Such a Time as This

              In our text this week we meet a young women named Esther. Her beauty and kind wisdom have catapulted her to the place of Queen. But she carries a dark secret, she is a Jew and the tide of personal opinion is turning against the Jews in Susa. When the time comes for her to take a stand, she wonders if she will have the courage? Will she be successful or will she and her people face death for their beliefs, their identity as God's people.

              In the last few weeks, many Christians have wondered about the fate of the Christians in the Middle East. You might remember that twenty-one Egyptian Christians were martyred two weeks ago in the Libyan Desert. Last week 300 Chaldean (Syrian) Christians, men, women and children, were kidnapped in Syria by ISIS, on Sunday 90 more were kidnapped and as of Tuesday afternoon (3/3/2015) reports tell us that fifteen of those Christians have been murdered. Reports make clear that the current kidnappings and murders threaten the very existence of the 2000 year old Chaldean Christian Church in that region.

              This Lent perhaps as never before, the news reports remind us of what Esther knew, what Jesus knew and what disciples and martyrs for over 2000 year have known all too well; that being one of God's chosen people has its costs. Have you considered Jesus' costly commitment to his Father? Do you wonder, like Esther, whether you would have the courage to stand for your people - even in the face of death? Make no mistake, being a Christian has always been risky; whether that meant possible death for your beliefs or freedoms that allow you to forget your place beside your precious savior . . . on the walk toward Calvary.  Blessings, Rev. Ellen 

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Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed THIS Saturday night, March 7th!

Worship Bulletin

Serving Sunday

Lectionary

Church Calendar

Supper Reservation

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More Info

Sermon from 3/1/2015

Eat at Texas Roadhouse (7801 Gateway Ln NW, Concord, NC 28025) next Sunday, March 8th, anytime between the hours of 11:00 AM and 10:00 PM and the Bethpage Senior High Youth Group will receive 10% of your total purchase.  Be sure to let your server know that you represent "Bethpage Presbyterian Senior High Youth Group."  Cut your wait in half and CALL AHEAD, 704-979-3090.

BPC continues its ministry with Fred L. Wilson Elementary with the Laundromat Ministry, "Suds of Love." We need volunteers to be at Harris Laundromat (1205 West C Street, Kannapolis) on Thursday, March 19^th 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 on the 19^th, but would still like to help, we need donations of quarters and laundry detergent. Thanks for your support!

Easter Lilies will be placed in the church on Sunday, April 5^th. The price will be $11.95 per foil wrapped lily. If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily in memory or in honor of someone, please fill out an order form (inserted in this Sunday's worship service bulletin) and return it to Connie Goodman or the church office. The deadline for placing orders is Monday, March 23^rd.  Please make checks payable to Bethpage Presbyterian Church.  Extra order forms are available outside the church office or you may print one by clicking on the link below.

Easter Lily Order Form

Sunday, March 29th, we will be joined by the congregation of Latin Mission Christ Savior for our annual Palm Sunday covered dish lunch in the fellowship hall at the conclusion of the 9:55 AM worship service.  Please bring enough food for your family, plus one, and join us for a time of great food and wonderful fellowship!

On Palm Sunday, March 29th, there will be a Youth Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the covered dish luncheon in the BPC fellowship hall.  There will be a traditional Easter Egg hunt, "Minute to Win It" games, storytelling and much more.  The congregation from Latin Mission Christ Savior will be joining us for the festivities.  Please invite all your friends to join us for the fun and celebration.

Gip and Kathy Rumple

Do you have a special day in your life or your family's lives that you would like to commemorate?  You may want to place flowers in the BPC sanctuary during the Sunday morning worship service to honor that day.  If you would like to place flowers in the church, please contact Margaret Griffin at 704-932-7418.

Concerns:  Ralph Smith, Guyeska Family & Kayla Christy - death of Angel Guyeska yesterday (Betty Christy), Darlene Gantt & Family - Hospice has been called in to help with Darlene (Becky Eckels), All those in the storm's path (Becky Eckels), Tom Griffin having trouble with heart flutter and high heart rate (Diane Mullinax), Betty Howard's Family - sudden death this week (Vicki Gurley - aunt), Holly Young - continue to pray for her (Joyce Deal), Diane Deal - health issues (Joyce Deal), Phil Smith - grew up at Bethpage - in hospital with serious health problems (Linda VanPelt), Summer Thomas - in hospital and needs our prayers (Brooke Iosue)

Joys:  Averett amd Griffin Families - Nicole Averett had her baby girl Friday (Kirkmans)

  

Concerns:  Holly Young - continue praying - 5 more chemo treatments next week (Joyce Deal), Frank Melton - bad case of bronchitis and is having difficulty breathing (Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner), Ernest - job search (Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner), Barbara Suggs - heart cath last Wednesday (Joyce Deal), Eric Robertson - will have open heart surgery February 18th at CMC-NE (Rick & Diane Mullinax)

Joys: Joyce Deal - came through her treatment well (Jerry Deal), Calvin Rodgers - back home resting and healing (Sandra Cox), Corey Christy - doing well after surgery (Betty Christy)

Concerns:  Holly Young - continue praying (Joyce Deal), Helen Kasper's Family at her passing (Charlotte Penland), Jennifer Covington - lumpectomy (Vicki Gurley's co-worker), Ella Light and her son Michael Gibson - his is in critical condition with organ failure (Janice Morgan), Darlene Gantt & Family - cancer has taken over Darlene's bod and only has 4 to 6 weeks left to live (Becky Eckels), Ronnie Hall's family and friends who passed away - for the Lord's grace and love (Ronnie Hall)

BIG ELM RETIREMENT CENTER:  Paul Christy

TRINITY OAKS RETIREMENT CENTER:  Shirley Helms

ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER:  Eloise White

Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from Sunday Morning Worship on March 1, 2015. God brings the people home again, and provides for them.

 

OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
March 1st   Sunday Worship - 75 Sunday School - 41
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
	3/1/2015	Year-to-date
General Budget Giving   Weekly Budget Needs	$4,515.00   $4,620.95	$36,823.00   $41,588.55
10¢-A-Meal Offering received last Sunday: $211.00 10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $761.70

            

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