Current Magazine - Bethel Baptist Church

Pastor’s Message
When I was a young married man with two small boys, our friends
invited us to share a cottage in West Wales over the Easter period.
It would have been the first time our family were not present at our
home Church for the Easter Services but the thought of a long
weekend away was so alluring we went, on condition, Easter
Sunday morning we would go to Church. Sadly when we arrived at
the Church in the village it was closed. So we missed the Easter
Celebration in Church. We were so disappointed and felt robbed
and despite a lovely long weekend away with friends, we knew
something for us was missing.
We couldn’t celebrate with other
Christians the death and Resurrection of our Lord. We vowed never
to go away at the Easter weekend again as we felt it was so
important to remember His Resurrection in our own Church amongst
our fellow believers. We’ve never missed it in over 30 years, and
we have no regrets. For us Good Friday and Easter Sunday is
about His life, death and resurrection and it’s important to remember
and worship Him. Of course, this is how God spoke to us. It was a
valuable lesson because unbeknown to us He had plans for our lives
to serve Him at our home Church as Pastors and it would be my
privilege to be there for others to give thanks for the Risen Saviour.
It has always been a joy.
Just before Christ’s trial and crucifixion He spent most of the time
together with His best friends, the disciples. They laughed and
cried together as they reflected on the last three years of work – the
healings, the stories, the people they had met. They made so many
friends but also many enemies.
One night Jesus walked with his friends to Gethsemane. It was
there that the horror of what laid before Him really hit Him. He knew
His death was imminent. He broke down and wept as He agonised
over what was to come. He prayed for hours, to prepare Himself for
what He had to face in the next 24 hours. He knew
that only in His death could He bring us life. He was
arrested, abandoned by friends, interrogated, and
falsely accused. Spat upon and condemned. He was
sentenced and crucified. He died and was buried after
Pilate was convinced of His death. What a sacrifice!
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What an eventful time but no-one had any idea of what was about to
happen – RESURRECTION.
Death, defeat and tragedy turned to triumph – “He Arose, Hallelujah,
Christ Arose”.
Looking back we ask “How could his friends desert Him – abandon
Him?” but they did. BUT HE DID NOT ABANDON THEM. He
came back from the dead. He was Alive again just as He promised.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life – God’s way of Salvation. He
did not abandon us. Hallelujah – What a Saviour.
Coming back to my Easter holiday over 30 years ago, I felt I had
abandoned Him for my own selfish purposes. I did feel guilty but it
helped me to value more the time set aside at this special time and
I’ve never regretted staying here each Easter. We have gone on
holidays from Easter Monday onwards but we’ve gone rejoicing in our
hearts that we serve a living Saviour and God has been so good to
us.
Have a wonderful Easter rejoicing in the Resurrection.
Pastor
We invite you to join us for our services over the Easter period
Wednesday 27th March
6.30 pm
Easter Tea
Friday 29th March
10.00 am
Good Friday
Communion Service
Sunday 31st March
11.00 am &
6.00 pm
Easter Celebration
Services
A warm welcome to all
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Behold, the Easter-tide is here,
With Easter joy and bloom;
Behold the stone is rolled away,
To show a conquered tomb.
Behold, the vestures of the dead,
All folded back with care;
Behold, the dark and vacant tomb
For Jesus is not there.
Behold, he walks the earth again,
Exalted in His love;
Behold, the glory on His brow,
Reflected from above.
Behold, the Easter-tide is here,
With Easter song and word;
Behold, amid these Easter gifts,
The triumph of the Lord.
Jesus is risen, as He said
Risen in triumph from the grave!
Rejoice and sing on this Easter-tide
Jesus is risen, mighty to save!
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Join us at Tearfund
Please pray and take action now
1.
For the 1 in 8 people who go to bed hungry each night.
2.
That the Church in the UK will be a strong, passionate voice
for justice as part of the IF campaign
3.
Give thanks that there is enough food in the world for
everyone.
It’s outrageous that 1 in 8 people go to bed hungry each night, when
there is enough food for everyone.
There are lots of causes of
hunger and lots we can do to tackle it. Now’s the time to call on your
local MP to do all they can to tackle hunger.
2013 is a year to see promises becoming reality as the UK
government looks set to deliver the 40 year promise to spend 0.7% of
national income on aid, helping poor communities overcome poverty.
0.7% might not sound like much, but it’s a significant step.
Supporting the government as they do this lets them know that as
Christians we still care about people suffering from hunger.
