STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

April 14, 2014

Tenebrae Service
Good Friday

Join us this Friday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m for our Good Friday service. Brother Bill Savage, pastor of St. Clair Southern Baptist Church, will bring the message as we reflect on the death of our Lord and His accomplishments on the cross.

LADIES Book Study

The Ladies Book Study resumes tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 6:30 p.m. Even if you missed the first two meetings you are welcome to join in tomorrow night.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Good Friday service, Friday, 6:30 p.m.
5. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. NO Discipleship Training

The Bethesda Academy

Tonight (Monday) we will meet and resume our study of future events by examining the Gospel of Matthew. Come join us at 6:30 p.m. as we seek to better understand God’s revelation on this subject.

Recent Prayer Requests

* Cynthia Wordlaw and her family in the death of her mother. Also Cynthia’s need for a kidney.
* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Prayer for those involved in North American missions.
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

Julie’s Mission Trip

If you wish to contribute to a local mission activity, our own Julie Brandel will leave on a 10 week mission trip to San Diego in less than 2 months. Pray for her and, if possible, contribute financially towards this trip by writing a check made out to the church with a note that it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

North American Missions

At Discipleship training last night, Pam announced we have reached our Annie Armstrong Offering goal of $1200! Praise the Lord and thank you to all those who have given for your generosity.

We will continue collecting for this offering through the last Sunday of April. If the Lord impresses you to give (or give more), please be obedient to Him and His will.
Congratulations to…

* Bruce & Debbie Walker celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary on April 20.

Pastor’s Postscript

Last year we held our first Good Friday service at Bethesda and it was well received. So we are going to hold another one this coming Friday and I urge you to do all you can to be there. The service will naturally focus on our Lord, His crucifixion and His death plus the work that He accomplished on that Good Friday many centuries ago.

Also as we did last year, there will not be an Easter sunrise service this year. In fact our Easter Sunday schedule is slightly reduced. We will have Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. giving our teachers an opportunity to share on the Lord’s death and resurrection. We will also have our morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. which will focus on the resurrection. If the Lord wills I will preach from 1 Peter chapter 1 on the subject “Raised from the Dead”. Our Sunday evening activities are cancelled this week to permit everyone the opportunity to spend the afternoon and evening with family.

A big “thank you” to everyone who helped with yesterday’s fellowship. The food was great and the time together was even better. It appeared all the children had a good time as well (though, perhaps, with too much sugar!).

It was also great seeing visitors once again in our service. The Lord continues to send visitors to worship with us and we are very grateful He does so. May those who are visiting and looking for a church home find the church in which the Lord wants them to serve.

On a personal note, this Sunday not only marks Easter but also Debbie and my 41st wedding anniversary. We were actually married on Good Friday back in 1973. Debbie has been the greatest blessing the Lord has given me next to my salvation. God has used her in many ways towards my sanctification. Any good you see in me is the result of the Lord’s work and much of that has been through my wife! Any bad you see is the real “me” still under construction. I have never regretted saying ‘I Do” 41 years ago. I would love to have at least another 41 years together!

Back to church matters, let me encourage you to attend our Good Friday and Easter worship services this coming weekend. Our country spends a lot of time and money “honoring” our Lord’s birth at Christmas time. Let’s give at least some time to celebrating His resurrection at Easter time.

May our great God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless you this week as you reflect on His death (an atonement for sins) and His resurrection (a victory over death).

April 7, 2014

Stirrings at Bethesda

Weekly Newsletter of Bethesda Baptist Church

April 7, 2014

LADIES Book Study

NO meeting this Tuesday of the Ladies Book Study. Our church serves as a polling place and, since Tuesday is Election Day, there will officials and voters occupying our fellowship hall all day.

The book study resumes on Tuesday, April 15.

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller – recovering at home
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Prayer for those involved in North American missions.
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

North American Missions

As of Sunday morning, our gifts towards the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering stood at $975. That is only $225 short of our church goal! Thanks to everyone who has given and may the Lord richly bless you for having done so.

We will continue to accept gifts towards this offering through the month of April.

Julie’s Mission Trip

Time is growing shorter before Julie leaves for a 10 week mission trip. Continue to prayer for her and consider giving to support her financially.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. NO Ladies Book Study, Tuesday
3. BUSINESS Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Soup, Salad, and Sandwich Fellowship, Sunday, 12:15 p.m.
7. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday, 5 p.m.

The Bethesda Academy

Each Monday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. we are searching the Scripture to better understand future events as revealed by God. Come out and join us tonight!

