troubled, and so I asked him what was wrong. He responded by asking me why I didn't lead the congregation in a prayer of salvation. My response was "because people aren't saved through prayers, they are saved through putting their repentance yielding faith in Christ.

Why is it that so many professing evangelical Christians believe that saying a prayer equals souls in the kingdom? There is not one example of any person ever praying or ever being commanded to pray a prayer asking Jesus into their heart in the Bible. It's simply not there. So my question, is why is this such a prevalent tool in today's evangelical Church?

For the answer you have to look back at the revival period in America and Europe. You need to look at some of the revival preachers like Finney, and Wesley. The whole practice was started by preachers who wanted to have an easy way for people to be sure they were saved. So they say something like "pray this prayer in the silence of your heart" and then after the prayer: "if you were sincere in what you just prayed, you can be sure that Jesus is in your heart and that you're a Christian."

The problem is the Bible doesn't tell us to look at the sincerity of peoples prayers to determine the whether or not they are saved. On the contrary, it tells us to look at the fruit in our lives. I am guilty of leading many people through prayers of salvation, and then telling them they are saved only to see them go and live like Satan, thereby proving they really weren't saved - yet now they think they are because there prayer was sincere.

So now, I tell them to do what Jesus, and Paul, and Peter, and James, and John the Baptist, and Barnabus, and John, told their hearers: "Repent and Believe, and after you've done this, get baptized as a sign of your salvation." (Public Confession)

Many people would much rather I lead people in a prayer. But it seems like more often than not that's just giving non-Christians assurance of a salvation that they don't have.  Let us encourage repentance and belief in the non-Christian and trust that God’s means are better than ours.

 

Rob Crust

 

 

What’s Happening?

 

This Sunday

September 17 David Shelley will continue the

“Spiritual Awareness” study in Luke 12,

“Living for a Different Kingdom in a Material

World.”

 

Teachers’ Breakfast

All Sunday morning teachers are invited

to the Bethel Teachers’ Breakfast meeting

September 17 at 7:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

 

September 24 Meeting

The next meeting for all members and those

interested in membership will be September 24

during the 10:30 hour.  All adult classes will

join in the worship center.

 

Interested in hosting students?

If you would like to host a few college students

or a lot of them for a Sunday lunch, contact

coordinator Tricia Willcutts, 686-5245.

 

Coordinator needed

If you could coordinate a few all-church

lunches this year, please talk with Tricia

Willcutts, 686-5245.

 

Pray . . .

For the budget reformation process, and an

important Deacon Board meeting this Sunday.

For those in medical recovery: Betty Arvas,

Jerry Meis, Tim Sharp.

For Shawna & Helen McClain, in the middle

of a 2-month feeding clinic in Baltimore.

For progress in the building project.

 

Thank the Lord . .

For the great teams for Children’s Ministries,

Youth Ministries and college ministry.

For rain.

 

Quote:

“Speak the truth (content) in love (method).

The two are equally important.”

                                                Paul David Tripp

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week-end worship attendance……………...220

 Special funds…..…………..…….……….$115

 Weekly budget needed………………….$7,553

Giving towards budget…………..………$5,084

YTD giving toward budget……….…..$223,693

YTD expenses…………………….…..$231,897

YTD budgeted amount…………….…$279,461

Next level giving…………..…..………......$500

Next Level TD….....…...……………..$179,306

 

 

Coming Events . . .

Sept. 17     7:30 a.m. Bethel Teachers Breakfast

Sept. 24     10:30 a.m. Members meeting

Sept. 26     7-8 p.m. Hero’s Unmasked Info Party

Oct. 7         Women’s Service Project—“Paint Fellowship Hall!”

