"But Jesus saw a young donkey and sat upon it." John 12: 14

                Each day we hear news of violence and aggression. It can be overwhelming. Some say it is natural to feel overwhelmed by it all. Others say that we have a right to protect ourselves. I am not going to comment on that today. What I want to talk about is this brief sentence in the story of Jesus' triumphant entry. "But Jesus saw a young donkey and sat upon it."

                This is a remarkable sentence, for if you were a Jew of that day you knew that kings came on horses when they came to conquer and on donkeys when they came in peace. Is there a disconnect between the cries of Hosanna, (literally meaning, "O Please, save us now") and a messiah on a donkey? Did they see this disconnect, that last Sunday before the whole world changed, where saviors were no longer expected on warring horses, but on the backs of humble donkeys?

                What are the places in your life that you are looking for vengeance, for God to smite those who have harmed you? Do you lay down the branches of your anger, your hurt? Recently 21 Christians were slain in Africa. They met their death in quiet peace. Could it be that they knew that their king would deal with the evil of their captors.  Were they calm because they belonged to the King on a donkey's back?

                Have you thought about trading in your cries of revenge for Hosanna, "O Please, save us now?" Is Jesus King over everything . . . or do you find your Sunday morning cries of praise turning into ugly "every-other-day cries of indictment "crucify him/her"? Jesus is either the prince of peace over all of creation, that includes you, or he is just another Messiah "wanna be." Either way, verse 15 offers us a powerful word, "Fear not, o daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey colt." He has come, he is coming, he will come again . . . this Messiah of Peace.  Blessings, Rev. Ellen 

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God has placed in our path, through the Suds of Love program, a family that lost all their belongings due to a house fire.  The father was injured, and while he is recovering, is unable to work.  The Mission/Evangelism Ministry Area is asking for the assistance of the Bethpage congregation as we endeavor to share the love of Jesus Christ with this family.  You may help by bringing gift cards to church this Sunday, March 29th.  The family includes three girls --- ages 3, 7, and 10, and a 6-month old boy.  These gift cards will be used to help them purchase necessities, such as diapers, clothing, food, gas, etc. until the father has recovered and can return to work.  Thank you for your support!  If you have any questions, you may call Chris Ferguson at 704-680-2783

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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.

There will not be a Wednesday evening supper or G.I.F.T. Program on April 1st.  The choir will rehearse from 6:30 until 8:00 PM and the Brass Ensemble will rehearse from 8:00 until 8:45 PM on April 1st.  There will not be a Wednesday evening supper, G.I.F.T. Program or other activities on April 8th.  Regularly scheduled activities will resume on April 15, 2015!

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.  Bethpage will receive an offering for One Great Hour of Sharing on Easter Sunday, April 5th.  Please give prayerful consideration to your donation to this worthwhile cause.

As warm days begin to replace winter's cold, and daylight saving gives us more light in the evenings, perhaps you are thinking of growing green things.  Last year's Community Garden Project was successful for those who participated.  It would be GREAT if we have even more gardens in the fence this year.  Start thinking if YOU want to plant and grow some veggies for your table (and/or someone else's) this summer.  Speak to Dougie Kirkman, so he can let his committee know that more spaces will be needed.  Get GROWIN'!

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.

Joys:  For this day Sunday - for God's love and grace - this is the day the Lord has made!  rejoice in it (Ronnie), Enjoying the weekend with family in town (Heather Kirkman), My friend Blake who we prayed for got a job! (Roger), Jimmie & Frank Melton - 63rd anniversary today!!  They are such a blessing in many lives and project the love of God in everything they do. (Hannah Gray), Madison & Garrett Scarborough - first year wedding anniversary (Teresa Kincaid), Rick & Diane Mullinax - 9.8, Shirley Helms, Barbara Fields, Glenn Bickerstaff

  

Concerns:  My sister's son who is on drugs - my aunt at Five Oaks Nursing Home (Ronnie), Tom Griffin - continue to get well (Rob Cox), Diane Deal - rehab continues and she is improving (Joyce Deal), Holly Young - first chemo treatment completed (Joyce Deal), Bruce DeMarcus Family - brother of Judy Petrea - passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 13th - Norris City, Illinois (Macky Petrea), Darlene Gantt & Family - Darlene was moved to Tucker House at Hospice (Becky Eckels), Ralph Smith

  

Joys:  Ralph Smith - at home and healing (Ed Kusper), Jimmie & Frank are well and here at church this morning

Concerns:  Phil Smith - continued need for prayer (Linda VanPelt), Shirley Helms - pneumonia (Roger Hamilton), Tom Griffin - has some serious health issues - will be home in a day or so after a week in the hospital (Eric McKnight), Dave Drum - Alzheimer's and was involved in a wreck over the weekend - in ICU (Becky), Holly Young - chemo starts next week for 16 weeks (Joyce Deal), Ernest Higgs - circulation problem in his leg (Joyce Deal), Diane Deal - rehab continues (Joyce Deal), Sarah Gove and her family - she lost her father to cancer - she is only 22 years old - pray for peace and comfort (Hannah Gray), Barbara Fields - knee surgery (Frances Hartsell), Howard Weaver - surgery Friday on leg (Frances & Barbara), The Family of Leslie Storie - Leslie passed away, Family of Leslie Storie - death of Leslie who was fighting cancer (Rick & Diane), Darlene Gantt & Family - continue prayers (Becky Eckels), Tom Griffin - still in hospital on IMC - breathing difficulties (Diane Mullinax), Ronnie's family and friends - a lot of them are sick or have lost a loved one - pray for me as I help others - sometimes can be a lot to do at one time helping so many

Joys:  Lenten Tuesday morning Bible study on Romans and Paul, Scott Hinson (Brantley's Dad) from power of prayer his Dad was ate up with cancer in his colon and stomach - now he is 96% cancer free and there is hope he will beat it!!  Thank you for all your prayers.

  

Concerns:  Leslie Storie and Darlene Gant - both are in Hospice care with cancer (Rick & Diane), Coworkers being laid off - over 96 coworkers are being laid off due to loss of a contract (Sherry Childers), Tom Griffin - his health issues (Margaret Griffin), Diane Deal - in rehab trying to adjust her medicine (Joyce Deal), Holly Young - continue to pray for Holly - radiation treatments finished - CAT scan in 3 weeks (Joyce Deal), Larry Tucker Family - he passed away last Sunday - his wife passed away in December (Amy Ritchie), National Eating Disorder - All those who suffer from eating disorders.  Awareness week has just passed, but to remember the millions of people who are affected by this illness, which has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.  Pray for peace, comfort and understanding that nothing is bigger than God.  (Hannah Gray)

  

BIG ELM RETIREMENT CENTER:  Paul Christy

LIBERTY COMMONS REHABILITATION:  Burch Thomas "Tom" Griffin

TRINITY OAKS RETIREMENT CENTER:  Shirley Helms

ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER:  Eloise White

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Sermon from 3/22/2015

 

OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
March 22nd   Sunday Worship - 77 Sunday School - 48
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
	3/22/2015	Year-to-date
General Budget Giving   Weekly Budget Needs	$4,912.00   $4,620.95	$51,739.00   $55,451.40
10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $836.70

            

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