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6020 Mooresville Road | 704-933-2209
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"Symptoms of Compassion?"
This last weekend I was talking with Sherry Childers about the story of the leper Jesus healed in Mark 1: 40-54. Verse 41 really caught my attention, "Moved with pity, he (Jesus) reached out his hand and touched him (the leper) and said to him, 'I will it, be healed.'"
To my Greek Interlinear Bible I flew! Sure enough, the word for "moved with pity" was the word that literally translates, 'gut wrenching.' Jesus' gut was twisted and wrenched in compassion for this "child of God" diseased, suffering, and rejected by everyone around him. The leper's plea, "If you will, you can make me clean." was THE very reason God sent his Son in-the-flesh. John 3:16 could almost be translated by this story to read, "For God so loved the world that he had the will for all of humanity to be brought back from sin's leprous estate to an eternally "sin-free" union with God. Whosoever believe this WILL BE HEALED."
I have to wonder though, does Christ's Church today have Christ's compassionate will? Does the Church in our time experience gut wrenching pain every time it sees people separated from God by sin? Hardly! Why not? The whole issue of mercy in the church begs the question; Are we so preoccupied with the everyday activities of our lives/our church lives too that we miss God's purposeful activity all around us? - OR - Is Christ's Church full of people who have NOT yet identified themselves as sin sick souls; driven to Jesus on bended knee with the painful, hopeful request to be made clean again.
Until we come to the Lord with our brokenness, asking Jesus Christ to heal us, believing he can, Christ's Church will never experience Christ's gut wrenched mercy in our lives and in our ministry. Until we understand what Jesus Christ's mercy did to heal us, we will not have the capacity to share Christ's compassionate response with the world around us. The Good News WE DARE NOT MISS is that because Jesus "Willed it" we have the opportunity to be made clean; his will then becoming our will and compassion, our will then moving out into all the world.
Who knows, a stomach ache, may be the very symptom we should be looking for in Christ's Church as a symptom of Christ's very presence among us. How are you feeling today?
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Flowers in the Church This Sunday
The flowers in the church this Sunday, November 8th are given by the Darrell Ballard family to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Steve Ballard on what would have been his 60th birthday on November 7th. |
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Guest Organist This Sunday
We welcome Jianna Costiniano as our guest organist this Sunday, November 8th while Charlotte is away. Thank you Jianna! |
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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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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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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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Join Bethpage for Hanging of the Greens
The Worship Area Team invites the Bethpage congregation to help in preparing our church for Advent. The Hanging of the Greens is a wonderful tradition at Bethpage. Please join us on Sunday, November 22nd at 1:00 PM to decorate the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall as we anticipate the birth of our King. If you have any questions, please contact Richie Goodman.
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Senior High Youth Group Christmas Tree Sale
The Senior High Youth Group of Bethpage Presbyterian Church is taking orders for Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands for your holiday decorating. Order forms are available in this Sunday's worship service bulletin. We will bring the trees to Bethpage church on Saturday, November 28th. Items can be picked up in the Bethpage Church pavilion/parking lot from 2:00 until 3:00 PM. Extra order forms are available on the church's web site or outside the church office. Payment must accompany orders. Please make checks payable to Bethpage Senior Highs. The deadline for turning in orders is Sunday, November 22nd.
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Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
The deadline for items for the November 29th and December 6th editions of The Beth Page is Monday, November 23rd. There will not be any Wednesday evening supper or G.I.F.T. Program on Wednesday, November 25th. The church office will be closed Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Donna Moore will be out of the office November 30th through December 4th.
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Highlights of the September 21, 2015, Stated Session Meeting
- A quorum was declared by the moderator, Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner. Meeting was called to order followed by opening prayer and study by Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner.
- Agenda was amended to hear report from Mission and Nurture Committees. Motion to approve the amended Agenda was made by Kim Gibson and seconded by Eric McKnight.
- Election of Clerk of Session: Roger Hamilton confirmed as Clerk of Session 2015-2016.
- Session approved:
- Minutes of the Stated Session Meeting of August 17, 2015.
- October 2015 calendar.
- Facilities reservation requests.
- Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner to go to ELI Immersion Retreat, October 14th - 18th, 2015.
- Charlotte Penland to be on vacation October 11th - 17th, 2015.