It also reminds our government that we are paying attention and
looking to see other promises fulfilled too. In 2009 the UK and other
rich countries promised $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poor
countries adapt to climate change and find sustainable ways to
develop.
Tackling global hunger requires us to tackle climate
change. It is time we saw agreement on where this money will come
from.
One obvious source for this much needed climate finance is a
shipping levy. At present the fuels used by the international shipping
industry remain untaxed despite causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Putting a carbon price on international shipping would raise a
substantial portion of the money that’s been promised, as well as
reducing carbon emissions.
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Tackling climate change is key in the fight against hunger.
There’s enough food for everyone IF we all play our part.
what else you can do at www.tearfund.org/IF.
Find out
As many of you will know, Tearfund is part of the “IF” Campaign to
fight the injustice of hunger across the world. As a supporter of
Tearfund, we as a Church recently engaged in one aspect of the
campaign. We asked people to sign a campaign card to send to our
Prime Minister and we managed to send over 100 via Tearfund.
Climate change, Tax dodging, land grabs and poverty all mean that
people do not get access to the food they need. Every night one in
eight people go to bed hungry but we can make a difference.
We can raise awareness, petition our leaders, give financially and
pray for Tearfund who raise the awareness of these issues along
with other charities.
This summer our Prime Minister is hosting the G8 and we petitioned
him to do all that he could to combat the injustice of hunger and to
push for progress on the issue of “Hunger”.
Isaiah 58 v 10 says: “And if you spend yourselves on behalf of
the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your
light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like
the noonday”.
IF - Enough Food for everyone
Thanks for your ongoing support.
concentrate on Ethiopia.
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In the autumn, we will
Greetings from CARE! - Spring 2013
Gospel Proclamation
Near to where Celia and I live in Chiswick, there is a statue
of the famous eighteenth-century artist, William Hogarth,
which was unveiled in 2001 by Ian Hislop.
I recently visited Hogarth’s House, also in Chiswick, and
saw there some of the artists’ most famous pictures and
engravings, portraying the debauched, violent and corrupt
society of the late eighteenth century – works such as Gin
Lane and the Rake’s Progress.
William Wilberforce lived in the same century.
He would have
witnessed what Hogarth saw, and was determined to bring about a
social transformation of this society. A year or so after his spiritual
awakening in 1785 he said, “God Almighty has placed before me two
great objectives: the suppression of the slave trade and the
reformation of manners.” In fact his passion to see a radical change
in society, especially among the upper classes, was probably greater
than for the abolition of slavery! In the early years following his
conversion he felt that if he came out publicly as an evangelical, he’d
lose the respect and friendship of many important people and feared
he’d be far less effective. Evangelicals at that time were considered
to be fanatics.
Transforming society
In 1787, he persuaded his close friend Prime Minister William Pitt,
and the God-fearing King George III to make a Royal Proclamation ‘to
discountenance and punish all manner of vice, profaneness and
immorality’ with a view to seeing the transformation of eighteenth
century society. The result was that Proclamation Societies started
to spring up all over the country. Although the driving force behind
them was Wilberforce, and his evangelical friends, anyone was
welcome to join them. This all did some good, but Wilberforce was
frustrated by the lack of progress. He listened to his minister and
mentor John Newton preach and spent a great deal of time talking
6
with him about the biblical doctrines of sin, judgement and salvation
by grace through faith in Christ alone. This helped Wilberforce to
realise that the job of transforming society could only ever be
achieved by people who had been transformed by the gospel.
I doubt whether many people know that fear of hell played no small
part in Wilberforce’s conversion – sadly it’s a subject which we hear
little about these days, although Jesus spoke more about judgement
to come than about heaven!
Far from being an optional extra,
Wilberforce’s faith was the dynamo driving his political and cultural
outlook. He now believed that unless the hearts of people were
transformed by the gospel, the moral condition of society would
never truly change.
Reformation of ‘manners’
In 1797, Wilberforce published his personal manifesto or testimony,
which had taken him four years to write! In this he plainly stated his
evangelical beliefs, and said in no uncertain terms that he thought
the majority of the middle and upper classes were no real Christians
at all. To everyone’s surprise, the book was an immediate success,
selling 7,500 copies in six months. These days it would be hailed
as a best seller! By 1826. The circulation of its 25 editions were
unprecedented – reprinted in North America and India, and
translated into five European languages. John Newton deemed it
“the most valuable and important publication of the present age.”
Wilberforce felt hugely relieved that everyone knew exactly where he
stood as a convinced evangelical – especially in Parliament.
