deacons Archives - Bethesda Baptist Church

December 29, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Monthly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

December 29, 2014

One of God’s glorious gifts to mankind is to bestow upon him the dawn of a new year. New opportunities and challenges are before him. A chance to try again, to make another endeavor to successfully accomplish the ambitions which were perhaps cast aside with discouragement in the year past. Life is full of beginnings. As one stands at the gate and with doubtful hand draws aside the curtain and peers into the unknown, he begins today by taking his first step across the threshold of the new year. It is already a beautiful year because it is another year of Our Lord.
C. E. Cowman

Upcoming Activities

A new church year begins this Thursday and that means opportunities for fellowship! One of the more significant January fellowship activities is our January Bible Study which meets each Sunday evening during the Discipleship Training time (5 p.m.). The 2015 study is on Deuteronomy and you are greatly encouraged to come and be a part of our time together.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

WE REACHED OUR GOAL of $1300, in fact, we surpassed it! Our final tally will be announced next Sunday in our worship service.

Thank you to everyone who gave. You are truly a generous people!

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee brought their recommendations for the various church positions to the church for approval at our December business meeting and they were approved. The new officers, teachers, and committee members begin their work with the new calendar year. Thank you to the committee for their diligent work.

Though the most difficult task that committee faces each year is complete until late 2015, there remain a few positions still open which means the committee has not ceased their efforts. On the table in the foyer is a list of all volunteers and the positions they hold for next year plus which positions remain vacant. Please take a sheet and pray about the open positions!

COMMITTEES!

As noted earlier, the new committees begin work on Thursday. Your first order of business per our bylaws is to meet. Here is the section from our present Constitution and Bylaws:

Committee Officers.
a. The first order of business at the first meeting of each committee following elections is to select committee officers.
b. Committee officers shall consist of a chairperson and a secretary unless otherwise designated.
c. Chairperson: Shall preside over and direct the meetings; shall ensure that the business at hand is discussed in an orderly and Christian way; and shall ensure that proper and necessary recommendations and actions are taken by the committee
d. Secretary: Shall prepare and maintain all committee records, including minutes of each meeting. Shall have available to the board of directors the minutes of each meeting
The committee shall report the selection of its officers at the next church business meeting.
So, to those on committees, thank you for serving! Now, get together and elect your officers!

Proposed Changes

At the December business meeting, the Nominating Committee presented several proposed changes to our bylaws. These were moved and seconded and, per our bylaws, will be voted on at our January business meeting. You are encouraged to pick up a copy of these proposed changes (many having to do with committees) from the table in the foyer. If you need an electronic copy, please request one from Sandy Brandel.

Also, last spring a committee was formed to consider modifying our Constitution to adopt the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message in lieu of the 1963 statement. The committee studied the 2000 version and is recommending the church amend our Constitution to indicate the 2000 version is our statement of faith. If you would like a copy of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, see the pastor on Sunday and he will give you one. Or, if you are online, you can read the statement at www.sbc.net/bfm2000/ .

In nature, we see God above us.
In a convicted conscience, we see God against us.
BUT,
in the GOSPEL,
we see God with us.

Pastors Postscript

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

These words were among the last ones ever written by the Apostle Paul. He wrote them to Timothy, one of his converts, mission partner, and, at the time of their writing, the pastor of the church at Ephesus. I suspect most pastors view Pauls charge to Timothy as also a charge to them. I know I do!

Since coming to Bethesda in the fall of 2009, I have ministered with a specific plan in mind. This plan has been based on what I believed the Lord wanted done both inside and outside our church.

For the past couple of months I have reflected on my first five years as your pastor. First, I assessed those things I believed the Lord wanted accomplished from that plan over this period of time. Some of them have been accomplished and some have not. Next I sought His direction concerning the future of our church for this year, five years, and ten years out. Then I spent the last week putting pen to paper and documenting some specific plans for our church over the next ten years.

I am sharing these plans with our deacons at our January 7th Deacons meeting. After receiving their feedback, I will share my thoughts with the entire church, possibly as early as the January 14th business meeting.

Ultimately our goal at Bethesda is to glorify our God in everything we do! There is so much more we can do together!

Happy New Year and may Christ richly bless you in 2015!

Pastor Bruce

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014

November 3, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Weekly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

November 3, 2014

Upcoming Activities

1. Bethesda Academy, Monday, 6:30 p.m.
2. ELECTION DAY, Tuesday
3. Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
4. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
5. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
7. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child continues through Sunday, November 16. Also, our packing party is Monday, November 17 in fellowship hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring some soup and salad, enjoy some fellowship, and then help us pack the boxes!

