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.