Welcome to Beaver Creek Church

We are a small church located near Bridgewater, Virginia. Our church offers weekly services, Sunday School classes for all ages, and a small caring faith community. Our church’s mission statement says: Beaver Creek Church is a loving, caring and authentic fellowship of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit and called to be God’s church: to worship, humbly serve others and proclaim Jesus Christ. 

Worship starts at 11 a.m.*
Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m.*
Church location is 5651 Beaver Creek Road, Bridgewater, VA 22812. (See map): 540 828-2767.
*These are our regular hours. Then in June through August, our times are 30 minutes earlier.

Church leadership: We are led by Pastor Ryan Cooper and governed by a leadership team headed by Candy Hulvey. Contact us by phone at 540 828-2767 or use this contact form.

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Upcoming events:

December 10, 2023
December 17, 2023
December 21, 2023
December 24, 2023

♦ See the  entire church calendar

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Good News Brief–December 5, 2023

RECAP: HOPE IS BORN based on Luke 1:5-25

The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope. We appreciate hope more when it appears all hope is gone. That is exactly how Israel felt shortly before the arrival of Jesus. Israel never fully returned from exile. Instead of seeing independence and the glory of the Davidic kingdom restored, as prophesied in texts such as Isaiah 2 and Micah 4, the nation continued to fall under the domination of foreign rulers: Babylon, Persia, and Greece under Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided and ruled by his four generals. One of the descendants of Ptolemy, Antiochus Epiphanes, was so vain and obsessed with power that he slaughtered all of the priests of the temple and profaned them by offering their bodies as a sacrifice to a demon god, sprinkled in the parts and blood of pigs. This act inspired a nation to revolt and gain political independence, only to see it evaporate about one hundred years later when Herod the Great made a deal with Julius Caesar, bringing Israel under the Roman Empire. During this time, there was no new revelation from God, no new prophetic voice, or no new biblical text. The nation of Israel was desperate, wondering if God had abandoned them. All they had were the final words of Malachi that God would send the prophet Elijah as a forerunner to the coming of the Lord.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful people yet could not have any children of their own. Like the nation, both experienced a sense of a lack of hope. But everything changed that day when God sent the angel Gabriel with a message for Zechariah–not only would Elizabeth bear a son, but that son would be the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy and prepare the way for the arrival of Jesus! Hope had returned to the land. This episode reveals that hope is available for all. Hope is made available for the upright, who faithfully follow God. Hope came for the barren, providing life and new birth amid emptiness and pain. Hope came to restore a fallen nation, reminding them they are not forgotten, but God has come to bring them out of darkness. Hope can restore the unbelieving heart, mending the brokenness and pain, inspiring belief again. And hope has come to restore those who are disgraced, whether in the court of public opinion or by the weight and stain of sin. The promise of John the Baptist is the declaration that hope has come!

We may not have experienced 400 years of despair, but it can still feel like hope is gone. But just as God intervened in that day, he will intervene in ours. Christ has come, and he still reigns victorious! But how do we live in that hope? We can live and thrive in the hope of God as we live the very message of John the Baptist. We need to repent, change our direction, no longer pursue the ways of the world or ways we think are right, and pursue God’s path. We need to restore our hearts, remove evil and sin from within, and allow God to change our hearts, nature, and character. We need to abandon disobedience and pursue righteousness. Last, we must prepare the way of the LORD, removing those obstacles that keep us from hearing or seeing God.

Hope shines in the darkness and can pierce through even the worst of times. Hope has come because of Christ. Will we walk and live in that hope?

Questions for Reflection

1) What do you feel in your life is hopeless?

2) How can you cling to God’s hope today?

3) Do you still feel the weight and gravity of your sin, or do you know the freedom of forgiveness?

4) In what areas of your life can you demonstrate repentance?

