Church guide

Serving the children of our community. Here are photos of our back to school event. If you missed it, look for other events as we strive to serve our neighbors.

In Amos 7 we read that the Lord sent Amos to prophesy to Amaziah, (the high priest of Israel at that time), saying "Now therefore hear the word of the LORD. You say, 'Do not prophesy against the house of Isaac.' Therefore thus says the LORD: 'Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword, and your land shall be parceled out by line; you yourself shall die in an unclean land, and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.'" (vs. 16-17) Amos was more than uncomfortable with this assignment from God, and he had just finished pleading with God, saying "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees. The LORD responded simply with an emphatic "GO." It is an unenviable assignment to be summoned by God to speak truth to power; but any preacher worth his or her salt is commissioned for such an assignment. Maybe preachers ought to share a bit more of the trepidation and reservations that they have at being enlisted by God (just like Amos was) to speak the truth , to make judgments, and to risk rejection. This prophetic aspect of preaching represents the supreme moment for preachers and for congregations. Amen!

John 17:25 From "The Message," by Eugene Peterson "Father, I want those you have given me to be where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." Friends, this is part of Jesus' farewell prayer for His disciples, both past and present, and this means He was praying for you and for me. Just think of this for a moment. Jesus was praying that all believers would be with Him in heaven, for eternity. This sounds like the BEST long term retirement program that anyone could conceive. Good news for today, and for all of our days.

John 13: 34 "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." Friends, Jesus gave this simple and direct commandment to His disciples, and to all Christians today. It's easy enough to teach to a 5 year old, and it is more challenging than we can ever live up to completely. This love has nothing to do with denominational theology, or how many sacraments we observe. In the name of Christ, we are to love one another, just like Jesus loved, and still loves us. I encourage myself and you, on behalf of Jesus, today let us all love others without judgment because of life situation, or color, or creed. Let us love others as Jesus loved us, and in doing so, we will become the hands and feet of Christ Jesus wherever we are. Simple, but challenging. Love others in the name of the Risen Christ. Blessing to you all!

Happy mother's day to all the mother's past and present.

Today's scripture reading was John 12:1-8. Mary quietly anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, and then she wiped His feet with her hair. Judas commented "This perfume should have been sold and the money used to help the poor. Jesus replied, "Leave her alone." Mary was filled with joy (her brother Lazarus had just been raised from the dead) and she spontaneously offered an extravagant gift to Jesus. Judas provides us with the counterpoint, sounding so very practical. Yet John's Gospel tells us that Judas was a hypocrite and a thief. The truth is that we are all a mixture of love and hypocrisy. We are all sinners, and Jesus has enough grace and love to accept all of us, just as we are. Jesus knew all of this, and He still chose to die for us on the cross. Jesus is the true and the real extravagant gift of God. This gift is given to all who choose to accept it, and to believe in Him. May the peace of Christ be with your all.

“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Paul's teaching to the church in Corinth is still applicable to all of us. Because of God's steadfast love Jesus died for all of us. He took our sins away so that we could all have a loving relationship with God. This is the amazing love that God has for you and for me, and this is the central message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a church home, and you would like to hear more about God's love, please visit us at Bethany Presbyterian Church. Our service starts at 11 am on Sunday mornings. I can promise you that this same topic is one that we refer to pretty much every Sunday. May the peace of Christ be with you all this week. Living for Christ, Tim.

SAVE THE DATE for the Bethany Easter Egg Hunt - APRIL 13th - details coming soon!

Today's message is from 1 Cor. 13:1-13, and it speaks powerfully to the meaning of God's selfless love. Paul wrote in verse 2b "if I have all faith . . . but do not have love, I am nothing. Then in verse 7-8a, (Love) "It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Beloved, God's love for us all will never end. This is a different perspective of love that has nothing to do with romantic feelings. This love is active, tough, resilient, and long-suffering. The best example we have of God's love is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yes, he obeyed God's perfect plan. Yes died for you, and for me, and for ALL who believe in Him as the true Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Let us work to bring Christ into our hearts, and then show His love in our lives each day. Peace to you all.

Psalm 36:7-9 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Here we find a radical, joyous, and inclusive vision of God's great and never-ending love. Just think about this and then consider this question. What would a feast like this look like? Wouldn't it be a wonderful picture? These verses remind us of God's precious love, and they remind us that God loves all of us. God's love extends to all of the homeless, the immigrants, and yes, even to all of our enemies. God's love is perfect, and all-inclusive. All people may take refuge in the shadow of God's wings. Amen ! !

Remember that JOMO Restaurant Week will take place this week to collect food for the emergency food pantry operated by Crosslines Ministries of Joplin. This year 25 locally owned restaurants are participating. Bring nonperishable food items to these restaurants during JOMO Restaurant Week and you will be eligible for specials and discounts. Your name will also be entered into a drawing for a grand prize worth $500. Check out the Facebook page for JOMO Restaurant Week for a complete listing of participating restaurants. This is the biggest food drive of the year for Crosslines, and they provide assistance for about 1.900 people per month from Joplin, Carl Junction, and Webb City. Jesus said "love your neighbor as you love yourself." Each of those 1,900 people served (per monty) by Crosslines are your (and my) neighbors.

Save the date! More information to come: Neighborhood Chili Feed - free to our members and our Emerson Neighbors! Saturday, February 9th, 12:00 Noon.

From Matthew 3:1-3 (This is the word of the Lord.) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” How can each of us "prepare the way for the Lord in 2019? The answer to this question is simple, yet difficult. John told his listeners to turn away from sin, and turn back to God. We have all committed sin, and God knows this. Yet God still loves each of us, fully and completely. When we truly repent of our sins, and turn back to God, we begin to "prepare the way for the Lord." Our actions, our words, our perspectives are all changed when we decide to live our lives as Jesus calls us to live. Again I say, this isn't easy, but Jesus is with us "always." May God bless you and keep you.

1 Thess. 3:12-13 "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." How do we live our lives today, expecting the second coming of Christ, but not knowing when this age-ending event will take place? We strive to live with purpose, and that purpose as Christians is to follow Christ's example, living our lives in service of those who are in need by sharing of our own gifts, and spreading the good news that salvation is free to all who believe in Jesus as Lord. Faithful preparation and expectant living can help us face whatever comes. Our help and our hope is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. May the peace of Christ be with you all ! !

Trunk or treat now