Very few Anglican clergy at that time were evangelical; in general
they didn’t want faith interfering in public life, and evangelicals were
looked down on and ridiculed for their ‘enthusiasm’. However, while
the evangelical preaching of George Whitfield and John Wesley had
a considerable influence on the poorer people, with hundreds of
thousands of lives transformed by the gospel, the upper classes –
Wilberforce’s primary target – were virtually untouched.
Wilberforce never lived to see the true fruit of his labours. It was
only after his death in 1832 that his writing had a major impact on
7
politics and society in general. Following Wilberforce in the Victorian
era came Lord Shaftesbury, Thomas Barnardo, Elizabeth Fry and a
host of other evangelical Christians, who dedicated their lives to
protecting the most vulnerable and encouraging people to act
according to biblical principles. In 1885 The Times claimed that the
income of all the charities in London alone was greater than that of
the governments of some European countries, ‘...exceeding the
revenue of Sweden, Denmark and Portugal, and double that of the
Swiss confederation.’ An estimated seventy-five per cent of these
thousands of philanthropic societies set up to help needy people were
evangelical!
The moral and social ills of Hogarth’s pictures gradually diminished.
English businessmen were now trusted to be honest, and numerous
laws were passed to improve the lives of the poor. These included
legislation on the hours and working conditions of women and
children factory workers, public health, sanitation and, most
importantly, education.
Of course the Victorians were far from perfect. There was much
hypocrisy, with many people emphasising Sunday observance and
temperance at the expense of justice and mercy. However, much
lasting good was done, both through social reform and evangelism
here and throughout the world. Wilberforce’s conviction has proved
correct, and his message is as relevant today as it was then.
Truth and compassion
I vividly remember years ago sitting in John Stott’s study and asking
him whether the gospel included social action. He replied with an
emphatic ‘No’, but stated clearly that social action is part of our
mission. We at CARE have always passionately believed that we
must proclaim the gospel ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1 v
16-17
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and then exercise our gospel responsibility and engage in social
action and care as part of our mission.
As I travel around the country, I discover so many inspiring
Christian initiatives living this message out among the homeless,
the sick, the poor, and in their neighbourhoods. Unless people’s
hearts are changed by the power of the gospel we are wasting our
time longing for transformation.
Let’s continue to proclaim the
gospel boldly and graciously, working it out with a ‘fearing and
trembling’ in social care and action.
Just like Wilberforce, we long for long-lasting spiritual
transformation in the lives of individuals so that whole communities
can be changed. We are privileged to partner with HOPE – an
umbrella organisation that supports and facilitates hundreds of
mission initiatives doing this very thing.
Two and a half centuries on there is still so much need for change –
in people’s hearts and in society as a whole. This is why CARE is
committed to work on your behalf alongside Christian politicians
and others of goodwill tackling issues of human dignity, marriage
and the family, human trafficking, and the sanctity of human life,
from conception to its natural end.
We are only able to operate because of the wonderful support of
people like you. If you have been able to help us financially thank
you! We appreciate your giving, your prayers and your practical
involvement more than we can say.
Yours in His gospel of grace and truth
Rev Lyndon Bowring
We as a Church financially support the work of
“CARE” on an annual basis from our tithe fund.
9
Christians in Syria are crying out
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights
of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights
of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31 v 8-9 NIV).
As Christians we are called to speak where others are silent, to help
where others have passed by. You will probably not read about the
plight of Syria’s Christians in the newspaper or see their suffering on
the television; the Western media has chosen largely to ignore them.
But their condition is desperate and their need is great; they are at
risk of being displaced, kidnapped, attacked, sexually assaulted and
murdered. Many also now lack the basic resources they need to
survive.
There are many dangers faced by Christians caught up in the civil
war in Syria.
We must not only speak out, but do good, especially to our Christian
brothers and sisters (Galatians 6 v 10)
Children are amongst those who suffer most at times of persecution.
Pray for our fellow Christians. Ask for God’s protection, provision
and blessing for the persecuted Syrian Church.
THE VISION
To be a strong, loving, united, mature, prayerful,
worshipping Church, grounded in God’s word where the
fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit are in evidence and to be a
healing community. To reach out to the locality and the
world with the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the
Holy Spirit.
10
Bringing Hope Transforming Lives
Exodus by plane and by bus, coming home to freedom
On boarding the plane many of the women and children whom
Barnabas Fund were airlifting from strongly Islamic Sudan to South
Sudan looked a bit anxious. But they broke out into big smiles
when getting off the plane, having safely arrived in their homeland.
