[newsletter] 11/29/2006

BC NEWS --Volume 11                                                                                                  Issue 41

November 29, 2006

 

Emmanuel, God with Us

 

                I realize that the holidays are in full swing and we all have our usual routines.  The last couple of years there has been a change in my routine due, in part, to a Christmas song by Point of Grace I was blessed to hear.   I wish I could capture the beauty of the music for you but it is not possible in mere print.  The song is called Emmanuel, God with Us, and tells a story of a woman kneeling to pray in a cathedral.  As the onlooker comes closer she realizes that the woman is weeping and she reaches out to comfort her.  She asks her name and the woman replies with the hurt in her heart.  These are the words she says and the chorus that follows:

                                This was the time of year

                                I had my family near

                                But they’re all gone

                                And I have been so lonely

                                Chorus:

                                Oh Emmanuel, God with us

                                Spirit revealed in us

                                That we may be your hope to the world

                                Oh Emmanuel, God with us

                                With a light to break the darkness

                                That we may show your hope to the world

                                Emmanuel, God with us

                                Be God in us

 

They invite the woman home with them and watch her laugh and play with their family.  They reach out in a seemingly small way to be God’s light to one person.  Every time I hear this song my heart swells in my chest and tears fill my eyes.  I pray,” Oh God, let me be a light. Let me bring your hope to someone.”  This is an amazing prayer for me.  I have not been very outgoing in my life.  I have trouble finding the right words to say when I meet people but God has been changing that.  He has been growing me.  He has been teaching me that it does not take large evangelical speeches on a street corner to bring light to someone.  Sure, he does use some in that way, but He can use the most simple of gestures to show His light through us to others.  Anyone of us can speak a gentle word to the cashier at a store.  We can help someone who has dropped a bag of groceries, take a meal to a sick person, smile and say hello to someone new, send a card or e-mail of encouragement, help move some furniture, etc., etc.  You get the point.  All of these things are light and hope to another.  At times bigger things may be available to you.  You may have the opportunity to share your story of faith with another or invite college students over for lunch or have your Sunday school class over.  You may join in with the outreach group to hand out water bottles or feed the homeless.  Maybe a mission opportunity will be available or even supporting the missions we already know about.  You can even start at home with the people we have the greatest influence on.  We can show light and hope to the people in our family.  We can treat them with the grace and love they deserve.  Every little ray of light we send in God’s name to help someone somewhere is worthy.

                So... in the name of our savior Jesus Christ who teaches us in His word that what we do for others we do for Him, I challenge us to be the light and hope of God  to the hurting world in our personal lives and that we as a church be a light to the world around us in all seasons. 

                Merry Christmas!  May you all see God’s light in your world! 

 

                                                                        Tricia Willcutts Reprint

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Happening?

 

This Sunday

Who is this Son of God?  What is this problem that I have, which He came to address?  What has He accomplished for me?  On December 3 David Shelley will continue this study by focusing on Hebrews 1:3, “He made purification for sins,” in part 2 of the Advent series, “Let Earth Receive Her King.”  We will remember the Lord’s Supper together.

 

Budget Proposal Available

Copies of the proposed budget for Bethel

Ministries in 2007 are available in the foyer

by the Book Corner.  Members, please look over

the budget before the meeting on December 10, and contact board members with any questions.  The board members are listed on the budget’s cover letter.

 

Upcoming Schedule

The All-Church Budget Meeting will be Sunday, December 10, 11:30 a.m. in the worship center.

 

The children’s Christmas program, “Live From

Bethlehem,” will be December 17, 10:30 a.m.,

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.

 

Thank You!

Dan & Amy Lee for coordinating the Christmas decorations in the worship center, and those that helped, including (but not limited to): 

Rob & Larissa Crust, Kelli Harry,

Brian Moffatt, Matt Pound,

Zach & Jenny Stream, & Zach Turnbull.

 

 

 

 

 

Week-end worship attendance……………...177

Special funds…..…………..…….…..…….$25

Weekly budget needed…………………..$7,553

Giving towards budget…………..………$4,412

YTD giving toward budget……….…..$298,195

YTD expenses…………………….…..$306,618

YTD budgeted amount……………….$362,544

Next level giving…………………………$15

Next Level TD………………………..$182,236

 

Coming Events . . .

Dec. 3        6 p.m. Ladies Christmas Dessert and Auction at Dayspring Sports Facility

Dec. 6         Last Kids Club until Jan. 10, 2007

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:

 

 

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Weekly Praise Factory Highlight: Big Idea #24  God Gave Us His Laws to Convict Us of Sin that We Might Be Saved.  Week #2 – The Robber’s Auction.  Memory Verse: Isaiah 55:6-7

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Children's Commission Holiday Feast

at the Weimer's, Tuesday, December 5th at 6 p.m. 

*If you are interested in participating on this commission,

please contact Kristi Weimer or Bill Edwards.

 

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“LIVE from BETHLEHEM”

Our Children’s Christmas Program

Sunday, December 17^th @ 10:30 a.m.

 

*Practices will be Saturday mornings,  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 from 6:30-8 p.m.

No rehearsal on Sat. after Thanksgiving.  Dress rehearsal is Saturday, Dec. 16^th and it is mandatory! *

 

Questions—call Kristi at 304-1749 or Gina at 330-7151

 

 

 

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Congratulations to Jason and Christy Aldridge on the birth of their second daughter, Mekenzie JulieAnn born Nov. 11 at 9:28 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs and was 20” long.

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 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 Barb and Lynn Conner in Mexico:

While in Mexico City for dialogue with leaders of the Mexican Baptist Convention, the BGC and Campus Crusade, Lynn's briefcase was stolen. It contained his passport, money and notes for a seminary class he will be teaching. Pray for it's return and also for the procedure to obtain his license as a marriage counselor in Mexico.

 

From Gala and John Dallman at BGC Headquarters:

John is super busy with getting the Compassion ministry up and running but I think he will be home more during the month of December.  I am going to travel with him a bit in January and then he is off to Chad and Cameroon during February and March.  Please pray for wisdom for John as he clarifies which direction(s) and in which avenue to focus the ministry.

 

 

  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. 

       

You can still sign up this Sunday or all Christie Roberts immediately if you want to attend.

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