 

Children’s Ministry News:

 

☺A big thank you to:

Jeff and Joy Casey, Gina Fast, Scott and Carissa Reyes, Richelle Lanphear, Shawn and Brenna Bryant, Jason and Christy Aldridge, Kristine Davis, Aylissa Moyano, Julie Sharp, Melissa McCormick, Melissa Harry, Kristi Weimer, Jeanette Meis, Anita Meis, Jon and MaryAnna Casey, Peggy Cunliffe, Kristin Phillips, Sarah Babb, Sarah Agee, Joe and Blythe Bouchard, Denise Blevins, and Josh and Amanda Mikesell for the various ways that they helped with the Nursery Cleaning Party on August 26^th.  It was a huge success because of the many volunteers we had. 

If you were unable to help with the cleaning but would like to help in another way, please look at the items that we have identified as needing for the nurseries: boppy billow covers, a clothes dresser, shelves for the wall, cabinet with shelves for the wall, play food items, play shopping cart, batteries, latex gloves, tissues, paper towels, snacks, baby wipes, and sippy cups.

If you have any of the following items to donate, please bring them to the nursery or call Christy Aldridge at 356-5858.  Thank you!

 

THANK YOU to parents for joining us for the parent's meeting this past Sunday.  If you have any further questions, please contact Kristi Weimer at 304-1749.

 

KIDS KLUB is kicking off this week - please pray for leaders & kids to experience the light & love of Christ to the fullest.  Invite your friends and neighbor children to join us from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings from now until December 6, 2006. 

 

BIBLE BLITZ REMINDER:  our memory verse for the week is 2 Timothy 3:16a.  Don't forget to do your family challenge.  Remember to bring your Hands-On bible to Bible Blitz each week!

 

HERO'S UNMASKED our fall festival will be Wednesday, November 1st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  This will again be coupled with our MEN'S CHILI COOK-OFF AND WOMEN'S CINAMMON ROLL BAKE-OFF.  Many people are needed to accomplish this fun new fall festival.  You are cordially invited to a INFO PARTY on Tuesday, September 26th from 7 - 8 p.m. if you'd like to help in any way.  If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Weimer at 304-1749.

 

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Weekly Praise Factory Highlight:

 BIG IDEA: #63: Old Testament Big Idea Story  

      Week #1 story: Road to Damascus

                Memory verse: 1 Peter:6-7

 

Our VIPP for the week is Barb Conner—our missionary to Mexico!             

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MISSIONS CORNER

 

From John and Gayla Dallman, BGC Headquarters:

 

John has had quite the month for changes as well.  He has had to deal with the emotional aspects of taking Jonathan to college and getting him settled there as well as the overwhelming needs around the world - and how to prioritize those needs. 

 

Pray especially for John in the next few weeks as he prepares to go to Lebanon.  Now that there is a cease fire, John and a colleague who is a missionary to Lebanon, are going September 19-26 to assess the needs and possibilities.  There is a great need for someone with water expertise so it looks like John will be greatly used.  Pray for plans also to help in Vietnam and Cambodia. 

 

 

From Jerry and Jane Casey in Greeley on home assignment.

 

We are now in Greeley taking care of Grandpa Bob. He was happy to see us and he is doing well. The transition has gone well and we have gotten into a routine again with Grandpa Bob's schedule. Jerry has been making calls and setting up our itinerary for our furlough time. We will start furlough as soon as Jim and Deb are back September 5th. Our first church presentation is in Rangely Colorado on September 10th. 

As of now here is our schedule:

 

September 10th  - Rangely Church

September 17th - Gunnison Church

September 24th - Alamosa Church

October 29th - Greeley Church

November 26th - Loveland Church

December 3rd - Phoenix Church

 

 

 

 

 

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Attention:  The Sunday Night Young Couples Bible Study is looking for a babysitter from 6-8 p.m.  This is a paid position.  There are usually only 2-3 children.  We would be willing to take the sitter home if need be.

 Call Julie Forster, 454-5479.

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New Addresses:

                                Mark & Amanda Pollard

                                1418 30^th Ave.

                                Greeley, CO 80634

 

                                Lucas & Ivree Monroe

                                26784 WCR 45 ½

                                Greeley, CO  80631

                                PH: 590-2715