Soup, Salad, and Sandwich Fellowship

THIS Sunday, April 13 at 12:15 p.m. – Soup, Salad, and Sandwich Fellowship after the morning service. Bring at least two of the above to share and some plastic Easter eggs (with candy inside!) for our children to hunt.

Tenebrae Service
Good Friday

Friday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. – Join us for our Good Friday service. Brother Bill Savage, pastor of St. Clair Southern Baptist Church, will bring the message.

Pastor’s Postscript

I was quite lengthy in last week’s newsletter so I will be much briefer this week.

Thanks to everyone who helped with yesterday’s worship service. I am delighted to report that Dennis and Pam have safely returned. It will be good having them in worship next week!

The Lord continues to bless our church in many ways, most of them not visible to the physical eye. Let us give Him all the thanks and praise for His continual watch care over our congregation.

This Tuesday is an election day and our church serves as a polling place. I recommend to each of you that, if you are not voting at our building, that you simply stay away on Tuesday (did you ever think a pastor would tell you to stay away from the church?!). While I doubt the turnout for this election will be very great, I still suggest leaving the use of the facilities to the election officials and the voters on that date and just staying out of the way.

Wednesday is our monthly business meeting and there is some business to discuss. I encourage our members to come out and participate in the decision making process.

I will take a brief break from 2 Thessalonians. I have two additional sermons from chapter 3 before we complete this book. But Easter Sunday is two weeks away and I intend to preach from 1 Peter that morning. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Last year we were snowed out on Palm Sunday though I don’t anticipate that happening again this year. So, unless the Lord convinces me otherwise, I will return to the Gospel of John and preach the message next week that I intended to preach last year. This message covers the only verses in John that I never covered during our journey through the book.

In the meantime, I do pray for each of you and ask the Lord to give you a great week!

May our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, protect you and richly bless you!

March 31, 2014

LADIES Book Study

LADIES: your book study resumes this Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Even if you missed last week’s meeting, you are more than welcome to join the group tomorrow evening.

Recent Prayer Requests

* Michael Mason, Sali’s brother, in Barnes St. Peters
* Joe & Jessey’s newborn son – in NICU
* Elijah Mueller – recovering at home
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Prayer for those involved in North American missions.
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

The Bethesda Academy

We meet again this evening to discuss future events. Tonight we will begin our closer examination of some of the Scripture which addresses the future. Even if you have missed our first two meetings, you will have no difficulty joining in. Our meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

“The word of the Lord is glorified when it is accepted by true faith, so that it begins to adorn the lives of believers.”
William Hendriksen

North American Missions

Thank you to everyone who has given to date. We will continue to collect towards the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering through the month of April. If you have yet to give, please seek the Lord to see what, if anything, He would have you give to support our missionaries and their work.

Julie’s Mission Trip

About 2 months remain before Julie begins her 10 week mission trip in San Diego. Keep praying for her and give financially as the Lord leads to help her make this trip.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
5. Men’s Breakfast & Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
6. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
7. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
8. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“If Baptists truly believed in the necessity of prayer, our prayer meetings would see a packed house.”
Coming in April…

Sunday, April 13 at 12:15 p.m. – Soup, Salad, and Sandwich Fellowship after the morning service. Bring one or more of the above to share and some plastic Easter eggs for our children to hunt.

Friday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. – Tenebrae Service (Good Friday service). Pastor Bill Savage of St. Clair will bring the message.

Sunday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. – Our Easter morning service as we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection.

Sermon Extras

Paul writes in verse 3, “And we have confidence in the Lord about you”. It is important to note that Paul’s confidence resides in Christ, not in men. He is confident that the Thessalonians will continue to obey the Word of God but that confidence is routed in the fact that God has done a work in them and will continue working in them.

In the text, “have confidence” appears first in the verse meaning Paul is emphasizing it. The word means “to be convinced, to be persuaded”. Paul constructs the word in such a way as to imply his confidence in Christ is something he reached a long time ago and that it is now a settled fact. Paul knows the Lord is faithful and he is fully persuaded Christ will accomplish all He has planned for the Thessalonians.

May you and I always be convinced that Christ will complete the work He has for each of us in this life. Even when we stumble and falter, the Lord is faithful. He has promised to be with us to the end and He will fulfill that promise.
Pastor’s Postscript

Those who missed our “Q & A” fellowship last night missed a good discussion. The question asked of me was, “When does a person become chosen/elected or condemned? (Before conception, at conception, at physical birth or some time later?)”

