Leading Leaders Planting Churches

Transcription

1 St r of Bethlehem Abiding in Christ, Loving as Christ, Inviting to Christ NOVEMBER 2018 Our mission focus for November is the EPC G.O. 1 Fund. All churches need leaders but few churches have all the leaders they need. Even fewer have a committed group of mature missional leaders. The objective of leadership is not to manage the church in the routine operations of ministry but to move its people into the harvest to gather the eternal family of God. The GO Center provides a pathway and the tools for any church that is serious about Great Commission ministry to develop leaders who will multiply disciples, leaders and churches. The GO Center in partnership with the National Outreach Committee works diligently to help churches with the following: Living Missionally Leading Ministry Making Disciples Mobilizing Ministry Leading Leaders Planting Churches Please prayerfully consider donating to this worthy cause. A special offering will be collected on the last Sunday in November. We collected a total of $1,905 for our September mission focus, the Backpacks of Blessings. Thank you for your generous donations to this wonderful ministry. HOLIDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE November 18th 8:45am: Worship 10:00am: Sunday school 11:00am: Worship 7:00pm: Community Thanksgiving service at Bethlehem December 16th 9:30am: Sunday school 10:30am: Christmas Cantata 4:00pm: Congregational Christmas program December 24th 5:00pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight service Community Thanksgiving Service We are hosting the annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 18 th, at 7pm. We need you here to help thank our God and to welcome our guests. Refreshments will be served afterward.

2 Scouting: Part of Our Ministry to the Community Pg 2 As I m sure many of you know, our Boy Scout and Cub Scout programs are an important part of our church s caring for the community. As much as many people moan and groan about the next generation, I wish all the groaners could see what Scouting does for boys. It teaches life skills of Can-do Independent Spirit, Teamwork, Perseverance, Learning, all while having FUN & adventure - both indoors & out, while being guided in moral principles by competent adults. Wow! It was marvelous for me as a youngster, as it has been for a host of others. What a great opportunity we as a church have to touch the lives of dozens of young people for our Lord! In Jesus, Dr. T, Pastor, Bethlehem Pres. Church Reece McManus was awarded the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. Attaining EAGLE requires 21 merit badges, including First Aid, 3 different Citizenship badges (Community, Nation, World), Cooking, Personal Fitness, Lifesaving, & Camping. Also required are a demonstration of leadership skills, a demonstration of living by the Scout Oath & Scout Law, and the completion of a significant final service project that helps others. Here is Reece s picture with his parents, at the recognition ceremony on October 14. The location had to be changed from Bethlehem to First Baptist in Monroe, since our power was out that afternoon. We thank them for hosting the event on such short notice. CONGRATS, REECE!

3 Pg 3 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY :45am Worship 10am Sunday school 11am Worship 6pm byg am Adult Bible Study 7pm Mission & Service Mtg 7 2pm Church Security Planning Task Force Mtg 8 2pm Evangelism Mtg pm Preschool Spaghetti fundraiser :45am Worship 10am Sunday school 11am Worship 6pm byg 10am Adult Bible Study 7pm Session Mtg 10am Senior lunch at Gary s BBQ 11am Preschool Thanksgiving program and meal 18 8:45am Worship 10am Sunday school 11am Worship 7pm Community Thanksgiving Service at BPC 25 8:45am Worship 10am Sunday school 11am Worship 6pm byg NO ADULT BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK 10am Adult Bible Study

4 Pg. 4 Share the Good News of Jesus Christ As shoebox gifts are distributed, local pastors or church leaders present the Gospel in a fun way designed for kids while family and friends listen in. Makes disciples through the local church. Afterwards, boys and girls are invited to enroll in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program. They learn from local volunteers what it means to faithfully follow Christ and share their faith with others. How to Pack a Shoebox Choose Boy or Girl and age level Now, choose the items you will shop for. Each shoebox should contain the following: Small toys (Choose 3) Harmonica Whistle Mini Etch-a-Sketch Jump Rope Jacks / Marbles Slinky Yo-Yo Small Toy Cars Tennis Balls Small Frisbees Puzzles Essential Items (Hygiene) (send 1 of each) Toothbrush Sorry! NO TOOTHPASTE Colored Band-Aids Combs / Hairbrush / Pick Washcloth Unscented bar soap Mesh body scrubber a WOW item (choose 1) Stuffed Toy Soccer ball with pump Small bead kit Toy truck/car (larger size for preschool) Baseball glove and ball Quality craft item (wooden toys) Essential Items (School Supplies) (send 1 of each) Pack of Pencils or Pens Manual Pencil sharpener Pack of markers, colored pencils, or crayons Coloring pad / book Notebook and ruler Extra Items (Choose 3) Flip flops Stickers Socks T-shirts Underwear Sunglasses Tote bags Pencil bag Flashlight with batteries Watch Calculator Hair clips Hair bows

