Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 F e bruary 2018 Newsletter Goldsboro Bethel Wesleyan Church Bethel Wesleyan Church exists to love our community and world with Christ's love, offering everyone His fulfilling way of lif e. Pastor s Pen Volume 11, Issue 2 Inside This Issue Pastor s Pen ~ The 40-Day Prayer Challenge ~ continued 2 Have your prayers become stagnant? Do you long to see God move in fresh ways? Are you ready to move to a new place in your walk with God? If so, I would like to invite you to join me in a 40-Day Prayer Challenge during the Lenten season. Our prayer life most accurately reflects what we believe about God and who we believe God to be. Jesus acknowledged His daily dependence upon God by rising early and finding a quiet place to pray. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers to pray without ceasing. And Christian history has demonstrated time and again that nothing is accomplished for the Kingdom of Heaven except by prayer. In a recent letter to the clergy of our county, National Day of Prayer Coordinator, Paul Twining wrote: Those who are confident of a relationship with God understand the following truths: Ash Wednesday Commemoration Operation Christmas Child Update Power Kids ~ News You Can Use! ~ Be A Friend Incentive & Fundraiser Youth OASIS Study Group Belonging $10,000 Challenge Update Mission Moment ~ Joseph Saraphain ~ WH International Sponsor Child 3 4 5 6 God is almighty and sovereign over everything in the universe. God is self-sufficient, self-satisfied, and self-glorified. God does not need anyone to rush to His aid to accomplish anything. Lenten Series John 17 Nursing Home Ministry RightNow Media 7 However, in the revelation of His Holy Word, He has made it crystal clear that He requires His children to mobilize in order to receive His involvement in His overall plan. Calendar Spiritual victory in America could be the result of God choosing to inundate the masses with holy fear and repentance, without any action on the part of His church; however, He has not been silent on the part we, as His children, are to play: God calls us to humble ourselves, pray, and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14) (Continued on page 2)
(Continued from page 1 ~ 40-Day Prayer Challenge!) During this Lenten season, I am calling Bethel Wesleyan Church to a time of fervent prayer for our f amil ies, ou r church, ou r community, our county, our country and our world. I am also asking each one of us to spend the time necessary to ramp up our prayer lives, so that they begin to match the greatness of our God. Mark Batterson, in his book Draw The Circle (which will be our guide for this 40-Day Challenge), writes: I believe prayer is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do. It s the difference between letting things happen and making things happen. It s the difference between you fighting for God and God fighting for you. Over the next forty days, we re going to pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on us. And I believe that God is going to show up and show off His power, His grace, His goodness. Welcome to the forty-day prayer challenge. I am looking forward to this challenge and to the great and mighty things God will do in and through His people as a result of prayer. Truly the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective. LET US PRAY! P a g e 2
ASH WEDNESDAY COMMEMORATION Besides being St. Valentine s Day, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 is also Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a fortyday period of reflection, repentance, prayer and loving service to God called Lent. These forty days leading up to Easter are designed to help followers of Christ reflect on their own mortality, remember Jesus sacrificial death on the cross, repent of their sins, and devote themselves to God and His purposes in the world as they anticipate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The imposition of ashes upon the foreheads of believers serves as a stark reminder of our mortality and the need to repent of our personal sins, which God s Words says earns us death. