This is the second Sunday in a row that we’ve cancelled services at Bethel. Last week the choice to do so was obvious – everybody in town cancelled. This week, we cancelled because our parking lot was a solid sheet of ice. Canceling the second week in a row was a tougher choice – one that has bummed me out today.
I really miss my church family, and being away from everybody two weeks in a row feels like six months. I also really miss preaching. I’m beginning 1 Samuel in our journey through the Bible and have been anxious to preach this first message about how God remembered Hannah in giving Samuel to her. There’s an amazing meaning behind that word “remembered” and it pops up multiple times in Scripture.
Study that word to see how God purposely involves Himself in our affairs, and stay tuned – I’ll write about it as soon as I preach the message next week. The sermon may be three times as long – I feel like I’m on fire in a pressure cooker – ready to explode! I can’t wait till next Sunday!
I wanted to pass along the letter that we’re mailing out to everyone in our church family, just in case someone misses it…
Dear Family and Friends,
We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
It’s so hard to believe that 2009 has slipped away so quickly. We continue to feel so blessed under God’s care and are so happy that He has placed us into such a wonderful church family!
The year has brought about some major developments in our family’s life. Angie moved from being a Therapist to teaching Bible in a Christian school, which also meant a change in school for Ella as well. The biggest development, of course, is that we’re now expecting little Samuel David to be born in April of next year.
Within the church, we’ve seen the launch of our food pantry and growth in different areas of the church’s life. We stand amazed at the willingness of people to get involved in seeing lives touched and changed. It’s also been a great privilege to meet new people and welcome them into Bethel this year.
We count it such a joy to serve alongside each of you and can’t wait to see the great things God will do in, around, and through us in the upcoming year
May God bless each and every one of you!
photo credit: alicepopkorn
Yesterday, our church family blessed us (yet again) with a wonderful luncheon for Pastor Appreciation month. I’m honored!! I often stand before our congregation and tell them I’d do what I do for free (of course, I don’t mind that they don’t take me up on that) because of the joy it brings. They really make it easy in many respects to be their Pastor. Let me tell you some ways this is true…
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I know, it’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally and officially podcasting our weekend messages at Bethel. We’re listed in the iTunes Store directory or you can just use this link. Help us spread the word around northwest Arkansas… or maybe the whole world?
Every year, there is this week that falls right in the middle of summer. I call it “VBS week.” It’s a week when we have VBS, fittingly (Vacation Bible School). Here’s how it goes… wake up late cause you’re exhausted from the night before, spend all day doing work and getting ready for VBS, survive the evening’s whirlwind of activities, go to bed, wake up late and repeat!
This isn’t a complaining post though, it’s actually a praise. I love VBS week! It’s exhausting, but it’s exhilarating! It’s stressful, but it’s such a blessing. Last night, I had to get onto a little girl who was high on sugar and couldn’t sit still. She kept trying to dive into the burning bush during my lesson. The last time I explained that it could burn her (a light bulb in it, not a real fire) she looked up at me and latched on to me – gave me a big hug!
So let me put it plainly – kids are worth it! I wouldn’t trade VBS week for much of anything!… I’d just give the kids less sugar.
Last night we had a very special dedication time for our Storehouse food distribution ministry. Everything has been done with excellence. We’re well prepared and ready to go. Tomorrow the doors will open and we’ll be feeding the hungry and providing groceries to families in need.
As part of our church family’s time together, I shared some general thoughts about feeding and serving from God’s Word. They’re random, but I wanted to post them here…
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Today was exciting in that we received an enormous amount of food at a great price for Bethel’s new Storehouse Ministry which will be launching Tuesday as our way of feeding hungry people in northwest Arkansas. We’re still in need of food and volunteers, and probably will be for a long time to come, but we’re getting closer.
I’ve been moved by the spirit of cooperation and teamwork going into this venture. It’s a blessing to me to be a part of a church with such a great spirit. We’re currently talking about being on a Search & Rescue mission with God, and this is part of it. Feeding people helps, but our greater vision is to feed the soul, to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and to see lives changed forever.
Pray for us. Donate food if you’re close by and don’t already give elsewhere. Volunteer if you’re a part of our church family. Can’t wait till Tuesday!
I just wanted to take a minute to pass along my own personal blessings gleaned from yesterday and from the whole Easter week. Here are some things that have touched my heart…
- Jesus was glorified all over the world as people presented the truth of the death, burial and resurrection.
- Our church was packed with people, some of whom brought friends and family to hear the message.
- My parents came into town and spent the weekend with us, so we hung out, talked, and ate a lot.
- I mentioned on Palm Sunday that anybody donating plastic eggs should probably stuff them with little Milky Ways (I’m a caramel nut). Yesterday morning, I discovered a whole package on my desk!
- Justin and I received an enormous gift last week. A church member was burdened to make a donation to purchase for each of us a copy of the Logos Bible Software: Scholar’s Library, which is loaded with material!
