[newsletter] 11-15-06 newsletter
BC NEWS --
Volume Issue 11 Issue 40
November 15, 2006
Temptation: Shortcut or Short Circuit
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4NIV)
“I don’t want all the kingdoms! (Well, not yet.) I just want one. I really don’t think of it as a ‘kingdom’ anyway. It’s just a small thing, really . . . and I don’t see why I shouldn’t have it. Everybody else seems to have what they want. Surely I deserve this one thing!”
You know the lure. It does seem such a small thing after all . . .
just one craving to indulge . . . just one resentment to harbor . . . one offense to begrudge . . . one anger to hold onto . . . one self-pity to nurse . . . one addictive habit to justify . . . one jealousy to embrace . .
. one justification for not being responsible . . . one harsh word that “deserved” to be spoken . . . one lust that won’t go away . . . one goal that I must reach (no matter what) . . . one excuse to keep the guilt from being mine. I just want this one place where I can be “in charge.”
Who knew that the embracing of this one little “kingdom” for me would be so painful, so costly, and so destructive to the rest of my life?
Jesus knew. He knew because the temptation for Him was real . . . just as real as yours is to you. He knew that all the kingdoms of the world did belong to Him before their rebellion. He knew that they were intended to bow to Him and bring Him glory. And Satan was offering to deliver them to Him without a cross. Short-cuts seem to make so much sense.
The next time your lure beckons you, remember that Jesus has been here.
. . and that He is present with you in the midst of your temptation urging and empowering you to say “No!” The evidence of His struggle against temptation was left in a blood-stained garden the night before they crucified Him. But Jesus said “No” to the lure that enticed Him. He said “No” because the world’s kingdoms are destined for destruction . . . and because providing the only satisfactory sacrifice for your sin was the fulfillment of His Father’s purposes.
Say “No!” You are not alone. He Who accompanies us is no stranger to our journey. If we watch, we will find His fingerprints. He has already been there.
This was written by a good friend of mine. Thought I would share.
Personal Holiness matters. If you know just one thing, know Jesus.
Bill Willcutts
What’s Happening?
John Dallmann
has been our missionary to
this year, when he accepted a new assignment
directing relief efforts anywhere in the world
through BGC Compassion Ministries.
John and family are now based in the
His specialization is water resources, and he
is working currently with war-torn
He spearheaded 45 community water projects
while in
Are you a reading tutor?
RSVP of
to tutor children in reading skills. Many
children K-3rd grade read below grade level.
If you love children and reading, get info
at 351-2588.
This Sunday
Thanksgiving is a life-or-death matter?
Check out Romans 1:16-21 with Rob Crust
on November 19.
Thanksgiving
will continue into our
at 10:30, along with prayer for personal needs,
loved ones, and the spread of Christ’s glory,
and updates about the life of the church.
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 will not
be scheduled.
Pray . . .
Lynn Conner is seeking certification, in
for his family counseling clinic. Pray that it will
come through, and soon, so he can proceed with
this needed ministry.
For physical healing: Carolyn Brazelton,
Mary-Lynne Cochrane, Merna Gunnells,
Opal Osborne, Joan Worthington.
Thank the Lord for His continued financial
provision for our ministries.
There will not be a newsletter next week because of the Thanksgiving
Week-end worship attendance……………...198
Special funds…..…………..…….…..…….$270
Weekly budget needed…………………..$7,553
Giving towards budget…………..………$5,770
YTD giving toward budget……….…..$288,502
YTD expenses…………………….…..$289,483
YTD budgeted amount……………….$347,438
Next level giving…………………………$155
Next Level TD………………………..$182,101
Coming Events . . .
Nov. 18 9-10:30 a.m. “Live from
Nov. 19 10:30 a.m. Member’s meeting –NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES!
Noon: Executive Board Meeting
Women’s Craft Afternoon
Nov. 19 LAST DAY FOR SHOE BOX RETURN!
Dec. 3 6 p.m. Ladies Christmas Event at Dayspring Sports Facility
Dec. 7 11:30 Bethel Women’s Fellowship Christmas Potluck. $5 Gift exchange at
10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Dec.10 Annual Budget Meeting immediately following Sunday School Classes
Dec. 17 10:30 a.m. Children’s Christmas Program
Children’s Ministry News:
ATTENTION!
“LEAPIN’ LIZARDS” library needs you to return all checked out items: Books, CD’s, Videos, DVD’s – as soon as possible, so we can record our inventory. Thank you for your immediate response and we apologize for any inconvenience this gives you.
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Weekly Praise Factory Highlight:
NO PRAISE FACTORY THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF MEMBERS MEETING AT 10:30 A.M.
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“LIVE from
Our Children’s Christmas Program
Sunday, December 17th @ 10:30 a.m.
*Practices will be Saturday mornings, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, 9 and 16
9-10:30 am in the sanctuary—
Sunday, Dec. 3 -10:30-11:30 am & Sunday, Dec. 10 –9:30-10:30 will be downstairs in the main children’s room.
Wednesday, Dec. 13 from6:30-8 p.m.
No rehearsal on Sat. after Thanksgiving. 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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The 20 Somethings are going to decorate the church for Christmas on November 26 after church. Please bring a change of clothes and some cash for pizza. We will begin immediately following Sunday School. The more we have the quicker it will go and the more fun we will have. So please join us for a time of fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Amy or Dan Lee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Missions Corner
Check out the November BGC World magazine - (copies in the foyer)
p. 4 - a description of the dump in
p. 7-9 John Dallmann tells of his new job as director of BGC Compassion Ministries, his recent trip to Lebanon and challenges that face him and Christians "who are committed to action in a world of incredible need."
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Ladies –Join us for our Christmas Dessert and Auction, 6 p.m.
December 3 at Dayspring Sports Facility.
Our speaker will be Gail Holmes.
Cost is $5 and a cost for each non-Bethel Guest $1.
Please consider bringing an item for our
Christmas Event/Fund Raiser
Auction on December 3.
A sign up sheet is provided in the foyer.
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Please see Matt Pound this Sunday to have your picture taken for the Bethel Members Directory he is putting together.
P L E A S E . . . .
REMEMBER TO RETURN YOUR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES BY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19.
THIS IS THE LAST DAY!
The boxes will taken to
There will not be a newsletter published next week because of the Thanksgiving
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