- Moderator's report was received by Session.
- Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner shared report on the ELI Immersion Retreat.
- Reviewed Shepherd List and discussed having a spiritual passion for October.
- Discussed reviewing the Membership Rolls. Session will review their Shepherd list and make recommendations for October meeting concerning the rolls. Session reviewed Book of Order G:5:0102, What is means to be a Member.
- Session reviewed a proposal from the Education Ministry Area to start a Youth Council to decide activities of our Senior Highs and Middle School aged children.
- Education Ministry Area presented a report to Session detailing Committee's Education Sunday School programs and Youth activities.
- Session decided that Historical committee responsibilities would be under Personnel Ministry Area's supervision.
- Session agreed that Personnel should be the new name of the Leadership Ministry Area.
- Session requested that a meeting be called by Chairman Ed Kusper of the Church Improvement Plan Ad Hoc Committee and that the Committee should prepare a status report to the Session for its October Session meeting.
- Roger Hamilton, Assistant Treasurer, advised the Session on 2016 budget requests to be completed by the end of October and submitted to Finance Committee.
- Session discussed a dormant checking account that was closed that belonged to the Boy Scouts. No decision was made and it will be included on the October 19th agenda.
- Worship Ministry Area informed the Session that the Christmas Cantata will be held on December 20th, 2015. Flow Harris, Kirkwood, Covenant and possibly Bethpage United will participate with Covered Dish following the Cantata.
- Communications Ministry Area reported that posters will be placed in the Sanctuary denoting each of the 30 Believe Weeks Studies.
- Mission/Evangelism Ministry Area recommended and Session approved a CVAN Paper Goods Drive.
- Mission/Evangelism Ministry Area advised the Session that the Softball Dinner will be moved to kick off the 2016 season in February or March.
- Session approved a baptismal request for Hailee and Emily Scarborough. Motion made by Dougie Kirkman and seconded by Carrie Paxton. Date to be determined.
- Next Session meeting will be Monday, October 19, 2015, at 7:00 PM.
- Adjournment and closing prayer by Diane Mullinax.
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
November 1
Joys: Mrs. Betty White & family - we are thankful to be a part of this family (Rev. James & Jody Lewis), Ernest Gardner III - 2 job interviews this week! (Ellen Campbell Gardner), Elisabeth Bryson as she prepares to give her mother, Jean Harwood-Stanhope a kidney 1st week of December (Linda VanPelt), Leona Pressley - at Hospice House preparing to go to heaven (Linda VanPelt)
Concerns: Bill Kusper - Addictions leading to serious health and personal problems (Ed & Cheryl), Rick Mullinax - starts new chemotherapy Thursday - every three weeks (Diane Mullinax), Winston Salem University - victims of shooter & families - the shooter and his family (Jean Brown)
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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/Ministry James & Jody Lewis - just to give thanks (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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BRIAN CENTER-CONCORD: Edward Rodgers
CAROLINAS REHABILITATION-NORTHEAST: Glenn Bickerstaff
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
Jean Brown
Children's Nursery (Sunday School & Worship)
Judy Petrea & Hailee Scarborough
Children's Sunday School & Worship
Cheryl Kusper & Gipson Rumple
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A Stewardship Moment
The Apostle Paul put it this way: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1)
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Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
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OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
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Worship Service - 79 Sunday School - 54
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OUR FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
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General Budget Giving
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Expenses
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Year-to-date
as of 10/31/2015
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$178,379.84
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$181,428.90
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11/1/2015
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$5,932.00
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$597.05
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Current Balance
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$184,311.84
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$182,025.95
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10¢-A-Meal Offering received last Sunday: $288.23
10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $3,263.65
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Sermon from November 1, 2015
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon on Sunday, November 1, 2015
"East Of Eden Meets West In Calvary"
Genesis 4:1-16 Matthew 18:10-14
Thank you to Jean Brown for uploading the sermons each week!
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Sweet Street 2015
A group of folks from Bethpage enjoyed spending Halloween in Kannapolis and sharing our Bethpage Church story. A huge thank you to the BPC congregation for donating all the candy. Check out pictures of all the fun from Sweet Street 2015 on the church's Facebook page.
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Daily Lectionary for November 8 - 14, 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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