5) What obstacles keep you from following God 100%

Upcoming Service

This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent, and we will light the candle of Joy. Pastor Ryan will preach the sermon “Joy Springs Forth,” based on Luke 1:39-56. How does Christ bring us joy? How can we demonstrate the spirit of joy to the world? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out.

Daily Bible Readings for December 5 – 11

December 5: Jeremiah 29:11-13 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 6: Romans 5:1-5 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 7: Romans 8:24-31 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 8: 1 Peter 1:3-6 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 9: Hebrews 11:1-6 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 10: Psalm 47 What does this passage teach us about joy?

December 11: Nehemiah 8:5-12 What does this passage teach us about joy?

This Week’s  Events:

Sunday, December 10–Christmas Caroling after church; soup/sandwich carry-in *PLEASE SEE NOTE BELOW*

Sunday, December 10–Church pizza and movie night, 5 pm

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, December 21–Leadership Team Meeting, 7 pm

Thursday, December 21–Leadership Reorganization Meeting, 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 24–Christmas Eve @ 11 pm

Announcements:

BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!

If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office with your birthday or leave a note in the offering plate. We don’t want to miss anyone.

Social Media

Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so many people can see what is happening at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/

Advent Music Minutes & InstaChoir

Reminder to all children and youth: Please meet downstairs at 9:45 to prepare for an advent song, “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” that will be sung during worship on December 17 w/ the InstaChoir.

InstaChoir will meet briefly after church in the library.

Caroling

Beaver Creek will go caroling on Sunday, December 10 (snow/rain date December 17). We will meet right after church. Please bring a soup or sandwich tray to share. Then, we will carol to our friends!

*NOTE: Right now, soaking rain appears to be in the forecast for Sunday. There will be an email that is sent out by Friday if we will postpone caroling to the following week due to the weather.*

Pizza & Movie Night

On Sunday, December 10, please gather at the church at 5 pm. Please bring with you a pizza and a drink to share. After enjoying some fellowship, we will watch Home Alone together!

Backpacks

Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!

Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story

We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over, Phyllis Simmons (worship leading), or Joscelin Cooper (children’s story) if you want to serve.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY

Children’s Church WILL NOT meet this week. It will meet next Sunday, December 17.

Nursery

The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School and church hours. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!

Sight & Sound Interest

The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several expressions of interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you want to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.

Four Ways to Give! 

1) Mail your tithe to the church office

2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm

3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving

4) Place in the offering plate on Sunday!

Prayer Needs

Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine

Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth in your prayers as she is wrestling with cancer.

Eddie Baker (health)

Sandy Bennington (health)

Joe Berry (health)

Terri Burkholder (health)

Norma Cunningham (recovery)

Patsy Dastoli (health)

Elijah Tucker Dean (health)

Natalie Dodge (health)

Cindy Heatwole (health)

Bob Hess (health)

Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)

Ruth Luce (health)

Mark Martin (health)

Barbara Meadows (health)

Betty Miller (health)

Norlen Miller (hospital)

Mary G Miller (health)

Mary M Miller (recovery)

Savannah Miller (health)

Tami Plaugher (health)

Ann Simmons (health)

Shelby Simmons (foot)

Crystal Smith (health)

Norma Suter (recovery)

Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery)

Whitmore family (house)

Mary Whitmore (health)

Cindy Wittig (health)

Shelvy Wittig (health)

Mary Batterman (health)

Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church

Good News Brief–November 28, 2023

RECAP: WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT based on Galatians 4:4-7

Why do we celebrate Christmas? Why do we have the holiday season in the first place? It is easy to get caught up in all the wonder, excitement, and busyness of the season that we forget to slow down and remember why it exists in the first place! But what if we could slow down, reflect, and capture the essence of the meaning of the season?

