TopJuly 12, 2015
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A Word from Rev. Ellen

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9 (NIV)

 




               From the very beginning, humanity has been placed in a garden. Gardens are places of life. Gardens are the source of all of our food, be they small family plots or large farms. In each case, humanity was created to tend, to watch, to produce . . . food in gardens. The Bethpage Presbyterian Garden was started for just such a purpose, to make a place for people to grow food, fellowship together and offer a portion of their bounty for those who do not have enough food.

              Have you been out to the church garden recently? We have some Eden gardeners producing a beautiful crop of cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, basil, yams, beans, corn and a whole lot more. Our gardeners are (in alphabetical order) Leigh Ann Allen, Steve and Sandy Gaskey, Christel Josey, Cheryl Kusper, Keith Miller and Betty Vance. (hope I didn't miss anyone.) Great Job!

              Just this last weekend, Chris Ferguson and Ed Kusper put in four new beds, joining the five already producing. (Good work, guys!) Makes you wonder, how God might fill these beds? Will they be for one family to feed themselves? Will a 10th of their produce go to feed those who are hungry? Will all of it go to feed the hungry? After all, each day, millions of children and adults go hungry because they do not have access to fresh, or even not so fresh food.

              How do we connect God's bounty, "I have given every green plant for food." (Genesis 1:30c) with the hungry in Kannapolis? How do we respond to Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25: 31-35, "31When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in . . . "

              What a grace it is to be a gardener in God's kingdom. We have four plots ready. Has God put your name on one of them?

Blessings, Rev. Ellen

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Communion Service this Sunday, July 12th

 

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Understanding Dementia Care - A Free Seminar

Senior Helpers and other sponsors will be presenting a free seminar, "Why Do They Do That? Understanding Symptoms & Behaviors in Dementia." The seminar will be held on Monday, July 13, 2:00 until 5:00 PM in the Hamrick Theatre at CMC Northeast, Concord, NC. Nationally renowned dementia expert Teepa Snow will be presenting a special Alzheimer's and dementia seminar for family members caring for loved ones with dementia. For more information, visit www.regonline.com/concord2015fam or call 704-792-1001.

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1,000 Can Challenge
to Benefit CCM's Summer Food Drive

More than one in four children in North Carolina struggle with hunger. During the summer, the struggle for children to find a meal gets even harder, as only one of seven students who receives a free or reduced price lunch during the school year will get lunch on any given summer day. To help combat that issue, Cooperative Christian Ministry will be holding a summer food drive. As part of this food drive, Bethpage Presbyterian Church has elected to participate in the 1,000 Can Challenge, another project being offered to area churches to raise 1,000 cans of food for CCM through their congregations. Any canned foods may be donated, but most used items are pork & beans, corn, peas, and green beans. Your food offering may be brought to the church any time during the summer and can be dropped off in the narthex, in the hall outside the sanctuary, or in the hall outside the church office.  To learn more about CCM and their summer food drive click on the logo below.

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Church Contribution Statements

Church contribution statements reflecting your contributions through June 30, 2015, have been sent via email or postal mail. If you do not receive one or have questions, please contact the church office at 704-933-2209 or [email protected]. If you wish to receive your statement via email and you did not OR if you have more than one email address and you are not receiving your statement at the preferred address, please contact the church office and let us know. 

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Tour of the Gardens

CCM invites the Bethpage congregation for a tour of the beautiful gardens at the home of Bob and Carolyn Tucker at 621 Hermitage Drive SE, Concord.

 

The tour will be held on Saturday, July 18th,

from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

 

Tickets are $20 per person and are available at Carm's Caf� (42 South Union Street, Concord) and True Value Hardware (775 Concord Parkway-North, Concord.) All proceeds benefit Cooperative Christian Ministry. For more information contact Chris Shoemaker at 704-918-1485. 

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2015 Montreat Youth Conference

On Saturday, July 18th, the following members of our Senior High Youth Group will be leaving to attend the Montreat Youth Conference:

 

Logan Barnette

Cheyenne Cheeseman

Madison Cox

Leslie Gibson

Stephan Schmidt

Victoria Schmidt

Joshua Sholly

Jacob Smith

 

They will be accompanied by Brandi Coley, Sandra Cox, and Phillip Eckels.  Please keep this group in your prayers that they will be safe and enjoy the "Montreat experience" which has been a significant spiritual factor in the development of the Christian lives of our youth here at Bethpage Church.

 

 

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Pastoral Care While Rev. Ellen is Away

Rev. Ellen will be out of town for vacation beginning Sunday, July 19th through Friday, July 31st. Pastoral care will be provided by an area pastor while she is gone. If you have a pastoral need, please call the church office, Macky Petrea, or Diane Mullinax and they will make sure your pastoral needs are cared for. 

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Girl Scout Day Camp at Bethpage Church

Beginning Monday, July 20th, the Girl Scout's Trailblazer District Day Camp will be held here at Bethpage Presbyterian Church.  The camp will be held daily, 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM, through Friday, July 24th.  The group will wrap up their week with a sleepover in the BPC Fellowship Hall on Friday night finishing up by 12:00 Noon on Saturday, July 25th. 

