[newsletter] newsletter 12/06/06
BC NEWS --
Volume 11 Issue 42
December 6, 2006
Circumspection
The sons of Issachar appear in the list of David's mighty men for the sole reason that they excelled in the discipline of circumspection: they understood the times in which they lived, and they knew what the people of God needed to do in order to further His purposes and realize His blessings (1 Chronicles 12:32).
Time, they knew, and the times which unfold within time, are not outside the scope of God's interests, as though temporal events came and went without His oversight, approval, and even orchestration. God has a purpose for time; He works everything that takes place within time according to His eternal counsel and will (Eph. 1:11). It is the particular virtue of a wise man to pay careful attention to the times in which he lives and to order the time allotted to him in such a way as to realize the wise and good purposes of God (Ps. 90:12). The discipline of circumspection involves three ongoing, simultaneous practices: paying attention to the events of the day; maintaining a healthy self-watch; and ordering our time through prayer and planning.
There is no virtue in turning a blind eye to the moral, social, and cultural issues of the day. As those who are called to bring every thought into captivity, and to make them obedient to Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5), we must develop the practice of paying attention to contemporary world developments. Through reading, discussion, contemplation, and prayerful comparison with the Word of God we can fulfill the apostle's exhortation to pay careful attention to the times.
At the same time we must keep watch over our own lives and our thoughts, attitudes, desires, priorities, and practices. Solomon's advice to his son about keeping watch over all these areas of his life is relevant to us today (Prov. 4:20-27). Without some means of self-evaluation, and others to hold us accountable, we will fail to realize this aspect of the life of circumspection.
God has given time to be used for His glory and our good. Ordering our time - "numbering our days" - means thinking ahead to what we plan to do with our time, what we hope to accomplish in it, and how we will make the best use of it. We're not pinballs, shot into the game of life only to careen from this post or gate to that, hoping to rack up as high a score as we can. We are called to seek the Lords will for our lives, and then to pray, plan, and execute our plans as stewards of the gifts of God (James 4:13-17).
The true Issacharean is the man who understands that the discipline of circumspection must be an important part of his daily spiritual regimen. Today's mighty men of God will be those who, through the discipline of circumspection, discover and pursue the wisest course for seeking the
Bill Willcutts
What’s Happening?
Our Sympathy is with Gene Allen following the passing away of his wife Marge.
This Sunday
What does it mean to have Jesus sitting on
the right hand of Majesty? What is He doing there for us? What difference dies it make? On
December 10 David Shelley will continue this
study by focusing on Hebrews 1:3, “He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven,” in part 3 of the Advent series, “Let Earth Receive Her King.”
Budget Meeting Sunday
The All-Church Budget Meeting will be Sunday, December 10, 11:30 a.m. in the worship center.This year’s proposal is significantly lower than the 2006 budget. Copies of the proposed budget for Bethel Ministries in 2007 are available in the
foyer by the Book Corner, and those on the
church e-mail list should have received it my e-mail.
Upcoming Schedule
The children’s Cbristmas program, “Live From
during the first half of the class hour. Some groups will convene at 11:00; others will connect over donuts and coffee.
The Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be Sunday, December 24, 5:30 p.m.
On December 24 and 31, the service will be at 9 a.m. as usual, but regular classes and nursery will not be scheduled. Bring the whole family to these special services.
Pray
For family members not walking with the Lord;
in our prayer gatherings, remember to intercede
for each other in this.
For students preparing for finals over the next
week, and gathering with family over the holidays.
For members serving Christ at Sunday’s budget
meeting.
For preparations for the upcoming Children’s
Program.
For the Lord’s provision for our missionaries.
For hearts responsive to the gospel that is
being preached through
Mary Lynne Cochrane has recovered from her surgery enough to resume her position as Prayer Chain coordinator. Praise God for her recovery and welcome back to the Prayer Chain!
Week-end worship attendance……………...220
Special funds…..…………..…….…..…….$532
Weekly budget needed…………………..$7,553
Giving towards budget…………..………$4,412
YTD giving toward budget……….…..$307,645
YTD expenses…………………….…..$311,709
YTD budgeted amount……………….$370,097
Next level giving…………………………$330
Next Level TD………………………..$182,566
Coming Events . . .
Dec.10 Annual Budget Meeting immediately following Sunday School Classes
Dec. 16 Women’s Craft Day – limited to 25 ladies—sign up now!
Dec. 17 10:30 a.m. Children’s Christmas Program
Dec. 24 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Children’s Ministry News:
Weekly Praise Factory Highlight: NO PRAISE FACTORY THIS WEEK – Christmas Play practice will be during Bible Blitz and Praise Factory time.
***BIBLE BLITZ will resume January 7, 2007.
***Kid’s Club will resume January 10, 2007.
“LIVE from
Our Children’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 17th @ 10:30 a.m.
*Practices will be Saturday mornings, Dec. 9 and 16
9-10:30 am in the sanctuary—
Sunday, Dec. 10 –9:30-10:30 will be downstairs in the main children’s room.
Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Dress rehearsal is Saturday, Dec. 16th and it is mandatory! *
Questions—call Kristi at 304-1749 or Gina at 330-7151
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Dear
As I recall all the cards, phone calls, visits and meals brought in to me as I've been recovering from my knee replacement; I think of how God has promised to protect, comfort, encourage, strengthen and be with me through good and hard times. He has done so through all of you --- your words, cards, food and most importantly prayers and your presence at my bedside are all evidence of how God fulfills those promises.
I thank all of you for showing me God's love! I love each & every one of you. I thank God that we are all part of His "forever family".
Love,
Mary Lynne Cochrane
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Ladies – sign up Sunday in the foyer for the Craft day, December. 16. Space is limited to 25 and cost is $10.
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Thanks to all who donated items for our Christmas auction. We raised $1600—that will cut our retreat cost in half! Thank you for your generosity!
As is tradition at Christmas,
we would like to provide a
“Love Offering” for our ministry staff
and their families.
To contribute, please drop a separate check in the offering
(indicating “love offering”)
by December 10, or bring or mail it to
the church office. The offering will be
distributed to all paid staff—
from pastors to custodial staff,
part time and full time.
Our gift to them will be presented on Dec. 17.
Missions Corner
From Vicky Philips -- Women's
Sometimes people ask me, "how can you handle hearing people's heartbreaking stories all day long?" Well, I will have to say, once in awhile, the 'cup' gets heaped a little full and it spills over with sorrow. This week has been one of those in terms of the Center, our church, and the
Certainly marriages are in trouble as never before, the ravages of divorce continue for a lifetime (on earth, that is), death continues to steal our loved ones, and tragedy abounds. We struggle to make sense of it all and, so often, try to carry it on our own. I can attest to that fact as my neck muscles so often are tight and sore from absorbing the load rather than rolling it off onto the ONE who tells us, "Cast all your care upon Me, for I care for you!"
Someone on our e-mail list wrote this week to say, "I am just back from my Thanksgiving holiday and I was so blessed to have your newsletter waiting in my Inbox with the other daily cares. Thank you for the refreshment and reminder of Christ's love through human hands and hearts as shown at WMC."
It is these moments where another's hand touches our shoulder, an arm reaches out to hug, words are spoken that refocus our souls on the guardian of our hearts, or laughter lightens our spirits that we give gracious thanks for 'Jesus with skin on'. I'm so thankful that those of you who don't get to abide at WMC very often, or maybe never, can be splashed with the joy of the Lord by hearing from these moments that nourish the heart as ones 'live' part of their hours at
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