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Good Morning Bethesda!

A wonderful time of worship and fellowship yesterday were had by those attending our church yesterday.  Furthermore, the band also made available their first CD free of charge to our church family!

For those members of our congregation who did not attend yesterday (or left early), I’m sorry you missed celebrating the Lord’s Supper and enjoying our fellowship dinner with us.  I hope to see you next Sunday as you join with us to worship our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!   

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Rachelle Brandel, leaving for a year in Japan on September 5.
• Jon Bound’s cousin, Carrie, suffering from terminal cancer and in need of salvation.
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling & Brenda’s father
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law,  fight with cancer.
• Our church and need for revival

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” – Romans 8:16

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Ephesians) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7p.m.
2. Bethesda Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, 8a.m.
3. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training (Daniel), 5:00 p.m.

From Yesterday . . .

“The Spirit of God never comforts a man in his sin!  Disobedient Christians must not expect consolation.  The Holy Spirit sanctifies and then consoles.  Search and look, you who hang your heads like bulrushes!  See what it is that makes you sorrow—obey, and you shall be comforted!”
– Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Deacon Nominations

This Sunday is the last day to submit nominations for the office of deacon.  If you would like to nominate a man in our congregation to this Biblical office, please write your nominee’s name on a piece of paper, sign the paper, and hand it to one of our deacons or the pastor.

The Bethesda Academy

The Bethesda Academy returns on Monday, September 17.  The Academy will meet each Monday evening from 6:30–8:00p.m. each Monday through December 17.  We will continue our study of Studying Theology Systematically.

Even if you were unable to attend the Academy in the Spring, I encourage you to join us this Fall.  We have a fun time studying God’s Word together!

“True Christians make no excuse to avoid worship services; true Christians make every effort to attend worship services.”
– From “Jules’ Gems”

Perhaps I should change this cartoon to say “band” instead of “choir”!  – Pastor Bruce

Church Directory

We still need church directory information from several of our members.  PLEASE fill out a form (they are on the table in the foyer) and hand it to the pastor as soon as possible.

“Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” – Romans 8:9-10

Pastor’s Postscripts

Brothers and sisters, our church desperately needs revival!  When we do not join with our brothers and sisters for prayer, we need revival!  When we do not come to public worship with our brothers and sisters, we need revival!  When we do not join in fellowship activities with our brothers and sisters, we need revival!   When we do not share Christ with those around us, we need revival!  When we fail to give to the ministry of our Lord through our church, we need revival!  When we rarely read our Bibles or pray in secret, we need revival!

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (Rev. 3:19)

The Lord has spoken.  Are we listening?

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

Work begins this week on a new church directory (no pictures). Please fill out the enclosed form either electronically or handwritten and return it to the pastor. We need, at a minimum, your name, address, and phone number. If you would rather not list the years of your birth or anniversary, that’s fine.

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Brida Lovett, recoving from heart surgery at home
• Debbie Walker, recovering from foot surgery at home
• Jill, a friend of Pete & Brenda, who lost her mother last week.
• The Bunch family on their Minnesota mission trip.
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling & Brenda’s father
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law,  fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (2 Corinthians) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. BBQ/Wii Fellowship, Saturday, Noon
3. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper
5. NO Discipleship Training, Sunday
6. 5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship, Sunday, 6 p.m.

Summer BBQ & Fellowship

Our Summer BBQ & Wii/KINECT Fellowship is this Saturday, July 28, beginning at noon. Bring a side dish, dessert, and a drink and join us for a great time of fellowship!

5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship

This Sunday, July 29th is a “5th Sunday”.  That means we will meet at 6pm in the Fellowship for our next “5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship”.  Please bring a snack and drink to share and join uns.

If you wish to submit a question for the pastor, please write it on a piece of paper and place the question into the container on the table in the foyer.  You do NOT have to add your name if you do not want to do so.

