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 September 20, 2015
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Bethpage Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis, NC
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In the beginning . . . God
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This week we begin an exciting, second leg, of a journey we began, last year when we started The Story. Our first week begins where everything began . . . In the beginning, God. Scripture tells us "God created the heavens and the earth." Before time, before matter God was. So we see first off that God is eternal. Why is that so important? His eternal nature sets in place the starting and stopping points of all thought . . . GOD. Not man . . . God. The One who created everything good and whose last creation, was humanity. "Let us create man in our own image, after our likeness." In these few words a whole new world of community, value and wonder was/is/will always be conferred on humanity.
So when the uninvited, when Satan, attempted to take God's place; turning humanity's head and so tempting us into playing God, the extraordinary happened; God so loved His fallen world. God would not let us go. No other god worshipped by human beings can say this. Every other god bases human afterlife on individual perfection. God alone knew the hopeless situation we found ourselves in and did what no other god would, saving us when we could not save ourselves. This God, became like us in everyway . . . except for sin . . . just so we could rest again in God's presence.
This reality is so hard for the world, and sometimes for us, to grasp. Why is that? For if God could create the entire universe, with a big banging words, "Let there be . . . " is it not entirely plausible for him to step over the bounds of eternity, into his created world, to save it? So it is that "Let us make . . . became flesh . . . overcoming Satan's only creation; death/destruction/eternal separation from God. So it is that Jesus became the bridge, the perfect road back to God's presence for us; taking on the task of Living and reigning, hearing our prayers and translating the deepest groaning of our hearts to the Father - until the time comes when "Let Us Create" finishes creation with the new heavens and new earth.
So enters the third person of, "let us": the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls the Spirit the Advocate and his presence with us a "baptism" with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps that word baptism is the best way to think about what the Holy Spirit does in Christ's absence. The Holy Spirit cleanses those who believe, whether they know it or not. The Spirit also claims believers as God's own, protecting them from sin and giving eternal purpose to each and every day of their lives.
This is the power of God's unending love for those of us who have heard and answered his call. So I have to ask the question, "With such a God as this one, why would a person choose any other god? What could we possible add to this blessed Trinity? Why turn from God's unending grace and favor to a god of our own making, or worse a god that would expect each of us to be entirely good? That is no god at all . . . only deception and death. DO you believe in the God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Your answer will lead to next week's topic: a personal God.
Blessings, Ellen
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If you still need to get your books for the BELIEVE series, please see Roger Hamilton this Sunday during Sunday school or after church. BELIEVE book is $15 and the study guide is $10.
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Flowers in the Church This Sunday, September 20th
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The flowers in the church sanctuary this Sunday, September 20th are given by Jean Brown to the Glory of God and in loving memory of her mother, Dot, whose birthday was September 17th.
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Attention: All Middle School & High School Students!
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Middle school and high school students will begin studying the BELIEVE series during Sunday school this Sunday, September 20th in class room #117 in the basement of the Educational Building. Books have arrived and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday!
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Sunshine Group Meets This Tuesday, September 22nd
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The Sunshine Group will meet this Tuesday, September 22nd, 9:00 AM at Libby's Pit Stop located at 1801 N Cannon Blvd. in Kannapolis. All are welcomed!
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Don't Forget to Make Your Supper Reservation!
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As part of our G.I.F.T. program, you are invited to join us for supper and fellowship prior to the program each Wednesday at 5:45 PM. To help us prepare for the correct number of people, we ask that you make a reservation by signing the Ritual of Friendship pad on Sunday morning, by calling the church office (704-933-2209), or by submitting this form on the church's web site. If you would like to be on our "standing reservations list" (this means you will remain on the list each week unless you call and ask us to remove you!) please indicate that when you sign up. Also, please be sure to indicate how many adults and how many children in your reservation! Deadline for supper reservations is Tuesday at Noon. We look forward to seeing you each Wednesday for supperat 5:45PM!
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KAPM Sponsor Poor Folk's Meal, September 26th
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The Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men will sponsor a Poor Folk's Meal on Saturday, September 26th from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM at Second PC, Kannapolis. The cost is $5.00 per plate for pinto beans, cabbage, fatback or franks, cornbread and drink. All proceeds will go to Kannapolis Bible Teaching Association.
