APRIL 2016
ISSUE 1011
The Broadcaster Heaven and Hail Last night I met with two of our elders at our church building. We began to discuss how we might develop new elders and deacons in our church so that we might glorify God in our shepherding and ministries. Suddenly, each of our phones sounded with a shrieking cry. We looked down and saw that a tornado warning had been issued for our area. When we looked at the weather map we observed that the darkest red spot of the weather pattern was moving directly over our exact location. We searched the building for others and called everyone to go to either the men’s or women’s restrooms as they were built to be storm shelters. About 35 people huddled into the shelters for the next 30 minutes or so. We heard the hail loudly pound on the roof of the church. Finally, the storm cleared.
In This Issue
Dr. Ritch Boerckel
In walking out to the parking lot, one of our elders noticed that hail had dotted his new truck with dents. After inspection the next morning, I too discovered a myriad of dimples riddling the hood, roof and trunk of my shiny black Sonata. I thought to myself, “Rats!” My flesh was tempted to complain that this bad event would have been avoided if we all had simply stayed home the night before. But then my thoughts were drawn to the precious doctrine of God’s sovereign providence. How thankful I am for the doctrine of God’s providential working in all circumstances for the good of His people! It protects my heart and leads me to rejoice in Him in all things. God clearly reveals Himself as being purposefully in control of everything that happens in His world. In specific reference to Continued on page 2.
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Global Outreach
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Children’s Ministry Child Dedication Class MusiCamp 2016 Children’s Choir
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Baby Shower Membership Class PrimeTime Fellowship College Care Packages Women’s Min. Work Nights Local Ministry Outreach Youth Events/Renew Hope
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Discipleship Biblical Counseling
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Singles His Princess Modern-Day Knight
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First Prayer Coffee with the Elders
Heaven and Hail continued from page 1.
storms such as the one we experienced last night, God declares, “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses” (Psalm 135:6–7, ESV). And again in Psalm 147, “He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow” (Psalm 147:15–18, ESV). Consider a few of the other declarations that God makes about His providential rule over animals, plants, kings and happenings in this world: To Elijah He says, “I have commanded the ravens to feed you there” (1 Kings 17:4). Of Jonah, He says, “The Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah” (Jonah 4:6) and “God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered” (Jonah 4:7). To Pharaoh God warns, “I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants” (Exodus 8:21). About His judgments upon Egypt He says, “He summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread ... He gave them hail for rain ... He spoke, and the locusts came” (Psalms 105:16, 32, 34). Of God’s provision, the Psalmist writes, “The eyes of all look to you,
“God clearly reveals Himself as being purposefully in control of everything that happens in His world.”
and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15–16, ESV). In Proverbs, God declares, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33). The prophet Daniel records, “He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Of God’s control over both good and bad, Jeremiah asserts in Lamentations 3:37-38, “Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?” Of Jesus the disciples exclaimed in Mark 1:27, “Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:41) and “Even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” Nothing is outside of God’s providential control. The hail that hit my car was lovingly ordained of God to hit my car in the exact places, leaving the exact impressions that He purposed before the world began. Each piece hit the precise mark toward which God was aiming. God never says, “Oops!” God never says, “Oh, I did not plan for that to happen.” Why would God dot my car with hail? First, we are not privy to all of God’s specific purposes. But it is a great comfort to know that He has loving purposes for all His workings. Second, as people who are in Christ we know 2
Continued on page 3.
that God’s ultimate purpose is for us to enjoy Him and for us to be transformed into the image of His Son. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:28–30, ESV). I love the answers to questions about God’s providence that are given in the Heidelberg Catechism: What do you mean by the providence of God? (Question 27) The almighty and everywhere present power of God; whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand. What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence does still uphold all things? (Question 28) That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love; since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move. Thank you Lord for the hail that fell upon my beloved car last night. You want me to be free of my love for things so that my heart might be free to love you wholly and to trust you firmly. Thank you that your love for me is unending and moving me to enjoy you in all your glory. Thank you that you do nothing without your wisdom and love directing it. Thank you that you are sovereign over every detail, leaving nothing to chance or fate, so that you might accomplish everything that you intend for the glory of your Name!
