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6020 Mooresville Road | 704-933-2209
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"The New York Daily News is Wrong"
I'd like to use my space in this week's Bethpage to share part of an important article written on December 4, 2015 in the PCUSA's blog "comings and Goings" by Chip Hardwick, the director of the Office of Theology and Worship of the PCUSA.
"NY Daily News "God's Not Fixing This," the headline blared. The article responded to the mass shooting earlier this week in San Bernardino... The headline and its accompanying story called out politicians who were asking for and offering prayers for the victims for not doing more to end the violence.
The NY Daily News is wrong about God not fixing this. Dead wrong. I-stake-my-faith-on-it wrong. It's-Advent-After-All wrong.
During Advent we claim, against all evidence, that God will indeed fix this...all of this. In Advent we Christians claim that God will once again break into the world and make everything right. In Advent we sing, "O Come O Come Emmanuel," not just as a memory of back when we were waiting for Jesus to first appear, but NOW as a cry that our Lord Jesus Christ would come again in glory, to make all things right. A cry that God will indeed fix it-the violence, the pain, the injustice, the tears, the death. A cry that one day, when Jesus returns, the world will be exactly the way God wants it to be. Advent claims that God will have ultimate victory, no matter how horrible it seems in the moment.
It didn't seem like God was fixing it when Christians were being persecuted and slaughtered in the early church. But they cried "O Come O Come Emmanuel." In the Middle Ages when the Black Death was killing up to 60% of Europe's population, it didn't seem like God was fixing it. But the Christians during those Advents in the 1400s cried "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Of course it didn't feel like God would fix it when the Hutu tribe in Rwanda killed 10,000 Tutsis a day from April to July 1994. But the Christians there cried "O Come O Come Emmanuel."
Why would we serve a God who can be defeated by humanity's worst impulses? Of course it doesn't seem right now like God is going to fix the daily tragedy of these mass shootings. But we Christians witness to our ultimate hope, every Advent. God is indeed fixing this. O Come, O Come Emmanuel."
As Christians let us never forget that our deepest hope, peace and joy are all met in the everlasting faithfulness of God, yesterday, today and forever. May you live into the Love of this promise as you prepare to celebrate Christ's first coming, while longing for the peace of his last.
Blessings, Rev. Ellen
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Flowers in the Church This Sunday, December 20th
The flowers in the church sanctuary this Sunday, December 20th are given to the Glory of God and in loving honor of Glenda Kirkman. Happy Birthday from your family!
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An Invitation from Charlotte Penland
Dear Church Family,
Once again this year the combined choirs of Bethpage, Kirkwood, and Flow Harris Presbyterian Churches will be joining for the Cantata this Sunday, December 20th. We will have a twenty voice choir along with Violinist, April McConnell and Flautist, Mikala VanDyke. This will be under the direction of Charlotte and Mallory Penland. Stars of Glory is a Celtic inspired set of pieces written and arranged by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi. The Choir is excited about bringing this special "musical offering" to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you enjoy and are blessed by our work.
Love in Christ,Charlotte Penland
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Covered Dish Lunch This Sunday, December 20th
Immediately following the joint Christmas Cantata this Sunday, December 20th, we will enjoy a covered dish lunch in the BPC Fellowship Hall. So bring your favorite foods to share and join us for a time of delicious food, great fellowship, and wonderful music this Sunday!
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Christmas Joy Offering
This Sunday, December 20th, Bethpage and other Presbyterian Churches around the country are receiving a special offering, the Christmas Joy Offering. Your gifts to this offering are shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian-related Racial Ethnic Schools and Colleges in our denomination. Please consider a financial gift to this special offering. Please make checks payable to Bethpage Presbyterian Church.
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An Invitation from Shiloh United Methodist Church
The Bethpage Congregation is invited to drop by Shiloh United Methodist Church (4149 Odell School Road, Concord, NC 28027) on Sunday, December 20th from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM for a holiday cookie/candy/cake event hosted by the United Methodist Women. There will be lots of sweets for sale that can be used for gift giving or for serving in your home. Hot cider will be served while you shop!! Join us for this delightful community event. Merry Christmas to all!
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Holiday Schedule
The deadline for items for the December 27th edition of The Beth Page is this Monday, December 21st. There will not be a Wednesday evening supper or G.I.F.T. Program on December 23rd or 30th. The church office will be closed on Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th. Wednesday evening supper and G.I.F.T. Program will resume on January 6, 2016!
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The Sunshine Group will not meet in December
They will meet in January at Breakfast Time Restaurant.
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Christmas Eve Service
"For unto us is born . . . a Savior, Christ the Lord." Join us with your family and friends as we celebrate the wonder of "God with us." Our Christmas Eve Service begins at 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 24th, in the church sanctuary. Together we will explore God's plan of redemption from Genesis through Revelation with a service of Lessons and Carols. The evening will end with a Bethpage Church tradition, a candle lit singing of Silent Night. Don't miss this Holy Night; bring your friends and family.
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Auto Bell Car Wash Coupons for Sale!
