|
| January 4, 2015 - Second Sunday After Christmas |
|
|
I received this e-mail from the Fellowship Community. It was so good I wanted to pass it on to you. Blessings, Rev. Ellen
Dear Ellen,
Our passage this week in John 1 celebrates this manifestation of God becoming human flesh. The Message version of John 1:14 says: "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood."
There is no greater miracle than this - that God became flesh and blood and lived among us. That a relationship with the Creator of the universe was made possible, starting with this all-important truth.
In our current culture, the celebration of Christmas ends on December 25th. Then we shift our focus to the celebration of the New Year. And once January 2nd rolls around, there is the natural let-down of the holidays being over. BUT . . . this is when the reality of what actually happened on that night so long ago can begin to sink in. It is not enough that Jesus came. Why did Jesus come? And for whom did he come?
Important questions to ponder as we sit in this first week leading us to Epiphany.
Spend some time pondering this the way Mary pondered and treasured all that was going on around her when Jesus was born. Ask yourself these two questions: Why did Jesus come? And for whom did he come?
back to top
|
|
The Story Continues, "From Shepherd to King" - Chapter 11
|
|
Communion - This Sunday, January 4, 2015
|
|
Spares and Pairs January Meeting
|
|
Spares and Pairs will meet Monday, January 5th at 6:30 PM in the BPC Fellowship Hall. Everyone is requested to bring an snack and/or a drink. See you there!
|
|
Pastoral Care While Rev. Ellen Is Away
|
|
Rev. Ellen will be out of the office January 5th through January 11th, 2015 on vacation. If you have a pastoral care concern, please call the church office or Macky Petrea, Clerk of Session.
back to top
|
|
Women's Bible Study Groups - January Meetings
|
|
We invite the ladies of the church to join a group for Bible study, to take part in worthwhile projects, and to enjoy Christian fellowship. Please visit any of the groups and then join the one that suits you.
Study Group 1: meets Tuesday, January 6, at 10:00 AM in the Session
Room.
Study Group 2: meets Tuesday, January 6, at 6:30 PM in the church fellowship hall. Hostesses - Patty Lee and Diane Mullinax.
Study Group 3: meets Tuesday, January 6, at 7:00 PM in the Session Room. Hostess - Connie Goodman.
|
|
Wednesday Evening Supper & G.I.F.T. Program
|
| Our Wednesday evening supper and G.I.F.T. Program resumes this week on January 7th. Please join us and don't forget to make your supper reservation by Noon on Tuesday. You may register by signing the Ritual of Friendship pad on Sunday, calling the church office, or submitting a form by clicking here.
|
|
Suds of Love - January 15th
|
 Bethpage Presbyterian Church continues its ministry with Fred L. Wilson Elementary School with a Laundromat Ministry, "Suds of Love." We need volunteers to be at Harris Laundromat (1205 West C Street, Kannapolis) on Thursday, January 15th from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM and 6:00 until 9:00 PM. If you would be available on that day, please contact Christel Josey (704-706-5752) or Chris Ferguson (704-680-2783). If you can't volunteer, but would still like to help, we need donations of quarters and laundry detergent. |
|
Annual Church Meeting - January 25th
|
|
Our Annual Church Meeting will be on Sunday, January 25th immediately following the 9:55 AM Worship Service. Reports will be distributed to the congregation on Sunday, January 18th so that you will have time to review them prior to the meeting. Please try to be present for this important meeting in the life of our church. Ministry Area Moderators, please e-mail your reports to the church office by Thursday, January 8, 2015.
|
|
If anyone has an anecdote to share concerning something that you have experienced as a result of studying or sharing The Story, please send your experience to Jean Brown. The Communications committee would like to share all of these experiences with the whole congregation. We will write your account and add it to the big bulletin board (with a photo of you, if you'd permit), outside the east rear sanctuary door, where the progress of The Story is being charted. Please let everyone in the congregation know what God is doing with our study and our people.
|
|
Betty White wanted to share this special poem for all of those who are going through this Christmas season missing a cherished loved one. Blessings, Rev. Ellen
Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below.
With tiny lights like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear.
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear.
But the sound of music cannot compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description to hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away. We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me dear ones. You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.
It was always most important in the stories that Jesus told.
