What Love Does
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." That's how the well known Sonnet 43 by by Elizabeth Barrett Browning begins. It's a question asked by poets and songwriters over and over again- what does love look like? what does love do? how is love observed? how is love enacted?
It's one Jesus answered when he told his disciples....
This is how people will know that you are my disciples- by the love you show to one another. (John 13:35)
It's a question Jesus answered when he explained that the greatest commandment- to love God with all you are and have, and to love neighbor as your love yourself- is lived out by the sacrificial care we give to others. It's a question Jesus answered when he challenged Peter, saying, "If you love me, feed my lambs."
Love means action- sacrificial, caring, giving action. That is what love looks like, that is what love does. Our love for Christ is shown in the sacrificial, caring, giving action we take toward and for and with others. When we give that kind of love, when we act out that kind of love...we are in line with the love that God pours into us and the love that Jesus showed in his giving his life for us. There is such joy and peace and contentment in feeling and giving that kind of love!
Those who have participated in mission work weeks ,whether with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance or REACH or other experiences can attest to this. There is something powerful in stepping away from the demands of our lives to simply do something that brings comfort and safety to another in the very basics of life. I am so excited to be able to lead our church family on such an experience this summer (see the information below) with Hosanna Industries as we know and show God's love in action helping those in need in our region. The trip is short, open to anyone 13 years old or older, and anyone of any ability or strength will be able to meaningfully participate.
I will need to know by Feb 20 if you are interested in being a part of our team so I can give Hosanna a good estimate of our group size. I hope you will be able to join this week of showing and being and doing love!
You are loved,
Pastor Cathie
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BPC SKATING PARTY!!!
Sunday, February 9th
3-5 pm
South Park Rink
and Party Room
Skating Available
12-4 and 4:30-8:30 pm.
Admission is $4 adult,
$2 children, + $2 skate rental
bring your own helmet if desired...
buckets and walkers available for beginners!
Anyone not skating has free admission
and is welcome to observe and socialize.
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This year, as a church family, we are focusing on how we can engage in our life of faith in new and fresh ways. One of the ways I encourage all of us to focus on our spiritual growth is to spend intentional and consistent time in God's Word. I'd like to invite you to join me this year in reading through the Bible- all of it!- in 2020. A helpful and refreshing way to read the Bible is chronologically- which in some cases will be in the way it is ordered in our Bibles, and in other cases will be a "little here, little there" order. To help us with this challenge, I'll put together a packet for each week with the readings that will move us chronologically through scripture at a pace that will get us through the- whole Bible in a year. I"ll post the packet on my Midweek Message and on the website each week. I'll also have a couple of hard copies available at the church. I'm excited about this challenge and hope you will join me!
The first three reading packets are below. You can attack them however works best for you- either a little each day, or big chunks on one or two days. However you prefer, set the goal of completing the first three packets by the end of January.
Let me know if you are joining the challenge!
May God bless unto us the reading of His Holy Word!
You can download the packets and reading lists below...
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If you did not receive a star in worship on January 5, stop by Pastor Cathie's office to get one and find out what your star word will be to guide you into the new year...
If you have your star, spend this month learning and thinking about the word...
look up the definition, find Bible verses about it, find quotes that speak of it, poetry that imagines it, and so forth...
See where the Spirit leads you as you wonder, pray, think, and imagine on this word...
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PLEASE NOTE:
The deadline for the
FEBRUARY
order is
February 15
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We are excited to roll out an easy way to help support our youth group as they prepare to attend the Montreat Youth Conference and the Inter-generational Mission Trip this summer!
Through our partnership with SCRIP, church members, family members, and friends can purchase gift cards from over 750 different stores, online retailers, hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, cruise lines and more.
Each gift card is purchased at face value, but a percentage of the amount comes back to the youth group from the company. So for example, say you buy a $25 gift card to Eat n' Park. You pay $25, you get a $25 gift card, and the youth group receives $2.25.
You can get gift cards to use for your weekly and regular shopping and use them instead of cash or debit card. For example, if you bought $150 in gift cards from Giant Eagle and used it for your groceries and gas for the week, the youth group would receive $6. Or you can get cards to give as gifts or for your vacations or date nights or all kinds of special occasions- even your trip to Disney!
Here's all you need to do...
- If you prefer to do your shopping for cards online: Go to shopwithscrip.com and create an account. You'll need our enrollment code (5911E89D65629). You will be asked child's name and group- you can ignore these questions unless you are a parent of one of our youth group members. . Once you are enrolled, your account will be verified and ready to begin ordering. If you go to shopwithscrip.com on your phone, you will receive a prompt that allows you to place a link on your home screen like an app for quick access and ordering.
- If you prefer to fill out a paper order and let us order the cards for you: Get an order form from the church office, fill it out and return it to the office.
A group order will be placed by the 20th of each month combining all online and paper orders received by the 15th, and we'll have the cards in the office ready for up just a few days later!
This is an exciting and so easy way that we can all help support our youth group! First orders are due October 15! Thank you for your support!
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Sponsor a Hymnal (or a few)
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Our new hymnals will soon be in use! You can help provide for these great new additions to our worship by sponsoring one or more hymnals in honor or in memory of someone who has been special in your life. Print the sponsorship form by clicking on the image to the left and return it to the church office.
A nameplate will be included in they hymnals you sponsor honoring those you honor with your donation. You can indicate how you would like the nameplate to be worded on the sponsorship form.
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Did you miss a sermon?
Past sermons are now available to listen to on our website!!
Recordings include music, prayers and other parts of the worship service, too!
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This Week
at Bethel Presbyterian
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Thursday, January 30
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:45 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, February 2
9:30 am Sunday School/Small Groups
10:30 am Communion Sunday
10:30 am Worship
11:30 am Fellowship Hour and Souper Bowl of Caring
2:30 pm Financial Peace Class
Monday, February 3
1:00 pm Membership Committee Meeting
7:00 pm Planning Team Meeting
Tuesday, February 4
10:00 am Quilters Meeting
6:30 pm Committee Night
7:00 pm Supportive Services
Thursday, February 6
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:45 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Friday, February 7- Saturday, February 8
Youth Group - 30 Hour Famine
Sunday, February 9
9:30 am Sunday School/Small Groups
10:30 am Worship and Scout Sunday
11:30 am Fellowship Hour
2:30 pm Financial Peace Class
3:00 pm All Church Skating Party at South Park
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Feb 2 Souper Bowl Sunday
Feb 7-8 30 Hour Famine
Feb 9 Skating Party
Feb 25 Pancake Dinner
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JANUARY
27 Randy Burroughs
29 Noah Decker
29 Aaron Placke
31 Lana Kling
31 Mike Smith
31 Luke Stefancin
FEBRUARY
1 Christine Burford
2 Scott Lawrence
5 Janet Ericson
5 Robert McKinley
7 Bonnie Opsal
9 Joan Sherbak
11 Eleanor Coventry
11 Amy Placke
12 David Long
13 Bob Gales
14 John Miller
14 Veronica Walkuski
15 Craig Stefancin
17 Larry Jay
19 Brooke Cashman
20 Tanner Stroech
25 Deborah May
27 Chris Day
27 Patrick Quinlan
27 Sean McGowan
27 Joanne Wells
28 Angus MacDonald
28 Lisa Wilfong
28 Jessica Sasso
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