Progressive Dinner

Our August fellowship is a progressive dinner scheduled for Saturday, August 18, beginning at 5 p.m. We will meet at the church for directions, travel to various homes for courses of the meal, and end the dinner with dessert at the Fellowship hall with dessert. If you are willing to include your home as one of those on our Progressive Dinner route, please contact Karla soon and let her know.

… From Yesterday …

“They had lived day in and day out with the ‘image of the invisible God’; the one in whom ‘all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form’; the ‘radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature’. Yet despite being with Him for so long, the disciples still did not fully comprehend the truth about Jesus and His union with the Father.”
– John MacArthur

Pastor’s Postscripts

I truly love the people of God who call themselves Bethesda Baptist Church! Yesterday, one of our beloved members remarked to me about using some word in the sermon which they did not know. That’s nothing. Sometimes I use words even I don’t know! :) Seriously, though, I do understand your dilemma. I have sat in enough classes and listen to enough speeches to know how you feel when the speaker throws out a word I do not know. This is actually a common occurrence. Frequently, while reading some book, I find myself pulling out my dictionary to look up the meaning of a word used by the author. But that’s a good thing! It expands your vocabulary and your knowledge!

As you likely know, my sermons are not written down. I use some notes but most of what you hear is extemporaneous (spoken without preparation). I do my best to speak in the vernacular (common spoken language) and to explain theological terms as I use them. But, of course, I do not always succeed with my efforts.

So, here’s what I suggest for you who hear me use some word you do not know: write it down and ask me later what it means. I STRONGLY encourage this approach when the word is a theological term (such as “modalism” which I used yesterday).

You see, one aspect of preaching is teaching. And one way I can teach the people of Bethesda is to use, from time to time, the language of theology and to explain what it means.

The next time your pastor uses a word you do not recognize, write it down and ask him about it! It might help you better understand some Biblical concept. AND it might help the pastor be more careful in the words he uses while preaching! May Christ be kind to you this week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

The Lord blessed us with some rain yesterday as well as a good weekend with fellow believers. Our BBQ Saturday was a good time of eating and sharing with one another. The same may be said for our Q & A time last night. While we only had a couple of questions, we spent more than an hour sharing in each other’s life. Lastly, even though Dennis was on vacation and we didn’t sing any hymns, we did exalt the Lord in song thanks to our band.

May the Lord be praised for the good times of fellowship and worship we enjoyed this weekend!

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Debbie Walker, foot surgery Thursday morning
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (2 Corinthians) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Bethesda Women, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Church Council, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday, August 8, 7:00 p.m.

Progressive Dinner

Progressive dinners are not only a different way of dining but also a great way for fellowship. We are having such a dinner on Saturday, August 18, beginning at 5 p.m. Everyone will meet at the church and then learn to which home we will travel for the first course. From there we will travel to various homes for additional courses until we return to the church for dessert. Such a fellowship requires extra planning (which homes, what type of food, etc.) If you are interested in allowing your home to part one of the stops for our fellowship, please contact Karla as soon as possible.

…From Yesterday…

“What’s new and greater is that never before in the history of the world had anyone ever been forgiven by faith in the already crucified, already risen, already reigning, already indwelling Christ.”
– John Piper

Reminders

1. Next Sunday begins our deacon nominations. Dennis DePriest ends his 3 year term as a deacon and we need to fill this position. You may nominate a new man or re-nominate Dennis. Nominations will be accepted from August 5 through September 2.

2. We are creating a church directory containing names, addresses, and phone numbers. Information sheets are on the table in the church foyer. Please fill out one of these sheets and give it to the pastor. Our goal is to have a new directory ready by early September.

3. The pastor and Debbie begin vacation this coming Friday and will miss the next two Sundays. There will not be a newsletter next Monday. Brother Gary Robnett, former pastor of Highland View Baptist Church in St. Charles will preach on August 5. Our own brother Rick Bunch has the pulpit on August 12. Rick’s family will also present a report of their recent mission trip to Minnesota.

4. Our August business meeting is on August 8 at 7 p.m. To officially conduct church business, we need a minimum of 6 members present. Since the pastor and his wife will be on vacation that day, we need others to step in and “fill the gap” that evening. Please note the date on your calendar.

