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6020 Mooresville Road | 704-933-2209
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November 1, 2015
Dear Members and Cherished Friends of Bethpage Presbyterian Church:
What was the greatest honor you ever received? Was it the title of husband or wife, maybe mom or dad? Perhaps the moment you had to pinch yourself in wonder when you were accepted into a prestigious club, or won a business award. Could it be the moment when you were picked out of a group to do a very special task, one you never thought you would be chosen to participate in?
You have just tapped into the honor of being included in a stewardship campaign at Bethpage Presbyterian Church. "What are you talking about, Rev. Campbell Gardner?" you may think. Or perhaps your response is, "Stewardship Sunday is the day we "intentionally" make other plans each year!"
Stay with me, because scripture is clear that offering a tithe or pledge to further God's plan of salvation for the world IS one of the greatest honors you receive as a Christian.
First, offering a pledge to Christ's church identifies you as a member of God's family of faith. In your family, what do you do when there is a need? You search your heart and in love you give sacrificially, because it is your family, because you would be nothing without them, because you realize that they would do the same for you. The Father never gave up on his children. Jesus Christ gave his very life for His Church. The Holy Spirit dwells with us ALWAYS as our greatest advocate and support. We respond because God has called us by name and we belong to his family!
Second, when we take the time to deeply consider THE most prestigious membership on earth, from an eternal perspective, then clearly, being a part of Christ's Church, no matter how flawed it may seem, IS the greatest honor and award the world can offer. To enjoy the fullness of that honor, we are offered the opportunity to fully invest our lives; returning a small portion of the riches God has bestowed on those who trust and believe. .
Third, before the beginning of time God chose YOU, God knew YOU and God purposed YOU to be a vital part of HIS Church. Your ministry and pledge are purposed by God to bring his Word and salvation here, in Kannapolis, NC- NOW on November 15, 2015.
As you can see, Stewardship Sunday is far more than just discerning what our church's budget will be for next year. Your pledge and your presence on November 15, 2015, during our 10:00 AM worship service IS a YES, to a deepening sense of God's call and claim in your life as well as a YES to the mission and ministries of our congregation.
Our goal is to have every family member and regular worship attendee present for this celebration. Won't you take the next few weeks to consider anew your place in God's family, the inexpressible honor of giving back a bit of the generous gifts God has bestowed on us. Claim the high calling Christ has bestowed upon you: to further his Kingdom and Righteousness, for Christ's sake. Please make whatever sacrifices are necessary to be present on November 15th.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner
Pastor
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Set Your Clocks Back This Weekend!
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Communion - November 1, 2015
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Expressing Our Condolences
The congregation of Bethpage Presbyterian Church extends its deepest Christian sympathy to Darrell Ballard and family in the death of his brother, Keith Ballard, and to Ken and Jan Young and family in the death of their daughter, Holly Young Mann. We join with these families as they celebrate their loved one's life in Christ. |
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All Saints' Day
In early Christian tradition, saints' days began as a way to mark the anniversary of a martyr's death - his or her "birthday" as a saint. By the middle of the church's first millennium, there were so many martyrs (particularly due to the persecution of Diocletian) that it was hard to give them all their due. All Saints' Day was established as an opportunity to honor all the saints, known and unknown. All Saints' Day has a rather different focus in the Reformed tradition. While we may give thanks for the lives of particular luminaries of ages past, the emphasis is on the ongoing sanctification of the whole people of God. Rather than putting saints on pedestals as holy people set apart in glory, we give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of the believers in this and every age. This is an appropriate time to give thanks to members of the community of faith who have died in the past year. We also pray that we may be counted among the company of the faithful in God's eternal realm. All Saints' Day has been celebrated on November 1 st since the year 835. ( taken from the Presbyterian Mission.org web site) |
Spaghetti Meal to Benefit
My Father's House on November 7th
Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men will sponsor a complete spaghetti meal on Saturday, November 7th from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd, Kannapolis. The meal will be available for "eat in" or "take out" and the menu will include spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, beverage & dessert. Prices are $7 per plate; under age 6 is free. Proceeds will go to My Father's House of CCM, which provides shelter, meals and more for homeless families. Click here to read more about My Father's House.