Suzy, one of the rescued, said at the Juba airport, “After many years
of suffering and prayers, God opened the way for us.”
By way of three flights Barnabas Fund successfully brought 461
Christian adults and children and 31 infants to the safety of South
Sudan in September 2012, at a cost of approximately £175 per adult
or child. They are now embarking on new lives in their homeland.
Helen, one of the women, said that she was hoping to invest in
farming in the Ku’da area of Juba County, the area where she is
originally from. In Khartoum very few job opportunities were open to
her as a Christian; the wealthy Muslim Arabs who employed her as a
servant paid so little that she could not maintain her family with it;
she and three children had to resort to living in a shelter of plastic
sheets and cartons.
Like many other Christians from the South, Helen had fled north to
escape the devastation caused by the bitter civil war that lasted from
1983 to 2005, following an attempt by the Islamic North to impose
sharia on the predominantly Christian South. Sudan is ruled by
sharia, making life difficult for Christians.
After South Sudan
became independent in 2011,sharia began to be applied more
strictly, and Southerners were threatened by the Sudanese
government Many have been able to return to South Sudan since
then, but about 300,000 impoverished South Sudanese are still
stranded in Sudan, many living in camps around the capital,
Khartoum.
11
Praise God, because road connections between Sudan and South
Sudan re-opened in October last year, we have been able to
transport another 1,485 adults and children and 323 infants by bus at
a cost of around £110 per adult or child. Because of this Barnabas
Fund has been able to fulfil its original aim of rescuing 2,000 of the
most vulnerable South Sudanese Christians.
And at the time of
writing we are planning to transport another group of around 1,500 by
road in early 2013, Lord willing,
Taken from
Barnabas Aid
March/April 2013
“Barnabas” is another Christian Organisation we support from our
“Tithe Fund”
50th Birthday
Congratulations to Norma Schofield who celebrated her
50th birthday on 17th March 2013. May the Lord bless you.
60th Birthday
Congratulations to Carole Maggs and Dave
Brunton who celebrated their 60th birthdays in
March.
Carole was 60 on 1st March and
Dave on the 12th March 2013.
Every
blessing to you both.
12
OFFICERS IN THE CHURCH
Pastor:
:
Mr Michael Edwards
Elder:
:
Mr John Sweetland
Deacon/Deaconesses:
Administrator
Treasurer
:
:
:
:
:
:
Miss Jeannette Carter
Mr Alan Palmer
Mrs Shirley Bloor
Mr Edward Marshall
Mr Jon McGarrigle
Miss Sonya Palmer
Birth
Congratulations to John and Janet
Sweetland who recently became
great-grandparents.
John and
Janet’s great grandson Eli Williams
was born on 25th February 2013.
May the Lord bless you all as a
family.
13
Bible Quiz No.4 for ALL Ages
Jumbled Geography
1. MORE – a famous city
2. REGCE – a classic country
3. TEBYNAH – a village near Jerusalem
4. LAGEELI
a sea
5. NEED – a garden
6. PYGTE – an ancient country
7. NAIIS – a mountain
8. ROJNAD – a river
9. RYTE – a wicked city
10. BAARIA – a desert country
11. TEERC – a Mediterranean island
12. TARARA – a noted mountain
13. TAHENS – a capital city
14. LINE – an Egyptian river
15. YALIT – a country
God bless your efforts
Barbara Phillips
Answers on Page 20
14
“The Rock”
Serving God in
the Community
The Rock Coffee Shop is a place I have frequented for years somewhere I have called for a quick cup of coffee, a welcome
lunch after a walk, birthday celebrations, a ladies’ Bible Study
upstairs and so on. But especially precious to me are those
times when I used to take my elderly mother there for a treat
when she lived with us. I shall always be grateful for the
thoughtfulness and kindness she received from the staff.
I believe the Rock is place, not just for good food and
relaxation, but is a spiritual work that is a good witness which
glorifies the Lord Jesus. To be so, much regular prayer is
needed.
It was early last Summer, whilst my husband and I were
paying a visit to the Rock, that I realised perhaps I could offer
some help, as earlier that year my mother had passed away
and so I had more time to spare. My offer was graciously
accepted. It is now 7 months since I started helping, I really
enjoy it, inspite of my imperfect ‘cappos’ and ‘lattes’ - and it
keeps me fit!
15
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16
when I come in.