Any question on the subject of election results in lively discussion since most of us have our own understanding of this doctrine. Essentially I answered this question by saying election is an eternal decree, a choice made by God in eternity. In that sense it was made before those chosen existed.

What I say is unimportant unless supported by the Word. One reference I mentioned is Ephesians chapter 1:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”

Clearly it is God, not us, doing the choosing. The object of His choice is “us”, those who believe on the Lord. Election is grounded “in Christ”, in other words, in the person and work of Christ without whom there would be no need for election. This election took place before creation (“the foundation of the world”). And this election had a purpose, namely, “that we should be holy and blameless before him”.

Election has been debated by very good men for centuries. It is still debated today. If God had not intended for the doctrine to be discussed He would have either omitted it from the revealed Word or more specifically declared it. Yet, the doctrine is in the Scripture and I doubt any of our puny minds can ever comprehend all that is involved in the matter.

Since it is in God’s Word, we, as believers, have a responsibility to do our best to understand what God has said about it. Our lives and our ministries should be lived in accordance with that understanding. In other words, as your pastor I must preach and teach the doctrine in accordance to my understanding of it.

I fully recognize other views on election. That’s ok. I formerly held other positions as well. While I believe each of us is responsible to understand election as best we can, what is important to me are your answers to the following questions:

1. Do you agree that man is, by nature, a sinner and will commit acts of sin?

2. Do you agree that the punishment for sin is death, ultimately eternal death in a place called Hell?

3. Do you agree that God sent His Son to earth to live a perfect life and provide an atoning sacrifice for sin?

4. Do you agree that to receive this God-provided salvation, a person must repent of their sins and trust Christ alone for their salvation?

5. Do you agree that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works?

6. Do you agree that once redeemed by Christ and converted by the Spirit you are forever a believer, never losing your salvation?

7. Do you agree it is the responsibility of Christians to take the Gospel message to everyone so they may hear the Good News of Jesus?

If you agree with me on these 7 statements, then let us make certain any differences we have in our understanding of election do not interfere with either our fellowship or our mission!

May our Lord and Savior give you a blessed week!

March 24, 2014

LADIES Book Study

The Ladies Book Study begins tomorrow evening, Tuesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. If you did not sign up but would like to attend, contact Pam DePriest and let her know.

Recent Prayer Requests

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy continues its look at future events this evening (Monday) at 6:30 p.m. Come and join us for some study as well as fellowship.

“As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”
Martin Luther

Julie’s Mission Trip

Another reminder that Julie is preparing for a 10 week mission trip this summer. Your prayers for her trip are appreciated as is any financial help you may be able to provide. You may give with a check by making the check out to Bethesda Baptist and noting it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
3. Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
4. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday, 5 p.m.
7. 5th Sunday Q & A Fellowship, Sunday, 6 p.m.

“I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love.”
Charles Spurgeon

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Luke Bounds – Tuesday

“You must understand that your faith and salvation rest entirely on God’s election (cf. Acts 13:48). And yet the day you came to Jesus Christ, you did so because of an internal desire — you did nothing against your will. But even that desire is God-given — He supplies the necessary faith so we can believe (Eph. 2:8).”
John MacArthur

Sermon Extras

Part of my preparation for yesterday’s sermon took me to a message preached by the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, W. A. Criswell. I did not quote from this passage yesterday but I do want to share it with you this morning. Dr. Criswell was an excellent preacher as you will see in how he closes the message.

“To that little flock in Thessalonica—just a little band of feeble Christians in a Roman world of brutality and godlessness and darkness and heathenism—Paul saying to them, “God hath elected you, little flock. It is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom, little flock. Weak lambs, God hath chosen you. Be of good courage. Comfort your heart. Lift up your faces. God hath chosen you.” Oh, what it is to be in the elective will and purpose of the Lord. However the day, whatever the fortune, we are in Him and He is in God and the whole world shall turn for His elect into victory and triumph and glory, both now and for ever. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly, that love and trust Him. The world is yours. And in the fortunes of life, if He takes it from the earth before He comes—to face that future in glory and in triumph, to live like a Christian, and to die like a child of Jesus—unafraid, in the glory of the hope and the presence of the Lord.”

North American Missions

We are getting closer to our goal of $1200 for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. is $1200. All the monies received towards this offering goes to support North American missions. We will continue collecting to support North American missions through the month of April. Please contribute as the Lord leads you to do..

