Praying with a Purpose Online
Most of us run very busy lives these days, so I know that not everyone can make our Mid-Week program on Wednesday evenings. With this in mind, I have been posting the course notes for our Power Paths course online. Click here to access them. As soon as it is ready, we will be adding this class to our Learning Online video library. See you online!
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Awesome Prayer & Encouragement Service on Sunday, May 19
Dear Bethany Family,
This coming Sunday evening, May 19, we are planning a wonderful experience of worship, prayer and encouragement as we support our local Children in Need. After a great time of singing and worship, we will hear some amazing stories. We are blessed at Bethany to have several people who have invested themselves in the growing need of children in our area. Come hear their testimonies and learn how we can come along side to support them.
This will be our last Prayer & Encouragement Service before our summer season, so you do not want to miss it. Prayer is a powerful way for God's people to love one another. And, as we focus on Children in Need, we should not forget the words of the Psalmist:
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families ...
-Psalm 68:4-6
If God cares about the children in need, we should be concerned as well. The service runs from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at our Greenland Campus. Hope to see you there.
In His Service,
Dirk
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Ministry Prayer Partners Needed
Dear Bethany Family,
At Bethany Church we are privileged to offer a wide array of ministries to our community: worship services, family events, student and children’s programs, connecting opportunities, genuine acts of care and comfort, and various spiritual development venues. To offer such diverse ministry options, many of you contribute generously of your time, talent and treasure.
However, as pastors, we are deeply aware that nothing will be accomplished in God’s Kingdom without the leading and power of His Spirit. That Spirit-driven leadership and empowerment is only possible if we dialog often with God in prayer about our work. This is why I am asking many of you to consider serving with us as Ministry Prayer Partners.
A Ministry Prayer Partner will have four responsibilities:
- To communicate weekly with the leader of a designated ministry to understand the ministry’s needs and gather their prayer requests.
- To pray daily for that designated ministry.
- To invite others to join you in this challenge, so they will also pray regularly for this ministry.
- To meet once a quarter with all the other Ministry Prayer Partners to pray for one another and to sharpen our prayer skills.
If you would be willing to serve in this capacity, please email me, and let me know what ministry, if any, you would prefer to assist. (I realize that some of you already serve as a Ministry Prayer Coordinator, so just me know that in your email.) After we have collected all the names, we will talk to the Ministry Leaders, build an assignment list, and get back to you with next steps.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and thanks again for being willing to consider this important ministry opportunity.
In His Service,
Dirk
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Quick Question Regarding Bible Study Groups
Dear Bethany Family,
As I speak with many of you regarding your spiritual journey, I am greatly encouraged to hear that a lot of you gather regularly to study the Scriptures in homes, restaurants and other community centers. Several of you have taken the initiative to start these groups, and I am grateful for your passion to focus others on God’s truth.
Because so many of these groups have started in a “viral” and organic way, we here in the office now need to update our database of groups that are currently meeting. If your group is in the local area and is open to more members, could you please email me and answer the following questions:
- Who is leading the group, and how can we contact them?
- Where and when does the group meet?
- What sort of folks come to your group: married, single, men, women, age-specific, or is the group open to anyone?
- What sort of study format do you use: video, study guide … is there homework involved?
- What are you currently studying, and how do you decide what you will study next?
If you take the time to answer these questions, we will enter this information into our database. Then, when we receive inquiries about local bible studies, we will be able to refer them to your group.
Thank you for your assistance as we minister together in Christ’s Kingdom.
In His Service,
Dirk
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The Power of God’s Forgiveness: An Evening of Encouragement & Prayer
Dear Bethany Family,
Most of us will admit that we are not perfect, and we frequently deal with others who are likewise flawed. In order to navigate in this imperfect world, God provides a tremendous gift of Divine forgiveness. Too often, however, we do not receive or apply this great gift to its full advantage. If you are one of these imperfect people trying to make your way in an imperfect world, please consider joining us for an Evening of Encouragement & Prayer this Sunday evening, January 27, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 PM, at the Greenland Campus. Through worship music, biblical reflection and prayer, we will focus together on how we might better experience "The Power of God’s Forgiveness". Through this event, I hope that we can all gain a deeper appreciation of this powerful and healing spiritual dynamic.