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Vacation Bible School at BPC

Bethpage Church, together with the congregation of Latin Mission Christ Savior, invite all children to gear up at Camp Discovery Vacation Bible School. At Camp Discovery VBS, your children will learn how Jesus works through them in their everyday lives. Discover His plan! Discover His purpose! Campers discover five Bible truths that excite and challenge them. Jesus, their True North, gives them the wisdom and the courage to step out in faith and serve - whether they're at school, playing with friends, or helping out at home. The fun begins Monday, July 27th and ends on Thursday, July 30th. The schedule for each night will be - supper beginning at 5:30, followed by the program starting at 6:15 and ending at 8:00 PM. The adventure includes fun songs, crazy crafts, yummy snacks, awesome games, and more!

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Life Line Screening is Coming to BPC

Bethpage Presbyterian Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on August 20, 2015, in the BPC Fellowship Hall. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package price above $129, please visit their web site or call 1-888-653-6441.

 

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Thank You Notes from Children's Hope Alliance

Dear Bethpage Presbyterian Church,

I want to express my appreciation for your generous gift of $98.00 received on 6/4/2015. I am grateful that you share our concern for the children and families in our care. The lives of the children are shaped in part by the values we hold dear as part of our past, present and future. The values of religious nurture, academic preparation, a strong work ethic and physical education are taught daily by a dedicated and caring staff. Your faithful support and prayers are responsible for the many successes that take place in their lives. One life at a time, we are making a difference.

Peace, John Koppelmeyer

President/CEO

 

Dear Bethpage Church Family,

We are grateful to be a part of your Pentecost offering. Thank you all for your faithful support for His kids! This year we need to raise $4.8 million to cover the gap.

Thanks again, Lorie M. Fees

Development Officer Church Liaison 

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Highlights of Stated Session Meeting

May 18, 2015

  • A quorum was declared by the moderator, Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner, followed by prayer. Cheryl Kusper made a motion to call the meeting to order. Roger Hamilton seconded the motion, voted on and approved.

  • Introduction and Examination of new members by Moderator, Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner.  Voted on and approved by Session:

    • Marsha Johnson - Profession of Faith

    • Hannah Gray - Transfer from Presbytery of Charlotte

    • Garrett Scarborough - Reaffirmation of Faith (appearance by Skype with Session.)

  • Steve Gaskey made a motion to approve the agenda with the following additions.  Dennis Graybeal seconded the motion, voted on and approved:

    • Roger Hamilton, add curriculum for approval
    • Dennis Graybeal, add new envelope presentation
    • Richie Goodman, Worship update
    • Steve Gaskey, add Fellowship update
    • Christel Josey, add facilities request for June 5th and 6th
  • Session approved:

    • Minutes of the Congregational Meeting on April 19, 2015, and the Stated Session Meeting of April 20, 2015.

    • Facilities reservation request by Christel Josey for June 5th and 6th.

    • June 2015 calendar.

    • Christian Education Ministry Area's recommendation for our children's Sunday School and worship classes to study Catechism Questions 1 through 30.

    • Stewardship Ministry Area's recommendation for new church envelopes.

  • Moderator's report was received by Session and discussed.

  • Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner presented the new Elder class and examination. Ordained and installed to the Class of 2016: Matthew Josey. Installed to the Class of 2018: Joyce Deal and Eric McKnight. Ordained and installed to the Class of 2018: Sherry Childers and Dougie Kirkman. Sherry Childers was out of town and will be examined at a later date. Roger Hamilton made a motion to sustain the examination and to set the date of June 21, 2015, for the Installation and Ordination of these Elders-elect at the morning worship service. Cheryl Kusper seconded the motion, voted on and approved.

  • Session discussed developing a new process on how Donna will communicate usage needs for fellowship hall reservations. Kim Shore to report back to Session.

  • Session reviewed the April 2015 Financial Reports.

  • Worship Ministry Area reminded the Session of Pentecost Sunday.

  • Property Ministry Area will review mowing contract in September.

  • Session discussed Visioning 2015, led by Rev. Shawn Barkley, Senior Pastor of Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. Next Visioning meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 6:45 PM.

  • Session received Ad Hoc Committee update by Richie Goodman.

  • Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner expressed thanks to Elders rotating off Session: Dennis Graybeal, Cheryl Kusper, Christel Josey, and Chris Ferguson.

  • Next Session meeting will be Monday, June 22, 2015, at 7:00 PM.

  • Diane Mullinax made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve Gaskey seconded the motion, voted on and approved. Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner closed the meeting with prayer.

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Father's Day Offering Report

Thank you for your generous contributions totaling $169.00 received on Sunday, June 21st for Children's Hope Alliance (formerly Grandfather Home for Children.) 