5. Church council meeting is this coming Saturday morning at 9 a.m. The meeting will, most likely, be very brief. If you have matters to discuss relative to calendar scheduling for August, September, and October, it would be wise to bring those items to this meeting.

Pastor’s Postscripts

Just a few “thank yous” which are due:

• Thanks to Karla for putting together Saturday’s fellowship (and doing most of the grilling).
• Thanks to the men who dug the 4 foot hole in the heat.
• Thanks to Jeff for leading the band in Steve’s absence.
• Thanks to the band for the great job they did leading us in singing praises yesterday.
• And thanks to Tom for preparing the Lord’s Supper for our observance during yesterday’s service.

May the Lord be gracious to each of you this week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

The singing yesterday morning was outstanding!  For the small group we had in attendance, we were LOUD in our praise to God!

A big thanks for our band.  They are very good every week but I think they are always “a bit better” when all of them are present.

And thank you again to Mrs. Audrey Crosby for playing the piano.  Don’t hymns sound better when there’s a piano accompanying them?

Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday evening!

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Brida Lovett, recoving from heart surgery at home
• Debbie Walker, recovering from foot surgery at home
• Jill, a friend of Pete & Brenda, who lost her mother last week.
• The Bunch family on their Minnesota mission trip.
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling & Brenda’s father
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law,  fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (1 Corinthians) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. 
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5:00 p.m. (Daniel).

Summer BBQ & Fellowship

Our Summer BBQ & Wii/KINECT Fellowship has been re-scheduled for Saturday, July 28 beginning at noon!  Whether you play the games or not, there will be good eating and great fellowship!

5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship

July 29th is a “5th Sunday”.  That means we will meet at 6pm in the Fellowship for our next “5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship”.  Please bring a snack and drink to share and join uns.

If you wish to submit a question for the pastor, please write it on a piece of paper and place the question into the container on the table in the foyer.  You do NOT have to add your name if you do not want to do so.

Some Words on Worship

There are few who call themselves Christians who would deny that we ought to make some public profession of religion, and unite with others to worship God. Public worship has always been a mark of God’s servants. From the earliest Biblical times, right through to the present day, God’s people have met to worship. However few, and whatever the difficulties, they have met together for many other reasons, besides offering worship to God. For example, gathering for worship gives public testimony to the world; it is an encouragement, comfort and strength to those who join together, and it trains and prepares them for the worship of eternity.

Right through the Old Testament there are many examples of public worship – from the Patriarchs to the time of Christ. The Jew who was not a public worshipper would have been cut off from the congregation of Israel. In the New Testament, we find that Jesus Christ gave a special promise of His presence whenever two or three are assembled in His name. The Apostles, wherever they founded churches, made the duty of assembling together one of the first principles. It is an undeniable fact that where there is no private prayer, there is no grace in a man’s heart; equally, where there is no public worship there is no Church of God and no profession of Christianity.

This same thing can be seen in Church History. Public worship has always been one of God’s great instruments in doing good to the souls of men. Preventing public worship causes great spiritual injury to people. Only removal of the Bible itself could do greater harm.

From “Thoughts on Public Worship” by J. C. Ryle

Pastor’s Postscripts

Thank you to all who turned out last Wednesday for business meeting.  Such meetings are necessary if our church is to function in an organized manner.  And, remember, our God is not the author of confusion!

I hope to send out a survey in the next week or so (perhaps with next week’s newsletter) in an attempt to gather information for a church directory.  Our present directory is quite out of date.  My current thinking is simply to have a directory of member names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.   We won’t take photographs this time around.

By the way, if you have an e-mail address and are presently receiving the newsletter by U.S. mail, please let me know what your e-mail address is and I will send the newsletter to you electronically.  By doing so you will receive our church information a day or two earlier than you do now.

Finally, don’t forget our web site.  Newsletter information is also placed on the site each week.