In His Service,
Dirk
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Power Paths: Growing Faith That Works
Dear Friends,
Beginning in January, 2013, I will be offering a course called Power Paths, as part of our Wednesday Evening Mid-Week Program at Bethany Church, Greenland Campus Over the next few weeks, I will post some of the material that we will be using in that class on my Theology Blog. Click here to check out an introductory description of the class.
In His Service,
Dirk
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New Blog Post on Faith & Culture
Today I started a new series on my Theology Blog on Christ & Culture. Click here to see the introductory article.
In His Service,
Dirk
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Men's Bible Breakfast Starting Up Soon!
Hello Gentlemen,
I hope that you have all experienced a rejuvenating summer! As we ride into September, I just wanted to put the Men's Bible Breakfast back on your radar. We start again on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at our Greenland Campus. We start serving breakfast at 6:15 AM, and our teaching time begins at 6:45 AM. We have everyone out promptly at 7:30 AM, for those of you that must hustle off to work! (In order to cover costs, we ask for a $5 donation, but just let me know if this presents a problem. We would be happy to have you join us, especially if you are going through tough times!)
We are continuing part two of our study on the life of David. We ended our last session by seeing David take the throne in Judah. How will he do as the new king? What lessons can we learn from him? Life for men in this world is not easy, and we all need to take time to focus on what God is saying to us. Even Jesus while He walked this earth had to take time to be alone with the Father. Perhaps the Men's Bible Breakfast can help to establish some spiritual priorities in your life.
I hope you can join us. See you in the AM!
In His Service,
Dirk
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Seniors Connect Bible Study forming in September!
Dear Bethany Family,
As summer slowly makes its way toward autumn, I find myself looking forward to a change in seasons. The Fall colors always bring a new smile to my lips. And, with this Fall season, I have a new reason to smile, as we announce a brand new Seniors Connect Bible Study Group.
Beginning Tuesday, September 11, we will be holding a weekly Bible Study for Seniors each Tuesday afternoon, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, here at our Greenland Campus. We will participate together in our Church Matters study series focusing on the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. If you would be interested in attending this study, please reply to this email, or just call the church office. We look forward to a great time of fellowship, study and prayer for one another!
Please pass this information along to anyone who might be interested in being a part of this new group. (We are thinking of ages 65+, but we won't be checking birth certificates!) We would love to see as many Seniors as possible come together to encourage one another!
In His Service,
Dirk
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Summer Warm Up
When Liz and I moved to New England nearly 20 years ago, we were not accustomed to the cold. We had spent the previous two years in Boca Raton, FL and enjoyed our beach weather. Now, all these years later, our blood temperature seems to have found a new norm. In a recent trip to Florida, we found ourselves frequently uncomfortable. We missed the cool breezes of New England. We returned, of course, to find the warmest summer in history here on the coast!. This summer, there is no escaping the heat, no matter where you find yourself.
Before we complain too much, however, let's enjoy the time we have. Soon the days will grow shorter and the nights longer, and we will find other things to occupy our minds. The Apostle Paul urges us, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Phillipians 4:8, NIV) Keeping our mind focused is the key to moving us in new directions. Elsewhere, Paul is even more explicit, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Transformation happens as God changes our minds!
Let's use this summer warm up to get ready for a new Fall adventure. We have a number of growing opportunites coming your way, designed to help you refocus and retrain your brain in a Godly way. More details will emerge in the weeks to come, but, for right now, let's all resolve together to commit to growth this season! Time to get off the beach and into the game. See you on the field!
In His Service,
Dirk
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