Current Sermon Series

Transcription

1 Raymond Campus Sunday Services 9:00 and 11:00am February 21, 2016 Current Sermon Series

2 WELCOME GUESTS! Greetings! Thank you so much for visiting our Raymond Campus! Our desire is to make your first experience a warm one. Please feel free to help yourself to complimentary coffee, and an assortment of baked goods in our Café. Rest peacefully knowing your children will be taken care of and taught by a team of well-trained individuals who make safety a top priority. You ll also find relevant messages that are rooted in sound biblical theology, and a contemporary worship service which we believe will greatly bless your heart. The Café Our Café is open before and after services on Sunday mornings and you are welcome to enjoy your coffee during the service. The Café will close 15 minutes into the service in order to eliminate any distraction to those worshipping. It will re-open for fellowship at the end of the service. In Need? If you are in need of prayer, members of our prayer team are available after each service. Prayer cards are located in the chair back pockets. You may place your cards in the offering plate or in the box at the Information Center. The cards will then be given to the prayer team. If you feel you would like to speak with a pastor or have a care need, you can write this in the attendance book at the end of the aisles. There are options on the right side of the page to check off what you are in need of. Nursery Our caring nursery team is ready to welcome your baby during the service. The nursery is located to the right at the bottom of the stairs. Nursing moms are also welcome and will be able to see and hear the service. Membership at Bethany If you are interested in becoming a member of Bethany Church, please contact Jen Violette (Jenv76@comcast.net). Communion All communion elements are gluten free so that everyone who wants to participate may do so. Our Cafe also has a list of ingredients. If you have any questions, please ask the Café host or one of our ushers. Lost and Found There is a large bin labeled, lost and found, located downstairs in the big classroom. Check it out if you are missing anything. ANNOUNCEMENTS End 68 Hours of Hunger Food Collection Contact: Ali Bousquin abousquin@bethanychurch.com End 68 Hours of Hunger confronts the approximately 68 hours that some school children experience between the free lunch they receive on Friday to the free breakfast on Monday morning. It is a growing organization in town that Bethany Church supports. As a church, we support the organization through volunteer food packing on the 2nd Thursday or each month and also through food donations. We have an ongoing food collection for the following items: 1. Saltine Crackers 2. Sandwich crackers (peanut butter or cheese) 3. Jelly in a plastic bottle 4. Cereal The Best Game Ever Night Saturday, March 12, 3:30pm-6:00pm Contact: Ali Bousquin abousquin@bethanychurch.com Like to laugh? Then this is the event for you. Last year, no one wanted to leave, because the game was so much fun. Therefore, we are repeating the format with new challenges for this year s event. If you have kids, they are welcome to join in the fun too. Dinner will be provided and dessert will be a pot luck. Signup at the Information Table today or Ali. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT Live or Die (Part 1) Pastor Jon LaMontagne Wednesdays, 6:30pm - January 20 March 16 Contact: Kim O Brien (KObrien@bethanychurch.com) To Live is Christ and to Die is Gain The Apostle Paul penned these popular and profound words to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. They reveal to us, despite his dire circumstances, the apostle s all-consuming desire to glorify God as he pointed others to Christ. As a church that is focused on disciples who are actively seeking to make other disciples, we must also seek to have this all-consuming desire. Join us for the first of a two-semester study through the book of Philippians as Paul beautifully draws a picture of what it means to be a passionate disciple making disciples. We will study the book of Philippians, led by Matt Chandler, Teaching Pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, TX., incorporated with informal small-group discussions. Student Ministry Study Contact: Matt Lovgren (studentministryraymond@bethanychurch.com) Questioning is an important part of owning our own faith. For the next several months our students will ask questions and explore science and history for answers as they study apologetics. Apologetics is knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and being able to explain that to others. We will explore everything from Did God really create the earth and people? to Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

3 The 2016 Ministry Plan (Draft) and Absentee ballots are available at the Information Table. The Articles that will be voted on March 6, Ballots must be returned to Bethany Church no later than 12:30pm on Sunday, March 6, 2016 Bethany Congregational Christian Church, Inc. of Greenland, New Hampshire. The Board of Elders hereby notifies you that the below Articles of Business will be presented for a vote of the Membership by ballot during the Worship Services, March 6, Article I: To elect Elders, Nominating Committee Members and Officers of the Board of Elders presented for the year 2016 as set forth in the 2016 Ministry Plan booklet. Yes No Article II: To accept the 2016 Ministry Plan as set forth in the 2015 Ministry Plan booklet. Yes No Article III: To approve the 2016 Operating and Capital Budgets as set forth in the 2016 Ministry Plan booklet. Yes No Article IV: To authorize the expenditure of the 2015 Operating and Capital budgets as set forth in the 2016 Ministry Plan booklet. Yes No The following members were approved by the Elder Board for nomination to the position and term indicated and inclusion in the March 6th annual vote for 2016: 2016 Board of Elders Officers Chair Jim Serpliss Vice Chair Peter Schaeffer Treasurer Robert Goodman Secretary Francois Vorster 2016 First Term Elder Carl Morran 2016 Renewal (3-yr) Elder Francois Vorster Eric Savage 2016 New Nominating Committee 2016 Renewal (2 yr) Bill Epperson Scott McKinney David Shilman Senior Pastor Bruce Boria Be One Make One February 21, 2016 A Rebellious Prayer

