Urgent Prayer Requests
* Petra Lau and her family, friends of Karla – her father was murdered
* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* Brady Bounds, neck injury
* Brenda & Pete, health concerns.
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather) & Julie at Mizzou
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Wednesday’s business meeting as we consider a proposal for a new sign
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2. Bible Study (Brief Books) and 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 (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.
Ladies’ Book Study
The 3rd night of the Ladies’ Book Study is tomorrow (October 15) at 6:30 p.m.!
Sermon Extras
Often those who teach on the Second Coming paint a picture that everyone will be surprised and caught off guard when our Lord returns. They repeatedly quote 1 Thessalonians 5:2 where Paul says the Lord will come as “a thief in the night”.
However, often overlooked are verses 4 & 5. Paul reminds the Thessalonians (and EVERY believer) that we are “sons of light” and “sons of the day”. We are not in darkness and do not live in the domain of the night. No thief is catching us off guard. Translating verse 4 and adding appropriate emphasis, Paul says,
“BUT YOU, brothers, are NOT in darkness, so that THE day might take you down as a thief.”
As born again followers, we have spiritual light. We have light in the daylight of God’s written Word and His indwelling presence. We know what He has said about “THE Day” (i.e., “The Day of the Lord”, the moment of our Lord’s return). Therefore, when Christ does return, we are not caught off guard, we are not surprised, rather, we are expecting his return and prepared for it.
The moment of the Lord’s return will not bring “shock” to our system. Rather, it will be a great moment of joy! Not only will we be reunited with all followers of Jesus but we will receive our glorified, resurrected bodies, no longer subject to sin! We will find ourselves with out Lord and will be with Him forever and ever (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17)!
Praise the Lord, He WILL return soon!
Deacons
Our deacon election was a week ago and it was a “first” from what I know of Bethesda deacon elections! Both Dan and Steve received exactly the same number of votes from fellow members to serve as a deacon beginning in 2014.
Since our Constitution and Bylaws provide no direction when the election is a tie, the deacons and I discussed the matter and came to the conclusion the Lord must want both men to serve as deacons. So, we will begin 2014 with 4 deacons: Rich, Dennis, Dan, and Steve!
Of the four, only Steve has not been formally ordained by the local church. Therefore, an ordaining council will be formed to interview Steve and be convinced that he has the necessary qualifications to serve as a deacon. Once that council has met with Steve, we will schedule an ordination service (much like the one we had for Dan in 2012) and then officially set Steve aside for the office of deacon.
Thank you to everyone who sought the Lord’s direction and cast a vote for deacon and congratulations to both Dan and Steve on being selected to serve! 2014 promises to be an exciting year for Bethesda!
“They who are watching do not require to be told when the hour is to be, for they are ready at all times.”
Johann Albrecht Bengel
“They (the lost)” will be rejoicing in a fancied security right up to the very moment of the disaster.”
F. F. Bruce
Pastor’s Postscripts
I confess that I did little singing during our morning worship yesterday. Since my voice had been so weak for several days, I decided to save what voice I had for the sermon. The Lord was gracious and my voice remained strong enough to preach the entire message.
But, since I did not sing, I did listen and it was a wonderful sound! Sometimes just listening to the people of God singing praises to our Heavenly Father is a blessing to the heart. Such singing enabled me to worship the Lord without singing a word!
It was also a blessing to see several of our members back with us. The Brandels were there as well as the Brooks after being gone the weekend before. And our sister Marilynn Norvell was able to return to church for the first time in several weeks. Praise God! It was a good morning of worshiping our Lord and Savior.
Today marks the 4th anniversary of being called as your pastor. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to serve as your shepherd. May He continue to bless our church as we continue to serve and worship Him!
I look forward to seeing you again on Sunday. Bring your Bibles!