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Updating Our Church Directory
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Please help us keep your information up to date by taking a moment to fill out a church directory information form for your family (inserted in this Sunday's worship service bulletin.) Any changes to the following information needs to be updated for each member of your family:
name, address, phone numbers (home, cell & work), employment, school attending, e-mail address and birthday.
Completed forms may be returned to the church office or dropped in the offering plate. You may also fill out this form and submit it via the church's web site. Thank you!
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An Invitation to the Women of BPC-K
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The Nurture Committee of BPC would like to invite all the women of the church to join in our Bible Studies on the first Tuesday of each month. If you have not been involved in one of these studies, we would like to encourage you to join in one of the three groups and enjoy delving into the Scriptures and a time of fellowship with fellow Christians. The dates and times for the upcoming Bible study meetings are listed below.
Please note: Study group 2 will be meeting the week before the first Tuesday, just for the month of October.
Women's Bible Study Group 1 meets Tuesday, October 6th
at 10:00 AM in the Session Room.
Women's Bible Study Group 2 meets Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. Hostess - Cynthia James. This study group will be using a video and study guide series entitled, Twelve Women of the Bible: Life-Changing Stories For Women Today. We invite you to bring your Bible and we have study guides that go along with the series you may purchase if you wish. One of the teachers in the series is Lysa TerKeurst, the head of Proverbs 31 Ministries.
Women's Bible Study Group 3 meets Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 PM in the Session Room. Hostess - Sandy Gaskey. This group will also begin the new study of the book Twelve Women of the Bible: Life-Changing Stories For Women Today, by Lysa TerKeurst. Study books will be available for everyone.
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The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, October 4, 2015
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Fall Meeting of The N.C. Presbyterian Historical Society
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The North Carolina Presbyterian Historical Society will hold its Fall Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 10, at the historic Summerville Presbyterian Church in Harnett County, near Lillington. Registration is $20, which includes lunch. Our speakers will be from the State Historic Preservation Office in Raleigh. Fifty-three Presbyterian churches in North Carolina are on the National Register of Historic Places, but how are small congregations to preserve them? Come to discuss this important issue. The schedule, registration form, and address are on their website at www.ncphsociety.org, or contact Program Chair Sam Martin at 910-428-4165.
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Shirley Helms' New Address
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201 Belfair Road
Irmo, S.C. 29063
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A Thank You Note from CCM
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Dear Bethpage Presbyterian Church,
Thank you for your donation of 1,157 pounds of canned goods for our food pantry! I assure you that CCM will be good stewards of this donation and will distribute the items to those in need.
Sincerely, Barry Porter,
Food Service Coordinator, CCM
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A Thank You to KAPM from Children's Hope Alliance
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Dear Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men,
Thank you for your generous gift of $1,400.00 received on August 14, 2015. We are grateful for your support and presence in the lives of our children at Children's Hope Alliance. Your gift has helped to provide food, clothing, school supplies, and more to the many young children we care for at Children's Hope Alliance. Most importantly, these children, who have had so much heartache in their young lives, are learning to laugh again, to trust, and to have faith that people in the world do care about them. Without friends like you, our children would lose the hope and promise of a better, happier future. Thank you for your kindness.