- We had great sunrise service in spite of the rain, and a wonderful breakfast together as a church family.
I could name more, but wanted to take just a minute and praise God for His goodness today! Easter, for me, is not the culmination of our preparation for it so much as it is the fresh beginning of a renewed sensitivity to the work of the living Christ all around us. I’m awake and ready for whatever He has next for us at Bethel. Bring it on, God, I’ll try to be ready!
In light of recent feedback, Bethel is going to be making a few changes to our current worship services. We’ve been interviewing recent visitors and want to meet the needs of our community in a more meaningful way. Beginning Easter Sunday, we will be making the following changes…
- We will begin displaying the Ten Commandments on our screen, and next to each commandment, the names of church members who have knowingly disobeyed them during the previous week.
- At the conclusion of the early services, we’ll be offering pet blessings. Bring Fido to Pastor Brandon, and he’ll sprinkle them with anointing pet shampoo and pray a prayer of prosperity over each of them. We’ll also paws for reflection.
- We’re launching a project to re-paint the auditorium and main hallways the same color that Terri Chadd has chosen for the offices. Justin Williams will be in charge of finding gallons of the purple/plum paint for $4 each. Any complaints… see Terri or Justin.
- We’ll be phasing out ushers in exchange for an ATM-like tithing machine in the south lobby. Bring your bank card, or have your tithe automatically debited each month.
- The Senior Adult Class will begin a new practical study series on “underwater basket weaving.”
- The Easter Egg hunt will be more challenging this year. We’ll have six angry pit bulls to chase the kids who run, but we’ll also have Deacons on the roof with tranquilizer dart rifles… they’re working on their aim as we speak.
- We’re removing the organ and piano in exchange for two drum sets, adding colored lights, a fog machine, and a rotating crystal ball that will descend from the ceiling during the second song.
- We’re foregoing church softball this year and in its place we’ll host an entire season of the Ultimate Fighting Champions… Deacon edition. Randy is a trained boxer so he’ll be handcuffed to make it fair.
- Each time we’ve printed a member directory, we’ve managed to accidentally leave out a few people, so we’ll be printing a new directory that includes every person who is a member of Bethel, along with every person who is not a member of Bethel… everywhere. Just in case.
- Many people have gotten just a little bit burned out on Pastor Brandon’s “through the Bible” sermon series, so for the month of May, he’ll be choosing a different book to preach from each week, all selected from Oprah’s Book Club with a finale sermon coming from Dr. Suess’ The Cat In the Hat.
Any feedback may be directed to Angie Cox, LCSW, who can now perform therapy unsupervised.
Oh, and happy April 1st. ;-)
Early mid-morning yesterday, reports began trickling in from various sources that Walmart was laying off people from the home office (located here in Bentonville, Arkansas). By day’s end, I think the number was around 850, maybe more. Walmart, McDonald’s, and Dunkin’ Donuts were three of the only companies that I had read about in the last month or two that seemed to be doing well in the midst of the recession.
Something about the news reports, emails, and phone calls brought a sense of locality to the recession – it has hit the somewhat shielded northwest Arkansas economy now. Like an approaching thunderstorm, it’s here on top of us now. So the clouds have gathered. The thunder rumbles. Jobless people lie awake at night wondering where they will go next.
Poverty isn’t a new challenge to the church. In the New Testament, an interesting story unfolds about the church in Jerusalem’s suffering. People didn’t know where their next meal would come from. The churches across Macedonia (ancient Greece) were suffering from th economic downturn as well, but they responded in an amazing way… they gave. Without ever knowing or meeting their family-in-Christ across the Mediterranean, they dug deep into their pockets (and their hearts) and gave. Paul said it this way…
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power (ability) they were willing of themselves; praying us with much entreaty (begging us) that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ~ 2 Corithians 8:3-4 KJV (emphasis mine)
In dark times, God’s people have the opportunity to shine! How?
- By realizing and valuing the connections we have with the eternal family of God, regardless of geographic, cultural, and racial distances.
- By praying… after all, God has obligated Himself to do certain things only in response to prayer.
- By giving… even until it hurts.
I’m proud to be a part of Bethel Baptist Church in Bentonville. I’ve watched us give away about 1,000 pair of shoes in the last year. We’ve helped families within our church family, and without. Our people have made themselves available to neighbors and friends in whatever way is most helpful. And we’re in the planning stages of a major food supply initiative in our community.
We chose the slogan “the church on the hill” for two reasons. One, we’re on a hill and that’s how people identify us… “Yeah, you guys are that church on the hill!” Yep, that’s us. But then there is the issue of our mission within our community. Jesus said “a city set on a hill cannot be hid.” He went on to challenge God’s people to “so let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” That’s the real reason I’m proud to be a part of the church on the hill.
So, God’s people, shine. Pray, give, love, go, and tell the life-changing story of Jesus. Interrupt the darkness with some real sunshine!
photo credit: macfanmd
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