[newsletter] 09/20/06 issue
BC NEWS --
Volume 11 Issue 32
September 20, 2006
Battered by Culture?
When you became a Christian you lost part of your vocabulary. Not much of it but a little. The word you lost is secular. Not that you don't know what it means, just that as a Christian you are no longer part of the secular world, the part of the world that believes culture is supreme and allows their lives to be ruled by it. Moreover, as Christians we are called to denounce this secular life style and live as holy chosen people, living in reflection of the price the Savior paid for us. I find it very difficult to remember that. I am constantly bombarded by culture and the things that it offers are very attractive. Are they attractive to you as well? The attractiveness of culture and our pursuit of it results in a unquenchable soul. Like taking one drink after another and never having your thirst slaked. As Christians we want to express a passion for God's supreme call on our lives. This in a world that does not recognize Gods rule in our lives much less in business, government, entertainment or recreation. The scriptures are clear that there will never be a time when all people recognize the supremacy of Jesus until he returns. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). What to do.
1. Maintain a conviction that God is ever present and gives all things their meaning. He is the creator and the sustainer and governor of all things. All things exist to reveal something of Gods perfection and character. Only as things relate to God can their true meaning be discovered.
2. Preach the Gospel clearly. Tell people how they are reconciled to God through Christ, that they can enjoy Gods supremacy as protection and help, rather than fear it as judgment.
3. Trust God in every circumstance to use his creative, sustaining wisdom and power to work all circumstances together for the good of all who love him. John Piper calls this faith in the future grace that God promises for us in Jesus.
4. Make life choices that reveal the supreme worth of God above what the world values. The steadfast love of God is better than life( Psalm 63:3) so we will choose to die rather than lose sweet fellowship with God. This sounds harsh but is really just the recognition that there is no life worth living or with Christ absent.
5. Be sure you understand that God himself is the very foundation of the democratic order (pluralistic government) - not because pluralism is His ultimate ideal, but because in a fallen world, legal coercion will not produce the
What will you be drinking this week? How about the drink in John 4 vs 14? Jesus says, "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." I cannot do this without your help and encouragement. In community I find the water sweeter and the race more endurable. Thanks for walking it with me.
Peace and Grace to you.
Bill Willcutts
What’s Happening?
This Sunday
When do you need to be ready for the Lord’s
return? We’ll hear answers September 24 as
David Shelley continues the “Spiritual
Awareness” study in Luke 12, “Faithful Readiness.”
Sunday, September 24, we will combine
all 10:30 classes in the worship center in an
important meeting for all members and those
interested in the life and membership of
10:30 – 11:00 Sharing in Prayer
11:00 – 11:10 Affirming new members
11:10 – 11:20 Minstry updates
11:10 – 11:30 Questions/Answers
This Sunday children’s Bible Blitz will be
during the 9:00 service, as usual. At 10:30 all
ages will meet together for the family-focused
meeting.
Building Project Update
permit paperwork to come through. Pray for
progress and provision. We need also to raise
the remaining $20,000 (roughly) to pay for
this building, and if you are led to give toward
it, mark checks for “building project.”
RMBC Prayer Concert
The Rocky Mountain Concert of Prayer will be
Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m. at Mission Hills
Church, 5859 S. University,
Pray . . .
For the budget reformation process. We need
to bring our budget more in line with actual
income, we need the Lord’s provision for our
ministries, and we need wisdom in the process.
For those with personal needs: Shawn &
Brenna Bryant, Joe & Laura Collins, Theresa
Maline, Helen McClain, Jerry Meis, Tim Sharp, Noel Shelley
Employment needs: Glenn Erickson, Casey
Grossnickle, Bill Muir, Paul Shelton
Congratulations to Bob & Jean Staley on the birth of a new grandson, Nathan Alexander Staley.
Week-end worship attendance……………...242
Special funds…..…………..…….……….$420
Weekly budget needed………………….$7,553
Giving towards budget…………..………$6,512
YTD giving toward budget……….…..$223,693
YTD expenses…………………….…..$237,134
YTD budgeted amount…………….…$287,014
Next level giving…………..…..………......$60
Next Level TD….....…...……………..$179,366
Coming Events . . .
Sept. 24 10:30 a.m. Members meeting***Sunday school will not be held for adults or children. Children’s church will remain during the 9:00 worship service, nursery for child from infant-- preschool will be available for both.
Sept. 26 7-8 p.m. Hero’s Unmasked Info Party
Oct. 7 Women’s Service Project—“Paint Fellowship Hall!”
Children’s Ministry News:
Nursery News
* We are in need of one rotating Sunday School teacher at
→ Please contact Christy Aldridge, Early Childhood Development Coordinator at 356-5858 if you are interested.
* We are in need of the following items for our 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!
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KIDS KLUB : We need another nursery helper from 6:30-8 p.m!
BIBLE BLITZ REMINDER: our memory verse for the week is Joshua 1:8a. Don't forget to do your family challenge. Remember to bring your Hands-On bible to Bible Blitz each week!
Hero’s Unmasked Info Party— come if you want to help with the fall festival!—Tuesday, 26th at 7 p.m. Meet in library.
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.
Weekly Praise Factory Highlight:
NO PRAISE FACTORY DUE TO MEMBER’S MEETING
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Lost and Found: We have a table in the foyer for the last two weeks of September full of lost and found items. Please check for anything that might be yours! Items not claimed by the first week of October will be taken to the ARC.
MISSIONS CORNER
From Jerry Sheveland, BGC President:
As the BGC family of churches, we really have only one mission - raising up movements of reproducing churches around the world. Mobilizing existing churches and multiplying new ones are essential and inseparable functions in raising up churches that work together to reproduce the life of Christ in disciples, leaders and congregations.
Approximately 60 LEAD TEAMS across the country this year provided pastors with support. LEADNET trains and resources church planting wives. More than 40 CHURCH PLANTS have been launched this year with many more in the pipelines. More than 200 pastors, missionaries, chaplains and spouses participated this year in the PRAYER FIRST gatherings in five districts.
The
International ministries: Currently our INTERNATIONAL CAREER MISSIONARY force numbers 155 on 21 fields. Over the past five years, 80 new missionaries candidates have been commissioned. Thirteen MISSIONARY APPOINTEES are currently raising monthly support. Churches and individuals contributed $725,382 to BGC WORLD RELIEF efforts last year. 7 churches were planted in
Pray for these various aspects of your ministry through the Baptist General Conference.
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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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Wanted: Men & Women of Prayer
It's time to update and expand our Day and Evening Prayer Chain. If you want to be contacted by phone and/or e-mail to earnestly pray for prayer requests please call Mary Lynne Cochrane for more information 351-7858
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