Steve Hornbrook
steve@bethanycentral.org
Since 2008, Global Outreach (GO) ministry has been a shared ministry of the Bethany Fellowship of Churches (BFC). Beginning in May 2016, each church will assume full shepherding responsibility for its own GO-ministry, determining their own strategy, overseeing their own budget, and deciding which partnerships to develop. We love and esteem the other two churches in the BFC, and this decision does not mean that we will no longer partner together in any aspect of global outreach ministry. What it does mean for Bethany Baptist is that we will continue to contribute at least the same amount to each GO-partner going forward. We will also have a GO-conference in October, and while the other two congregations will be welcomed to participate in our events, we will no longer be planning conference events to happen at the other two sites. Short-term trips that have already been planned will proceed without change. Future trip planning will be carried out by each church, and invitation to participate will be at the lead church’s discretion. Our GO-partners have received communication about these changes in a letter from the three senior pastors, and an additional letter from each of the BFC elder teams. These letters have been posted on the BFC Global Outreach website where you can read them in full: www.bethany-fellowship.org/ministries/details.asp?id=1
Pray for the Kenya Team Traveling: March 30 to April 15 Team members: Steve and Carol Hornbrook; Kyle, Janelle, Kyce and Kess Walton; Melissa Fruendt (LHCC). This trip serves the East Africa WorldVenture (team for Gary & Barb Bennett and Catharine Coon) Spiritual Life Conference with a VBS-like child care program. The conference will take place in Mombaza, Kenya. The team will also visit the Bennett ministry site in Kigali, Rwanda, before the conference, and the HopeAlive! ministry site in Masaka, Uganda, after the conference. 3
Children’s Ministry
Ginny Smith ginny@bethanycentral.org
April showers bring May flowers—this saying comes to mind when the spring rains begin, making us hopeful of beautiful things to come! Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” I think we all need that encouragement in our parenting. The previous verses in Galatians 6, speak of the fact that God puts into place the law of cause and effect. Here it is called sewing and reaping. We can’t dictate by the environment we try to establish in our homes, that our children will follow the Lord, because this is a work of the Spirit; but, we can make sure that we place them on the path of blessing. David Mathis speaks about this in his book, Habits of Grace, when he says, “There are paths along which he *God+ has promised his favor.” (p. 25) Later, Mathis illustrates it this way, “Zacchaeus may have been a wee little man, but he modeled this big reality by positioning himself along the path of grace. He couldn’t force Jesus’ hand ... but he could put himself by faith along the path where grace was coming.” (p. 29) Bottom line ... don’t give up! Continue to position your children on the path of grace. Above all, be an example of one who has received grace. Model for them personal time in the Word, because you take joy in being with your Lord, regularly seeking to know Him more intimately. Pray for your children. Pray over your children a blessing. Pray for the salvation/sanctification of their souls. Show them a love for God’s people—serve others yourself, serve others as a family, and serve with your church family in community. Be sure you have close friends at church who speak truth into your life, and make sure your children establish friendships with those at church, as well. April showers don’t have to bring May flowers—we can have a late biting frost, etc. However, the showers help for the potential of flowers. Don’t give up in well doing ... keep making sure, with God’s wisdom and strength, that your children are placed as best as possible on the path of grace.
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Upcoming Awana Calendar Highlights April 27
Celebration
May 4
Awards Night
VBS Is Coming July 11-15 Kids entering Kindergarten through those entering Sixth Grade are invited. Nursery and pre-school classes provided for children of volunteers.
Parent/Child Dedication Class Sunday, April 24 at 9:45am
Parents wishing to have a child dedicated should attend this class. We will cover what child dedication is, basic parenting principles, and an overview of resources Bethany offers. The next dedication will be held on Sunday, May 8.
Children’s Choir Sundays at 4pm beginning April 3
Children in Pre-K through Sixth Grade are welcome to attend. In Children’s Choir we teach music theory and we will begin working on the musical “Back to the Cross” which will be presented at the conclusion of MusiCamp on Sunday evening, June 12. We are seeking teachers to help with Children’s Choir. Please contact Pastor Fred if you are interested (fred@bethanycentral.org).