The apostle Paul also wanted the Galatians to slow down and capture the core essence of their faith. What should we grab hold of? At the right time, God sent his Son in the midst of our struggles to redeem us from our sins so we can become children of God and claim our rightful inheritance! Jesus came at the right time in history, when as many people as possible could hear and receive the good news. At this precise moment in time, God sent his Son, not because we asked him to but because he loved us so much he wanted to. Jesus came amid our struggles, knowing our sinful condition and showing us the way to freedom. He redeemed us from our sins, taking the penalty of sin upon himself so we can have hope and a future. And because of God’s great love, we are now his children and have the hope and promise of eternal life!

Jesus’ love is the greatest gift we can possibly receive. Will we embrace the gift? Will we focus on what it is all about?

Questions for Reflection

1) Do you know how much God loves you?

2) What are you struggling with? Can you release it to God?

3) What sin has a hold of your life? Can you release it God?

4) What is your hope?

Upcoming Service

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and we will light the candle of Hope. Pastor Ryan will preach the sermon “Hope is Born,” based on Luke 1:5-25. How important is hope to a Christian life? Why should we pursue and cling to it? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out.

Daily Bible Readings for November 28 – December 4

November 28: Colossians 1:15-23 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

November 29: 1 John 1:1-4 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

November 30: John 1:1-18 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

December 1: Hebrews 2:5-18 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

December 2: 2 Peter 1:12-21 Why is the declaration of the Word important? How does it relate to Christ’s arrival?

December 3: Psalm 130 What does this passage teach us about hope?

December 4: Isaiah 40:27-31 What does this passage teach us about hope?

Birthdays

12/5–Lauren Shiflet

This Week’s  Events:

Saturday, December 2–Women’s Fellowship Christmas Auction @ 7 pm; Food @ 5:30 pm

Sunday, December 3–First Sunday Breakfast @ 9:15 am

Sunday, December 3–First Sunday Offering–Salvation Army

Sunday, December 3–Children’s Church

Sunday, December 3–Christmas Carols & Message @ White Birch, 1:30 pm

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, December 10–Christmas Caroling after church; soup/sandwich carry-in

Sunday, December 10–Church pizza and movie night, 5 pm

Sunday, December 24–Christmas Eve @ 11 pm

Announcements:

Simplicity– Spiritual Discipline Challenge

This month’s spiritual discipline is simplicity. Simplicity arises from minimizing any and all distractions that keep us from focusing on God.

Last week, you should have evaluated your activities compared to your faith in God. You should have also written down ideas to help you grow in your faith. This week, simply take ten minutes a day to spend time with God. Thank him for what he has done in your life, and allow him to speak life to you.

BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!

If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office with your birthday or leave a note in the offering plate. We don’t want to miss anyone.

Social Media

Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so many people can see what is happening at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/

Advent Music Minutes & InstaChoir

Reminder to all children and youth: Please meet downstairs at 9:45 to prepare for an advent song, “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” that will be sung during worship on December 17 w/ the InstaChoir.

InstaChoir will meet briefly after church in the library.

Women’s Fellowship Christmas Auction

Our next Christmas Auction is on Saturday, December 2. Food will be served at 5:30 pm, with the auction beginning at 7 pm. If you have any items that you would like to donate for the auction, please have them at the church by 5:30 pm at the latest on Saturday. Remember, all proceeds go to help fund the heating assistance ministry.

White Birch

Beaver Creek will bring the message and some carols of the seasons to White Birch this Sunday, December 3 @ 1:30 pm. Please arrive by 1:15 pm. Let’s help make the season bright!

Caroling

Beaver Creek will go caroling on Sunday, December 10 (snow date December 17). We will meet right after church. Please bring a soup or sandwich tray to share. Then, we will carol to our friends!

Pizza & Movie Night

On Sunday, December 10, please gather at the church at 5 pm. Please bring with you a pizza and a drink to share. After enjoying some fellowship, we will watch Home Alone together!

Backpacks

Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!

Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story

We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over, Phyllis Simmons (worship leading), or Joscelin Cooper (children’s story) if you want to serve.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY

Children’s Church WILL meet this week on Sunday, December 3.

Nursery

The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School and church hours. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!