Pastor’s Postscript

Easter is only a month away. I want you to be aware that we will hold another Good Friday service this year on Friday, April 18. Pastor Bill Savage of St. Clair Southern Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO will deliver the message. I encourage you to add the date to your calendar.

Thanks to all who prayed for me over this past weekend and yesterday morning. I spent most of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in bed feeling miserable. But the Lord was gracious and enabled me to attend worship and preach the Gospel. I am feeling somewhat better this morning but extremely exhausted. I do appreciate your prayers.

I am also very grateful for the visitors the Lord continues to send our way. Furthermore, yesterday was probably the first Sunday in 2014 where most of our members were able to join together for worship at the same time! Praise the Lord!

May He richly bless your week!

March 17, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

Weekly Newsletter of the Bethesda Baptist Church

March 17, 2014

LADIES Book Study

Ladies, your new book study begins next Tuesday, March 25. Pam will lead you as you look at the Sermon on the Mount in a study entitled “Living Your Life As A Beautiful Offering”.

If you would like to join the study but failed to add your name to the sign up sheet at church, contact Pam TODAY and let her know!

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller – recovering at home
* Praise to God for the birth of Olivia Mueller
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Reppergers on vacation
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

“A Christian whose inconsistent, hypocritical life belies biblical truth can’t be a deacon.”
Alexander Straech

The Bethesda Academy

TONIGHT is the return of the Bethesda Academy! We meet at 6:30 p.m. for an informal study on the subject of future events.

Come join us tonight for an hour of fellowship and study!

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training (Ruth), Sunday,
5 p.m.

Mission Trip

Julie is preparing for her 10 week mission trip this summer and needs our help. Please keep her in your prayers. And, if you are able, please help her with the financial cost of the trip. You may with a check by making the check out to Bethesda Baptist and noting it is for “Julie’s Trip”.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Sali Standley – Sunday

Sermon Extras

Verse 11 of yesterday’s text has been debated for some time. Paul is obviously addressing women (the first word in the verse may be translated “women” or “wives”) but who are these women? There are many good commentaries presently varied interpretations of this verse but, briefly, here are the top 3 views:

1. Paul is talking about a church office in addition to pastor & deacon, namely, deaconess, a woman deacon. I do not accept this view for a couple of reasons. First, it makes little sense for Paul to insert one verse to describe this office sandwiched between verses referring to the office of deacons. Verses 8-10 clearly are speaking to men who serve as deacons as does verse 12. If Paul intended to introduce an office of deaconess, why not wait until you complete verse 12 to do so? Second, a deaconess would represent a leader in the church and that would raise issue with Paul’s own words in 1 Timothy 2:11-15.

2. Paul is talking about women in the church assisting the deacons. Certainly the male deacons would run into situations where it would be very helpful to involve a woman. This interpretation renders the first word of the verse as “women” in stead of “wives” and views other women in the church who assist the deacons in their work. The same to reasons I gave to answer (1) above apply here. Furthermore, it would be an extremely uncomfortable position (unheard of in the first century) for Christian men to work alongside Christian women who are not their wives.

3. Paul is describing the wife of a deacon, assuming he is married. Given the context of the passage, this interpretation makes the most sense. It also answers the need for a woman to assist in certain situations yet removes the obvious difficulty of that woman not being the deacon’s wife. I see the context as firmly supporting this understanding of the verse.

Think About It

“Seeker friendly” churches are those churches that try to make the lost visitor comfortable in their surroundings. They use worldly attractions to draw them in and keep them there. They have “give aways”, frequent promotions, and entertainers in place of true worship. Such churches believe the best way to evangelize the lost is to make yourself more like the world. The great British pastor David Martyn Lloyd-Jones disagreed.

“The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariable attracts it.”

North American Missions

Our church’s goal for this year’s Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is $1200. In two weeks you have graciously given $700 towards our goal! Praise the Lord!

All the monies received towards this offering goes to support North American missions. You have through the month of April to give. Please seek the Lord and discern what He would have you contribute.

Pastor’s Postscript

Praise the Lord for our visitors! Praise the Lord for our new deacon! May God give each of you a terrific week!

March 10, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

Weekly Newsletter of the Bethesda Baptist Church

March 10, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller – in the hospital
* Praise to God for the birth of Olivia Mueller
* Walker’s grandson Bryson having tonsils & adenoids removed today
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Diamonds on vacation
* Brooks on vacation
* Reppergers leaving later this week on vacation
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Praise to the Lord for our visitors
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service – Ordination of Steve
Brook, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
4. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Mission Trip

Don’t forget Julie Brandel’s mission trip this summer to San Diego. If you wish to help with her financial needs, you may do so by writing a check to Bethesda and designating it towards her trip.

