In This Issue Page 3
KidZone
Page 4
Counseling Conference First Prayer PrimeTime Fellowship
Page 5
Youth Events in March Open Hearts Open Homes Spring Forward Women’s Ministries S.A.L.T. 35+
Page 6
Children’s Ministry
Page 7
125th Anniversary Right Now Media
Page 8
Easter Services
I love our local church!
Dr. Ritch Boerckel
It is good and right for us to love the local church where God leads us to worship and work for His glory. Such love is not team pride in the course of a competition with other churches, but it is dear affection in the communion of God’s children. The church is God’s family ... Jesus’ bride and body ... a holy temple to the Lord. What a gift God gives us when He places us in His church! God designed the church to be a core part of the identity of His people. The church is not something that is external to us. The church is not a place to go or a group to join. When we are in Christ, the church is central to who we are. The eye has no identity apart from the body. The hand has no identity apart from the body. We are not outside the church looking in; we are inside the church looking out. That is the perspective on life of every healthy disciple of Jesus. As members of God’s family, believers think of the church in terms of “we” and “ours,” not “they” and “theirs.” For over 23 years God has given me the great joy of being a member at Bethany. That longevity at one local church is unusual in our day. Such a string of unbroken years in one local fellowship is not common for lay people and perhaps more uncommon for pastors. We are a people who like adventure and newness. We are energized by change. Yet after 23 years, I honestly say that I love this precious church family more than I ever have. I could not have anticipated the joy that this church would bring to me. I am happy and privileged to have given my strongest years to help her grow, deepen and sweeten in her love for God and service to Him. She has certainly returned the favor to me! Continued on page 2.