April 30, 2015

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA

A Monthly Publication of
Bethesda Baptist Church

April 30, 2015
Volume VI Number 4

Upcoming Activities

* Business Meeting:  our monthly business meeting is Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m.  Our God is a God of order and our business meeting is a time each month when we can conduct the matters of the church in an orderly way.  Each of our members is encouraged to attend.
* Ladies Book Study has reached the half-way point.  The study continues to meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. through May 19.
* Breakfast Fellowship: On Sunday, May 31 we will have a breakfast fellowship before Sunday School.  The fellowship will begin at 9 a.m. and we will start our Sunday School classes 15 minutes late at 9:30.  More details will follow in upcoming bulletins, but mark your calendars and plan on joining us for this unique time of fellowship.

“Submission to the lordship of Christ—a heart attitude that works itself out in obedience to Him—is the defining mark of those who are genuinely converted.”
John MacArthur

HAPPY … !
 
Our monthly calendar indicates several celebrations are slated for May:

Happy Birthday to:

* Tom on the 3rd
* Alicia on the 23rd
* Nick on the 25th
* Bruce on the 27th
 
Happy Anniversary to:

* Jon & Kate on the 11th

and, Happy Mothers’ Day on the 10th!

“Promptly and Sincerely in the Work of God”
John Calvin

 

The Luther Monthly

“Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says, ‘Alas!  Must I rock the baby?  Wash its diapers?  Makes its bed?  Smell its stench?  Stay at nights with it?  Take care of it when it cries?  Heal its rashes and sores?  And on top of that care for my spouse, provide labor at my trade, take care of this and take care of that?  Do this and do that?  And endure this and endure that?  Why should I make such a prison of myself?’  
 
What then does Christian faith say to this?  It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful and despised duties in the spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels.   
 
It says, ‘O God, I confess I am not worthy to rock that little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of a child and its mother.  How is it that I without any merit have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will?  Oh, how gladly will I do so.  Though the duty should be even more insignificant and despised, neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor will distress me for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.’”

Martin Luther

Pastor’s Postscript

Recently I was reading the final chapter of a book by Christopher Love, a 17th century Welsh Puritan, and came across these words:

“A gracious heart knows his own inability, and his own insufficiency and imperfection, that he is unable to overcome the least sin though never so small.”

As we grow spiritually, we better understand how little we have done and how much God has done on our behalf.  We contribute sin; He contributes everything else by reason of His grace.

His grace designed the plan to save some out of all lost humanity.  His grace chose me as one of those  whom He would save.  His grace sent His only Son to live among men and to die in my place.  His grace sent His Holy Spirit to work in the affairs of my life to slowly but surely draw me to Christ.  His grace brought conviction to my heart over my sin.  His grace regenerated my soul, caused me to be born again, and gave me new life.  His grace resulted in my repenting of my sins.  His grace enabled me to trust Christ alone for my salvation.  Over 40+ years, His grace has continued to mold me into a servant more and more like Jesus.   And, finally, His grace will welcome me into heaven for all eternity!

The more we learn of the importance of God’s grace in our life, the more we recognize who we really are apart from Christ:  poor, wretched sinners.  And recognition of that truth makes God’s grace even more precious!

May God continue to pour out His grace and then grace upon grace to each of you and upon our church.  May His Spirit bring true revival to each of our hearts and, through all of this, may Jesus Christ be glorified in each of our lives and in the ministries of Bethesda Baptist Church!

Pastor Bruce

June 2, 2014

STIRRINGS AT BETHESDA – A weekly publication of Bethesda Baptist Church

June 2, 2014

 

CHURCH PICNIC!

Join us for an Outback B-B-Q!

We call our church picnic an “Outback” BBQ because it will be held “outback” of our church building!  Our church picnic will be held on Saturday, June 14 beginning at 4 p.m.   In case of rain we’ll move the picnic indoors.

Bring your lawn chairs and any type of umbrella you want to use for shade.  We are also asking everyone to bring a drink and 2 side dishes.  The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns and we’ll BBQ them “outback”.  If you would like a grilled brat instead, just bring your own and we’ll grill it!

Our picnic will include an inter-generational kick ball game.  If you have other ideas (games, etc.) bring them along!

To help us with planning the picnic, there will be a sign up sheet on the table in the foyer.  Invite your friends, families, and neighbors!

“Love that looks upward is worship.  Love that looks outward is affection.  And love that stoops is grace.”
Donald Barnhouse
Upcoming Activities

1.  Bible Study & Prayer Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2.  Deacons’ Meeting, Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.
3.  Men’s Breakfast and Book Study, Saturday, 8 a.m.
4.  Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
5.  Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. 
6.  Discipleship Training (“The Attributes of God”), Sunday, 5 p.m.

Congratulations to

Dennis & Pam DePriest celebrating their wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 7!

Coming Sunday

We complete the salutation of the Epistle to the Romans in our exposition of Romans 1:7, “The People of the Gospel”. 

Spurgeon Speaks

“That is a sweet name for every truly converted man, ‘called of Jesus Christ.’  He has called you personally.  He has called you effectually.  He has called you out of the world.  He has called you into fellowship with Himself—‘the called of Jesus Christ.’”

 PRAISE THE LORD!

Yesterday, Georgia Baggett and Glenda Averett presented themselves for membership to Bethesda Baptist Church by transfer of letter!  We rejoice that the Lord has led these dear ladies to our fellowship and we welcome them!  If you were not able to be here yesterday,  make sure you greet them next Sunday and welcome them to our congregation.

Per our church bylaws, their request for membership will be formally voted on next Wednesday, June 11, during our monthly business meeting.

Amendment to the Bylaws

A reminder that we will vote on an amendment to our church bylaws at the June 11 business meeting.  This amendment is fairly lengthy (3 pages) and completely replaces section 6 of the bylaws on Deacons.  Copies of this amendment are available on the table in the foyer of the church.  Of, if you would like an electronic copy, just let the pastor know.  If you have questions, please direct them to Pastor Bruce.

Julie’s Mission Trip

Julie is in San Diego on her mission trip.  Please keep her in your prayers and consider helping her with the cost of this trip.

Sermon Seconds

I spent a few moments in yesterday’s message discussing grace in general because I truly believe we do not take the time to seriously ponder all that God has done for us.  Everything in our life is a result of the grace of God for we do not even deserve to be alive.  In verse 5, however, Paul is discussing the saving grace provided by the Gospel.  While God’s grace is continually poured out upon us, Paul writes “we have received grace”.  He is talking about specific grace we (Christians) have received in the past and the most specific act of grace any Christian can point to is the grace God gave him in salvation!

Let us praise God every day for all He graciously does for us.  But especially let us praise Him for the salvation that He purchased for us and provided to us!

Pastor’s Postscript

This past Saturday I had the privilege of marrying my grandson to his fiancé in our building.  The service went very well and many of those in attendance complemented the church facility on its appearance both inside and outside!  What a tremendous testimony of stewardship this is for each of you and especially our Trustees who have the responsibility for the building.  My hat is off to you for all your time and efforts!

While I applaud all the Trustees, I do wish to single out two:  Rich Norvell and Jon Bounds.  Thank you both for all you did over the past couple of weeks to prepare the facility for the wedding.  I am grateful.

May our Lord bless your entire week!

Pastor Bruce