Deacon Ordination

Steve Brook will be ordained to the deacon ministry this Sunday morning, March 16, as part of our morning worship service. I encourage you to attend and support Steve and his family at this important event.

LADIES Book Study

The ladies will begin a new books study on Tuesday, March 25 entitled “Living Your Life As A Beautiful Offering”. Due to difficulty obtaining books, if you plan on attending the book study, please make certain you sign the sheet in the foyer no later than this Sunday, March 16.

Once again Pam will lead the study which will meet every Tuesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please mark your calendars and sign the sheet!

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Alexis Wildgrube – Monday

“And thus we who have not their knowledge wish and are not able even with pains to understand what the apostle referred to, especially as his meaning is made still more obscure by what he adds. … I frankly confess I do not know what he means.”
Augustine

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy returns next Monday, March 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Since the Thessalonian epistles have focused so much on the Lord’s Return, we’ll spend time discussing future events and investigating what God has said concerning the end times.

Join us on Monday, March 17 for a time of study and fellowship at 6:30 p.m.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jeff and Alicia Mueller on the birth of their daughter, Olivia Abigail. Olivia entered the world last Wednesday, March 5. Praise God for another gift of life!

North American Missions

Yesterday marked the beginning of our emphasis on North American Missions as we began our week of prayer. It also marked the beginning of your opportunity to contribute to mission work throughout North America by means of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Every cent you give to Annie Armstrong goes directly to missions in North America.

Bethesda’s goal is $1200. I simply ask you to seek the Lord and understand what He would have you contribute to his valuable effort. If you wish to give by means of a check, simply make your check out to Bethesda Baptist Church and note either on the “Memo” line and/or on the offering envelope that your gift is for the Annie Armstrong Offering (“Missions” will suffice).

Thank you for your donation and may the Lord bless your giving.

“The willful and persistent rejection of the truth God punishes with judicial blindness, so that the power of discernment is blunted, and error comes to be accepted as truth-nay, the perversity becomes sometimes so morbid that men bring on them the woe pronounced against such as ‘call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.’ (Isaiah 5:20)”
John Eadie

Pastor’s Postscript

Next Sunday is a very special day as we ordain brother Steve to the deacon ministry. I really encourage each of you to be there.

In your prayers this week, please continue to pray for the Mueller family, especially Elijah. Also lift up the several church families who are already on vacation or preparing to travel: the Diamonds, the Brooks, and the Reppergers. Also, give praise to God for the visitors who continue to worship with us on Sunday mornings!

I want to publicly thank all those involved with the new church sign. Several folks spent many weeks looking at various options. Then they had to order the sign, coordinate its arrival and temporary storage, and, finally, its installation. The sign is beautiful and looks tremendous! To each one who had a part in this process, thank you very, very much!

May Christ grant you a wonderful week! See you Wednesday evening!

March 3, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA for March 3, 2014

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. So, set your clocks FORWARD one hour (“spring ahead”) before going to be on Saturday evening.

Yes, we “lose” an hour of sleep!

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia as she is nearing her due date
* Alicia’s mother
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Our church and need for revival

Some updates: Alicia’s mom had a kidney removed today. All went well and she will be in ICU over night. No further cancer was found.

The Muellers are still awaiting the results of Elijah’s tests from last week.

Lastly, Brenda has returned home safely and appreciates all the prayers.

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting,
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Science Center Trip, Saturday, Noon
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Mission Trip

Julie Brandel has a 10 week mission trip in San Diego this summer. If you wish to help with her financial needs, you may do so by writing a check to Bethesda and designating it towards her trip.

Bowling Fellowship

For those who signed up for our bowling fellowship, meet at Harvest Lanes on highway 94 at 12:30 p.m. We have lanes until 2:30 p.m.

Deacon Ordination

On Sunday, March 16, we will ordain Brother Steve Brook to the deacon ministry. Please plan on attending this special service.

This Sunday’s Message…

“Delay, Deception, Delusion” from
2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

LADIES Book Study

The next book study will begin the last week of March (date forthcoming) and will be on the Beatitudes. Pam has agreed to be the study leader. Make plans now to attend.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Kyle Haag – Monday

Church Directory Correction

Rick Norvell
759 Homerun Drive
O’Fallon, MO 63366

Pastor’s Postscript

The weather “got us” again yesterday. Thankfully we never saw all the snow that was forecasted. But the sleet made the roads far too dangerous to be out and about.