Save the Date for MusiCamp MusiCamp will be June 6-10 from 6:00-8:15pm. Kids will work on the "Back to the Cross" musical scheduled for Sunday, June 12 at 6:00pm.
Baby Shower for Jena Slotter
Women’s Ministry Work Nights
Saturday, April 2 at 9:30am
Women Helping Women
Brittany Neukomm, Molly Schiller, Kayla Phillips, and Kim Houck invite all ladies to attend a Baby Shower for Jena Slotter. Jena and Andy are expecting a baby girl in June. They are registered at Babies R Us and Target.
Monday, April 18 at 7pm Join us as we prepare products and kits for keepsake boxes that will help parents through the difficulty of losing a child. Sewing skills are not required. Contact: Nicole Pepper, 683-1181
Hats of Hope Discovering Church Membership Saturday, April 9 at 8:00am
If you are interested in joining the church or just learning more about Bethany, plan to attend. Please RSVP to the church office at 692-1755.
College Care Packages Did you know that our church has over 100 college students? In April we will be sending them care packages from our church body. We are collecting miscellaneous food, snack, and fun items to send in boxes to our college students. Donations can be dropped off at the Welcome Center now through April 10. For more information, contact Kari in the church office at kari@bethanycentral.org. If you have a student who is currently at college, please contact the church office with their address.
PrimeTime Fellowship
Tuesday, April 19 at 6pm Use your gifts and talents in sewing and knitting, or simply cut fabric and make fabric flowers for hats for cancer patients. Yarn and materials are supplied for you if you desire to make hats at home. Contact: Holly Miller, 648-1693
Bethany’s Local Ministry Outreach Sunday Sunday, April 24 in the Foyer
Learn how Bethany is partnering with local ministries to reach Peoria with the Gospel and how you can be involved in reaching Peoria for Christ! For more information contact Diane Mason qingdao83@yahoo.com
Youth Events in April April 2 April 6
Sr. High IMPACT Day Trip to Lake Norris Jr./Sr. High Youth Group 6:15-8:00pm Sr. High IMPACT Meeting 8-9pm April 10 Sr. High Sharon Pines Service April 13 Small Group Event Night 6:15-8:00pm April 15 Renew Hope Conference 6:15-9:00pm April 20 Jr./Sr. High Youth Group 6:15-8:00pm April 27 Jr./Sr. High Youth Group 6:15-8:00pm April 29-30 Man Camp (Sr. High guys invited)
Monday, April 25 11:00am in the Sr. High Room
Renew Hope
All those age 55 and up are invited to join us for a delicious lunch and hymn sing! To sign up, call the church office at 692-1755.
April 15 from 6:15-9:00pm
The Birthday & Anniversary list is available at the Welcome Center.
Youth Purity Conference At Renew Hope parents and students will receive biblical teaching and practical training that confronts the empty offers of impurity, exposes unbiblical motivations for purity, and equips them to discover and enjoy the hope of purity in Christ. Join us for worship, preaching, testimonies, updates on technology, a parent panel Q&A, and genderspecific lessons on glorifying Christ together. 5
Discipleship & Biblical Counseling at Bethany Discipleship at Bethany At Bethany Baptist Church we desire to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We do this together as a church body. We strive to encourage one another to grow in Christlikeness. The following verses are at the heart of what we base discipleship on at Bethany: Colossians 1:28 - Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16 – Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. As we look at discipleship at Bethany there is a Head component that pertains to the knowledge we have of God and of ourselves and of doctrine that comes from Scripture. There is a Heart component that shows fruit of love, care and compassion for others. Finally, there is a Hands component that demonstrates the outworking of the head and heart in service of Christ’ Church and of those in the community, giving God glory in the process. We will be looking to give examples of head, heart and hands that we all can use to help us think about how to further infuse discipleship into every area of ministry and how we can all assess our growth as disciples of Christ and help one another grow further into the likeness of Christ.
