|
January 18, 2015 - Second Sunday after Epiphany
|
|
I would say that the year after graduation from college was the hardest of my life. The decisions I would make would be my decisions not my parents. I wanted to make my mark in the world. Solomon was David's successor. Upon being made king he too came to a similar realization as I had. What did he do? He went to God first! He didn't go to his advisors; didn't get the latest idea of what the culture was saying about policy and practice, didn't look inside of him for the answers, didn't go on a hedonist tear! No, He asked God to give him wisdom, to be the leading force in his life; pledging to do only what God would have him do. His legacy? Solomon became a great king, known for his wisdom!
According to the PEW Trust, 1 in five Millenials (those born after 1980 and becoming adult around 2000) are leaving the religion of their upbringing without becoming involved with a new faith. Like Solomon, they want their lives to count and have deep meaning. They too are looking for the source of their meaning. Yet unlike Solomon, they do not see the "House of the Lord" as the place where this meaning will be found.
Ouch!! This kind of indictment is painful for many of us in the Church because we know that Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection and our part in the earth's restoration IS the source of the "deepest meaning" a person can have! So why don't Millennial see this truth in God's house today?
Could it be that Millenials don't see what we think we see in church? YES! Can we turn back from the practices of the older Solomon, preoccupations of job, family, traditions without meaning, making money . . . turning again to God's wisdom and truth alone, confessing like Solomon, "We don't know how to carry out our duties . . . give your servants a discerning heart." This is the church's only escape of God's indictment, "since you have not kept my covenant and decrees, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you." May Bethpage not be torn away - but thrive in God's great wisdom and strength! Blessings, Rev. Ellen
back to top
|
The Story Continues, "The King Who Had It All" - Chapter 13
|
Guest Organist This Sunday
|
We welcome Madeline Misenheimer as our guest organist this Sunday, January 18th while Charlotte is away. Thank you Madeline!
|
Expressing Our Condolences
|
The congregation of Bethpage Presbyterian Church extends its deepest Christian sympathy to the family of Dorothy Rumple Brown. We join with her family as they celebrate their loved one's life in Christ. The family has asked that memorials be sent to Bethpage Presbyterian Church.
back to top
|
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 this 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.
|
We Need YOU to Score a Big Win Against Hunger!
|
Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, 2015, youth groups across the country will be working together to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Please support the Bethpage Presbyterian Church youth as they hold soup pots at church doors next Sunday after the 9:55 AM worship service. All money received here at Bethpage goes to CCM to help those in our community.
|
Save the Date, Help Save a Life! Blood Drive on February 16th
|
Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and Bethpage Presbyterian Church are having a community blood drive on Monday, February 16th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the BPC Fellowship Hall. Cold and flu season are taking its toll on the blood supply. If you are healthy, please donate! Every drop stays here --- saving local lives. Please remember to bring a current officially-issued photo ID to donate.
|
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - February 17th
|
You're invited! Join us for great food, enjoyable fellowship and an important message at the annual Bethpage Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Bring your friends and join other people from the community in the church fellowship hall on Tuesday, February 17th from 5:30 until 8:00 PM as we begin this most important holiday season. Donations will be accepted and will be used for the Stop Hunger Now event. |
A Thank You Note from Rick and Diane Mullinax
|
To Our Bethpage Family, Diane and I want to say how blessed we are to be part of such a loving and caring family of faith. To our dear Pastor Ellen and all our Bethpage family, we say thank you so much for your prayers, visits, cards, calls and expressions of concern during my battle with cancer, especially over the past seven critical months. Thru God's precious love and forgiving grace we take one day at a time, and we are truly thankful to have each of you walking with us. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." May God bless you and keep you and we love you dearly, Rick & Diane |
A Thank You Note from Fred L. Wilson Elementary School
|
Members of Bethpage Church Congregation,
Thank you so much for helping 25 students at Fred L. Wilson for Christmas. Our families greatly appreciated it and we are so thankful for the wonderful partnership Fred L. Wilson has with Bethpage. Thank you for your continued support! Jessica Patton, School Counselor
|
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.
|
January 11:
Joys: Rick Mullinax blood cells are growing and he is feeling stronger. Praising God. (Jimmie Melton)
Concerns: Faye Rodgers fell and has black eyes and sore - healing at home (Fred Helms), Dot Brown in hospital with pneumonia (Jimmie Melton), Terry Suther - recovering after open heart surgery (Fred Helms), Nichole - complications of pregnancy (Glenda Kirkman), Al Tarkington Family in his passing (Cheryl Kusper), Marty's father - Mike in hospital with lung infection (Carrie Paxton), Calvin and Sara Rodgers in his recovery (Eric McKnight), Fred Helms' son-in-law recovering from cancer surgery and his grandfather Laci has been sick
January 4:
Joys: Curtis Gibson's birthday today, Madison Scarborough and Rev. Ellen's on Monday
Concerns: Steve Mowery's father passed away - prayers for the Mowery family (Chris Ferguson), Passing of William (Peppy) Johnson - prayers for family during this time of loss (Amy Ritchie), Terry Suther as he prepares for triple bypass surgery this week and Ann as she cares for him (Rev. Ellen), Calvin Rodgers to have surgery on January 15th (Sandra Cox), My neighbor and all those caring for people with Alzheimer's (Ronnie Hall), Paige Family and Melvin Christy on the passing of Brenda Paige - Melvin is Betty Christy's nephew (Betty Christy), Susan Bumgarner and Family in the death of Hayden Bumgarner - Susan is Betty Christy's great-niece (Betty Christy), Family of Jim Hopkins at his passing (Ronnie Hall)
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)
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
Roger Hamilton
CHILDREN'S NURSERY
SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Susan Smith & Sara Rodgers
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Margaret Griffin & Teresa Kincaid
|
Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
|
OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
|
January 11th
Sunday Worship - 72
Sunday School - 40
|
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
|
|
1/11/2015
|
Year-to-date
|
General Budget Giving
Weekly Budget Needs
|
$2,655.00
$4,620.95
|
$7,087.00
$9,241.90
|
10�-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $226.00
|
|
Lectionary for the week of January 18 - 24, 2015
|
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|