This week was to begin our emphasis on North American Missions. It was also to be the week of prayer for North American missions. Nevertheless, we’ll start our mission emphasis this coming Sunday. We’ll also declare next week to be our week of prayer for North American missions!

The men and I had a good meeting this past Saturday morning. We began our study of J. C. Ryle’s “Holiness”. If you are interested in joining us for this study next month, let me know so I can be certain you have a book. We’ll look at what Ryle has to say about sin in chapter 1.

The Academy will begin again on Monday the 17th (wear your green!). This will be a very informal 60-90 minute study beginning on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Since I was not able to preach yesterday, I have no “sermon extras” for you today. Plus since I had my eye examination this morning, this edition of “Stirrings” is a bit late leaving the presses. My eyes were dilated much of the day and I couldn’t see well enough to type!

May Christ grant you a wonderful week! See you Wednesday evening!

February 24, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A weekly publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

February 24, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia as she is nearing her due date
* Alicia’s mother
* Brida, recovering from a fall
* Brenda Koelling, relative’s funeral
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, 8 a.m.
3. Science Center Trip, Saturday, Noon
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Mission Trip

If you wish to help Julie Brandel’s financial needs associated with her summer mission trip to San Diego, you may do so by writing a check to Bethesda and designating it towards her trip.

This Sunday’s Message…

“Delay, Deception, Delusion” from
2 Thessalonians 2:5-12

Deacon Ordination

Brother Steve Brook will be ordained to the deacon ministry on Sunday, March 16 in the morning worship service. Please plan on attending this special service.

Bowling Fellowship

This is your last week to sign up for the Bethesda Baptist Bowling fellowship on Sunday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. We need an accurate head count no later than next Sunday so we can be sure we have enough lanes reserved at the Harvest Lanes Bowling Alley for Sunday, March 9. If you wish to go, please sign the sheet in the foyer during the week.

Science Center Trip

This Saturday is our outing to the St. Louis Science Center and a viewing of “Jerusalem” in the OmniMax Theater. If you are interested, please contact Karla as soon as possible and she will provide all the details.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Steve Brook – Friday

“… none can be termed apostates, but … such as have previously made a profession of Christ and the gospel.”
John Calvin

Men’s Breakfast

Men, bring your breakfast and join us this Saturday, March 1 at 8 a.m. for our monthly fellowship. We’ll begin a new book, one of my favorites and one which greatly influenced my Christian walk many years ago. The work is by a 19th century believer named J. C. Ryle and is entitled “Holiness”.

If you are coming and have not notified the pastor, please do so. This will enable him to make certain we have enough books for everyone.

See you Saturday at 8 a.m.

The Bethesda Academy

The Academy is returning! Our first session will be on Monday, March 17 (wear your green!) beginning at 6:30 p.m. We’ll meet in Fellowship Hall for an hour to an hour and a half. More details in next week’s newsletter.

This will be a very informal study so bring your Bible and enjoy our time together.

Sermon Extras

Verse 1 of our text yesterday described the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The New Testament utilizes multiple Greek words to describe the second coming. In verse 1 (as in 1 Thessalonians 4), the word “coming” is parousia (“being alongside”) and describes the Lord’s coming as his presence with his people.

Verse 8 of this chapter is an interesting one from this perspective. Three of the words frequently used to refer to Christ’s second coming are used in that one verse.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed (apokalupto), whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance (epiphaneia) of his coming (parousia).”

While used in this verse to describe the revelation of the Antichrist, apokalupto is used to describe Christ’s coming elsewhere (Luke 17:30). This word views the coming as a revelation, a revealing of God’s purpose and plan.

The word epiphaneia is sometimes translated manifestation and is used for the second coming more than once (e.g., Titus 2:13). Epiphany views the 2nd coming as a manifestation of the power and love of God.

Pastor’s Postscript

We have several upcoming events which consume much of our newsletter this week. So, I will be brief (if you can believe that!).

I am grateful to be the pastor of such a group of saints that make up Bethesda Baptist! March 15 makes 5 years since my first sermon from this pulpit. It is a humbling and challenging responsibility to be a pastor. But, church members such as you have made these 5 years a true blessing. May the Lord continue to bless each of you and our church as we strive to serve Him in all we do.

May the Lord protect you this week and permit us to worship together once more next Sunday.