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Gloria
When you are next in the Rock, look out
for a “Word for Today” or “Inspire”
magazine. If available, please take one
home or you can just have a read whilst
drinking your coffee.
17
We presently have Easter cards, children’s books, Easter
activity books and gifts on sale. You are welcome to call
and browse (and hopefully buy).
Please support the
bookshop throughout the Spring and Summer, it is always
a difficult time for sales especially during the present
difficult times.
Why not treat yourself to a new Bible, book or CD.
Remember we will always endeavour to order your
requirement if it is not on display.
Thank you for your support.
18
Visit of Jameson Titus
Jameson flew into Heathrow from India on Friday 1st
March 2013 and travelled down to Newport where the
Pastor met him.
Jameson settled into the Rock flat in the afternoon and
then had a meal with Pastor and Ruth at their home.
A busy two weeks were planned for Jameson starting with the
Men’s breakfast on the Saturday morning. There he was able to
meet our speakers and talk to a number of our men at the
breakfast.
Sunday morning Roy and Barbara took Jameson to Crumlin
Pentecostal and then spoilt him with his favourite meal - Fish and
chips. Jameson then spoke at Trethomas Christian Fellowship in
the evening.
During the two weeks Pastor took Jameson into the local schools,
brought him to Ladies Fellowship and Bible Study and the
Parklands Home and Pastor Roy introduced him to many local
Churches including Victory Academy in Cwmbran.
When it was our turn to hear Jameson it was so informative and
encouraging ...1.2 billion Indians and only 4%-6% Christian - what a
mission field! We caught up on the news of the college, school,
orphanage, campus and of course Mary and her family. Our links
go back many years.
A big “Thank you” to Ruth, Jeannette, Angela and Ed and Barbara
and Roy who arranged wonderful meals for Jameson and everyone
who contributed to the itinerate and missions work.
Pastor and team will be visiting India at the end of October early
November so please pray that God would bless all we do in India.
19
They are in the process of getting their injections (about 6 or 7) and
visas.
In June 2013, Charly Tom from India will probably visit us for a
weekend whilst he is in the UK.
The total given to the 32 Home and Foreign Missions the
Church supported in 2012 was £7728.07, also many of our
members support missions themselves through
sponsorship of Pastors and children and general gifts.
Thank you for everyone’s generosity. The wider Church at
home and abroad have been greatly blessed by our
commitment to give to these missions.
Acts 20 v 35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
2 Cor 9 v 6 …..Whoever sows generously, will also reap
generously……. God loves a cheerful giver.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Gift Day for
the ongoing ministry of the Church at the beginning of
March. The total amount raised was £1350.
20
Winter Warmer
Wednesday 9th January 2013
With Christmas behind us, we settled down again and adjusted to the
long cold dark winter nights. The snow hadn’t yet arrived so on a cold
January evening, over 40 met for our Winter Warmer.
The room was warm and beautifully prepared with candlelit tables
scattered around and soft lighting providing a lovely ambience.
The Team preparing the evening really worked hard and everyone was
eagerly looking forward to a good evening together. We began by the
usual welcome from Pastor and then the most tasty soup was served with
various types of bread. Almost everyone had a second helping then we
all settled down with a cup of tea in anticipation.
It was very different from the Christmas tea a month earlier.
Throughout the evening we enjoyed puppets, poems, short films, a
testimony, a solo “Lord have mercy” and we sang “Great is Thy
Faithfulness”.
The theme unfolded and we discovered afresh God’s loving friendship
and forgiveness. We were reminded that God never gives up on us
despite our failures and disappointments.
We were challenged not to be held back in 2013 by last year’s failures
and disappointments but to trust in our faithful God to lead us into new
experiences of His Grace. In the gospels we read He led Peter from his
denial and desperation to His bold confession and restoration.
God knows we are going to fail, but He is there to redeem us and forgive.
Our failures can make us stronger through Him.
We reluctantly left the “Winter Warmer” thankful for the friendship shared
with each other in the Lord and eagerly looked forward to
the next Fellowship Night – “Where on earth is Wales?”
led by Waleswide Team
Thank you to everyone
21
MENS BREAKFAST 2nd MARCH 2013
The January Men’s breakfast is always a great event to kick off the
New Year and with all the preparations ready the big day was nearly
here. But then during the Thursday evening it started snowing and
snowing and snowing and, therefore, by morning travelling was
impossible and as things were not going to improve by the Saturday it
was decided to postpone the breakfast until the 2nd March. Well they
say some of the best things are worth waiting for and this was no
exception. We had over 40 men with many new faces which was
fantastic, not only that we had the pleasure of two speakers – Geoff
Squance and Mark Lyndon Jones of CVM. Just as we thought things
could not get any better we also had Jameson Titus from India in
attendance.