Sandra Cox has Auto Bell Car Wash coupons - $15.00. These coupons would make GREAT stocking stuffers! See Sandra if you are interested. This is a Senior High Fundraiser. Thanks for all the support!
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2016 Offering Envelopes
Our 2016 Offering Envelopes have changed. As a cost saving measure, the new envelopes no longer have your envelope number. To make sure you receive credit for each contribution, please include your name and envelope number on your envelope before placing it in the offering plate. Your 2016 offering envelopes are available for pick up in the hallway behind the sanctuary. If you have a mailbox in the church office, your envelopes will be there. If you can't find your envelopes, please contact the church office. Thank you!
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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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Recent Memorials
In memory of Ronnie Parks (Joyce Deal's brother): Rick and Diane Mullinax
In memory of Paul Christy: Ann and Bill Long |
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Prayer Joys and Concerns
December 13
Joys: Frances Tate - she asked for our prayers this morning at breakfast (Glenda Kirkman)
Concerns: Phil Allen - having an ultrasound Thursday - Has an artery or vessel getting larger (Amy A. Ritchie), Whitney Parks - My cousin Barry Parks' 18 year old daughter - She had surgery on Friday - she had a lump in each breast (Amy A. Ritchie)
Joys: Elisabeth Bryson - home from hospital after giving a kidney to her mother - Jean Harwood - Jean is still in recovery but doing well (Linda VanPelt), Keith Christy - happy to see you here (Charlotte Penland)
Concerns: Lisa - having tests at this time (Becky Eckels), Shanda - fell skating and broke her ankle (Becky Eckels), Edna Overcash - in hospital running tests (Teresa Kincaid), Lynne Hopkins - diagnosed with breast cancer (Marty Paxton), Buddy Overcash - starting chemo and radiation for throat cancer (Teresa Kincaid), Gail Harrington - neighbor - in the hospital unknown illness (Diane Mullinax), Tim Lomax - friend - unidentified internal? Hoping no surgery required (Jean Brown), Parks Family - as they heal from Ronnie's passing (Rev. Campbell Gardner)
Joys: Getty's - wonderful concert at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (Rev. Ellen), Alicia - found a job Tennessee State Legislature - proofreading (Vicki Gurley)
Concerns: Rick - next chemo, Jean & Elisabeth - Elisabeth will give her mom, Jean, a kidney Tuesday - prayers for successful surgery (Linda VanPelt), Parks Family - Death of Ronnie Parks (Diane Mullinax), Aunt Ruth Shelton passed away (Jean), Family of Ruth Shelton - Ruth passed away at the first of the week - she was my Aunt, my father's last sibling (Jean Brown), Donut Lady in Mooresville - selling donuts to support her family/medical bills (Hannah Jackson)
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Joys: Cabarrus County - Leslie Gibson got her driving permit (Mom & Dad), Maurice Cook - My Dad celebrating his 88th birthday today (Marcia Graybeal), Merri Grey Jones - she just had a baby girl named Emma Kathryn Jones! Welcome to the world, Emma! (Cameron Mullinax), Rick Mullinax - He has been feeling a lot better this weekend! (Cameron Mullinax), Trey and Brittany are making me a Great Grandmother (Betty White)
Concerns: Jerry Deal - as he continues his radiation treatments (Mullinax Family), Grace Lenard - Grace Lenard's ankle swells up and she cannot walk on her left foot (Chloe Mullinax), Noah & Tashika - Noah - school and his mother - Tashika - job - just keep them in your prayers (Yvette Butler - grandmother from Laundromat Ministry), Greg Rumple - stroke - at CHS Northeast (Gipson Rumple), Becky Eckels - cold and bad cough (Betty Christy), Lisa Christy - diagnosed with breast cancer - to see surgeon December 1st (Betty Christy), Ryan Christy - safe travels to Virginia today (Betty Christy)
BRIAN CENTER-CONCORD: Edward Rodgers
CAREMOOR RETIREMENT CENTER: Edna Overcash
ST. ANDREWS LIVING CENTER: Eloise White
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Serving This Sunday
Head Usher
Roger Hamilton
Ushers
Jill Hamilton
Eric Hamilton
Kevin Hamilton
Aubrey Tarlton
Children's Nursery (Sunday School & Worship)
Dougie Kirkman & Leslie Gibson
Children's Sunday School & Worship
Ellen Shore & Heather Kirkman
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Our Attendance and Financial Stewardship
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OUR ATTENDANCE STEWARDSHIP
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December 13
Worship Service - 85
Covered Dish Breakfast and Hymn Sing - 49
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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 12/12/2015
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$210,249.84
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$203,096.48
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12/13/2015
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$3,755.00
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$8,949.20
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Current Balance
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$214,004.84
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$212,045.68
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10¢-A-Meal Offering received for 2015: $3,714.45
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Sermon from December 13, 2015
Rev. Ellen Campbell Gardner's sermon from December 13, 2015 "Joy to the World" Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke 3:7-18
Thank you to Jean Brown for uploading the sermons.
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Daily Lectionary for December 20 - 26, 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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