February 17, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

Weekly Newsletter of Bethesda Baptist Church

February 17, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller
* Alicia as she is nearing her due date
* Alicia’s mother
* Brida, recovering from a fall
* Brenda Koelling
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study & 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, January Bible Study,
Sunday, 5 p.m.

Science Center Trip

Join us for a fellowship outing to the St. Louis Science Center and a viewing of “Jerusalem” in the OmniMax Theater on Saturday, March 1. We hope to see the 1 p.m. showing on that day. Tickets are $10 for adults. If you are interested in going with us, please contact Karla as soon as possible.

“Glory is the end; grace is the means to it. There can be no glory without grace.”
J. R. W. Stott

Bowling Fellowship

Bethesda Baptist has reserved some lanes at the Harvest Lanes Bowling Alley for Sunday, March 9. We have lanes from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. One of lanes will be designated a “child’s” lane with bumpers.

Please sign the sheet in the foyer indicating how many bowlers will be coming. This headcount will allow us to adjust the number of lanes we reserve.

Bethesda Congratulations for the Week

Happy Birthday wishes this week to:

* Marilynn Norvell – Monday
* Jeff Mueller – Saturday

This Sunday’s Message…

“The Day of the Lord and the Man of Lawlessness” from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 and the Lord’s Supper

Deacon Ordination

We will ordain brother Steve Brook to the deacon ministry on Sunday, March 16 during our morning worship service. Please invite your friends and family to this special service.

Men’s Breakfast

Our next men’s breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, March 1. We will begin a new book study on that day. I encourage all of the men to participate. Yes, the hour is early for some of us. But by meeting together early your other Saturday plans are not interrupted.

We meet at 8 a.m. with a time of fellowship and then begin our study. Our time together ends at 9 a.m.

If you are considering attending our breakfast, please contact Pastor Bruce and let him know so he can have the correct number of books available.

Sermon Extras

The final phrase of verse 12 reads “of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ”. It is grammatically possible that Paul is referring to only one person, namely, our God who is named Jesus Christ. However, the insertion of the word “Lord” makes it more likely Paul has two persons in mind: God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The former understanding would provide an additional proof of Jesus’ deity. However there are plenty of “proof texts” of that truth already!

By the way, the gent to the left preached 7 sermons on the text I used yesterday! Thomas Manton (1620-1677) was an English Puritan and a Presbyterian pastor in London. His works fill 22 volumes, most of them sermons. Spurgeon highly valued Manton and called his works “A mountain of sound theology.”

Since I am very much inferior to my brother Manton, I will move on in the text to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 this Sunday!

Directory Update

Brenda Koelling
206 Donner Pass, Apt. B
St. Peters 63376

Mission Trip

Julie Brandel has a two month mission trip to San Diego this summer. If you wish to help her financial, you may do so by writing a check to Bethesda and designating it towards Julie’s trip.

Pastor’s Postscript

The Lord is good and has blessed our church in a number of ways. We thank Him for making Bethesda what it is and continuing to grow our church. Let each of us pray that our Lord would make us worthy of His calling and fulfill every desire for goodness we have and every work of faith which we attempt!

And we will give Him all the glory for His abundant grace!

February 10, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

February 10, 2014

Recent Prayer Requests

* Elijah Mueller, that the present treatment will be successful
* Alicia as she is nearing her due date
* Alicia’s mother
* Brida, recovering from a fall
* Brenda Koelling
* Meghan Bartner
* Zachary Mueller
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Marilynn Norvell
* Debbie, recovering from foot surgery
* Prayer for the conversions of the lost, especially those in our community
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Ladies “Valentine Creation” Fellowship, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Walkers
2. Business Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3. Valentine’s Day Fondue Party, Saturday, 5 p.m.
4. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
6. Discipleship Training, January Bible Study, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Making Valentines

RESCHEDULED: The ladies will meet at the Walkers on TUESDAY evening, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. day to make some valentines for residents of a local retirement center. Debbie will have salad available. Please give her a call (636-233-2685) to see what you might bring.

January Bible Study

There are two weeks remaining in our January Bible Study. Yet, it is NEVER too late to join a study of God’s Word. Come on out this Sunday evening at 5 p.m. as we continue our look at Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians!

Valentine’s Day Fondue Party

Remember, our Valentine’s Day Fondue Party is THIS Saturday, February 15 at 5 p.m. Come and join us for this fun time of fellowship. We share some food and play some games. If you did not sign up to bring anything, give Karla or Debbie a call to find out what you might bring to share in our celebration.

Let’s celebrate the love Christ has for us and the brotherly love we have for one another!

