Stirrings at Bethesda - April 8, 2013

Good Morning, Bethesda!

Although our attendance was down considerably from our Easter Sunday service, the spirit of worship was great!  The singing was quite spirited for a small gathering of believers.  But, of course, as believers we have a lot to sing about!

Urgent Prayer Requests

* Pete & Brenda, their health
* Brida Lovett and a job
* Brazel family
* Marilynn Norvell
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Jimmy’s wife’s family in the loss of her grandfather over the weekend
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home.
* Caroline, Anne Overton’s sister-in-law, and family – terminal brain cancer
* Our church and need for revival

“For many, when spiritual darkness comes, we ‘remove’ Jesus as our Lord.  No longer do we open our Bibles.  No longer do we attend church.  No longer do we pray. “

Annie Armstrong

Thank you to everyone who gave to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions over the past several weeks.  Our emphasis ended yesterday and our collection is complete.  While I do not have a final count, I do know that the good folks of Bethesda once again demonstrated their generosity and gave over $2000!  The total more than doubles our church’s goal for this year’s offering, a true testimony of the giving spirit of our church.  May the Lord bless each of you and use this donation to His glory!

Upcoming Activities

1. Ladies Book Study, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
2. BUSINESS MEETING, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
3. Sunday School, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
4.Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
5. Discipleship Training, Sunday, 5 p.m.

Ladies’ Book Study

Yes, you are meeting this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  Yes, you are meeting in the church fellowship hall.  Yes, you will have a wonderful time studying together and spending time in fellowship.  Yes, Pam will do her usual great job in leading you.  Yes, you will come and enjoy the time!

Business Meeting

Wednesday evening, 7pm!

We will be voting on an addition to our church by-laws.

Sermon Extras

1.  As I noted yesterday, the King James renders John 20:17 as “Touch me not”.  The better translation is “Stop clinging to me”.  The Greek construction has a present tense imperative verb (“cling, take hold”) with a specific negative adverb (“not”).  In such a construction, it is a command to stop doing something already being done.  Mary has already grabbed the Lord and is being told by Him to stop.

2.  Did you notice that the angels in verse 13 ask the identical question Jesus asks of Mary in verse 15?  In Christ’s perfect kingdom there is perfect harmony.  The angels always say what their Lord says!  Contrast that with some of his saints here on earth!

3.  Also notice how Jesus expands Mary’s thinking in v. 15.  She has been looking for an “it”, Jesus’ body.  But Christ asks her, “WHOM (not what) are you seeking?”


“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.”

William Cowper


FELLOWSHIP!

Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m.

Join us for a “potluck” breakfast at the church.  Then, after we enjoy our meal together, help us work around the church, cleaning up certain areas and performing minor repair work as part of our first 2013 work day.

If we have enough people still on site around lunch time we’ll end the day with a pizza lunch!



“... sometimes work is better than worship—or rather, work is worship in its best form.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Pastor’s Postscripts

Ladies, have a great time on Tuesday!  Church family, I encourage you to be part of our business meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m.  Finally, I hope to see everyone this coming Sunday as we sing praises to our great God and hear from His Word.

May He give each of you a blessed week!

Pastor Bruce