4 SERMON NOTES: February 21, 2016 WHY BOTHER? BE ONE I MAKE ONE A Rebellious Prayer Luke 17:20 18:8 (NIV) 20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, Here it is, or There it is, because the kingdom of God is in your midst. 22 Then he said to his disciples, The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, There he is! or Here he is! Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. THE REFERENCE IS TO HIS AND COMING. YOU WILL NOT IT. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. WE MUST BE AND QUESTION: How are we to maintain our vigilance in trying times?

5 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: In a certain town there was a judge (Deuteronomy 24:17-22; 27:19) who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow (Psalm 68:5; 146:9; James 1:27) in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, Grant me justice against my adversary. 4 For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, Even though I don t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won t eventually come and attack me! 6 And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? PRAYER AGAINST THE WAY THINGS ARE PRAYER IS AN PART OF THE ARMOR OF GOD PRAYER CHANGES THE PRAYER TO CHANGES

6 CONNECT GROUP DISCUSSION: February 21, 2016 WHY BOTHER? BE ONE I MAKE ONE A Rebellious Prayer OPENING Prayer can appear to be passive, a request to make our lives more manageable, a removal of life s hardships. Listening to the content of our common prayers we may not hear much of a war cry. What was your response to the prayer uttered in the movie The War Room? GOING DEEPER Reflect on the following quotes. How might these truths prepare us to live out our faith with greater confidence? The forces of injustice, oppression and war are so overwhelming that all our efforts to combat them will fail unless we first invite God into the fray. Until we have achieved victory in prayer, it is hopeless to engage the outer world in combat. [Strategic Prayer by John D. Robb; cited in Winter, Ralph; Hawthorne, Steven ( ). Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: Reader and Study Guide - ebook (Kindle Locations ). William Carey Library. Kindle Edition.] History belongs to the intercessors who believe the future into being. Even a small number of people totally committed to the new inevitability, in which they affix their imaginations, can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors who call out the future, the longed-for new present. They believe the future into being. [Wink, Walter, Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992),p. 299] CHALLENGE: Will you live your life based on these truths? Will you share these truths with others?

7 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES First Impressions Contact: Kim O Brien (KObrien@bethanychurch.com) We are looking for people to join our team. First Impressions are very important in making sure our visitors have a great experience here at Bethany. If you ve been wondering where God is calling you to serve, this may be it. We are in need of greeters and ushers/communion servers. Please contact Kim for more information. Welcoming Check-In Station Help Contact: Kim O Brien (KObrien@bethanychurch.com) If you are looking for a way to serve and love meeting new people, then this might be just right for you. We need people to learn how to use the check-in station for attendance and printing out name tags. Serve one Sunday a month prior to our 9:00am service downstairs. For more information, please contact Kim. Kids Ministry Nursery Help Contact: Ali Bousquin (ABousquin@bethanychurch.com) Love babies? There is an opportunity for you to spend one hour a month with our little ones. We re looking for people to serve in our 11:00am nursery. If you re feeling led to this ministry, please contact Ali. End 68 Hours of Hunger Thursdays, 9:00am Contact: Ali Bousquin (ABousquin@bethanychurch.com) We have a great opportunity to help with Raymond s End 68 Hours of Hunger. Spend 1 hour, the 2nd Thursday of the month, packing food for children at the Raymond Methodist Church. If you are interested, please contact Ali Bousquin. Kids Ministry Wednesday Evening Help Contact: Ali Bousquin (ABousquin@bethanychurch.com) Our winter midweek program will begin in a few weeks and we could really use help. Please consider serving in our nursery and preschool teams. If this is something you would like to explore contact Ali. GREENLAND CAMPUS New England Faith & Justice Summit March 5th - Greenland Campus Be part of the inaugural, New England Faith & Justice Summit on Human Trafficking, being held at Bethany Church s Greenland Campus. Be inspired by national and local leaders, equipped for strategic local action. Hear New England survivors share their story of hope and healing found in Jesus. To register, please go to EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Greenland Campus Contact: Lisa Trial (LTrial@bethanychurch.com) Interested candidates please send your cover letter and resume to Lisa by February 17, Part-Time Employment Opportunities CUSTODIAN 20 hours per week, to provide a clean, safe, and healthy work place and environment on the Bethany Church campus. Schedule may vary according to Church needs. BUILDING SERVICES COORDINATOR 16 hours per week, to provide facilities and maintenance support. Knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide general carpentry, painting, drywall, plumbing, electrical (110V) diagnostics, and mechanical repair. Schedule may vary according to Church needs. Full-Time Employment Opportunities COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Full-Time salaried position to provide strategic planning and operational leadership for all of Bethany s efforts to present clear and effective messaging. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the day to day implementation of the communications efforts through print, web, and graphics. Proficiency working with Adobe CC, and Microsoft Office required. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT Why Jesus? Conference May 7, 2016-Starts at 8:30am Cross Insurance Convention Center and Arena 515 Main Street, Bangor, Maine Plan to join thousands of other Christian believers for WHY JESUS? 2016, a one-day all-day Conference on Evidence for Christian Faith. WHY JESUS? 2016 is designed as a dynamic, unique training event to challenge your mind, with inspiring speakers such as Dr. Ravi Zacharias and Lee Strobel. For more information visit WhyJesus2016.org. Bethany Women s Retreat April 8-10,The North Conway Grand Hotel Contact: Denise Ames (bethanywomensretreat@gmail.com) Our weekend speaker will be Robyn Dykstra. Robyn is a dynamic, funny and inspiring Jesus-loving Bible study teacher. You will love her stories and you ll be captivated by her teaching. REGISTER ONLINE BEFORE MARCH 1ST and your name will be entered into a drawing for a DELUXE GIFT BASKET. High School girls accompanied by an adult are welcomed to attend. Online registration is available at www. bethanychurch.com. The deadline is March 20. To see a video of the speaker for this event go to: vimeo.com/