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Curb Appeal Day at BPC, November 14th
The Property Ministry Area is inviting the Bethpage congregation to a Curb Appeal Day on Saturday, November 14th, beginning at 9:00 AM. |
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American Red Cross Blood Drive at BPC, November 16th
In association with the American Red Cross, Bethpage will be having a Blood Drive in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, November 16th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Giving blood doesn't require much time. You can help save up to three lives in about an hour. The need is ongoing but the supply is not. Please help to ensure a sufficient blood supply is available for those in need and give blood on November 17 th! To schedule your appointment, please call Chris Ferguson at 704-680-2783 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Bethpage Presbyterian.
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"Suds of Love" Servants Needed!
Our "Suds of Love" laundromat ministry with Fred L. Wilson Elementary School continues on Thursday, November 19th. We need volunteers to be at Harris Laundromat (1205 West C Street, Kannapolis) on that day from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM and 6:00 until 9:00 PM. If you would be available, please contact Christel Josey (704-706-5752) or Chris Ferguson (704-680-2783). If you can't volunteer on the 19th, but would still like to help, we need donations of quarters and laundry detergent. Thanks for your support!
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Communion on Christ the King Sunday, November 22, 2015
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A Note from the Nurture Committee
With the cold and flu season upon us, the Nurture Committee has prepared a care basket with cough drops (regular and sugar free), tissues and water. The basket has been placed on the table just as you enter the church from the front door. Please feel free to take advantage of it. |
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Annual Tree Lighting / Memorial Ornament Event
Carolina Memorial Park's Annual Tree Lighting Service will be held on December 7, 2015. Donations are now being accepted for Memorial Ornaments. Your loved one's name will be printed on a Memorial Ornament and placed on trees located in front of Carolina Memorial Park Plaza Mausoleum from December 7, 2015 through January 1, 2016. All proceeds go to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County. Donations will be accepted at Carolina Memorial Park Office at 601 Mt. Olivet Rd., Kannapolis or can be mailed to: Carolina Memorial Park at PO Box 3257, Concord, NC 28026.
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Mark Your Calendar for These Important Dates in November!
Sunday, November 1
All Saints' Day
Daylight Saving Time ends
Communion at the 9:55 AM Worship Service
Saturday, November 7
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, KAPM Spaghetti Meal at Second PC, Kannapolis to benefit My Father's House
Saturday, November 14
9:00 AM, Curb Appeal Day at the Church
Sunday, November 15
Stewardship Sunday
Monday, November 16
4:00 - 8:00 PM, Red Cross Blood Drive in BPC Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 19
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Suds of Love at Harris Laundromat
6:00 - 9:00 PM - Suds of Love at Harris Laundromat
Sunday, November 22
Christ the King Sunday
Communion at the 9:55 AM Worship Service
1:00 PM, Hanging of the Greens
Wednesday, November 25
No Wednesday evening supper or G.I.F.T. Program
Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27
Church office closed for Thanksgiving holiday
Saturday, November 28
Pick up Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands order from Senior Highs in the BPC Pavilion
5:30 PM, meet at church to attend Getty Christmas Concert at Christ Covenant Church, Charlotte (concert at 7:00 PM)
Sunday, November 29
First Sunday of Advent
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
October 25
Joys:
The Church - over all time and place (Rev. Ellen), Joy Bethpage is still here! - safety after gas leak! (Rev. Ellen), Bick Bickerstaff - NE Rehab Center room 2607 - doing much better (Rev. Ellen), Charlotte & Mallory - moved to 106 N. Ridge Ave. (Charlotte), Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner - pastor appreciation (Roger), Sergio Schmidt - faithful ministry of Christ Savior - example of the Reformed Church around the world (Rev. Ellen), Family/flowers - Helen Helms (Fred Helms), granddaughter Cameron Mullinax's birthday (Diane Mullinax), Ernest Gardner - his performance in Fidelo (Rev. Ellen), Mrs. Betty White/James & Jody Lewis - just to give thanks (Minister James Lewis)
Concerns:
Sergio Schmidt - continued ministry (Rev. Ellen), Hannah/Adam Jackson & Meltons - Hannah rehab (Charlotte), Cheryl Peeler - had surgery Thursday - ruptured hernia in stomach (Fred Helms), Ronnie Parks - stroke (Jenny Linebarrier), Death of Olga Tomberlin - prayers for family (Rev. Ellen)