Sight & Sound Interest

The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several expressions of interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you want to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.

Four Ways to Give! 

1) Mail your tithe to the church office

2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm

3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving

4) Place in the offering plate on Sunday!

Prayer Needs

Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine

Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth in your prayers as she is wrestling with cancer.

Eddie Baker (health)

Sandy Bennington (health)

Joe Berry (health)

Terri Burkholder (health)

Norma Cunningham (recovery)

Patsy Dastoli (health)

Elijah Tucker Dean (health)

Natalie Dodge (health)

Cindy Heatwole (health)

Bob Hess (health)

Darlene LaPrade (health)

Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)

Ruth Luce (health)

Mark Martin (health)

Barbara Meadows (health)

Betty Miller (health)

Norlen Miller (hospital)

Mary G Miller (health)

Mary M Miller (recovery)

Savannah Miller (health)

Tami Plaugher (health)

Ann Simmons (health)

Shelby Simmons (foot)

Crystal Smith (health)

Norma Suter (recovery)

Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery)

Whitmore family (house)

Mary Whitmore (health)

Cindy Wittig (health)

Shelvy Wittig (health)

Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church

Good News Brief–November 21, 2023

RECAP: WHAT IS YOUR TREASURE based on Matthew 6:19-24

Too often, we strive to meet our felt needs on our own. We often become stuck, trying to do anything we can to meet the need. Some needs are essential, like food, safety, security, etc. But do we trust God to take care of those needs? Jesus challenged us not to worry, to look at the sparrows and lilies, and to trust that if he could take care of them, he would take care of our needs. But do we trust God or try to solve things on our own? If we want to restore balance in our lives, we need to listen to Jesus’ counsel.

  1. Invest in the right treasure (6:19-21). Storing up treasures is not wrong within itself; however, what treasure are we investing in? It is futile to try to keep what we will lose (6:19). Things that belong to this earth do not last. We cannot take earthly treasures with us into eternity. Earthly pursuits will leave us dry, and only God will satisfy us. Instead, we need to live for the eternal, not the here and now (6:20). We do so by setting our minds on things above (Col 3:1) and by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt 6:33). Our hearts and actions will reflect what we treasure (6:21). We show our commitment to God when we pursue him above all.
  1. Clear up your vision (6:22-23). The eye is the window to the soul. When someone looks deep into our eyes, they reveal what is in our hearts. Likewise, what we gaze at with our eyes also reflects our hearts. The simple truth is that our heart has a singular devotion. We can live in the light, a life lived within the kingdom of God (6:22), or in the darkness, a life lived according to the sinful flesh (6:23). We cannot live in both worlds simultaneously. Our lives are supposed to be a mirror that reflects Christ. Either we show Christ, or we show something else. If we engage in darkness, it deepens our separation from God. Don’t fall into the enemy’s lie: you cannot live in darkness and be in the light! That is the language of compromise, which leads to becoming lukewarm and spit out of God’s mouth! God is holy; sin is unholy. That which is unholy cannot dwell in the holy. If we try to live in two different worlds, living in the light and in the darkness simultaneously, we will end up like the visual on Sunday, stuck in the middle, going nowhere.
  1. Focus on One (6:24). No one can serve two masters. At the end of the day, we will have to make a choice and choose whom or what we love most. We will ultimately choose his way if we are truly devoted and dedicated to God. But if we are devoted to the things of the world, when push comes to shove, we will sacrifice our relationship with God for those things. We can’t live in both worlds or have two treasures.

Who is the true master of your heart? If it is God, live your life through the filter of that relationship. If we strive for any other master, at the end of the day, that is who we will follow.

Questions for Reflection

1) What would you say is your greatest treasure?

2) Do you find it easy or difficult to sacrifice for God? Why?

3) Are you living in the light or darkness?

4) What would others say about your faith?

5) How can you live your life through the filter of your relationship with God today?