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust are familiar funeral terms which come from God s response to Adam s sin, when He said for dust you are and to dust you will return (Gen. 3:19). Pastor Doug will be available at the church from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, February 14 for anyone interested in spending a few moments in quiet prayer and meditation in conjunction with having ashes imposed upon their foreheads. What better way to affirm our love and commemorate Jesus love for us than to recommit ourselves to His love and service on Valentine s Day Ash Wednesday! This is a come-and-go event. It's been a couple months since Bethel Wesleyan packed and distributed 69 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). If each box has the potential of impacting 50 people, then our church essentially reached out to 3,450 people through OCC in 2017. In an attempt to keep the expenses of OCC from hitting all at once, we are suggesting that during the month of February you begin to pray about how many boxes you want to fill this year and which type (card board shoeboxes are free, plastic ones cost $1.50 each), and then start budgeting for the items you will include in each box. And if you are a little more ambitious, you may even begin to set aside the cost for shipping - $9.00/box. It is our hope that by spreading things out over several months, we will see many more boxes packed and lives touched through Bethel's participation with OCC. Each month we will be providing new ideas to make a big impact for Jesus Christ across the globe. Thank You! Operation Christmas Child Coordinator Julie Elborn Operation Christmas Child Update PS: If you signed up for your shoebox(es) to be tracked, would you please let us know the destination country for your box(es). We would like to share that info in the next Newsletter! Please mark "D" for Destination on your Connection Card and write the country of destination on the back. Thank You! P a g e 3
POWER KIDS ~NEWS YOU CAN USE! BE A FRIEND - FEBRUARY POWER KID SCHEDULE Friendships and peer relationships matter! Friends are influential, so you ve got to think about the relationships you have. During the month of February, the Power Kids will learn how to base their friendships and relationships on a godly foundation, so they can love everyone, stand out as a good friend, and find friends who will encourage them to live like Jesus. February 04 Add More God, Subtract More Me He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30 NLT February 11 Love Everyone Because God Loves You Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. -Matthew 5:44 NIRV February 18 Choose Friends Carefully The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. Proverbs 12:26 NLT February 25 Good Friends Are Loyal A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. -Proverbs 17:17 NLT ACTS OF KINDNESS INCENTIVE February 3 The Power Kids will be meeting at Milford Bowling Lanes (809 Dupont Blvd, Milford, DE 19963) on Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 am for their Fall Acts of Kindness Incentive. Bowling is free for those children who have completed their Acts of Kindness. If not, the cost is $2.50/game and $2.50/ shoes. We are looking at bowling 2 games. Adults are welcome to join in at $2.95/game. See you there! SOUP COOK-OFF FUNDRAISER February 11 The Power Kids will be holding a Soup Cook-off Fundraiser on Sunday, February 11 th following the worship service. This is a donation only event, with each soup entry being voted on through your giving. Parents and leaders of Power Kids are asked to sign-up to bring a soup for that day. Come and enjoy a hot lunch before our Ministry to the Nursing Home at 2:00 pm, which will be a perfect Acts of Kindness opportunity for everyone. P a g e 4
Y O U T H E V E N T ~ M O V I E N I G H T ~ F r i d a y, F e b. 1 6 t h MOVIE NIGHT FOR YOUTH Grades 6-12 AT BWC IN THE PARSONAGE FRIDAY, FEB. 16 AT 6:30 PM PIZZA, DRINKS, & GOODIES PROVIDED We are seeking volunteers and a substitute for Youth Sunday School. Thank you and Remember ~ God Is Good! Chris Foster Youth Leader WE ENJOYED THE FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON AT RUDY S FAMILY RESTAURANT LAST MONTH. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS! Giving Grace Food Pantry Fun, Fellowship, & Focused Ministry NEXT GET TOGETHER Thursday, February 15th, at 2:00 PM. Invite a friend! Hope you can join us! NCCA Trinity UMC Goldsboro Open to anyone in need. Feb. 10, 8:00 to10:00 am. Volunteers Needed! Come and Join the Study Group Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the congregation of Bethel Wesleyan Church has been challenged to raise $10,000 toward the C429 Campaign by April 29, 2018. Each dollar raised will be matched by this donor up to $10,000. As of January 21, Bethel has matched $5,253 of the $10,000, leaving $4,747 left to raise over the next 3 months (14 Sundays). That s approximately $339/Sunday needed to meet the challenge. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated! The Class Begins Jan 28th ~ 9:45 am Meeting on Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Mar. 25, Apr. 8, & April 22. Sundays 4:00 pm P a g e 5