“This I know, that when I personally enter Heaven I shall forever admire and adore the everlasting love which brought me there. Yes, we will all glorify and admire our Savior for what He was worked in us by His infinite Grace.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This Sunday’s Message… “Worthy of His Calling” from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Sermon Extras

“To live apart from God is death,
Tis good his face to seek,
My refuge is the living God,
His praise I long to speak.”

Too many in our modern world, the thought of a place of forever punishment is not possible. Those who do not believe in God simply believe death is “the end of the line”. Even some who believe in God (with or without the Bible) find it difficult to believe God would punish someone for eternity. They dismiss Hell, preferring the thought of annihilation, a simple end of all existence.

But God’s ways are not our ways and Paul makes this clear in verse 9. Concerning those who know not God and those who do not obey the Gospel (verse 8), Paul writes, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction”. The original reads “Such ones will suffer punishment, age destruction”.

“Punishment” means punishment from the point of a dispassionate judge. It is a just penalty given by an impartial and equitable judge who upholds the law over any emotion. This is the type of punishment we expect from the true, righteous judge, the Lord Jesus.

And what is the just punishment for an act against the law of God? Any such act is not simply against the law but against the lawgiver, an eternal and infinite being. A just punishment must be an eternal and infinite one. So Paul refers to this punishment as “age destruction”.

“Destruction” does not mean annihilation. Rather it refers to a separation from God and the loss of everything worthwhile in life. This corresponds to what Paul later writes in verse 9 when describing this eternal destruction.

“Age” is a word sometimes translated eternal. This destruction is destruction for the age. What age is that? As I read Scripture, I see two ages: “this present evil age” and “the age to come” (see Matthew 12:32). In our text, Christ has been revealed, the “age to come” is now visibly here. And so, the destruction those who do not trust Christ will experience is for the “age to come”, i.e., for eternity.

Praise God, those who have been delivered from “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) are already living in “the age to come”. We will not share in the fate of those who receive a punishment of eternal destruction. Our penalty has been taken by the Lord Himself!

“We will rest from affliction, persecution, tribulation. We will rest from pain, illness, death. We will rest from poverty, humiliation, labor. We will rest from the world, the flesh, and the devil. We will rest from sin.”

Pastor’s Postscript

I close with a lengthier column than usual. Two different magazines had articles on subjects which interest me and I found “tidbits” in each of them I wanted to share with you.

First, I love chess though I rarely get to play. In the most recent edition of the “Chess Life” magazine, there is an article entitled “Spiritual Pursuit or Worldly Success?”. Actually it is a book review of a new chess novel (yes, they exist!), “Lisa”.

The article’s title caught my eye so I quickly scanned the review. Nothing entices me to read the reviewed book but I found the reviewer’s summary of the book intriguing.

“… there is a difference between buying into ‘the lower world’ unaware of any other world, and deciding to re-engage after having known the higher world.’”

I see in this summary great spiritual truth. The contrast is between two individuals. The first is the one who seeks success in ‘the lower world’. I envision those individuals being the lost who are only living for what this world may provide. They live for the “here and now”. The second individual is the person who has trusted Christ; they know the “higher world”, the spiritual world, the world yet to come. Having been converted by Christ, they must now live as a Spirit-filled person in this “lower world”. They must “re-engage” this world as the summary says.

Are you living in “the lower world”, lost, concerned only for the here and now? If so I call on you to repent of your sins and trust Christ today.

Or, have you found Christ and been saved by His blood? Then I call on you to “re-engage” this lower world in all of its aspects with the knowledge you have of Jesus. Share Him with those you meet. Live for Him each and every day!

Second, for more than 35 years I have been a student and lover of the Protestant Reformation period of history. The events of that era still resonate in Christianity today. While reading “Table Talk” magazine this week, I came across an article by Dr. James R. White entitled “The Reformation Isn’t Over”. Certainly this is not a new concept in ecclesiology. Ever since the Reformation, Christian writes have discussed the subject and referred to it with the Latin phrase, semper reformanda (“always reforming”). But the article was well written and I wanted to share with you a brief portion of it.

“The Reformation fought a battle that each and every generation is called to fight simply because each and every generation is made up of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, and hence there will always be those who seek to detract from the singular glory of God in the gospel through the addition of man’s authority, man’s merit, man’s sovereignty. … the church always reforming, always seeking to hear more clearly, walk more closely, to her Lord?”

Certainly those are my hopes for Bethesda Baptist Church. I hope they are yours as well.

May our Lord truly bless you this week.