Congratulations!

Happy Birthday to Noah celebrating a birthday this Thursday!

Deacons

Our deacons are meeting with the pastor this Wednesday evening in preparation for our business meeting next week. If you have anything you would like us to discuss, please let one of us know.

Happiness is a temporary condition; Blessedness is a permanent state.

Church Phone Directory

Our revised member phone directory will be available next Sunday morning. Thank you to everyone for reviewing the directory and providing updates.

The Bethesda Academy

Our study of the book of Revelation resumes this evening (November 3). We will conclude our study next Monday evening, November 10. Join us at 6:30 p.m.

November Election

Tuesday, November 4 is election day and our church fellowship hall is a polling place. I encourage every member to exercise your right and privilege and vote. But I also exhort you to study the issues and candidates as well as you can before you go to the polls.

There are individuals who vote for a candidate simply because they are affiliated with a specific party. My dad always voted …. The time for voting one party or the other is over. We need to use godly wisdom and elect those men and women who best reflect our Christian values and principles.

Vote but vote intelligently and wisely!

It is in the final analysis not faith considered by itself but the righteousness of Christ which is imputed in the sinner who, in genuine faith, has fled to God for refuge.
William Hendriksen

Pastor’s Postscript

Recently I received a tract titled Eight Lies You Hear on Campus and in the World. It is very well written and very brief in its length. I have heard each of these 8 used many times in both the business and education communities. I suspect many of you have as well.

While I do not have space to share the entire tract, here, in summary form, are the eight lies.

1. In order to believe the Bible, one must commit intellectual suicide.

2. Evolution is a reasonable explanation of the origin and present makeup of the universe.

3. Christianity is basically the same as the other religions of the world.

4. Money, power, pleasure, and prestige are the things that give real meaning and purpose to life.

5. Jesus never claimed to be God.

6. The accounts of Christ are not reliable since they were written long after His death.

7. Man is basically good.

8. God saves good people.

Notice how nicely lies 7 and 8 tie together. Also, my experience has taught me to be prepared for lie 1 if someone throws lie 2 your way. Many people in our society have been taught that if you do not believe in evolution then you are an idiot.

Lie 3 is seen throughout our land today, often expressed as political correctness. Furthermore, this lie is often accompanied by lie 5. You see, if you believe Jesus is God then lie 3 becomes more difficult to believe. Plus, if you attempt to debate lie 5, be prepared for lie 6 for your opponent will do whatever he can to disprove the Scripture.

May you and I be faithful servants and witnesses for Christ. When we are in the presence of one or more of these lies, may God grant us the wisdom, words, and will to stand up and share the truth.

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!

October 14, 2013

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!

September 30, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, Lymphoma
* 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
* 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. Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
4. Bethesda Men’s Breakfast & Book Study,
Saturday, 8 a.m.
5. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
6. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. &
Deacon election
7. Discipleship Training (Elijah), Sunday,
5 p.m.

“The more a Christian knows of his religion, the better for his peace and for his happiness.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

As Pam noted yesterday, we exceeded our $500 goal for the Missouri Missions Offering. We thank the Lord for the generous people of Bethesda Baptist Church! Your giving will help spread the Word of the Lord throughout the state!

Deacon Election

I call your attention to the choosing of the first deacons in Acts 6. Here is how Luke recorded this event:

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty … And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose…

1. The “brothers” (members of the church in Jerusalem) did the choosing.
2. The men they chose were to be of good repute, full of the spirit, and full of wisdom.
3. They chose men from among the congregation.
4. By implication, some men were not chosen.

Given the size of the church in Jerusalem (thousands) there were surely more than 7 men who possessed the stated qualifications. Just because a man was not chosen did not mean he was not qualified to serve at that time.

This Sunday we will do likewise. Our membership will choose one man (not seven) to fill our open deacon position. That man should be one of good repute, full of the spirit, and full of wisdom from our congregation. Two such men have been nominated by our congregation for this position: Dan Repperger and Steve Brook. Our task is to seek the Lord’s will to discern which of these two men should be our 3rd deacon at this time. As was the case in Jerusalem, whichever man is not chosen does not mean that man fails to meet the qualifications. It simply means our church believes the Lord does not intend for him to serve as deacon at this time.

So I call on each member to pray about their vote this coming Sunday. We are not engaged in a popularity contest. Rather, we are seeking the Lord’s will for our church. Both men are Biblically qualified to serve. Both are willing to serve. Choose the man you believe the Lord would have serve at this time in the life of our church.

