Urgent Prayer Requests
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Pete & Brenda, grieving over loss of her father; their health
* Brazel family
* Mueller family, especially Alicia
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Rachelle in California
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Church Council Meeting, Saturday, 9 a.m.
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
Deacon Elections
Deacon nomination forms are now available. You may nominate more than one man to fill the only deacon position opening at the end of the year by (1) writing your nominations on a piece of paper (2) signing your paper, and (3) handing it to one of the deacons or the pastor. Nominations are open through Sunday, September 6. We will vote to fill that position in early October.
Sermon Extras
Of the Thessalonians, Paul says they “accepted” the Word not as “the word of Men but as what it really is, the word of God”. The word “accepted” means “to welcome” as I described in the message yesterday. Paul writes this word in a way implying a decisive event. The Thessalonians welcomed the Word. They grabbed hold of it once and for all. They have received it as the Word of God and that conviction remains with them.
But Paul doesn’t just describe the impact of the Word upon them in this one time event. He then continues by adding “it is truly the word of God, which also continually energizes (works) in you, in the believing ones” (my translation). Paul’s statement is true for the believer only. The Word is constantly energizing the believer for its author, the Holy Spirit, dwells within us. It is a work which began when the Word was received (regeneration, new birth, i.e., when you were saved) and continues to work each and every day.
I like the remarks of John Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury, who lived from 1522-1571:
“If there be any, in whom it worketh not this effect, if there be any which (though they hear it) believe it not, nor are thereby renewed in their minds; it is a token, that they have not received the love of the truth of the Gospel; they despise the word of salvation, and it shall judge them in that day.”
May those of us who profess Jesus as Lord see the working of God’s Word in our lives every day!
Statement of Faith
Bethesda’s statement of faith is “The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message” and may be read at http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfmcomparison.asp. Here is article 13:
XIII. Stewardship
God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.
“(The Word) is the voice of God—the very breath, so to speak, of His infinite essence—in itself, therefore, a higher, more Divine thing, than any product of creative power.”
John Lillie
Other Items to Note
1. We are collecting diapers and wet wipes for Lacey Mueller who is expecting her first child in September. If you can help, please place your contribution in the box on the table in the foyer sometime this month. Lacey is the daughter of Jeff Mueller.
2. The “prayer stars” are available on the board in the foyer. Please take one (or more) home and attach them to your refrigerator. Then, every time you see the family name on the star during the week, take a moment to prayer for that family. Bring the star back to church on the following Sunday, attach it to the board, and take a different star for the next week.
Let’s keep one another in prayer at all times!
Pastor’s Postscripts
I don’t believe there was any better place to be yesterday at 10:30 a.m. than in the auditorium of Bethesda Baptist Church! What a terrific time of worship and what a wonderful presence of the Spirit!
A reminder to our men to bring their breakfast (McDonald’s is always a good choice though some may prefer Chick-Fil-A!) on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for a brief time of fellowship and study. We’ll continue our examination of Dr. Whitney’s book. And, if you do not have a copy of the book, do not let that keep you away. Our time is an informal one and you are very welcome to join us!
And to our church council members, we need you present at 9 a.m. this Saturday to discuss upcoming events including Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you are a council member and unable to be there Saturday, please have someone take your place.
Praise God for all He has done in, with, and by our church! See you next Sunday, if not sooner, with my Bible in hand.