Peace, John Koppelmeyer, President/CEO
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In memory of David Treece (Susan Smith's father):
Bill and Peggy Overcash
In memory of Georgann Suggs Kerley:
Bill and Peggy Overcash
In memory of Helen Russell:
Bill and Peggy Overcash
In memory of Charlie King:
Phil and Ann Allen
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September 13
Joys: Fred Helms - feeling better - need for continued healing (Rev. Ellen)
Concerns: Wally Kitchens - continued prayers for colitis (Becky Eckels), Yvonne Smith - leukemia - not doing well (Jenny Linebarrier), Joyce Dayvault - brain cancer - have called in Hospice care - prayer for Bobby as he cares for her (Jenny Linebarrier), Tim Teresak - recovering from vascular surgery and a serious setback (Eric McKnight's nephew), George Blackburn - complications from surgery for flesh eating disease (Betty Christy's nephew-in-law), Sandra Williams - chemo Thursday - she has a rough time for the first week after (Becky Eckels)
September 6
Joys: Children's Worship Room - punch and snacks after church, Congregation - thanks from Suggs Family, Congregation - prayers of thanks from Jerry Deal and Barbara Whitaker, Rick Mullinax - continued good blood results (Diane Mullinax), Jeff and Lisa Ward - new daughter, Vivian, from Uganda - she is 5 years old - this has been a three year process - Jeff is a co-worker of Jill's (Jill Hamilton), David and Nancy Hale - travel to China - 1 month
Concerns: Hannah Jackson, Teresa Coy - breast cancer treatment starts soon (Chris Ferguson), Karen Winecoff - fighting breast cancer and continuing chemo (Joyce Deal), Jan and Holly Young - please pray as they continue chemo treatments (Joyce Deal), Paul Robert Tucker - stage 4 throat cancer - my nephew (Janice Morgan), Norman Shifflett - pray that his eye sight in his one eye will return (Barbara Shifflett), Fred Helms - had a fall and kidney stones are breaking up (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Sylvia Ryder & Family - my brother-in-law passed away - Joe Ryder (Ann Ennis)
August 30
Joys: Justin Wilder - has gotten stitches out and got to play football last night - he celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday (Becky Eckels)
Concerns: Roger Sholly - My Dad is having amputation on 9/9 -I'm going to see him next weekend before (Joshua Sholly), Alicia Gurley - job concerns (Vicki & Mark), Sandra Williams - she has recently had her 4th chemo for breast cancer (Becky Eckels), Wally Kitchens -he continues to heal (Becky Eckels)
Joys: Jerry Deal - doing great after hip replacement (Joyce Deal), Barbara Whitaker - doing great after knee replacement (Joyce Deal), Launch of BELIEVE September 20th - join together for this life offering study (Rev. Ellen), Shirley Helms - going to live with daughter (Roger Hamilton)
Concerns: Gene Payne - in hospital for leukemia (Eric McKnight), Suggs Family - loss of Georgann Suggs Kerley - pray for peace passes all understanding (Rev. Ellen), Family of Helen Russell - in her passing on Saturday morning (Rev. Ellen), Wally Kitchen - undergoing treatment and it is not working as well as they had hoped (Becky Eckels), C.J. McCormick - lost his 6-year old son - heart valve collapse (Rev. Ellen), Family of LaMark Stallings - cousin of Betty White & Cheryl Kusper - killed in car accident in Salisbury this past week (Cheryl Kusper), Harold and Joyce Davis - Harold's chemo is not working - Joyce's foot wound is starting to heal (Leigh Ann Allen), Holly Young - radiation treatments continue (Joyce Deal), Jan Young - had 3rd chemo treatment last Monday (Joyce Deal), Justin Wilder - got hurt in football practice - had to have 17 stitches (Becky Eckels)
BRIAN CENTER - CONCORD: Edward Rodgers
KANNON CREEK ASSISTED LIVING: Paul Christy
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER: Eloise White
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Quick Links
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Serving This Sunday
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HEAD USHER
Christel Josey
USHERS
Larry and Nelda Riggs
Jenny Linebarrier
Macky Petrea
LECTOR
Ed Kusper
CHILDREN'S NURSERY
SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Linda VanPelt & Peggy Overcash
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & WORSHIP
Diane Mullinax & Gipson Rumple
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Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
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OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
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9/13/2015
Worship Service - 81
Sunday School - 43
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OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
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9/13/2015
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Year-to-date
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General Budget Giving
Weekly Budget Needs
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$4,056.00
$4,620.95
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$153,568.84
$170,975.15
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10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $2,655.42
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Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from Sunday, 9/6/2015
Galatians 6:1-10 "The Laborer's Promise"
Thank you to Jean Brown for uploading the sermons.
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Lectionary for the week of September 20 - 26, 2015
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Sunday, September 20, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 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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Sermon from September 6, 2015
