Weekly Encouragement
Good Wednesday Everyone,
Weekly blessings to all. What a week at Bethel Baptist! This week was Vacation Bible School, called “Breaker Rock Beach”, and we had a church full of kids, families, and fellowship. Thank you to all who participated. A special thank you must be given to our children’s leader Tamara Holcomb and this year’s co-directors Heidi Myrick and Emily Pierce. Then each night we were led up front and fed in the fellowship hall by Kim Vickery and her team. So much work was done to provide the best VBS possible for our kids, and all stepped up and made VBS a great success. And thank you to our older students who assisted in recreation and crafts. VBS was a wonderful launch into our Summer.
June has brough us to a very important time as we elect deacons to serve our congregation. This Sunday and next you will receive in the bulletin a list of deacons willing to serve Bethel Baptist. Then on June 23rd our congregation will call deacons to service after your prayerful election. Pray over these men and pray for these men as you seek the Lord’s guidance. The deacons in our fellowship are your servant leaders, and such a vital asset to your pastor. Each deacon brings experience, insight, talents, and wisdom. And when we have new deacons elected, they bring a freshening of energy to our leadership.
For the men qualified – Pray about the decision you will make if called to serve. It is a confirming encouragement to your Christian life along with a powerful humility to your Chrisitan spirit to be elected to serve God’s church. This decision is not to be received lightly, and it must be accompanied by prayer and a willingness to serve when called. To be clear, no one is worthy to serve, but all must be willing to serve. For those who are willing, God will do all things through Christ for Bethel Baptist. On Sunday, June 23, Bethel Baptist will elect deacons for additions to the deacon ministry. The ballots will be counted, and those men elected to serve will be announced at our Fifth Sunday Fellowship on June 30.
This Summer we want to keep our connections strong. In each of the three Summer months we have chosen one Friday night as a Movie Night Fellowship. We will have concessions with all proceeds put towards the children’s and youth ministries. The Summer movie nights are Friday, June 14, then again on Friday, July 10, and we conclude on Friday, August 2. We will have more specifics and reminders as we near each movie fellowship. Next Friday, June 14, our movie will be “Jesus Revolution” in the sanctuary. Bring someone with you for a great night of fellowship and introduce them to Bethel Baptist.
Finally, your encouragement of the sermon series, “Meet the Messiah” is greatly appreciated. As we enter the ministry of Jesus we have so much to hear see. We see the people’s excitement when they saw and heard Jesus for themselves, but we can forget how dangerous it was for Jesus and those who believed in Him. For as many who came to Him impoverished, lame, sick, possessed, and faithful, there were jealous and powerful men plotting ways to kill Him. How can people see and hear the same words spoken by Jesus Christ respond so differently?
Well, it comes down to this. We have all heard about someone who is not “coach-able”. An un-coachable person will not accept advice, help, input, or teaching from anyone. They accept only their way, their truth, and their life. Jesus Christ was a human like us, but Jesus did not have a spirit like us. This is what makes Jesus Christ different than everyone, and more than anyone. What Jesus said, what Jesus did, and how Jesus lived is summed up in one word – PERFECT. No honest and sound person believes they are perfect, but many, even most people, FEEL they are close enough. Our “close enough” causes us to compare, contrast, and criticize ourselves and each other. This is not what God desires. Jesus wants to make every person perfect, “They just don’t know it yet!” We are all un-coachable. But miraculously Jesus Christ’s life and word’s gets through. Somehow, we hear Jesus. Some place, we see Jesus. Then we follow Him bringing all our imperfections with us. And people watch us. Let them see and hear the perfections of Jesus Christ. They will follow you, and when they see who you are following step aside and walk with them. Jesus Christ loves making people perfect. Come this Sunday as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together at His house.
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Michael
