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 April 19, 2015 | Third Sunday of Easter
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"Who do you say that I am?"
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It was a simple question that Jesus asked on that day in Caesarea Philippi. Or so it seemed! For, like today, the disciples were hearing the Gospel through the lens of the day. It was 1st century Palestine and the Romans were in power. They were standing in a town called Caesarea Philippi. A city named in AD 14 in honor of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, the Caesar, of the day. In the Roman world, the Caesar was literally treated like a god and the responsibility of the people was to worship him. They also worshipped other gods too, ones like Pan, the god of desolation. Pan's temple was located at the mouth of a great cave, of which the River Panius gushed forth from its mouth as a sign of fertility and life to all who worshipped and believed.
So you see, Caesarea Philippi's main business was worship; worship to Caesar, worship to the god called Pan. Worship was big business and people flocked to find the meaning of life. So when Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" He is really saying, "The world is filled with gods of all kinds and shapes. Who will I be to you; Messiah (Anointed One) or just another one of these earthly gods?"
It is the same question we must answer (and want to answer) in this Easter season between resurrection and Pentecost. Who is Jesus in our lives? Is he the only God present with us in infertile, desolate places? Is he Caesar, his allegiance our dearest concern? Does his Spirit fill our desolation with gushing rivers of living waters? As we stand in this post-Easter world that worships so many other gods," who do we say he is? Is he just one of the ways to God? Or is he The Way, The Truth and The Life, The Messiah, The Son of the Living God?
Blessings, Rev. Ellen
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Flowers the Church Sanctuary This Sunday
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The flowers in the Bethpage Presbyterian Church sanctuary this Sunday, April 19th are given by the Darrell Ballard Family to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Darrell Stephen "Steve" Ballard on the first year anniversary of his resurrection to Eternal life.
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If you would like to learn more about our congregation and /or would like to join our church family, you are invited to attend a series of classes held on Sunday mornings beginning this Sunday, April 19th, from 9:00 until 9:45 in the Historical room. Those interested in joining the church will be received in worship when the classes have ended. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner at 704-933-2209.
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Call to Congregational Meeting This Sunday, April 19th
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The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, April 19, 2015 immediately following the 9:55 AM worship service for the purpose of receiving the Nominating Committee's report and voting on next year's slate of elders. After the report is given, the floor will be opened for additional nominations. If you nominate a member, please confirm your intentions with the member prior to the congregational meeting.
Nominees for 3-year term Class of 2018
Sherry Childers
Joyce Deal
Dougie Kirkman
Eric McKnight
Nominee for 1-year term, Class of 2016
Matthew Josey
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CE Committee Updating Children's Spaces
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The Christian Education committee would like to make some updates to our spaces for children. We would like to make the children's worship room more kid centered and inviting. We also need to furnish and decorate the nursery in the fellowship hall. We have some great ideas that we can't wait to put into place. This is where you, as the congregation, come into play. We will need some donations to make this happen. We are in need of lots of stuff, here are some examples: cubbies for storage, kid sized tables and stools, a small dorm size refrigerator, a fun large rug, paint and new resources for lessons. If you feel lead to donate, we have a few opportunities for you:
- We will have a "giving tree" with pictures and prices for the items we need. (much like an Angel tree . . . you choose what you would like to purchase and then donate.)
- You could give monetarily to the Christian Education fund.
- You could give of your time. This summer we will be doing some painting and other projects.
- You could donate used items that could be put in these spaces.
We, as a congregation, love our children so well. It is so clear with how many of you volunteer for Sunday School, Children's Worship, Nursery, and Bible School. Please pray about this and help to further your wonderful support of the Children's Ministry here at Bethpage!
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Come Out and Support Our Church Softball Team!
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The Bethpage Men Softball Team's Spring season schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, 4/21, 7:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Thursday, 4/23, 9:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Tuesday, 4/28, 8:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Thursday, 4/30, 9:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Tuesday, 5/5, 7:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Thursday, 5/7, 8:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Thursday, 5/14, 8:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Tuesday, 5/19, 7:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Thursday, 5/21, 9:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Tuesday, 5/26, 8:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Thursday, 5/28, 9:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Tuesday, 6/2, 7:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Thursday, 6/4, 7:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Tuesday, 6/9, 8:00 PM at Safrit Park Field 1 Thursday, 6/11, 9:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Tuesday, 6/16, 9:00 PM at Baker's Creek Park Come out and support the Bethpage team and enjoy a great time of fellowship! Print schedule.
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In memory of Bruce DeMarcus (Judy Petrea's brother):
Rick and Diane Mullinax
In memory of Gene Mullinax (Rick Mullinax's brother): Aubrey and Alice Tarlton Bill and Peggy Overcash
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Place Flowers in the Church Sanctuary For Only $33.11!
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Do you have a special day in your life or your family's lives that you would like to commemorate? For only $33.11, 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.
There is also a sign-up sheet in the hallway between the Sunday school office and the sanctuary, where you may add your name for a particular date.
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Bethpage PC Community Garden
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 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'!