8 ONE CHURCH TWO LOCATIONS Greenland Campus 500 Breakfast Hill Rd. Greenland, NH Raymond Campus 90 Chester Rd. Raymond, NH Raymond Campus Office Hours: Monday and Thursday 9:00am- 3:00pm Wednesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm Pastor s Office Hours Mondays, 10:00am 12:00pm or by appointment Greenland Campus Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Reception closed from 12:30-1:30pm Some early closings on Fridays The office will be closed February 15 for President s Day Bethany Main Number: After Hours Emergency Care: Dial and press 2 info@bethanychurch.com OUR MISSION AND VISION Our Mission: To be a Christian community where the love of God is transforming us from the Inside Out and our love for God is drawing the Outside In. Our Vision: Bethany is a loving community, intentionally connecting with one another, so that we may be: Comforted by the Grace of God Changed by the Word of God Challenged by the Mission of God Financials - Operating Fund Revenue / Expense Summary-12 months through December Actual Budget Actual vs. Budget Giving $244,922 $238,000 $6,922 Net Expenses $235,634 $260,767 $(25,133) Income/(Loss) $9,288 $(22,767) $32,055 CONTACT INFORMATION Rev. Dr. Bruce Boria - Senior Pastor Executive Assistant, Rosanne Palombi RPalombi@bethanychurch.com Rev. Dr. Dirk Rodgers - Executive Pastor Executive Assistant, Pat Fuller PFuller@bethanychurch.com Rev. Tim Carpenter - Family Ministries Pastor Executive Assistant., Leanne Knight LKnight@bethanychurch.com Raymond Campus Staff Rev. Jon LaMontagne - Campus Pastor JLaMontagne@bethanychurch.com Ali Bousquin - Family Ministries Director ABousquin@bethanychurch.com Katie Lovgren - Worship Arts Coordinator KLovgren@bethanychurch.com Erik Roberson - Band and Tech Arts Leader ERoberson@bethanychurch.com Kim O Brien - Executive Assistant KObrien@bethanychurch.com Matt Lovgren Student Ministry Leader studentministriesraymond@bethanychurch.com Joya Anderson Student Ministry Leader studentministriesraymond@bethanychurch.com BOARD OF ELDERS Jim Serpliss, Chairman Peter Schaeffer, Vice-Chair Robert Goodman, Treasurer Francois Vorster, Secretary Peter Hopkinson Pauline Maloney Eric Savage George Swible Bethany is on the air TV - Portsmouth ppmtv, Channel 98, Exeter, Brentwood and Stratham Public TV, Channel 98, Sandown TV, Channel 17, Raymond TV, Channel 13 and Epping Public TV. Check local listings Radio: WSEW 88.7 FM, Sundays at 12:00pm Web: Live broadcasts Sundays at 9:00am & 11:00am Archives on demand 24/7. CD and DVD: Full worship services available