May our gracious Lord be kind to you this week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

It was great seeing each of you yesterday morning at church! Our attendance was down a bit. Some folks were out of town on vacation. Some were home ill or injured. Believe it or not, some had to work (even outside in the heat!). We do hope to see everyone next Sunday.

The prophecy of our Lord concerning Peter’s denial should cause us to consider our own faith. Let us rely on the Lord for our strength and not on ourselves. Let us glorify Him in the presence of the lost rather than deny Him.

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Brida Lovett, additional heart surgery Monday morning
• Debbie Walker, foot surgery Thursday morning
• Elisabeth Bunch ministering in Union, MO this week.
• The Bunch family as they prepare for their Minnesota mission trip.
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Brenda Koelling’s father
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
2. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5:00 p.m. (Daniel)
5. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday, July 11, 7 p.m.

Some Words on Worship

Article 22:  Of religious worship and the sabbath day (continued from our previous newsletter)

8. The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship and in the duties of necessity and mercy.

From the Second London Confession (also known as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith).

Summer BBQ & Fellowship

Our Summer BBQ & Wii/KINECT Fellowship which was scheduled for this Saturday, July 14, has been postponed until Saturday, July 28 beginning at noon. Mark the new date on your calendar and join us for fun at the church!

“It’s not what I don’t understand about the Bible that bothers me; it’s what I do understand.”
– Mark Twain

“It is a common fault among us, to be more inquisitive concerning things secret, which belong to God only, than concerning things revealed, which belongs to us and to our children—more desirous to have our curiosity gratified, than our conscience directed—to know what is done in heaven, that what we ought to do to get thither.”
– Matthew Henry

Pastor’s Postscripts

Summer is in full swing now. The temperatures are up (way up!) and many folks are taking their vacations. Debbie and I recently spent a week in Arizona and, at the beginning of August, will be out of town with much of our family for 10 days. It’s good for each of us to find some time occasionally to get away and just relax.

But I encourage you not to get SO relaxed that you neglect God or your spiritual duties while on vacation. Bible study, prayer, sharing Christ, giving, worship: none of these disciplines of our faith should be “put on hold” simply because we are getting away from our jobs or normal activities. In fact, vacations often provided a great time to catch up on some reading of good Christian literature including your Bible. It also offers additional time to lift up others to God in prayer.

As you enjoy your vacations, don’t forget God. Thankfully, He doesn’t forget you!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

It was good seeing my brothers and sisters at Bethesda yesterday morning!  It is always good to worship together on the Lord’s Day.

Debbie and I spent last week in Phoenix visiting family and did not return home until late Saturday evening.  If I appeared to be glassy eyed at times yesterday, please forgive me.  I’m still trying to recover from the great trip and the travel!

Remember, no prayer meeting this Wednesday due to the holiday.  Check the calendar for upcoming events.

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Brida Lovett, recovering from heart surgery
• The Bunch family as they prepare for their Minnesota mission trip.
• Marilynn Norvell
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Brenda Koelling’s father
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law,  fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

“Pray, and let God worry.”
– Martin Luther

Upcoming Activities

1. NO WEDNESDAY PRAYER MEETING this week (4th of July).
2. Bethesda Women, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at the church then to the Donut Shop.
3. Bethesda Men, Saturday, 8:00 a.m., bring your breakfast and meet at the church.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5:00 p.m. (Daniel)
7. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday, July 11, 7 p.m.

Some Words on Worship

Article 22:  Of religious worship and the sabbath day (continued from our previous newsletter)

6.  Neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship is now under the gospel tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his Word or providence calleth thereunto.

7.  As it is the law of nature that in general a proportion of time, by God’s appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord’s day; and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian sabbath, the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.

From the Second London Confession (also known as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith).

“How welcome to the saints, when pressed
With six days’ noise, and care, and toil,
Is the returning day of rest,
Which hides them from the world awhile!”
– John Newton

Pastor’s Postscripts

This week we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day.  Too often these days we are repeatedly told that our Founders were not Christians.  Well, some of them weren’t.  But many were and even those who were not had a respect for the Christian faith and some fear of the Divine Creator.  And, yes, our nation was founded upon Christian principles.  Here are the words of John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers and 2nd President, from a letter he wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1813.