Biblical Counseling In the above article on Discipleship at Bethany you see these verses listed: Col. 1:28, Eph. 4:15-16, Prov. 27:17. These are some of the same verses we apply when we consider Biblical Counseling. Biblical Counseling is actually just focused discipleship. It is bringing God’s Word to one another to see that God has answers to life’s problems. Another verse we think of regarding Biblical Counseling is 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” We are all expected to grow in Christlikeness through the process of sanctification. That is God’s Work and He uses His Word, His people, and circumstances to sanctify us. When we come alongside one another to help each other grow by bringing God’s Word to each other that is discipleship, which God uses in our sanctification. When life’s problems seem overwhelming, when we know our perspective is skewed and are having trouble knowing how to get “unstuck” and move forward in life, that is when someone comes alongside of us in a loving and caring way, bringing God’s Word to help us get “unstuck” and see the hope that God has for us from an eternal perspective. That is what we call Biblical Counseling. We are excited as more and more people are getting involved by getting trained to help others at Bethany in Biblical Counseling. We have recently “re-launched” our Biblical Counseling ministry. If you are interested in more information contact Jennifer Bateman, our Counseling Coordinator at jennifer@bethanycentral.org.
Glorifying God by preaching Jesus Christ as Lord and preparing His people to worship Him forever. 6
Singles Bethany is made up of people who are in all types of life situations. Many adults are married, and many of those have children as well. We also have a large number of adults who are not married. Whether you are divorced, widowed or never been married, Bethany is blessed to have you as a part of the body of Christ unified around the desire to glorify God in an authentic community of faith. Bethany singles are involved in all facets of ministry from Adult Bible Communities, Small Groups, Children’s ministry, music ministry, greeting and ushering, youth ministry and every other area you can imagine. We believe in the Lord’s sovereign will in His plan for each of our lives and this includes being single for a good number of the people in our church. To that end, in addition to the great way many adults who are not married are integrated into many ministries at Bethany, we also have ministries specifically geared to those who are not married. These ministries are: RESOLVEDto – Bethany’s Singles Ministry (20’s and 30’s) exists to glorify God by providing a community of accountability, fellowship, and Christian encouragement (Ephesians 5:19). This ministry consists of believers who are resolved to build our community, bless our church, and reach our city. This ministry has various events. You can contact Nate Peters for more information at techguy22@gmail.com. 20/20 Adult Bible Community – This ABC meets at 9:45am on Sunday and is for people who are not married and in their 20s and 30s. Single Adults Living Truth (S.A.L.T. 35+) – S.A.L.T. exists to glorify God at Bethany by loving well and creating Christ-centered community, as well as reaching out to the larger Peoria area. If you have questions about any of these ministries, please contact Jerry Sanderson at jerry@bethanycentral.org.
His Princess Mother/Daughter Retreat May 6-7, 2016
Adventure Weekend For Fathers and Sons May 20-21, 2016
Camp Good News in Washington, IL, Camp Good News in Washington, IL, invites dads and sons to this and Kidz Heart Ministries invite the overnight event which includes women of Bethany to attend a challenge activities like rappelling, mother/daughter adventure zip-lining, archery, and compass weekend where, together, they will orienteering. The weekend seeks to rediscover the majesty of God, grow give fathers a new and compelling in love for Him, and as a result, vision for strategic fathering, draw grow in love for each other. Moms them closer to the Lord, and create and daughters will connect at an event where they can put some deeper levels as they share this of this new vision into practice. weekend together. Join us for high Along the way sons get to see their adventure through the camp’s dad make new commitments to outdoor activities and significant worship as we explore His Majesty’s serving God as a modern day knight, eternal plan! and are challenged to become spiritual champions themselves. Cost is $75 per pair, additional daughters +$15. Register online at: Cost is $75 per pair. Register online www.iheartcamp.org/princess at: www.iheartcamp.org/rmdk
Make plans to join us for this very special event celebrating 125 years of God’s faithfulness to the Bethany Baptist Church family!
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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D PEORIA, ILLINOIS
7422 N. Heinz Lane Edwards, IL 61528
PERMIT NO. 917 Return Service Requested
Coffee with the Elders Sunday, April 3 at 9:45am A regularly scheduled opportunity to speak with the Elders. The first Sunday of even months in the Library area by the fireplace.
First Prayer Wednesday, April 6 at 6:30pm Join us for special time of prayer in the Prayer Room.