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Prayer Joys & Concerns

July 5

 

Joys:  Thanks to BPC Congregation for love and prayers (Charlotte), Braelyn Iosue - first time at all week "away summer camp" - pray that she has fun and safety (Kirkman Family and Iosue Family), Joe Mullinax - starts a new job tomorrow (Rick Mullinax), Ernest - job interview this Monday (Rev. Ellen), Men's Softball Team - Victory! (Rev. Ellen), Betty Christy - better at home but still weak (Phillip Eckels), Christine (Squeeky) - Christine Watson Gunter turning 21 today (Sherry Childers), Vicki Gurley - Happy Birthday

 

Concerns:  Hiley's recovery - daughter of a co-worker - had a heart replacement on 7/3 - doing well but in a lot of pain (Kim Gibson), Our Nation - turning away from God's teaching (Jenny Linebarrier), Sherry Childers - anxious about major dental procedure on Thursday morning (Sherry Childers), Natasha Johnson & Mom - her mom, Lori, has breast cancer and she is having a hard time with treatments - I work with Natasha (Jill Hamilton), Rick Mullinax - PET Scan tomorrow because of elevated PSA - prostate cancer (Diane Mullinax), Frances Hartsell - under the weather (Rev. Ellen)

 

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June 28

Joys:  Ernest Gardner - job interview on Monday evening (Rev. Ellen), Lindsay Shore - one more week, BPC Garden - 3 more plots - bountiful harvest (Rev. Ellen)

 

Concerns:  Sandra Rodgers Williams - pray for her as she fights her cancer and is taking her chemo (Becky Eckels), Jennifer - young mother in Boone, NC - She needs our prayers - God knows what she needs (Cheryl Kusper), Jan & Holly Young - continue to pray (Joyce Deal), Aunt Norine - passed away in Chicago (Cheryl Kusper), Mallory/Charlotte - tough week - treasure your prayers (Mallory), Betty Christy

 

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June 21

 

Joys:  Tom Kincaid - no heart attack - doing stress test this morning and then home (Joyce Deal), Charlotte's recital was successful with many cultures present and gift cards collected for Christ Savior Fellowship (Charlotte Penland), Tom Griffin is home (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Fred Helms is doing much better and here in worship today (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Success of softball team - game Tuesday, Marriage of Hannah & Adam (Choir), Adam & Hannah - their wedding yesterday (Cheryl Kusper)

 

Concerns:  Ruth Kiker - cracked pelvis (Jean Brown), Sandra Rodgers Williams - she has started her chemo and is not feeling well (Betty Christy), Jan and Holly Young (Joyce Deal), Tom Kincaid - heart attack scare - undergoing stress test this morning - prayers for good results (Linda VanPelt), Alan Christy & Family - safe travels from Florida today (Betty Christy)

 

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June 14

 

Joys:  Doris - improving, Fred Helms - home from hospital (Ellen Campbell Gardner)

 

Concerns:  Marty Bickerstaff - new hip failed - surgery on Monday morning (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Holly Young - is scheduled for 14 radiation treatments for brain cancer (Joyce Deal), Jan Young - has breast cancer - talking to Drs to decide on treatments (Joyce Deal), Michael Gunter - Sherry's grandson having issues with lungs - having trouble breathing (Sherry Childers), Joe Mullinax - still needing a job - out of work and money issues causing emotional issues (Diane Mullinax), Fred Helms - still battling infection (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Travel mercies and prayers for good health while Al and Jacob Smith hike and backpack in New Mexico for the next 2 weeks (Susan Smith)

 

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BEST OF CARE ASSISTED LIVING:  Eloise Rumple
BRIAN CENTER - CONCORD:  Edward Rodgers
KANNON CREEK ASSISTED LIVING:  Paul Christy
TRINITY OAKS ASSISTED LIVING:  Shirley Helms
TRINITY OAKS REHAB:  Marty Bickerstaff
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER:  Eloise White
QuickLinksQuick Links
ServingSundayServing This Sunday
HEAD USHER
Paula Myers
 
USHERS
Jill Hamilton
Eric Hamilton
Joyce Deal
Margaret Griffin
 
LECTOR
Richie Goodman
 
CHILDREN'S NURSERY
SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Betty White & Ellen Shore
 
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Sandra Cox & Rhonda Jones
Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship

 

 

OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP


7/5/2015

Sunday Morning Worship Service - 56

Sunday School - 37

 

 

OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

 

7/5/2015

Year-to-date

General Budget Giving

 

Weekly Budget Needs

$3,966.00

 

 $4,620.95

$111,639.29

 

$124,765.65

10�-A-Meal Offering received last Sunday: $218.00

 10�-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $2,038.02

            

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SermonSermon from July 5, 2015

Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from Sunday, July 5, 2015.
"Independence Day"  Galatians 3:1-14

Thank you to Jean Brown for uploading the sermons.
LectionaryLectionary for the week of July 12 - 18, 2015

Sunday, July 12, 2015


Monday, July 13, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Saturday, July 18, 2015

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photo by Jean Brown