Upcoming Service

This Sunday, we will welcome the holiday season with our annual Hanging of the Greens service. Pastor Ryan will conclude the sermon series on the spiritual discipline of simplicity with the sermon titled, “What It is All About,” based on Galatians 4:4-7. What is the basic core of our faith? How can the holiday serve as a reminder of what is most important? Come or tune in on Sunday to find out.

Daily Bible Readings for November 21 – 27

November 21: Matthew 13:24-30 How does the parable speak to priorities?

November 22: Matthew 13:31-35 How do the parables speak to priorities?

November 23: Matthew 13:44-46 How do the parables speak to priorities?

November 24: Matthew 15:1-9 What should be our priority?

November 25: Matthew 18:1-5 What should be our priority?

November 26: Hebrews 1:1-4 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

November 27: Romans 5:6-17 Why is Jesus’ advent so important?

This Week’s  Events:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26–office closed for the holiday

Sunday, November 26–Hanging of the Greens

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, December 2–Women’s Fellowship Christmas Auction @ 7 pm; Food @ 5:30 pm

Sunday, December 3–Christmas Carols & Message @ White Birch, 1:30 pm

Sunday, December 10–Christmas Caroling after church; soup/sandwich carry-in

Sunday, December 10–Church pizza and movie night, 5 pm

Sunday, December 24–Christmas Eve @ 11 pm

Announcements:

Simplicity– Spiritual Discipline Challenge

This month’s spiritual discipline is simplicity. Simplicity arises from minimizing any and all distractions that keep us from focusing on God.

Last week, you should have written down in addition to a daily list of events and the approximate time you spent on each one, your reasons why you spend time in that area. This week’s task: next to each item you listed, evaluate those reasons and activities in light of your faith. Write down one of these three phrases next to each entry: helps me grow closer to God, has no effect on my faith, or negatively impacts my faith. Then, write down some ideas on what changes can be made to help you grow in your faith in that area.

BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!

If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office with your birthday or leave a note in the offering plate. We don’t want to miss anyone.

Hanging of the Greens

We will have our seasonal Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, November 26. Please bring:

–an ornament for the ornament exchange

–a finger food/dessert for the carry-in meal after church

–gloves, scarves, and mittens for the Mitten Tree

–fruit for the fruit baskets for our elderly friends

–money you would spend on sending Christmas Cards (for the Salvation Army)

–A Christmas Card for the whole church

–start collecting the perishables(reverse Advent) for the Stokesville Food Pantry

Social Media

Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so many people can see what is happening at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/

Backpacks

Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!

Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story

We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over, Phyllis Simmons (worship leading), or Joscelin Cooper (children’s story) if you want to serve.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY

Children’s Church WILL NOT meet this week. It will resume next Sunday, December 3.

Nursery

The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School and church hours. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!

Sight & Sound Interest

The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several expressions of interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you want to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.

Four Ways to Give! 

1) Mail your tithe to the church office

2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm

3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving

4) Place in the offering plate on Sunday!

Prayer Needs

Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine

Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth in your prayers as she is wrestling with cancer.

Eddie Baker (health)

Joe Berry (health)

Terri Burkholder (health)

Norma Cunningham (recovery)

Patsy Dastoli (health)

Elijah Tucker Dean (health)

Natalie Dodge (health)

Cindy Heatwole (health)

Bob Hess (health)

Darlene LaPrade (health)

Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)

Ruth Luce (health)

Mark Martin (health)

Barbara Meadows (health)

Betty Miller (health)

Norlen Miller (hospital)

Mary G Miller (health)

Mary M Miller (recovery)

Savannah Miller (health)

Tami Plaugher (health)

Also, keep Vickie’s family in your prayers as she passed away from her battle with cancer.

Ann Simmons (health)

Shelby Simmons (foot)

Crystal Smith (health)

Norma Suter (recovery)

Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery from injury)

Whitmore family (house)

Mary Whitmore (health)

Cindy Wittig (health)

Shelvy Wittig (health)

Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church