Mission Moment ~ Letter from Joseph Saraphain: World Hope International Sponsor Child Good Morning, How are you? I am well. I am a second grader at Croisade Evangelique de petit Goave School where I study mathematics, French, Creole, Bible, social and experimental sciences, reading and writing. My favorite subject is mathematics. We have 14 students in my class. I hope to be a doctor some day. I like playing football (soccer) with my friends and with my brother. I also like going to church with my mother. I get to play the cymbal during worship and I love to hear about Jesus. I live with my parents and brother. My chores include fetching water, cooking, and cleaning. This year my family threw a surprise birthday party for me. For vacation I went to Port-au-Prince to visit my extended family. They were so excited to see me. I got to play with my friends. Afterwards, we planted okra, kalbas, coconut, banana, mombin, spondias, and quenepa. While we plant we sing: le lapli tonbe nap plate bwa ( When its raining, we plant trees. ) We end the day with a refreshing shower before heading home. I greet you in the name of Jesus, Joseph Please keep Joseph, his family, and friends in your prayers as we continue to sponsor him through our Vacation Bible School ministry. Our sponsor dollars help with school, medical treatments, food and clothing and benefits the whole family. Thanks for your continued support. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a child through World Hope or to participate in other ministry opportunities go to www.worldhope.org. Remember to pick up your copy of the 2018 Prayer Guide ~ The AMPLIFIER, and keep our missionaries in your prayers. Thank You! We Ask, He Sends! P a g e 6 SAVE CANS, & CANCELLED STAMPS TO SUPPORT OUR MISSIONARIES See Mary Sard for Information See Bob Black for Information
February 18 - JESUS PRAYS FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS FOLLOWERS (John 17:!!, 15-16) Speaker: Pastor Howard Embert, Host Church : Bethel Wesleyan February 25 - JESUS PRAYS FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF HIS FOLLOWERS (John 17:17-20) Speaker: TBA, Host Church: Jericho Faith Deliverance, Ridgely MD March 4 - JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS FOLLOWERS TO EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS OF HIS JOY (John 17:13) March 11 - JESUS PRAYS FOR THE UNITY OF HIS FOLLOWERS (John 17:20-23) March 18 - JESUS PRAYS THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WILL BE WITH HIM FOREVER (John 17:24-25) March 25 - CONCERT OF PRAYER Speaker: Paul Twining, Host Church: Denton Nazarene On Sunday, Feb. 11, after enjoying the Power Kids Soup Cook-Off Fundraiser, (a hot lunch) join our Ministry to the Nursing Home at 2:00 pm. It will be a perfect Acts of Kindness opportunity for everyone. Goldsboro Bethel Wesleyan Church P a s t o r D o u g l a s E. M o r l e y 4 3 5 M a i n S t r e e t P. O. B o x 1 4 1 G o l d s b o r o, M a r y l a n d 2 1 6 3 6 P h o n e : ( 4 1 0 ) 4 8 2-8 7 1 4 E m a i l : p a s t o r @ g o l d s b o r o w e s l e y a n. c o m Sunday Services Prayer Time 9:15 AM Discipleship Classes 9:45 AM Morning Worship 10:45 AM Power Kids 10:45 AM Pray Together 4:00 PM Go To https://www.rightnowmedia.org/account/invite/ goldsborowesleyan to join! Coming to FAITH in Christ FORMING Christ-like Character FORWARDING Christ s Mission
F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 8 Sunday Services Prayer Time 9:15 AM Power Kids 10:45 AM Discipleship Classes 9:45 AM Pray Together 4:00 PM Morning Worship 10:45 AM S u n M o n Tue W e d T h u F r i Sat 3/5~Power Kids Staff Mtg. 3/8~LBA Budget Mtg. 3/11~Day Light Savings Time Begins Looking Ahead 3/19~April Newsletter Items Due 3/25~Palm Sunday ~ Concert of Prayer 3/30~Good Friday 4/1 ~ Easter Sunday 1 Destiny Hood Quiet Time With God - Study Group 2 3 Power Kids at Milford Bowling Lanes 10:00 am 4 Barbara Walters Sunday Services 5 6 7 8 Study Group 9 David James, Sr. 10 James Rash Giving Grace Food Pantry 8:00 am 11 Lindsey Shuba Dona Marcum Sunday Services Belonging Class 9:45 am Power Kids Soup Cook-off Fundraiser following worship Nursing Home Service 2:00 pm 12 13 14 Celebration Valentine s Day 15 James & Linda Rash OASIS BWC 2:00 pm Study Group 16 Youth Movie & Pizza Night BWC 17 Men s Prayer Breakfast Greensboro New Life 8:00 am 18 Sunday Services NCCA Lenten Series Begins 6:00 pm JESUS PRAYS FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS FOLLOWERS 19 March Newsletter Items Due 20 JOY Luncheon Denton First Wesleyan 11:30 am 21 22 Samuel Foster Jennifer Bartz Study Group 23 24 Dan Jones 25 Sunday Services NCCA Lenten Series 6:00 pm at Jericho Faith, Ridgely JESUS PRAYS FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF HIS FOLLOWERS 26 Masyn Richard 27 Angela Shamp 28 (29) Jennifer McGinnis February Greeters Schedule: 4th - David & Mary James, 11th David & Barbie Semans, 18th Larry Gary & Judy Jarrell, 25th - Kevin & Michele Covey February Fruit Providers: 4th Virginia Jones, 11th Lisa Walters, 18th Barbie Semans, 25th - Adrienne Hatfield