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April 12
Joys: Sarah Parks - home from hospital and recovering from pneumonia (Jenny Linebarrier)
Concerns: Tom Griffin - pray that God will work in his life to encourage Tom to push himself or his recovery (Eric McKnight), Martha Campbell - traveling mercies and health for Martha Campbell as she travels back to Erie, PA (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Ms. Campbell - safe travels home (Christel), June Hartso - health issues (Charlotte), Toots Rary - Charlotte's aunt - Alzheimers (Charlotte Penland), Family of a Northwest Cabarrus Middle School 6th grade student that passed away Thursday night (Cheryl Kusper), Brendan & Megan - 32 week pregnancy put on bed rest Drs. hoping to get to 34 weeks (Marty & Carrie Paxton), Sherry Childers - fell and pulled muscle in her back (Christel), Diane Deal - moved to CMC-Main with liver and kidney failure (Joyce Deal), Diane Mullinax - healing of broken arm (Rick), Holly Young - continuing with chemo (Joyce Deal), Sarah Parks - concern other issues (Jenny Linebarrier), Jo Brown - biopsy results to be good (Jean Brown)
April 5
Joys: Jon & Tess Deal & Zavian (Joyce Deal), Cantata - Choir / Charlotte / Mallory / Denny and Ernest Gardner - Joyful noise to the Lord (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Martha Campbell - celebrate her 87th birthday today (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Amy Ritchie & Amanda Ritchie - Amy's birthday on Monday, April 6th and Amanda's 21st birthday on Tuesday, April 7th (Amy Ritchie)
Concerns: Diane Deal - hospital again with kidney & liver problems (Joyce Deal), Sabrina McManis & Carolyn White - Sabrina just learned she has breast cancer - Carolyn - her mother has had breast cancer for 10 months (Alice Tarlton), Family of Darlene Gantt who passed away on Saturday, April 4th (Becky Eckels)
March 29
Joys: Thanks for your prayers and love - I am doing a lot better (Ronnie Hall), Miss Tyler and Nicole Tate - both are doing better from last week (Kirkman Family)
Concerns: Darlene Gantt & Family - continuing prayers as she is at the Tucker House Hospice (Becky Eckels), Bill Overcash - recovery from surgery (Teresa Kincaid), Family of Nina Tucker - Nina passed this last Wednesday (Betty Christy), Ryan Christy - back surgery Wednesday for herniated and bulging disc (Betty Christy), Uncle Reed / Aunt Helen - Campbell and Keys families on their passing (Rev. Ellen), Pastor Ellen & her Family - passing of her Aunt Helen Keys (Mullinax & Bethpage Family)
March 22
Joys: Richie & Heather completed 200 mile race to Charleston for leukemia research (Connie), Kannapolis now owns their downtown (Charlotte Penland), Al & Jacob - Travel mercies as they go on the 8th grade trip to Washington DC (Susan), For Easter and God's saving grace and love (Ronnie)
Concerns: Family of Bob Mauldin - passed away yesterday (Marty Paxton), Mallory Penland - eye surgery this week (Charlotte Penland), Ryan Christy - back surgery for herniated and bulging disc - scheduled for April 1, 2015 (Betty Christy), Frank Melton - undergoing tests on Tuesday to determine cause of vision loss in left eye (Jimmie Melton), Amanda Ritchie - she has been sick all week (Amy Ritchie), Bill Overcash - prayers for surgical procedure tomorrow (Peggy), Dave Drum - Alzheimer's (Becky Eckels), Evelyn Faggart - Betty White's sister - fell and broke her wrist - will be having surgery tomorrow (Cheryl Kusper), Cameron & Caliyah Reid - Caliyah's allergies are bothering her - Cameron has something viral and his temperature is going up and down (Leigh Ann Allen), Ronnie - I am doing better, see doctors this week (Ronnie), My sister Lisa - surgery (Ronnie), My sister's son on drugs (Ronnie)
KANNON CREEK ASSISTED LIVING: Paul Christy
LIBERTY COMMONS REHABILITATION: Burch Thomas "Tom" Griffin
TRINITY OAKS: Martha "Marty" Bickerstaff
TRINITY OAKS RETIREMENT CENTER: Shirley Helms
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER: Eloise White
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Quick Links |
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Serving This Sunday |
HEAD USHER
Christel Josey
USHERS
Ed & Cheryl Kusper
Jenny Linebarrier
Sherry Childers
LECTOR
Heather Kirkman
CHILDREN'S NURSERY
SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Al Smith & Jill Hamilton
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Roger Hamilton & Rhonda Jones
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Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
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OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
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4/12/2015
Sunday Morning Worship Service - 71
Sunday School - 50
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OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
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4/12/2015
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Year-to-date
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General Budget Giving
Weekly Budget Needs
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$3,895.00
$4,620.95
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$66,690.29
$69,314.25
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10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $1,214.70
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Sermon from April 12, 2015 |
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from Sunday, April 12, 2015.
The Sermon On The Mount. A different way to look at it.
Thank you to Jean Brown for uploading the sermons.
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Lectionary for the week of April 19 - 25, 2015 |
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Sunday, April 19, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
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Please drop us an e-mail and let us know
if there is something you would like to see included in the newsletter.
We would love to hear from you!
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photo by Jean Brown
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