The breakfast was fantastic as always and it was great to see the
Church Hall packed. Geoff and Mark spoke about the great work that
CVM undertakes and provided details of future events and where we
could get further information. Geoff gave a really vibrant testimony of
how through all the twists and turns of life, Jesus was not only with
Geoff all the way – but Jesus was guiding and showing him the way.
Even when life does not always go how we expect or want it to, Jesus
is always with us in the storms – sometimes the storms give us
clearer vision and understanding so that we not only get through the
problems but actually see the miracles in difficult times.
The morning was really positive and encouraging and everyone had a
great time. This was the highest number of Men at a breakfast since it
was introduced, which again was very encouraging in a time when all
we seem to hear is negative growth and a reducing financial climate.
As the next Men’s Breakfast was only 6 weeks away (20th April) we
asked the men if they wanted to have another breakfast so soon?
The response was a resounding ‘YES’. Hopefully we will not have
any snow then!!! But we won’t speak too soon.
Jon McGarrigle
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A Message from Christian Concern
Thank you for praying for the vote in the House of
Commons on same sex marriage.
Although the Bill
passed (400 for and 175 against), there is still a long
way to go before the Same Sex, Marriage Bill
becomes law.
That’s why we’re asking you to keep on praying because the issue
is far from settled.
There were more ‘No’ votes than expected, which is very
encouraging for marriage supporters. Over half of the Conservative
MP’s voted against the Bill.
A number of Labour and Liberal
Democrat MPs also voted against, despite pressure not to.
Our MP, Wayne David voted for the bill.
A number of MPs and commentators have said that the issue will be
quickly forgotten. It’s important that you keep contacting your MP
where appropriate to highlight the importance of marriage.
Contact the Prime Minister
Even though David Cameron has been at the forefront of the effort to
redefine marriage, he failed to attend the debate.
Please write to the Prime Minister to express your disappointment at
his failure to attend the debate. Send a letter to: 10 Downing
Street, London, SW1A 2AA.
Next steps
The Bill now goes to what’s called the “Committee Stage” where the
Public Bill Committee examines and amends the Bill
Then comes the Report Stage, where all MPs can suggest
amendments
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The final stage in the House of Commons is the Third Reading
After this the Bill goes to the House of Lords for its first reading there.
The Bill is expected to receive significantly more opposition in the
Lords.
KEEP PRAYING
Answers to Bible Quiz No. 4 on page 14
1.
Rome
2.
Greece
3.
Bethany
4.
Galilee
5.
Eden
6.
Egypt
7.
Sinai
8.
Jordan
9.
Tyre
10. Arabia
11. Crete
12. Ararat
13. Athens
14. Nile
15. Italy
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The beginning of the birth-pangs
Heavy clouds hang over many Muslim-majority countries around the
world. The devastating war in Syria has seen over 60,000 lives lost
at the time of writing, and by the time you are reading this there may
well be 4 million people displaced internally and over a million
externally.
The Syrian economy has been devastated, and the
beleaguered Christian community in Syria faces the certain prospect
of oppression if not destruction. The process of eliminating the
Church in Iraq continues.
A dreadful tyranny hangs over the
Christian community of Egypt. Pakistan’s Christians exist in a failed
state.
In Africa, particularly Nigeria, the frequent murder of
Christians, especially when they are gathered for worship, seems
unstoppable.
Add to this the natural disasters and widespread
economic decline of our day, and we have a situation very much as
the Lord Jesus predicted to His disciples; wars, rumours of wars,
nations in conflict, famines and earthquakes (Matthew 24 v 6-7).
In the next verse our Lord explains that events such as these are
part of the birth-pangs of the new age. He counsels His disciples
that they must happen according to the divine purposes of God, and
so believers can and should remain calm. But He interprets them
as “the beginning of the suffering (literally, birth-pangs)”, which is a
technical term for the distress that is coming upon the world before
the end of the age.
As part of this distress, the people of God will be caught in horrific
situations of persecution. Because of loyalty to Jesus’ Name they
will suffer affliction, hatred and death. Worse still, some will betray
their fellow-believers; some will deny their faith; many will be
deceived by false prophets, and “the love of most will grow
cold” (Matthew 24 v 9-12).