Please love each other as The Father said to do.
For I cannot count the blessings or love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
© 1999, by Wanda Bencke - have requested permission.
|
|
Would You Like to Place Flowers in the Church?
|
| If you would like to place flowers in the church please contact Margaret Griffin at 704-932-7418.
|
|
December 28:
Joys: Dot Brown is feeling better (Jean Brown), Eternal life and salvation for Bernard White, Melvin Helms, Steve Ballard, Ralph Chapman and Mary McKnight - courage and God's grace for their families (Rev. Ellen)
Concerns: Glenda Kirkman's mom as she recovers from pneumonia (Glenda Kirkman), Lorain Tucker's family on her passing (Amy Ritchie), People out on the roads returning from Christmas travel (Janice Morgan)
December 14:
Joys: College Students are home (Amy Ritchie), Suds of Love will go out on the 18th (Chris F.), 25 Children from Fred L. Wilson will have a Christmas (Chris F.), Young People's Pageant - Bethpage and Christ Savior youth (Sandra Cox), Mark Gurley's last day of work on Wednesday (Vicki Gurley), Choir Cantata next week (Rev. Ellen), Niece's graduation from UNC Wilmington (Glenda Kirkman), Granddaughter's graduation from Elon (Toot and Faye Rodgers), Clean Up day - all who helped from Bethpage and Christ Savior (Christel Josey)
Concerns: Dorothy Brown has a cold (Jean Brown), Neeha Tracy's husband was killed this week - has a 9 year old son (Marcia Johnson), Jason - a friend of Madison Scarborough - was diagnosed with Colon Cancer - He is 26 years old (Teresa Kincaid), Eva Aldridge - Christel's mother (Heather Kirkwood), Joyce Deal's recovery (Jerry Deal), Calvin Rodgers' healing and sister Lucille who lost her husband of 72 years this week (Calvin Rodgers), Families of Steve Brown, Frances Hinson, Helen Hensley and Terry Mac McCollum on their deaths, Phillip Eckels who is sick, Phillip and Melanie Eckels on the suicide death of their next door neighbor - Lemc Giddigs, Brenda Paige as she fights cancer - in Hospice now, the Eckels family - feeling beset by tragedy (Becky Eckels)
December 7:
Joys: Bethpage Young People lighting the Advent wreath (Connie Goodman), Rick Mullinax, Frank and Jimmie Melton and Glenda Kirkman's presence in worship, Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men donation of $1,000 to CCM (Ed Kusper), Christy family as they celebrate Ray's life (Margaret Griffin)
Concerns: Linda Blum as she fights cancer, Laudington Family's loss (Carrie Paxton), Joyce and Jerry Deal as Joyce recovers from surgery (Charlotte Penland), Calvin Rodgers and his whole family - recovery from surgery, Exams for college students, Ernest as he seeks a call (Roger Hamilton)
BIG ELM RETIREMENT CENTER: Paul Christy
TRINITY OAKS RETIREMENT CENTER: Shirley Helms
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER: Eloise White
|
 Serving This Sunday |
HEAD USHER
Jenny Linebarrier
USHERS
Joyce Deal
Marty Paxton
Linda VanPelt
Glenda Kirkman
LECTOR
Marcia Graybeal
CHILDREN'S NURSERY
SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Heather Kirkman & Rhonda Jones
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Cheryl Kusper & Dougie Kirkman
|
|
Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
|
|
OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
| |
Christmas Eve Service: 81
December 28th
Sunday Worship - 75 Sunday School - 34
| |
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
| |
|
12/24 &
12/28/2014
|
Year-to-date
| |
General Budget Giving
Weekly Budget Needs
|
*$4,316.00
$4,854.43
|
$248,075.94
$252,430.36
| |
10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2014: $3,961.37
|
*reflects total offering received for 12/24/2014 and 12/28/2014.
|
Lectionary for the week of January 4 - 10, 2015
|
|
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015 back to top |
|
|
Please drop us an email and let us know if there is something you would like to see included in the newsletter.
We would love to hear from you!
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday School at 9:00 AM - Worship Service at 9:55 AM
6020 Mooresville Road - Kannapolis NC 28081
704-933-2209 (church office phone)
Church office hours: 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM, Mon - Fri
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner: 704-431-3700
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