5 Pg 5 BACK TO BASICS I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV) Science says that we need 4 basic elements to survive: 1. Water 2. Air 3. Food 4. Light Now look what the Bible tells us about Jesus: 1. I am the Living Water 2. I am the Breath of Life 3. I am the Bread of Life 4. I am the Light of the World Science was right! We need Jesus to live - for now and eternity. As we walk in Jesus Christ s life, we can reflect His love to those around us, feeding His bread to others through His word, quenching their thirst with His living water, and filling them with His breath of life. Jesus is the source of nourishment for the soul and spirit. May God awaken us to opportunities to share these elements and share our source, Jesus, to those around us. Be a life giver! Thank you for your support of the byg Low Country Boil! We raised over $1,755 towards our mission and service in the community and our country. Attn Seniors: Our next lunch outing is Wednesday, November 14th, at Gary s BBQ in China Grove. We will meet at the church at 10:00am sharp. Please fill out the sign up sheet in the Fellowship hall if interested. From the Evangelism Team We happily welcome the newest members of our Bethlehem Church family: Doug and Wendy Campbell Whitney Campbell Graham, (with Parker, Brooks, and husband, Andy)

6 November 2018 Pg. 6 2nd Larry Carter and Teresa Williams 3rd Wendy Campbell, and Alex Ferreira 9th Kathy Presson 10th Polly Knight 17th Tilden Belk 18th Lea Walker 20th Patsy Cuthbertson 21st Sharon Smith 27th Lazette Thomas If your birthday is not listed, please call the church office so we can make sure we have it for the future! November 4th Open Church: Dean Sides 8:45 Greeters: Dean & Lori Sides 8:45 Nursery: Nancy McSwain SS Nursery: Brenda Huntley 11:00 Ushers: Kelby Griffin & Nancy McSwain 11:00 Nursery: Jan Haigler Close Church: Kelby Griffin November 11th Open Church: Scott Cuthbertson 8:45 Greeters: Scott & Mary Ann Cuthbertson 8:45 Nursery: Brenda Huntley SS Nursery: Open Door Class 11:00 Ushers: Terry & Teresa Williams 11:00 Nursery: Lazette Thomas Close Church: Tony Smith November 18th Open Church: Patricia Kindley 8:45 Greeters: Robin Castorina 8:45 Nursery: Lazette Thomas SS Nursery: Janet Jones 11:00 Ushers: Jerry Smith & Phyllis Thomas 11:00 Nursery: Brenda Huntly Close Church: Jerry Smith 13th Andy & Eleanor McAllister 24th Terry & Teresa Williams If your anniversary is not listed, please call the church office so we can make sure we have it for the future! November 25th Open Church: Shannon Braswell 8:45 Greeters: Shannon & Melody Braswell 8:45 Nursery: Pat Sloan SS Nursery: Carol Johnson 11:00 Ushers: Johnny & Carolyn Gordon 11:00 Nursery: Nancy McSwain Close Church: Johnny Gordon **Note: Please exchange dates with someone if you can not be at church on your assigned Sunday. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

7 Pg.7 byg & Christian Education November 4th byg.serves.rolls 6pm at the church November 11th byg.slipping.and.sliding 6pm at the church November 18th COMMUNITY.THANKSGIVING.SERVICE 7pm at the church November 25th byg. 6pm at the church ***For our most up-to-date calendar information please visit or contact Children s Ministry: Sunday School News In September and October we learned about Moses and the Israelites and how God rescued them from Pharaoh and slavery in Egypt. When we finished in October we saw them on the other side of the Red Sea living in freedom! For the month of November, our focus in Children s Sunday School will be the story of Four Friends who took their friend to see Jesus. We will learn that we can share God s love with others! November 4 Learning Temple November 11 - Craft Corner November 18 Sunday Cinema November 25 - Bethlehem Bakery

8 Pg Taking a Step Back Over the last several years we ve used M Cheyne daily reading plan, a couple chronological plans, a general overview of each book, and a Who s Who of the Bible. This year we have another year long Bible reading plan that will take us through chronologically. As you read each day, our hope is that you will jot down a few notes about what you have read. The next day, before you read, stop and look at what you wrote about the day before. Consider where you are in the Bible and where the passage you are reading fits into the "bigger picture" of God's message to us. Once a week, once a month, once a quarter, stop and review your notes. Commit to reading through the Bible this year. Pray that through the daily study of the Word of God you will hear his call to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and daily commit to serving God. NOVEMBER BIBLE READING: November 1 Matthew November 2 Luke 19 November 3 Mark 11; John 12 November 4 Matthew 22; Mark 12 November 5 Matthew 23 Luke November 6 Mark 13 November 7 Matthew 24 November 8 Matthew 25 November 9 Matthew 26; Mark 14 November 10 Luke 22; John 13 November 11 John November 12 Matthew 27; Mark 15 November 13 Luke 23; John November 14 Matthew 28; Mark 16 November 15 Luke 24; John November 16 Acts 1-3 November 17 Acts 4-6 November 18 Acts 7-8 November 19 Acts 9-10 November 20 Acts November 21 Acts November 22 James November 23 Acts November 24 Galatians 1-3 November 25 Galatians 4-6 November 26 Acts 17 November 27 1 & 2 Thessalonians November 28 Acts November 29 1 Corinthians 1-4 November 30 1 Corinthians 5-8