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

In a letter from 1816, John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, wrote:

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

And he is so right!  God has placed us in a nation which has a voice in how it is governed.  As Christians, we MUST participate in our government especially by selecting those who will govern us.  Therefore, as I said yesterday morning, if you are not registered to vote I exhort you to do so this week.

May Christ be glorified in you this week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Good Morning Bethesda!

The Lord is so gracious in giving us a facility in which to meet and worship and brothers & sisters in Christ with whom we may share our sorrows, our joys, and our needs. Let us find ways to serve the Lordby serving one another in humility and in love!

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Brida Lovett, recording at home from heart surgery
• Lola Fleschute, Marilynn Norvell’s mother
• The Thrower & Notgrass family in the loss of their 16 month old son/grandson.
• The Bunch family, especially Elisabeth in Hannibal for another week
• Marilynn Norvell & her mother
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Brenda Koelling’s father who is ill.
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother and father suffering physically
• Cynthia’s sister Lois facing surgery for fibroid tumors
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Romans) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7pm.
2. Bethesda Night at the Ball Park, Saturday, 7:05 p.m., T. R. Hughes Field
3. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5:00 p.m.
6. Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, June 27, 7 p.m.
7. Sunday School, Sunday, July 1, 9:15 a.m.
8. Worship Service, Sunday, July 1, 10:30 a.m.
9. Discipleship Training, Sunday, July 1, 5:00 p.m.

Newsletter

There will be no newsletter next week. The pastor and Debbie are leaving Sunday afternoon for a week with family in Phoenix. The July calendar will be sent with the July 2 newsletter in two weeks.

Some Words on Worship

Article 22: Of religious worship and the sabbath day (continued from last week)

4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.

5. The reading of the Scriptures, preaching and hearing the Word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.

From the Second London Confession (also known as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith).

“How welcome to the saints, when pressed
With six days’ noise, and care, and toil,
Is the returning day of rest,
Which hides them from the world awhile!”
– John Newton

Pastor’s Postscripts

I need your help, brothers and sisters! I have two appeals to make to you; the first is to everyone attending worship services while the second is specifically addressed to families with children. Please take them in a Christian spirit and not as a personal attack.

First, I ask everyone to use the time between Sunday School and worship to take care of any personal business which may require you to leave the auditorium once the service begins. The goal is to reduce the noise and distraction created every time someone enters and exits the doors at the back of the auditorium. I realize in the natural course of a 60-90 minute service some folks will need to leave and return. But I encourage everyone to avoid doing so if absolutely necessary in order to reduce the distraction which is occurring during the service.

Second, to the families with children in the auditorium, please do your best to teach your children to remain in their seats and to be quiet during the service. For some children, this will require you to take them on a weekly trip out of the auditorium for some “personal instruction” (your pastor has made this very “trip” numerous times; you may ask some of my children what the “lesson” was they received at the end of the “trip”!). Personally, I am very oblivious to most noise created by kids. I have grown use to it over the years. But I have received complaints from others of the distraction the noise is causing in worship and I have personally noticed it more in recent months.

Thank you for your assistance in these matters! May the Lord grant you a terrific week!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

 

Good Morning Bethesda!

We had a good worship service yesterday including an opportunity to hear the mission work involved in by the Bunch family.  Please remember Elisabeth in prayer as she completes her training in Hannibal.  And please pray for the family who will leave for Minneapolis in another month.

Urgent Prayer Requests

• The Thrower & Notgrass family in the loss of their 16 month old son/grandson.
• The Bunch family, especially Elisabeth in Hannibal for another week
• Marilynn Norvell & her mother
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Brenda Koelling’s father who is ill.
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother and father suffering physically
• Cynthia’s sister Lois facing surgery for fibroid tumors
• Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, fight with cancer.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7pm.
2. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. including the Lord’s Supper
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5:00 p.m.