How much of this are we already seeing?
In the face of each
calamitous situations, we may be tempted to react with apathy or
even despair, seeing no possible solution to the evil and wickedness
of our world.
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But the birth-pangs tell us that God is going to intervene directly in
history. These birth-pangs will usher in the Day of the Lord when this
present age, with all its sufferings, will be transformed into the age to
come. As Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “there is a God in
heaven who reveals mysteries,” (Daniel 2 v 28) and He has
graciously revealed to us His plan so that we should not be alarmed.
God has not abandoned the world. It is still the scene in which God’s
purposes will be fulfilled. The horror and suffering of Good Friday
gave way to the glorious resurrection victory of Easter Sunday. The
Gospel will be preached across the globe (Matthew 24 v 14). We
should not be discouraged. “When these things begin to take place,
stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing
near” (Luke 21 v 28). Judgement and a new creation are certain.
We must remain faithful to Christ, because those who stand firm to
the end will be saved (Matthew 24 v 13).
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo
International Director
Barnabas Fund
The Church at Bethel supports Barnabas Fund and sends an annual
donation from our Tithe Fund
Please, please, please support the magazine although there is no cost for this magazine, we have
to pay for the paper, covers and photocopying
amongst other things which amounts to approx £75
per quarter. We would appreciate it if you could
possibly help cover this by giving a donation to either
Jeannette, Janet or Barbara for your magazine.
Many thanks.
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WHAT’S ON
The following is a list of services/activities available in Bethel
Baptist Church, Bedwas, each week.
Sunday Services
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Tuesday
(during School Terms)
9.30 - 11.30am Parents and Toddlers
Tuesday
7.00 pm
Prayer Meeting
(First Tuesday of the
month “Christians for
Bedwas” at the Rock)
Wednesday
(except 2nd Wednesday)
2.30 pm
Ladies’
Thursday
7.00 pm
Activity and Exercise
Class every Thursday
Friday
(during School Terms)
4.30 pm
Whizzkidz – 3-7 years
(Infant School age)
Rock Solid–8-11
years (Junior School
age)
The Zone – 11 years
+ (High School age)
6.00 pm
8.00 pm
Family Service
Celebration Service
Fellowship
Bible Study 1st Thursday of each month at the Rock - 7.15 pm
Fellowship Night 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Church 7.00 pm
Other meetings as announced.
If you would like more information about any of the above, you can
contact either the Pastor or Administrator on 029 2086 2074
Tuesday to Friday between 9.00 – 12.00 hours.
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Praise God! Victory!
Section 5 is reformed – News from the Christian Institute
I am delighted to tell you that the Government has given way and
agreed to reform Section 5 of the Public Order Act. It will mean more
free speech and fewer cases of over-zealous police officers unjustly
arresting Christians. The word “insult” – which was wide open to
misinterpretation – has been stripped out of the law. Police will still
be able to maintain public order, as they should, but will not be able to
arrest people just because someone else might feel “insulted”.
Freedom to share the gospel is one of our most precious freedoms.
We cannot put a price on it. We first called for Section 5 to be
reformed three years ago. We have spent a great deal of time and
money fighting for it ever since. Letters from our supporters were
crucial. We give thanks to God and are thrilled
with the news.
Thanks to those who wrote to the Government.
As a Church we financially and prayerfully
support the Christian Institute.
DEATHS
Since the publication of the last magazine, the Pastor
has conducted the funeral services of the late Douglas
Green, Charlotte (Lottie) Davies, Peter McCarthy,
Nowell Kean, Phyllis Lewis, Melvyn Passmore, John
Evans, Carol Matthews, Freda Hampson, Karl Stone
and John Bennett.
Please pray for the bereaved
families, that God will strengthen, comfort, bless and
give them the ability to face all the adjustments of the
future.
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If God should go on Strike!
How good it is that God above
Has never gone on strike,
Because He was not treated fair
In things He didn’t like.
If only once He’d given up,
And said, “That’s it, I’m through!
I’ve had enough of those on earth,
So this is what I’ll do –
I’ll give My orders to the sun –
Cut off the heat supply,
And to the moon,
Give no more light,
And run the oceans dry.”
Then just to make things really tough,
And put the pressure on,
“Turn off the vital oxygen
Till every breath is gone.”
You know, He would be justified,
If fairness was the game
For no-one has been more abused
Or met with more disdain
Than God, and yet He carries on,
Supplying you and me
With all the favours of His grace,
And everything for free!
