"What's new?" is a question we would ask any good friend. It's a checking in. What if it was also a way to share the gospel? My friend, Chris Walker's (the Evangelism Coach) shares how we can do non- threatening evangelism just by answering "What's New?"

     The first story that every Christian should master: I call this the "What's New Story." What are "What's New" stories? They describe the current activity of God in your life, answering the question: What is God doing in my life today that makes the gospel good news?

     Surprisingly many people have a hard time answering that question. It's like they have lost the language to speak of God's activity in their lives; how He pursued us prior to declaring our loyalty to Him, or how He has meets us today, or how He walked with us through prior suffering. Isaiah 63:7 reminds, "I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us- yes, . . . according to his compassion and many kindnesses."

     "What's New" stories call us to tell of ALL the deeds of the Lord. Sharing "the many good things He has done." The evidence of a "real time" vibrant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Here is an example: I used to walk with my friend on a regular basis. In one conversation, I brought up my small group discussion from the night before. With the same casual nature as a friendly conversation about daily events, I reported on the conversation. Amazingly, talking about my small group conversation opened up nearly an hour long two way conversation that dwelt on themes like: How to develop a relationship with God, How sin affects each person no matter how good they think they are, How Jesus reconciled us to God so that we might have a relationship with Him, How many good works does one have to do to secure the blessing of God and earn a spot in heaven?

     How did I find these stories? I captured them during my devotional time. During my time of prayers of thanksgiving, taking note of how I saw God's hand in my life the day before. As I did this, I saw God at work in: Guidance, Healing, Love, Forgiveness, Growing a particular fruit of the Spirit, in a season of testing or in the blessings in the life of another.  Finding your "What's New" story, will allow you to intentionally nurture your relationship with Christ. Spend regular time with Him and you will cultivate the sensitivity to see His Hand at work in your life. As you get guidance from the Lord, I pray you will take steps of obedience and live into the adventure of faith by sharing "what's new." If you do, you will always have "new stories" and who knows, help someone else to have THE STORY.

                Thanks, Chris for a great article! So, "What's New???"

Blessings, Rev. Ellen

 

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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 27^th and ends on Thursday, July 30^th. 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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The Sunshine Group will meet this Tuesday, July 28th, 9:00 AM at The Soda Shop (formerly Rosie's Restaurant) located at the corner of Oakwood Avenue and Roger's Lake Road in Kannapolis.  All are welcomed!

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Join us for lunch next Sunday, August 2nd, immediately following the morning worship service, as we celebrate the BPC Softball Team's championship season!  Please help us plan for the correct number of people by letting us know if you will be attending.  You may sign up on the Ritual of Friendship pad this Sunday or contact the church office via e-mail (info@bethpagechurch.org) or telephone (704-933-2209.)  Please let us know if you plan to attend by Wednesday, July 29th.

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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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Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men will be serving hot dogs and burgers with all the trimmings, (plus chips, cold drinks, and desserts) on Saturday, August 8^th from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. The cost is $6.00 per person for eat-in or take-out. Proceeds will go to Children's Hope Alliance (formerly Barium Springs Home for Children and Grandfather Home for Children.)

  

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The Getty's will be in North Carolina this November with their "Joy-An Irish Christmas" Concert Tour. The exact date is November 29^th at 7:30 PM at Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, NC. Who are the Getty's? They are the hymn writing team that has produce great hymns like: "In Christ Alone" (said to be the second most popular hymn next to "Amazing Grace"), "Holy Spirit", "Still My Soul be Still" and so many more. BUT WE NEED TO GET OUR TICKETS ($10.00 each) BY MID AUGUST IF WE WANT TO GET THEM AT ALL. If you are interested either mark the Ritual of Friendship on Sunday, or e-mail Pastor Ellen Campbell Gardner at ellen@bethpagechurch.org. It is going to be really great! Hope you can come! 

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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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Dear Bethpage Congregation,

Thank you to each one for the prayers and phone calls, and for the visit from Rev. Ellen while I was in the hospital.  Certainly blessed to be a member of Bethpage Church.  Sincerely, Betty Christy 

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Worship Bulletin

Serving Sunday

Lectionary

Church Calendar

7/19/2015 Sermon

E-Mail Us

More Info

 

 

OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
7/19/2015 Sunday Morning Worship Service - 70 Sunday School - 35
OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
	7/19/2015	Year-to-date
General Budget Giving   Weekly Budget Needs	$4,091.00    $4,620.95	$120,293.29   $134,007.55
10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $2,052.02

            

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Elder Dennis Graybeal's sermon from Sunday, July 19, 2015.

Matthew 28:18-20

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