Some Words on Worship

Article 22: Of religious worship and the sabbath day (continued from last week)

1.  The light of nature shows that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in and served, with all the heart and all the soul and with all the might.  But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.

2.  Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other creatures, and since the Fall, not without a mediator, nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.

3.  Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men.  But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.

From the Second London Confession (also known as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith).

Pastor’s Postscripts

I am not and have never been a Roman Catholic and I put no stock into the many “feast days” that church celebrates.  However, I discovered that today, June 11, is St. Barnabas’ Feast Day.

While there is not Biblical ground to celebrate this saint of God, I think it is worthwhile to consider his involvement in the early church according to the New Testament.  So, why not do so today?!

• Barnabas means “son of exhortation” and that certainly was his character.
• He sold a field and gave the proceeds to the support of poor church members.
• “Good man, fully of the Holy Spirit, and of faith”.
• Spoke on behalf of the newly converted Paul.
• Helped the early church work in Antioch.
• Recruited Paul to help with the work there.
• Joined Paul on first mission trip to Asia Minor.
• Attended the Council in Jerusalem.
• Went with Mark, his cousin, on a mission trip.

Some Biblical scholars believe Barnabas was the author of the New Testament book known as “Hebrews”.  Whether true or not, there is no denying that this true saint of God was greatly used by the Lord in the early church.

May our Lord use us in His service as well!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

 

Good Morning Bethesda!

Monday morning greetings from your pastor!  I’m very disappointed to have been unable to worship with you yesterday.  However, I praise God that brother Rick was willing to step in for me on short notice and preach God’s message to you.  He is a very able brother in the Lord and I heard good reports concerning our worship service.

As for me, I have been fighting dizzy spells since Friday morning.  Currently, the belief is I have an inner ear infection.  I am on medication and I think I am improving.  The spells are less frequent and less severe.  Thank you for your prayers and I ask that you keep them coming!

Please also pray for our church.  Next Saturday morning, an interrogation committee will meet with brother Dan in preparation to ordain him as a deacon.  The New Testament only refers to two offices in the local church so this is a very important meeting.  Pray for Dan as well as for those who will be doing the interrogation.

And continue to pray for revival at Bethesda.  We need the Spirit to move among us.

May our Lord grant you a great week!

Urgent Prayer Requests

• Sandy Bunch recovering from a fractured ankle.
• Sandy Brandel’s mom, recovering but still in need of our prayers.
• Pastor Bruce and his dizziness.
• Zachary Mueller, special prayer.
• Pete & Brenda Koelling
• Brenda Koelling’s father who is ill.
• Marilynn Norvell, still in pain
• Cynthia Wordlaw, her mother, father, and sister suffering physically
• Gene & Lois Schulze both at home.
• Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law,  fight with cancer & her need for Christ.
• The Overtons as they search for a new church in Indiana.
• Our church and need for revival

“Sermons stressing the fierce wrath of a holy God, aimed at impenitent human hearts do not fit with the civic meeting hall atmosphere of the local church.”
– R. C. Sproul

Upcoming Activities

1. The Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30p.m.
2. Pastor speaking at the Southern Baptist Founders Conference, FBC St. Peters, Wednesday, 9 a.m.
3. Bible Study (Nahum) & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, 8 a.m.
5. Deacon Interrogation Meeting, Saturday, 10 a.m.
6. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
7. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
8. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.
9. Biblical Greek for Beginners, Sunday, 6 p.m.

Pastor’s Postscripts

You are much in my prayers this week.  Please keep me in yours.  I seek prayer for the dizziness I am fighting, for my message Wednesday morning at the SBFCMW conference, our deacon interrogation meeting this Saturday, and for my message next Sunday.

May Christ be glorified in all!

Pastor Bruce
636-233-0645
TheSaxonHus@hotmail.com

Men’s Breakfast

Men, please remember we will meet at the church for breakfast on Saturday, March 3 from 8-9 a.m.  Bring your breakfast with you and share in a brief time of fellowship. 

“If God be eternal, how worthy is he of our choicest affections, and strongest desires of communion with him!”
– Stephen Charnock