Concerns: Justin Wilder - Becky Eckels' grandson - got hurt playing football (Becky Eckels), Rick Mullinax - bone and CT scan this week (Diane Mullinax), Ronnie Parks was moved to progressive care - long way to go (Joyce Deal), Family of Paul Christy (Betty Christy), Stephanie Eckels - pain from cyst (Becky Eckels)
Joys: Elder Leadership Institute - traveling mercies - Holy Spirit to work through this program (Rev. Campbell Gardner)
Concerns: Ronnie Parks - stroke - still in hospital in Charlotte (Jenny Linebarrier), Paul Christy - please keep family in prayers (Rev. Ellen), Catherine Redmond - very sad - her parrot companion of 50 years died this week (Jean Brown's friend), Frank Fleming & Family - buried his mother this week (Jean Brown's friend)
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October 4
Joys: Meghan & James Wally - Congratulations on celebrating their first wedding anniversary (Ed & Cheryl Kusper), Resumption of work of Ad Hoc Church Restoration Committee this Wednesday at 7:30, Kirkman Family - marriage of Rebecca Kirkman and Shawn Welch Saturday (H Kirkman), Blake Marshall - recovering well from surgery last week (Ellen Shore), Trinity Power - Trinity's weight is up to 5 lbs & 9 oz. - she may go home this Friday (Joyce Deal), Courtney Wilder - granddaughter will be 21 on Tuesday October 6th (Becky Eckels)
Concerns: Jan & Holly Young and Karen Winecoff - continuing with chemo treatments (Joyce Deal), Martha Campbell - shingles (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Ronnie Parks - stroke - healing but fear of pneumonia (Jerry Deal), Hannah Jackson - healing but very hard - wondering if giving up would be easier - prayers needed (Roger Hamilton), Linda - harsh drug side effects (Marty Paxton), Wendy Raffaldt - having surgery on Tuesday (Ellen Shore), Ronnie Parks - critical condition but stable (Joyce Deal), Sandra Williams - chemo this past week (Becky Eckels), Wally Kitchens - problems with colon, hope that treatment will work - also they are driving down from Canada on Tuesday to spend a week here (Becky Eckels), Stephanie Chessmore - daughter - testing on Tuesday for possible cyst - prayers for good results (Becky Eckels), Louie Blackmon - prayers for healing - heart problems and also flesh eating bacteria (Becky Eckels), pray for those of lost loved ones in Oregon (Becky Eckels), prayers for all in storm's path (Becky Eckels), Brianne Christy - having breathing problems - Ryan Christy's daughter - Betty Christy's great-granddaughter (Betty Christy)
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BRIAN CENTER-CONCORD: Edward Rodgers
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER: Eloise White
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Serving This Sunday
Head Usher
Linda VanPelt
Ushers
Kim & Ellen Shore
Curt & Kim Gibson
Lector
Diane Mullinax
Children's Nursery (Sunday School & Worship)
Al Smith & Sara Rodgers
Children's Sunday School & Worship
Jill Hamilton & Teresa Kincaid
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A Stewardship Moment
"We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving."
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Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
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OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
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10/25/2015
Worship Service - 93
Sunday School - 40
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OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
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10/25/2015
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Year-to-date
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General Budget Giving
Weekly Budget Needs
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$5,749.00
$4,620.95
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$178,379.84
$198,700.85
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10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $2,975.42
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Sermon from October 25, 2015
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon on the Church,
what it is and what it is not. The anthem is "Come Thou Fount"
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Daily Lectionary for November 1 - 7, 2015 |
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We Welcome Your Input!
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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Sunday School at 9:00 AM - Worship Service at 9:55 AM
Bethpage Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis 6020 Mooresville Road | Kannapolis, N.C. 28081 704-933-2209 (church office phone) Church office hours: 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner, pastor 704-431-3700 (cell) 704-934-3457 (home)
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© 2015 Bethpage Presbyterian Church, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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