Men say they want a better deal,
And so ‘on strike’ they go,
But what a deal we’ve given God
To Whom, all things we owe,
We don’t care who we hurt and harm
To gain the things WE like,
BUT – what a mess we’d all be in
IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE!
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“Happy Valentine’s Day”! - What’s it all about?
Why? Because St Valentine deserves to be remembered. One
story is that Valentine, a Roman priest martyred around AD 270, was
first arrested because he dared – in love – to help persecuted
Christians. And, once in prison, he dared – in love – to share the
Gospel with the Emperor. Because of this, he was brutally executed.
So, St Valentine’s crime was to help persecuted Christians. As this
is still a crime in some countries, Valentine’s Day seems like a good
time to mention Open Doors’ World Watch List.
Every year this
highlights the 50 countries where it’s hardest to live as a Christian.
No surprise that North Korea is again in number one place! But a
disturbing trend is that the persecution of Christians is growing –
particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
Thanks to the help of many Christians, last year Open Doors were
able to highlight the reality of persecution to Parliament and the
Foreign Office alike. This year, which has already seen two pastors
shot in Kenya, a greater clampdown on Christians in Eritrea and
Sudan, another convert given a hefty fine in Algeria and ongoing
violence in Mali and Nigeria, we want to build on that.
Open Doors actively help the persecuted church and encourage us to
raise our voice on behalf of Christians in Africa, the Middle East and
elsewhere.
World Watch List
Look at the World Watch List poster in the hall and begin to pray.
It’s a great resource for not only finding out in which 50 countries it’s
hardest to live as a Christian, but also for encouraging prayer for our
brothers and sisters there, let’s also ‘in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4 v 6)
From Open Doors UK & Ireland
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DIARY OF EVENTS
March 2013
27th
Wed
29th
Fri
10.00 am
Good Friday Communion Service
31st
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Easter Family Church with Pastor
Easter Celebration Service with Pastor
April 2013
2nd Tues
6.30 pm
Easter Tea and Celebration Service
7.15 pm
Prayer Meeting at the Rock
“Christians for Bedwas”
4th
Tues
7.15 pm
Bible study in the Rock
7th
Sun
11.00 am
Family Church. The speaker is
Jonathan Forman from Blaenavon.
Celebration Service. The speaker is
Jonathan Forman from Blaenavon.
6.00 pm
10th
Wed
2.30 pm
Joint Service at Parklands Nursing
Home led by Trethomas Christian
Fellowship
10th
Wed
2.30 pm
Ladies Fellowship.
14th
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
20th
Sat
9.00 am
21st
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Family Church with Pastor
Celebration Service with Pastor
28th
Sun
11.00 am
Family Church. The speaker is Dave
Kitchen.
Celebration Service. The speaker is
Dave Kitchen.
6.00 pm
May 2012
1st Wed
2
nd
5th
Thurs
Sun
Family Church with Dennis Pidcock
Celebration Service with Pastor
Men’s Breakfast
2.30 pm
Ladies Fellowship.
7.15 pm
Bible Study in the Rock
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Family Church with Pastor
Celebration Service with Pastor
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7th
Tues
7.15 pm
Prayer Meeting at the Rock
“Christians for Bedwas”
8th
Wed
2.30 pm
Joint Service at Parklands led by
Assemblies of God Bedwas
8th
Wed
7.00 pm
Fellowship Night
12th
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
15th
Wed
2.30 pm
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Wed
2.30 pm
Sun
11.00 am
Family Church. The speaker is Tony
Lee from Cheddar Valley Community
Church.
6.00 pm
Celebration Service. The speaker is
Tony Lee from Cheddar Valley
Community Church.
2.30 pm
Ladies Fellowship
19
th
22nd
26
th
29th
Wed
June 2013
2nd
Sun
11.00 am
6.00 pm
Family Church with Shirley Bloor
Celebration Service with Pastor
Ladies Fellowship
Family Church with Pastor
Celebration Service. The speaker is
Larry Stegner from USA.
Ladies Fellowship
Family Church with Pastor
Celebration Service with Pastor
4th
Tues
7.15 pm
Prayer meeting at the Rock
“Christians for Bedwas”
5th
Wed
2.30 pm
Ladies’ Fellowship
Thurs
7.15 pm
Bible study at the Rock
6
th
Bethel Baptist Church, Church Street, Bedwas, Caerphilly, CF83 8ED
Tel: 02920 862074 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.bethelbaptistbedwas.org.uk
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