Ladies’ Book Study

The next ladies book study begins TOMORROW (October 1) evening at 6:30 p.m.!

If you have an interest in being a part of this study and have not yet registered, call Pam DePriest and let her know. If you forget to call Pam, just show up for the study!

“If Jesus wept at the graveside of his beloved friend Lazarus, his disciples are surely at liberty to do the same.”
John R. W. Stott

Pastor’s Postscripts

First, I have been asked why I did not deal with verses 15-18 yesterday. Simply put, there’s just too much material in the paragraph for one message. If the Lord wills, I’ll address those verses this coming Sunday morning.

Second, please make certain you read the article on our deacon election this coming Sunday. This is an important day for our church and I want everyone “prayed up”!

Third, I am skipping the “Sermon Extra” section this week given the lack of space. Since I am dealing with the same text next Sunday, we’ll share some extras on the passage in next week’s newsletter.

Fourth, Praise the Lord, we reached our church’s goal for the South Mission offering! I am so grateful to the Lord for your willingness to give. Thank you and may He bless your generosity!

Fifth, Ladies, your book study begins tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. I’m certain Pam is ready to go and I hope you are. Meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. and have a great study and a great time of fellowship!

Sixth, thank you, also, to those who attended our 5th Sunday Q & A session last night. I enjoyed the time together and I hope I provided some reasonable answers to the questions which were asked.

Lastly, men, bring your breakfast on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and join us for fellowship and study!

May the Lord grant you a great week!

September 3, 2013

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Bill Sugar, friends of the Diamonds, has Lymphoma
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Pete & Brenda, grieving over loss of her father; their health
* Dan, health concerns
* Mueller family, Alicia’s pregnancy & Jeff’s need for work
* Marilynn Norvell
* Aaron Wordlaw and his arthritis
* Dennis and Pam on their trip to Texas & return home
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Julie away at school at Mizzou
* Our church and need for revival

Upcoming Activities

1. Bible Study (Brief Books) & 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 p.m.

Deacon Elections

Nominations for deacon are now closed. Over the next few weeks, the pastor and deacons will be talking with those who were nominated. The election will be held on the first Sunday of October at the conclusion of the morning worship service.

Please be much in prayer over this upcoming election.

Sermon Extras

1. For those of you with a keen interest in the second coming of our Lord and the various theories surrounding that event, take a moment and consider verse 13:

“… at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

Throughout the New Testament, “saints” refers to those who have been redeemed by Christ: the saved, the born again, the true believers. Paul is obviously teaching the Lord’s second coming will be accompanied by saints.

But Paul makes it clear the coming will be with ALL his saints, not just some. It will include those from the Old Testament era as well as the 1st century. It will include the believers who have died since the time of Christ. It will include those who are alive at the time of his coming.

So, this coming (“parousia”) can NOT be a coming prior to the tribulation for those who hold such a position teach there will be people saved during the tribulation.

Furthermore, this coming must close the door on salvation for how could people be saved after the coming (e.g., during the Millennium) and yet “all the saints” be at Christ’s coming?

Stand by! There is more to coming in this epistle.

2. Verse 11 is quite fascinating on its teaching concerning the nature of God. Remember, Paul is NOT writing a theology or a discourse on God’s nature. He is merely expressing his heart in a blessing upon the Thessalonians. Yet, Paul is so firmly entrenched in the Bible that he cannot prevent the Biblical teaching of the nature of God from being expressed.

a. God is more than one person. This is clearly shown by:

(1) the word “the” appearing before both “God and Father” and “our Lord Jesus”.
(2) the “and” connecting these two persons.

God is, therefore, a being who is at least 2 distinct persons: God the Father and the Lord Jesus. Of course, the Bible teaches us He is actually 3 persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

b. God is one united being, each person having the same mission and purpose. He declares this truth by:

(1) the “himself” appearing at the beginning of the verse before both names.
(2) the singular verb (“direct”) following this compound subject (“God and Father… and our Lord Jesus”).

God is one being consisting of 3 co-equal, co-eternal persons who are united in their mission and purpose in all things.

“Unless love prevails, selfish motives inhibit ethical development by turning us toward ourselves and away from God and blameless living. The holiness that belongs to God is the ideals we must seek.”
Robert L. Thomas

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 the final article of that confession.

XVII. Religious Liberty

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Pastor’s Postscripts

We have a full newsletter so I will simply say “See you Sunday with my Bible at my side.”