9 Pg 9 Please come out and join us for a delicious spaghetti dinner on Saturday, November 10th, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm! The meal will include spaghetti, salad, bread and homemade desserts. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for kids ages 2 to 5 and free for kids under 2. Proceeds will go to our preschool ministry. Invite your friends, family and neighbors to join us as well! The Preschool will host a Thanksgiving family meal on November 15th for the students and their families. The congregation is invited for the program at 11am, with a meal to follow. Feel free to bring a dish if you can! Preschool will be closed for UCPS workday on November 12th and again for the Thanksgiving holidays November 19th thru 22nd. We are so thankful for your continued support of this ministry! God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving!

10 We are officially using One Call Now to send voice messages, text messages, and s to communicate. If you have questions, or need to make a change in how you receive messages please contact the church office. Pg 10 Voice Calls Text Messages s Congregational Meeting The Church Session has called a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing four new elders, to begin serving January 1, The meeting will convene on November 11, at 9:45am in the Multipurpose Room. The names to be presented by the Nominating Committee are: Jim Aldridge (to a 2-yr term), and Amy Moore, Virginia Moss, & Teresa Williams (each to a 3-yr term). All Bethlehem members are urged to attend. The meeting will begin promptly at 9:45. Choir practice is in full swing for the upcoming Christmas Cantata on December 16th. Practice time has been changed back to 4pm on Wednesdays. Thank you for your patience as we try to work out a schedule that accommodates everyone in this busy season of ever-shortening daylight hours. We will begin our hand bell choir practice after the Thanksgiving holiday. I would like to thank each and every one for your time and your dedication to our music program. I look forward to a most joyous and merry Christmas season! Donna

11 Pg 11 OCTOBER 2018 SESSION BRIEF The Session of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church met on October 9, 2018 in the church office. There were nine Ruling Elders and Moderator Rev. Dr. T present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. T. R.E. Nancy McSwain gave a devotion based on Unity with Jesus, God is in control. Minutes from September 11 th meeting and a called session meeting on September 30th were approved. PASTORS REPORT: Dr. T attended his high school reunion on October 6th. He was able to get his mom to church on October 7th. COMMUNICATIONS: Andrew Brunson was released from prison in Turkey on October 12 th. He is now at home in the US. TREASURER S REPORT: Average monthly giving for first nine months of 2018 is $20,279 and expenses were $22,502. PRESBYTERY MEETING REPORT: A report from September 28/29 Presbytery Meeting was given, and session received the report unanimously. MINISTRY TEAM REPORTS: BUILDING & GROUNDS: New church sign has been approved by Fairview Town Council. The new lift is to be installed the week of Nov 5th. The new dumpster is in place. The water heater in the kitchen had to be replaced. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Team is looking at a possible mission trip to Puerto Rico. Teacher s Teaching Class was held on October 13th. Youth are planning a Low Country Boil on October 20th. Team will sponsor movies for kids and adults during December. CONGREGATIONAL CARE: 28 people attended the Narroway dinner theater production of Samson. The mountain trip was canceled due to weather. EVANGELISM: Team did a great job at the Fairview Fall Festival. Team is getting Christmas cards ready to mail with Advent service schedule. MISSION & SERVICE: Backpacks of Blessings is delivering 35 bags of food to Unionville School each week. $1,075 was received from September 29 th fundraiser breakfast. Current Backpacks account balance is $20,449. PERSONNEL & FINANCE: Team is working on the 2019 budget. October is stewardship month. Team is requesting speakers for each service for stewardship. PRESCHOOL: Fairview Fire Department visited with the students for fire safety month. Preschool is planning a trip to the pumpkin patch, and they will host a spaghetti fundraiser on Nov 10 th. WORSHIP: Bethlehem will be hosting the Community Thanksgiving Service on November 18th. Team is working on volunteer workers schedule for OLD BUSINESS: Sheriff s Office church security presentation was rescheduled for October 23rd due to Hurricane Michael. Prayers were lifted, and meeting was adjourned with prayer by R.E. Patsy Cuthbertson at 8:30pm. Next Stated Session Meeting is November 13, 2018 at 7pm.

12 Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Mission: To glorify God by leaving a legacy of faith to succeeding generations through the proclamation of the good news of Jesus in word and deed, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We will accomplish our mission by: Abiding in Christ - I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing - John 15:5 We are a community of believers who seek to dwell in the presence of Jesus and who strive to grow into maturity in our relationship with God in Christ. We will encourage others to do the same. Loving Others as Christ - This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. - John 15:12-13 We are a community of believers who seek to respond to Jesus grace in our lives by loving others with his love. Inviting others to Christ - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? - Romans 10:13-15a Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 We are a community of believers who blessed by the presence of Jesus and provision of God the father will invite all those within our sphere of influence into the saving presence of Jesus. Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 7608 Concord Highway Monroe, North Carolina (704)